Gossip scandal erupts in Vatican ahead of pope’s exit

With just days to go before Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, the Vatican is battling rumours that his decision was triggered by an explosive report on intrigue in its hallowed corridors of power.

The secret report compiled by a committee of three cardinals for the pope’s eyes only was the result of a broad inquiry into leaks of secret Vatican papers last year — a scandal known as “Vatileaks”.

The cardinals questioned dozens of Vatican officials and presented the pope with their final report in December 2012, just before Benedict pardoned his former butler Paolo Gabriele who had been jailed for leaking the papal memos.

The Panorama news weekly and the Repubblica daily said on Thursday that the cardinals’ report contained allegations of corruption and of blackmail attempts against gay Vatican clergymen, as well as favouritism based on gay relationships.

The Vatican has declined to comment on these two reports, with spokesman Federico Lombardi saying they were “conjectures, fictions and opinions.”

In an interview with El Pais, one of the investigating cardinals, Julian Herranz, said the scandal was “a bubble” that had been “inflated”.

“There will be black sheep, I am not saying there are not, like in all families,” he said, adding that the investigators had “spoken to people, seen what works and what does not, lights and shadows”.

Speaking to Italy’s Radio 24, Herranz said the idea that “Vatileaks” might have influenced the pope’s decision was one “hypothesis” among many others.

“These are decisions that are taken personally in the deep of one’s conscience and they must be profoundly respected,” the 82-year-old said.

At his final public mass last week, Benedict himself condemned “religious hypocrisy” and urged an end to “individualism and rivalry”.

“The face of the Church… is at times disfigured. I am thinking in particular of the sins against the unity of the Church,” he said, without elaborating.

The run-up to conclaves to elect a new pope is often accompanied by rumours and gossip in Italian media, as rival factions battle for influence.

There was a twist on Friday when Pope Benedict XVI replaced Monsignor Ettore Balestrero, a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in the Secretariat of State with a highly influential role in Vatican diplomacy and the Vatican bank’s foreign relations.

The 47-year-old is being sent as Vatican envoy to Colombia — which could be seen as a demotion.

Balestrero has been a key figure in Vatican efforts to overhaul the scandal-tainted bank, which handles the accounts of religious congregations, to comply with international anti-money laundering laws.

La Repubblica said that Balestrero’s name was mentioned in the cardinals’ report.

A Vatican expert at Italian daily La Stampa said the pope would likely meet with the three retired cardinals who authored the report before resigning.

“Vatileaks” first exploded in January last year when Italian media published a series of letters to the pope in which Carlo Maria Vigano, the head of the Vatican City’s government, denounced corruption.

The following leaks pointed to divisions in the Vatican including efforts to unseat Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, a divisive figure.

On May 23, Gabriele was arrested and his house inside the Vatican walls was raided by Vatican gendarmes who found hundreds of sensitive documents.

A day later, the head of the Vatican bank, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, was sacked, accused of mismanagement and indiscretions linked to the leaks.

Alongside a criminal investigation, the pope also asked the cardinals to investigate last year, giving them free rein to interview anyone of the 2,843 people working in the Roman Curia and 2,001 people working for the Vatican City governorate.

Dino Boffo, the former editor of the Italian Catholic weekly Avvenire, who was hounded out by false gossip that he had molested another man, said it was time to put an end to Vatican intrigue.

“I think the Holy See should stop with the terrible vice of anonymous letters being sent with no signatures and no intended recipients,” he told ANSA news agency, adding that Benedict had always urged “a clean sweep and an end to internal wars.”

Okada Robbers Kill Mother Of 5

A 42-year old mother of five  and a divorcee, Mrs Rashedatu Adebowale, has been shot dead by a 3-man robbery gang operating on a motorcycle.

According to one of the sons of the deceased, Jimoh Shobowale who is about 10 years old. “Three men came here on Okada and they told  my mother they had come to collect their money and my mother asked them ‘which money? I only have N500’. Then two of them came down from the okada and collected my mother’s handbag by force. 
“As the men on Okada wanted to go, the one at the back brought out a gun and shot her,” said Jimoh

•The slain soman, Mrs Rashedatu Adebowale

The names of the children were given by her neigbhours as Jimoh, 10, Rasheeda, Waheed and Rashedi, but the neighbours did not know the name of the fifth child, a girl, who is said to be living in Abeokuta with a relative.

I just wonder how these kids would survive.

Lagos Poly Girl Beaten To Death

Miss. Olayinde Bournes

A part-time Business Administration Student of Lagos State Polytechnic, Miss Olayinde Bournes, 22, has allegedly been beaten to death by her boyfriend, Abuchi Cyril.

The incident happened  Thursday at Shorinmade Street, Aguda-Ogba area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

According to Miss Titilayo Fagbamila, friend of the deceased girl, she always complained to her that her boyfriend, Abuchi always beat her at the slightest provocation.

She said that on Thursday when the tragedy occurred, Abuchi invited Olayinde to his house along Shorinmade Street, to see his travel documents.

•The late Miss Olayinde Bournes

Titilayo said nobody knew what happened when the lovers were together but it is believed that they had a misunderstanding which may have led to a fight.

Sources at 17, Muibi Street residence of the deceased told P.M.NEWS that  after the fight with her boyfriend, the victim was rushed to G&S Hospital where she was confirmed dead before the corpse was taken to Ikeja General Hospital for autopsy.

Abuchi was immediately arrested and taken to Area ‘G’ Police Command, Ogba, for interrogation.

When our correspondent visited Area ‘G’, Ogba, Friday morning, the suspect was seen writing his statement.

When contacted for comment, the Area ‘G’ Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ishola Abdulahi, declined to speak on the issue, saying it  was too early as investigation was going on.

Jonathan, Clinton, Fashola launch Eko Atlantic city site

Jonathan at the launch

IN furtherance of land reclamation exercise and quest to successfully construct Eko Atlantic City, President Goodluck Jonathan and former president of the United States, Bill Clinton, have thrown their weight behind efforts by  the Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to make Lagos State a tourist destination.

The Eko Atlantic City is about reclamation of land hitherto lost to the Atlantic Ocean in the last 100 years.

The leaders, who spoke at the event one after the other, noted that the city, when completed, would be a cynosure of all eyes and would bring people all over the world to study its technology.

The 5,000,000 square metres of land reclaimed from the Bar Beach was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday Speaking at the event, President Jonathan described the feat as a landmark, adding that “the project was one of the good news that we will continue to tell in the country.

“When completed, the Atlantic City will promote tourism, as it will give birth to new cities and new cities will help in no small measure in the revenue generation of the country.

“It will help in urban renewal and in the construction of new cities to complement the old ones. The Federal Government is, therefore, giving its full support once again to the project.”

Clinton, speaking at the event, said the project, when completed, would bring enormous opportunities, adding that “I am convinced that within five years, people will be coming all over the world to see this wall. In the last nine years, I have been asked to work in the aftermath of natural disasters all over the world.

“I want to thank the government and the developer for building this city. They have reclaimed five million square metres of the land initially lost to the sea. That marks the beginning of this amazing wall, they have kept their commitment and it will work to improve the economy of Nigeria,” he concluded.

Also speaking, at the event, Governor Fashola said that the project would be strengthened by the “Great Wall,” which would help in the fight against coastal erosion and in reclaiming land that had been lost to the ocean.

“The project has the prospect of generating employment in the future, as properties will spring up, which will be protected by the Great Wall of Lagos. It shows the resolve and will of man in the fight against nature. Nature again has, once again, been defeated,” he said.

He admitted that the project had faced many challenges, adding that the strong will of the people had kept it going since its conception in 2009.

The Executive Chairman of Eko Atlantic, Mr Ronald Chagoury, said the project was necessary because land had been lost to the sea for 100 years of coastal erosion.

“This land is protected by walls that can withstand the worst storms and condition not seen in the past 100 years. It will protect both the Eko Atlantic City and Victoria Island,” he remarked.

Man accused of buying human hair escapes lynching

The residents, inset- Okunade

What exactly will make a man go from a salon to salon collecting people’s hair in exchange for money? 

This is a question that only a 60-year-old man, Adewale Okunade, a landlord of a house on Segun Olatunji Street, Ijoko, Ota, Ogun State, has its answer.

It is alleged that the hair was being taken to an herbalist in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, who uses it to prepare charms for him.
It was gathered that the man had been in the business for some years but nemesis caught up with him on the fateful day when his ‘business partner’, a bricklayer, gave him away.

He said the suspect denied the hair was meant for rituals, saying he used to take the hair to an herbalist to prepare concoctions for his sores.

A resident said, “We learnt that he pays between N200,000 and N300,000 for each consignment of hair. You can see that his explanation lacks the essential elements of truth. I am also amazed that human hair has become a cure for sores.”
Wish him all the best as the police has taken up the matter.

So far, UNILAG retains its name

President Jonathan had in a broadcast to mark the 2012 Democracy Day renamed the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as Moshood Abiola University (MAULAG).

The name change had been the subject of litigation and protests from students and alumni of the institution.

A court recently ruled that the change was illegal. So the name UNILAG has been retained. Maybe there are still "needless" twists to come.

Police dislodge terrorist cell in Minna, arrest members – AIG

The police said on Thursday in Abuja that they have dislodged a terrorist cell in Minna, Niger state.

Mr Suleiman Abba, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Command, told newsmen after releasing cheque of various sums of money to families of deceased officers in the zone.

Abba said that members of the cell had been arrested.

The AIG, who did not say when the gang was dislodged, said that security in the Zone (FCT, Niger and Kaduna), had relatively improved following measures taken by the various commands.

“A cell of terrorists was to operate in Mina but we were able to get them arrested before they could carry out their heinous activities,’’ he said.

He said that various weapons were recovered from the gang.

Speaking after releasing cheque to the beneficiaries, Abba urged them to use the money well by investing it in profitable ventures.

He also urged them to be wary of fraudsters, adding that they should always seek assistance from the police whenever the need arises.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that families of 33 deceased officers, including serving four policemen, who sustained various degrees of injuries, benefited from the insurance scheme.

Some beneficiaries received N350,000 while others got N500,000.

The AIG also used the occasion to decorate eight senior officers of the Zone 7 headquarters who were recently promoted.

Four Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) and four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) were decorated with their new ranks.

Iran rejects Nigeria spying allegation

The Islamic Republic of Iran has denied allegations that it had trained militants arrested in Nigeria on charges of planning attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets in Nigeria.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said such allegations were “made up as the result of the ill will of enemies of the two countries’ good relations”, Iranian state television reported on Friday.

“Iran and Nigeria have friendly and close relations and despite the vast efforts of the two countries enemies, in recent years relations and cooperation have always improved” he said.

The State Secret Service (SSS) on Thursday confirmed the arrest of Abdullahi Mustapha Berende and two other Nigerians in December after Berende, allegedly made several suspicious trips to Iran, where he interacted with Iranians in a “high-profile terrorist network”.

According to the SSS, Berende and his Iranian handlers were involved in “grievous crimes” against Nigeria’s national security.

Berende, who will now be charged in court, admitted to reporters at the SSS headquarters that he had carried out surveillance for the Iranians.

In 2004, Israeli sources said an Iranian diplomat was arrested on suspicion of spying on the Israeli Embassy in the Federal Capital Territory. Tehran denied any arrest.

In 2010, authorities at a Lagos Port found a hidden shipment of rockets, rifle rounds and other weapons from Iran, supposedly bound for Gambia.

A Nigerian and an Iranian face criminal charges over the shipment.

Twitter rant: Shut up, Taribo tells Osaze

Taribo West

“Yekini, (may his soul RIP) our legend died in poverty…Femi Opabunmi lost his sight and struggling to feed now…T. West I heard not so comfortable and few others,” Osaze twitted.

Taribo's reply- “It is embarrassing to read such comments about me in the newspapers. The last time he probably saw me was in 2008, so what does he know about me?
Have I asked him for money before? God has been kind to me and my ministry and I have not begged anybody for money. I am doing well; I am not broke and never will be till Christ comes. In Christ, I have everything, so I am not lacking. I think he has lost track and needs to get himself together.
“He should shut up and focus on his career instead of insulting his seniors all the time. He needs to respect his elders. His utterances smacks of indiscipline and unprofessionalism. He should apologise to everyone he’s been abusing on Twitter because if he continues like this, he will not go far.”

“If he is fighting for ex-players, then that is not how to go about it. He should come home and fight those who are not helping the footballers.

“How many ex-footballers has he helped? How can he stay in England and fight for a cause in Nigeria? He should join his seniors and fight for their cause because his approach has no foundation,” Taribo added.

In my opinion, I concur with Pastor Taribo

Nigerians’ll soon enjoy regular electricity supply – Elumelu

Tony Elumelu

Yes!!!!! that title is in order! Did i hear you say "na beans"? well....I just want to be hopeful and continue believing in the face of gross circumstantial disbelief. I will just quote him;

The Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp/Woodrock, the consortium that won the bid for Ugheli Power Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, on Thursday said with the signing of transaction and industry agreements for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s successor companies, the stage was set for the citizens to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

All I say, "we dey wait"

Coping with a Sensitive Partner

Coping with sensitive people can be real hard work especially when you are not sure of how to penetrate their world and make them feel loved. You might want to ask why someone would think of being in a relationship with another who is totally different from him/her or difficult to understand.

The truth really is that relationships are not only meant to be good when two people who are like minded come together; as a matter of fact I do not believe in compatibility as a prerequisite for successful relationships. It can be nice to have someone you can easily get along with but looking for ‘a clone’ is what I question seriously. The main issue is your ability to adjust and have a meaningful love life.

Complaining about spouse’ sensitivity is a familiar terrain; they love to remain in their own world and would do anything possible to keep the walls high so you do not penetrate.  They may sometimes stay around you but in reality, you do not exist in their calculations. Shutting off people both subtly or openly is one thing sensitive persons do so well and have no regrets at all. Apparently, this is who they are; they have innate ability to keep away from others and concentrate on their personal schedule.

This nagging desire/demand for space or privacy is what posses a lot of challenges for people who are in relationship with sensitives. Relationship on its own is a life of sharing and intermingling. When your spouse constantly crave a time to be alone and involve in ‘personal times or me times’ the cord of bond is likely to be threatened if there is no mutual understanding.

Instead of getting irritable and resentful about your spouse’ behaviour, it will help to note the following:

•Sensitivity is an innate ability: According to Ted Zeff- a great author of books on ‘Highly Sensitive People’, “Being highly sensitive isn’t a disorder, ailment or flaw; it is simply an innate trait. Sensitive people already have enough pressure to cope with in their lives, so making them feel as if something is wrong with them is a fast way of killing them. There is a private struggle going through their mind daily as they see life from a different perspective; and keep wondering why things should be so different with them. No body purposely wants to be sensitive but if this is who you are: just like any other aspect of life, you can only seek and discover ways to make the best out of the situation.

•Attention to moods: Living with a partner who thrives by mood makes you wonder if they were created to perpetually interpret what goes on around them. They seem to be very sharp at noticing other people’s emotions and can easily tell when they are not wanted or welcome in an environment.

•Highly intuitive: If you share your life with a sensitive person, it will help for you to accept that their level of intuition is out of this world. They have a list of who they want around you and who should never come near their territory despite who they are to you. Needless to say that this could be painful; when it’s like they are trying to tell you who to get along with and who to keep at arms lengths. They are quick to notice people who might not be in your best interest; how they do this I really do not know but pointers face the direction that they are highly spiritual and easily connect to the energies available in their environment. Sometimes you tend to discover much later why they said certain people/friends make them uncomfortable.

•Low tolerance to noise: If by nature your loved one is upset by noise and worried by too much activities all happening at the same time, understand that they are missing out of that part of them which loves to be calm and take things slowly so as to be able to have in-depth understanding and concentration. High noise levels interfere with their inward search and meditative tendencies, so a highly sensitive person would do anything to stay out of noise and a million miles from lousy people who would talk and drain them; causing them to be even more difficult to cope with. They actually do get over stimulated to stress if trying to over socialise. Spouses who are not great ‘at people’ are sometimes misjudged and branded ‘selfish’ but this could be far from the truth; they may just be very private people. Great writers, some celebrities and counsellors have been found in this group.

•Startled by lights and strong smells: I can still remember sometime ago when a young husband told me he doesn’t understand why his bride would prefer to stay in a dark room during the day without wanting to open the curtain. If only he knew this; it would have saved them all that long argument of whether the room should be left dark or bright. It’s amazing how little things like this could make a difference in relationships.

•Body consciousness: Paying attention to how they look and appear before others is one attribute of sensitive people; they take in people’s comments seriously and this makes them a little conscious of how they look, what they wear and how others see them.

To help a sensitive spouse, you can encourage them to:

•Unwind and refresh as often as possible since their energy basically come from within.

•Shield them from being bombarded by people and social events or negative feelings.

•Make them feel great and special and not weird/strange.

•Reassuring, validating and appreciating them works out really great.

•If there are concerns, getting them to talk to a therapist or linking them with like minded people could be of help.

Steps to youthful skin

Dennis Thompson Jr. of everydayhealth.com found six recipes for younger looking skin. It was medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH in the United States. I can assure you that practising these steps will guarantee you success, if you are patient. Ciao.

The right anti-aging products and treatments can virtually turn back the clock by erasing signs of aging, fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, and other sun damage to reveal a more youthful appearance. If you haven’t been protecting your skin, it can start to give away clues about your age.

Fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear, along with brown spots and rough skin patches caused by sun exposure. Your skin might be producing less collagen, and dead skin cells don’t flake off imperceptibly anymore. If this sounds like your skin, it’s time to turn to anti-aging products and treatments to slow down, reduce, or even reverse the signs of aging and regain younger-looking skin.

Any skin that’s been regularly exposed to the elements can be expected to show its age and needs special care to maintain its youthful look, says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, CEO and medical director of Elite MD, Inc. Advanced Dermatology, Laser, and Plastic Surgery Institute in Danville, Calif.

Your anti-aging action plan
At-home and doctor’s office procedures can have a visible impact on your complexion, giving you back younger-looking skin.

Protect your skin
The first rule of thumb: Prevent the damage. “The best thing to do to protect your skin is prevention,” Dr. Badreshia-Bansal says. The sun is enemy number one, so you need to wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30 or higher whenever you’re outside. You also should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Protect your face and neck with wide-brimmed hats, your eyes with sunglasses with UV coating. Dryness is enemy number two, making lines seem more noticeable. So choose a moisturizer made for your skin type and use it regularly to keep skin supple.

Apply a vitamin A cream
Prescription-strength, vitamin A–based topical gels or creams known as retinoids can reduce wrinkles and produce younger-looking skin. “It helps to build collagen, which can prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, and to lighten dark spots,” Badreshia-Bansal says. “We also use it to treat acne, and it can help prevent precancerous growths.” Prescription retinoids include Retin-A and Renova (tretinoin), Differin (adapalene), and Avage (tazarotene).

Pick up a pentapeptide anti-wrinkle cream
These anti-aging creams stimulate the skin’s production of collagen and elastin and are found in some drugstore or beauty counter products. “You’re helping to build back the support structure that’s been lost through aging and sun damage,” Badreshia-Bansal says.

Peel to reveal fresher skin
Dermatologists use various methods to remove the top layer of skin and expose new skin. These procedures can help tighten the skin and diminish fine lines and brown spots. “By exfoliating that top layer, you’re allowing the moisturisers and other products we use to penetrate deeper and work better,” Badreshia-Bansal says.

Procedures include:
Chemical peel solutions to loosen and slough away the top layer of skin

Laser skin resurfacing to vaporize the surface skin

Microdermabrasion that sprays tiny particles to strip away topmost skin cells

Plasma skin regeneration, using a stream of ionized nitrogen gas to heat the skin and cause the top layer of cells to flake away.

How to lose weight with breakfast

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. That is a given. This is especially true for dieters who will find it easier to manage their weight and stay on track with a start to the morning that’s high in nutrition.

The trick, however, is making smart choices. “A healthy breakfast should be a variety of foods like whole grains, low-fat protein or dairy sources and fruit,” says Andrea Gorman, manager of clinical nutrition at Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

“All these food groups provide complex carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of fat. This combination of nutrients can delay hunger symptoms and keep you feeling full throughout the day.”

Don’t rule out a.m. vegetables
 You can enjoy veggies with breakfast if you add them to some eggs. Dr Jillian Roberts suggests cooking one and a half cups of sliced button mushrooms or one cup of lightly steamed vegetables (like broccoli or spinach), two beaten eggs, salt, and freshly ground pepper in a non-stick pan with one-half teaspoon of tub margarine. Add a dollop of ketchup, if desired.

Build on a healthy cereal
Top a high-fiber cereal with a sprinkle of granola, bananas, and low-fat milk or plain yogurt. This combination provides good fiber and protein intake, plus calcium and potassium.

Get off to a berry good start
Another possibility for breakfast is berries and low-fat Greek-style yogurt with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds. These foods are high in protein and volume, which can help you feel full longer.

Don’t skip the eggs
Hot breakfasts extend the range of possibilities. Scrambled eggs — one whole egg and one egg white — along with a piece of whole-wheat toast, lightly buttered, and some fruit on the side are high in protein and volume and make a great combination.

Think whole grain
Whole-grain English muffins with peanut butter or another nut butter and sliced fruit like apples or pears, along with a glass of milk, can be filling while providing protein and calcium.

Call on cottage cheese
Cottage cheese along with fruit or nuts can be a good breakfast choice that’s high in protein plus some calcium. Look for cottage cheese brands that offer extra fiber.