ALLEGED WIFE KILLER IN SOUTH AFRICA CAUSES DEATH OF FOUR OTHERS IN ESCAPE BID

SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE PERSONNEL

In a case likely to turn out to “had I known better” a man in the Free State (formerly the Orange State) in South Africa has worsened his case of allegedly murdering his wife by killing an additional four persons in his attempt to escape from the long hands of the law.

The police on Saturday reported that the 22 year old suspect killed his 27 year old wife by strangling her at their Namahadi, Qwaqua home on Thursday and escaped taking along with him their five year old daughter as he fled the scene in a vehicle.

ANGRY SINGLE MEN STAGE ANTI-CHRISTMAS RALLY IN TOKYO

THE PROTESTERS MARCHING IN THE STREETS

Anti-Christmas protesters calling themselves "Losers with Women" marched through Tokyo's streets Saturday, bashing the upcoming holiday as a capitalist ploy that also discriminates against singletons.

The group of about 20 -- part of the Communist-inspired group that routinely protests Western holidays -- marched under angry banners that read "Smash Christmas!" in Tokyo's Shibuya district, where couples and families strolled for holiday shopping.

The scrooges -- mostly single men -- said they were against capitalism and were opposed to the commercialization of Christmas.

SWITZERLAND HONORS EGYPTIAN ONCOLOGIST IN THE FIELD OF BREAST CANCER

PROFESSOR MOHAMED SHAALAN (M)

Mohamed Shaalan, Professor of surgical oncology, was honored by Markus Leitner, the Swiss ambassador to Cairo, and Nabil Nassar, the Chairman of the Swiss Egyptian Business Association, on December 8, for his considerable contribution to combating breast cancer in Egypt. 

Shaalan is the founder of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE), which is perceived as the first and largest association of its kind in Egypt.

According to the BCFE’s statistics, breast cancer represents more than 29 percent of women’s cancer cases in the world and 37.5 percent of women's cancer in Egypt.

Since its inception in 2004, the non-governmental organization holds a prominent role in changing the community culture's approach to breast cancer. It also raises awareness on the devastating disease among Egyptian women coming from different social and economic backgrounds. 

PRESIDENT OBAMA APPOINTS MORE TO KEY ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS; NIGERIAN BUKOLA LOVE ORIOLA APPOINTED

MS. BUKOLA LOVE ORIOLA

The Office of the Press Secretary to President of the United States of America, Barack Obama on Wednesday, December 16, announced his intent to appoint more individuals to key Administration posts in his government.

One of these was Bukola Love Oriola, a Nigerian who was appointed a member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Rights.
Bukola Love Oriola has served as an independent consultant, speaker, and author on human trafficking issues since 2009. She founded The Entian Story in 2013, a non-profit organization which advocates for survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse, which is her field of specialty. In 2009, Ms. Oriola

FEARS OF NEW ISLAMIC THREAT EMERGE IN NIGERIA

Nigeria, which is still battling Boko Haram militants, now risks unleashing a new Islamist threat after violent clashes between the army and a radical Shiite group, experts say.

Though no official death toll was released, at least a dozen members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) were killed in confrontations with the army during a religious procession last week in the northern city of Zaria.
IMN leader Ibrahim Zakzaky was seriously wounded and arrested by the army while his number two was killed during the clashes. The military was forced to put out a denial after rumours spread that Zakzaky’s wife died in custody.
The violence mirrors the bloody beginning of the Boko Haram insurrection in 2009, when the former leader of the Sunni militant group was executed in police custody and the sect took up arms against the Nigerian government.
Nigeria’s highest Muslim authority, the Sultan of Sokoto, on Monday urged the authorities to show “restraint”.
“Don’t create a new Boko Haram,” warned Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakarr in a statement.
“The past, with cataclysmic consequences that Nigeria is yet to recover from, should not be allowed to repeat itself,” he added.

AMERICAN R&B SUPERSTAR PERFORMS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA FOR 2015 PEPSI RHYTHM UNPLUGGED (PICTURES INSIDE)

American R&B music star, Trey Songz yesterday, December 18, in Lagos, Nigeria for the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged show which held at the Eko Center in Victoria Island. The annual music concert parades a number of big names in the Nigerian music industry along with international stars and this year has Trey as the main act.
Trey who had earlier expressed anticipation about the show arrived Lagos the day before and yesterday had a press conference at about 12 noon.
He had time too to meet a number of personalities in the show business circle and one of such persons was Senator Ben Murray-Bruce of the #CommonSense fame, who stated his commitment to ensuring that Nigeria has the best entertainment the world has to offer. Trey was later to react to his statement on his twitter handle where he called on the distinguished Senator to work on his smile.
The Nigerian music star, Davido who performed along side with him, also took to twitter to praise Trey's performance at the show and state his excitement at seeing the world coming together.

See pictures of the show below:

DESERVED OR MERCY? NIGERIAN SOLDIERS ON DEATH ROW FOR REFUSING TO FIGHT BOKO HARAM NOW TO SPEND 10 YEARS IN PRISON

NIGERIAN SOLDIERS IN CONVOY

The Nigerian military authorities are reported to have today, Saturday, announced that it had changed the death sentences of the 66 soldiers who were tried for mutiny based on their refusal to fight Boko Haram Islamists, stating that the soldiers will now serve a 10 year prison term. The death sentences of the 66 had earlier been confirmed in January and March, 2015 by a military council.

The Army through a statement by Colonel Sani Usman said the sentences of death by firing squad passed on 66 soldiers in 2015 by two different general court Martials had been reviewed by the authorities and each of the soldiers would now spend time in prison.

CONVICTION OF US POLICE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER IN GAY COUPLE ATTACK CAUSES REVIEW OF CITY'S HATE LAW

A US jury has freed Kathryn Knott, daughter of a suburban police chief, of four serious counts, including aggravated assault of the victims. The jury, however, found her guilty of simple assault, reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit simple assault on the four victims after its members had three days of deliberations.

Her conviction is in respect of the violent attack on a gay couple last year; she was in court with her parents for the verdict and is now on bail, pending her sentencing coming up on February 8, 2016.

Knott, 25, in her defense alleges that she never shouted abuses at the men or physically punched any of the men in their assault in September 2014 which resulted in one of the men getting a broken jaw. This is contrary to witnesses who state that she threw a punch rather than intervene; two other co defendants in the case pleaded guilty in October and were sentenced to probation.

NIGERIA'S SENATE PRESIDENT ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI CELEBRATES HIS 53RD BIRTHDAY TODAY

Nigeria seems to be in a continuous celebration mood even as the country prepares for the 2015 Christmas day coming up in a few days.
Just two days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari marked his 73RD birthday and today the number three man and also President, but this time of the Senate is also celebrating his 53RD.
Dr. Bukola Saraki surely has come a long way in the political field of Nigeria, a son of the late strong man of Kwara state politics, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, he was born on December 19, 1962, schooled both in Nigeria and overseas and qualified as a medical doctor then went into private practice.
He returned to Nigeria and worked in the banking sector before going into politics.
Senator Saraki contested for and won elections to become the governor of Kwara state in 2003. He was reelected governor in 2007 and went on to be elected a senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in 2011.
Today, he sits as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having been so elected by his distinguished colleagues in 2015.
Enough of the talk, see pictures of the celebrations below:

TRIO OF TROPICAL ISLANDS ON THE MARKET FOR $100 MILLION PLANNED FOR ECOTOURISM INITIATIVE (PHOTOS)

THE THREE ISLANDS

The Cayonetas Islands after 35 years are for sale with a new name and a price tag of $100 million. This sale is to be done in conjunction with previous University of California at Irvine ecology professor, Dr. Hana Ayala. She is the visionary behind the sale and actually a co seller of the Islands and it is expected that the new owner will hire her company Pangea World to assist in design plans as a consultant.

ARIAL VIEW OF ISLANDS

The Islands are each about half hour by helicopter from Panama City; they consist of lush islands which have 19 miles of glittering coastline and 50 unpolluted beaches which are undeveloped and uninhabited and a great breeding place for sea turtles. You would also see several types of birds not found on the mainland in these Islands.

NEW SPECIES OF BIRDS AVAILABLE

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI RECEIVES REVEREND FATHER EJIKE MBAKA ON VISIT (WITH PICTURES)

President Muhammadu Buhari earlier today, Friday received at the State House, Abuja, the Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, who paid a courtesy call on him. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was also present during the visit.

The President welcoming Father Mbaka, extolled his exemplary courage just as he said that one of the best exhortations by a man of God he had heard was one Father Mbaka delivered earlier in the year, which was honest, well delivered and expressed concern for the good of the country.

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI PICTURED WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS CUTTING HIS 73RD BIRTHDAY CAKE

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI IN GROUP PHOTOGRAPH ON 73RD BIRTHDAY

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari pictured above with family and friends as he celebrated his 73RD birthday, yesterday.

Again wish Mr. President a very happy birthday.

DUTCH COURT DECIDES THAT NIGERIAN FARMERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE SHELL IN THE NETHERLANDS

SHELL

A court in the Netherlands, today, December 18, set a historic precedent in its judgment when it decided that four Nigerian farmers from the Niger Delta area of the country have the right to sue Shell the Dutch oil multinational in the Netherlands courts for oil spills which devastated their farms and fish ponds in Nigeria. The four Nigerians whose farming activities suffered the effect of oil pollution resulting from the operations of Shell; Friday Alfred Akpan from Ikot Ada Udo, Eric Dooh from Goi and Alali Efanga and Fidelis Oguru from Oruma, all in Nigeria had in conjunction with Friends of the Earth Netherlands taken Shell to court over the oil spills.

STAR WARS ACTORS HARRISON FORD & JOHN BOYEGA ENJOY NIGERIAN MEALS TO CELEBRATE BOYEGA'S ROLE

JOHN BOYEGA

Nigerian John Boyega, 23, of the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” fame recently recalled how he celebrated landing the role of Finn in the film by taking co-star Harrison Ford out for a dinner in Peckham.

This information was contained in a video from that Bafta’s Britannia Awards tribute to Harrison Ford. He says they had dinner at Nigerian restaurant 805, which is located beneath a block of flats on Old Kent Road in South-West London in September 2014.

HARRISON FORD

SURPRISE! RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN VOTES SEPP BLATTER TO WIN THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

SEPP BLATTER AND VLADIMIR PUTIN

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has expressed his total backing for outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter, this is despite the continuing investigation of Mr. Blatter by the FBI on allegations of fraud being perpetrated during the course of his administration at the world football body.
Putin has only high regards for Blatter, who is presently on a suspension which was issued by the FIFA’s ethics committee, and he goes on to stand up for Blatter who was in charge of affairs when Russia won the rights to hosting the World Cup in 2018.

KADUNA STATE GOVERNOR MALLAM NASIR EL-RUFAI ADDRESSES THE STATE ON MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST SHI'ITES SECT

GOVERNOR NASIR EL-RUFAI

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai a few minutes ago addressed the state on the events in Zaria and Kaduna metropolis areas of the state over the past few days.

He recalled the military operations in Zaria between December 12 -14, 2015 and extended the condolences of the state government to the families who lost their loved ones in the conflicts.

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI IS 73 YEARS OLD TODAY

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari is 73 years old today, December 17, 2015.

Not one to fail to share in the joy of others, Nigerians have variously expressed their birthday wishes on the President and Commander in Chief of the country.

Among the President's goodwill wishers were the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who wished him more wisdom and strength to take Nigeria to greater heights. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki on behalf of his colleagues also prayed for the President to have strength and wisdom to steer the country.

NIGERIAN REFINERIES OUT OF ACTION EVEN AS CRUDE OUTPUT RISES

NNPC BOSS - EMMANUEL IBE KACHIKWU

Reuters reports that Nigeria's NNPC boss, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu today, December 17, stated that the country is still grappling with ageing and unproductive oil refineries even as it boosts crude output.

Crude production is forecast to reach 2.1 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) this year and should rise to 2.4 million next year, Mr. Kachikwu told reporters, though none was being refined locally.

DEATH WARNING FROM DOCTORS AFTER VIDEO OF NEW DANCE IN JAMAICA WITH HITTING OF HEAD GOES VIRAL

JAMAICANS

Doctors in Jamaica have issued stern warning to party goes after a video of a party scene showing two men dancing with one repeatedly hitting the other on the head with a metal object went viral on several social media networks.

The video seems to pass the message that one can be resistant to pain but the doctors are coming out to warn that this dance step can lead to death. Their concern is also that the video has received a lot of views and can help to popularize the dance causing much harm to persons who may be convinced to try out the dance with dire consequences.

PM DAVID CAMERON GIVES FIONA BURNETT POINT OF LIGHT AWARD FOR KNITTING OVER 700 BLANKETS FOR CHARITY

PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom each week day recognizes an outstanding individual volunteer with the Daily Point of Light award. It is for people who are making a change in their community, by assisting in various ways, helping families with dementia sufferers, raising cash for those in desperate need, problem solving, etc.

Fiona Burnett, 47, is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award in the Uk and she is recognized for knitting more than 700 blankets, at a rate of one blanket each week for the local Shelter Scotland shop over a period of 13 years, which has assisted the charity to support homeless people across the country.

NIGERIA'S MUSIC STAR TIWA SAVAGE HOLDS LISTENING PARTY FOR SECOND STUDIO ALBUM "RED"

Nigerian music star, Tiwa Savage of the Mavin group led by master producer, Don Jazzy, yesterday December 16, had a listening party for her latest music album 'RED', which is her second studio album.

The Mavin first lady as she is fondly called also had for her company at the event other stars on the Mavin label and sure enough she looked gorgeous in a sleeveless light brown mesh fitting dress.

See some of the pictures of the event below:

TERROR SCARE KEEPS AMERICAN RAPPER NELLY OUT OF LONDON AND PLANNED UK TOUR

NELLY

The American rapper, Nelly (Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) who was on Monday, December 14, supposed to begin a tour of the United Kingdom at the Koko club in London is reported to have called off the whole mini tour because of the fear of terrorism attacks in London.

SECRET SANTA CLAUS GIVE OUT CASH TO STRANGERS IN DETROIT, USA FOR EIGHT STRAIGHT YEAR

SECRET SANTA IN ACTION

A married couple from out of state has visited Detroit, USA for the eighth straight year playing Father Christmas by giving out so far about $115,000 of theirs to complete strangers. This year as in the past, they have a Free Press reporter, a photographer and a Lincoln Park Police escort with them.

FEMALE SECRET SANTA GETS A HUG IN APPRECIATION

NIGERIA'S SENATE CONSIDERS A BILL FOR CREATION OF THE NORTH/EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

SENATOR ALI NDUME

 The Senate of Nigeria today, Wednesday, December 16, considered a Bill for an Act to establish the North/East Development Commission.

The Bill which is sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, Borno South provides for the Commission when created to be responsible for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of the victims of insurgency and other related matters is co sponsored by all the North-East senators and is meant to restore and rebuild the areas devastated by the insurgency in the North-East Region.

NIGERIA'S COURT OF APPEAL REMOVES NYESOM WIKE AS GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE

NYESOM WIKE

A Court of Appeal panel in Abuja, Nigeria has struck out Governor Nyesom Wike’s appeal which sought to dismiss the judgment rendered by the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal which declared his election as governor of the state null and void.

ATTACK ON ARMY CHIEF; NIGERIAN ARMY SUBMITS PETITION AGAINST SHI'ITES SECT TO NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

NIGERIAN ARMY

The Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar has presented a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over a case the army authorities say is an alleged assassination attempt on the life of Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, whose convoy was held up by persons belonging to the Shi’ites sect along Sokoto road in Zaria, Kaduna State on Saturday, December 12, 2015.

NIGERIAN APPOINTED AMERICA'S DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER

ADEWALE ADEYEMO

America’s President Barack Obama has announced the selection of Adewale Adeyemo as his Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics. News of this appointment was contained in a statement of the President released by the Office of the Press Secretary of the White House on December 10, 2015.

HOLIDAY TRAVELERS TO TOP 100M FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, MOST WILL DRIVE

source: EPA

If you hit the roads, the skies or the rails this holiday season expect to have a little company: almost one-third of the country to be exact.

The number of holiday travelers this year will top 100 million for the first time, the AAA travel organization said Tuesday. Most of those people will be driving – and fueling up for less than $2 a gallon.
“Rising incomes and low gas prices are helping to fill stockings this year, and more people than ever will choose to spend those savings on travel this year,” said Marshall Doney, CEO of AAA.

STUDENTS OF KWARA STATE POLYTECHNIC PROTEST HIGH LATE REGISTRATION FEE

The students of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria, today, Tuesday morning are reported to have protested against the N10,000 fine imposed by the school authorities in respect of  late registration by students who fail to finish their registration within the stipulated time.

BLOCKED JEBBA ROAD

AUCTION OF ITEMS BELONGING TO LATE. PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER SPEAK OF HER

THE LATE PMs DRESSES AT THE AUCTION

Today, December 15, there was an auction of things that belonged to the late Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher. The auction heard to have caused a rift among her children, was carried out at the Christie’s auction house and as earlier stated were items from the collection of the late Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, (a title she got after she retired from the House of Commons in 1992), The auction which lasted some hours resulted to a sale of over £2m ($3m) and this is reported to have more than doubled the estimated target and had buyers from not only Europe but as far as Asia. Items auctioned included books, letters, brooches, papers, handbags and a red ministerial dispatch box that sold for £242,500).

RED MINISTERIAL BOX

NIGERIA'S D'BANJ MAKES A HISTORIC APPEARANCE ON AMERICA'S ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK E! NEWS

D'BANJ

E! News, the entertainment news division of the E! network is all about news on reality stars, entertainment occasions and showbiz gossip but the network based in the United States is shifting grounds as it takes on a star from other climes with the Nigerian musician D’Banj on focus in an upcoming news feature, which is part of the entertainment channel's Africa Special edition.

NIGERIA ARMY CONFIRMS SHI'ITES LEADER EL-ZAKZAKY IS IN ITS CUSTODY

SHEIKH IBRAHEEM EL-ZAKZAKY

The Nigerian Army authorities on Monday confirmed that they have the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife safe and alive and in their protective custody. They were taken into safe custody by the army at about 9:15am, with some other family members.

Making this disclosure was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, who spoke to pressmen in Kaduna, Nigeria. He also informed them that the couple would be allowed to speak to their group members.

NIGERIAN COURT GRANTS RAYMOND DOKPESI OF AIT BAIL

Abuja - A Federal High Court Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Chairman of African Independent Television (AIT) Raymond Dokpesi, who is standing trial over alleged N2.1bn fraud.

In a ruling of the court, Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted bail to Dokpesi in the sum of N400 million and two sureties in like sum.

RAYMOND DOKPESI

He said that each surety must have a landed property worth N200 million each.

Kolawole said that one of the sureties must be a serving or retired civil servant of the rank of a director in either the federal or state civil service.

BILL COSBY COUNTERSUES ACCUSERS FOR DEFAMATION & LOSS OF NBC AND NETFLIX DEALS

BILL COSBY

Controversy hit Bill Cosby is reported to have filed counterclaims against some of his accusers this Monday in respect of their defamation lawsuit. The accusers had filed defamation suits when their suits for sexual abuse against him failed due to the statutes of limitation, which meant they had run out of time within which to institute their sexual abuse suits.

BILL ON CRIME & CRIME TRACKING SYSTEM PRESENTED TO THE SENATE OF NIGERIA

THE SENATE CHAMBERS

The Nigerian Senate was today, Monday, presented the Bill on Crime and Criminal Tracking System sponsored by Senator Hope Uzodinma, representing Imo West Senatorial District.

The Bill seeks to ensure that the police and other security agencies have access to the criminal records on a nationwide basis through the design, development and management of a Crime and Criminal Tracking system, using biometric identification for security checks, crime investigation and counter terrorism, it is expected that a well developed criminal record tracking system would aid in the keeping of Nigeria's territory safe.

NIGERIA SENATE ISSUES CLARIFICATION ON VEHICLES PURCHASED, SAYS ARE FOR PROJECT COMMITTEES

SENATE OF NIGERIA

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria yesterday, (Sunday) issued its clarification of the recent purchase of vehicles. The Senate said in view of the country’s present economic condition, it was constrained to propose to purchase vehicles for each member’s use. It stated that the only proposal was for the purchase of project vehicles to be used by the Senate committees in the discharge of their committee duties.

NICKI MINAJ FLASHES HER LATEST BLING RING ON INSTAGRAM, EXPECTING ANOTHER FROM MEEK

NICKI AND MEEK

Music star Nicki Minaj is out with another high end piece of attraction, a piece of bling. The 33 year old rapper displayed her shiny new gum ball sized ring on Instagram on December 10, 2015 and like noted earlier, this is the second of its type that she is receiving from her boyfriend Meek Mill and it’s also a titanic non engagement ring.

THE RING...BLING

The singer had a photo of the ring on Instagram with the caption "Now this is what I'm talking about baby.

SAUDI ARABIA ELECTS WOMEN FOR THE FIRST TIME INTO PUBLIC OFFICE

SAUDI ARABIAN WOMAN VOTES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Saudi Arabia is on the brink of change like never seen before, as at least six women have been elected to public office, as preliminary results published by the state media on Sunday show. Yesterday’s elections into the municipal councils were groundbreaking as for the first time women in the country were allowed to vote and to run for office.

ADULTS NOW TAKE TO BOOK COLORING TO RELIEVE STRESS WITH GREAT RESULT

ADULT COLORING BOOK

The new vogue catching on now is one which aims to relieve stress by doing a little coloring and so people are into it so much that coloring books for adults have attained great popularity in the USA this year after initially gaining wide patronage in Europe. The coloring books often feature complex floral or geometric designs are among Amazon’s top 20 books list to show the high demand for them. Many bookshops stock them and give them prime display to feed the unquenchable demand for the books.

ADULT COLORING BOOK

PRESIDENT OF THE GAMBIA DECLARES THE COUNTRY AN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC

PRESIDENT YAHYA JAMMEH

The President of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has formally declared the tiny country, named after a river an Islamic country to join the ranks of other Islamic Republics such as Iran and Afghanistan.

Gambia has 1.8 million people out of which 95 percent are Muslim and Jammeh said “in line with the country’s religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state” stating that “as Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy.” He, however, gave assurance that other citizens of other faiths would still be able to practice their faith.

THE WORLD'S HIGHEST PAID MUSICIANS OF 2015 ACCORDING TO FORBES MAGAZINE

KATY PERRY

2015’s highest paid musician in the world is Katy Perry. The Super Bowl halftime star pulled in $135 million over the past year, making her not only the highest-paid musician of the past year, but the top-earning celebrity on the planet after Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. She grossed more than $2 million per city over the course of her Prismatic World Tour, and pads her coffers with other deals from Claire’s, Coty and Covergirl.

BRITISH EX-GUANTANAMO INMATE SHAKER AAMER TELLS ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS TO LEAVE THE UK

SHAKER AAMER

Britain’s last resident at the United States Guantanamo Bay military facility, Shaker Aamer, 48, has expressed his advice to Islamic extremists living in the UK and that is to "get the hell out".

In the course of his 13 years captivity, Mr. Aamer was reportedly tortured and held in solitary confinement for 360 days. He was eventually released and returned to the UK in October.