CARDINAL O'BRIEN: THE PRIEST WHO IS NO STRANGER TO CONTROVERSY

Cardinal O'Brien, who today announced his immediate resignation, is no stranger to making the news but it is more usually the result of his at times outspoken views.

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  Britain's Top Cardinal Keith O'Brien Resigns

Cardinal Keith O'Brien's resignation and his decision not to attend the papal conclave leaves Britain's Roman Catholics without a vote in the forthcoming election to choose the successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

The announcement comes after allegations by three priests and one ex-priest of inappropriate behaviour, published in yesterday's Observer newspaper and dating back to the 1980s. The cardinal reportedly contests the claims.

Cardinal O'Brien is no stranger to making the news but it is more usually the result of his at times outspoken views.  He has been an advocate of priests marrying but also an outspoken opponent of plans to legalise same-sex marriage.

Last year his stance earned him the Bigot of the Year award from the gay rights group Stonewall.

Cardinal O'Brien greets the Pope in Edinburgh in September 2010 (PA)

In 2007 he caused controversy when, speaking on the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act, he said the termination rate north of the border was equivalent to "two Dunblane massacres a day".  In 2008 he described the implications of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill as "grotesque" and akin to "Nazi-style experiments".

The 74-year-old, who is Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, was created and proclaimed a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in October 2003.  The cleric was born in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  He obtained a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Edinburgh and a diploma in education.   On April 3 1965 he was ordained a priest.

Cardinal O'Brien served as assistant parish priest and as chaplain of St Columba Secondary School in Cowdenbeath, where he taught maths.

Cardinal O'Brien has been an outspoken opponent against the legalisation of gay marriage (PA)

He was spiritual director of St Andrew's College in Drygrange and rector of St Mary's College, Blairs.

On August 5 1985 he was ordained Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.  Six years later he was awarded the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem: Knight Commander with star.

From 1996 to 1999 he served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles and from March 2002 until 2012, Cardinal O'Brien was President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.

The cardinal had a pacemaker fitted in 2008 following heart problems and dizzy spells.

Culled from: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/cardinal-o-brien-resigation--priest-no-stranger-to-controversy-153745526.html#bGxRTXn

AJIBOLA ARIBISALA SUSPENDED AS A SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA BY THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has barred a Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala from using the elite title accorded distinguished lawyers.

 

A statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi said Aribisala was barred courtesy of a petition filed by Fidelity Bank Plc.

"The LPPC at its meeting held today the 26th day of February 2013, considered the petition by Fidelity Bank against the person of Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala, SAN together with his response to same and after due consideration of the said response has decided in its wisdom to suspend him (i.e. Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala) from the use of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all other privileges attached to that rank pending the outcome of the court case and impeding investigation by the Sub- Committee set up by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee," the statement said.

The LPPC did not give details of the petition by Fidelity Bank.

Chief Ajibola Aribisala: stripped of SAN and privileges

Aribisala is the second top lawyer to be sanctioned by the LPPC. Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa had earlier suffered the same fate.

Culled from: http://thewillnigeria.com/business/19133.html

DONORS PLEDGE $150,000 FOR HOMELESS MAN IN KANSAS CITY FOR RETURNING DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

Sarah Darling lost her ring on the streets of Kansas City when she it unknowingly dropped it into a cup belonging to Billy Ray Harris.

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  KCTV 5 - Homeless: Billy Ray Harris's good deed has earned him over $150,000 (KCTV 5)

A homeless man has become the centre of a global fundraising campaign - after returning a diamond engagement ring to a bride-to-be who dropped it in his coffee cup.   Sarah Darling lost her ring on the streets of Kansas City when she it unknowingly dropped it into a cup belonging to Billy Ray Harris.  She desperately dashed back to the scene the next day after realising it was missing, and was overjoyed when Harris returned the valuable jewellery straight back to her.

The feel-good story has touched so many people that an online fundraising page for homeless Harris has since pulled $150,000 in less than a fortnight.  The act of selflessness by Harris, who sleeps under a bridge and spends his days in a square in Kansas City, has since been described as a 'miracle' by Ms Darling's fiance, Bill Krejci.   Mr Krejci, who set up the online donations page himself, said the act of generosity 'makes you realise that there are good people out there'.

The donations, which on Tuesday afternoon stood at $151,000, are currently enough for Harris to get himself off the streets and buy a three-bedroom house in Kansas City.

Valuable: The diamond engagement ring which Harris selflessly returned (KCTV 5)

Harris told a local television station he 'had that little devil on my shoulder saying, "Keep the money",' but he decided against pawning the ring for cash.  When a distraught Ms Darling returned to the square hoping to retrieve the ring, she told Harris: "I don't know if you remember me, but I think I gave you something that's very precious."

Harris asked her, "Was it a ring?", before adding, "Yeah I have it, I kept it for you," and pulling it from a pocket.  Ms Darling and her fiance set up the fundraising page to thank Harris for returning the ring, hoping it would pull in $1,000.

Instead, over 6,000 pledges have flooded in from Asia, Europe and America, all wishing Harris well for his good deed.

Distraught: Sarah Darling was overjoyed when she recovered the ring (KCTV 5)

One donor left a message on the page saying: "An amazing man who deserves amazing things.. I hope things go well for you :) You are a true inspiration around the world!!"

Another pledge, from Pat Gowen, read: "Thank you Mr. Harris for your honesty. You have restored my faith in people. God Bless you."   Harris himself said he didn't think he deserves all the attention he has been getting.   He told local television station KCTV: "What I actually feel is, "What is the world coming to when a person returns something that dosn't belong to him and all this happens?".'   He added: "My grandfather was a reverend. He raised me from the time I was six months old and, thank the good Lord, it's a blessing, but I do still have some character."

Harris said he may attempt to find somewhere to live in Texas, where he has family, but is currently staying with a friend.   In a statement on the Give Forward online page, Bill Krejci said after meeting Harris: "We talked about what he plans to do.

"He has a very solid plan and a very solid way of making it happen."

Culled: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/billy-ray-harris--homeless-man-in-kansas-city--missouri--returns-diamond-engagement-ring-to-sarah-darling-164608860.html#1zUzk3o

HOT AIR BALLOON CRASHES IN EGYPT KILLING 19 PASSENGERS

Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion before seeing plumes of smoke as the balloon caught fire and plunged into a sugar cane field west of Luxor, which is 320 miles (510km) south of the capital Cairo.

• Latest mobile phone footage from the crash siteSky video  1:00At least 18 people are feared dead in a hot air balloon explosion near Luxor, Egypt.

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  Chris Michel was on another balloon and heard the blast
  Sky video  0:40

One of the British survivors of the Luxor hot air balloon crash has died in hospital in Egypt, taking the UK death toll to three, it was reported this afternoon.   The horrific crash this morning claimed the lives of 18 tourists, with only two Britons and the Egyptian pilot initially surviving.   But one of the two Britons left in a critical condition has now died, according to Luxor International Hospital.

The early morning tragedy happened when a balloon exploded and caught fire, before plunging into a sugar cane field west of Luxor, which is 320 miles (510km) south of the capital Cairo.   It is thought the balloon burst into flames in mid-air after a gas explosion at an altitude of 1,000ft.

Holiday operator Thomas Cook said two Britons had been killed, with a third passing away this afternoon in hospital.   The casualties are also believed to include French tourists, as well as other nationalities, a security official in the country said.

A spokesman for air balloon tour operator Sky Cruise said there were two survivors, including the pilot, who is in a serious condition in hospital.  He said it was believed there were "about four" Britons on board.   The Foreign Office would not confirm the number of British casualties, but said they are 'urgently liaising' with overseas authorities.

Witness Christopher Michel described the carnage on Twitter, where he posted a series of photographs showing the balloons ahead of the flight.

The launch site near Luxor in Egypt prior to the accident (Christopher Michel/PA)

Graphic map showing Luxor in Egypt where a hot air balloon caught fire and exploded on Tuesday (AFP)

ŒTragic: Police and rescue officials check the wreckage of the hot air balloon that crashed in Luxor (Reuters)

"It was the balloon behind mine. I heard a loud explosion and saw smoke," he said.   Hamdy Shabaan, operations manager at another operator, Sinbad hot air balloons, said the basket was on fire when it fell to the ground.  He said there would be no more flights today as they are restricted to take place between 6 and 8am.

Egyptians gather near the scene of the balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, west of Luxor (AP)

Pictures from the scene showed one casualty in a body bag on the ground in front of an ambulance.   Mr Michel, who previously made a balloon excursion with an English pilot, said the Egyptian operation "didn't feel quite as professional" as that of his first voyage.

The US photographer was taking aerial photographs at the time of the crash.  He told the BBC: "We flew over the ancient ruins. Just before landing in the cornfields, I heard an explosion and saw smoke. I think it was the balloon behind mine.   "I wasn't sure what had happened at first. It was only when we landed we heard the full extent of what happened."   He added: "It's really, really tragic and everyone involved is in a lot of shock."

An AP reporter at the crash site said he saw eight bodies being put into body bags and taken away.  A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the reports and we are making urgent inquiries with the authorities in Egypt."

UK travel organisation Abta was seeking more information about the accident, as were the UK holiday companies who have people in Luxor at the moment.  One company with clients in the area is Thomas Cook. "We are getting in contact with our people in Luxor to get the very latest news," said a Thomas Cook spokesman.

He went on: "Luxor is a popular spot for us and a number of tourists go on balloon trips."

Photographer Christopher Michel took these images of the balloons minutes before the crash (Christopher Michel …

An Egyptian official holds hot air balloon debris from the crash site (Reuters)

Rescue workers survey the scene of the balloon wreckage west of Luxor (Reuters)

Hot air balloon trips usually take place at sunrise over the Karnak and Luxor temples as well as the Valley of the Kings.  Sixteen people were hurt, including two British women, when a balloon crashed during a tour of Luxor in April 2009.    The balloon was believed to have hit a mobile phone transmission tower near the banks of the Nile.

Linda Lea, from Stoke-on-Trent, was badly injured in a near identical balloon crash in Luxor in 2009 (SWNS)

Former policewoman Linda Lea, 67, from Stoke-on-Trent, still suffers from the multiple injuries she sustained in that crash.   She said today: "I cannot believe this has happened again. They promised to tighten safety procedures after my crash. Flights were stopped for a time.   "These balloons are just too unstable. There is not enough training of staff. There were about 22 or 23 in my balloon when it crashed and maybe there was too many then and too many in today's accident."

Following the 2009 crash, early morning hot air balloon flights over the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile were suspended for six months while safety measures were tightened up.  During the break, all 42 pilots from the eight companies who operate flights had extra training.

Other initiatives to improve safety brought in included confining all take-offs to a new balloon "airport" and limiting the maximum number of balloons up at the same time to eight - previously as many as 50 could share the air space.

Culled from: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/egypt-hot-air-balloon-crash--british-tourists-feared-to-be-among-19-dead-in-luxor-tragedy-100459718.html#38kHwZL

MICHELLE OBAMA HAS SLEEVES AIRBRUSHED ONTO OSCARS DRESS FOR IRANIAN TV FOR ARGO PRESENTATION

First Lady's Oscars presentation dress given photoshopped sleeves and high neckline for airing on Iran TV

Michelle Obama's Oscars dress was airbrushed in Iran to give her sleeves and a high neckline.   The First Lady of the USA wore a stunning sleeveless, silver Naeem Khan dress to announce Argo as the winner of Best Picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

Michelle Obama presented Argo with Best Picture at the Oscars via video link. Insert: with added sleeves for Iranian …

But the gown was too much for strict Iranian rules on the portrayal of women in the media and semi-official news agency Fars made the decision to add sleeves and a high neck using image touch-up software.

Michelle's appearance is the first time a First Lady has appeared at the Oscars. Via a video link from the White House, she praised the work of the film industry  before presenting, with the help of Jack Nicholson, the award for Best Picture.

[Related: Oscars 2013: Michelle Obama presents Best Picture award in metallic Naaem Khan dress]

In Iran, rules state that images of Iranian women on TV must show them wearing a hijab the covers their hair, arms and legs.

But the rules are more relaxed for foreigners, who may be seen without a hijab. Though, as Michelle's dress's additions show, only to a point.

[Related: Helen Hunt goes for H&M at Oscars 2013]

The fact that Michelle was announcing the honouring of Argo, a film based on a CIA mission in the 1979 to extract US security personnel from Iran during the Iran Hostage Crisis, probably didn't help matters either.   The movie has been criticised by some in Iran and for being 'anti-Iranian' and there are plans afoot to release a retaliation film that shows their side of events. 

Mohammed Hosseini, Iran's Culture Minister, said that the film 'distorted history' for propaganda purposes.

Culled from: http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/michelle-obama-added-sleeves-argo-iran-iranian-news-oscars-presentation-102204757.html

NIGERIAN PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN SPENT $1,MILLION OF AID MONEY MEANT FOR POVERTY-STRICKEN COUNTRY ON STAR-STUDDED FESTIVAL FEATURING BEYONCE AND JAY-Z'

• The money was released for the ThisDay Music Festival in Lagos in 2006.  It was money from the Bayelsa State poverty alleviation fund in Nigeria. Beyonce and Jay Z performed at the festival along with other American performers to 'tell the world through music that Nigeria's time has come'
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The Nigerian president spent $1million of aid money to entice international popstars such as Beyonce and Jay-Z to perform at a music festival in the poverty-stricken country, a media source reported.  A letter stamped and signed by Bayelsa State officials in 2006 revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan, then the Governor of the state, released 150million Nigerian Nairas from the state’s poverty alleviation fund for the inaugural ThisDay Music Festival in the city of Lagos in 2006, according to SaharaReporters.

The document surfaced after reality TV star Kim Kardashian was reportedly paid $500,000 (£329,695) for a fleeting appearance in Lagos last week, angering Nigerian commentators.

Poverty pay: One million dollars of Nigerian aid money was spent to entice international popstars such as Beyonce and Jay-Z to a music festival in the poverty-stricken country

The mother-to-be was billed to ‘co-host’ the Love Like A Movie event with African R’n’B crooner Darey Art-Alade, for which tickets cost N100,000 (£418). But according to local reports, Kim stayed at the event for 45 minutes, making a 45-second statement on the microphone.

 

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SaharaReporters reported that sources who provided the letter said there was an alleged link between producers of high profile entertainment events and government officials who control the budget at a state and federal level in Nigeria.

The letter was sent from Nduka Obaigbena, the publisher of Nigerian newspaper ThisDay – the major sponsor for the festival - to the Bayelsa State government asking for money for the festival ahead of the country’s 46th independence celebration.

Fleeting appearance: Kim Kardashian was reportedly paid $500,000 (£329,695) to 'co-host' an event in Nigeria last week

The authenticity of the letter has not been confirmed. It is not known whether the funds allegedly released by the government were paid to festival performers directly and if so, how much the performers received.

One source told SaharaReporters: ‘Mr Obaigbena often lines up financial bonanzas from numerous governors, ministers and other top government officials to finance his jamborees.’

At the bottom of the letter, a handwritten note allegedly signed by aides of then Governor Jonathan and the state’s accountant general says: ‘Release N150,000,000.00 (One hundred and fifty million naira) only to be drawn from the poverty alleviation subhead.’  The letter reads: ‘The music festival will bring the world’s top music icons to Nigeria and showcase the great news coming out of Nigeria.  ‘Already several top music icons have signed on or are signing on.

‘They’ll tell the world through music that Nigeria’s time has come.’ The publisher added: ‘We invite you to partner with us as co-hosts of the festival. ‘With a total budget of $10 million, the co-host is expected to contribute a minimum of $2.5 million.’

There was also no indication that Beyonce and Jay Z were aware that their appearance was subsidised by the Nigerian state’s poverty alleviation fund, it was reported.  Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and Ciara were also among performers at the 2006 festival. Mr Obaigbena’s parent company Leaders & Company have produced other major events in Nigeria which have seen other American stars such as Usher, Rihanna and R Kelly perform since 2006.  

ThisDay Festival has also hosted former American President Bill Clinton and Lawrence Summers, the former economic adviser for the Obama office.  Tickets prices have often been too expensive for the average Nigerian with some costing tens of thousands of Nigerian Naira. Tickets to the Love Like A Movie event in which Miss Kardashian appeared at last week cost N100,000 (£418). 

A letter stamped and signed by Bayelsa State officials revealed that the then Governor Goodluck Jonathan, now Nigerian President, released 150million Nigerian Nairas from the state's poverty alleviation fund for the inaugural ThisDay Music Festival in 2006

Guardian blogger Jeremy Weate described how her visit was an example of the country’s economic elite ‘blowing its money on bling puffery while most of the country suffers’.  He wrote: ‘Ms Kardashian appeared, said, “Hey Naija” and vamoosed. The rumour was that she’d been paid 500,000 Benjamins for the honour of mixing with the petro-class.’ A representative for Beyonce’s record label Columbia Records was unavailable for comment as was the Nigerian High Commission in London.

While Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, 47 per cent of Bayelsans live in poverty according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics. In the state’s capital, Yenagoa, about two out of every five residents do not have access to safe drinking water.

Spread the word: The letter sent from the festival's major sponsor to Nigerian government officials said that performances from stars such as Beyonce would 'tell the world through music that Nigeria's time has come'

Culled from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2283453/Nigerian-president-spent-1million-aid-money-meant-poverty-stricken-country-star-studded-festival-featuring-Beyonc-Jay-Z.html#ixzz2LuVr6Yy4 

FBI'S MOST WANTED FRAUDSTER WHO ALLEGEDLY SCAMMED USD$44 MILLION THROUGH CYBER CRIMES - NIGERIAN AMERICAN TOBECHI ENYINNA ONWUGHARA ARRESTED IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

Caught in Sydney … Tobechi Enyinna Onwuhara. Photo: FBI website

E OWNED a hip-hop record label, lived the high life in luxury hotels and loved gambling, strippers and bling but, behind the glitz and the glamour, Tobechi Enyinna Onwuhara was one of the FBI’s most wanted men, a fraudster who allegedly scammed at least $44 million through cyber crimes.  But the sophisticated con artist, who fled Florida in August 2008 to escape FBI investigators, has been caught in Sydney and sent back to the US to face a string of fraud charges.  

Born in Nigeria, Mr Onwuhara, 33, was ”provisionally arrested in response to a request from the United States government” in December last year, according to a spokeswoman for the Australian Attorney-General’s Department.  The spokeswoman said Mr Onwuhara is to face prosecution in the US for offences including identity fraud and computer fraud.  ”On January 29, the Minister for Justice [Jason Clare] made a determination to surrender Mr Onwuhara to the US,” she said.

”As a matter of long-standing practice, the Australian government does not comment on operational matters.”

Fairfax Media understands Mr Onwuhara had been living it up in Sydney after his disappearance.

The FBI’s website now lists Mr Onwuhara as captured but with scant details of the arrest. They were offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.  The source who tipped off Fairfax said Mr Onwuhara had been making regular trips to the Star casino and splashing cash at numerous popular nightclubs.  ”He would bet at the Star under a different name. He was a regular, then one day he just disappeared and someone told us he [was] wanted by the FBI,” a source said.

A spokeswoman for Echo Entertainment, which owns the casino, did not return Fairfax’s calls. The US consulate in Sydney also did not return calls.  An Australian Federal Police spokesman confirmed they arrested Mr Onwuhara.

According to the FBI’s most wanted list, Mr Onwuhara is wanted for his alleged involvement in an elaborate scheme that defrauded the financial industry out of tens of millions of dollars.  ”Onwuhara is a key member of a group of Nigerians who allegedly have been conducting fraudulent banking activities from Florida and Texas, since 2005,” the FBI’s website says. ”It is alleged that the group has been using online internet databases to steal victims’ identities.  ”Once acquired, they allegedly use the victims’ information to gain access to the victims’ home equity line of credit accounts and wire transfer the money to accounts mainly located overseas, some in the United States.”

Some of Mr Onwuhara’s alleged co-conspirators have been arrested, in and outside the US, the FBI’s website says.  Mr Onwuhara was charged federally with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest by the Eastern District Court of Virginia on August 1, 2008.

Source: smh.com.au