Justin Bieber, facing assault charge in Canada, turns himself in

(CNN) -- Justin Bieber arrived at a Toronto police station Wednesday evening to face an assault charge in connection with an encounter with a limousine driver a month ago. Bieber's arrival was a chaotic scene as determined photographers, reporters, screaming fans and the curious converged around his SUV. About a dozen Toronto police officers shoved their way through the crowd to escort Bieber, getting him through the door only after a struggle.

Bieber traveled to Toronto to be booked on the charge, which was to happen at a police station later Wednesday, two sources with knowledge of the case told CNN.

This is the 19-year-old pop star's second arrest in a week.

Bieber's representative sent a written statement to CNN on Wednesday night as the singer was inside the police station.

"The Toronto Police Service requested that Justin Bieber appear in Toronto today to face an allegation of assault relating to an incident on December 29, 2013," the statement said. "We anticipate that this matter will be treated as a summary offense, the equivalent of a misdemeanor in the United States."

"Our position is that Mr. Bieber is innocent," the representative said. "As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate to address the specifics of either the allegation or of our defense at this time."

Bieber was briefly jailed in Miami on January 23 after he was stopped by a police officer who said he was drag racing in a residential street. He was booked on charges of drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving with an expired license.

Sheriff's detectives in Los Angeles presented evidence this week to the district attorney in their investigation of Bieber's alleged egg attack on a neighbor's house three weeks ago. The prosecutor is expected to decide as early as next week whether Bieber will be charged with felony vandalism for the incident.

Police have not publicly confirmed details of the case against Bieber, but Canada's CBC News reported that Toronto Police were called to the area of Dundas Street West and University Avenue on the evening of December 29 in response to an alleged assault involving Bieber's limousine driver. At the time, it was unclear if the incident was connected to Bieber or a member of his entourage.

The singer had attended a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game at the Air Canada Centre earlier in the evening, according to the CBC.

Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, has posted messages on Twitter that appear to be related to Wednesday's arrest:

"for all those asking @JeremyBieber and @pattiemallette love their son. Stop passing judgement on a situation u dont understand. i ask people to be kind and hope for the best in people. not assume the worst. thanks"

Bieber's latest criminal arrest came just an hour after the television debut of his newest video, for his song "Confident."

Egging investigation 'tightening up'

Detectives are "tightening up" their case against Bieber in his alleged egg attack on a neighbor's residence, an investigator said Tuesday.

The neighbor accused Bieber of tossing eggs over a fence and onto the mansion next door on January 9, causing an estimated $20,000 in damage.

A dozen Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies raided Bieber's $6.5 million home in the exclusive Oaks community in Calabasas, California, two weeks ago, taking the security video system as evidence.

A prosecutor reviewed the security video Monday and asked detectives to do more investigation before a decision is made about charging the pop star with felony vandalism, according to Lt. David Thompson.

Detectives will likely meet again with prosecutors in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office next week, Thompson said. The district attorney will then decide if a charge will be filed against Bieber.

Miami arrest

Bieber's lawyer on Wednesday entered a written plea of not guilty on behalf of Bieber for charges he faces in Miami, according to the Miami Dade County court docket. His attorney also requested a jury trial.

The plea means Bieber will not have to return to Florida for formal arraignment on the DUI, resisting arrest without violence, and driving on expired license charges.

Although Breathalyzer tests suggest Bieber was not too drunk to legally drive when he was pulled over by Miami Beach police early on January 23, it could be two or three weeks before tests are back from the lab that should give a more accurate blood-alcohol reading and could tell if he was high on marijuana.

Bieber blew .011 and .014 in two Breathalyzer tests given to him at the police station, according to a source with knowledge of the results. Florida's legal limit for drivers under the drinking age of 21 is .02. The police report said Bieber failed a field sobriety test given to him at the police station. He admitted to drinking, using marijuana and taking prescription pills, police said.

Although Bieber was not charged with speeding, the arresting officer said it was his reason for stopping Bieber and testing his sobriety.

The head of the exotic car rental company that owns the yellow Lamborghini Bieber was driving said on Saturday that the GPS tracking system in the high-performance car indicated Bieber never exceeded 55 mph in the 15 minutes before the stop.

The Breathalyzer tests and the GPS information could help Bieber lawyer Roy Black in his defense of the singer.

Bieber fled Miami late on January 24, boarding a private jet for a flight to Panama City, Panama. Paparazzi photos showed Bieber strolling along a beach on the Pacific Ocean on Saturday, kicking a soccer ball while others kite-surfed above the waves.

Other photos showed his manager, Braun, and mentor Usher Raymond with Bieber at the Panama resort. His representatives have been silent about the criminal charges, declining to comment to CNN.

CNN

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL For Thursday 30 January 2014 "SECRETS OF OVERWHELMING BLESSINGS"

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL For Thursday 30 January 2014 "SECRETS OF OVERWHELMING BLESSINGS"

Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 28:1
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.


Read: Proverbs 11:24-25

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 


Messages

God wants you to have overwhelming blessings; blessings that you will have and you will say it is enough. Having such blessings - the type that God gives, depends on what you hear and on what you see. 
Also, to be overwhelmingly blessed depends on how you go about acting on what you hear and see. Hearing well, seeing well and doing what you hear and see well depends on God.
 It is He alone who can give the grace to hear, see and do well. This is why it is very important and urgent too for whosoever wants God’s type of blessing which does not include sorrow to be born of God (John 3:3). Indeed God wants you to be the head and not the tail. He wants you to be above the principalities of poverty and all forms of suffering that come with it. In 3 John 2 He said:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

It took a long time before some people accepted the truth that God is interested in the prosperity of His children. Many still have not come across or accepted this truth even today.

There are several people today that God wants to bless, but they are not yet ready for the blessing because they have not heard the correct teaching concerning godly blessings as clearly written in Deuteronomy 28. This is just like many people today, who ordinarily would have loved to live holy lives, but because they hear all the time that it does not matter how they live their lives, that once they are born-again they are on their way to heaven, they live a lifestyle that has shipwrecked their faith. 

What this people are hearing is determining their destination after this life. Beloved, if you have been taught that tithing is an Old Testament practice and you ignore the commandment of God in Malachi 3:10, then you have sentenced yourself to perpetual penury. 
Know that the condition for God’s blessings is diligent obedience to biblical instructions as His eternal truth for all ages. This is why you must hear well and see well in order to do well for God to open His treasury of blessings upon you. This is why every child of God must make sure he or she fellowships in a Bible believing Christian assembly where they will be taught to practice godliness without compromise. 
My prayer for you is that the truth that will take you to your next level of prosperity will be unfolded to you in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:

Father, please open my eyes and my ears to the secrets of overwhelming blessings in your word and help me to be diligent enough to do accordingly in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 PETER 1 - 4 and PSALM 28

CHAN: MARK, GLO CHARGE EAGLES TO BEAT BLACKS STARS

Ahead of today’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana, Senate President David Mark has enjoined Nigerians to pray for Eagles’ victory over their opponents. Senator Mark in a goodwill message to the Coach Stephen Keshi-led officials and players yesterday, urged them to re-enact the team spirit and winning streak that have seen them thus far.

He reminded Nigerians that” all that the Eagles needs now is support and prayers from all of us. The boys have demonstrated the determination and strong will to deliver. I am sure they would do the nation proud”. Senator Mark reminded the Eagles and their officials of the nation’s hope on them, adding that government on its part will live up to the responsibility in terms of adequate welfare.

The National Assembly on its part, he assured will continue to provide adequate appropriation for the overall development of sports the country. 

Also yesterday, telecommunications giant and leading sponsor of football in Nigeria, Globacom called on the Super Eagles to go all out and do the nation proud by qualifying for the finals of the ongoing CHAN in South Africa. In a statement yesterday, Globacom commended the fighting spirit of the Nigerian players and tasked the technical crew to evolve ways to motivate the team to go all the way.

“The resilience of the Eagles and their coaching crew in the face of odds is worth commending, especially after the team came back to win the quarter final match against Morocco. “We reckon with the great fighting spirit which the team has so far demonstrated, especially against South Africa and Morocco, and we believe that such spirit will help the team to achieve the ultimate goal of not only qualifying for the Finals but lifting the trophy as well,” Globacom added.

Globacom praised the coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi, adding that “We have confidence in the team that they will not fail this great nation,” the statement said.

Mourinho: Hazard can be on par with Messi & Ronaldo, but must build his 'political entourage' in order to win the Ballon d'Or

The Chelsea boss says the midfielder can become one of the world's greatest players but admits the Belgian must build his 'political entourage' in order to win the Ballon d'Or

Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has the ability to match the levels of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Belgium international has been a key figure in Chelsea’s title pursuit this season, scoring nine goals in 22 Premier League games.

And while Mourinho claims the 23-year-old possesses the determination required to become one of the best players in the world, he admits Hazard’s position as a winger will restrict his opportunities in front of goal.

"Does he have the capacity to reach the level of a Messi or Cristiano? Now I say yes, because his evolution is great,” Mourinho told reporters. 

“He has time to become a great, great player and arrive where they are – he's 23, and Cristiano is 28, Messi 26 – so there is space for further evolution, and there's a great ambition in him. 

“They are also top goalscorers, of course, and that makes them even more special. Eden is a winger, a pure winger, so I don't think it's possible for Eden to be top scorer in the league. That normally affects people's judgement.

"But if he can be a match-winner, a player with high performances during a season, what I feel now in him is responsibility in every aspect. 

“Against Manchester United he made a fantastic tackle in our own box. 

“Against Stoke, he tried to kill the game, have initiative, dribbling at people, trying to make things happen. The kid is going in a fantastic direction."

But despite his praise, the Chelsea manager warns that Hazard may have to do more off the pitch in order to stand a realistic chance of winning the Ballon d’Or.

"If he wants the Ballon d'Or, he must build the entourage politically for that," Mourinho said. 

"Without the entourage and the politics, he doesn't get the Ballon d'Or. That's a different story."

Kardashian to wed Kanye West in ‘televised multi-million dollar wedding this June on the outskirts of Paris’ Palace Of Versailles

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star is said to be planning a wedding extravaganza in France that will be televised for the show – and won’t cost her a cent. Kim, 33, persuaded her camera-shy fiance Kanye West to let the cameras in on their special day because E! will pay for most of the expenses, RadarOnline is reporting.

‘Kim and Kanye have narrowed down the wedding location, which is being kept a secret at this point. It will be on the outskirts of Paris.’ ‘We will be getting married this summer, hopefully, in Paris,’ Kim told Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday. ‘We love it there.’

The mother-of-one is being both romantic and practical, as E! staffers will also take of pesky issues such as security such as removing cell phones from guests and other logistics. 

This isn’t the first time the reality star has benefitted financially from a wedding – her August 2011 nuptials to second husband Kris Humphries became a four-hour, two-part special on E!, for which the couple reportedly were paid $15 million. 

‘Even though Kim’s marriage to Kris was a disaster, she was very happy with how the wedding and reception turned out,’ the source said.

Palace fit for a queen: The reality star really wanted to get married at the Palace Of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris but palace officials apparently told her no

‘Both Kim and Kanye have very high expectations for their wedding. It will be an over-the-top affair and there will be pre-wedding festivities leading up to the big day for their guests. It’ll be like a festival.’

Kim has yearned to have the ‘festival’ take place at the Palace Of Versailles, a symbol of absolute monarchy in France, not to mention the former home of Marie Antoinette.

‘Kim and Kanye really wanted to get married at Versailles and were both hoping to persuade officials during their visit there… ultimately it backfired. It was still a firm no.

‘The couple is looking for something grand, but something that can offer privacy and security.’

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL For Wednesday 29 January 2014 "THE PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL For Wednesday 29 January 2014 "THE PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.


Read: Matthew 17:24-27

Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 

Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 

Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 

Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.


Messages

The Lord is the great provider. He has provided for numerous people before and He will provide for the needy again and again. In John 6:5-13, we read of how the Lord provided food for a multitude. He can provide for your family as well. God’s provision takes different forms. In this case, that which was available - a small meal, was multiplied supernaturally as it was shared. After everybody had eaten, there were twelve baskets of extra food left over. There are times He provides by creative miracles - bringing into existence what was not available before. The case of money from the mouth of a fish as we read in today’s Bible reading is a very good example.

I have always believed that in every man’s life, there is a river with a fish in it. I implore you to take soul winning seriously because there is somebody somewhere waiting to be witnessed to, in whose hands the Lord has deposited resources that will meet some kingdom needs. 
By the grace of God, the Lord has enabled me to catch some fishes for him, who in turn He is using to meet some of His needs. Those whom the apostles won to Christ brought everything to the apostles’ feet for distribution among the saints. God loves you so much that you don’t have to beg to possess anything. You will enjoy a deep sense of freedom when you realise that everything you need is in God’s hands and that he can direct it to you as He pleases. 

During our annual convention a few years ago, I completely ran out of money because we usually feed the participants whose number we normally could not determine in order to draw up a specific budget. It was on a Thursday of the convention week which was to last till Sunday and we had completely run out of money. My wife ran to me and said, “Darling, we need N5,000 now”. I told her to go and come back to me later. After she left, I said “Almighty God, you heard that; I need N5,000 now”. Some minutes after the prayer, a man came and said, “I was just driving past and saw the activities going on here. 
I didn’t know so much is going on here. Next, year, I would like to be a part of it.” As he turned to go, he dipped his hands into his pocket and gave me an envelope which I eagerly opened to find N1,000 in it. I was encouraged and told God that “We have N1,000 down, now it is N4,000 to go!” Shortly after that, two young people in the Church came with envelopes in their hands and handed them to me. I found N2,000 in each of them. 

This was how the Lord met that immediate need. I pray that before the end of today, the need that woke you up from your sleep shall be met by the Present Help in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:

Father, I thank you because you are the Present Help in the time of need. Please meet me at the point of my needs today in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JAMES 1 - 5 and PSALM 27

GOFAMINT VICTORY MONTH PRAYER POINTS FOR DAY 28; UNPRECEDENTED BREAKTHROUH FOR ALL GOFAMINT BRANCHES IN AFRICA

THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL (GOFAMINT)

DAY 28: WEDNESDAY 29TH JANUARY 2014

TEXTS: PSALMS 19:3-4, 20:2

FOCUS: UNPRECEDENTED BREAKTHROUH FOR ALL GOFAMINT BRANCHES IN AFRICA

INSIGHT FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYING

        There is no country where the Gospel cannot prosper for there is no place God can be restricted. All we need is God’s presence in all our branches. Psalms 19:3–4:

“[There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun”.

God is able to do it again by kindling the fire of revival, doing wonders, healing people and opening their hearts to salvation through Christ our Savior.

Signs and wonders are keys to unprecedented breakthrough, to open a new place and operate with high hand’s of God.

John 4:48: Then said Jesus unto him, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”

Jesus promised His Apostles signs and wonders as they embarked on soul-winning in the world around them.

Mark 16:17: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues”

The apostles prayed for signs and wonders Acts 4:29 – 30. Evangelist Philip brought great deliverance and joy to the city of Samaria through signs and wonders (Acts 8:5 – 8)

LET US PRAY

1.     Father, let the light of gospel continue to shine in greater dimension in Africa.

2.     Where there is road block for GOFAMINT in any Africa countries, make, a way for Your Church in Jesus’ Name.

3.     Father, give every GOFAMINT spokesman in any Africa countries diplomatic Connection to the men that matter in the country who will use their positions to help the Church (GOFAMINT).

4.     Let GOFAMINT be favored in all African countries wherever branches of the Church are located.

5.     God, let Your presence abide with all GOFAMINT Churches in Africa.

6.     All the ministers sent out, in Jesus name, receive now Apostolic anointing to do greater things for God throughout the continent of Africa.

7.     Let great healing and deliverance begin now, anywhere GOFAMINT is located in Africa.

8.     Let GOFAMINT in African Countries become miracle centres in Jesus’ name.

9.     Father, let GOFAMINT be established in all African countries where her presence are not known yet in Jesus’ name.

          Make the following prophetic declarations:

10.    GOFAMINT in Africa, you will increase.

GOFAMINT in Africa, you will breakthrough.

GOFAMINT in Africa, you will rule your world.

GOFAMINT in Africa, you will build great army for God.

GOFAMINT in Africa, you will have more than enough to do God’s work.

GOFAMINT in Africa, your ministers shall be strong and faithful.

Borno State: How Boko Haram kills 74 in church attacks, 300 houses set ablaze

Boko Haram insurgents on Sunday evening attacked another village in Borno State, killing a soldier and 51 other persons. About 16 others, including policemen and traders, were injured while 300 houses were set ablaze by the insurgents in Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

Another set of the Boko Haram fighters, armed with guns and explosives, had earlier on Sunday killed 22 people at a church service in Waga Chakawa, Adamawa State.

The Kawuri village attackers were said to have planted several explosives in the community after attacking the nearby weekly market as traders were busy getting ready to close their stalls.

An eyewitness said those who sustained varying degrees of burns were rushed to the Konduga General Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Bulama Kuliri, a resident of the village, told journalists that the attack lasted for more than four hours.

He said, “I believe more than 50 people were killed in the attack because the whole village was razed by the Boko Haram people. There were loud explosions from different directions and dead bodies littered many parts of the village.”

Another eyewitness, Ari Kolomi, told the Associated Press that “no house in the village was left standing.”
“The gunmen were more than 50 and they were using explosives and heavy-sounding guns,” he added.

A soldier said two more improvised explosive devices exploded early on Monday morning, narrowly missing security personnel who were busy collecting corpses.

One of the police officers that evacuated the wounded victims, also confirmed that at least 52 people were killed and 16 injured.

The state Police Commissioner, Lawan Tanko, confirmed the attack but said he was awaiting details on casualties.

A protocol officer in the Government House told journalists that Governor Kashim Shettima was advised to cancel his “planned visit” to the community because “the military were still conducting an operation in the area.”

Shettima later met behind closed doors with military and police officers in the state over the incident.
In Waga Chakawa, witnesses told Reuters that insurgents set off bombs and fired into the congregation in the Catholic Church in a village in Adamawa State.

They said the insurgents also burnt houses and took residents hostage during the four-hour siege.
The spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Rev. Father Raymond Danbouye, said those killed were buried at a funeral on Monday.


In the last one week, over 100 persons have been killed in attacks by members of the terror group. These attacks, according to the United Nations, led to 6,000 persons fleeing to neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Niger Republic.

On January 14 for instance, a car bomb exploded in Maiduguri, killing about 70 people.

Communities like Kwaljiri, Kaya, Ngawo Fate, Limanti, Njaba, Yahuri, Mude, Wala and Alau in the Damboa, Konduga and Gwoza Local Government Areas have all been sacked by the terrorists.

El-Rufai released after 15-hour in SSS detention

The Department of State Security Services has released a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, after detaining him for more than 15 hours. The former minister, who voluntarily walked into the agency’s headquarters at about 9 a.m on Monday, was released after midnight.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai left the SSS premises at 12.35a.m today after more than 15 hours,” the former minister’s media advisor, Muyiwa Adekeye, tweeted at 12.40 this morning.

It is not clear why the interrogation of the opposition All Progressive Congress chieftain took that long. Both the SSS and Mr. El-Rufai were not available for comment at the time of filing this report at 5.28 this morning.

One of the most active users of social media in Nigeria, Mr. El-Rufai is yet to update his Twitter and Facebook accounts with details of his ordeals in the hands of Nigeria’s secret police as at the time this report was posted.

Mr. El-Rufai had walked  into the SSS headquarters at about 9 a.m Monday, three days after the agency launched a manhunt for him.

He was accompanied by the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and a serving senator, Chris Ngige.

Mr. Amaechi, who was also allowed access into the SSS office, later left at about 12 p.m, while Mr. Ngige left two hours later.

One of Mr. El-Rufai’s wives, who accompanied him, also left subsequently as she was disallowed access to her husband, the former minister’s spokesperson had said.

“His wife left because she was just kept within the premises but not where he is,” Mr. Adekeye had told this paper.

Mr. El-Rufai’s lawyer, A. U. Mustapha, however remained with the former minister until his release.

The SSS said the former minister’s comment about possible violence in the coming elections was “provocative” and warned that those making inflammatory remarks might be prosecuted.

But Mr. El-Rufai has denied any wrongdoing, saying his position was only based on Nigeria’s electoral history.

The politician, who is one of the most vociferous critics of this administration, had gone underground Friday after the SSS launched a manhunt for him after he failed to honour an invitation from the agency in connection with his remarks at a conference in Abuja on Wednesday that there might be violence if the 2015 general elections were not credible.

The former minister declined the invitation citing his pending suit against the Service over his detention in a hotel in Awka during the Anambra state governorship election last November 16 as reason.

Mr. El-Rufai also insisted on seeing a valid warrant of arrest before he could report to the SSS office.

On Friday, operatives of the SSS stormed two properties believed to belong to Mr. El-Rufai, looking for him.

At the second property late on Friday, the SSS operatives insisted they wanted to deliver the warrant to Mr. El-Rufai personally, ignoring entreaty by his lawyer that the document should be handed over to him.

The opposition APC condemned the SSS for haunting its deputy national secretary, saying the comments attributed to the former minister were not inciting in any way.

Mr. El-Rufai himself has consistently said he would resist ploys by the SSS to silence him.

“Mallam El-Rufai will not be silenced,” the former minister had said through Mr. Adekeye, Friday.

“He will continue to do his patriotic duty of challenging INEC and the security agencies to guarantee the climate for free and fair elections in Nigeria by desisting from partisanship and the embrace of impunity.”

Premium Times

Kogi LG Chairman’s Wife, Child Abducted - Police

The wife of the Chairman of Adavi local government area of Kogi State, Salihu Adavriku and his two-year-old child have been abducted by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred at about 8:05 pm Sunday night at Kpuroko area, Ogaminana, headquarters of Adavi, the country home of the chairman.

According to the chairman, the men numbering seven entered the compound after security men at the gate had granted them access and went straight to the living room where the wife, Hashia and the daughter Safiratu were watching a television programme.

Adavriku said the heavily armed men who were not masked after forcing their way into the living room abducted his wife and daughter. He said the abductors had made contact with him and were demanding N50 million ransom.

The chairman who said he did not suspect anybody as he didn’t have problems with anyone said he had reported the matter to the police adding that the abductors who had emphasised to their victims that they were after money had also told their victims that they were not sent by anyone but were out on their own volition because these days, council chairmen seldom give money to people.

Confirming the incident, the public relations officer, of the state police command, DSP Rendegha Timpa said the police are on top of the matter to unravel the mystery surrounding the kidnap.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff helps Cuba inaugurate special development zone

Rousseff criticized the U.S.-led economic embargo against Cuba as an "unfair blockade," 

Cuban leader Raul Castro and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Monday inaugurated the first phase of the Cuba's Special Development Zone in the port of Mariel, a project largely financed by Brazil. The first phrase of the project is the construction of a 702-meter dock at the deep-water port. According to Cuban media, equipped with four super post-panamax cranes and 1,140 outlets for refrigerated containers, the dock has been already put into operation.

"Brazil is proud to work with Cuba in this mega-port," Rousseff said at the inauguration ceremony, adding that her country "believes in and is betting on Cuba's human capital," and "wants to be a leading economic ally" of Havana.

Brazil's National Economic and Social Development Bank is the largest fund provider of the 957-U.S.-dollar whole project, lending a total of 682 million dollars as soft credit.

Rousseff said her government will contribute 290 million dollars to the second phase construction of the port, and has organized a trade mission to the Caribbean island country to boost bilateral alliance and increase trade flow.

Rousseff criticized the U.S.-led economic embargo against Cuba as an "unfair blockade," saying it has prevented many countries from doing business with the Caribbean nation and hindered its economic development since is was imposed in 1961.

Castro thanked Brazil for its "significant financing" of what he called a "transcendental project for the Cuban economy."

The port, located 45 kilometers west of Havana and with an initial annual shipping capacity of 800,000 containers, will be Cuba's main gateway for foreign imports and exports, and has the potential to become the main shipping port in the Caribbean, said Castro.

"From this moment on, the mega-port of Mariel is inserted into the Cuban and Latin American port system," said the Cuban leader.

The port will serve all cargo and container traffic passing by, while the Bay of Havana will be reserved for cruise ships, according to local media.

Ban Ki-moon praises Cuba's efforts in promoting women rights, social development

Cuba has made remarkable efforts in promoting social development and gender equality in the Caribbean nation, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said here Monday.

Ban arrived in Havana earlier in the day to attend the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC for its initials in Spanish, as a special guest and to meet with Cuban authorities and representatives of civil societies.

During a meeting at the National Center for Sex Education (Cenesex), the secretary-general praised the Cuban government's support for "Unite", a UN-backed campaign aimed at ending violence against women. He also lauded the support given by civil societies in defense of women's rights.

Ban said he was touched and inspired by each action and initiative carried out in Cuba, noting that eradicating violence against women is not a dream but a possibility.

During the meeting, Mariela Castro Espin, director of Cenesex and a deputy in parliament, presented Ban symbolic certificates from his institution to commend the UN chief's promotion of the Unite campaign.

The last UN secretary-general who had visited Cuba was Kofi Annan in 2006 for a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement.

CELAC, founded in February 2010 grouping 33 member countries, seeks to deepen political, economic, social and cultural integration in Latin America and the Caribbean.

CCTV