NAVY YARD: AARON ALEXIS HAD MENTAL ISSUES

 

The ex-US Navy reservist who killed 12 people and wounded eight at a Washington DC Navy installation had received treatment for mental health issues, US media have reported.

Aaron Alexis, 34, was treated for paranoia, trouble sleeping and hearing voices, the Associated Press reported.

Before Monday's shooting at the Washington Navy Yard he was employed as a technical contractor there.

He was shot and killed by police during the attack.

On Tuesday, the US capital remained in a state of shock after the shootings. The flag flew at half-mast over the White House, where hours after the shooting President Barack Obama had mourned "yet another mass shooting".

No motive is known for the attack.

The victims ranged in age from 46 to 73, and details about their identities and lives have just begun to emerge.

The shooting began about 8:20 local time (12:20 GMT) on Monday, when a gunman apparently shot his way into the heavily guarded Building 197, headquarters for Naval Sea Systems Command, which builds and maintains ships and submarines for the Navy.

As an employee of an IT contractor, Alexis apparently had a card granting him access to the building - even though he had had several run-ins with the law and had been discharged from the Navy under a cloud, authorities said.

"It really is hard to believe that someone with a record as chequered as this man could conceivably get, you know, clearance to get... credentials to be able to get on the base," Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray told CNN.

Witnesses said the suspect sprayed bullets in a hallway and fired from a balcony down on to workers in an atrium at the heavily secured installation in the US capital.

He was reportedly armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a handgun that he took from a police officer at the scene.

HOMELESS MAN TURNS IN A LOST BAGPACK WITH $42,000USD

It is a known fact that times are tough and everyone tries to make use of any(I mean any) opportunity that comes their way to make money but there are people who wouldn't change their values despite their situation. Such is the case of an homeless man in Boston who turned in a lost bag pack containing a passport and a lot of cash/cash equivalents to the Police.

Glen James, of Boston, right, holds a special citation while facing reporters with Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis, left

Glen James of Boston found the bag pack at the South Bay mall in the Dorchester neighbourhood around 5:30pm on Saturday.

The bag pack specifically contained:
1. A Chinese passport
2. $2,400USD in cash
3. Almost $40,000 in Traveller's Checks

The man who lost the bag pack had already informed the Best Buy staff in the mall so he was just taken to the Police Station to verify his identity once his bag pack was found. Thanks to the homeless man and hopefully he'll be rewarded.

US AND RUSSIA REACH AGREEMENT ON SYRIA CHEMICAL WEAPONS

The United states and Russia on Saturday said they have reached a deal to get rid of Syria's chemical weapons.

US Secretary of States John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister have been in talks for three days in Geneva Switzerland concerning Syria's possession of Chemical weapons.The Syrian Government according to the designed framework must submit a comprehensive list of its chemical weapons stockpile and international inspectors must be on ground no later than November.

President Obama sees this framework as an important step towards the goal of moving the weapons under international control for destruction.However,the United States is ready to launch a targeted strike against Syria if it fails to comply with the framework.

DANGOTE-RICHEST AFRICAN IN THE WORLD

Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote has been named the Richest African In The World by Forbes magazine.

The criteria used by Forbes to determine the Richest African In The World Includes:

• The value of shares held in quoted companies
• The size and market share of his/her companies
• Number of companies he/she owns 
• Assumed value of the companies and the impact of his/her companies on his/her homeland

Fifty six year old Dangote is a Nigerian business magnate who owns Dangote group,a group of companies that has interests in commodities with operations in its homeland and several other countries.

Aliko Dangote's estimated net worth is $16.1 billion USD

PRINCE WILLIAMS LEAVES THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES

After Seven years of dedicated service,the Kesington palace has announced Prince Williams' departure from the military service.He had his last shift on tuesday and will from now focus on Royal duties and Charity work together with his wife,the Duchess of Cambridge.

He was stationed at the search and rescue base on a Welsh Island called Anglesey where he lived with his wife since 2010.He is expected to move into the Kesington palace in the coming weeks.

The palace statement said that William is considering a "number of options" for public service.

For now, he will focus on his royal duties. He will also expand on his conservation work, dealing particularly with endangered species.

Kensington Palace announced he will become president of a new collaboration among seven environmental groups. The group, United for Wildlife, will focus on fighting the illegal wildlife trade.

William will also focus on charities that deal with children, veterans and service members.

CANADIAN ARRESTED IN COLUMBIA FOR 'DRUGS BELLY'-BBC

Catharina Moh of BBC exclusively reports that:

A Canadian woman has been arrested in Colombia after trying to board a flight from Bogota's international airport with a fake pregnant belly stuffed with cocaine.

Police say the tourist caught the attention of an anti-narcotics officer during a routine pat down.
You can watch the video of the paraded suspect by clicking the ''this'' link below

NIGERIA: ABDUCTED LAWYER REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER 21 DAYS

Chief Mike Ozekhome,a Nigerian lawyer and human right activist regained his freedom on Thursday the 12th of Sept.2013 after he was abducted in Lagos,Nigeria for three weeks.

His kidnappers ordered him to lay down in the car as they engaged in a gun duel with the Police who tried to rescue him before he was taken away 21 days ago.Two of his children who tried to negotiate with the kidnappers were also abducted.The kidnappers are said to have cells in various parts of Nigeria.

Chief Ozekhome as quoted by punch Nigeria said:
"They(kidnappers) asked me who i was,and i replied them that i am a Lawyer.They asked how long i have been practicing,i told them for 32 years.The experience was horrific because we were psychologically tortured.It was the nearest thing to death on earth.We were about 13 in all that were kidnapped.There was even a woman with two of her Sons and a daughter as well as her driver.The danger knows no status,religion,occupation etc.The Federal government should do certain things as a matter of urgency"

The "things" he specifically mentioned includes:

Apple unveils new iphone models

Apple has unveiled its new iphone models.One-iphone 5C will be cheap and affordable at $99 while the other one-iphone 5S will be for top end users.The iphone 5s has a finger print sensor built in it to identify the user and to provide authentication for purchases from Apple online marketplaces.The models will be available in Canada from September 20.

APPLE REPORTS THAT;

OBAMA TO KEEP SYRIAN PRESIDENT ASSAD ON HIS TOES

US President Barrack Obama in a televised address expressed his willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution to remove and destroy Syria's chemical weapons.He also made it known that the United States-"the anchor

G20 'divided' on Syria as US envoy Power criticises Russia-BBC

 

G20 leaders remain divided over the Syrian conflict as they enter the final day of their Russian summit.

Italian PM Enrico Letta said the splits were confirmed during a working dinner in St Petersburg on Thursday.

At the UN, US ambassador Samantha Power accused Russia of holding the Security Council hostage by repeatedly blocking resolutions.

She said the Security Council was no longer a "viable path" for holding Syria accountable for war crimes.

The US government accuses President Bashar al-Assad's forces of killing 1,429 people in a poison-gas attack in the Damascus suburbs on 21 August. The UK says scientists at the Porton Down research laboratories have found traces of sarin gas on cloth and soil samples.

But Assad has blamed rebels for the attack, and China and Russia have refused to agree to a Security Council resolution against Syria.

The US and France are the only nations at the G20 summit to commit to using force in Syria. China and Russia insist any action without the UN would be illegal.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN'S WIFE FILES FOR DIVORCE

Shellie Zimmerman, the wife of Trayvon Martins killer George Zimmerman has filed for a divorce. They have been married for about 25 years.

Shellie was asked if she and George were still together in a Good Morning America interview but she opted not to comment on the issue. She went further to say she wants to have children and be married. The interviewer then asked if it was with George but she said that was something she would have to think about.

If you recall, George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin in February 2012.He was discharged and acquitted after being charged for first degree murder.

YAHOO UNVEILS NEW LOGO

Yahoo has finally unveiled its new logo after a lot of anticipation by the public. It is a new Sans-Serif typeface created by yahoo.The Logo background still remains the same but the font is noticeably different.In my opinion,i don't think the new logo will be so eye-catching as anticipated.

"We wanted a logo that stayed true to our roots (whimsical, purple, with an exclamation point) yet embraced the evolution of our products," the company said on Tumblr.

This is definitely a move by new CEO Marissa Mayer to rebrand yahoo.

OBAMA AUTHORIZED TO USE FORCE ON SYRIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-A Senate panel has voted to give US President Barrack Obama the authority to use military force against the Syrian government in response to Syria's alleged use of Chemical weapons to kill Civilians.

The resolution permits Obama to order a limited military action against the Syrian government.The duration will not exceed 90 days and American troops will not be involved on ground for combat operations.

IRANIAN PRESIDENT SURPRISES THE WORLD

Newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wished all Jewish people a happy Jewish New year through his twitter account on Wednesday.It comes in contrast to former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opinion that the Holocaust was a lie..View the President's tweet below

As the sun is about to set here in #Tehran I wish all Jews, especially Iranian Jews, a blessed Rosh Hashanah. pic.twitter.com/tmaf84x7UR
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 4, 2013

XBOX ONE TO LAUNCH ON NOVEMBER 22ND

Eight years ago to the launch date of November 22nd, Microsoft launched the Xbox 360, a revolutionary gaming system that helped shape the gaming environment as it stands today. Eight years seems like a blink in history, as the Xbox One is set for release this year on the same date. The Xbox One hits shelves only a week after the PS4, the next generation gaming machine from Sony. The console war is heating up again, and while both are multi-faceted entertainment machines, it may just come down to price point.

The PS4 comes in at $399 while the Xbox One enters the market at a cool $499. This while the Wii U is still hanging out, the first new console to be released, at $299. Though, gamers have proved over time they really don't care much about price point, no matter how much they complain about it. Where the price point will make a difference is in the casual market, which might head towards the PS4 just based on the negative press the Xbox One has received due to their flip-flopping on DRM issues.

NIGERIAN GOVERNOR UNFIT TO RUN HIS STATE

Ailing Governor of Taraba State,Nigeria has been declared medically unfit by majority of the Honorable members of the State House of Assembly.His deputy Garba Humar has since been mandated to carry on as the Acting Governor of the State

Suntai in October 2012 was flying a plane with 6 people onboard when they crashed and were finally rescued by the Search and Rescue team.All Six passengers were alive but seriously injured.Suntai was immediately taken to the Adamawa German Standard Hospital and later transeferred to an hospital in New York where he has since been recuperating from the brain injury which he sustained in the accident.

He went back to Nigeria after 10 months of absence to take charge of Taraba State where his deputy has been acting as Governor.

He released a video upon his arrival where he dissolved his Cabinet and swore in a new SSG as well as Chief Of Staff but the video showed Suntai still needs more time to recover.

Most Nigerians from the comments i have read on social media think this is the time for Suntai to seek complete treatment and not power as he is apparently unfit(medically) to govern Taraba State.

DRIVELESS CARS IN THE WORKS AT NISSAN AND GM

General Motors will put a car on the road that can almost drive itself sometimes before 2020.The car is expected to use radar and cameras to steer itself between the lines.The radar will keep the car safe from a distance when it detects other cars ahead.It will also brake when necessary.

GM's demonstration comes on the same day Honda announced that it was working on short-range communications technology that will allow a car detect a pedestrian with the use of a smartphone.

Honda also announced its plans to develop a car system that warns cars and truck drivers about motorcycles.

Nissan also on Tuesday announced its plan to make cars that will drive themselves before the end of this decade.

CANADA is said to be getting its roads ready for the driveless cars 

STEPHEN HARPER SEEMS TO ENJOY TWERKING

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper surprised everyone at a Conference by saying he enjoys twerking especially with close friends and every now and then with US President Barrack Obama.He thought twerking meant tweeting.

He was actually highlighting the importance of Social media as he addressed the Ontario non-profit group volunteers when he said "A quick twerk is a great way to express what I’m thinking.”

The Alpine reports that:

The luncheon crowd went silent as Harper carried on by saying, “What? Don’t I look like I twerk?”
As a media aide hurriedly approached the stage, Harper added that as Prime Minister he “would like to twerk with every Canadian but that of course is impossible.”

The PMO issued a release immediately following the event saying, “Prime Minister Harper knows how important social media is to Canadians and enjoys tweeting. He has never and will never twerk. We regret any confusion that may have been created by a slip of the tongue today.”

YAHOO SHUTS DOWN IN CHINA

Yahoo news and community services have shut down in China.This comes after the email service was shut down last month.

China yahoo now redirects to a site run by Alibaba who manages Yahoo's Chinese operations.The firm says it is adjusting its operation strategy in a farewell message that appears before the redirect.

Yahoo is yet to comment officially but is believed to have been squeezed out of the Chinese market due to high competition.

NSA SPIED ON BRAZIL AND MEXICO,EDWARD SNOWDEN REVEALS..

US whistleblower Edward Snowden recently released a report that the NSA spied on Brazilian government communications and that of its Mexican counterpart.

Brazilian Justice Minister Jose Cardozo says if the facts prove to be true,it would be unacceptable and could be labelled an attack on Brazil.

Snowden's report was received by a Brazilian-based  journalist Glenn Greenwald who said the NSA used a special program to capture all the online activities of Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff.The report also alleges that the emails of Mexican President Enrique Nieto were accessed before he was elected.

Mr Greenwald's partner David Miranda was detained at the Heathrow airport last month for about 9 hours.
He(Greenwald) labelled the detention as ''bullying'' and an act to intimidate those who expose the activities of the NSA but the British government said it was right for the Police to act if they believed someone had "highly sensitive-stolen information".

If you recall,Edward Snowden,a former technical contractor of the United States and former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency leaked top-secret US surveillance program and then took off to Hong Kong for the fear of his life.He later went to Russia where he spent about a month in the transit area of the Moscow Airport before finally getting temporary Asylum in Russia.He has since relocated from the Airport to a secret location.