Mosquitoes Ignore Repellent After Getting Used to It

This is something I knew with anecdotal evidence...

Mosquitoes ignore repellent Deet after first exposure

The widely used insect repellent Deet appears to be losing its effectiveness against mosquitoes, scientists say.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say mosquitoes are first deterred by the substance, but then later ignore it.

They say more research is needed to find alternatives to Deet, which was first developed by the US military.

The research was carried out on Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito that spreads dengue and yellow fever.

The findings are published in the journal Plos One.

Dr James Logan from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "The more we can understand about how repellents work and how mosquitoes detect them, the better we can work out ways to get around the problem when they do become resistant to repellents."

Video: What is new about playstation 4?

This cat has a message for you

Governor Babangida Aliyu: President Goodluck Jonathan Signed an Agreement to Go for Only One Term

I thought they said these two are enemies

This picture says something else about the relationship between Zimbabwe's  President Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of MDC. You know what they say: In politics, there are no permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests.

Enter the Google Science Fair

The Google Science Fair is an online science competition open to students ages 13-18 from around the globe. Google is looking for ideas that will change the world. To get started, all you'll need is a Google account. Click here to learn more and enter.

BBC Newsreporters Go on Strike

This international news source has become the news today...

BBC journalists go on strike over job cuts

BBC reporters have walked off the job for 24 hours to protest job cuts at the broadcaster.

Reporters mounted picket lines outside of the BBC's central London studios. Programs went on, but many shows were disrupted Monday.

Michelle Stanistreet, the National Union of Journalists general secretary, says poor decisions taken by the BBC leadership are leading to quality journalism being compromised. The union says 2,000 jobs are at risk and that 7,000 jobs have been cut since 2004. It says members across the BBC, including the World Service, are at risk of compulsory redundancy.

The BBC said in a statement the union's actions are disappointing but that it doesn't change the fact that the corporation must make savings targets that will require job cuts.

Source: The News Tribune

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/18/2479866/bbc-journalists-go-on-strike-over.html#storylink=cpy

 

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/18/2479866/bbc-journalists-go-on-strike-over.html#storylink=cpy

Why Would Dame Patience Jonathan's Friends Sell Her Property?

Nigeria's first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan had a thanksgiving service yesterday after her controversial trip to Germany for health reasons last year. For the first time since the entire episode began with her leaving the country, the first lady has admitted that she was indeed gravely ill.

Premium Times quotes the first lady thus:

“It was not an easy experience for me,” Mrs. Jonathan told the congregation which included senior government officials. “I actually died. I passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy were opened.”

“I am not Lazarus but my experience was similar to his. My doctors said all hope was lost. It was God himself in His infinite mercy that said I will return to Nigeria. God woke me up after seven days,” she narrated.

She then went on to state that:“I know that some people somehow leaked the information that I was dead. They are people that I trust and rely on. To them, I was dead and I would never return to the country alive,” she said. “Some of them even sold my things off. “I won’t say everything here.”

The questions I have for the first lady are:

1. How come your friends had enough control over your property up to the point that they could sell it?
2. Do you mean even your husband does not know about many of the properties you own?
3. What steps are you taking to retrieve your stolen property?

 My question for the President and the security agencies is:

1. What are the implications for National Security if the first lady's "properties" can be sold without her knowledge or consent?
2. Did the first lady break any law in the process of acquiring such "secret" properties that we might never have known about had her friends not betrayed her?

These are questions begging for answers from the first lady's thanksgiving service yesterday.

Facebook Attacked by Hackers

I guess they are always expecting and preparing for something like this...

Facebook reports sophisticated ‘zero-day’ cyberattack

Facebook Inc said on Friday that hackers had infiltrated some of its employees’ laptops in recent weeks, making the world’s No. 1 social network the latest victim of a wave of cyberattacks, many of which have been traced to China.

The company said that none of its users’ data was compromised in the attack, which occurred after a handful of employees visited a Web site last month that infected their machines with malware, according to a post on Facebook’s official blog released just before the three-day US President’s Day weekend.

“As soon as we discovered the presence of the malware, we remediated all infected machines, informed law enforcement and began a significant investigation that continues to this day,” Facebook said.

It was not immediately clear why Facebook waited until now to announce the incident. Facebook declined to comment on the reason or the origin of the attack.

A security expert at another company with knowledge of the matter said he was told that the Facebook attack appeared to have originated in China.

The attack on Facebook, which says it has more than 1 billion members, underscores the growing threat of cyberattacks aimed at a broad variety of targets.

Twitter, the microblogging social network, said earlier this month it had been hacked and that about 250,000 user accounts were potentially compromised, with attackers gaining access to information, including user names and e-mail addresses.

Newspaper Web sites, including those of the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, have also been infiltrated. Those attacks were attributed by the news organizations to Chinese hackers targeting coverage of China.

Facebook said in its blog post that it was not alone in the attack, and that “others were attacked and infiltrated recently as well,” although it did not specify who.

In its blog post, Facebook described the attack as a “zero-day” attack, considered to be among the most sophisticated and dangerous types of computer hacks. Zero-day attacks, which are rarely discovered or disclosed by their targets, are costly to launch and often suggest government involvement.

While Facebook said that no user data was compromised, the incident could raise consumer concerns about privacy and the vulnerability of personal information stored within the social network.

According to a person familiar with the situation, the type of information on the employee laptops that were compromised included “snippets” of Facebook source code and employee e-mails.

Facebook said it spotted a suspicious file and traced it back to an employee’s laptop. After conducting a forensic examination of the laptop, Facebook said it identified a malicious file, then searched company-wide and identified “several other compromised employee laptops.”

Another person briefed on the matter said that the first Facebook employee had been infected via a Web site where coding strategies were discussed.

The company also said it identified a previously unseen attempt to bypass its built-in cyberdefenses and that new protections were added on Feb. 1.

Source: Reuters

Video: About 2 million Ghost Workers in Nigeria's Civil Service- Former Director

Shocking!

Picture: Eagle Tries to Snatch Giant Tortoise

Amazing picture shared by +Ani ta

Picture: Kangaroos Invade Golf Course

I got this from +ESPN

'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius Shoots Girlfriend Dead

English: South African Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius (born 22 November 1986), taking part in the Landsmót ungmennafélags Íslands in Kópavogur, Iceland, the largest sporting event in Iceland which is held every three years. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wow!

Paralympic star Pistorius ‘shoots girlfriend dead’ 

South Africa's Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius was arrested early Thursday for allegedly shooting dead his girlfriend after mistaking her for an intruder, media reports said.

According to the Beeld newspaper, the athlete known as the "Blade Runner" was arrested early Thursday following the shooting at his home in an upscale area near the South African capital.

Police spokesman Katlego Mogale said a "26-year-old man had been taken into custody for shooting a 30-year-old woman".

Mogale could not confirm if the suspect was Pistorius, saying his identity would be revealed only once he appears in court later on Thursday.

"The deceased was shot four times and died on the scene. It is believed that she was the girlfriend of the accused," said Mogale.

The shooting took place in a house inside an upmarket security compound in Silverlakes, outside Pretoria, he said. Pistorius lives in the compound.

The "Blade Runner" made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.
He won gold in the 4x400m relay at the Paralympic Games.

He had both legs amputated below the knee before the age of one, because of a congenital condition, and runs on carbon fibre blades.

Last year Time Magazine named him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

The Johannesburg-born runner had both legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old after being born without lower leg bones. But he played sports unhindered while growing up, switching to running after fracturing a knee playing rugby.

Source: AP

 

How to create more space on your android device

Video: Top 5 Goals of AFCON 2013

Blackberry is Recruiting

Carrier Marketing Manager - West Africa

BlackBerry - Lagos (Nigeria) 

Job Description

Due to continued growth across Africa, BlackBerry are looking for an experienced Carrier Marketing Manager to focus on supporting the West Africa region.  Based out of Lagos where BlackBerry have recently opened offices, this role will take responsibility for the design and implementation of a robust marketing strategy that supports BlackBerry business objectives relating to carrier channels across West Africa.
 
The role will require strategic planning with each of the major carrier channels across the region and the development of an agnostic marketing plan per channel to ensure incremental run rate opportunities for BlackBerry with each carrier.  This position takes responsibility for the achievement of BlackBerry business objectives as set out for the channels. (e.g. pin first seen/net activation) and managing Channel Program effectiveness – Channel mapping, ROI, market share and category leadership.
 
One of the key aspects of this role is ensuring the full integration of global BlackBerry marketing plans in to the carrier marketing plans with jointly agreed objectives.  The Carrier Marketing Manager will also be responsible for building and managing relationships with key customers within the specific channels as well as relevant Carrier Channel Marketing Managers in order to increase mindshare/ awareness/ market share in regard to BlackBerry’s relationship visibility in market.
 
A full job profile will be made available to shortlisted applicants.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Business/ marketing degree / senior marketing qualification or equivalent experience. 
• Mobile / wireless industry experience.
• The role requires someone to be able to 'hit the ground running' - therefore telecommunications experience is a prerequisite.
• Experience relating to handset to software to solution provision, telco and/ or I. T.
• Carrier knowledge and experience essential
• Pertinent market knowledge and industry contacts highly desirable - specifically retail market channels across West Africa.

International experience

• Prefer if candidate has dealt across a number of international territories or previous multinational experience.
• Sensitivity and experience in dealing with North American & European business culture desirable.
• Ability to work remotely 

Related experience 

• A proven track record is paramount - demonstrating strategic use of marketing tools to achieve financial objectives e.g. programs that have resulted in increased revenues, growth in market share
• Can demonstrate understanding of the interconnectedness of marketing and sales disciplines.
• Financial acuity - experience of zero-based budgeting i.e. can formulate and negotiate a budget and achieve it accurately.
• Strong Personal skills, needs to maintain excellent relationships with our carriers, channels and partners to ensure that BlackBerry support is best in class
• Strong diplomatic skillset in order to navigate the existing internal stakeholders to obtain support and alignment as you carve this new role.

Click here to apply.

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Pre-order the Blackberry Z10!!for N100,000 from Airtel Nigeria now!.

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All you have to do to PRE-ORDER this amazing phone is Airtel Nigeria with your Name, Phone number and Email address or visit any Airtel Shop.

Video: Charlie Sheen Appeals to Rogue Ex-Police Officer to Call Him

Remember the story of Christopher Jordan Dorner? He mentioned actor Charlie Sheen in his manifesto and in response to that, the actor made this video appealing to the rogue ex-Police officer to call him.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thanks Super Eagles

Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thanked the Super Eagles after their victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

View her comments on Twitter below:

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

Breaking news...

Pope Benedict the XVI is to resign as Catholic Pontiff on February 28, 2013. Details are still coming in at the moment. His official resignation statement has been posted on Vatican Radio's website and it reads:

Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.
Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

Best wishes to the Pope.

Apple is Working on a Smart Watch

We'll call it the iWatch...

Disruptions: Where Apple and Dick Tracy May Converge

Dick Tracy had one. As did Inspector Gadget and James Bond. A watch that doubled as a computer, two-way radio, mapping device or television.

Though such a device has been lost to science fiction comics and spy movies of the era before smartphones, the smart watch might soon become a reality, in the form of a curved glass device made by Apple.

In its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Apple is experimenting with wristwatch-like devices made of curved glass, according to people familiar with the company’s explorations, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because they are not allowed to publicly discuss unreleased products. Such a watch would operate on Apple’s iOS platform, two people said, and stand apart from competitors based on the company’s understanding of how such glass can curve around the human body.

Apple declined to comment on its plans. But the exploration of such a watch leaves open lots of exciting questions: If the company does release such a product, what would it look like? Would it include Siri, the voice assistant? Would it have a version of Apple’s map software, offering real-time directions to people walking down the street? Could it receive text messages? Could it monitor a user’s health or daily activity? How much will it cost? Could Timothy D. Cook, Apple’s chief executive, be wearing one right now, whispering sweet nothings to his wrist?

Such a watch could also be used to make mobile payments, with Apple’s Passbook payment software.
Although it would take Dick Tracy to find the answers to those questions, and it’s uncertain when Apple might unveil such a device, it’s clear that Apple has the technology.

Last year, Corning, the maker of the ultra-tough Gorilla Glass that is used in the iPhone, announced that it had solved the difficult engineering challenge of creating bendable glass, called Willow Glass, that can flop as easily as a piece of paper in the wind without breaking.

Pete Bocko, the chief technology officer for Corning Glass Technologies, who worked on Willow Glass, said via telephone that the company had been developing the thin, flexible glass for more than a decade, and that the technology had finally arrived.

“You can certainly make it wrap around a cylindrical object and that could be someone’s wrist,” Mr. Bocko said. “Right now, if I tried to make something that looked like a watch, that could be done using this flexible glass.”

But Mr. Bocko warns that it is still quite an engineering feat to create a foldable device. “The human body moves in unpredictable ways,” he said. “It’s one of the toughest mechanical challenges.”

Source: NY Times Blogs

 

Video: Nigeria beats Burkina Faso 2-1 to win 3rd Africa Cup Of Nations Title

Big congratulations to the Super Eagles on a well deserved victory at AFCON 2013.

Jonathan won't be at the stadium to cheer Super Eagles at Nations Cup final

I guess the President is too busy to make it...

Jonathan to miss AFCON final, sends high-powered delegation to motivate Eagles

Despite promising the players and officials of the Super Eagles, that he would be in South Africa, if they qualified for the finals of the AFCON, President Goodluck Jonathan, will instead send a delegation to represent him on Sunday.

This was confirmed by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, who tweeted that the president will be in London and Paris for official engagements, but has sent representatives to cheer on the team.

Abati also revealed that members of the ‘transformed Super Eagles‘, will be hosted to a dinner reception on February 12 in Abuja.

He wrote: “President Jonathan sends high-powered delegation to South Africa to support the Super Eagles ahead of AFCON 2013 final on Sunday.

“Delegation led by Senator David Mark, incls Gov. Peter Obi, Gov. Isa Yuguda, Prof. V. Onwuliri, Navy Capt. Olubolade & Amb. Bashir Yuguda.

“Pres. Jonathan due to official commitments in London & Paris won’t be in Jo’burg to lead cheering for Super Eagles as he would have wished.

“He has charged the delegation to ensure the S/Eagles are properly motivated & in best possible spirits to win a resounding victory on Sun”

Pres. Jonathan will host the TRANSFORMED SUPER EAGLES to a dinner reception on Tues. 12 Feb. at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, 7 pm.

Source: Daily Post

Don Jazzy Wants You to Drink Loya Milk Everyday

Music Producer Michael Collins a.k.a. Don Jazzy is proving to be one of the strongest brand ambassadors in Nigeria at the moment and part of what makes him exciting for corporate organisations is his huge following on Twitter.

I guess Loya Milk is benefiting from his promotional efforts today because  he has just tweeted this:
"Yes. Good morning. Have u had a glass of loyamilk today?"

View screenshot below:

Liverpool's Jamie Carragher Announces Retirement at the End of Season

This guy is definitely a Liverpool legend...

Liverpool's Jamie Carragher to retire from football at end of season

Liverpool's Jamie Carragher has announced that he is to retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old, who made his debut in January 1997 after rising through the Anfield youth system, has made more than 700 senior appearances for the club.

The former England international, who has won honours including the Champions League and the FA Cup, is second only behind Ian Callaghan in Liverpool's all-time appearance table.

Carragher confirmed he will continue until the end of the season and will make no further comment on his future until then.

He told the club's website: "I'm making this announcement now because I don't want the manager or the club to be answering questions on my future when I've already decided what I am going to do.

"I will be fully committed between now and the end of the season to doing the very best for Liverpool, as I have done my entire career since joining aged just nine years old.

"It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so and thankful for all the support I have had. There are many memories I want to share and people to thank, but now is not the time for that.

"I won't be making any further comment on this decision until the end of the season; all our focus and concentration should be on achieving the best possible finish in the league this season and trying to win the last remaining trophy we are competing in."

Robbie Fowler, who had two spells at Liverpool before retiring last year, responded to Carragher's retirement on Twitter, writing: "Sorry to hear the news on carra, his quotes regarding retirement tell you everything about the man… An absolute legend of a player."

Michael Owen also tweeted his tribute, writing: "What a servant Carra has been for Liverpool. A rare breed and it's been a privilege to play alongside, room with and be big mates with one of football's real men. I doubt we have heard the last of him. He has too much to offer the game to be away for long!"

Read more here

Rogue Dismissed Police Officer Declares "War" on LAPD

This story is gripping America at the moment...

Christopher Jordan Dorner Manhunt: "WE ARE AT WAR"

The word coming out of the Los Angeles Police Department this morning is meant to apply to that storied agency but it can be piggybacked onto all of Southern California.

"WE ARE AT WAR."

Our foe is only one man: camo-wearing, heavily armed, heavily trained, highly agitated, county-hopping, ex-cop, triple-murder suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner.

The manhunt for the man now suspected of carrying out a revenge killing of two in Irvine Sunday night and the overnight shooting of three police officers, including one who died, in Riverside County, has not only clogged Southern California airwaves but impacted morning commutes as police close streets and portions of I-15.

With police agencies in four counties on high alert, and the FBI and U.S. Marshals enlisted to help in the search, we're also dealing with the fog of war, as there were conflicting reports this morning whether two separate officer-involved shootings that were blocks apart in the South Bay this morning are connected to the Dorner case.

Television news reports at this hour show officers in Riverside County with guns drawn because Dorner released a manifesto where he wrote of attacking crime scenes (he initiated) and command posts, and of wiping out officers, administrators and their families.

The LAPD chief has scheduled a press conference within minutes to update the media. Until then, here is the timeline of events as we know them:

- The engaged couple, Monica Quan, 28, and Keith Lawrence, 27, were found gunned down in his Kia parked in an Irvine condominium complex parking structure.

Source: OC Weekly

Jonathan Expects Eagles to Win Nations Cup

Well, practically the entire world does...

President Goodluck Jonathan has said he  is expectant of a Super Eagles victory in Sunday's final of the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The Super Eagles will be facing Burkina Faso in what many people believe to be their best chance yet to win the tournament which the last won in 1994.

Writing on Facebook, the President stated:

"Again, coach Keshi and our skillful and patriotic players have shown the world the indomitable Nigerian spirit. It is this spirit that Nigeria's leading lights came together to celebrate on Monday the 4th of February 2013 as we began our centenary celebrations. The Super Eagles have done us proud, the Cup is within reach and Nigeria is indeed grateful and expectant of a special centenary gift from our players. " 

He has also confirmed that he will be at Soccercity to watch the final live. Hopefully, he will be returning satisfied with Nigeris's 3rd victory at the Nation's Cup.

All Goals: Nigeria 4-1 Mali

Step aside LeBron; this kid is awesome!

Oh my God! This kid's basketball shot-making skills are almost unbelievable. Watch out world for Titus, the basketball prodigy!

Dr. Christopher Kolade: Sure-P Spent N70b last year

Smiley from the sMirC-series. spent (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wow! Where are the projects and their benefits to the people?

SURE-P spent N70b last year – Kolade

The Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Projects (SURE-P) Committee, Dr. Christopher Kolade, yesterday said the work of his committee is not duplicating the activities of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He said this when he addressed State House correspondents after presenting the 2012 Annual Report of SURE-P to President Goodluck Jonathan.

 Said he: “What people need to do is study what is going on and see in what ways SURE-P is adding value to what is already on ground. Nobody is denying that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are working. That is what government is there for. But the President, when he saw that there was going to be a special fund from the subsidy withdrawal, decided that he would use this fund in a special way to intervene.

 “So that if for instance, a road contract was awarded, say in 2006 and it is still not finished, but by injecting some funds from SURE-P, you can accelerate the completion of that road. These are special funds and they are special intervention funds. They can not be compared with what is ongoing in the ministries because ministries are doing their normal work.

“For example, the railway system, in the past, it was not possible to move from Lagos to Kano by rail because there were gaps on the way, places where bridges had broken down. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) did its best to get those bad portions repaired, but with these special intervention funds in 2012, SURE-P repaired the bridges, roads and since the end of November 2012, it is possible to ride on a train from Lagos to Kano.

“We were even told by a cement company that because of this possibility to travel by train from Lagos to Kano, they are transporting their cement in bulk by rail from Ewekoro to Minna. That is adding value and it doesn’t disturb the normal work of the Nigeria Railway Corporation.”

Dr. Kolade said the money for the SURE-P projects goes to the contractors that are working on the projects and not to any political party.

 He said: “We are satisfied with our performance in the last one year. Although we were inaugurated in February, we did not get the first release of funds until July. So the first six months of the year had passed. In the remaining six months, we did work to the tune of over N70 billion.

“If we had N180 billion for the whole year and we spent N70 billion plus in six months, it means we worked at the rate we were supposed to work. You know that the beginning of something new is bound to take off slowly, it cannot suddenly start running. It was a normal start and it was accelerating as we went through the year.”

On the focus of SURE-P for 2013, he said: “If you look at our budget, it is still the same areas such as social safety nets, things that will help the health of women, children, employment to young people, things that will enable these young people express themselves as citizens of this country and in areas of infrastructure such as building of roads, completion of rails.

 Source: The Nation