New Report: Bobbi Kristina’s breathing tube has been removed

According to reports by CNN, Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of Bobby Brown and the late Whitney Houston, underwent a procedure to remove her breathing tube on Wednesday.

The reports said that Brown underwent a procedure that allows her to breathe through a hole in her throat. CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta told CNN the procedure is an “indication that the patient will need this for weeks and months to come, as opposed to hours and days.”

People spoke to Dr. Levi Benson who said the procedure is done to minimize the risk of infection from having a breathing tube in for a prolonged period of time. He said the move lowers the risk of infection and is considered standard procedure for patients in Brown’s condition.

Brown was found unresponsive in a bathtub at her Atlanta home on Jan. 31. Since then, she has been in a coma, surrounded by friends and family at Emory University Hospital. Police are currently investigating the incident as a possible criminal matter.

Photos: All the glitz & glam at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards

The 2015 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards held yesterday in Beverly Hills, building up some anticipation to the Oscars. The red carpet was glamour-packed with Tracey Ellis Ross and Uzo Aduba donning the night’s best looks in Reed Krakoff and L.K. Bennett respectively.

Lupita Nyong’o shone on stage while presenting the Vanguard Award to the cast of Orange is the New Black in a rainbow-hued frock that only she could pull off. Shonda Rhimes and Holly Robinson Peete were the epitome of chic; Rhimes in a soft pink dress and coat combo paired with nude stilettos and a Chanel bag, and Peete in a white wrap shirt and print skirt combo paired with black stilettos.

See all the lady-like blue (yes blue) carpet glamour below:

Lorraine Toussaint

Shonda Rhimes

Niecy Nash

Holly Robinson Peete

Regina King

Garcelle Beauvais

Samira Wiley

Danielle Brooks

Teyonah Parris

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Tia Mowry

Laverne Cox

Uzo Aduba

Kelly Rowland

Carmen Ejogo

Ava Duvernay

Chanel Iman

Raven Goodwin

Common

John Legend

David Oyelowo

Lupita snapped a selfie with Selma stars Oprah Winfrey and Carmen Ejogo during the event.

Lupita accessorized her multicolored outfit with a bright yellow Chopard clutch

David Oyelowo and Wife

New mom Kelly Rowland dressed up her post-baby figure in a lace romper. 

Actress, Linda Ejiofor Stuns In New Issue Of Cedar Magazine

Fast rising Nollywood actress, Linda Ejiofor is the cover girl for February 2015 issue of Cedar Magazine. 

In the shoot, she looks sultry in a shimmery black dress with long curly hair and makeup is on point.

Check it out

Check out the Behind-the-Scenes video here;

New Ebola Testing Kit Can Diagnose The Virus In Just 15 Minutes

The World Health Organization has approved a rapid test for the Ebola virus which can deliver a diagnosis in just 15 minutes.

In what could be a breakthrough for bringing the epidemic in West Africa to an end, the test kits will be deployed to countries affected by Ebola within a matter of weeks.

Although less accurate than traditional tests, which can take anywhere between 12 and 24 hours, this kit does not require electricity - making it ideal for examining patients in remote areas.

During rigorous trials conducted by the WHO, the ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test correctly identified 92% of those infected with Ebola, and 85% who were free of the virus.

The health agency has said this new testing kit should be followed up with a laboratory test wherever possible.

David Beckham's 12-year-old Son Trains With Arsenal

David Beckham could have TWO future stars in his family -- because his 12-year-old son Romeo got a shot with Arsenal's youth team ... and Thursday he scored a goal in a match! 

Beckham went crazy with joy, on the sidelines ... as Romeo scored the second goal in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool. 

Beckham's older son, Brooklyn, has been crushing it with the Arsenal training squad as well -- the 15-year-old was recently called up to the Under-18 squad ... and experts say he's got good potential.

Kim Kardashian: Being A Mom Is “Hardest, Most Rewarding and Best Job” In World

Kim Kardashian loves being a mom and she can't stand it when people think it's not a real job. 

On Thursday, the reality TV star took to Instagram to repost a widely distributed rant titled JUST A Mom???

I can’t stand it when people say, ‘You’re JUST a mom?’ Yes, I am a Mom! That makes me an alarm clock, cook, maid, waitress, teacher, nurse, referee, handyman, security officer, photographer, counselor, chauffeur, event planner, Hairdresser, personal assistant, ATM & I scare away the boogie man. I don’t get paid holidays, sick pay or days off. I work DAY & NIGHT. I am on call 24/7 for the rest of my life. That’s just BEING A MOM!!! I may not be anything to you, but I am everything to someone!! Re-post if you’re a proud mom, that would do ANYTHING on this planet for their child.

She reposted the rant drawing lots of supportive comments from other moms. 

She captioned it, “I saw this on IG & love it so I’m reposting it! Shoutout to all of the moms out there! Hardest, most rewarding & best job in the entire world!!! This couldn’t be more true! #ProudMom.” 

I Will Declare My Assets Publicly If I Win - Buhari

APC presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd) , said he would publicly declare his assets and liability if voted into power. 

Buhari stated this in a document obtained by PUNCH in Abuja on Thursday. The document highlights what Buhari will do in his first 100 days if he assumes power on May 29.

He said he would encourage political appointees in his administration to also declare their assets publicly.

Buhari, in the document titled, “I pledge to Nigeria said;“I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liabilities, encourage all my appointees to publicity declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment.

“All political appointees will only earn the salaries and allowances determined by the RMFAC.”

He said that he would also work with the National Assembly towards the immediate enactment of a Whistle Blower Act.

On the other ways to strengthen the anti-graft war, he said, “We will work with the National Assembly to strengthen the Independent Corruption Practices and other related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by guaranteeing institutional autonomy, including financial and prosecutorial independence and security of tenure of officials.

“We will also make the Financial Intelligence Unit of the EFCC autonomous and operational; encourage proactive disclosure of information by government institutions in the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.”

On insurgency and insecurity in the country, the former head of state said; “I pledge, as Commander-in-Chief, to lead from the front and not behind in the comfort and security of Aso Rock, to boost the morale of fighting forces and the generality of all Nigerians,” 

On the fate of the kidnapped Chibok girls, Buhari said that as a father, he had been feeling the pain of the victims of insurgency, kidnapping and violence whether “they are widows and orphans of the military, paramilitary, civilians and parents or the Chibok girls.

“My government shall act decisively on any actionable intelligence to #BringBack Our Girls.”

CAN denies receiving N7bn bribe from PDP to campaign against Buhari

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has debunked the allegations that it collected N7 billion bribe to campaign against  APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

The christian body while describing it as a ‘fat lie’ wondered why mischief makers would concoct lies to deceive the public.

Public Relation Officer, PRO, of Northern CAN, Mr. Sunday Oibe, said: “The allegation is a complete lie and just one of the many evil plots to dent the image of CAN’s leadership.

“It is also to rubbish its integrity and make it morally incapable of leading Christians in these trying times. There was no way anybody would collect a kobo on behalf of CAN and start sharing it like booty.

“The man, who made the allegation, is totally unknown in CAN cycle and I am just hearing his name and that of his organization for the first time. How come he could be privy to such an arrangement if it really existed?

“It is a shame that anyone would make such mean allegation, without giving a shred of evidence, just to fulfil a political agenda at the cost of our ecumenism.

“It is all to silence the voice of CAN leaders against the tyranny and oppression that Christians suffer in the north-east and other parts of northern Nigeria.

 “For the first time our oppressors have found CAN speaking up for its members, and they must do everything to frustrate our leaders. The kingdom of evil shall, again, fall flat at the feet of Jesus.”

INEC insists on use of card readers for 2015 elections, says it’s constitutionall

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted that only card readers would be used for accreditation of voters for the general elections. 

Jega made this known while briefing the Senate in Abuja on the commission’s preparation for the elections. 

He said that the use of the cards was constitutional, insisting that the commission would not revert to manual accreditation of voters during the elections.

“The use of PVCs and the card reader for the conduct of the elections, we believe, is in accord with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended. They were introduced also, pursuant to the powers granted to the commission by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“INEC is empowered by Section 16(4) of the Electoral Act, 2010 to and I quote: ‘wherever it considers it necessary, replace any voter card for the time being’. An election is said to be validly conducted if it meets certain basic requirements, including accreditation of voters.

“The use of the card reader for the purpose of accreditation of voters is one of the innovations introduced by the commission to improve the credibility of the electoral process. It is not offensive to the Electoral Act or to the Constitution. It adds value to the desires of Nigerians to have a credible election in line with international best practice.”

 The INEC chairman clarified that the use of the card reader would not amount to electronic voting, explaining that though Section 52 of the Electoral Act prohibits the use of electronic voting, the card reader was not a voting machine. 

According to him, the card reader is only an electronic machine introduced to improve the integrity of the voting process.

Robert Mugabe’s 91st birthday celebration will cost $1million

Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe will hit 91-years-old on February 21 and the country’s ruling party, Zanu PF would be celebrating it in a big style just like they did the year before.

The party have said they would host a $1million birthday party to commemorate him.

According to an official of the ruling party, Tongai Kasukuwere who spoke with Zimbabwean media, the party had raised 60 per cent of the total money needed for the birthday jamboree which is expected to be hosted at the luxirious resort town of Victoria Falls.

“We have sourced more than half of what we want and more companies and individuals are promising to contribute in the near future. We are looking at a sizeable figure which is befitting the magnitude of the person whose birthday we are celebrating. To us as Zanu PF youths, this is a moment to celebrate his achievements and greatness and celebrate what he has done for Africa and the world as a whole.”

Something to get your minds off the epic fall for a bit.

Comedian, Bovi covers new edition of Vanguard Allure

Comedian, Bovi is the cover figure for the new edition of Vanguard Allure.

The magazine will hit the stands on Sunday, February 22, 2015 with the popular and talented Bovi sitting boldly on the cover with the headline: ‘The Bankability of Comedy’.

Bovi is no doubt one of the most bankable Nigerian comedians of this era, boasting several endorsements and sold out shows.