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As if we weren't excited enough already of the prospect of  Pitch Perfect 2,  pictures of the cast filming the sequel have emerged. EOnline/Instagram Aca-citing! The snap was taken as the cast film in Louisiana and happily we spy  Anna Kendrick  ,  Rebel Wilson  and Brittany Snow in the mix.

Ghanaian singer Efya, who has been confirmed to perform on this year’s World Music Award(WMA) is set to share the stage with international music superstars from around the world. Efya will perform alongside Nigerian music superstar D’banj, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Jason Derulo and Fall Out Boy. Efya’s smash hit song “Best in me” has received nominations in 5 different categories: World’s Best Song, Best Female Artiste, World Best Live Act, World Best Entertainer of the Year and World Best Video. Rapper Sarkodie and UK-based Fuse ODG have also received nominations for the same awards. The reigning VGMA best female vocalist has also been nominated for the Best Female award in Africa’s most respected music awards event – the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2014.

Your next breath is not promised and  rapper Fabolous  learned that first hand this morning when he was involved in a serious car crash on the Van Wyck in Queens. The “Ready” rapper posted a photo of the crash on Instagram: He posted this message:

Former Barcelona player Luis Enrique signed a two-year contract to become coach on Wednesday, a hire the club hopes will resemble the success stories of Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola. Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years. "It's a very special day for me. We believe that this is the beginning of a new Barcelona, a Barcelona that will excite again," Enrique said. "I can't wait to hear the hymn of Barcelona in the Camp Nou." The 44-year-old Enrique won two league titles as a Barcelona player from 1996-2004 and coached its B team from 2008-11. He also coached at Roma, and led Celta Vigo to a respectable ninth-place finish this season after installing an attractive passing attack on the Barcelona model. Enrique's hiring continues a tradition of in-house co...

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), reiterated her organisation’s full support to the efforts of the Nigerian Government aimed at combating terrorism. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, expressed AU’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and Government of Nigeria, and wished those wounded strength and speedy recovery. She welcomed the operational conclusions of the fifth Meeting of Heads of Intelligence and Security Services of the Countries of the Sahelo-Saharan Region, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, earlier this week. The meeting provided for a set of measures aimed at enhancing collective regional action against terrorist groups, including the Boko Haram sect. “The Chairperson of the Commission, once again, underscores the need for all AU Member States, in partnership with the International Community, to redouble efforts to address the scourge terrorism. In this regard, she recalls the relevant AU instruments and existing regional in...

Christian and Muslim leaders expressed sorrow and sent their condolences to the victims of the recent bombings in Jos. The blasts left more than 100 people dead in a series of terror attacks that have hit the country. Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, chairman of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought (RABIIT), condemned the violence. “We strongly condemn the recent bombings in Jos, Nigeria. The location and timing of the bombings clearly were designed to cause indiscriminate and widespread casualties among passers-by, and among rescue workers who were coming to their aid,” read a joint statement. Both religious leaders, who were in Jos and Plateau State in 2012 leading a Christian-Muslim delegation in Nigeria, stressed that the horrific acts which have occurred in Jos did not represent in any way either of their two religions. “They have made us even more determined to fin...

Residents of Ajegunle area of Lagos were, yesterday, thrown into shock, after a bird was said to have transformed into an old woman who confessed to being a witch. The dark-complexioned nonagenarian with tribal marks, who spoke in Yoruba, told a bewildered crowd that she was on her way back to Ibadan, Oyo State (as a bird) when she missed her track. She was also said to have told the mammoth crowd that her mystical powers disappointed her because it was dawn. Eye-witnesses told  Vanguard  that three black birds were seen at about 7am, flying side‑by‑side along Old Ojo Road. Then, all of a sudden, one of them landed on a moving pick‑up van owned by Eko Electricity Distribution Company. An eye witness who identified himself simply as Mr Okafor said: “Immediately the bird landed on the van, it transformed into an old woman. “Everyone ran away at first but we later gathered round the woman only to discover that she had a bruise on her forehead with which she landed. ...

United States yesterday an­nounced the deployment of 80 troops to assist in the search and rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls Boko Haram militants kidnapped on April 14 in Chibok, Borno state. This was contained in a letter President Barack Obama wrote to the Speak­er of the Congress, explain­ing the effort being made by his administration to locate the girls. Obama said the troops had been deployed to the Republic of Chad and would remain there until US support is no longer required. The letter read: Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) “Approximately 80 U.S. Armed Forces personnel have deployed to Chad as part of the U.S. efforts to locate and support the safe return of over 200 school­girls who are reported to have been kidnapped in Nigeria. “These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surround­ing area. The force will remain in Chad until its support in resolving the...

A series of explosions struck a market Thursday in the capital of the volatile western Chinese region of Xinjiang, killing 31 people and wounding more than 90 others, state media reported. China’s Ministry of Public Security said the attack was “a serious violent terrorist incident” and vowed to crack down on its perpetrators. Two SUVs plowed into people gathered at the open market in Urumqi at 7:50 a.m., and explosives were thrown out of the vehicles, China’s official news agency Xinhua said. One of the SUVs then exploded, according to Xinhua, which cited a witness in the market who said he heard a dozen big bangs. Images circulating on social media showed flames and smoke billowing out from the end of a tree-lined street guarded by police officers. Other pictures showed wounded people being carried away from the scene of the blasts. All of the wounded have been taken to several hospitals in the area, Xinhua reported, citing police

The United States Congress has asked President Barack Obama to explain what strategy the government has put in place to deal with Boko Haram menace. It also asked the State Department to use its waiv­er authority to set aside U.S. laws that would hin­der assistance to Nigeria in the face of Boko Haram attacks. This was contained in the opening statement of the Chairman of the House For­eign Affairs Committee on Boko Haram, Edward Royce (R-CA), yesterday, during the hearing on “Boko Haram: The Growing Threat to School­girls, Nigeria, and Beyond.” Royce said U.S cannot sit on the sidelines just as he stressed that “U.S. involve­ment was critical.” He spoke shortly before a Nigerian teenager and victim of Boko Haram attack, Deborah Pe­ter gave her testimony before the committee. Full speech of Royce was posted on his web­site.

Thirty-five more deaths have been recorded from the twin bomb blasts that rocked Jos, Plateau State capital on Tues­day, bringing the total casualty to 81 while the number of those injured is 82. Senate President David Mark yesterday urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and resolute in the war against terrorism. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, the Deputy Governor, Amb. Ignatius Longjan and a member of the House Assembly, Baba Hassan, visited the scene of the blasts and patients on admission in hospitals. The IGP who said his visit was at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan, said he was sent to ascertain the level of destruction, assured that all the security operatives will unmask the culprits. He urged the residents to remain calm and report all suspicious movements to security agencies.

Thirty-five more deaths have been recorded from the twin bomb blasts that rocked Jos, Plateau State capital on Tues­day, bringing the total casualty to 81 while the number of those injured is 82. Senate President David Mark yesterday urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and resolute in the war against terrorism. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, the Deputy Governor, Amb. Ignatius Longjan and a member of the House Assembly, Baba Hassan, visited the scene of the blasts and patients on admission in hospitals. The IGP who said his visit was at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan, said he was sent to ascertain the level of destruction, assured that all the security operatives will unmask the culprits. He urged the residents to remain calm and report all suspicious movements to security agencies.

Boko Haram has again, struck in Borno State kill­ing no fewer than 48 people in two separate attacks. One of the latest victims of the insurgents’ attacks was Alagarno village in Askira-Uba Local Govern­ment Area, about 50 kilo­metres to the hometown of the abducted schoolgirls, South of Borno. “They killed many peo­ple including men, women and children,” a source said. Also, at Shawa village in Damboa Local Govern­ment Area, the insurgents reportedly killed a number of people in another dusk attack. A man, who hails from Askira but resides in Mai­duguri told Daily Sun on condition of anonymity that the insurgents came to Alagarno on Tuesday night and started shooting into houses, thereby, forcing many of the frightened res­idents to flee their homes. Quoting his relations, he said this gave the gunmen the opportunity to shoot at the fleeing residents, killing many while scores were injured.

Seven students of the Medical Laboratory Science Department of the University of Jos were among the dead victims of Tuesday’s twin bomb blasts at the Terminal Market in Jos, Plateau State.    They were said to be final year students of the department. Three of them were said to be members of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship. The students   were going to their hostels after receiving lectures at the old campus of the university when they met their death. One of their friends, Miss Vivian Eke, disclosed this on Wednesday as the death toll in the   blasts rose by 15. The PUNCH  had reported on Thursday that 150 people were killed by the bombs. The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, had put the casualty figure at 46 even though he admitted that it could be higher. Eke, who was at the mortuary of the state specialist hospital, Jos to identify the bodies, told our correspondent that the seven students were all friends. She said, “We ...

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, on Wednesday ordered the Committee on Public Accounts to resume its investigation into the alleged N10bn expenditure by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. The House of Representative has been probing into allegations that Alison-Madueke spent N10bn to charter and maintain a private jet, Challenger 850, for her trips in the last two years. The Speaker gave the order during plenary amid claims in some quarters that he had stopped the probe because of the mood of the nation. Tambuwal said he never stopped the probe. He explained that he merely advised the committee to tarry awhile after his office was served with a court process instituted by the minister on April 28. Tambuwal added that his disposition at the time was to give him the opportunity to consult on the action of the minister with legal experts. The Speaker also clarified that there was no time he said a court order had st...

In a clear term, the Nigerian Army on Wednesday declared that its soldiers could not march force with force with the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. The Chief of Accounts and Budget (army), Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Muraina, said this at Jaji, near Kaduna at a training programme for the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned officers. Muraina said without adequate funding, the army would not be able to halt the current activities of Boko Haram. He said, “Currently, budgetary allocation for the military is inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigerian Army.” Muraina noted that apart from inadequate funding,the army was enmeshed in bureaucratic bottlenecks for funding approvals for military operations across the country, urging the Federal Government to evolve other means of funding and supporting military operations aside the usual budgetary allocations. He also said there was the need for a...

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has ordered the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the country on Thursday (today) in protest against the abduction of the over 200 female students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Members of the union are also to hold “Bring back our girls” rallies simultaneously in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. The President of NUT, Mr. Michael Olukoya, made this known in a statement   amid reports that Boko Haram killed 19 people   in a village near Chibok on Wednesday morning. In the statement on Wednesday by Olukoya, who is also a National Conference delegate, the NUT   demanded the safe release of the schoolgirls abducted by the sect on April 14. It also called for adequate compensation for the families of 173 teachers killed by the Islamic militant sect during attacks in Borno and Yobe states. The statement reads in part, “All schools nationwide shall be closed today (Thursda...