U.S., Chinese warships come dangerously close

(CNN) -- A U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser took evasive action to avoid colliding with a Chinese warship in the South China Sea in what sources called a highly unusual and deliberate act by China, CNN has learned.

The incident last Friday, which was resolved peacefully, was the latest sign of tension around recent and aggressive Chinese territorial claims in the region involving international waters and expanded airspace.

Vice President Joe Biden last week pressed Beijing over the issue, which stems from a longstanding dispute with Japan that has grown tenser.

Several U.S. military officials confirmed details of the incident on the high seas involving the USS Cowpens, which has just come to light.

The American warship -- which U.S. officials say was in international waters -- was approached by a Chinese Navy ship. The smaller vessel peeled off from a group of Chinese Navy ships that included the carrier Liaoning.

The Chinese ship failed to stop, despite radio warning from the Cowpens that it was getting too close.

The Cowpens commanding officer then issued orders for an "all stop" when the other ship was less than 500 yards off its bow, a U.S. Navy official said.

The Chinese ship proceeded past the Cowpens.

"It is unusual to have to take evasive action at sea to avoid a collision," the official added.

While naval vessels from different countries often come close as they observe each other, the United States sees this case as one that could have led to a collision because of the time and distance it takes for an American warship to stop.

"The Chinese knew what they were doing," a second U.S. military official said.

During the encounter, bridge-to-bridge radio communications were maintained between the American and Chinese commanders.

"Communications were professional," the second official said.

Though the United States will not acknowledge it openly, the Cowpens was in position to conduct surveillance on the Liaoning, which would be a sensitive matter for the Chinese.

U.S. officials insist the Cowpens remained in international waters at all times.

During a visit to Beijing last week, Biden told Chinese President Xi Jinping the United States had "deep concerns" over its newly declared East China Sea air defense zone and that Washington did not recognize it.

The Chinese action, Biden said in Japan before the Xi visit, raised the possibility of "accidents and miscalculation."

The area in question includes uninhabited islands that have been the site of tense disputes between China and Japan, both of which claim the lands.

Local man planned suicide attack at Wichita, Kansas, airport, feds say

(CNN) -- An airport worker was arrested Friday trying to detonate a vehicle packed with explosives he thought were real in a suicide attack at a Wichita Mid-Continent Airport terminal in Kansas, federal officials said.

Authorities are calling him a lone wolf.

Terry Loewen, 58, who was an avionics technician at the airport, was taken into custody without incident about 6:40 a.m. ET "when he attempted to open a security gate with his pass" and drive a vehicle he believed to be packed with explosives onto the airport tarmac, said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

"He planned to pull the trigger on the explosives himself and die in the explosion," a Justice Department news release said.

"In fact, these explosives were inert, and it was not a bomb that would ever explode," Grissom said, adding that the airport perimeter was never breached and "no one was placed in any jeopardy."

The arrest came as part of an undercover FBI probe, according to the Justice Department statement, which didn't provide further details.

Loewen, who became the subject of a federal investigation early this summer, hoped to commit an "act of violent jihad against the United States" and spent months studying the airport's layout, photographing airport access points, researching flight schedules and assisting in the acquisition of car bomb components, Grissom said.

Loewen hoped to detonate his bomb during peak traffic time for the airport, exacting maximum destruction, Grissom said.

Loewen is charged with one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, one count of attempting to damage property by means of an explosive and one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Officials did not answer questions or elaborate on the third charge during a Friday news conference.

FBI Evidence Response Teams are executing search warrants related to the case, and the investigation is ongoing, the Justice Department said.

No additional arrests are expected, Grissom said, and Loewen was not working with any "religious community" in Wichita.

If convicted, Loewen would face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

"Lone wolves, homegrown violent extremists, remain a very serious threat to our nation's security," FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Kaste said in a news release. "Today's arrest emphasizes the continual need for the public to remain vigilant as law enforcement relies on the public's assistance."

The Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is west of the city and is the busiest airport in Kansas.

WOW: You'll Not Believe The Popular Nigerian Beyonce Featured In Her Album (PHOTO)

Queen Bey surprised her fans by secretly dropping a new album on iTunes last night December 12th.

Beyonce's new album is her 5th solo album and features 31 tracks, 14.
In the new album, Beyonce featured Nigerian Author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on a track titled Flawless. Beyonce put a portion of the award winning author's speech about feminism and roles women play in the society in the song.
She also collaborated with Jay Z, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Rowland.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the author of Half Of A Yellow Sun, which was also turned into a movie.

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/54221.html

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian, RiRi, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Others In Best Celebrity Selfies Of 2013

In case you hadn't noticed, 2013 was the year of the selfie. In fact it made such an impact that it was even added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Celebs the world over went from self-obsessed to selfie-obsessed this year in a bid to out-selfie their famous counterparts.
So, as the word itself prepares to become like, SO last year, let's remind ourselves of some of the best celeb selfies of 2013.
Beyonce

Kim Kardashian

Chris Brown

Tom Hanks

Madonna

Lindsay Lohan

Lady Gaga

Miley Cyrus

Rihanna

Jason Derulo

Justin Bieber

 LeBron James

Become a fan on Facebook
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PHOTOS: SEE How This Nollywood Actress Put Smiles On The Faces Of Five Students

Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has decided to put smiles on the faces of some students in this season of love.
She visited her alma mater, First Foundation College, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ajegunle where she decided to pay the school fees of five students who are usually the last to pay their fess.
According to the actress, she did this because during her time as a student, she was usually among the last people to pay fees in the class.
Ruth also sponsored her former sports house, Red House which has now changed its name to the Ruth Kadiri House as a result of her kind gesture to a sporting event.
See photos below:

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PHOTO: Check Out Chinedu Ikedieze, aka Aki's Arsenal Birthday Cake

One of Nollywood's finest, Chinedu Ikedieze aka Aki was a year older yesterday.
The actor clocked 36 years.
He celebrated the birthday in Malawi.
See his birthday cake below:

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/54209.html

PHOTOS: Check Out Iyanya's Brand New 2013 Range Rover Sports

Iyanya is no doubt living the good life and he certainly isn't afraid to splurge.
The singer was reportedly gifted the car at Made Men Music Group to their biggest artist for a good year.
The car is rumored to be worth N22m to N25million in Nigeria.
See photos below;








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Blow For Man United As Van Persie Is Ruled Out

Robin van Persie will play no part in Manchester United’s busy holiday programme after being ruled out for a month with a thigh injury, manager David Moyes said on Friday.
With United trying to claw back the damage of a poor first third of the Premier League season, starting at Aston Villa on Sunday, the Dutchman’s absence is a big blow.
“Robin van Persie is out for a month. He picked up a thigh strain in taking a corner kick which led to the goal (against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday),” Moyes said.
Van Persie, who has scored seven goals in 11 Premier League matches this season, only returned from a groin injury in last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat by Newcastle United.
“It’s unfortunate because I think if you look at our record with Wayne Rooney and Robin in the team, it is actually very good.
“But we have not had them for quite a period recently,” Moyes said.
Responsibility will now fall to Rooney who has been in great form this season, despite United’s problems and who is edging towards Bobby Charlton’s club scoring record of 247.
Rooney will clock up 500 first-team appearances (including with Everton) on Sunday and Moyes thinks that at 28, the England international is getting better.
“There are big things ahead for Wayne and some big targets ahead – he can break Sir Bobby’s record,” Moyes said.
“As he gets older, he’s adaptable and such a good football player. If he gets older and loses his pace, he can play a bit deeper.
There are some fantastic legends around this club and Wayne has got a chance of turning out as one of them.
“He’s been in the game a long time already, but is someone who can go on and play many, many more games.”

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Clash in Borno: Army Killes 25 Boko Haram Members

No fewer than 25 people suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect were killed, Thursday, in a clash with troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army at Ngauramari villages of Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.
Ngauramari is a small farming community along the Maiduguri-Bama – Firgi-Gwoza federal highway which had witnessed series of attacks and killing of over 20 motorists and passengers this week by suspected terrorists.
The incident took place at about 8am on Thursday when some suspected Boko Haram members, crossing the road from their camps in the Sambisa Forest exchanged gunfire with troops, with the killing of three terrorists.
Those who fled from the scene of the attack were killed by military airstrikes. Sources said, during the encounter with the military, all roads leading to the area were closed for over three hours in order to avoid civilian casualties, particularly motorists and their passengers who were plying the road as at the time of the airstrikes.
A commercial driver, Ali Wando who came from Gwoza into Maiduguri said, “I saw three corpses by the roadside at Ngauramari which were dismembered by the rocket launcher fired at them by the military when they came on their tricycle.
Several other bodies were lying further in the bush but I did not go to count them because I was afraid, as I believed some of the insurgents might hiding further in the bush."
Another commercial driver who did not want his name mentioned for security reason said, "soon after the military killed the terrorists in Ngauramari, the Nigerian Airforce fighter jet located some of the suspected terrorists around the Bama-Firgi-Gwoza river bank, attempting to cross the river where the fighter jet attacked and killed them."
When contacted on phone, the Spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Mohammed Dole sent a text message to the correspondent saying, "I am coming up with a statement on the incident very soon, thanks", but after waiting for several hours, there was no response from him before this post.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/54241.html

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PHOTOS: 10 Rarest Unbelievable Birthmarks That Challenged Medical Science

Birthmarks are discolored areas on the skin that appear at birth or shortly after birth.
Most birthmarks are not cause for concern. In most cases doctors don’t know why birthmarks appear, and there is nothing that can be done to prevent them.
Here's the list of the most rare birthmarks that challenged medical science:
1. Zhang Hongming from Chongqing, south-eastern China, is nicknamed “Chimpanzee.” He appealed to doctors for help in getting rid of the thick black hair that covers part of his body. The man has a rare birthmark that also covers a large part of his body.

2. Connie Lloyd was born with a benign tumor that grew to cover her nose. She was told that the rare condition could not be cured. However, the shy little girl has a reason to smile at last after surgeons defied the odds and left her with a “nose like mum’s.”

3. This so-called “turtle boy” had a congenital shell-like growth on his entire back. Thanks to a British surgeon, he feels lighter now!

4. George Ashman was born with a bright red blemish on his forehead. After a few surgeries, George is left with a stylish Harry Potter-like scar that looks cool!

5. A six-year-old girl has baffled medics after her skin apparently turned her into “cow hide” girl. The hairy hide has apparently grown until it now spreads over her entire back and is starting to grow on her arms and face.

6. A 16g tragus on an ear birthmark.


7. An Qi, an eight-year-old Chinese boy who has a large birthmark covering one side of his face is going to receive free surgery to remove it.

8. In 2010, a “Holy Cow” Moses was born at a dairy farm in Sterling, Connecticut. Moses was born with a unique “birthmark” that looks like a white cross on its forehead.

9. This puppy was born in Japan with a large, clear, love-heart-shaped pattern in his coat. Shop owner Emiko Sakurada has no plans to sell the puppy, which has been named “Heart-kun.”

10. An unusual cat on a cat’s back.

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/54258.html

LOOKING FOR A GREAT XMAS GIFT ?: Foreign Experts Say Human Skulls Are The Perfect Gift

This holiday season, would you consider giving friends and family the skull of a guy who cut off his testicles? Well with a 200 dollar donation you can do this.
Hyrtl Skulls collection at the Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has been on display for more than a 100 years. It belonged to Josef Hyrtl (1811-1894), a Viennese physician and professor in the mid-19th century.
Anna Dhody, a curator, told TIME that he used the pieces to disprove the science of phrenology, which said that human skull measurements determined intelligence and moral character. The field also contributed to the practice of classifying racial groups by their intellectual abilities and argued white Europeans were the most superior.
So Hyrtl, who believed only God could determine intelligence and personal attributes, sent agents throughout Europe and as far as Egypt and Lebanon to collect predominantly Caucasian skulls and information about the individuals. ”What Hyrtl did was show the vast difference in the way these skulls look and how you can’t make sweeping statements about the superiority of one race over another when there is so much difference within the race itself,” Dhody said. Hyrtl’s discoveries cost him his job at the University of Vienna, and he sold the collection.
The Hyrtl exhibit specimens are mostly from people who committed suicide, executed criminals, and almshouse residents because “by law in Europe at that time, if you committed suicide or if you were executed, you and your family had no rights to your remains,” Dhody said.
Here are three skulls that have already been adopted:
Andrejew Sokoloff: This member of Scopzi, the Russian sect that believed in celibacy, died of a self-inflicted removal of the testicles.
Araschtan Gottlieb: This 19-year-old committed suicide by ingesting potassium cyanide because he suspected his mistress was being unfaithful.
Geza Uirmeny: Eighty-year-old reformist herdsman who attempted suicide at 70 by cutting his throat. However, the wound was not fatal because his larynx was ossified, so the cut didn’t go through. The catalog says he lived 10 more years “without melancholy.”
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/54268.html

BREAKING NEWS: 6 Anti-Amaechi Lawmakers Sneaked Into Assembly By Police

Six anti-Amaechi members of the Rivers state House of Assembly are planning to hold a plenary today to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor, fresh reports said.

The faction, which enjoys the backing of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, is currently developing a strategy aimed at accessing the sealed Assembly complex to hold its sitting, the Premium Times source said. I
It was also learnt that the state police had agreed to provide cover for the lawmakers to hold their sitting.
Ahmad Muhammad, the spokesperson for the Rivers Police Command, refused either to deny or to confirm the allegation stating that he is currently in Lagos.
The leader of the lawmakers group, Evan Bipi, confirmed to journalists in a telephone interview that the meeting would take place today (Friday).

"The police are asking for the court judgment before they will allow us sit but I’m currently talking to them. In a little while, lets say 10 a.m., we will proceed to the Assembly."
"I took them to court and won so why should they try to sit there. That was why the police stopped them."

At the same time the deputy speaker of the Assembly, Leyii Kwani, said to the Premium Times journalists Friday morning that his group would resist any attempt by the police to allow the group to sit.

"We will not fold our arms and allow them to commit illegality. We will repeat what we did yesterday by trying to sit too. If the police do not allow us to enter the Assembly, we will sit outside. If that does not work, we will move elsewhere to continue our sitting."

It would be recalled that the police had on Thursday disrupted a sitting of pro-Amaechi lawmakers.
UPDATE 1
Reportedly the six lawmakers have gained entry into the sealed Rivers state House of Assembly building to commence ‘plenary’. The group, led by Evans Bipi, were sneaked into the building with the help of the police officers. It is believed the quasi-plenary has commenced.

SHOCKING: "The Devil Was Inside Them" - Says Pastor Who Raped 6-Year-Old Girls

A "self-proclaimed" pastor has been charged with the rape of two girls.
61-year-old Jacoby Kindred from Minnesota, is accused of sexually abusing the daughters of his son's girlfriend beginning when they were only six years old. According to a criminal complaint, Kindred, a pastor with One Accord Ministries, told one victim that "the devil was inside her and he could take the demons out of her."

It was reported that the alleged abuse "involved fondling, oral stimulation, and rape," and took place mostly at Kindred's Maplewood, Minn., home, while the victims, now 14 and 16, stayed over. Kindred is said to have abused the girls for more than a decade.
Police began their investigation in July after the girls' mother said she found out about a letter written by one of her daughters that described sexual acts with Kindred.
When interviewed, Kindred denied the allegations and said that the girls' mother had made them tell "lies" because she was angry with him.
"Anyone can make up anything when you sit there long enough and you rehearse it," Kindre said. "All a woman has to do [in Minnesota] is make an accusation, true or false, and the man's going to be in trouble."
When media representatives attempted to reach him, Kindred said  that he was out of town for a funeral, and would not disclose his location. Police have issued a warrant for his arrest.