Alibaba Pays $4.3bn To Buy Off Youku Tudou!

As part of an effort to extend its reach beyond retail, having paid $1.2bn for an 18% stake in May 2014, Alibaba launched a $4.3bn bid to buy out China's video - hosting site Youku Tudou.  

Alibaba revealed it submitted a non-binding proposal to purchase the outstanding 82% of Youku Tudou shares. 

Please Rescue My Son - Ali al-Nimr's Mother Cries Out To President Obama!

In a recently published interview, the mother of a 20 year old Shiite Muslim facing beheading and crucifixion, for taking part in an 'anti-marginalization' protests in Saudi Arabia pleaded with U.S president Barrack Obama to rescue her son. 

The youngster identified as Ali al-Nimr,  who was 17 when he was arrested in February 2012, attracted international condemnation over his young age and allegations that he was tortured into making a confession.

 Ali al-Nimr's mother said “When I visited my son for the first time I didn’t recognise him,” 

“I could clearly see a wound on his forehead. Another wound on his nose. They disfigured it. Even his body, he was too thin.

“For a month he was peeing blood,” she added. “He said he felt like a mass of pain, his body was no more.”

While calling on Obama's intervention, al-Nimr's mother further stated “If he carried out this act, I feel it would raise his esteem in the eyes of the world. He would be rescuing us from a great tragedy.”

Ali al-Nimr is a cousin to a Shiite religious leader Nimr al-Nimr, who is equally on death row after he was identified by Saudi authorities as a driving force behind demonstrations that began four years ago in the Eastern Province. 

Dr. Ezekwesili Blasts A Certain '@KoloKenneth' For Mischievous 'Call-Out' At Elvis Inyorngurum's Mourners!

As the #bringbackourgirls campaign team mourn the untimely demise of one of its active campaigners Elvis Inyorngurum who died recently due to cancer of the kidney, an aggrieved young man identified by his twitter handle as "KoloKenneth" unexpectedly called out the mourning team.


The Twits below:
"They knew Elvis was sick, but gathered daily with crocodile tears without helping him, even when he was homeless, and slept at the fountain".

To that, conveyner of the #bringbackourgirls campaign, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili replied: "Why this, young man? Did you help me pay the bill of my family Doctor that Diagnosed Elvis' Liver cancer & provided care?"

"Why do you reproach your upbringing by dishonoring a real human being like Elvis in death, in this manner? Why?".

It is not clear what led to the 'call out' but responses from Dr. Ezekwesili and other team members indicates that @"KoloKenneth" might simply be out for mischief.

Mud Flood Causes Closure Of Major Los Angeles Roads!

Photos of Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles shut as seen on Thursday, 15th October, after floodwaters brought mud and rocks across the carriageway at Fort Tejon, 75 miles northwest of Los Angeles. 



A storm system brought downpours on State Route 58 near Mojave, leading to its closure at noon.

Knife Attacks - Israeli Intensifies Security Across Jerusalem!

In a bid to protect Jewish Israelis from 'suspected' Palestinian knife attacks, Israeli security have intensified its guard and patrol across the ancient city of Jerusalem. 



Lately, there have been reports of young Palestinians either acting alone or motivated by some group or ideology, attacking unsuspecting and harmless Jewish Israelis with knives across Jerusalem.



Meanwhile, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights, the Amnesty International and other human right groups have criticized the 'shoot -to-kill' responds of the Israeli Police and Military personnel, saying they are "too quick to kill". 

The ''Bringbackourgirls" Team Mourns Key Member!

The "Bringbackourgirls" campaign team mourns the demise of one of its active member Elvis Lyorngurum, who recently passed on after a brief (cancer) ailment.



Before his untimely death, Elvis was an Author, Writer, Poet, Managing Editor of 2Feet Africa Magazine; Head, Information and Communications at the Nigerian chapter of the Institute of Management Specialists, a UK based organization.



R.I.P Elvis

Robbers Held Festac Town To A Stand-Still!

'HORRIFIC' is the best word to describe the ugly robbery incident that happened at about 8am, Tuesday, October 13, at branches of Access and Diamond banks along 4th Avenue by 23 Road junction in Festac town, a federal housing estate along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, in Amuwo Odofin local government area.

The "armed-to-the-teeth" robbers who were dressed in a military camouflage came in a speed boat through the canal, shooting sporadically. 

Information revealed by eye witnesses says the robbers held Festac town to a 'stand still'  during the 2 hours uninterrupted operation and carted away large sums of money from the banks. 

A middle-aged nurse, identified as Mrs Jane Ndirika, and her 14-month-old baby, were killed in their home by stray bullets fired indiscriminately by the robbers,  while a security guard, identified as  David Godwin, was injured.

Picture of the mother and child below:

On their part, Police authority stated that despite the numerical disadvantage at the beginning of the operation,  the Police from Area 'E' and Festac Command engaged the robbers in a fierce gun battle, at the end, a huge amount of money and weapons was recovered.