THREE bomb blasts targeting bars where soccer fans were watching the Real Madrid-Barcelona game rocked the Nigerian city of Jos, officials said Sunday, with one death and 10 injuries reported.

The bombs were said to have been planted near outdoor bars - called ''viewing centers'' in Nigeria - late Saturday in the city, which has been hit by waves of violence between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups in recent years.

''So far, we have evacuated 10 people that sustained various degrees of injuries from the blasts to hospital,'' Red Cross official Manata Bambe said, while declining to comment on the number of deaths.

An official with the Stefanos Foundation, a Christian NGO, said one person was killed.

''There were three blasts, all targeting soccer viewing centers,'' Mark Lipdo said.

''The bombs were detonated outside the viewing centers, which was responsible for the low casualty recorded.''


He said of the 10 people wounded, four were in critical condition, including two who were in a coma.

''One person was killed in the blast,'' he said, adding that the victim had been decapitated by the explosion.

Pam Ayuba, spokesman for the governor of Plateau state, where Jos is the capital, also reported three blasts with one person killed, though he said seven were wounded.

The explosions occurred in predominantly Christian areas of the city.

Violence in recent years in Jos and the surrounding area between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups has killed thousands of people.

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Happy Birthday to:

Actress Anna Faris (1976)

Welsh TV star Imogen Thomas (1982)

Actor Lucas Black (1982)

Jackass Ehren McGhehey (1976)

Actor Brian Baumgartner (1972)

Baywatch babe Gena Lee Nolin (1971)

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (1969)

Saturday Night Live alum Ellen Cleghorne (1965)

Actor Tom Sizemore (1964)

Hotel Rwanda star Don Cheadle (1964)

Brat packer Andrew McCarthy (1963)

Actress Kim Delaney (1961)

Actress Cathy Moriarty (1960)

Canadian comedian Howie Mandel (1955)

Director Joel Coen (1954)

Comedian/actor Garry Shandling (1949)

American trumpeter Chuck Mangione (1940)

British bluesman John Mayall (1933)

Actress Diane Ladd (1932)

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Welsh Football Manager Gary Speed

Welsh Football Manager Gary Speed and former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton midfielder was found hanged at his home in Chester this morning. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the 42 year-old's death.

The Football Association of Wales confirmed the news, saying that Speed's family had authorised the release of the information. A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "At 7.08am on Sunday 27 November 2011, Cheshire police was informed of a sudden death at an address in Huntington, Chester.

"Officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. The next of kin have been informed and have confirmed the identity of the man as Gary Speed.

"There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death the family have requested that they are left in peace to grieve at this difficult time. A family tribute will be released at a later date but not today.
Michael Owen' Tweeted about the shocking death of
 Gary Speed some minutes ago...
"The force later confirmed that the dead man was Speed."

After hearing of the news, Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who lives near the star, tweeted: "Just cannot believe the news regarding Gary Speed. We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I'm numb."

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Members of Africa’s largest mobile social network GUINNESS VIP™ are getting an exclusive once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland Captain Roy Keane and former Chelsea and French International Marcel Desailly at GUINNESS VIP™ ‘An Evening With…’ event which will take place on Monday 19th September 2011 – Tuesday 20th September 2011 in Lagos & Ibadan for one night only.

With a known on field rivalry and over 35 years playing experience between them, time spent at some of the top clubs in Europe and a multitude of titles and trophies, these two football idols will be sharing stories and experiences and answering questions exclusively with GUINNESS VIP™ members only.  Access to the players will be both online through live chat question sessions and face to face for members who win tickets on GUINNESS VIP™ to be in the audience at the events.

Guinness® Marketing Manager, Adebola Adenike, commented that “We understand the nation’s passion for football and are always looking for ways to provide the millions of football fans across the country with great football experiences.  Through GUINNESS VIP™, our mobile social network, we give fans across Nigeria real VIP benefits and access to exclusive events and competitions as well as the chance to chat to friends and other passionate football fans and football greats like Victor Ikpeba and Jay Jay Okocha and more to come”.“Once again in a way that only Guinness can, we are providing a series of incredible, once in a lifetime opportunities to interact with World Class football heroes in person at the GUINNESS VIP™ ‘An Evening With…’events which will bring football fans even closer to even more football greats. 

Here is what the two football legends said about the upcoming event:

Roy Keane:
I am really looking forward to coming to Nigeria and meeting some of the nation’s amazing football fans at the Guinness VIP™ An Evening With… event.  This will be my first visit to Nigeria and I have heard that this is a country where the football fans are just as passionate as the loyal fans I had for many years at Manchester United.  I can’t wait to share my love of football and stories of my time on the pitch with such an enthusiastic audience, i’m sure they will have a whole range of interesting questions prepared for me!I am also looking forward to being reunited with my old on field rival, Marcel Desailly and working together again.

Marcel Desailly:
I understand the passion Africa has for football and how the game unites and inspires us.  I have been lucky enough to travel the world playing football and to meet people from many nations.  But it is the support from the fans that really makes the difference for me as a player. They are legendary!.
It will be great to spend an evening with some of them at the GUINNESS VIP™ event and share stories from my days at Chelsea and playing for France as well as answering the questions they have for me about my football career.  No doubt we will also be sharing our views on the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament and the teams we are tipping for the honours.I think myself, Roy and the fans are going to be in for a very special evening.

The opportunity is only available to members of GUINNESS VIP™, for a chance of winning exclusive tickets to be in the up close and personal audience at ‘An Evening With…’ or to put a question to Roy Keane and Marcel Desailly football fans must be a GUINNESS VIP™ member. You can register at m.guinnessvip.com on your phone or computer or simply text yes and your date of birth to 1759.  SMS cost is N10 or log on to www.facebook.com/guinnessvip.

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Ashley Cole and Jay Z

England and Chelsea football star Ashley Cole and US rapper Sean ‘Jay Z’ Carter are teaming up to open a new restaurant and bar in Central London next year.

The deal which was brokered by entertainment group NVA will see Cole and the Roc Nation boss launch a set of businesses, ‘The 40/40 London’ being the first.

This follows the other 40/40 clubs owned and run by Jay Z in New York, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Jay Z who is a sports enthusiast himself and co-owner of NBA basketball team New Jersey Nets will be looking forward to working with Cole as they create ‘a high class standard and lifestyle hangout for urban and trendy folks’.

‘London is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world and the perfect location for our new venue. I’m excited about working with Ashley and NVA Entertainment Group on a range of new projects and The 40/40 London is going to be the hottest place in town’, Jay Z says.

The restaurant will be offering an American-themed menu to its guests and the bar will feature top music acts and DJs. A final decision is to be made in August on where the restaurant/bar will be located as three sites are already under construction.

‘I am delighted to be working with Jay Z. I have grown up listening to his music and now to be doing business with him is amazing and the projects we do will be delivering much needed funds back into sport and music on a local community level as well as helping talented young people get back to work’, Cole says.

NVA has a high profile track-record in sport and entertainment working with the likes of John Terry, Robinho, Usain Bolt and Antonio Valencia

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Sir Alex Ferguson - preparing for 10th FA Cup semi-final.

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Manchester United's vast experience of handling FA Cup semi-final nerves can prove crucial in Saturday's derby clash with City at Wembley.

The Blues have reached this stage of the competition for the first time since 1981, when they edged out Ipswich before falling to Ricky Villa's memorable slalom goal for Tottenham in the final replay.

In contrast, United will be playing in their 10th semi of the Ferguson era, eight of which have been won, the only defeat coming to Everton on penalties two years ago.

Whilst Ferguson accepts playing such matches at Wembley rather than a club venue such as his personal favourite, Villa Park, has changed the nature of them, he still believes there is a uniqueness the respective sides have to combat before they can perform at their best.

"It can drain the players," he said.

"There is an impact in terms of the emotional build-up to the game. The fact it is at Wembley makes it more of an occasion, simply because of the name.

"Obviously it is a different stadium now. Those Twin Towers were a landmark and I wouldn't think the pitch is as tiring as the old Wembley because they have changed it so many times.

"It is a derby game in London, which is unusual but we are ready for it."

United are also well prepared in the sense that nearly all their major players are fit again.

Ferguson estimates combative midfielder Darren Fletcher is still a fortnight away from making a full recovery from the debilitating virus that has ruled him out since the beginning of March and caused him to lose so much weight.

But, apart from the Scotland skipper, and Owen Hargreaves, whose absence has been taken for granted for so long and who has played his final game for United unless tentative talks about his future result in a new contract, that would almost certainly be on a pay-per-play basis, the Red Devils are at full strength.

And that is exactly what Ferguson needs at this time of the season, with his side going full pelt for the treble on the back of seven straight wins, their best sequence of the entire campaign.

"We have got the momentum at the moment," said Ferguson.

"We are winning games, which is important at this time of the season.

"The consistency of the team has been good and we are playing well.

"Our players have a great determination. I am really pleased with that. It has given us a good chance."

All Ferguson has to do now is select the correct team. His task is made slightly easier by the fact Wayne Rooney is suspended.

Twenty-two goal Dimitar Berbatov is virtually certain to return, with Antonio Valencia set to join him.

Elsewhere, it is slightly more problematic, with Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Park Ji-sung, who expended so much energy in Tuesday's win over Chelsea, all vulnerable, no matter how desperately they want to be involved.


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Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun desperate to win against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League

Chelsea midfielder, Yossi Benayoun believes that if his team fails to beat Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League then their season is over.

Chelsea will travel to Old Trafford for the second-leg of the quarter-final on Tuesday, 12th April, 2011. The Blues lost 1-0 in the first-leg at Stamford Bridge after Wayne Rooney scored in the 24th minute for United.

Chelsea are behind leaders United in the Premier League by 11-points and have been knocked out of Carling Cup and the FA Cup as well. Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s only hope of winning silverware in this ingoing 2010-11 season depends on their Champions League game on Tuesday.

Benayoun, who has missed a major part of the season due to a calf injury, has admitted that this is a make or break game for his team in this season.

The Israeli said, “Everyone knows we are playing to save our season. Everyone knows it's the most important game of the season. We have to save our season and try to qualify for the semi-finals. It's most likely from here we will finish in the top three or four in the Premier League and be in the Champions League again next season.”

“That's almost done. So the only thing left is to try to win a trophy - and the only trophy we can win is the Champions League. That's why we have to do our best and give everything. Because if we win this game it will change everything,” added Benayoun.

The former Liverpool midfielder added that if his team manage to beat United on Tuesday, it will pave the way to glory for them. He reckons that if they manage to qualify for the semi-finals, then there is a huge chance that they can go on to win the tournament.

The 30-year-old added that his team faces an uphill battle against United in the second-leg but they have proved in the past that they can beat them at Old Trafford.

Constant injury problems have restricted the midfielder to only 5 appearances this season.

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This is very sick, a BLACK "England" footballer has been changed by the English FA for a racists comment on Ghanaians he posted on tweeter.

The BBC Sports website reports how the West Ham striker, Carlton Cole, has been charged by the English Football Association (FA) for racist comments he made against Ghanaians on Twitter, during their friendly with England on 29th March.

The West Ham striker was basically insinuating that the large number of Ghanaians that had gathered at Wembley to support the Black Stars were refugees, by tweeting this foolishness:

“Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahahaha! The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face w/ the ST. George flag.” (sic)

This is very pathetic, I guess someone forgot to tell all the so-called "Black British" that they were products of slavery in the 60s and they should get over their ignorance???


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