Timbaland Is The Lead Producer On Michael Jackson's Forthcoming "Xscape" Album

Timbaland is slated to be the lead producer on Michael Jackson’s forthcoming Xscape album, according to Rolling Stone.

The album from the late singer, who passed away in 2009, is scheduled for a May 13 release. "Xscape" is the name of one of the collection's cuts.

It is slated to feature eight previously unreleased songs that has been “contemporized,” according to L.A. Reid, chairman and CEO of Epic Records, which will release the collection.

The deluxe edition of the album is slated to include the original version of the songs.

"Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with," Reid says in a statement, per Rolling Stone. "We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world."

In August, Timbaland discussed his work on the Jackson album.  The Virginia producer he said he spoke to Reid in regards to the project and promised “something big.”

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Nigerian Born Hip Hop Artiste Wale, Punches A Guy At WWE Event –TMZ

Rap star Wale PUNCHED A GUY IN THE FACE at a WWE event Monday night -- and judging by the way security rushed in to break it up, it appeared to be 100% REAL. 

It all went down at "Raw" in Washington D.C. -- TMZ spoke with eyewitness Jawn Murray from AlwaysAlist.com who says Wale was sitting right behind the announcers enjoying the show ... when some fan seated nearby began taunting the rapper.

Murray says Wale eventually got up out of his seat and "the next thing I know Wale is putting the smackdown on dude. Punched him dead in his face. It was a full fight."

Security rushed over and broke up the fight -- and took everyone involved into a hallway. Moments later, Wale returned to his seat and began snacking on popcorn like nothing happened.

We're told the other guy is also back in his seat.

Obesere’s Rape Mess Video Out, Selling Like Hot Cake –Encomium Reports

Famous fuji musician, Alhaji Abass Akande, better known as Obesere, may have further proved his innocence about the rape allegation leveled against him by one Ms. Olanike Olaiya, a couple of weeks back, by releasing a video CD, Rape Scandal, which threw light on the allegation.

The CD which contains Obesere’s interview and that of his witness, Alhaja Bolatito Omo Owo revealed how the incident that almost dragged the name of the sensational musician to the mud happened.

Rape Scandal is being marketed and distributed by De-Wish Entertainment, Mushin, Lagos.  And it has been in circulation since its release on Monday, March 17, 2014.

An insider disclosed to ENCOMIUM Weekly that Obesere’s quest to satisfy the yearnings of his teeming fans, home and abroad, informed his coming out with the video CD.

“Obesere has released the video CD which explains better what actually transpired between him and his accuser, Nike Olaiya.  I learnt the CD has sold thousands of copies.  Everybody wants to see the face of the girl.  I also learnt that some music promoters and marketers have been lobbying Obesere for the musical video of the incident, which I learnt may be released before the end of the second quarter of the year.  But I think Papa is just waiting for the outcome of the police investigation before going to the studio for the album.”

Speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Friday, March 21, 2014, on the reason he churned out the CD, Tosibe king, as Obesere is fondly addressed, explained, “I want people, especially my fans, to get a clearer picture of what really happened between myself and Nike Olaiya.  Also, the inclusion of Alhaja Bola Omo Owo’s interview in the video is to let the public know that I have nothing to hide.  I am sure everybody can recognize me, but I want people to also see the face of Alhaja Omo Owo so that they will all know she’s not a fake person.  Rape Scandal was produced to explain everything in detail.  It wasn’t for monetary reason, but all of a sudden, everybody keeps requesting for a copy.

“By now, Nike should just come out and defend herself.  Her picture is also on the jacket of the CD.  Everybody knows that Papa can never rape and that will never happen. I believe that won’t be the first time Nike will be swindling men.  It’s God that exposed her.  That’s why she is running up and down.  Everybody has seen the face of a scammer.  Very soon, she would show up or be fished out.”

On Saturday, March 22, 2014, Alhaja Omo Owo also corroborated Obesere’s submission, adding that she could go to any length to support the talented singer on the matter.

“My brother, it’s a dirty allegation against Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere, and I am ready to stand by him till we see the end of the matter.  It’s unfair for Nike to have done that.  Since she left for her home town, Shagamu, Ogun State, one old man has been threatening me.  He warned that I should withdraw from the matter or else I would be dealt with. It’s just few days ago that he stopped calling me.  That’s the reason I didn’t want my face to appear at all in the CD but later I supported the idea because I know and I am sure I am on the path of the truth.  And no evil shall befall me. I want the public to know that I am real.  One thing I am sure of is that Nike will soon be declared wanted by the police if she fails to appear at Adekunle Police Station, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for further investigation of the case.  She can’t run away anymore, everybody has seen her face now.”

Reacting to the development on Sunday, March 23, 2014, Olaiya said, “Let them go ahead with their video CDs.  If they like, they should come out with 10 of such, it doesn’t bother me.  Very soon, the whole world will know the truth.  All I know is that sinners won’t go unpunished.  But I thank God I am okay now.”

Obesere rape mess shocked the industry and beyond when the news broke, via the internet on Monday, March 10, 2014.  It has since kept a lot of his fans in doubt as to the authenticity of the weighty allegation, on the ground that the Asakasa crooner is always surrounded by beautiful ladies of different shapes, sizes, heights and complexion.

However, the matter can’t be concluded yet as investigations are still on.

Gucci Mane Reportedly Made $1.3 Million Off Music In 2013

In an article posted on Noisey this weekend, two associates close to Gucci Mane explain how the rapper has continued to release and profit from unheard music while serving time in prison.

With plans to release not one but two mixtapes on the first day of April, Ronald “Caveman” Rosario, who helps distribute 1017 Brick Squad projects, described how Gucci Mane made more than a million dollars from music sales in 2013.

“With Gucci, last year we did a total of 12 projects, including nine Gucci Mane projects and three 1017 projects,” Rosario said. Noisey goes on to cite “Caveman” as claiming that Gucci made “about $1.3 million from that” before speaking on the continued merchandise the rapper sells and benefits from on TrapMerch.com, an outlet that Rosario co-owns. “We have the official ‘Free Guwop” tee shirt. That shit sells all day everyday,” Rosario said.

Rosario, who works for a music distribution company, also explained encouraging Gucci Mane to distribute the mixtapes themselves. “I sat down with Gucci right around the release of Trap God and let him know that these mixtapes were a source of income and that he was basically giving the money away to sites like LiveMixtapes,” he said.

Speaking with Noisey, Rosario also detailed Young Thug’s complicated label situation, noting that Gucci Mane is positioned to benefit from any success the Rich Gang managed rapper might experience. “The fucking reality of it is Thug is signed to 1017, regardless of where he wants to go,” he said. “So regardless of what people want to say, what they want to Tweet or Instagram, Gucci is still gonna get paid. Thug is running around saying Rich Gang, but a lot of people don’t understand that Rich Gang is a management company. It is a management deal. It isn’t a record deal. So Birdman and his team are now representing him, but regardless of his representation he’s still signed to Gucci.”

Adding an explanation of Gucci’s approach to developing young artists more generally, Rosario described how the Trap House rapper has mentored artists like Young Thug. “[Gucci] has his ears to the streets,” he said. “So when people come up to him like ‘This dude’s poppin’, this dude’s winning he’ll bring them close and in a sense teach them. He’ll bring them on the road, have them open up for him. He shows them how this shit works.”

Noisey’s article is also built out of an interview with 1017 audio engineer Sean Paine who explained how the rapper’s behind-bars releases are put together. “1017 isn’t at a standstill, but we’re definitely waiting to see what they’re doing with Gucci first,” he said. “He’ll call from jail and give us some direction on these projects and then we kind of go from there,” Paine said. “Gucci really makes all the decisions.”

Source

Paul Walker daughter To Live With Her Mom IF She Goes To Rehab – TMZ Reports

Paul Walker's mom will back off her demand to become guardian of Paul's 15-year-old daughter, even though that's what he said he wanted in  his will ... but ONLY if Meadow's mom goes to rehab.

Paul's mom Cheryl Walker went to court this week ... ready to do battle with Rebecca Soteros.  Rebecca has a serious drinking problem, with 2 DUIs under her belt.  Her drinking is why Meadow moved from Hawaii 3 years ago to live with her dad in L.A.

We've learned Rebecca and Cheryl came face-to-face and Rebecca grudgingly told Cheryl she would go to rehab immediately.  Cheryl then promised she would drop her bid for guardianship if Rebecca successfully completed the program and agreed to drug testing afterward. 

We're told Rebecca said being with Meadow was the most important thing to her, and she knew there would be an ugly court fight if she didn't comply with Cheryl's demands.  So Rebecca started a detox program Friday, and will enter full-time rehab in a week.

In the meantime Meadow is staying with the Walker family.

Snoop Dogg Uncle June Bug Dead After Battle With Cancer

Snoop Dogg's uncle June Bug passed away Sunday morning after holding on almost a week longer than doctors expected ... and Snoop was the last person to see him.

June Bug's nephew Daz Dillinger tells TMZ ... his uncle died around 9:30 am -- and it happened right after Snoop arrived for a visit.

It was revealed that J.B. happily acknowledged Snoop's presence ... then passed on.

As was previously reported, June Bug was given one day to live last week after succumbing to colon cancer ... but he was clearly a fighter.

Rest In Peace Bug

Paul Walker Will Appear In ‘Fast And Furious 7′ Through CGI

Paul Walker, the Fast and Furious   lead actor who died in a tragic car crash last November was halfway through completing the latest instalment of the car racing franchise before the tragic death. However, it has been revealed that the late actor will be appearing in the movie with the aid of doubles, digital wizardry and voice effects.

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper’s Confidential column: “They have hired four actors with bodies very similar to Paul’s physique and they will be used for movement and as a base.

“Paul’s face and voice will be used on top using CGI.”

The last movie in the series, Fast & Furious 6, made over $500 million at the global box office.

National Conference “Sleeping Delegate” Hamma Misau Is Dead - Sahara Reporters

A delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Nigeria, retired police AIG Hamma Misau has died at the National Hospital in Abuja. Mallam Misau died last night of an undisclosed illness at the age of 67.

Mallam Misau became famous after a photo of him taking a nap at the conference was shared  on social media three days ago.

Barrister Mohammed Hamma a cousin to the retired police officer confirmed his demise to SaharaReporters. He said a Muslim funeral is due shortly in Bauchi for the late delegate. Mallam Hamma Misau hails from Misau in Bauchi state.

50 Cent Comments On Says Jay Z & Drake Beef, Says It "Just Getting Started"

50 Cent says that lines may be drawn with Rihanna and Drake on one side and Jay Z and Beyonce on the other.

50 Cent says that Jay Z and Drake’s potential rivalry, which was potentially heightened Sunday (March 23) when Jay Z addressed Drake's recent Rolling Stone comments about art references on his verse on Jay Electronica's "We Made It,” may be in the early stages.

“I think it’s just getting started because we didn’t actually hear any verses or rap from Drake,” 50 Cent says on the Russ Parr Morning Show. "But you know what? It’s interesting. I think you’re supposed to rap about things that are in your actual life. But those are laws that were a part of our culture when I actually came in and fell in love with it. But it’s old school.”

Jay Z's "Drizzy" reference likely stems from Drake's Rolling Stone interview in February. In the article, Drake criticizes Jay Z's references to art.

"It's like Hov can't drop bars these days without at least four art references," Drake says in the article. "I would love to collect [art] at some point, but I think the whole Rap/art world thing is getting kind of corny."

A rapper known for his high-profile beefs with Ja Rule and Fat Joe, among others, 50 Cent says that he might respond to Jay Z if he were Drake.

“I think I would respond to it,” he says. "I don’t know. It depends. Sometimes it has to be the right timing surrounding the response.”

Regardless, 50 Cent says that other parties may be drawn into the beef.

“You’ve got to see what kind of lines would come out relationshipwise,” 50 Cent says. "It might actually create a separation here, people, where there’s the team ReRe and Drake on one side and Jay and B on the other side.”

Chris Brown Says D.C. Prosecutors are Railroading Him

Chris Brown says prosecutors in his Washington D.C. assault case screwed him over by unlawfully getting a sneak peek of witnesses ... so he wants the charges thrown out.

Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, says prosecutors had no right to take Brown's case before the grand jury.  He says in his legal docs the U.S. Attorney had already decided to reduce the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor assault. 

Geragos alleges the ONLY reason a grand jury was convened was to get a preview of how the witnesses in their case would fare under oath.  In other words, Geragos says prosecutors used the grand jury for a dry run, and that's absolutely an egregious abuse of power.

Source

Gas Explosion Rocks Abuja Shopping Plaza

Explosion rocks Shagari Plaza on Moshood Abiola Way, Garki-Area One, Abuja on Thursday as residents run for safety.

 Eyewitness account said the first explosion occurred at about 5:17pm when a gas cylinder exploded. An SUV parked close to the gas dispenser went up in flames.

The gas retailer, who tried to recover his money kept under one of the cylinders, was also caught in the explosion while trying to save his earnings for the day. Eyes witness said he kept his money  under one of the cylinders. As he was trying to take the money, another cylinder exploded and he was caught in the explosion but was not killed. He is currently receiving  treatments at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

Pastor/Rapper Mase Accused of Living A Double Life

Pastor/rapper Mase  is a fake who has committed blasphemy  by using the holiness of the church to advance his very unholy rap agenda ... so claim many of the worshipers at his house of worship.

Some of the worshipers  say they believe Mase is living a double life, spending as much time in the studio with hardcore rappers as in the church.  And they say his messages from the pulpit drip in hypocrisy, because what he raps about is exactly the opposite.

One of the things that set parishioners are upset about is  that Mase -- who built both his church and his fortune on his marriage -- secretly filed for divorce in January and then withdrew the legal docs a few weeks later.

Some of the parishioners tell TMZ that Mase has been going on and on about the virtues of marriage and has refused to  address his own failures ... and they're fed up.

Court Didn’t Stop Tolls On Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, We Will Continue To Collect Tolls – Lagos Anthony General

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, has said the Thursday’s judgment of the Federal High Court did not stop toll collection on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge. He described the judgement as ambiguous and refused to address all the questions raised.

Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, had  in a judgment held that there was no law backing the imposition of tolls on the users of the bridge.

But Ipaye said the judgment was ambiguous as the court failed to make any consequential order or declaration barring toll collection on the bridge. He said therefore toll collection would continue on the bridge.

The commissioner, who addressed journalists at his office in Ikeja shortly after the judgment was delivered, said the government was going to appeal and file an application for stay of execution of the judgment.

He said, “The judgment read this morning did not specifically  address many of the questions raised by the applicant, neither did it grant any of the declarations sought.

“As you heard for yourselves, no order made.  However, the pronouncements referred to above are capable of being interpreted  as court orders, hence our decision to appeal and stay of execution immediately.”

He disagreed with the court as he maintained that contrary to the judge’s pronouncement, section 29 of the Private Public Partnerships Law of Lagos State had made provisions for collection of tolls even existing public assets regardless of how the said assets were procured or constructed.

While responding to questions from journalists, Ipaye maintained that tolls would continue on the bridge.

                  

“They will continue to pay. All the same, we are not ruling out any kind of interpretation ,” he said.

He said aside from the failure of the court to make any consequential order or declaration, “the judgment  contained at least two or three fundamental  errors.”

He said the payment of N10m by Julius Berger which constructed the bridge to the National Inland Waterways Authority, was never a concession that it was the Federal Government which had the power to regulate inland waterways within the state.

“The second fundamental error was the assumption that the Private Public Partnerships Law of Lagos State which we cited in support of toll collection did not apply, simply because the bridge was not constructed by public-private partnership,” Ipaye said.

Pharrell Williams Signs A Deal With Adidas

Pharrell Williams has signed a deal with adidas. The German sports brand and musician confirmed the partnership.

According to adidas, the collection will launch Summer 2014 and include Pharrell's Bionic Yarn—which turns ocean debris into usable materials. The connection with Pharrell and adidas goes way back. He admitted that he's been a fan of the brand for a long time.

"Working with an iconic brand like adidas is such an incredible opportunity. From the classic track suit, to growing up in Virginia wearing Stan Smiths, adidas has been a staple in my life. Their pieces are timeless. This is an exciting partnership for both me and for Bionic Yarn," Pharrell said via a written statement.

Prior to this announcement, adidas announced a footwear and apparel deal with designer Nigo on Feb 25. It also shook things up at the end of last year by luring Kanye West away from Nike.

Although the figure in cash was not revealed to the media,it is expected that it is a juicy one for Pharrell.

Rhino Poachers Killed In India

 Two ivory poachers have been killed after brutally murdering a rare Indian rhinoceros at a wildlife sanctuary in the Northeastern State of Assam.

The one-horned rhino was found with its horn hacked off and removed in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary about 28miles East of the city of Guwahati.

Forest officials shot dead two of the poachers inside the sanctuary after exchanging fire at the scene of the killing. 

A total of eight poachers entered the sanctuary and hunted down the lone rhino in the early hours of Wednesday. Security staff heard gunshots around 1am and arrived at the scene to catch the poachers in the act.

Two men were killed in a gunfight, while the rest of the gang managed to flee with the horn.

Will Smith, Eminem & Ice Cube Named "The Best Rappers-Turned-Actors"

Will Smith, Ice Cube and Mark Wahlberg are among the artists named on Green Label’s list of “Hip Hop Goes Hollywood: The Best Rappers-Turned-Actors.”

"There’s something about emceeing that channels some of the same qualities required of acting,” the Green Label article says. "You have to captivate your audience, be able to tell a story, and definitely be able to display emotion if you want to be any good at it. That’s why a few rappers have made it big in the acting game."

Unlike many of the rappers on the list, Method Man has primarily played in smaller roles.

"No one’s ever going to mistake Method Man for a Will Smith or a Mark Wahlberg, but man, does that guy have on-screen presence,” the article says. "Early on in his acting career, Meth preferred to either play a version of himself or a criminal of some sort, specifically in his roles on The Wire, in Cop Land, and the like. However, in recent years, Meth’s film choices have notably diversified with him snagging roles in Garden State, Red Tails, and The Mortician.”

OSRC Workers Lock Out DG Over Poor Welfare

Workers of the Ondo State Radioviosion Corporation (OSRC), on Monday locked out the Director-General of the Corporation, Ladi Akeredolu-Ale for neglecting their welfares since 2010.

About 50 police officers with 2 Armoured Personnel Carrier and 5 police patrol vans were stationed at the main gate of the Corporation to forestall breakdown of law and order.

According to the protesting workers, "We don’t  know what is happening to the revenue of the station when workers welfare are not prioritised, training and re-training have been put on hold since 2010, when the newsroom ranks as the worst among its peers, when no worker is enjoying his work.” The board of OSRC, yesterday, met with the workers on ways to find solutions to the crisis.

 The workers however called on the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, to intervene in the crisis which they attribute to collapsing structure, equipment at the studio, transmitter and the poor office accommodations which termites had turned to their home.

Dictator No 1: North Korean University Students Are Now Required To Get The Same Haircut As Kim Jong Un

Before now, everyone in North Korea had the right to choose their haircuts from a list of state-approved styles. But now, all university students in the hermit kingdom will be required to sport the same hairstyle as supreme leader Kim Jong Un, the BBC reports.

Pyongyang introduced the new law two weeks ago but is now rolling it out across the country.

Many people are not happy with the new law. According to a former Pyongyang resident now living in China, the Kim Jong Un cut is unpopular because it apparently resembles the style of Chinese smugglers. “Until the mid-2000s, we called it the ‘Chinese smuggler haircut,” the source told the Korea Times.

What a dictator. Shame shame and shame

Rapper Chief Keef Caught Up In Chicago Shooting

Chief Keef somehow got mixed up in a shooting early Wednesday morning which led someone to be hospitalized.

Although Keef's lawyer says the rapper wasn’t the shooter. According to him, he just happened to be present when shots were fired.  The Northfield PD says the shooting victim is in ICU.

The rapper who constantly gets in the way of the law really knows how to implicate him-self in a crime. On Monday, Keef posted photos of guns on his Instagram page, including an AK-47, and the photos appear to serve as a warning. He captioned the picture “Another situation. Already.”

Paul Walker’s Family Not Satisfied With Death Report

Paul Walker's family did not get an advance courtesy call from law enforcement telling them they had determined the cause of Paul Walker's death ... and they're not happy.

Walker family sources tell TMZ, they feel totally betrayed by the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. ... the agency that conducted the probe.

The Sheriff's Dept. held a news conference Tuesday saying speed caused the crash -- not mechanical failure.  The family found out through media reports.

The family says they've been waiting for months, and it's been very difficult preparing for the moment when they learned why Paul died.  They say after such a long, emotional wait, they now feel short-changed.

One family member learned of the results Tuesday on TV ... when the news ticker at the bottom of the screen unexpectedly rolled through.  The family member says that was simply cold.

Jetting Season: Governor Akpabio Of Akwa Ibom State Blew $10 Million On Vistajet On 25 Trips- Sahara Reporters

 Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State spent $10 million over a twenty-five trips or 600 hours of service. The governor hired a private jet, a Canadian Challenger 604 from Swiss-based Vista jet, an investigation by SaharaReporters has revealed.

Mr. Akpabio paid the sum to the jet charter company owned in part by Kola Aluko. Mr. Aluko is known to be quite close to Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and has been described as one of a few fronts for the minister’s extensive money laundering schemes.

 Mr. Aluko was also instrumental to the private jet provided to the Nigerian Petroleum minister who caused the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to spent N10 billion naira to charter another Vista jet, Challenger 850 Aircraft marked OE-ILA which has now been moved out of Nigeria following an investigation launched by the House of Representatives.

The charter jet used by the governor was registered in Switzerland as OE-INI. The governor and his entourage used the jet on trips within Nigeria and Europe within the period. Records seen by SaharaReporters indicated that Mr. Akpabio spent close to $400,000 per day for the period of the jet charter, which started in January 2010.

Mr. Akpabio later purchased a Bombardier jet for $45 million in 2012. SaharaReporters reported exclusively on the governor’s purchase of the jet.

A few months after splurging on the jet, Governor Akpabio also bought a bullet-proof van from a US armory company for $1 million dollars.

In 2012, Vista jet made at least 900 trips within the Nigerian airspace using four jets that were making at least three landings per day.

Dreaming For Nigeria: An “Expired” Delegate Sleeping During Nigeria National Conference

The picture above is that of a delegate at the national conference, who was paid over 12 million Naira to discuss the future of the country-Nigeria. All he could do is “dream” for the country while others discuss. This  old man is above 80 years old and  he was part of the generation that wrecked this country. Where is the place of the youths in Nigeria?

Coldplay Lead Singer Marriage To Gwyneth Paltrow Packs Up

Gwyneth Paltrow broke the news of their separation on her Goop lifestyle website, writing: 'It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate.' Gwyneth, 41, and Coldplay frontman Chris, 37, have two children, and in their emotional, somewhat bizarrely entitled, statement called 'Conscious Uncoupling', they admitted they had spent more than a year battling to save their marriage.

They wrote: 'We have been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate.' We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been.

The couple then signed off by writing 'Love Gwyneth & Chris'. Shortly after posting the statement, the website crashed. Gwyneth and Chris, who wed in a secret ceremony in Mexico in December 2003, have spent most of their 10-year relationship trying to avoid being photographed together in an effort to maintain their privacy.

Naomi Campbell Un-amused By Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Vogue Cover

The Kim Kardashian-Kanye West Vogue cover continues to generate reactions worldwide from different quarters. The latest among the People who cannot really  wrap their head around the fact that a reality star would ever be featured on so esteemed a fashion magazine is Naomi Campbell.

But she's a little more diplomatic and reserved in her response than Sarah Michelle Gellar was on Twitter when she threatened to cancel her subscription to the magazine.

When asked about the KimYe cover, Naomi Campbell declined to respond, eventually saying "I'm a fashion model and I've been working for 28 years."

"When you get a Vogue cover, it's a build in your career…. a stepping stone to achieve that."

That wasn't a good enough answer for the hosts of Australia's TV show, The Morning Show.

They went on to ask "Kim and Kanye haven't earned the right to be on the cover of Vogue?"

"Those are your words, not mine. I'm being politically correct," Campbell replied.

Campbell has graced the cover of Vogue 5 times in her storied, 28-year modeling career. She knows a thing or two about the fashion world and that magazine in particular

The media firestorm surrounding the Vogue cover has been both hilarious and disheartening.

Anna Wintour, the magazine's editor, wrote a public letter stating that Kanye West did not pay or beg Wintour to put his fiancee on the cover of the magazine.

But many people think otherwise.

Paul Walker: Speed, Not Mechanical Failure, Caused Crash

Paul Walker died as a result of speeding and not mechanical problems.

A source connected with the CHP -- which did the speed analysis -- tells TMZ  ... Roger Rodas, the driver, was going between 80 and 93 MPH when he lost control going around a curve and crashed.

The Associated Press quotes a source from the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. -- the agency that conducted the mechanics analysis -- who says the crash was NOT the result of mechanical failure.  Speed was the trigger for the fatal accident.

Investigators also noted the tires were 9 years old. Shortly after Paul died ... law enforcement sources said they were the original tires on the car and they had hardened ... which means it lost traction on the road.

Porsche had issued a memo to its dealers 9 years ago warning them the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT could be dangerous to an untrained driver.  The memo says the road surfaces need to be smooth, like a race track.  The car is so sensitive, the memo says, "This vehicle cannot drive over a Foster beer can that is lying on its side."

Investigators say there was no evidence a second car was involved in the collision.

They also said an after-market exhaust system had been installed, which would have increased the engine's horsepower. According to investigators, the coroner's office determined neither Walker nor Rodas had alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the crash.

Walker and Roger Rodas died Nov. 30 from a combination of the impact and fire.

During the investigation, German Porsche mechanics flew to L.A. to examine the car .... analyzing the Carrera GT's brakes, engine, body and a tire that wasn't destroyed in the fire.

Source

Baws: Rick Ross Buys $250,000 Watches For Dj Khaled, Meek Mill & Wale

Rick Ross spent $250,000 on six watches for DJ Khaled, Meek Mill and Wale, among others, in order to celebrate the success of his Mastermind album, according to TMZ.

The site says that the Miami rapper purchased the timepieces from New York jeweler Rafaello & Co.

Rick Ross's Mastermind appeared as the #1 album on the album chart released March 12 for the week ending March 9. The project sold 179,215 copies its first week of availability.

Congrats to him and the MMG crew

Somali Actor Barkhad Abdi's Has Criminal Records- Star Tribune Reports

Barkhad Abdi found fame as actor in “Captain Phillips,” but past criminal offenses have drawn scrutiny from immigration officials.

Minnesota actor Barkhad Abdi, who gained fame as a Somali pirate in the 2013 film “Captain Phillips,” was stopped briefly by U.S. customs officials in February while returning to the U.S. after accepting an award for his performance overseas.

Abdi, 28, is a permanent legal resident in the U.S. and several previous criminal offenses flagged him when he returned to the U.S., according to a local federal source with knowledge of the case.

He faces a possible hearing this week with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which stopped him after he returned from accepting the British equivalent of the Oscar as a best supporting actor in the film. He was also nominated for an Oscar.

One of the offenses was a drug arrest in August 2012 in Iowa for possession of marijuana and khat. He has also been arrested on suspicion of credit card fraud in North Dakota and Minnesota. While the arrests might be considered minor, any sort of drug offense could result in immigration action against him, the source said. But it is unlikely Abdi, who came to the U.S. at 14 from Somalia by way of Yemen, would be deported because federal immigration authorities have shown little appetite for making a move for any but the most serious offenses, the source said.

Abdi, who is said to be splitting time between Los Angeles and Minneapolis, could not be reached for comment. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection regional office in Detroit did not return requests for comment.

Abdi, who answered an open call for his role as the lead Somali pirate in “Captain Phillips,” has never denied his past. In February, he told the Daily Beast: “Our mistakes shape us. You make a mistake and it makes you a better person. You learn from it. I wasn’t a complete man.”

It is unclear whether the current situation with federal authorities will have an impact on some of his activities in Minnesota and in his acting career in Hollywood. Abdi is slated to throw out the first pitch for the Minnesota Twins home opener and is a pitchman for MNsure, the state’s health insurance marketplace.

Fire Guts CBN Office In Lagos

The Central Bank of Nigeria building at Marina, Lagos State, went up in flames on Tuesday evening, spreading panic among residents who fled for dear lives.

 The cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained as of press time, eyewitnesses said they began seeing smokes emanating from the first floor of the building around 5.10pm.

It was learnt that the fire created traffic snarl around the area as fire service men and other rescue agencies fight hard to break into the scene to put out the inferno.

However, men of the Lagos State Fire Service, who arrived earlier, were seen battling the flames around 6pm.

The Director and Head of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Razak Fadipe, told newsmen that he was informed of the fire around 5.45pm.

He said, “We received a distress call around 5.45pm. We deployed a 10,000-litre fire truck from the Onikan Fire Station to the scene and another 10, 000 litres truck from Sari Iganmu, including the area ladder.

“The fire involved a five-storey building belonging to the CBN. The fire is on the third floor, which is divided into two wings. The fire only affected one of the wings.”

Newspaper Apologises For Showing Obamas As Apes

A Belgian newspaper apologised Monday following outcry over an image showing US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama with their faces photoshopped to look like apes. The image was printed alongside another that implies President Obama sells marijuana.

The images appeared in Flemish newspaper De Morgen's Saturday edition, in a satire section called "The Obama Herald". The paper joked that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent in the photos. The controversy comes ahead of an official visit by President Obama to Belgium. He is scheduled to arrive in Brussels Today.

The apology from De Morgen's editors came in an article entitled, "Is De Morgen Racist?". They called the image a "tasteless joke", explaining, "We wrongly assumed that racism is no longer accepted, and that in this way it could be the subject of a joke".

The international outcry began on Saturday after Nigerian writer Chika Unigwe, who lives in Belgium, tweeted the images.

Woman Addicted To Eating Make-Up, Spends £120 A Week On Bizarre Habit

Brittoni's 22, from Toledo, Ohio says she is addicted to eating make-up.Instead of putting on make-up on her face, the 22-year old prefers to eat it, munching her way through between 15 and 20 packs a day.

She says, the taste varies by brand and colour, with metallic eyeshadow in light brown, white and grey apparently boasting the nicest flavour.

'I cannot live without eating make-up,' she explains. 'You can imagine it just coating your insides with whatever colour you're eating. It's just like craving your favourite candy bar.'

Brittoni's unusual habit began when she was just five years old and, intrigued by the colours in her mother's make-up case, decided to taste it.

'Seeing all the colours made me want to taste it,' she remembers. 'Once I tasted it, I just could not stop eating make-up.

'My favourite type of eyeshadow to eat is usually the metallic colours,' she continues. 'My favourite colours are grey, white and the light colour browns. Light colours usually taste a lot cleaner than darker colours.'

Despite having had a penchant for tucking into eyeshadow since the age of five, Brittoni admits that she goes to extreme lengths to keep her snacking habits secret from her family.

'I hide make-up everywhere around my house,' she explains. 'Under the couches, in the flower vases, the freezer... My hair is long so I like to use it to conceal the make-up I would like to bring.

'I keep my addiction to make-up hidden because I'd rather not go through the hassle of explaining it to people.

'My mother doesn't know but if she knew, I'd never hear the end of it and it would go on for hours and hours every day.'

Thanks to her penchant for eating make-up, Brittoni now spends upwards of $200 (£120) a week on cosmetics and has developed an unusual supermarket shopping routine.

'When I come into the store, I have to taste to make sure I bought the right ones,' she reveals. 'I would just pour some on my hand, look around to make sure no-one's walking down the aisle and I would just lick it.

'If it's not the right kind and since nobody sees me lick it, I'll put it back. I know that's kind of wrong but I don't want to get stuck with something I don't eat or wear.'

But while Brittoni appears to think that her penchant for eating make-up is harmless, a swift glance at some common ingredients is enough to suggest that it's likely to be doing her body no good at all.

Among ingredients typically found in Brittoni's favourite eyeshadow is Talc, or as it's properly known, hydrous magnesium silicate which is similar to asbestos.

Other substances found in make-up include mineral oil, a petrol derivative, and mica, a mineral that is used to colour paint.

All I can say is go get help Girl, you deserve to be alive.

Shocking Footage Captures Two Carers Slapping Brain-Damaged Patient And Calling Him A 'Dirty Scummy Boy' While He Groans In Pain At £3,000-A-Week Priory Hospital – Daily Mail Reports

Two carers have been filmed slapping, jabbing and humiliating a brain-damaged patient as he lay groaning in bed at a £3,000-a-week Priory hospital.

Rita Page, 68, and Lynette Crook, 33, were caught smacking the young victim’s legs and swearing at him as they changed his bedding in Bury, Greater Manchester.

On the secretly-filmed tape, Page can be heard saying: ‘You won’t beat us, b******. There’s this very fine line between abuse and neglect.’

And Crook is heard saying: ‘Better not think about being sick on me lad. I don’t do sick, so stop it scummy lad. Don’t you dare be

sick on me boy, don’t you dare - you dirty, scummy boy.’

The footage was filmed between August 28 and September 19 in 2012 by the patient’s family who were worried about his treatment at the privately-run hospital.

Believing their concerns had not been addressed by senior staff, they hid surveillance cameras around the man’s room at The Priory Highbank Centre specialist hospital for neurological treatment.

After a court case yesterday, the victim's uncle said: ‘All institutions must be brought to justice and we wanted to make sure these two women were brought to account for what they did.

‘We were very concerned about the treatment our relative was getting and we made that many complaints that two family members got banned from the premises.

'You won’t beat us, b******. There’s this very fine line between abuse and neglect' Rita Page

‘As a family we are more than happy with their [guilty] pleas and they will be shown up for what they are. We want a petition for cameras in care homes for vulnerable people like him. If you have nothing to be ashamed of then it won’t be an intrusion.’

Healthcare assistants Page from Bury and Crook, of Ramsbottom, near Bury, were suspended from their duties and were arrested after the footage was handed over to police.

The film emerged as Crook and Page were warned they faced jail after they pleaded guilty to charges of ill treatment of the patient on the first day of their trial at Bolton Crown Court.

Both were bailed pending a sentencing hearing in May, but a judge warned them ‘immediate custody was likely.’ The case was not opened.

Page pleaded guilty to two charges relating to use of abusive language and slapping the patient during a struggle when she put a pillow between his legs.

Crook pleaded guilty to three charges relating to her jabbing the patient in the torso and head with a pen whilst he was asleep, using abusive language and slapping his leg while taking blood pressure.

Seven other charges will lie on file. The victim, who had suffered brain damage following an accident when he was a youngster, cannot be named for legal reasons.

Malcolm Bower-Brown, Care Quality Commission regional director, said: ‘We are aware of this shocking case involving two former employees of The Priory Highbank Centre in Bury.

‘Our thoughts today are with the victim of this dreadful abuse, and their family.

'Our most recent inspection in February 2014 found the home to be meeting the national standards reviewed.

‘However, we continue to monitor the position carefully and will not hesitate to take any regulatory action necessary to ensure residents receive the service they are entitled to expect.

‘If anyone has any concerns about The Priory Highbank Centre or any other registered service, please contact CQC.

A spokesman for The Priory Highbank Centre said: ‘Everyone at the company deeply regrets the unacceptable actions of these two members of staff - both of whom had over 10 years’ service and previously unblemished records.

‘The company will not tolerate behaviour of this nature and both healthcare assistants have been dismissed for gross misconduct.

'This was an isolated incident and does not represent the high standards at this otherwise excellent hospital.

‘The most recent unannounced CQC inspection of the hospital is solid evidence that the hospital is providing a safe, caring and effective service to its patients. The company has issued an unreserved apology.