Mr Tourism Nigeria South South ambassador gets naked in new pics

Better person! It's not only a woman's nakedness we will be seeing every time, every time...lol. But Mr man, you should have removed your hand from there nah, shuo! Bernard Effiong is 23 from Akwa Ibom and the current Mr Tourism Nigeria, South South ambassador. He's a 300L Business Management student of University of Calabar. See more photos after the cut...

Photos: VP Osinbajo visits Fashola at Lagos home

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid a visit to former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, at his home in Lagos earlier today. Another photo after the cut...

Pope Francis' trip to Paraguay feels more like an Argentinian homecoming

  Pope Francis received a very Argentine welcome Saturday at Paraguay's most important pilgrimage site, with thousands of his countrymen joining hundreds of thousands of Paraguayan faithful for a Mass that served as a makeshift homecoming for the Argentine pope.

Argentina's blue and white flag and its national team soccer jersey were ubiquitous among the mate tea-sipping faithful who packed the main square and streets surrounding it at Caacupé, which houses a little wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that is close to Francis' heart.

At the start of his homily, Francis made clear he was among friends.

"Being here with you makes me feel at home," he said.

When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio often visited the Villa 21 slum where many Paraguayan immigrants live, joining them in their religious processions and celebrating baptisms at their church, Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupé.

"Francis loved Paraguayans and we do too," said Carmen Mesa, 56, who along with a half dozen other Argentines made a pilgrimage on foot from Clorinda, Argentina, to Caacupé for the Mass. "Argentina is his homeland. He is not coming home yet, so we brought it to him."

Mesa's group carried on their shoulders a statue of Our Lady of Luján, the patron saint of Argentina. "Faith unites borders. And we wanted to unite the virgins," she said of the Caacupé and Luján virgins.

Francis decided to skip Argentina on his South American pilgrimage, not wanting to get involved in the country's upcoming presidential election. He plans to go back home for the first time next year on a trip that will take him also to Chile and Uruguay. He did fly through Argentine airspace en route from Bolivia to Paraguay — the closest he's been to home since his 2013 election.

As soon as Francis arrived in Caacupé, he paused for a moment of silent prayer before the Caacupé Virgin and left a white rose on its base.

Youth groups chanted "Pope Francis, Paraguay is with you!" as they waited for the pontiff to arrive Saturday, many of them spending the night in tents or under the stars to try to get a good spot. Elderly people periodically kneeled on the cement to pray. During periodic bursts of rain, the faithful pulled out plastic ponchos and umbrellas, passing around sweets and sipping on mate tea to stay warm.

But by the time the Mass began, a brilliant sun was shining under blue skies, rewarding those who had traveled from near and far to see Francis.

"We wanted to come to Caacupé because Francis always talked about it when he was in Argentina," said José Demetrio Barrionuevo, 50, who came with his wife and four children from Tucumán, Argentina. The family — with the kids aged 8 to 18 sporting national team jerseys — planned to attend Francis' final Mass on Sunday at a military base in Asuncion as well.

"We want to spend as much time as we can with Francis," Barrionuevo said. "We are so proud of him, not just that he is Argentine, but that he is the first Latin American pope. We are also proud of his humility, that he prefers to be with the poor and not the rich."

Tradition has it that the Caacupé virgin was carved by a Guarani man named José, by many accounts an early convert to Christianity around the beginning of the 17th century. Francis' Jesuit order and their Franciscan brothers both were evangelizing the region and created settlements that gave unusual autonomy to local indigenous people.

According to lore, José was carrying a load of wood back to his settlement when he spotted a rival group that was fighting the incursion of Christianity and killing converts. He hid behind a tree and prayed to the virgin, promising to carve a statue of her out of it if he was not spotted. His escape is considered the first of many miracles in what would become the religious center of this poor nation of 6.8 million sandwiched between Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil.

While Christianity is under siege by secularism and evangelicals in much of the hemisphere, Paraguay remains overwhelmingly Catholic. Eighty-nine percent here profess the faith, according to the Pew Research Center.

The country's indigenous roots remain powerful as well. Even wealthy Paraguayans of European lineage take pride in speaking Guarani, and Francis is likely to emulate the example of Pope John Paul II, who used that language to greet the faithful in 1988, the last time a pope visited.

For years, Francis has had a self-professed soft spot for Paraguay. That affection was on display Friday afternoon as he arrived in Asuncion on the final leg of his three-nation tour of South America's poorest countries that included Ecuador and neighboring Bolivia.

He praised the Paraguayan women who were so critical to the country's recovery from a regional war in the 1860s that wiped out more than half of the population, most of it male. He encouraged Paraguay's moves toward a stable democracy and economic growth after the violent 1954-1989 dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner. And he called for "unceasing efforts" to crack down on corruption.

His message on Saturday was expected to be more pastoral, joining the thousands of pilgrims who travel to Caacupé each year to pray before the icon of the Madonna. He may see some familiar faces: Some 200 Villa 21 residents traveled days by bus to greet their former pastor at the Caacupé shrine so dear to them both.

"There are kids, adults, families," the trip organizer, the Rev. Lorenzo de Vedia, said in Buenos Aires earlier this week. "The pope is someone who is very loved here, for the people of the villa he's one of them because we shared first communions, confirmations, baptisms."

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed that Francis insisted on going to Caacupé "because he has this personal connection to the Virgin of Caacupé thanks to his pastoral work" in Buenos Aires.

For faithful braving the cold Friday night, that Francis chose to come to Paraguay was a blessing.

"Other family members have experienced miracles, but I haven't yet," said Arsenio Franco, a 24-year-old police officer. "I want to see the pope, and I hope to live a miracle."

Like us on Facebook

North Korea appoint new defense minister

North Korea named the four-star general appointed to the vacant post of defence minister on Saturday, three months after his predecessor was reportedly executed.

The country’s KCNA news agency referred to General Pak Yong-sik as “head of the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces,” the country’s defence minister equivalent, in a report on military talks held with the government of Laos.

Pak has appeared in numerous state media reports in recent weeks as part of the entourage of leader Kim Jong-Un, fuelling speculation he was to take the position.

The defence minister is thought to rank the second or third highest in the country’s military hierarchy, South Korea’s Yonhap agency said.

Pak was promoted to major general in the North’s army in 1999, according to Yonhap, rising to become a four-star general in May.

It is the first time the North has confirmed that a replacement has been chosen after the purging of the previous defence minister, Hyon Yong-chol, in April.

South Korea’s spy agency initially said Hyon was removed for disloyalty and dozing off during official events presided over by Kim.

But doubts later surfaced over his reported execution when the National Intelligence Service clarified that it had been unable to verify he had been put to death.

An opposition MP said at the time it was “odd” that North Korean state TV had continued to show recorded footage featuring the defence minister even after he had supposedly been purged.

The North’s state-run media typically deletes all past mentions of purged officials and air-brushes them from any TV footage.

Islamic State's Leader Killed By US-Led Drone

Hafiz Saeed, one of Islamic State’s leader, was among more than 30 ISIS terrorists killed by the remote-controlled US attack aircraft in Afghanistan.

According to the US intelligence agency, the extremists had gathered to plot more terror attacks in the Achin district of Nangahar Province on Friday. And Afghani spies were watching and used a drone strike to kill top ISIS commander.

TERRORIST: Hafiz Saeed joined Isis from the Taliban in January

Reportedly, security forces have recovered and identified Saeed’s body.

It is not the first time Saeed, also known as Hafiz Saeed Khan, a former member of the Pakistani Taliban who defected to ISIS in January, has been reported killed. In April, rumours surfaced that Saeed had been blown up while planting a bomb.

DRONE: It is only the third time the US has used drones against ISIS in the region

He was the most prominent of a group of fighters who appeared in a video in January, apparently filmed in Pakistan, pledging allegiance to ISIS.

The strike is only the third time US-led coalition forces have used drones against ISIS in Afghanistan.

Italy defender Matteo Darmian completes move to Man United

Manchester United have completed the signing of Italy international right-back Matteo Darmian from Torino.

The 25-year-old, who cost £12.9 million, has been awarded a four-year contract with the option to extend it until 2020.

He had travelled to England on Friday and passed a medical and declared his move was "a dream come true."

Darmian has become United's second summer buy after the £25 million arrival of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven.

And he is set to be joined by a third newcomer after United and Bayern Munich agreed terms forthe transfer of Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger.

United manager Louis van Gaal highlighted Darmian's versatility and attacking ability as reasons why he signed the former Palermo player.

"Matteo is a right-sided full back with the versatility of also being able to play on the left," the Dutchman told United's official website.

"He is a strong defender and has the ability to go forward in the attacking positions which is a fantastic attribute to have and much needed in the fast rhythm of the Premier League. Matteo will be a great addition to the team. I am delighted to welcome Matteo to the club and look forward to working with him in the coming days."

Darmian, who has won 13 caps for Italy and impressed in their 2014 World Cup campaign, said he was looking forward to playing for Van Gaal.

"It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United," he stated. "I have loved the time that I have spent at Torino and I would like to thank the club and the fans for everything they have done for me.

"I am sure they can understand when the opportunity to join the biggest club in world came along it was something I had to do. To work with Louis van Gaal, a manager that has achieved so much in football is such an exciting prospect."

Darmian's arrival ends Van Gaal's long search for a right-back, where winger Antonio Valencia filled in for the majority of last season.

United had ruled themselves out of the running for Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne, who subsequently joined Liverpool, while Daniel Alves opted to sign a new contract with Barcelona.

Rafael da Silva, who has not started a league game since October, is now expected to leave Old Trafford with Galatasaray, Fiorentina and Napoli all reportedly interested in the Brazilian.

Darmian is expected to be part of the United squad who will travel to America on Monday for their pre-season tour.

They will face Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian is likely to debut in the United States.

In announcing the 25-year-old's departure, Torino thanked Darmian for his four years of service with the Serie A club.

"Torino Football Club announces that it has sold to Manchester United, outright, the rights of the player Matteo Darmian," said a statment on the team website.

"President Urbano Cairo would like to thank Matteo Darmian for the seriousness, commitment and professionalism demonstrated in these years. Torino FC wishes Matteo all the best for this amazing new experience."

Man United close to signing Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern - sources

Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Germany captain Schweinsteiger is expected to link up with former Bayern boss Louis van Gaal for a second time as United edge towards one of their major targets in the transfer market.
United and Schweinsteiger are on the brink of agreeing personal terms, which would give the 30-year-old a sizeable pay rise.
They and Bayern are yet to announce a fee for Schweinsteiger but, at 30 and with a solitary year left on his contract, United are in a strong bargaining position.
Schweinsteiger had been due to hold talks with Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge this weekend about his future but is now likely to inform the Bundesliga winners he wants to leave.
His arrival would represent a major coup for United, who have been keen to pursue world-class players as they look to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
The midfielder has won eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern, helped them regain the Champions League in 2013 and has scored 67 goals in 500 games for the club.
He was a World Cup winner in 2014 and the Germany captain has scored 23 goals in 111 games for his country.

Van Gaal, who coached Schweinsteiger at Bayern from 2009 to 2011, wanted a midfielder who could provide an alternative to the ageing and injury-prone Michael Carrick in the holding role, but who could also operate further up the pitch.
United now face a race against time to complete a deal before they leave for their preseason tour of the United States on Monday.
United are also pursuing another midfielder, France international Morgan Schneiderlin, although Southampton have said their last bid for the player was "not serious." 
They are expected to sign Torino right-back Matteo Darmian, who has undergone a medical in Manchester, over the weekend.