This Woman Invented a Way to Run 30 Lab Tests on Only One Drop of Blood

Phlebotomy. Even the word sounds archaic—and that’s nothing compared to the slow, expensive, and inefficient reality of drawing blood and having it tested. As a college sophomore, Elizabeth Holmes envisioned a way to reinvent old-fashioned phlebotomy and, in the process, usher in an era of comprehensive superfast diagnosis and preventive medicine. 

That was a decade ago. Holmes, now 30, dropped out of Stanford and founded a company called Theranos with her tuition money. Last fall it finally introduced its radical blood-testing service in a Walgreens pharmacy near the company headquarters in Palo Alto, California. (The plan is to roll out testing centers nationwide.) Instead of vials of blood—one for every test needed—Theranos requires only a pinprick and a drop of blood. With that they can perform hundreds of tests, from standard cholesterol checks to sophisticated genetic analyses. Continue...

Google’s new Chromecast device that slings content from all sorts of devices to your TV

At an event where everyone was expecting a new Android tablet ( and got one) Google announced something far more interesting and important: The Chromecast, a small stick that jacks into the back of your television via HDMI and allows you to sling content via Wi-Fi from your phone, tablet or computer to the big screen. It costs $35, and comes with three months of free Netflix (even for existing subscribers), which means it effectively costs $11 plus shipping.* On paper at least, it’s the best device Google has ever announced.

Chromecast is delightfully cross-platform. It works with Android and iOS phones and tablets, Chromebooks, and the Chrome browser for Mac and Windows. The original device controls playback–so if you want to turn up the volume on your TV, simply turn up the volume on your phone. Any program that uses the Googlecast SDK can send content–Google specifically mentioned Netflix and YouTube, and says Pandora is on the way. The Chrome browser itself can also sling content via “Chrome tab projection.” cuts in...

NOKIA finally launches 3 new Android-powered smartphones

Although Nokia will soon be acquired by Microsoft, the company announced a triad of Android-powered smartphones Monday(24/02/2014) at the Mobil World Congress 2014.

Nokia's new phones, the Nokia X, Nokia X+ and the Nokia XL are powered by Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon dual core processor, are Dual SIM and feature a Lumia-style design with a myriad of color choices.

The operating system of the phones is a modified version of Android's Jelly Bean, and the home screen looks similar to Windows Phone. The devices will not have access to Google's Play store but instead third-party app stores and Nokia's app store of its own. Continue...

Find your lost Keys with Nokia’s Tiny Trackers Scream

A colorful new accessory from Nokia will help you keep your modern-day treasures close at hand.Treasure Tags are square, matchbox-sized bits of plastic you can attach to anything you don’t want to be without, things like bags, wallets, keys, and purses. Each Tag pairs to your Nokia Lumia smartphone via NFC or Bluetooth. Once linked, both the phone and the Tag will emit loud alarms if either of them moves out of range of the other–typically about 40 meters.

Asia’s Richest Man Invests Millions in Fake Egg Startup

On one level, it’s a picture of a guy making scrambled eggs. But it provides a window onto a much bigger story.

In the photo above, Li Ka-Shing — perhaps the richest man in Asia — isn’t scrambling real eggs. He’s scrambling synthetic eggs produced by a Silicon Valley startup called Hampton Creek, and that’s Hampton Creek CEO Josh Tetick standing beside him. Ka-Shing, you see, just led a $23 million investment round in Hampton Creek as the company plans a major expansion into the Asian market. Continue...

Google Acquired Another Company To Battle Ad Fraud

Just about 24 hours after Facebook got into a deal with WhatsApp, Google announced its purchased spider.io, a 3-year-old company that will provide ad fraud-fighting technology to the search giant.

"Our immediate priority is to include their fraud detection technology in our video and display ads products, where they will complement our existing efforts," Neal Mohan, vice president of display advertising at Google, wrote in a blog post. Mohan added that Google hoped to improve its ad metrics over time to give advertisers a clearer assessment of how their campaigns are doing.

Google didn't disclose terms of the deal. Given Spider.io's size — the company has just seven employees — it's more of an aqui-hire.

Spider.io, which is based in London, was founded in 2010 by Douglas de Jager, who had previously cofounded another company called Byteplay, which was acquired by Zoopla. Spider.io made a name for itself in March 2013 when it identified a botnet called Chameleon that it claimed cost advertisers $6 million in revenues. Such botnets work by simulating clicks. Advertisers, who think the clicks are real, are charged anyway.

Pope to appoint new cardinals in Rome

Pope Francis is due to appoint 19 new cardinals at a ceremony in Rome – the first such appointments of his papacy.

Cardinals are the most senior Roman Catholic clergymen below the pontiff.Correspondents says the inclusion of prelates from places like Haiti and Burkina Faso reflects the Argentine Pope’s commitment to the poor.

The new cardinals will receive the traditional red hat and robes at a formal ceremony known as a consistory.

Sixteen of the new appointees are under 80, making them eligible to enter a conclave to elect the Pope’s successor. cuts in...

Worshippers battle over signatories to church’s bank account

Anglican Church leaders in the Diocese of Niger Delta North and foundation members of the Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church, Nkpogwu Deanery, Rivers State, have locked horns over who should be signatories to the church’s bank account.

The leaders of the church had frowned on a situation where only foundation members were signatories to St. Matterw’s bank account. Their argument was that the vicar of the church must be a signatory.

The issue escalated after a new vicar, Ven. Chiemela Samuel, assumed duty at the church and was not allowed to  be a signatory to the church’s bank account.

The leaders subsequently took on the foundation members, which led to a crisis in the church.

The crisis, however, took a fresh turn when the foundation members openly challenged the leaders at a peace meeting and embarked on a spontaneous protest outside the church premises. Continue...

Godwin Emefiele,Zenith Bank GMD Appointed As New CBN Governor

Following the controversial suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,the federal government has fowarded the name of Zenith Bank Group managing director (GMD),Mr.Godwin Emefiele as the new CBN governor to the senate.

The profile of Godwin Emefiele on Zenith Bank website shows he came the chief executive officer of Zenith Bank in August 2010. Until then he was the Deputy Managing Director of the bank, having been appointed into that position in 2001. Emefiele has been on the bank’s management team since inception and has held various management positions in the bank, including serving as the Bank’s Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking, Treasury, Financial Control and Strategic Planning. cuts in...

Jonathan suspends Sanusi as CBN gov

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday suspended Mallam  Lamido Sanusi as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The suspension order was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Abati said Jonathan had found out that Sanusi’s tenure as the CBN governor has been characterised by acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with his administration’s vision.

He named a Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, as the acting governor. He said Alade would remain in charge until the conclusion of ongoing investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of  the CBN. Conitnue....

Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19 billion

The balance of power in the mobile messaging space is about to shift in a big way -- Facebook has just announced plans to acquire WhatsApp for the equivalent of $19 billion in cash and stock. The deal will see WhatsApp run semi-independently, much like Instagram. The chat service will maintain its brand and existing offices, but it will take advantage of Facebook's "expertise, resources and scale." It's safe to say that the combined entity will have a lot of clout should the deal close later this year. WhatsApp already has over 450 million active users every month; combine that with Facebook Messenger and competitors like Line suddenly appear tiny by comparison. cuts in....

2nd Niger Bridge to take off on 5th of March 2014 --- Goodluck Jonathan

Work on the proposed N100 billion Second Niger Bridge is to commence next month.

Already, ministry officials said that preparations were in top gear for President Goodluck Jonathan to perform the ground-breaking ceremony on March 15, for work by the concessionaire, Messrs Julius Berger and AIIM to start. Continue...

Nigerian Breweries reveal new Star Lite

Nigerians woke up to a surprise announcement on Monday, February 10, 2014 as Nigerian Breweries’ the nation’s leading brewer, introduced a new crispy, truly refreshing and less filling beer into the market. 

The new brand called STAR LITE, a crisp and ice cold refreshing lager beer was unveiled at a trade event where media partners and key distributors who had no idea of the big announcement were hosted to an exclusive event at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. Continue...

President Jonathan gives N50million to Nigerian Supporters Club

President Jonathan this morning announced the release of N50million to members of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club as they prepare to go cheer the National team in the forthcoming Brazil World Cup tournament which starts in June.

 

In a ceremony where he was decorated as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, President Jonathan said his administration will not relent in giving the support required to sports men and women to excel in all international football competitions, this by extension includes the Nigerian football supporters club. He also promised to seek the assistance of private organizations to help sponsor and bring more supporters to Brazil during the football challenge.

See photos from ceremony which took place at the State House today after the cut...

Konga creates platform where everyone can sell anything online

Today marks a turning point for Nigerian businesses-roadside, small, medium and large, as Konga.com Nigeria’s largest online mall announces the opening up of its trading platform for all Nigerians to sell online. 

Konga which only last year announced the launch of Konga Mall, a revolutionary offering which gave select Nigerian businesses the opportunity to put their products online is finally opening up this opportunity for all classes of businesses in Nigeria. Continue...

Sleeping policeman shoots politician dead in Kwara

Tragedy struck at a hotel in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State about 11.15pm on Friday when a policeman,  Yunus Muideen, allegedly shot dead, a  popular politician in the LGA, Femi Awoyale.

Awoyale was said to be a former Irepodun LG chairmanship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party. The tragedy was said to have resulted into pandemonium as youths of Oro town were said to have  protested when they heard of Awoyale’s
death. Our correspondent who visited the area with other journalists on Saturday however observed the presence of  anti-riot policemen and soldiers who had been deployed to the town to restore law and order...Continue...

Pictures Of Mexican Drug Lord's Home After Being Raided

There was a matched pair of these found.

NOKIA set to unveil its ANDROID smartphone between 24 -27 February 2014

Nokia will definitely unveil its Android smartphone code-named "Normandy" at Mobile World Congress taking place between 24 -27 February 2014.

Nokia also gave more details about the phone, adding credence to a number of rumours that have been circulating about the phone in recent months.

It says that the phone will not have access to Google’s Play store, but will instead come with a number of Nokia and Microsoft developed apps. Those include Nokia Here maps, Mix Radio and Skype, along with other popular Android apps like Facebook, Twitter and so on.

Previous reports have said the phone will come with a four-inch WVGA display, a Qualcomm dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and a microSD card slot.

It’s also said to be coming with a five megapixel camera, 1,500mAh battery and dual-SIM compatibility.

Keep following us here and on Facebook for more details and updates.....

iPhone 6: Super-slim Liquidmetal iPhone soon to be launched

The new iPhone 6 could be one of the most pivotal devices in the Apple brand's history. 
The iPhone 6 will come with a 4.7-inch full-width frameless screen. It will have screens that curved down at the edges. Curved screens are said to be more durable, more comfortable to use, and better suited to watching videos and playing games. It has a display resolution of 1,136 by 640 pixels. 

The company would then launch a larger 5.7-inch model shortly afterwards.
It will be eye-controlled, allowing users to scroll through pages without touching the device. Its Camera will be sony sensored. Amazing !

The iphone 6 will also feature "speedy" 802.11ac wi-fi connectivity. As slim as 6mm and very strong.Even more stylish and easy to grip!

Keep following us for more details on this device....

Jonathan sacks Stella Oduah, Orubebe, Oluboade and Yerima as ministers

President Jonathan today Wednesday February 12th sacked the embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah. He also sacked Godsday Orubebe (pictured right), Minister of Niger Delta; Caleb Olubolade, the minister of Police Affairs, and Yerima Ngama, Minister of State, Finance.

Heard Ms Oduah will now focus on her Neighbour to Neighbour political campaign organization which she founded a few years ago. Also heard the other ministers were dropped for political reasons. All three of them are planning to run for governorship positions in their various states. Orubebe is running in Delta, Yerima in Yobe and Olubolade in Ekiti State, all under PDP.

Check out how they care for their ATMs in Ibadan

If I talk now Ibadan people go say I don start again...lol. But I go still talk sha! Y'all know I have nothing but love for y'all! Hehe. So somewhere in the beautiful ancient city ATMs are guarded with iron protectors. Heard that if you want to withdraw money, the security guards stationed there will unlock and allow you use it, and when you are done, they lock again

Woman whose children died in Iyabo Obasanjo's car writes her an open letter

Dr Bisola Clark, wife of Chief E. K Clarke whose two children, Adeife(10) and AKinola (14) were killed in Iyabo Obasanjo's convoy on the 20th of April 2003 has sent an open letter addressed to the Obasanjos expressing her distaste in the manner they handled the death of her children.

Mrs Clarke, who wasn't married to the elder-statesman when the incident happened, said she saw the need to speak up after Iyabo said in her open letter to her dad that the death of the children was what spurred her to pursue political appointments. 

In the open letter, Mrs Clarke said none of the Obasanjo's have been there for her emotionally since the sad day she lost her two children in assassination attempt on Iyabo Obasanjo's life.

Iyabo has since responded to her former friend's letter. See excerpts from the letter sent to Vanguard and Iyabo's response after the cut...

Osita Iheme 'Pawpaw' responds to the 'wedding rumours'

Nollywood actor Osita Iheme a.k.a Pawpaw has denied tales making the rounds that he might be getting married soon.
He won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon.
Reacting to the report, Pawpaw told Tribune ‘Na lie! There’s no such thing, they are just rumours.’
He has previously been linked with Ghanaian actress Nana Ama McBrown and London-based model, Brenda Gowon, who was rumoured to have dumped the pint-sized actor back in 2008, supposedly because he was tiny.
His acting partner, Aki a.k.a Chinedu Ikedieze, has been married since December 2011.

Bianca Ojukwu becomes APGA national leader

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday February 6th adopted Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the party's late National Leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, as the party’s National Leader.

This was made known by the party's leader, Chief Maxi Okwu at a National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja yesterday.

"The National Executive Committee, NEC, of our great party reconfirms and further resolves the earlier decision taken on  February 16, 2013 and on March 22, 2013, at the one year anniversary of the demise of our late leader and icon, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. That he remains our symbol and leader the fact of his transit to glory notwithstanding. His wife and next of kin, Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is hereby adopted as the living embodiment of his ideals. She shall in his stead be acknowledged as Leader. She is aware of the existing situation and she gave her consent, and we adopted her. We still respect Governor Peter Obi as one of our leaders, and he is also aware of this development.” Chief Okwu said

Wife logs on to FB to discover her husband had married another woman

A bigamist was caught by his wife after she saw a photograph of him grinning with his new Gambian teenage bride on Facebook. 

Nicolette Smith was further devastated when she noticed Stephen Smith, 52, had married Awa Jobarteh, 19, (pictured above) at the same African register office they tied the knot at 7 years earlier.

Ms Smith then called the police, but incredibly her cheating former partner has avoided jail and claimed he was the victim. Continue...

Happy Birthday Omotola: actress unwraps multimillion naira deal‏

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is a year older today February 7th. Wishing her many more successful years ahead. Meanwhile the actress is the new brand ambassador for cosmetics company - Ghandour cosmetics ltd.

The deal was signed yesterday evening at the Protea Hotel Ikoyi, Lagos with her manager Michael Djaba present and Ali Jihami Marketing manager at Ghandour cosmetics.

The international star will be the face of BO-16, a successful hair relaxer and hair care range. A continent wide marketing campaign available across advertising media, including TV, billboards, radio and magazines will be announced soon. See more photos after the cut...

SSS releases Asari Dokubo

The President of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Asari Dokubo has been released by the Department of State Security Services, SSS, hours after he was picked up for repeatedly making inciting comments. His personal assistant (Media) and younger brother, Rex Asari, confirmed his release to the media.

Pres. Jonathan appoints new Special Advisers & Chief Executives for NTA, FRCN, NAN & SURE-P

State House Release below...

In furtherance of efforts to continually strengthen his administration on all fronts, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the following appointments to fill existing vacancies:

1.    Gen. Martin Luther Agwai    –    Chairman of SURE-P

2.    Mrs. Tanwa Olusi                   -        Deputy Chairman of SURE-P

3.    Mrs. Fidelia Njeze                  -        Special Adviser (NEPAD)

4.    Senator Suleiman M. Ajadi   -        Special Adviser (NASS)

5.     Mr. Sola Omole                      -        DG, NTA

6.    Alhaji Ladan Salihu                -        DG, FRCN

7.     Mr. Ima Niboro                     -        MD, News Agency of Nigeria

Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd.) was until now the Deputy Chairman and Acting Chairman of SURE-P while Mrs. Njeze is the current Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland.

All the appointments are with immediate effect.

Nelson Mandela's will read: was worth $4.1million

The will of former South African President and world hero, Nelson Mandela was read to his family members today February 3rd.

Reading the 40 page will, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke said Mandela's third wife, Graca Machel, is entitled to half the estate under South African marital law but could waive her claims and opt for specified assets that include properties in her native Mozambique. Machel has not made a decision on whether to weave her rights, Moseneke said. Continue...

Policeman caught on video demanding bribe now in police custody

The police officer caught on video demanding 'dollar bribe' from a Nigerian-American he stopped for wearing a navy-like cargo pant, has been arrested and currently in police custody.

The policeman now identified as Corporal Aniyem Chiyem was heard in the video saying "Arrange dollars. Give us dollars".

According to a press statement released this evening by the Nigerian police, Cpl Chiyem is currently undergoing Orderly Room trials and if found guilty will face appropriate disciplinary actions. See the video and press statement after the cut...

WAEC introduces 39 new subjects

The West African Examinations Council has announced the introduction of 39 new subjects in its examinations.

 The Council’s Acting Head, Test Development Division, Mrs. Olayinka Ajibade, who announced this, said the new subjects would commence in this year’s May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Continue...

Nigeria's oldest citizen in the UK Pa Lemoshe passes away just short of 100

Nigeria's oldest citizen in the UK Pa Gabriel Lemoshe passed away on Friday January 31st less than 2 months short of his 100th birthday. He would have turned 100 on March 15th and there was already an organizing committee working hard to put together a grand party to celebrate the milestone.

Organizers of his birthday now plan to hold a celebration of his life on March 15 instead of a birthday party. The Abeokuta-born Pa Lemoshe was one of the founding members of his native Egba United Society (EUS) in the UK.

Traditionally, the Queen of England writes a personal congratulatory letter to anyone who clocks 100 in the UK and Pa Lemoshe was on course to become the first Nigerian to receive such a letter but he unfortunately passed on. A life well spent. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

Gunmen kill Newswatch Assistant Editor in Lagos

Toyin Obadina, an Assistant Editor with Saturday Newswatch Newspaper was on shot in the stomach by unknown gunmen while on his way from work on Friday January 31. He died two days later on SundayFebruary 2nd after a surgery was done to extract the bullet that was lodged in his stomach.

Recounting what happened, his wife said Obadina was approaching the Parafa end of Imota Road in Ikorodu when 2 SUVs coming from the opposite lane intercepted his car. Obadina came down from his car and surrendered to the men, asking them to take all they want but not harm him.

She said the men slapped him and shot him in the stomach. When he attempted to run, he was shot in the stomach a second time before the robbers fled.

Obadina was rushed to Gbagada General Hospital and later to Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he died on Sunday. He was 50 years old. He is survived by his wife, three children and an aged mother. May his soul rest in peace...amen.

Woody Allen’s adopted daughter recalls years of sexual abuse by the legendary director

On Saturday February 1st, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof published on his blog an open letter written by Dylan Farrow, the adopted daughter of actress Mia Farrow and legendary Hollywood film director Woody Allen.

The 28 year old who is now married described in vivid and horrifying detail how Allen sexually molested her from age 7. Dylan recalled how her abuse started and how it went on for a while. She then talks about her difficulties growing up with almost no one believing her, a victim, and everyone loving and praising Allen, a molester.

Farrow split from Allen in 1992 when she found out he was having an affair with another daughter, Soon-Yi who she adopted from Korea in 1978. She reported the sexual relationship between Allen and Soon-Yi and also filed charges that Allen had molested their daughter Dylan, then 7 years old.  Allen denied the charges and was never prosecuted. Allen went on to marry Soon Yi in 1997. 

See Dylan Farrow's open letter after the cut...

Actress Chika Ike talks about her recent extravagant trip to the UAE

In a recent interview with Sun News, actress Chika Ike was asked if she thought her Abu Dhabi trip was extravagant, here's her reply

"Whose money? Is it not the money I worked hard for? Did anybody give me? I have worked hard and I deserved every bit of the luxury I enjoyed over there and I can proudly say that. I will do it over and over again because I deserve it.

She also stayed in one of the world's most expensive palace - the Emirates Palace Hotel. You only live once, anything you can afford...enjoy! :-)

Fmr VP Atiku Abubakar dumps PDP, joins APC

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has finally dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

He has also joined the All Progressives Congress.

The former Vice President made the disclosure in a statement he personally signed in Abuja on Sunday.

He blamed those running the ruling party and the country for his decision to leave the PDP.

Details later(Source: Punch)