President Obama spent $684m to get elected in 2012 without Wall Street support

President Obama spent nearly $684 million of his campaign money during the 2012 election. Many have said that President Obama has been in the pockets of Wall Street for years, but the campaign finance data tells a story of two dramatic shifts.

Uduaghan, Kwankwaso, Dikko, Ihejiahi, Akpabio, others win The Sun Awards

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso have emerged joint winners of The Sun Man of the Year 2013. The Sun Board of Editors voted the two governors as winners of the flagship prize in the 11th edition of The Sun Awards after considering their outstanding performances and unique contributions to the sustenance of the nation’s fledgling democracy and good governance.

Michael Schumacher, ex-F1 champion in coma after skiing accident

Michael Schumacher is fighting for his life after he fell and hit his head on a rock while skiing with his son.
A leading brain surgeon was seen arriving at the hospital in Grenoble, France, where the ex-Formula One driver was being treated.

FG benchmarks oil price at $77.5 for 2014

The Federal Government has benchmarked crude oil price for 2014 budget at $77.5 barrels per day (bpd), a departure from the $75bpd of crude projected for 2013.
Economy analysts do not expect much controversy from this level given the projected oil production of 2.3883mbpd for 2014.

Cult war in Rivers, as couple, 12 others are killed

Over 12 persons, among them, a couple, have been murdered in Rivers State, following violent clashes among various cult groups. The incidents took place at different times, and in various parts of the state.

Man impregnates daughter three times

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old man, one Augustine Obodeke; for having carnal knowledge of his 17-year old daughter (Favour) and impregnating her three times. The bubble finally burst for Obodeke when his daughter became pregnant the third time and was unwilling to go for abortion. According to police report, the girl had cried out to neighbours who then reported the matter to the Ugbowo Police Station in Benin City.

Scientists discover potential drug to block AIDS

Scientist at the Gladstone Institutes have identified the precise chain of molecular events in the human body that drives the death of most of the immune system’s CD4 T cells as an HIV infection leads to AIDS.

Mikhail Kalashnikov, creator of AK-47, dies at 94

Lt. Gen. Mikhail T. Kalashnikov, the arms designer credited by the Soviet Union with creating the AK-47, the first in a series of rifles and machine guns that would indelibly associate his name with modern war and become the most abundant firearms ever made, died on Monday in Izhevsk, the capital of the Udmurtia republic, where he lived. He was 94.

Xmas party for the mentally challenged of Berth Torrey Home by members of AJ-City.com (PITURES)

Founder of AJ-City.com, Emmanuel Etu, with his crew recently visited the mentally challenged of Berth Torrey Home in Amuwo-Odofin where they had a wonderful Christmas party with the children. It was fun all the way for all.
Aside the food, items were also donated to the home.

You lied, President Jonathan replies ex-president Obasanjo

President Goodluck Jonathan has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of deceitfully manipulating facts and figures to impugn his credibility, vowing that he would not for any reason mortgage a bright future for the country.

An ancient city discovered under water

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
The city of Heracleion was engulfed underwater 1500 years ago. This grand city had been mentioned by the Greek writer Herodotus, the 5th-century BC historian. He had told a wonderful tale of Helen of Troy, who traveled to Heracleion, then a port of 'great wealth', with her Trojan lover, Paris.
When French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio stumbled upon some relics, it led them to one of the greatest finds of the 21st century; a city underwater. The discovery took place when Goddio had been in search of Napoleon’s warships from the 1798 Battle of the Nile, when he had been defeated by Nelson in these very waters, but to his surprise, he stumbled upon this magnificent discovery.
Here the team retrieves the statue of the god Hapi

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
More and more statues are brought to surface, still in excellent condition

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
The discoveries include the colossal statues of the Egyptian goddess Isis, the god Hapi, and an unidentified Egyptian pharaoh, all preserved in excellent condition by their muddy burial shroud. Along with these 16ft statues there are hundreds of smaller statues of Egyptian gods, among them the figures that guarded the temple where Cleopatra was inaugurated as Queen of the Nile. Dozens of sarcophagi have also been found, containing the bodies of mummified animals sacrificed to Amun-Gereb, the supreme god of the Egyptians. Many amulets, or religious charms, have been unearthed, too, showing gods such as Isis, Osiris and Horus.
A red granite sculpture of a Ptolemaic queen

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
A gold vessel, which is a shallow dish used throughout the Hellenistic world for drinking

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
A bronze statuette of a Pharoah of the 26th dynasty

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
An ancient lamp is discovered during the search

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
Here an archaelogist measures the feet of a colossal red granite statue

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
The god Hapi was the god of the flooding of the Nile, a symbol of abundance and fertility

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
A 1.9m inscribed pillar, commissioned by Nectanebo I (378-362 BC)

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation
Evidence shows that Heracleion slipped into its watery grave sometime in the 6th or 7th century AD. The discovery of Heracleion will now add depth and detail to our knowledge of the ancient world, because among the discoveries, there are perfectly preserved inscribed pillars decorated with hieroglyphics.

 Posted by Sunny Skyz

Man sets self ablaze in Vatican

A 51-year-old man set himself on fire in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in Rome Thursday, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

The man was taken to a hospital. Neither his condition or his motivation were immediately clear.

Apollo Theatre ceiling collapses in London

The ceiling of central London's historic 775-seat Apollo Theatre collapsed Thursday during a performance to a nearly packed house, injuring scores of people, seven of them seriously, officials said.

Lottery winner gives $40m jackpot to charity

A Canadian lottery winner has said he is giving away his $40 million to charity. CNN's Chris Cuomo reports. Tom Crist says he made enough money as CEO of an electrical products company that when he won the lottery, he decided immediately that every dollar should go to charities in memory of his wife who died of cancer.

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO IMO WORKERS FROM DEPUTY GOVERNOR EZE MADUMERE

 I, on behalf of my family heartily felicitate with His excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his amiable wife and the good people of Imo State Workers on this auspicious occasion of Imo Workers Day Out. For me, it is time for us as a people to jointly thank God for what he has been doing for us as individuals and as a people especially as it concerns our collective effort towards contributing to making Imo better. You will all agree with me that Rescue Mission Government led by His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha including my humble self could not have achieved much were it not for your invested energy, intellect and skills. 
As you celebrate this day , let us remember that it is not he that runneth but our Lord that showeth mercy. We owe to our God Almighty the strength, intellect and other endowments, with which we have performed exceedingly well. His excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, our visionary Governor appreciates your worwhile effort and sacrifices. It is for our good and that of the generations yet unborn. I am also sure that it is those effort of yours that you are being celebrated today. For me, I would have loved to be part of the celebration but God knows the best . You can be sure that I am part of you as I am there with you in spirit with your presence as my presence because you are my friends. 
 God Bless you all!

 PRINCE EZE MADUMERE MFR DEPUTY GOVERNOR, IMO STATE

New appointments at The Sun

The Board of Directors of The Sun Publishing Limited has approved new appointments and promotions to further reinforce the position of the newspaper as the market leader, and the number one choice of readers and advertisers.
At its end-of-year meeting held in Lagos yesterday, erstwhile Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the company, Mr. Femi Adesina, was elevated to the position of the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief.  The appointment takes immediate effect.

Moscow confirms deployment of missiles on NATO borders

The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed media reports on the deployment of short-range Iskander missiles in the country’s west, near its borders with the Baltic states and NATO members, saying that it does not violate international agreements.

INEC to spend N93bn for 2015 elections

Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega has said that the commission needs about N93 billion to conduct a hitch free election in 2015 even as he assured that the elections would see the country take its rightful place in the global comity of nations.

Angelina Jolie banned from flying own plane

Angelina Jolie has been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Maleficent actress was reportedly banned from flying her personal plane after she was late renewing its registration earlier this year, the New York Post's Page Six has reported Wednesday.

Nigerian found dead inside US apartment

A 57-year-old Nigerian, Mr. Benjamin Chibuogwu was found dead in his apartment on Saturday in Lowell, Massachusetts. A native of Awka in Anambra State, Mr. Chibuogwu recently attended the Awka Convention in New Jersey over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Congo, Nigeria and India Malaria hardest-hit countries – WHO

The fight against malaria has saved 3.3 million lives worldwide since 2000 but the mosquito-borne disease still killed 627,000 people last year, mainly children in Africa, the World Health Organization has said.

Former President Obasanjo writes Jonathan, accuses him of lying, destroying Nigeria, promoting corruption

An apparently angry and frustrated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has written what clearly competes as one of the most acerbic letters in modern history to President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of ineptitude and of taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria.

24-yr-old man impregnates sister

A 24-year-old man, Ndifreke Uko has allegedly impregnated his younger sister, Otobong Uko. The incident occurred at Ikang Etta Street in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, where residents are still shocked as to what may have led the duo to engage in such sacrilegious act.

Rapid home remedies for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can be caused by different factors. The discomfort caused by even a small kidney stone is acute. It requires immediate medical attention. Thus, if such an ailment comes on, one needs to seek medical attention. However, as preventive steps one can take up several home remedies that will help to reduce the pain.

Causes of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can be caused by different factors. There are many factors that may also increase the risk of developing kidney stones:
•    Kidney stones are formed when the urine contains crystal forming substances such as uric acid, oxalate and calcium which are more than what the urine can dilute. The urine may also lack certain substances that prevent the crystals from sticking together for which an ideal environment is formed for the kidney stones to be formed.
•    There are different types of stones formed due to the kind of diet that one follows. Often calcium stones are formed due to certain metabolic disorders, dietary intake or high doses of vitamin D
•    Struvite stones are often formed due to an infection in the urinary tract.
•    Uric acid stones are formed when one follows a high protein diet without consuming enough of fluids. That is mainly due to diet and lifestyle choices. Many people afflicted with gout can develop uric acid stones. Genetic factors can also increase the risk of stones.
Thus, the causes of stone formation in the kidney can be several.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

No matter what kind of kidney stones one develops, the symptoms are usually acute. One may be confused as to what it may herald. It is best to know the symptoms from beforehand and seek help:
•    Sever pain is felt in the side as well as on the back as well as below the ribs
•    Pain is felt in the lower abdomen as well as in the groin area
•    The pain comes in waves and may fluctuate in intensity
•    Pain is felt when urinating
•    The urine may become cloudy and foul smelling
•    The urine develops a brown or reddish hue
•    One may have vomiting or nausea feeling
•    If an infection is present one may feel fever and chills

Home remedies for Kidney Stones

There are many cases where kidney stones can be treated with success with the help of natural ingredients. The benefit of natural treatments is that they are safe and effective and there are no side effects to be feared.

Lemon Juice

The citric acid that is present in lemon works to break down the kidney stones formed out of calcium and also prevents the growth of such stones. One needs to drink a glass of water with a few drops of lemon juice several times in a day. When such a drink is consumed, the volume of urination also increases which can help to remove the stones from the system. One teaspoon of lemon juice can be added along with a tablespoon of organic olive oil to half a glass of water. After this, one can add the juice of half a lemon in half a glass of mineral water to which a tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar is added and then this should be consumed.

Pomegranate

The juice and the seeds of pomegranate are beneficial for kidney stones treatment due to their astringent properties. It is recommended that one eats a whole pomegranate fruit or consumes its juice. It can be had as a part of a fruit salad as well. The seeds of the fruit can be ground into a fine paste and taken with horse gram soup once every day. This helps to dissolve gravel which accumulates in the kidney.

Nettle Leaf

This leaf is beneficial for maintaining a continuous flow of water through the bladder and the kidney and helps to promote smooth urination. The nettle leaf also prevents the crystals from forming stones and also keeps the bacterial infection at bay. If one is suffering from kidney stones they will benefit from two or three cups of nettle tea drunk daily. This herbal tea can be made by taking two tablespoons of dried nettle leaf added to two cups of water. The leaves should be allowed to soak for ten minutes and then strained. It acts as a natural diuretic.

Celery

If you are suffering from kidney stones, a glass of raw celery juice can help to get relief from pain. It has beneficial antiseptic properties to offer. The celery juice is beneficial to clear the toxins that are created due to the kidney stones. The juice also has diuretic properties which help to break down the stones. The seeds of this plant can be used to make herbal tea in order to prevent stones formed by uric acid accumulation.

Bran Flakes

It is necessary to consume food that is rich in fiber if one is suffering from kidney stones. There is nothing like bran flakes if one is looking for fiber rich food. The bran flakes contain fiber that helps to get rid of calcium present in the urine and this reduces the risk of kidney stones. A bowl of bran flakes should be consumed daily in order to cut down on the risk of kidney stones.

Water Melon

Water melon is also known to be beneficial for treating kidney stones as it contains helpful minerals like phosphates, calcium, magnesium and carbonates. Potassium in water melon acts as the key ingredient for healthy kidneys in regulating as well as maintaining the acidic levels in urine. High concentration of water in this fruit also helps to flush out the stones that accumulate in the kidneys. Water melon consumed regularly will help in preventing as well as treating kidney stones.

Basil

Basil is considered as a tonic for kidneys and it is great for the normal functioning of the kidneys. One could take a teaspoon of basil juice every morning along with honey for five or six months to keep their kidney in good condition. Pure basil juice can be had or two or three basil leaves can be chewed to induce the stones to be expelled from the kidney. Basil tea can also be had. Five to six leaves of this plant added to boiling water and soaked for ten minutes can be had as tea along with honey.

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread is one of the whole grain food items that can help to lower the risk of kidney stones. They are known to be rich in fiber, protein as well as in magnesium. The mineral magnesium helps smaller crystals in the kidney to coalesce and form larger stones. Eating a piece or two of whole wheat bread will help to prevent kidney stones and reduce their size. Whole grain pasta, cereals also help to increase the amount of fiber and other nutrients in one’s diet.

Kidney Beans

For the treatment of bladder or kidney problems kidney beans are found to be very effective. The beans need to be removed from the pods. The pods should be sliced and then placed in hot water. The water should boil on low flame for many hours in order to make the pods soft and tender. The liquid thus obtained should be strained and cooled. This liquid could be had several times in a day to obtain relief from kidney stone and related pain symptoms. The decoction should not be kept for more than 24 hours as it loses its beneficial properties after that. Kidney beans in salad or soup form can also be consumed.

Increase Intake Of Water

The only way to prevent kidney stones from forming would be to increase intake of fluids:
•    One should drink at least six to eight ounces of water everyday
•    Water is the ideal choice but natural fruit juices non sweetened, non caffeinated and non alcoholic beverages also count

Monitor The Output

It might not be possible to keep track of the fluid amount that one takes in. However, one should keep a check on:
•    The amount of urine produced
•    There are measuring devices that pharmacies carry and one should be able to produce 40 to 45 ounces of urine everyday. If less amount is being produced, the preventive measures need to be stepped up.

Restrict The Intake Of Oxalates

It is beneficial to consume large quantities of fruits and vegetables
•    These help to stock up on the vitamins and minerals and other beneficial nutrients
•    Some foods also contain oxalates and these need to be avoided in order to prevent kidney formation

Items That Need To Be Reduced In One’s Diet

There are certain items that will promote calcium oxalate stones formation such as:
•    Beets
•    Nuts
•    Parsley
•    Spinach
•    Cola
•    Coffee
•    Spinach
•    Tea
•    Wheat bran
Such food items should not be avoided completely but taken in limited amount.

Restrict Vitamin C

It is recommended that one consumes vitamin C rich food items in limited quantities:
•    This vitamin is converted to oxalate by the body
•    This can lead to increased chances of kidney stone formation

Reduce Meat Intake

It is known that uric acid stones are formed when:
•    High protein diet is consumed
•    Less water intake leads to more uric acid formation

Cut Down On Certain Fish Intake

When one has the risk of uric acid stones they need to cut down on certain protein foods that contain purine:
•    Food high in purines include anchovies, mackerels, mussels, fish roe, herring, shrimp and sardine
•    Foods rich in purine are organ meat, beer and sweetbread

Avoid Antacids

When one wishes to avoid kidney stone formation one should avoid:
•    Antacids that are sold over the counter which are rich in calcium
•    The calcium leads to increased risk of kidney stone formation in people prone to this disorder

Supplement Your Diet

It is better to opt for a fiber rich diet which will help by:
•    Getting rid of calcium and oxalates from the system
•    That cuts down the risk of kidney stones
One good example of a fiber rich nutrient is bran flakes.

Increase Intake Of Magnesium

One should increase their magnesium intake as it will help to:
•    Avoid formation of stones
•    One can consume whole wheat bread that is high on magnesium

Reduce Salt Intake

It is known that salt has a direct effect on kidney stone formation:
•    One should limit their sodium consumption
•    More than two grams per day should not be consumed
Are you afraid of a kidney stone attack coming on? There are many who have faced such a dilemma and they realize the importance of taking proper precautions in their daily lives. Indeed, the simple task of intake of enough fluids becomes vital in such cases to prevent the painful occurrence of stones. It is necessary to remember the advice given above.


Culled from My Health Tips