Surveilling UK Muslims 'cradle to grave' - Features - Al Jazeera English

Surveilling UK Muslims 'cradle to grave' - Features - Al Jazeera English

ENJOY YOUR X-MASS HOLIDAY IN GHANA

 

 

Sign up with Discovery Africa and enjoy your holiday with fullest fun; these include tour to the historic places in Ghana, such as Elmina castle, Kwame Nkruma museum, W.E.B Dubois, visiting Universities, water fall, barbeque and salsa night, live band, the top club town etc. RATE:#90,000, DURATION: 10 DAYS. You can contact us +2333542421418, +233543384049, on BBM 212DF44A, or email us on istjabah@yahoo.com.

Don't miss the Oportunity: Admission is still on progres

Admission is still on progress in some selected Ghanians Universities...

you can contact Discovery Africa for more info on +233542521418 or via our email address istjabah@yahoo.com, or on BBM:212DF44A..."Discovery Africa" Educating Africans is our passion.
www.discoveryafrica.blogspot.com.

ADMISSION! ADMISSION!! ADMISSION!!!

OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY IN GHANA

     we can secure admission for students in these coming universities, for a candidates holding 6 pass credits in WAEC or some time NECO with aggregate not less than 24

     Zenith University college
     Courses: Human Resources, tourism, Accounting, Business Administration, LLB etc.
     Fees: N100,000 per semester

     African university college of communication
     Courses: journalism, strategic Communication(public Relation, Advertising, Marketing), Development Communications,   Visual Art and Digital Communications, General Medial, business Administration, Marketing, Human Resources,
     Fees: $1,600 per semester.
    All Nation University
    courses: Engineering courses; Oil and Gass,
     Fees: $2,800 per semester

     Methodist university college

     Caf university college
     Courses: Business Administration, Marketing, Human Resources,
     Fees: $1,500 per semester

     Knustford university college

APPLICATION FORM AN FEE

     Application form and Admission processes fee: $600

NB ; Admission is march, October,and January recruitment
       you can check more on my facebook page @ "Discovery Africa" a Like page. or the website www.discoveryafrica.blogspot.com

GRAB YOUR OPPORTUNITY NOW !!!

to you all those who are looking admission! Here come to you another opportunity...
discovery Africa is delighted to bring imto your notice, the on going admissions processes in Ghanian private universities into 2012/2013 academic session, which has opened from now till September 2012
SCHOOL:
AFRICAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS (AUCC), ADABRAKA ACCRA, GHANA.
COURSE:B.A IN JOURNALISM, B.A IN VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS, B.A IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION, B.A IN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION, BSC IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONS, BSC IN HUMAN RESOURCES, BSC IN ACCOUNTING, BSC IN BANKING AND FINANCE, ALSO SHORT COURSES IN I.T, AND PUBLIC SPEAKING AND SPEECH WRITING. AUCC IS AFFILIATED WITH UNIVERSITY OF GHANA LEGON.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT "Discovery Africa" like page on facebook or +233542521418.
more information on other schools are coming soon watch out, but don't forget the says  opportunity comes only but once... GRAB IT NOW through Discovery Africa.

AKWAABA "MAY"

                                                                

On behalf of Discovery Africa we wish you a fruitful and joyful Happy new month and we are also using this platform to inform you about more great up coming tourism programe accross west African contry. and we are also living this qoute behind for you while we saY AKWAABA TO THE NEW MONTH "MAY" "Don't envy successful people, if you do you create a negative force field of attraction that repels you from ever doing the things that you need to do to be successful. If you admire successful people, you create a positive force field of attraction that draws you toward becoming more and more like the kinds of people that you want to be like" Brian Tracy.

AUCC CELEBRATE 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

I went, i saw, i even conquered when African University College Of Communications celebrate her tenth year anniversary on the 18th of April
2012, under the theme named "Education in age of globalization".
the great young school with a great name as been able to proof her self after been graduating professionals communicators for  African especially Ghanaian community since nine years ago.

The event started exact 9:30 am, which anchored by Mr. Ogochukwu Nwenke the director of   director of students’ affair AUCC, whiles the fantastic event started with prayer  with led by  Mr. Atto Amoaneng, the dean of journalism department. The introduction of the guest followed when the chairman of the occasion was introduced Prof. kwame alex. This was done by the master of the program his self after which the AUCC choir gave their performance titled “We love our continent and we must make our people proud".
Furthermore the chairman of the gives his remarks started with his privilege and honored to be part the great institution since day one. He proceeded with sending gratitude’s to those who has made the great  AUCC what it is today, which he backed it with the says “ to be a woman is not a joke".

The president of the school Mr. kojo yankah also present  his lunch adress which started with a gratitudes from him to the Ga Adabraka matse, Pro. Alex kwame,  to the governing council, to the product of the institution that are making a wonderful contribution in their various disciplines, and also to the non teaching staffs  by saying ayeekoo!!!. More so, he moved on to to bring a solution to the problem concerning the theme of the occasion  which he talk about Globalization more economy:  origin of globalization was not a concept. It became more popular after the First World War. But has become very light on the tongue because of integration and advancement of ICT.
In addition the last speaker presented his speech Prof. Izard a visited professor from Ohio state university, when he talk about forum on media diversity; how to  conduct a research , organize program to their  best to foster the partnership. Also he talk about how diversity is equal to indusivnes, diversity been truth, and also how diversity is a method, purpose democracy, multiple respect, religion and ethnicity. In the end of  his st presentation he explain what the goal of journalist is, when he said the goal of the journalist is not to present his opinion, but rather his goal is to present the opinion of someone
after the presentation of the Prof. a yoruba poem was read by a Nigerian level 100 student of AUCC wih titled "Ebowo fun Agba" meaning give respect to the elders. an igbo cultural   performance followed by Oyinbusola Ounsi, kolawole folake, and Elegbede Aishat from Nigerian students Association AUCC chapter . then a vote of thanks come up , and at last there was a pumping of Champaign by some selected people on the high table... I WISH AUUC A HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY I SAY LONG LIFE AUCC, LONG LIFE GHANA, LONG LIFE NIGERIA,LONG LIFE AFRICA.

Do war crimes trials really help victims?

 The long overdue verdict in the case of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor will be widely celebrated as a critical achievement for international criminal law.
 Taylor has been on trial at the special court for Sierra Leone since 2006 on 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, pillage and the conscription of child soldiers.
Champions of international justice will highlight the unquestionable importance of prosecuting a former head of state, which signals that political seniority is no guarantee of immunity. They will also see the child soldier charge against Taylor as particularly pertinent, given the recent focus on this crime in Africa by the Kony 2012 internet campaign and the International Criminal Court's (ICC) conviction of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga. 


But amid the celebrations at the end of the Taylor trial, important questions should be asked about the future of international justice. In the next few years, the war crimes tribunals for Sierra Leone, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Lebanon and Cambodia will all close their doors, leaving the ICC as the sole international judicial institution. The Taylor trial asks two main questions that impinge on the ICC's ongoing work: does international justice genuinely help victims of mass crimes and are lengthy, expensive international trials a worthwhile investment by foreign donors in the age of austerity?


One answer to these questions is that it is of greater benefit to victims and better value for donors to invest in rebuilding domestic judicial institutions in conflict-affected countries rather than whisking atrocity suspects off to The Hague.
See high-res photos of the Charles Taylor years
The Taylor trial highlights three main shortcomings of all international criminal justice institutions.
First, the length of the Taylor trial is unjustifiable, delaying justice for his victims, dulling the societal impact of the case and increasing the financial costs. That it has taken the special court six years to deliver a verdict is partly due to the legal complexity of the case but also to the histrionics of international defense and prosecution lawyers, who have constantly sought media and donor attention.


 Key grandstanding moments during this trial included Taylor and his defense counsel twice walking out when judges demanded their participation and the prosecution's distraction of calling Naomi Campbell as a star witness. The case has also been delayed because several of the international legal personnel have other professional commitments alongside their work for the court. These included Taylor's defense counsel and one of the judges, who halfway through the trial took up a new role at the International Court of Justice.


Second, the Taylor trial suffered -- as all international criminal cases do -- from the narrowness of the charges against him. Because of the inherent length and expense of international trials, prosecutors typically focus on crimes that they can most easily prove, rather than those that may be most representative of the suspect's atrocities or most salient in the eyes of affected populations. While the 11 charges against Taylor are more expansive than those brought against most international suspects, they still ignore arguably Taylor's most egregious crimes, namely those committed in his home country, Liberia, because of the special court's mandate which focuses solely on crimes committed within Sierra Leone.


The trial also overlooks the role played by Taylor's various foreign backers, which during the conflict in Sierra Leone included Libya, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and a host of international corporations that profited from the blood diamonds used by Taylor-backed rebels to fund their military campaign. Without the training, logistical and financial support of these outside actors, Taylor could never have wrought such destruction on Sierra Leonean soil.


Finally, the Taylor trial was weakened by the distance of the trial from the location -- and the victims -- of his crimes. In 2006 because of security concerns, the Freetown-based Special Court for Sierra Leone transferred Taylor to The Hague to be prosecuted in a courtroom leased from the ICC. This denied victims the opportunity to see firsthand the justice being done in their name. The distance also limited the number of Sierra Leoneans who could be called as defence and prosecution witnesses, which decreased the quality of evidence weighed by the Court.


The problem of distance for international institutions is more than geographical and also one of a particular international legal mentality. Even international courts such as those for Sierra Leone and Cambodia, which are based in-country, are often wilfully detached from those societies, citing the need to remain neutral and impartial from domestic political influences. The transplant of foreign modes of law, with its wigs and gowns, and imposing, high-security courtrooms separate international law from local populations, even when those courtrooms are physically located in conflict-affected countries. Further highlighting this separation, when these international institutions pack up and leave in the coming years, they will have contributed little to the building of domestic legal infrastructure or training of local judicial personnel, who will have to carry on the task of delivering justice long after foreign lawyers have departed.


These problems in the Taylor case highlight the inherent limitations of international criminal justice. Meanwhile, the recent example of high-level Rwandan genocide suspects being extradited home to face justice in a heavily reformed domestic system -- and in front of the Rwandan population -- highlights other important possibilities. In particular, it suggests that a new donor focus on supporting domestic judiciaries around the world might not only make financial sense but also deliver more tangible benefits to victims and societies recovering from mass conflict.


source: CNN

Sudan arrests foreigners in disputed region..... kudos to you guys jorrrrrrrrrr

Sudan has arrested foreigners in the disputed region أف Heglig, its defense ministry said Saturday, the latest in the spiraling conflict between the Sudans.

Those arrested were identified by the defense ministry as British, Norwegian, South African and South Sudanese.

"They were engaged in suspicious activities, collecting war debris," it said.

Meanwhile, a South Sudanese military spokesman reported ongoing clashes and bombings -- though a Sudanese military spokesman denied any such attacks.

Col. Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army of South Sudan, said eight bombs were dropped in Unity state Saturday.

Friday, "Khartoum-supported mercenaries" attacked an SPLA position in a town called Wau, causing 21 deaths, he said. Three fighters were captured alive, he added.

The SPLA seized three trucks, which are said to belong to the Sudanese Armed Forces, said Aguer, vowing to retaliate against "all these acts of aggression."

But Al-Sawarmi Khalid, a spokesman for the Sudanese Armed Forces, said, "We have not bombed Wau, or any other place in South Sudan."

South Sudan split from Sudan last year as part of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of war in Africa's largest nation. The war left 2 million people dead and ended with the peace agreement that included an independence referendum for the south.

Despite the split in July, unresolved issues remain between the two, including status of their citizens, division of national debt, disputed border areas and sharing of oil wealth.

Simmering tensions peaked this month when South Sudan seized the oil-producing region of Heglig from Sudan, raising the stakes by targeting a resource that fuels the economies of both nations.

Heglig oil facilities account for about half of Sudan's production of 115,000 barrels a day.

Sudan claims ownership for the region, and lodged complaints with the United Nations and the African Union to pressure South Sudan to withdraw troops from its territory.

A day after South Sudan withdrew from the disputed region, it accused Sudan of launching ground and aerialttacks on its territory.

source: CNN

Pics from AY and Nadia Buari video shoot for AY in Abuja show

His May 1st show was WOW, now he's planning an Abuja invasion. AY live in Abuja will take place June 19 at ThisDay Dome. Don't miss it! More pics when you continue..

 

whats your opinion on these?

; Ghanaian actress with Nigerian comedian actor kissing and mingling together. 

African prints is taking over the world...

good looking in African wear

Everyone seems to be wearing Ankara inspired outfits these days. From Beyonce, to Kim K, Gwen Stefani, Nicki Minaj etc...and they are promoting these prints heavily in international magazines. These pics are from Russian Vogue. To think I have all these abandoned Ankara fabrics in my wardrobe...maybe it's time to bring them out
by: linda ikeji

"How Joseph and I met, decided to get married and have a baby" - Adaeze Igwe Yobo

"We met at an event in Abuja and it might have been love at first sight, though I had not noticed it. I did not know that it was something that would go far. I never thought I'd be married when I did. I was not then into the boyfriend thing. I was still discovering myself. But in the course of our phone chats, it was as if we had known each other for a long time. He left Nigeria and came back and overstayed this time and we were together. About a month after that, he started talking about marriage. He said he was serious and that he really loved me. I was already in love with him, so I thought about it and realized I had nothing to lose.



I told if he was serious, he needed to come see my mum. Two weeks after the discussion, he came to see my mum.
Joseph and I both immediately agreed on having a baby. Because we thought about it that what would our baby together look like, and also maybe if I got pregnant, everyone would know that we were serious about getting married.

He left for the UK and I was always going to the hospital every other time to find out if I was pregnant. Eventually I called him to tell him the good news, and on hearing the news, he told me he was getting me the next flight to Liverpool. Then we started planning for the wedding...but agreed to do a small wedding because there was no time to plan a big one. We had the wedding and a little ceremony and Joe left immediately the next day for the nation's cup.

Being a wife and mother at my age (21) was a bit difficult at first, especially for my husband. But fortunately he had so much patience and I have gotten loads of advise on how to go about it all, and when I put them to practice, they work. At the rate at which we are going and by God's grace, it's going to be much much better than how beautiful it is now.

  source; Linda Ikeji

Genevieve Nnaji turns 32

 

Happy birth day to you Genevieve, wishing you more success in life, and in your beauty. go on girl we are proud of you.

 

Big Brother Africa 2011 Representatives

Nigeria's 2011 representative is Vina, a 26 year old radio presenter. 
BhokeAge 26
Hometown Dar es Salaam
Occupation TV Broadcaster

Confidence
Age  37
Hometown   Ghana
Occupation   CEO of Multimedia Company/Owner of Afrodisiac Night Club


Hanni
Age                22
Hometown    Addis Ababa
Occupation   Singer and Student

Hermino
Age     32
Hometown      Maputo
Occupation      Rapper and Radio Host

Jossy
Age     28
Hometown      Windhoek
Occupation      Recording Artist / Marketing,Sales and Ad Manager

Lomwe
Age     27
Hometown      Blantyre
Occupation      Radio and Club DJ

Luclay
Age     28
Hometown      Cape Town
Occupation      Actor / Acting Coach

Millicent
Age     28
Hometown      Nairobi
Occupation      Actress

Mumba
Age     24
Hometown      Lusaka
Occupation      Radio DJ

Sharon
Age     25
Hometown      Kampala
Occupation      Artist / Musician


Vimbai
Age     24
Hometown      Harare
Occupation      Model

Vina
Age     26
Hometown      Lagos
Occupation      Radio Presenter

Weza
Age     26
Hometown      Luanda
Occupation      TV Presenter, Model

Zeus
Age     24
Hometown      Gaborone
Occupation      Entrepreneur, Artist, Marketer



Soyinka decries post-presidential polls violence

NOBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday condemned the post-presidential election violence in some northern states, describing the destruction that trailed the declaration of the results as a premeditated act.
Soyinka endorsed the results of the April 16 presidential election, which returned incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan for a fresh term. While congratulating the winner, Soyinka explained that citizens’ reports as collated by ReclaimNaija, a grassroots political forum with a mission to promote electoral transparency, seemed to tally with the figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a number of polling booths.
“Having made comparisons with those reports, which we received directly from polling booths, which forms the data for ReclaimNaija, my view, quiet frankly, is that the presidential elections were won by Goodluck Jonathan. It is not my business to say what methods were used in influencing voters; it is not within ReclaimNaija’s competence to comment on things like that. We are dealing strictly with figures collated at ReclaimNaija, and sent directly from announcements at polling booths, and sent by citizens who are present…”
He continued: “Judging from the results and figures that were announced, in terms of voters tally, I think you will find that ReclaimNaija’s figures do not differ substantially from the ultimate voter returns announced by INEC.”
While condemning the loss of lives that trailed the declaration of President Jonathan as winner of the polls in some states in the North, Soyinka said that life was snuffed out of the victims for no justifiable reason. He expressed shock at what he described as the gleeful manner in which the “decimation of humanity” was carried out.
“I was really shocked by the note of satisfaction, almost sadistic reaction at the killings…There was always a kind of glory in what was going on, which made me wonder why we all call ourselves Nigerians. It makes me wonder whether we all have the same project in mind when we go to polls, or whether we all have the same destination in mind, when we embark on events.
“I am convinced that the killings had been planned before hand and it behooves anybody who has any claim to humanity to denounce the killings. Sadly, I do not detect any genuineness and sincerity in those who claim to be remorseful because their body language and their mouth are at variance. In the end, these killings were done on a non- existent foundation, on top of the fact that in any decent society, such killings are not acceptable. In the end, in my view, it turns out that these killings were carried out for nothing; they were carried out on a basis of lies, I suspect, sometimes deliberate misinformation, or maybe no information at all. In my view, they were planned well before hand; I think anybody who says they were not planned before hand is a very naïve individual.”
The Nobel laureate flayed the targeting of youth corps members, noting that the NYSC scheme was a great legacy that was bequeathed by the Yakubu Gowon administration.
“The youth corps, for me, should be inviolate; if anything, youth corps members anywhere in this country, should be taken under the protection of the citizens, defended tooth and nail, and even at the risk of self-sacrifice…Two of my children served in the northern part of the country, one in Maiduguri, the other, I can’t remember where now. Today, if I were to make the mistake of having any more youth serviceable children, and he wants to go to that area, I will tell that person, ‘over my dead body.’ That is the mood in which I am, after what has happened to the children of this nation who were brought together and sent to different parts of the country, in order to foster the sense of unity.”
On one of the possible ways to stop the killing of Nigerians by their fellow country men, Soyinka said: “It is about time that we sat down together and adopted a code of common behaviour, with distinct, declared punishment for those who violate that code of mutual co-existence…”
Subsequently, the Nobel laureate called on President Jonathan to confront the fundamental issues facing the nation, insisting that there was a need for a Sovereign National Conference to address the great issues facing the nation.
“Jonathan, I congratulate him for winning the elections, he had better understand that there is a fundamental task that he cannot brush aside like his predecessors. If he does, he has failed, even before he started…”
Soyinka also beamed the searchlight on his home state of Ogun, where he commended the people of the state for voting out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, which he flayed for “illegally and thuggishly” shutting down the House of Assembly.
His words: “At long last, you have redeemed yourselves; I have been very shocked and disappointed with the docility of the people of Ogun State in accepting that their House of Parliament be shut down illegally, vulgarly, thuggishly, by the now outgoing government of Ogun State…
“I thank them for not making me to sell my house in the state and relocating to another state, and for chasing Daniel away. This election should be seen as an opportunity to restore the state to its former glory. I congratulate the people of Ogun State for redeeming themselves a little, although, that stigma will always rest on the people of Ogun; that they tolerated this for so long.”
Author of this article: By Joe Adiorho and Armsfree Ajanaku Onomo

there is going tob war tonight

History of rivalry
Barcelona and Real Madrid played for the first time in 1902, but the rivalry soon transcended the confines of a soccer match.
Barca came to represent the fight for Catalan independence from Spain, and a rejection of the nationalist regime that ruled the country from Madrid -- especially under the rule of Franco, who came to power at the culmination of the bloody Spanish Civil War in 1939.
"In Spain, the population of Catalonia don't consider themselves Spanish," said Adi-Oula Sebastian, editor of Barca fan site barcablaugranes.com.
"When the General Franco dictatorship forbade the use of regional dialects, the Camp Nou (Barcelona's home stadium) became one of the few places Catalans were allowed to speak their language, without having to fear repercussions."
Madrid were the all-powerful institution. They had political and royal backing -- the "Real" in their name, meaning "Royal," was a gift from King Alfon
"For Madrid fans, the game isn't just about getting one over on our eternal rivals, it's about winning a small argument about the country itself," said Gabe Lezra, editor of fan site, managingmadrid.com
"In many ways, Madrid fans view these games as a playful argument about the way to see and understand the country as a whole."
The relationship was exacerbated by the transfer of Alfredo Di Stefano to Madrid in 1953. The Argentine was wanted by both clubs, and both thought they'd signed him. But it was Madrid who got the legendary striker, and Di Stefano duly inspired a decade of dominance at the Bernabeu.
Barca have always suspected foul play. Their official website claims a "royal decree" persuaded Di Stefano to join Madrid, and there has long been the suggestion that the establishment pushed the deal through.
"To this day supporters of Barcelona feel robbed, while Madrid fans argue the legitimacy of the deal," said Sebastian. "Imagine if Michael Jordan gave his word to sign for the Chicago Bulls, then joined the New York Knicks instead!"
so XIII in 1920 -- and from the 1950s, boasted a collection of the world's best and most glamorous players.
source: CCN.COM

Schalke 0 United 2

Make no mistake, this was as accomplished a Champions League semi-final performance you could wish to see as United had Schalke chasing shadows in a comprehensive 2-0 victory.
There's still a second leg to come before the manager and anybody else will be thinking of planning for Wembley but, in truth, only Manuel Neuer's brilliance saved his side from an embarrassing scoreline.
Neuer defied United virtually single-handedly before two quickfire goals - by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney - ensured justice was done. Rooney was the provider for Giggs' opener and then found the net himself after cunning play by strike partner Javier Hernandez.
Sir Alex Ferguson opted for a 4-4-2 formation with in-form Hernandez proving impossible to leave out. Fabio started at right-back with Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Giggs and Ji-sung Park forming the midfield quartet.
In a breathless opening period, both sides carved out chances with Edwin van der Sar worked by Alexander Baumjohann and Edu while Neuer showed his class at the other end. Rooney drifted inside to force a diving stop out of the Schalke skipper, who then beat out a Park drive. Some fine work by Fabio and Valencia led to Hernandez stretching to test Neuer again. Hernandez was then in a one-on-one with the keeper in the 14th minute when Park's astute through ball found him just onside but the Mexican couldn't squeeze his finish under Germany's number one.
Report by;  MUSTAPHA MUHAMMED JAMIU

                                                           

Pele: No one can match my record

Brazilian football icon Pele has told CNN his record during a playing career spanning 25 years is unrivalled by anyone else in the sport.
The former Santos striker was part of three World Cup winning Brazil squads and was named FIFA player of the century in 2000.
The 70-year-old, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, said modern players do not achieve success over a prolonged period like their illustrious predecessors.
"Nobody did what Pele did," the one-time New York Cosmos forward told CNN.
"Being champion of the world at 17-years-old, won three World Cups, scored more than 1,208 goals, only him.
"Then until now nobody did this, to me, Pele is the best. You can mention players that played for 10 years, for example [Franz] Beckenbauer, [Michel] Platini, [Eric] Cantona, Bobby Charlton, George Best, then come [Diego] Maradona, Zico.
"Those players used to play a long time. Now the players they play one year, two years, then disappear."
His final World Cup was in 1970 and Pele rates the Brazil team that lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in Mexico as the finest the South American country has ever produced.
"In 1958, 1962, Brazil had excellent individuals. We had Garrincha, we had Didi, Djalma Santos. Also Pele, [Mario] Zagallo were excellent players. But as a team all together I think 1970 was no doubt the best team."
Brazil will host the tournament they have won a record five times in 2014, and their former number 10 said the nation will be ready for one of sport's biggest competitions, but Pele warned the speed of preparations must be increased.
"Of course they [the stadiums] will be ready. The state of San Paulo ... we don't decide yet, we don't start [building] the stadium yet. This I think is a little bad for the reputation of Brazil, for the reputation of those who work for Brazil. That's my worry."
After 18 years with Santos, Pele made the decision to sign with the Cosmos in the now defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1975.
A project to bring back the Cosmos -- which includes former Manchester United striker Cantona as the team's director of football -- has been launched and Pele is acting as a representative for his former club.
"When I retired, at that time I had a lot of proposals to play in Europe, England, Italy, Spain, Mexico. But I said no, after 18 years I want to rest, because I want to retire.
"They wanted to make soccer big in the United States. That was the reason I come back to play. Then I start my mission. Now I am here because of this.

"We are going to revive New York Cosmos, to be fantastic. Because [when when I started] with New York Cosmos [football] became a very big sport in the U.S., and now we come back."

source: CNN.COM

Explosion rocks Egypt gas pipeline

An explosion in Egypt's North Sinai has rocked a terminal that supplies natural gas to Jordan and Israel.

Flames shot into the air at the al-Sabil terminal on Wednesday, sending nearby residents fleeing from their homes.
A security official blamed saboteurs for the blast south of the town of El-Arish, 50km from the border with Israel.
"An unknown armed gang attacked the gas pipeline near Arish city," the unnamed security source told the Reuters news agency, adding that the flow of gas to Israel and Jordan had been hit.

"Authorities closed the main source of gas supplying the pipeline and are working to extinguish the fire," the source said.
On February 5, an explosion at a different section of the pipeline severed gas exports to neighbouring Israel and Jordan in an incident that came during an 18-day popular uprising that forced former president Hosni Mubarak from power.

Egypt's natural gas company blamed the February incident on a gas leak, although local security officials said they suspected sabotage in that blast.
Bedouin tribesmen of the Sinai Peninsula attempted to blow up the pipeline last July as tensions intensified between them and the Egyptian government, which they accuse of discrimination and of ignoring their plight.
SOURCE:ALJAZEERA.COM

UN team to start probe of human rights abuses

A UN team has arrived in Tripoli to investigate allegations of human rights violations in Libya since the start of the conflict in February.

The team was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council following the Libyan government's crackdown on protesters.
The government has said it will co-operate with the inquiry.
The three investigators say they will look at all alleged abuses, including those the government says have been committed by rebels or Nato forces.
The original mandate - to examine human rights violations allegedly committed by the forces of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi - remains the priority, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva, where the UN Human Rights Council is based.
There have been reliable reports of enforced disappearances, torture and even killing of protesters, says our correspondent.
The UN human rights commissioner, Navi Pillay, said in late February that what was happening in Libya "may amount to crimes against humanity".
More recently, there have been reports that Col Gaddafi's forces trying to retake Misrata from rebels are indiscriminately shelling the city.
On Tuesday, three people were reportedly killed as missiles slammed into the city's port, a lifeline for those seeking to escape to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.
Misrata has been besieged by government forces for two months, leaving parts of the city with neither electricity nor water.
Continued sniper fire, street clashes and shelling have prevented people from venturing outside their homes to get food and medicine.
Human rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been killed in the fighting and many more have been wounded. Ships have been ferrying the injured to hospitals in Benghazi and bringing in humanitarian aid.
Libya's government denies it has been indiscriminately shelling civilian areas.
Misrata is the last major rebel-held city in western Libya and the fighting for it has been fierce.
source: BBC