World’s first head transplant patient schedules procedure for 2017

A man set to become the world’s first head transplant patient has scheduled the procedure for December 2017. 30 year old Valery Spiridonov was diagnosed with a genetic muscle-wasting condition called Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, and volunteered for the procedure despite the risks involved, Central European News (CEN) reported.

“When I realized that I could participate in something really big and important, I had no doubt left in my mind and started to work in this direction,” Spiridonov, a Russian computer scientist, told CEN. “The only thing I feel is the sense of pleasant impatience, like I have been preparing for something important all my life and it is starting to happen.”

Dr. Sergio Canavero, an Italian neurosurgeon, will perform the procedure on Spiridonov. The procedure is expected to last up to 36 hours, and it will require Spiridonov’s head to be cooled as well as the donor’s body to extend the period during which the cells can survive without oxygen.

“According to Canavero’s calculations, if everything goes to plan, two years is the time frame needed to verify all scientific calculations and plan the procedure’s details,” Spiridonov. “It isn’t a race. No doubt, the surgery will be done once the doctor and the experts are 99 percent sure of its success.”

Spiridonov joked that first thing he plans to do after the procedure is go on a vacation.

“But on a serious note, this operation is aimed at restoring independence of severely disabled people. Once I get it back I’ll see what the life of a healthier person looks like,” he said.

According to the freed medical dictionary: Werdnig-Hoffmann disease is a geneticdisorder beginning in infancy or youngchildhood, characterized by progressiveatrophy of the skeletal muscle resulting fromdegeneration of the cells in the anteriorhorn of the spinal cord and the motor nucleiin the brainstem.

Onset occurs within the first year of life,with the condition usually apparent at birth.Symptoms include congenital hypotonia;absence of stretch reflexes; flaccidparalysis, especially of the trunk and limbs;lack of sucking ability; fasciculations of thetongue and sometimes of other muscles; andoften, dysphagia. Treatment is symptomatic,and death generally occurs in earlychildhood, often from respiratorycomplications.

The condition is transmitted as anautosomal-recessive trait and occurs morefrequently in siblings than in successivegenerations.

Police left stunned after finding car with door held shut with piece of rope

Bribie Island Police were left stunned recently when they pulled over a driver who had his door held shut with a piece of rope. The car was one of 11 ­defective vehicles stopped by Bribie Island police from August 18 to August 25.

Bribie Island Police ­station officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Dave Crawford-Raby said the car was pulled over on August 18 after an officer ­noticed the driver’s door moving.

“In this instance the door was actually held closed by a piece of rope,” Sgt Crawford-Raby said.

“The rope went across to the other side of the car and my officers saw the door moving because it wasn’t ­secured properly.”

The driver, a 46-year-old man from Bellara, was fined $117 and his car pulled off the road.

Photos: VP Osinbajo visits Rivers state to attend Catholic Bishops Conference

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, pictured arriving at Rivers State and being welcomed at the airport by the State Governor, Nyesom Wike. The VP is to attend the Catholic Bishops Conference...

Chris Brown brings daughter Royalty on stage at his concert, shares inspirational message

Chris Brown took his daughter on stage after his performance last night so she could say 'hi' to his fans. He also shared another photo of him playing Doctor with Royalty. He sure is a dedicated and proud Dad. Another photo after the cut...

He later took to instagram to share an inspirational message with his fans;

"I'm so thankful to be able to perform and inspire the world. I really think back LIKE , " damn, I went to fucking jail and had a number 1 single in the country" this goes to show you that you can make it after mistakes. It's about love forgiveness and just working on yourself".

"I speak for the young black males who never had a silver spoon and understanding the struggle and the need to take care of family. Life isn't about being perfect. It's about fucking up and understanding the mistakes you make don't define you. Stand for something or fall for anything". #WEARENOTTHOSEKIDS

Cossy Orjiakor receives her first international award...(photos)

Cossy Orjiakor received her First International Award in Germany this weekend. According to her, she won the 'Distinctive Daring Artist' from Europe Golden Awards. More photos after the cut....

Serena William's cranky answer during her Interview the day before her loss

Serena Williams had a cranky response to a reporter who asked why she wasn't smiling during late-night interviews on Thursday. Williams stayed up past her bedtime answering questions for sportswriters, but said,

"It's 11:30. I don't, to be perfectly honest, want to be here. I just want to be in bed right now and I have to wake up early for practice."

On Friday, the tennis star's hopes for a Grand Slam were dashed in a shocking upset against 43rd-ranked Roberta Vinci of Italy.

Mayweather wins his final fight by unanimous decision

After 19 years of boxing, Floyd Mayweather  has gracefully bowed out of the ring. He capped a remarkable career with a typical Mayweather fight Saturday night, by frustrating and defeating Andre Berto on his way to a decision so lopsided one judge gave him every round.

The $32 million he earned was pocket change compared to what he got for Manny Pacquiao in his last fight. But the more important number was win No. 49 in the final fight of his unblemished career, tying the mark of the late heavyweight champion, Rocky Marciano. He has been undefeated in 49 fights.
Mayweather had vowed to give fans an action fight in his last bout, after being criticized for fighting defensively in his win over Manny Pacquiao. He did trade punches with Berto on several occasions, but never stayed in the pocket long enough for Berto to find his mark.

Mayweather complained to his father in the corner during the fight that he hurt his hand, but said since he is retiring it didn't matter.

"You gotta know when to go. I've had a great career," Mayweather said. "I'm leaving with all my faculties. I feel like I'm smart and sharp."

"What can I say, I was the better man tonight," Mayweather said

Mayweather added to his pay-per-view riches once again, and once again he didn't seem to have to work too hard to make it. Berto, who had lost three of his last six fights, tried to make it a fight but his punches were wide and mostly missed their marks.

"I pushed him to the limit," Berto said. "But he was just better."

If Mayweather retires it will end a career that saw him become a pay-per-view star and earn more money than any boxer before him. Though most in boxing believe he will some day fight again, the 38-year-old said he had plenty of money and his health is more important than chasing records.

"I've accomplished everything," Mayweather said. "I've done everything in my sport."

Lagos clarifies law restricting trucks, tankers from travelling in the day time

Apparently disturbed by trailers and trucks flouting the ban placed on them by the Lagos state govt, not to ply the roads between the hours of 6am-9pm, the Lagos State Government has come out to make clarification of the Section of the Road Traffic Law 2012 which restricts trailers and long vehicles and also the classes of vehicles.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, the government said while Section 2 of the Traffic Law ‎restricts movement of trailers and long vehicles, only petrol tankers and long vehicles used in conveying passengers are allowed to travel within the metropolis between the stipulated time.

Vehicle with more than one real axle or six tyres are hereby restricted between the hours of 6am and 9pm with the exemption of the following in accordance with Section 2 and 38 of the Road Traffic Law 2012.

“These exemptions are tour bus/passenger buses, fire service trucks, rescue and recovery trucks, patrol trucks, perishable farm products trucks, refuse collection trucks‎, cement mixer trucks, tractors and refrigerated trucks”, he said.

Whenu said the clarification became necessary following the controversy generated by the enforcement of the Law, ‎after a fatal accident involving a container laden trailer claimed three lives in the state a fortnight ago.

He said the state government remains committed to the protection of lives and properties of residents irrespective of social, cultural or economic classification and therefore solicits the compliance, cooperation, support and understanding of all and sundry as regards the renewed enforcement of the Law.

Skales – “Lo Le” (Prod. Bu Uhuru)

This week, Skales releases his first single in South Africa under the Baseline Music and Universal Music imprint.

The single titled “Lo Le” is off the soon to be released Universal Music compilation and is also featured on the Nigerian artist’s debut album, Man of the Year.

Skales is thrilled to have had a good year in the Nigerian music scene and is excited about the platform to release music in other parts of Africa.

“Definitely a millstone for me, I can’t believe the love I get every time I step out, and I am grateful for the love from my supporters, the fans and the critics

“Lo Le” was produced by the South African hit makers, Uhuru.

Enjoy below

DOWNLOAD Skales – “Lo Le” (Prod. Bu Uhuru)

Moelogo – “Do You Love Me”

With his new single ‘Do You Love Me’ causing quite the stir this summer, and garnering strong support from the likes of BBC 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, Bang Radioand Beat FM among leading tastemakers, UK-based Afrobeats star and 2015 NEA Awards nominee Moelogo has just unveiled the highly anticipated music video for the Maleek Berry-produced single, premiered via VEVO.

Directed by Ini (InneX Pictures) and Chas Appeti (Krept & Konan, Ghetts,Lethal B), with cameo appearances from Capital Xtra’s DJ Abrantee and Maleek Berry, the ‘Do You Love Me’ visuals tell a gripping and rather poignant story about betrayal, jealousy, revenge, but most importantly love, using the infamous H. Jackson Brown Jr. quote “sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eyes” as its inspiration.

Along with the release of new visuals for ‘Do You Love Me’, Moelogo has also announced the first leg of his UK nationwide autumn tour, taking place this October, with dates in Glasgow, Nottingham, Loughborough and Leicester. The British Nigerian singer, songwriter and musician has also promised two new singles, which will coincide with the start of his string of October shows.

From his last single ‘My Sweetie’ released viaIsland Records, to his breakthrough track ‘Pangolo’, to last year’s underground hit ‘The Baddest’ featuring UK Rap veteran Giggs,Moelogo has continued to push the envelope for Afrobeats music in the UK, and is one of the leading British artists at the cutting edge of the genre. Enjoy the visuals for his latest offering ‘Do You Love Me’ below.

DOWNLOAD VIDEO Moelogo – “Do You Love Me”

Davido visits his hometown, tours ongoing Adeleke University project (photos)

Davido last weekend visited his hometown - Ede, Osun State to attend the maiden convocation of Adeleke university which is owned by his family. He performed at the University's convocation dinner hosted by the Pro Chancellor - Dr Adedeji Adeleke and went ahead to inspect the ongoing Adeleke University (Permanent Site) worth many billions of naira (project nearing completion) See more photos after the cut...

Fashola's website and Twitter account taken over by hackers

The website and twitter account of the former governor of Lagos state, Raji Fashola, has been taken over by hackers. Followers of the site and page noticed something was wrong when four tweets were posted in a foreign language late Friday. Is that Chinese, Japanese or Korean? And what does it say?. The governor's aide has since alerted the public to what's going on, confirming it's been compromised Hopefully, they will get the site back soon from the hackers ...

This is what the website looks like now....