French author Patrick Modiano wins Nobel Literature prize

French historical author Patrick Modiano has won the 2014 Nobel Prize for literature.

The Nobel Academy described the novelist, whose work has often focused on the Nazi occupation of France, as "a Marcel Proust of our time".BBC reports.

The award - presented to a living writer - is worth eight million kronor (£691,000).

Previous winners include literary giants such as Rudyard Kipling, Toni Morrison and Ernest Hemingway.

At a press conference in Paris, the publicity-shy Modiano expressed his surprise at the win and said he was keen to find out why he was chosen.

"I wasn't expecting it at all," he said. "It was like I was a bit detached from it all, as if a doppelganger with my name had won."

Modiano beat bookies' favourites Japanese writer Haruki Murakami and Kenyan novelist, poet and playwright Ngugi wa Thiong'o. The last French writer to win the prize was Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio in 2008.

MUST READ: Africa’s richest presidents: Lifestyle removes Jonathan’s name

Following the threat of litigation, Richest Lifestyle, a US-based website, has removed President Goodluck Jonathan’s name from its list of Africa’s richest presidents, where it had initially placed him as the sixth richest president in Africa.

The removal comes amidst threat by the Presidency on Wednesday, demanding a retraction of the story and an unreserved apology from the website, and from all those who had reproduced the article, which it deemed offensive.

A check by our correspondent on Thursday indicated that the website had tactically removed Jonathan’s name and left the position blank.

Gbenga Daniel Attends PDP Event

The former Governor of Ogun State in south-west Nigeria, Mr Gbenga Daniel, may have concluded plans to rejoin his former leaders and colleagues in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as he made a grand appearance at an event held at the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre in Ijebu Igbo area of the state.

His appearance may have put to end speculations and insinuations surrounding his eventual return to the umbrella party, which he left in 2011 during the crisis of leadership that pitched him against a former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Finally, Ex-Gov. Peter Obi dumps APGA for PDP

The former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, On Tuesday formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Mr. Obi declared his defection while hosting some top members of the PDP in the South-East, led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his Onitsha home

Others in the team included the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, and the Chairman of the South-East  Governors’ Forum, Theodore Orji.

Bala Ngilari Sworn in as Adamawa Governor

Bala Ngilari, the deputy governor under impeached Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, has been sworn in as the new governor of the state.

The acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, swore Mr. Ngilari in Wednesday, hours after a federal court in Abuja sacked the acting governor of the state, Umar Fintiri.

Mr. Fintiri, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly, took over after the impeachment of Mr. Nyako and the controversial “resignation” of the deputy, Mr. Ngilari.

Popular Blog site Shot Down by Google (Linda Ikeji)

According to Premium Times, Popular news and entertainment site, Linda Ikeji Blog, was taken down Wednesday by tech firm, Google, after a row over the originality of the blog’s contents.

Linda Ikeji Blog, published on Google-owned Blogger, has grown to become one of the most visited websites in Nigeria.

The site mainly aggregates and republishes news items and entertainment bits sourced from other channels, although it occasionally publishes exclusive contents.

Blue Ivy Gets A Kiss From Jay Z While Sightseeing In Paris

Someone is a daddy’s girl! As they continue to tour their favorite city, Paris, France, Jay Z planted a kiss on Blue Ivy’s cheek while Beyonce took pictures of her family from behind.

Blue Ivy Carter, 2, might just be the cutest little girl in Paris, France right now. During a family outing with her dad, Jay Z, 46, and her mom, Beyonce, 33, the tiny toddler kept warm in a leather jacket as her daddy carried her through the beautiful city. He even stole a kiss!

Blue Ivy Carter Gets A Kiss From Daddy Jay Z In Paris

The Carter family is just the cutest!

Endorsement: P-Square Launch Their Own Beer ‘Skol’ In Congo [PHOTOS]

The Rnb/Pop singing duo P-square aka Peter and Paul Okoye have added another venture to their music venture. They have launched their beer drink in Lumbumbashi, Congo. The beer named ‘Skol’ has its factory in Congo. The duo are also involved in oil and properties business.

See more pictures below:

Ekiti Teachers Vow Not To Resume Until Govt. Pays Up 2 Months Salary Owed

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ekiti State Chapter has directed its members not to comply with the government’s October 8 resumption date for the new school year in the state.

 “How can we go back to work when we are being cheated? We cannot pretend that all is well when teachers are dying in silence,” said Samuel Akosile, chairman of the union, while speaking to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.

“As we speak now, teachers have not received August and September salaries as well as the deductions in July salary.

Ebola: China denies Nigerian Student Enactus 2014 Winner Visa

The National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West, Zone D, has threatened a mass protest at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria any time from now, for denying students of the Ekiti State University visa, for fear of Ebola Virus Disease.

The students are to represent Nigeria in China in an international academic competition tagged ‘Enactus 2014′.

The EKSU students had emerged winners of the national phase of the enterprenuial/academic competition where about 40 Nigerian tertiary institutions participated in June.

JUST IN: US Ebola patient, Thomas Duncan, dies

The first person to be diagnosed with Ebola within the US has died, Texas hospital officials have said.

Thomas Duncan, who caught the virus in his native Liberia, was being kept in isolation in a Dallas hospital and receiving experimental drugs.

Earlier the US announced new security procedures at entry points to check travellers for symptoms of the virus.

More than 3,000 people have died in West Africa in the worst Ebola outbreak yet.

BREAKING NEWS: US Air Force F15 fighter jet crashes in Lincolnshire field during exercise

According to Daily Mail, A US Air Force fighter jet has crashed in Lincolnshire during an exercise.

The military aircraft, believed to be an F-15, came down around 3.30pm today as it was flying at Broadgate, Weston Hills, near Spalding.

A spokesman for Licolnshire police said the force was currently dealing with the incident and confirmed that one military aircraft was on fire in a field. 

A US Air Force fighter jet, believed to be an F15, has crashed in Spalding, Lincolnshire during an exercise

Jonathan, 6th richest African president

Richest Lifestyle, a US-based website, has listed President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria as the 6th Richest African president.

In an article titled, ‘Richest African Presidents 2014′ , the US website compiled a list of the nine richest presidents and kings in Africa. According to the article, President Jonathan is worth $100million. Other African presidents and kings on the list include;

1. Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola – Net Worth: $20 Billion
2. Mohammed VI of Morocco – Net Worth: $2.5 Billion
3. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea – $600 Million
4. Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya – Net Worth: $500 Million
5. Paul Biya of Cameroon – Net Worth: $200 Million
6. King Mswati III of Swaziland – Net Worth: $100 Million (The monarch shares the number 6 spot with President Jonathan)
7. Idriss Deby of Chad – Net Worth: $50 Million
8. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe – Net Worth: $10 Million

MUST READ: Who is deceiving Who (TERRORISM VS NIGERIAN MILITARY) ?

Boko Haram leader dismisses reports of his death in video