UK'S youngest MP graduates

20-year-old Member of Parliament representing Paisley and Renfrewshire South at Westminster, Mhairi Black, the youngest MP has graduated from Glasgow University with a first class honours degree in Politics.

Mhairi made history last month in UK's general election after winning the MP seat for Scottish National Party.

 

I celebrate with you Mhairi!

Skinny jeans could be dangerous - Health experts

A report published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry has highlighted the health risk of wearing a  tight jeans following an incident involving a 35-year-old woman. The Australian noticed discomfort as she squatted while helping a friend move house.

 

Later in the day, while walking home she felt numb in her feet and then collapsed. She was helped to hospital where the jeans was cut to free her swollen legs. A scan revealed evidence of damaged muscle tissue. The woman spent four days in hospital before she could walk again.

 

I think this report is self explanatory!

Greece's Finance Minister on bike to crisis talk

You'll ordinarily expect a Minister of a government to attend government functions chauffeur driven to the venue, contrary is the situation with Yanis Varoufakis, Greece Finance Minister. The 54-year-old rode in Yahama to a recent cabinet meeting to discuss the country's debt management crisis.

Could this be a model of how to cut cost of running government?

A cake fest!

Teams of both professional and amateur bakers have created a 70m square giant cake highlighting notable landmarks of Edinburgh city. The cake map is part of Cake Fest activity in the Scottish Capital. Noticeable on the cake map is a mini Edinburgh Castle. Visitors to the event had a slice of the cake to enjoy.

It is this I call a national cake.

Mother & 8-month-old son survived plane crash

18-year-old María Nelly Murillo and her son made a miraculous walk out of their crashed small plane in Colombia while the pilot of the Cessna 303 carrying the duo lost his life to the crash which occurred in a mountainside in western Colombia few days ago.

Rescue team could not find the survivors until five days after the incident at a time they were about abandoning the search.
The young mother and baby sustained themselves by eating leaves and drinking coconut water. 

María suffered broken ankle and minor burns from the crash and her son remained in good health.

The young mother couldn't stop shedding tears on spotting rescue volunteers.

Julia Donaldson, the woman with many sides to stories

As a writer of children's books, you build on imaginations to evoke feelings out of children who loves to read. In my own words, this is prowess!!I love the power of the narratives, it brings many memories, the art of reliving an experience and your ability to bring an idea to fruition.
One great woman I respect ever since my discoveries of new generation children books is Julia Donaldson. A children's author has been able to carve a niche and immerse herself in the mastery of writing what appeals to children.

For me as an adult, at a glance, I easily recognise her books on shelves by her fonts, picture colour combination, the authors she co-writes with, the caricatures and other illustrations of her pictures are key identities to recognise her work.
Once you like an author, you look out for the name and the work anywhere you see it. Julia Donaldson an English writer and the Children's Laureate in 2011-2013. Among her notable books are The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man.
 
Hoping to meet with her some day.. I know what I'd ask her!

Today's Wise Saying

"Only a mother would carry the child that bites"- Nigerian saying

Henna designers and their crafts

Henna is derived from a plant known as Lawsonia inermis. The leaves, flowers and twigs are ground and refined into powder that is usually mixed with water and other plants like tea, coffee and lemon to create a dye for hair and skin. 
In this picture is a henna designer usually called  'Mai lalle' in northern Nigerian and most times its done for special occasions like weddings where bride is decorated like the above picture.

Today's Wise Saying

"There is no medicine against old age"- Ashanti Proverb

Strawberry Master Taster

As the 2015 Wimbledon tennis championships approaches, apart from the top ranking players sweating it out in courts to perfect their games, one other guy is as well sweating it out with his tongue across continents. 

Conversant of the tournament knows that Strawberry is a delicacy of the games. However, getting the right strawberry to spectators rest with Artur Grochala, a professional Strawberry taster, who is ASDA's 'fruit technical manager'.
Artur munches over 2000 Strawberries in a month in farms from Britain to Egypt to select the perfect fruit for the courts. He said: "You always have to remember the Three Ts - taste, texture and touch." 

I want to believe Artur's tongue is insured.

Introducing 'Free to Caption'

I am glad to introduce to you - ' Free to Caption', a new feature on this blog, to increase experience of visitors to this medium.

I am aware of the creative minds of this community members and their diversity and would love to explore this by urging the blog's 'commentariats' to use the commenting window available to them to suggest title to image(s) that I would be featuring under the 'Free to Caption' banner.

We all see things from different perspective and hold varying opinions on same thing. Lets therefore explore this unique attribute of our world on The Duchess.

Who knows, this might as well be the opportunity to hone your journalism skill.

Do you wanna try with this?

Girl married hubby three days to his death

This certainly not an attribute of a faint hearted. 16-year-old Amie Cresswell has married her lover Omar Al Shaikh, a 16-year-old leukemia patient, after medics disclosed the lad had not more than 7 days to his death.

The impromptu wedding was conducted at the lad's beside in hospital with a flower used as a ring. 

The 8-month-old relationship started at the couple's school in Birmingham. The young bride said; "I knew I wanted to stand by him through it all."

I wish her well, especially for her bravery.

Greece crisis needs adults?

I was following up on Greece Financial crisis talks and efforts of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and several parties to the issue. 

The lnternational Monetary Fund, IMF is a major stakeholder in the talks and its chief, Christine Lagarde thus features prominently. At the recent Luxembourg talks she expressed desire for immediate resolution through dialogue, according to her, "with adults in the room". 

This statement again echoed in my memory when I saw this image of EU boss, Jean-Claude Juncker with Greece Prime Minister at a sequel talk on the crisis. Am I missing something here?

Today's Wise Saying

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life." -American Proverb

Animal reactions at play

Watch what happens when you put an animal in front of the mirror! Very very hilarious!!

Spot the 'mix up'?

As it is the holy month of Ramadan - Muslim's month of fasting, retailers in the UK are coming up with different offers to attract Muslims into their shop floors. Retail giant, Tesco not left out, with a dedicated 'Ramadan Kareem' shelf in their aisles.

The image above is a display in Tesco that did not go unnoticed to customers confronted with 'Ramadan Mubarak' greetings promoting Pringles' Smokey Bacon crisps.

This is hilarious and ironical as we all know Muslims do not eat bacon. lol.

Sexual Transmitted Infection on the rise in gay men

There has been a rise in sexual transmitted infection among gay and bisexual men in the past year. Doctors reported 46% rise in syphilis and 32% in gonorrhoea among men who engage in sex with each other.
Dr Gwenda Hughes of Public Health England, said reducing the spread of STI's 'must be made public health priority'.

The LGBT community must have their hands full..really full.

When Michael Jackson gets you on a treadmill

You can't go wrong with this Micheal Jackson's track on a treadmill..Trust me!

Today's Wise Words

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou

What would you do?

This picture went viral on Father's day June 21st. Hehehehe...yes what would you do?

Ramadan, Fashion and Chocolates

Ramadan is no longer exclusive to Muslims and abstaining from eating during certain time of a day, retailers do not want to be left out in the 'benefits' of the month. 

A walk into UK's retail giant will confront you with a dedicated 'Ramadan Kareem' shelf in one aisle of the shopping floor. If you are in London's Westfield, a Muslim prayer room is available to use. 

High street fashion retailer, MANGO offers Ramadan collection including flowing gowns. Ramadan chocolates box collection is also coming from Armani. 

How my sweet tooth avoids this Armani tempt, I honestly don't know.

Angelique Kidjo's rendition of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song'

I had goose bumps watching Angelique Kidjo do her rendition of this great Bob Marley's reggae song...Not only did she give her flavour to it but also spiced it more with the African choir in the background.

Kidjo wrote on her Facebook page dedicating the song to those who lost their lives in the Charleston killings. She wrote "A few weeks ago I discovered Rev. Clementa Pinckney in the PBS documentary called The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. He was speaking beautifully about the struggles that African American had to experience again and again during the entire American history.
I could never have imagined that not long after he would be killed in Charleston just because he was part of this community.
My heart goes to all the families affected by this tragedy. I dedicate my version of "Redemption Song" to them."

Richard Branson: My wife's very Glaswegian

Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson said this of his wife: "My wife, Joan, very grounded and very Glaswegian. She is not impressed if my head ever starts to get a bit too big. If she sees anything like that happening she'll always bring me down to earth with a bump and that's worked for the 40 years we've been together. 

She's is the sane element. So I'll come back all excited about something and she'll be like, "go and put the bloody kettle on Richard, change the nappies." She knows what really matters in life.

Today's Wise Words

"When our values are threatened, we come together as one nation. When three young Muslim Americans were brutally murdered in Chapel Hill earlier this year, Americans of all faiths rallied around that community. And obviously, tonight, our prayers remain with Charleston and Mother Emanuel church. As Americans, we insist that nobody should be targeted because of who they are, or what they look like, who they love, how they worship. We stand united against these hateful acts." --President Obama hosting an Iftar dinner to celebrate Ramadan at the White House

Didier Drogba and his gang

Watch what happens when footballers sit at a table. Mikel Obi made it so hilarious!!

What invention has made you smile recently

Roughly about two months ago, I had a chat with some friends about inventions that I believe have wowed the world. Telephone, internet, bulb and keyhole surgery topped my list of mentions.
I thought to myself that there has not been any recent invention asides mobile phone that took the whole world by storm.
I saw this short clip of  this 'Kazbrella' and I was glad people still have their thinking caps on and research and development is still very much alive as regards invention.

Please listen to this inventor and hear how the idea came about.

You never know. You might become the net inventor too ;)

Today's Wise Words

"... don't bite more than you can chew and don't chew what you cannot swallow" - Governor Adams Oshiomhole

Put your money where your collar is

 In China at the moment, is the fad of spiraling coins on your collar bone.. This is a fad to show off your  slim body. I'm leaving the key board now to go and try mine, bet you all want to see the outcome..hahahahahah!!

Today's Wise Saying

"Life, like a wheel, turns."- A Setswana proverb

A spin class with a difference

Some would say they see health and safety issues here, some will say they see work out...But I see vigorous exercise, sticking to routines just like my gym instructors and lots of giggles..

Gimme that in a 45 minutes spin!!! Howdy ya'll?! ;)

Michelle Obama in UK meets with Prince Harry, visits Cameron

First Lady of the United states Mrs Michelle Obama has arrived United Kingdom for a visit. She arrived in company of her mother Marian Robinson and two daughters Malia 16 and Sasha 14-year-old.

During her visit, Mrs Obama, 51, met with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace for tea where they shared their interests in support for ex-servicemen and their families. They also talked about her #LetGirlsLearn initiative which she also discussed on meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha.

The mother of two highlighted her campaign to make world's poorest girls have access to education and also for it to be made 'an urgent economic issue'. She made an appeal to help adolescent girls worldwide make school a priority and also for other countries to give education a boost.

Go Ma'am!!

A trending cartoon images that tells a tale

Pic -Kendy Joseph/Chevelin illustration 2014

Very captivating images I must say..I wish there were appendages tagged to the pictures and I must say the pictures tell more stories than words.

The pictures depicts passion, betrayal, love, truth, romance, abuse, motherhood, sex, slavery, colonialism, lust, dark skinned people e.t.c, its all encompassing! Please look through and let me know what you think...I already have a story line to this ..Would like to know yours..

Not totally sure if that's the end of the captions but it says 'FIN' which in many romance language means 'Finish' or 'End'. I will definitely get back to you if I find more pictures.
Many more pictures after the cut..

Power of the narrative -The Logical Indian

I saw this on The Logical Indian and I thought it was a good way to celebrate a man who has done well in India. Its very humbling to read what this astronaut has to say.

"Had an inspiring chat with India's first man in Space and my all-time hero Rakesh Sharma today morning. Never wanting to be in the limelight even for once, Rakesh Bhai, as I would often call him, is now happily enjoying his retired life in Coonoor.

When I told him that he still has a huge fan following, the down-to-earth ex-astronaut said: " I'm surprised that the young who were not born (when he went to Space), remember!"
He signed off the conversation with an invitation to join him once. "All I had to say has been said and been written over & over again. I'm quite happy in my anonymous existence," he concluded."

Today's Wise Saying

"The sun never sets without fresh news"- Xhosa proverb

China to launch longest and highest glass bottomed bridge.

A beautiful national park in China is set to open the world's longest and highest glass bottomed bridge come July 2015.

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province stands 300 meters above the ground and will extend 430 meters long and 6 meters wide.

Designed by Isreali architect Haim Dotan, the bridge is said to be able to accommodate up to 800 people at a go.The photos shows workers connecting the two cliffs paving the runway for fashion shows and features for bungee jumps.

A prototype of the bridge in more pictures after the cut.

British Royal Family: More photos of the day

I must admit that its been busy for Her Royal Majesty in these recent days. Here in the picture again is Queen Elizabeth II as she marches through the grounds of Windsor Castle in her Garter Robes for the annual Garter Day Service, 15 June 2015. 
Others who joined in the march are The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge.

More photos after the cut..

Photo of the day

Her Majesty the Queen at Runnymede Meadows for a service to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, today 15th June 2015.

Our gracious Queen Elizabeth II is always smiling. At 89, she still goes about working with a graceful smile. A good example of what can be done I must say.

Long may she reign! Much good health to you Mama!

Flat tummy excercise (at home only)

I have recently made a pledge to stick to my new routine of carrying out my tummy work outs everyday. I ran into this video and has been helpful. I must confess I have been writhing in pains ever since I began these exercise on Saturday but its worth the effort.

I follow the steps after steps and I push myself to build my tenacity.

Who knows? I might one day become a fitness instructor.

Beijing restaurant follows city-wide indoor smoking ban

 A Chinese restaurant in Beijing in support to the new city-wide law ban of smoking in all indoors spaces, broke all its ash trays in public. The city's government issued this law on June 1st 2015.

Today's Wise Saying

"A tail does not lead the head" - African Proverb

Little Prince George & Mum at the Polo

Beautiful Prince George was the attention of all eyes during a family outing to the polo yesterday Sunday. The toddler was playing with his mother Kate holding a little toy in his hand. The 23-month-old was obviously having fun alongside his family members and especially his mother whose figure is superb just six weeks after birthing her youngest child, Princess Charlotte.

I can't help but commend the Duchess of Cambridge. She snapped right back into shape!! A big challenge to many women here.. I also hope the makers of 'Crocs' shoes are smiling away as the young Prince has endorsed their brand once more. Lol.

International Albinism Awareness day

 

Yesterday June 13th was International Albinism Awareness day. I always see albinos as pearls or God's living miracles in our midst.

Saul Williams's call for 'Burundi'

As we all know Burundi has been going through a civil unrest in the recent past weeks, singer, songwriter and musician Saul Williams has released a track from the LP entitled “Burundi”.

The poet , well known for his alternative hip hop delivered his intense lyrics hammering against the corrupt state of affairs of the South-east African country.

Williams featured the Emily Kokal of Warpaint in the song. Enjoy!

Just for your giggles

 A few pictures for your giggles, some people are just naturally hilarious and creative!

1975 Children's book on 'How a baby is made'

 A book explaining to kids how babies are made as far back as Feb 1975 made me cringe looking at the diagrams. The children's book is written by a Danish writer and teacher, Per Holm Knudsen.

The cartoon illustrations are bit funny and I must commend his effort to analyse it the way he did. A more simpler way better than what most parent would go round and round the whole planet looking for better euphemisms to explain sex education to their children. 

Around the vagina birth just blurted out the whole truth and nothing but the truth!!! Heheheheh!

More picture after the cut..

Its World Blood Donor Day today

As a campaign, World Health Organisation WHO set aside today June 14, 2015 as a day to honor blood donors who are life savers. In the WHO Blood Donor Day page, it states;

"The theme of this year’s campaign is "Thank you for saving my life". It focuses on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their blood donations and strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan “Give freely, give often. Blood donation matters.” The campaign aims to highlight stories from people whose lives have been saved through blood donation, as a way of motivating regular blood donors to continue giving blood and people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so."

Kindly endeavour to donate blood, you never know, you might be saving a life of someone dear to you.

The Giving Pledge, philanthropy taken to a new level

No one should be left out in knowing about The Giving Pledge. The world richest are no longer only interested in mansion in exclusive address, diamond encrusted private jet, custom made yacht or personalised wonders on wheel, they are now showing to the world their soft spots to humanity in unimaginable way using the The Giving Pledge as a platform.

"The Giving Pledge is a commitment by the world's wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy."

Among the current pledgers are Warren Buffett, Bill & Melinda Gates, Sir Ian Wood and Dr Mo Ibrahim. The list of pledgers is growing everyday. Imagine the potential worth of this pot towards philanthropy!

These individuals don't realise how motivating I am by their gestures. I just want to shadow them all at the same time.

Social Experiment Video: Child abduction

I watched this experiment video clip and I think it totally made sense to me. It is to bring attention to what would not seem as a danger signal.

Please let's be vigilant and safeguard our wards.

Rice-Fish Farming in Indonesia

As much as Rice-Fish farming has a long history in Indonesia, I think Indonesian farmers needs to be applauded for this initiative. A farming method which involves farmers presenting fishes into their rice plantations .

The method has proven to be beneficial for the fish and the rice in an irrigated area where the rice is connected to the pond rather than the trench. A safe haven from birds, which the fish grows vigorously in the dense rice plants, while they in turn provide a source of fertiliser with their droppings, eat insect pests and help to circulate oxygen around the rice field.

Indonesian farmers say keeping fish in rice fields can increase rice yields by up to 10% plus they have the additional supplies of fishes which averagely attains more grams in sizes, yielding more profit in sales.

PSquare's new song - Bring it On featuring Dave Scott

This song is yet another nice rendition of what PSquare is known for. I can't fault the video. It's to encourage everyone to "never give up, keep your head up and keep standing tall".

I'm yet to figure out who Dave Scott sounds like but his voice is fantastic!..Enjoy

Scottish First Minister Nichola Sturgeon makes a four-day trip to America

On her four-day trip to Washington, United States of America recently, Ms Sturgeon appeared on The Daily show, gave address on foreign relations, economic advantage of independence and British politics. The First Minister also spoke about how she became a star of the referendum and other interesting issues.

Nicola here in the picture with the cheerleading squad at Daniel Hale Williams School in Brooklyn.

What a great photo, great role model and everlasting memories of meeting Scotland's First Minister for these girls. Hope they grow to be strong women!

Today's Wise Saying

"A pot trader whose fortunes are all invested in her clay pots isn't much of a merchant"- Igbo Proverb

Did you miss me?

Did you all miss me? Wondered where I have been? I had a very busy week and was away for some key appointments.

I'm back now. :-)

Nigeria bans Female Genital Mutilation

As there has been a global cry to abolish Female Genital Mutilation(FGM), Nigeria has made history by criminalizing the act. The ban falls under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 that was passed in the Nigerian Senate on May 5 and recently put out into law.

I'm chuffed about this development..I hope other countries carrying out this horrific traditions follow suit. 

This is what it means when they say ...

"Behind a successful man is a woman"...These pictures are of the newly sworn in Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice-President Prof Yemi Osinbajo with their wives during their inauguration..The pictures speaks volume!

That point where the wives would almost chip in saying " I've got another pen here honey..just in case" Hahahahah! Gotcha..Wink!

Let me play with your mind a little..

 There are some pictures you see and you wonder how possible is that?! Well here are some to get you amazed.

Enjoy.

Duchess takes picture of her royal kids

 The picture of of Prince George and her sister Princess Charlotte taken by their mother, the Duchess of Cambridge have been released by Kensington Palace. The images are beauty to behold.

More pictures after the cut..

Serena Williams won French Open

Tennis world No.1 Serena Williams has won her 20th Grand Slam. In a match against Lucie Safarova, the American won the game after 121 minutes of playing. Serena is now one of the only three people to win 20 major singles.

Go girl. You are inspirational to several females out there.

Barcelona is 2015 European Champions

Barcelona has defeated Juventus by 3 goals to 1 in a tension soaked match in Berlin to clinch 2015 European Champions League cup. The club is now fifth time winner of the trophy.

"I've become a taxi driver overnight ..." - David Beckham

Bury it if your imaginations is of David Beckham at the wheel of your next London Black cab trip, Beckham's career change is not in that direction. 

The great family man to wife, Victoria and their children was highlighting his duties to his family as he does the daily run. On life after retiring from professional football, David revealed: "I've become a taxi driver overnight with the kids." ... It is nice to be at home and spend time with them and be a taxi driver."
I wonder how many father can make same statement. Men need to emulate this guy. And imagine the beam of satisfaction on the face of children being driven around by dad to attend their various daily activities.

Today's Wise Saying

"When the black ant stings the buttocks, the buttocks learns a lesson" -An Igbo proverb