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Netherlands announce 23-man World Cup squad

Louis van Gaal did not spring any surprises with his selection for Brazil, with the experienced likes of Wesley Sniejder and Dirk Kuyt making the cut alongside a host of youngsters

Netherlands have announced their final 23-man squad which will go to the World Cup this summer, with few surprises from Louis van Gaal's selection.

Major names such as Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar star in the 2010 World Cup runners-up squad, who will look to make amends for their group stage Euro 2012 exit this summer.

Rafael van der Vaart is the most notable absentee but his omission was already confirmed after he picked up a calf injury in training with the Oranje set-up this week.

Jasper Cillessen, Michel Vorm and Tim Krul were chosen as the three goalkeepers by future Manchester United boss Van Gaal, who sent home uncapped PSV shot-stopper Jeroen Zoet.

Chelsea full-back Patrick van Aanholt and young Manchester City centre-back Karim Rekik, both of whom spent 2013-14 on loan in the Eredivisie, were also axed from the final Dutch squad.

Youthful forwards Jean-Paul Boetius and Quincy Promes - who have a cap each - will not be on the plane to Brazil, while uncapped midfielder Tonny Vilhena is the final name to be excluded from Van Gaal's final selection.

The squad chosen will aim to qualify from a tough group which contain world and European champions Spain, strong South Americans Chile and Asian-region qualifiers Australia.

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Tim Krul (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax)

Midfielders: Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Memphis Depay (PSV)

'Ronaldo and Messi worse than Suarez'

Cristian Rodriguez insists that his Uruguay team-mate is unparalleled in modern football and thinks the Liverpool star's "rebel" attitude on the pitch is brilliant

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not at the same level as Luis Suarez, according to loyal Uruguayteam-mate Cristian Rodriguez.

The Liverpool striker underwent a knee operation earlier in May and is a doubt to be fit in time for the World Cup, which kicks off in under two weeks, although senior Uruguay figures insist he will play in the tournament.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi are widely considered to be the best players on the planet, but Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodriguez contests the status quo and claims Suarez is the cream of the crop.

"Suarez is the best player in the world," the Uruguayan, 28, told the Daily Mail. "And I’m not saying that because I’m Uruguayan and so is he.

"As far as I’m concerned Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are a notch or so below Suarez. He has demonstrated it for club and country. Messi and Ronaldo are not as good for their countries as for their clubs.

"Everyone loves him in the squad. He is a rebel on the pitch who fights for every ball but that is what we love about him in Uruguay. We hate to lose at anything, we want to win - so his will to win makes him a good Uruguayan."

Suarez enjoyed a bumper season with Liverpool in 2013-14, firing 31 goals to take them within touching distance of the Premier League title before dropped points in the final straight allowed Manchester City to triumph.

However, Ronaldo also put in a stunning season with Real Madrid as he scored a record number of goals in a single Champions League season to help the club win La Decima, with the Copa del Rey also in the Blancos bag.

Messi's campaign was muted, by comparison, as Barcelona finished 2013-14 with just the Supercopa to show for their efforts after failing to defeat Atletico Madrid in the final day of the season when a win would have given them La Liga

Fans slam Jessica Simpson's swimsuit pics

The 33 year old has lost a lot of weight since giving birth to her second baby. The singer and fashion mogul posted these pics on her instagram page showing off her weight loss and bikini body and many fans weren't impressed, with many saying she's not ageing well. I think she looks great...maybe just the legs because of the weight loss but everything else is banging..

'Prof. Dora Akunyili is not dead' - media aide refutes the rumours

The rumours of Professor Dora Akunyili's purported death has been really strong since yesterday but thankfully it's not true. Her media aide Isaac Ummuna took to her Facebook page this evening to refute the rumours. May she live long.

Photos: Actress Angela Okorie shows off hot body in swimwear

The actress shared the photos on instagram. You go girl!!

When flaming gay men turn straight and then have babies..

How did this happen? Lol. It's really a miracle when a flaming gay man, who has lived proudly as a gay man almost all his life turns straight and then have a baby with a woman. Who remembers Antoine Dodson? He's the gay guy who became an internet sensation back in 2010 when he famously helped his sister fend off an attempted rapist ... and told a reporter, "Hide ya kids, hide ya wife, hide ya husbands ... cause they rapin' everybody out here." lol. Y'all remember him?

Well, he's now a father. He announced on twitter yesterday that he and his girlfriend have welcomed a son...and proudly showed off his new family.

In 2013, Antoine announced that his religion 'Hebrew Israelite' had cured his 'gayness' and that he planned to have a family of his own. Well, it's happened. Halleluyah! :-). See more photos below

One of the Emirs attacked by Boko Haram today reportedly dies

There were reports earlier today that two prominent Borno State Emirs, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta (pictured left) and Emir of Uba Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza (pictured right) were kidnapped by Boko Haram men while on their way to Gombe to attend the burial of Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar.

 According to Daily Trust, one of the Emirs, Alhaji Idrissa Timta has died. Security sources said he died of heart attack while fleeing into the bush after gunmen attacked his convoy and fired several shots which forced it to stop. 

“Already, arrangement is being made to bring his corpse to Gwoza from Shafa. His corpse was found in the bush,” a source said.

The Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza, who is younger, escaped while many of the people in their entourage have been reportedly abducted by the attackers.

It was gathered that most of the vehicles in the convoy have been set ablaze.

Skuki reacts to being nominated in Best New Act category at NEA 2014

Skuki Peeshaun reacts to the Best New Act category they were nominated under at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Haven't they been around for a while? I get why he's pissed.

Freeze Coolfm finally receives his Nickelodeon Award plaque

Cool FM OAP Freeze made history as he became the first Nigerian to win the award for Favourite Nigerian On-Air Personality at this year’s Nickelodeon’s 27th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in LA which held on Saturday 29 March 2014.

He finally received his award plaque or Blimp as it's famously called on the 29th of may.

Freeze who was nominated along side top OAPs like Beat FM’s Toolz, Rhythm FM’s Toke Makinwa and Wana Wana of Inspiration FM walked the orange carpet with international superstars from the worlds of film, music, sports, television and more. Congrats to him

Artiste Zone Feb 12

Absolut Vodka Supports Creativity with Art Party 2014

To strengthen its support for creativity and transformation in Nigeria using Art, Absolut Vodka, recently raised the bar in party style when the brand showcased the combination of colours, vibrancy and celebrations at the Art Party 2014 which was held at the Lagoon Crest in Lekki Lagos. The much anticipated event remains the talk of town within social circles as fashionistas, celebrities, party-buffs, fans, and consumers of Absolut Vodka had the entertainment of a lifetime.watch more.

The Art Party was a magnet for revellers who love to have fun in a different way and express themselves without limitations, set rules and hindrances. It also created Absolut fun, excitement and shinning glitz in the night, opening opportunities for interactions with a pool of celebrities including rising Reggae sensation and dancehall star Patoranking, Runtown, Olisa Adibua, 2Shots, Denrele, Beverly and Zeal of BBA, Gideon Okeke of Tinsel, Didi Madumforo, Viki Money, Tony Nwakalor, Muna Abi (former MBGN winner), Prinz, Adedina Child and Tillaman to mention a few. The Absolut brand transformed the skylines of Lagos into a unique ambience of artistic impressions, filled with canvases, signature cocktails and talented Arts in Party.

Akintayo Akinseloyin, Brand Manager, Absolut Vodka Nigeria said: “We are supporting creativity and transformation in young people which remains the pivot to partnering with the Art community. The Absolut brand will continue to connect with talented individuals via exclusive events which inspire transformation and brings exciting experience to consumers.”

The Absolut Art Party is part of build-up activities to the Road to MAMAs concert which will take place on May 30^th 2014 at The Marquee Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. The Art Party created close interactive and cerebral moments, pictures and fun painting spots, artistic gallery with pumping DJs on the wheels of steel to provide a unique and never before experience.

Finally, consumers of Absolut Vodka can vote for their favourite Nigerian music video director - Clarence Peters in the ‘Transform Today by Absolut’ category of the MAMAs at www.absolutmtv.co.za and also visitwww.facebook.com/absolutvodkanigeria or follow on Twitter @AbsolutVodkaNig to share their signature cocktail for an Absolut experience.

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President Jonathan offers amnesty to Boko Haram members

The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna today May 29th revealed plans by President Jonathan to grant amnesty to members of Boko Haram once they lay down their arms and embrace peace. The Minister revealed this while speaking this morning at the national Democracy Day programme tagged A day with young leaders of Nigeria.

"President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect. Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace. Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key into the amnesty programme " he said

According to the minister, over 300, 000 youths from the Niger Delta region have benefited from the amnesty programme of the Government. He said the beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme have turned from being militants to being wealth generators and employers of labor.

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Photos: Nollywood stars march for missing Chibok girls....is patience Ozokwor really crying.....

Some Nollywood stars including Chinedu Ikedieze, Thelma Okhaz, Mercy Aigbe and led by Patience Ozokwor, today May 29th took to the streets in support of missing Chibok girls. They marched from Allen Avenue to Alausa Secretariat where they met with the state House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji. See more photos after the cut...

Wizkid shows off his expensive jewelry acquisition

That watch is like N3.5/N4m. He's really balling

Mr and Mrs Kanye West looking glum during honeymoon in Ireland

The newlyweds were spotted leaving a cinema after watching a movie during their honeymoon in Ireland yesterday. They were both dressed in black and tried to go unnoticed but other movie-goers noticed them with one later tweeting "Kim and Kanye are having the weirdest honeymoon like they went to the cinema in Portlaoise??'

Where's the honeymoon bliss though? The couple are planning to have a short honeymoon though as they both due to attend a friend's wedding in LA this weekend

Lupita obtains rights for film version of Chimamanda 's Americanah

Actress Lupita Nyong'o has optained rights for the film version of Americanah. Chimamanda Adichie apparently confirmed it today during a Stylist magazine book session in London.

Grammy Awards 2014

It's official: Apple buys Dr. Dre's Beats Electronics for $3billion

It's official. Dr Dre is set to become the first billionaire in Hip Hop. Apple Electronics announced today that it has acquired Dr Dre's Beats Electronics for $3billion. According to Forbes, Apple paid $2.6billion cash upfront and gave $400million in stock that will vest over time.

The $3billion purchase price includes Beats Music, the sister company that runs a subscription streaming music service. As part of the deal, Beats co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine will join Apple in undisclosed roles.

"Music is such an important part of all of our lives and holds a special place within our hearts at Apple,” CEO Tim Cook said in a statement released today. “That’s why we have kept investing in music and are bringing together these extraordinary teams so we can continue to create the most innovative music products and services in the world.”

This acquisition is Apple’s biggest and largest acquisition since the inception of the company. Apple made $171 billion revenue last year, while Beats made $2 billion.

Brad Pitt attacked at Hollywood premiere of 'Maleficent'

Actor Brad Pitt was yesterday May 28th allegedly struck in the face by notorious celebrity 'prankster' Vitali Sediuk as he was signing autographs at the Hollywood premiere of Angelina Jolie's movie, Maleficent. The 25 year old jumped the barricade and attacked the actor, police say

Sediuk has a history of confronting celebrities at red carpet events. In 2012, he was slapped by actor Will Smith after he attempted to kiss Smith during a movie premiere. Only recently at the Cannes premiere of "How to Train Your Dragon 2" Sediuk was put his head up America Ferrara's dress hoping to break through security to get into the premiere. In the past he's hugged actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper around the knees at separate events.

Sediuk was held by security guards and then taken away by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department to the nearby Hollywood police station. He is likely to be charged with misdemeanor battery. Pitt was said to be unharmed and continued to sign autographs