Oscar Pistorius goes for five years in prison

Looking distressed, the Paralympian clasped the hands of family members as a police officer led him from the dock down 23 steps – paint peeling off the handrail to holding cells below the high court in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. The national prosecuting authority said Pistorius, 27, would go to prison immediately and would be eligible to be considered for parole after serving a third of his sentence. His uncle, Arnold Pistorius, indicated the sprinter would not appeal. South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma has criticised Oscar Pistorius’s defence team for arguing the Paralympian should be spared prison because he is disabled and “has money”. Zumas first public comments about the most closely watched trial in the country’s post-apartheid history came as Pistorius, convicted of culpable homicide for the killing of Reeva Steenkamp. Masipa rejected many of the defence team’s arguments and described the evidence of one of their witnesses, social worker Annette Vergeer, as “slapdash and disappointing”. She said she had no reason to believe that South Africa’s prisons would not be able to cater for the needs of a disabled person such as Pistorius. “It would be a sad day for this country if an impression was created that there is one law for the poor and disadvantaged and another for the rich and famous,” she noted. Masipa said a judge must strive for a sentence “neither too light nor too severe”, ruling that “a non-custodial sentence will send a wrong message to the community”.

Lupita's Road 2 Success

2014 was the year for actress Lupita Nyong'o after her performance in 12 Years a Slave, we think this year is shaping up to be hers for sure. According to ngiyesabanews source it can reveal that, she’s just been cast in none other than the new Star Wars: Episode VII movie. Already she has achieved an Oscar under her belt already, for her performance in 12 Years a Slave. As the release date is confirmed for December 18, 2015, we still have quite a way to go before we can clap eyes on Star Wars: Episode VII. As yet, the only tiny plot detail we know is that the movie is set 30 years after the events in Return Of The Jedi.

“I realize that beauty was not a thing I could acquire or consume. It was something that I just had to be.” Said Nyong’o Jupita Nyong'o was born on the 1st of March 1983 in Mexico, to Kenyan parents. She was raised in Kenya and educated in the USA. She is a graduate of the Yale University School of Drama's Acting program. Lupita's film debut was playing "Patsey" in acclaimed director, Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013). She was also the lead in MTV's award-winning drama series, Shuga

Maya The Poet Has Died @ 86

Angelou, who was also prominent in the civil rights movement, died at home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Maya Angelou, who rose from poverty, segregation and the harshest of childhoods to become a force on stage, and screen. Her son, Guy B Johnson, confirmed the news in a statement. He said: "Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. "She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love." Majestic voice, Angelou defied all probability and category, becoming one of the first black women to enjoy mainstream success as an author and thriving in virtually every artistic medium. The young single mother who performed at strip clubs to earn a living later wrote and recited the most popular presidential inaugural poem in history. The childhood victim of rape wrote a million-selling memoir, befriended Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and the Rev Martin Luther King Jr, and performed on stages around the world.

An actress, singer and dancer in the 1950s and 1960s, she broke through as an author in 1970 with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which became standard (and occasionally censored) reading, and was the first of a multi-part autobiography that continued through the decades. May Her Soul Rest In Peace

Death race for Zim Teenagers

While people were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, some the devil was on their back. It was around 4am when young Zimbabweans where having a night out at Safari night Club in Leeds. Nqobile Trust Tshuma was doing his last year Studies at Huddersfield University when this tragedy acquired An ngiyesaba source may reveal that mr tshuma and his friend were racing going for their after party at another friends house in Bramley. This can be classified as death race because Mr Tshuma’s car collided on a tunnel along Inner ring road A58 Leeds that is 5minutes away from the Club and died on spot on Saturday morning. His friend normal known as Sinini who was driving is at Intensive Care Unit and is under police guard. Mourners are gathered at 34 Kepstorn Close, Leeds, LS5 3EL. Below is the appeal: THIS IS AN APPEAL TO ALL ZIMBABWEANS IN UK AND OTHER WELL WISHERS It is with great sadness and sorrow that we have had a great tragedy in our Zimbabwean Family. Trust Nqobile Tshuma aged 24 years who was doing his last year at Huddersfield University got involved in a fatal car accident on Inner ring road A58 Leeds, West Yorkshire and unfortunately lost his life. The accident happened on Saturday morning of the 20th April 2014. Therefore we are appealing to every one anywhere to help with anything in order to fund Trust's burial. The little that any one can donate will make a big difference. Your contribution will be highly appreciated. This is a very sad and traumatic situation indeed. MOURNERS ARE GATHERED AT: 34 Kepstorn Close Leeds LS5 3EL ON BEHALF OF THE TSHUMA FAMILY WE ARE APPEALING TO YOU ALL WELL WISHERS TO ASSIST OUR FELLOW FAMILY MEMBERS WITH ANY LITTLE THAT YOU CAN. PLEASE MAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO: Miss E Tshuma Santander Bank S/C: 09-01-27 ACC: 44133315 Tel: 07578427410

Happy 34Th ZIM! ZIM

HARARE -President Robert Mugabe yesterday took an unusual step of showing support to expelled MDC rebels led by Elton Mangoma on the grounds that they had freedom of speech. The remarks raised eyebrows, given that Mugabe, in power for over three decades, is 90 but has not yet designated a successor in his own party. Mugabe spoke in the wake of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)’s move to expel a senior official and his allies who had failed to follow constitutional procedures to have party leader Morgan Tsvangirai quit. The MDC national council summarily expelled Mangoma, Last Maengahama, Jacob Mafume and Promise Mkwananzi. Mangoma in February alleged he had been beaten up by Tsvangirai loyalists while emerging from a party meeting. He lodged a police report, alleging Tsvangirai masterminded the beating, an accusation strenuously rejected by the MDC leader. Meanwhile President Robert Mugabe’s statements at the National Sports Stadium yesterday on the confusion around the indigenisation programme are most welcome given the spectacular slide our economy is going through. In a surprise but welcome address during Independence celebrations yesterday, Mugabe hit out at the circus around the indigenisation policy, which has seen investors shunning the country for countries like Zambia and South Africa. The indigenisation policy became notorious when minister of Water Saviour Kasukuwere was at the helm of the ministry of Indigenisation where he pushed through an aggressive drive to take over controlling stakes in foreign-owned companies. Said Mugabe: “In the implementation of the indigenisation programme, there has been some confusion. “We have said where the companies have been established mainly on the basis of natural resources, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, we demand that Zimbabwe either through government or through our people should have 51 percent and not less than 51 percent.

Pistorius pleaded not guilty the trial continues

Pistorius pleaded not guilty to murder at the start of his trial and denied in earlier testimony Tuesday three other charges against him relating to firing a gun in public on two occasions, and illegal possession of ammunition. On one of the counts two witnesses have testified that Pistorius recklessly shot a gun out of a moving car in September 2012, months before he killed Steenkamp. Pistorius said: "It never happened."

Led by defense lawyer Barry Roux for the second day of his testimony, Pistorius also said he wasn't to blame for a shot going off in a busy Johannesburg restaurant because a friend handed him an "unsafe" gun with a bullet in the chamber under the table, Pistorius said. That happened weeks before he fired through the door in his home to hit Steenkamp in the head, arm and hip. Pistorius also said he wasn't guilty of illegally possessing .38-caliber ammunition in his home because he was safekeeping it for his father and he had no intention to use it. In a dramatic day, Pistorius had also left the room briefly at one point to change out of his dark suit and into a white shirt and shorts, with his prosthetic legs showing. He was then asked by Roux to take off his prosthetics in court and stand on his stumps by the bullet-marked toilet door, which has stood in the courtroom for much of the trial. The trial continues

Flight MH370 vanished from radar en route to Beijing

China has urged Malaysia to "step up its efforts" in the search for the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane that disappeared on Saturday.

A massive search and rescue operation involving nine countries has found no trace of the plane or the 239 people on board - most of whom were Chinese. The authorities are further expanding the search areas in the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea. Flight MH370 vanished from radar en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur.

Blade Runner"PISTORIUS" Broke Down In Tears

"Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius broke down on Monday when a South African court heard details from the autopsy of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom the track star is accused of murdering on Valentine's Day last year.

The testimony of pathologist Gert Saayman was interrupted twice by Pistorius' sobbing and retching but the defense team argued against an adjournment, saying a break would not improve the 27-year-old Paralympic and Olympic athlete's state of mind. Earlier, Judge Thokozile Masipa imposed a broadcast blackout on Saayman's testimony out of respect for Steenkamp's family and to prevent viewers such as children from accidentally hearing its contents. "Broadcast would compromise the privacy of the deceased, hurt the interests of the Steenkamps and be against the morals of society," Saayam said when he took the stand to argue for a temporary broadcast blackout of the trial, which had so far been shown in its entirety on live television. Masipa, who has been presiding over the week-long trial, extended the ban to live reporting on Twitter.

Oh, What A Blessed Night

By Nqobile Mafu > It was an amazing night courtesy of The Zimbabwe Mission Fundraising Concert. The Praise Night concert started at a low tempo; although the aim was achieved by having a way of warming the heart, even when the temperatures outdoors turned bitterly cold. UBBYIC(United Beautiful Blessed Youth In Christ) organised a vivid fundraising festival of vibrant praise, for a new church which will be launched on the end of the month. On Saturday night, "His presence came down," a mixture of classical, gospel and contemporary music filled The Livingstone Apostolic Faith Ministries. Sister Pamela danced” like David before The Lord,” one of the audience stated that” she reminds me of back home in Africa, the way she danced. The technique which was used in terms of fundraising was superb. The organisers managed to persuade everyone to buy something, even a tiny bottle of water. “The concert was that good, it took me to another dimension. The Zim mission is going to be a life changing experience with the Lord, and people shall see” Said Junior Pastor Boris. An overflowing crowd enjoyed a medley of classical music from the guest artist Brother Ronald who came all the way from Crowley. Brother Ronald, who stayed in Leeds for 5 years, loves God. That’s why when he was invited he didn’t hesitate to come and perform his best song. > A duet by Brother Ian and Sister Primrose took the worship to another level. A small army of UBBYIC members dressed in orange t shirts and Black trousers, and members of the HYDRO(who flow with The Spirit of The Lord) , joined Brother Ian and Sister Primrose in the pulpit. The Doors of heaven were opened, and the Holy Spirit poured forth. Tears flowed. It was an emotional atmosphere. God was doing his thing, for which we give Him the Glory! "God has moved in my life since I came here last year," said Brother John, who added, "I didn't come here to preach. I'm gonna sing." Brother John sang a sedate version of "Hosanna in the Highest ," bringing the congregation to their feet and sending them into rapturous outbreaks of Tongues. The concert was well organised. A beautiful performance incorporating individuals and a solo from Guitarist Farai who blended the music.

By the time the curtain came down, pastor Tando was touched by Brother Ian’s performance, with the Pastors words of wisdom being ushered by the Lord “Ian, Keep on doing what you are doing, because each time you sing, your life changes” said Pastor Tando. Brother Ian was shocked when the pastor spoke to him in front of the packed hall. Pastor Tando went on to say “really, keep on singing. God is God, and you are able in what you are doing. Praise Night managed to raise approximately £1000, which will be used to fund the opening of The Livingstone Apostolic Faith Ministries Zimbabwe, which will be launched on the 30th of March 2014.