Makeup-free Adele spotted on the shopping hunt in Target despite being a multimillionaire

Rolling in the deals: Proving she is still just a girl from Tottenham, Adele was seen going on a very moderately-priced shopping spree in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday

She is one of the world's most successful singers but that does not mean this star is about to splash cash about willy-nilly.

Proving that despite being worth an estimated $75 million she is still just a girl from Tottenham, Adele was seen going on a very moderately-priced shopping spree in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.

The 27-year-old no doubt has brand everywhere desperate to give her the latest and greatest luxury products but instead she preferred a trip to her local Target and CVS pharmacy.

The Hello hitmaker was seen taking her time perusing the racks of West Hollywood's Target checking out some beauty products.

The star was also on the hunt for something fun for her three-year-old son Angelo and was seen picking up and Incredible Hulk colouring book.

As any person who has stepped into Target knows, while you may go in for one thing it can be quite a shopping vortex.

Despite her fame, Adele was not surrounded in helpers and pushed her own trolley up and down the aisles for some time.

While an eagle eye photographer obviously spotted the star, most of Adele's fellow shoppers were oblivious to the mega star they had in their midst.

The famous red head left the usual fancy clothing of celebs at home in favour of something a little more down to earth.

Perhaps wanting just to be comfy and cosy after her glamorous Grammys appearance on Monday, the English star headed out in a pair of loose fit black harem pants and a baggy black T-shirt.

The star left her porcelain skin free of makeup and her red locks fell unstyled to her collar with the front pushed out of her face by a pair of sunglasses.

Somehow not finding everything she needed, the songstress then headed to the nearby CVS where this time she was escorted around by her big burly bodyguard.

This week has been a big one for the singer, having performed at the Grammys and also appearing on Ellen.

The 27-year-old's performance at the awards was not what many have come to expect from the talented Brit.

First a sound glitch meant many could not hear the star as she sang All I Ask and the bits fans could hear, were a bit 

lacklustre.

Adele confessed to Ellen DeGeneres that she was devastated over what happened. 

'I cried pretty much all day yesterday,' the 27-year-old singer told Ellen on Wednesday.

'I don't feel like it could go that much worse than the Grammys though. So I feel like I'm alright now. Anything that happens, dust it off!' 

She immediately knew something was wrong, noting: 'I heard it straight away. And I wanted to turn, I knew what it was because in rehearsal on Saturday they were like we’re going to double mic the piano just in case one doesn’t work. 

'And I knew where the mic was and I wanted to turn around and lift it up, but I froze.'

The Hello singer said she felt 'so embarrassed' afterwards, but will be ready next time a mishap occurs during a live performance.

'Next time I have any sound issues I am gonna stop. I'll be like, sorry that's not working for me. If we have time to do it again, let’s do it. Otherwise, bye!'

Photo as Buhari leaves for Egypt

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Friday, travelled out of Nigeria on a trip to Sharm El-Sheikh, in Egypt.

The President will be in the North African country to participate in the Business for Africa, Egypt and the World Forum.

The forum, which is organized by the Egyptian government under the auspices of the African Union Commission, opens in the Egyptian resort town on Saturday, February 18, 2016.

See below, photos of Buhari’s departure from Abuja.

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ author Harper Lee dies at 89

Harper Lee

Harper Lee, one of America’s most celebrated novelists whose masterpiece “To Kill a Mockingbird” was read by millions worldwide, has died, her publisher and officials confirmed Friday. She was 89.

A spokeswoman for Monroeville, Alabama, where Lee was born and spent her final years living in seclusion, confirmed local media reports of her death, saying: “She did pass away.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is considered one of the great classics of 20th century American literature, and is standard reading in classrooms across the world.

Published in 1960 and drawn from Lee’s own experiences as a child, it came to define racial injustice in the Depression-era South.

It tells the story of a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman and the courageous lawyer, Atticus Finch, who defies his community to defend him.

Drawn from Lee‘s experiences as a child, the novel sold 30 million copies and won huge critical acclaim for Lee, thrusting her into the limelight amid an avalanche of publicity.

Her fame was sealed when the novel was adapted into a Hollywood film that won three Academy Awards in 1963, including an Oscar for leading man Gregory Peck.

“The world knows Harper Lee was a brilliant writer but what many don’t know is that she was an extraordinary woman of great joyfulness, humility and kindness,” said Harper Collins president Michael Morrison.

“She lived her life the way she wanted to — in private — surrounded by books and the people who loved her,” he added.

In one rare insight, Lee admitted in 1964 she had been completely caught off guard by being catapulted into the nation’s consciousness by her novel.

“I hoped for a little, but I got rather a whole lot and in some ways this was just about as frightening as the quick, merciful death I’d expected,” she said.

For decades she stayed out of the public eye, claiming to have said all she wanted in “Mockingbird” and vowing never to publish another book.

But in 2015, she upended the literary world by publishing the unedited manuscript of “Go Set a Watchman” — her first novel written in the 1950s which was essentially a first draft of “Mockingbird.”

The manuscript was an instant popular bestseller but it was mauled by critics, and its release sparked torrid speculation that the author, who suffered a stroke in 2007, was not of sound mind.

Lee’s London-based agent Andrew Nurnberg said Friday it had been “an utter delight” and an “extraordinary privilege” to know her.

“When I saw her just six weeks ago, she was full of life, her mind and mischievous wit as sharp as ever,” he said. “We have lost a great writer, a great friend and a beacon of integrity.”

Born Nelle Harper Lee in April 1926, she was the youngest of four children. Her father was a lawyer and a direct descendant of Civil War general Robert E. Lee.

Lee grew up during the Great Depression in a remote village where the few available books provided the only entertainment. She never married, and books remained forever her first love.

Known as a tomboy as a child, she counted author Truman Capote among her childhood friends — and often stood up for him when he was picked on as a sissy. She would later work as an assistant on Capote’s novel “In Cold Blood,” which examined a multiple killing in Kansas, and was dedicated to Lee.

A precocious child, Lee learned to read early and had devoured all kinds of literature by the time she started school. 

She also an early flair for writing even though her family hoped she would follow her father into law.

After a spell as an exchange student at Oxford University in England, she quit law school at The University of Alabama and headed for New York in 1949 to follow her dream of being a writer.

She worked for a while as an airline reservation clerk, until one Christmas when friends gave her enough money to live for a year without working so she could concentrate on writing.

Written before “Mockingbird,” the draft she released last year as “Watchman” tells a similar tale of small-town racism but recounted from a different perspective.

While her famous novel is told through the eyes of Finch’s young daughter, Scout, “Watchman” is narrated from perspective of a grown-up Scout living in New York and coming home to the South for a troubled visit.

But critics pointed to a number of troubling inconsistencies between the two — most notably that the hero Finch is portrayed in the manuscript as a man who harbors racist opinions.

The manuscript’s release sparked a furious backlash — partly because so little was known of Lee, who lived in a nursing home with a strictly controlled visitor list and who refused any request for interviews.

She made a rare public appearance in 2007, when then-president George W. Bush awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civil honor.

She also quietly attended annual award ceremonies held by The University of Alabama for a writing contest about her book.

Her sister, Alice, who was her gatekeeper until her death aged 103 in 2014, explained in 2002 why her sister never seemed to make headway with a new book.

“I’ll put it this way. When you have hit the pinnacle, how would you feel about writing more? Would you feel like you’re competing with yourself?”

No ban on forex allocation for school fees, medicals – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday explained that it had yet to ban the allocation of foreign exchange for the payment of school fees and medical bills abroad.

The Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Alh Muazu Ibrahim who made the clarification stated that school fees and medical payments still remain eligible for forex allocation, Channel News reported.

He said the clarification became necessary as there had been insinuations in some quarters that the bank had stopped allocation of forex for these purposes.

He said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to clarify to the general public that it has not stopped the allocation and sale of foreign exchange for purposes of paying school fees and settlement of medical bills overseas, in the report.

“The Bank therefore urges members of the public to disregard any contrary information in respect thereof.

“Despite assurances from the CBN, some persons have continued to suggest that the Bank had stopped the allocation of Foreign Exchange to Nigerians seeking to pay school fees and medical bills overseas.

“All genuine users desiring to obtain foreign exchange for the above-mentioned purposes are hereby urged to freely approach their banks with their requests and appropriate documentation.”

The Bankers Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria had last week Thursday lamented that within the last few months, the country has witnessed a significant increase in the demand for foreign exchange for payment of school fees and medical bills abroad.

It said the development is currently crowding out the demand for foreign exchange in the real sector stating that if left unchecked, the trend could affect the banking sector’s objective of stimulating the real sector of the economy through the provision of foreign exchange to productive sectors of the economy.

The Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Mrs Bola Adesola had while speaking after the meeting of the committee  said there was a need for Nigerians to make sacrifices and be patriotic in their activities.

MTN Might Pay a “reasonable” Nigerian Fine Following Talks

South African telecoms firm MTN Group could end up paying a “reasonable” amount following talks with the Nigerian authorities over a disputed $3.9 billion fine for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM card users, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.

A judge in Lagos last month gave both parties until March 18 to reach a settlement, after MTN in December had asked the court to arbitrate over the dispute, saying the Nigerian Communications Commission had no legal grounds to order the fine.

Africa’s top telecoms firm was initially handed a $5.2 billion penalty in October, prompting weeks of lobbying that led to a 25 percent reduction by the NCC.

At the time an NCC source said its decision was based on advice from Nigeria’s state security service which suspected unregistered SIM cards were being used for criminal activity.

It had originally asked MTN to disconnect between 10 and 18.6 million users but MTN told the regulator it had 5.2 million unregistered users on its network, the source said.

The original amount was based on fining the company $1,000 for every unregistered SIM card in use.

MTN has said the revised fine of $3.9 billion is still too high, equating to more than twice MTN’s annual average capital expenditure over the past five years.

On Friday, the sources said talks were bearing fruit.

“There’s growing understanding within the NCC that the fine should be commercially reasonable,” a source close to the matter said.

Another source said a further reduction from $3.9 billion was a “possibility” because “the tone of the NCC is not combative any more.”

MTN’s spokesman Chris Maroleng said his company, which makes 37 percent of its sales in Nigeria, expected the talks with the NCC to lead to an “amicable resolution.”

MTN has hired former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder, who was one of President Barack Obama’s longest-serving cabinet members, to help with the matter.

“There remains some uncertainty as to the final quantum (amount) of the Nigerian fine, should-an-out of court settlement be reached,” MTN said in trading statement that warned of a drop in full-year profits on Thursday.

MTN’s regulatory and operational uncertainties in the west African country sent shares in the company plummeting.

By 1321 GMT, shares in the company had fallen 18.8 percent to 124.80 rand, on course for its biggest daily percentage decline in 18 years.

The company said on Thursday its profit last year fell by at least 20 percent due to an underperformance in Nigeria, triggering a selling frenzy in its share price. MTN said the profit warning did not include the penalty.

Nigeria has been trying to halt the widespread use of unregistered SIM cards amid worries they are being used for criminal activity, including by the Islamist group Boko Haram.

The fine also came months after Muhammadu Buhari was swept to power after an election campaign which pledged tougher regulation and a fight against corruption.

Van Gaal Blames Bad Luck On Europa Defeat

Manchester United’s boss, Louis van Gaal, said the ‘law of murphy’ is to blame Manchester United’s shocking Europa League defeat at FC Midtjylland.

United travelled to Denmark with 13 first-team players unable to feature in their round-of-32 tie with Midtjylland, including captain, Wayne Rooney, and goalkeeper, David de Gea.

United fans in the MCH Arena made it clear that they were not impressed with their side’s display.

Van Gaal accepted that the second-half performance was not good enough, but defended the attitude of his players.

Blood Donation Reduces Risk of Heart Attack, Cancer- Expert

Blood donation exercise

Dr Wilfred Ndifon, the Coordinator, National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS), Calabar Centre, on Friday, said voluntary blood donation would reduce risk of heart attack by 80 per cent.

Ndifon, who made the assertion in Calabar during a blood donation organised for policemen and officers in the state, also said it would reduce the risk of having cancer.

According to him, voluntary blood donors usually record low risk of heart attack, hence the need for healthy individuals to donate at least 500 milligrammes of blood four times a year.

He said that blood donors usually look smart, stronger, agile and flexible.

Coordinator said that when you donate blood four times a year, the level of iron in your body will be low and the risk of having heart attack is reduced by 80 per cent.

He added that when you donate blood freely, the risk of having cancer is 30 per cent.

Ndifon said that blood donated by the police officers would enable the NBTS to save it for those who might be in urgent need of blood during casualties.

Mr Henry Fadairo, the state’s Commissioner of Police, said “nobody needs blood donation more than the police because of the nature of their job.”

He added that the force had lost lots of its personnel due to the lack of blood in the blood bank.

The Commissioner encouraged the public to save as many lives as they can by donating blood.

NIMASA Fraud: Court Grants Order To Seize Tompolo’s Property

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted an order for the seizure of some properties belonging to former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. 

Justice Ibrahim Buba granted the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that the whereabouts of Tompolo is unknown, Channel News reported.

According to the EFCC, a combined team of Nigerian Police and military officers had been combing the creeks for weeks without success.

Justice Ibrahim Buba had issued a warrant for the arrest of Tompolo on February 8, 2016 after he shunned repeated invitations to appear before the EFCC for questioning, in the report.

Last week, the Commission declared the ex-militant wanted.

Tompolo, Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and eight others are accused of a multibillion Naira fraud at the agency.

At the court sitting on Friday, no lawyer announced appearance for Mr Ekpemupolo, a situation the prosecution noted was disrespectful to the court.

With Tompolo still at large, Mr Keyamo then moved a motion for an adjournment to enable the prosecution separate the charges to enable the trial of the other accused persons go on.

The prosecution counsel also filed an application urging the court to order the seizure of all identified properties belonging to Ekpemupolo.

The assets listed include property at No. 1 Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State, All property of Muhaabix Global Services Ltd; a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15; the property known as “Tompolo Dockyard”, by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri.

Others are; a property known as “Tompolo Yard”, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri; the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River; the property known as “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace; and any other property discovered by the EFCC, movable and immovable, belonging to the first accused person.

“This application is to further secure the attendance of the first accused person. The law says that the court can order the confiscation of his properties until he appears,” Mr Keyamo said.

“Any third party can bring an application later, but we have intelligence reports that those properties and companies belong to the first accused person.

“If he fails to appear within three months, the federal government will auction off all the assets,” he added.

‎In his ruling, the judge granted the order for the seizure of all the listed properties and adjourned till March 22, 2016 for the separation of charges on the defendants.

Kogi Assembly Plans Impeachment Of Deputy Governor

Mr Simon Achuba

The Kogi State House of Assembly has announced plans to serve an impeachment notice on the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Simon Achuba.

The Speaker of the House, Honourable Momoh Jimoh made the plans known at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Honorable Jimoh denounced his impeachment by five members of the House adding that the notice of impeachment would be served on the Deputy Governor for allegedly instigating crisis among members of the House of Assembly.

The Speaker also announced the suspension of the five members who announced his impeachment saying their action is a clear violation of the rules of the House as the five members failed to form a quorum before announcing his impeachment.

Five lawmakers in a 20-member House sat on Tuesday and purportedly removed the Speaker.

The lawmakers also chose Umar Imam as the new Speaker of the House.

Friday Sanni, who briefed reporters about the impeachment, said the Speaker was impeached for not carrying other members of the House along in the affairs of the House.

He also claimed that since the new Governor, Yahaya Bello and the Speaker are both from the same senatorial district, the Speaker should vacate the seat.

Meanwhile, 15 members of the House who were seen at Hon. Jimoh’s residence insist Hon. Jimoh remains the Speaker and that their signature was forged to perfect the impeachment.

With Channel News

Kachikwu Forecasts Zero Fuel Subsidy in 2016

The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachickwu on Thursday stated that the novel price modulation mechanism currently in place will ensure that the Federal Government records zero expenses on fuel subsidy in 2016.

Delivering the 45^th Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigerian Nsukka under the theme: The Petroleum Industry and the Future of the Nigerian National-Oil Resource Management and the Implication for National Security & Economic Survival, Dr. Kachikwu noted that the zero fuel subsidy regime is already in place and would be sustained based on the prevailing modified pricing template for petroleum products which has eliminated extraneous cost elements.

“Without necessarily removing subsidy the government will spend zero amounts in subsidy in 2016. This may sound unbelievable to some people but that is part of the change agenda of the present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari“ he said while noting that large chunks of vandalized pipelines are being  recovered which will supply more crude to the refineries .

The Minister enthused that despite the difficulties of yester-years the oil and gas industry in Nigeria is primed for greater achievements in the months and years ahead as a recent of landmark reforms being engendered and activated by the present administration.

Dr. Kachikwu outlined the central objective of the ongoing oil and gas reform agenda to include; increasing revenue for the country through sales of petroleum and petroleum products and taxes on profitable enterprises, maximizing value added on the crude oil and gas to establish linkages with other sectors through local processing and establishment of gas based industries thereby stimulating economic growth and development as well as providing employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“Significant improvement in governance macroeconomic and fiscal policies are key to harnessing oil and gas resources for the sustainable development of Nigeria through enshrining transparency and accountability, empowering good governance and transparency in expenditure and revenue management,’’ he said.

The NNPC GMD also noted that the ongoing reform is designed to create competitive framework for public private partnerships anchored on durable financial investments.

The minister expressed appreciation to the Management of UNN for considering him worthy to deliver the convocation lecture, adding that as alumni of the university he would continue to contribute his quota to the growth and development of the University. “Whatever I am today UNN contributed immensely to it, he said.

In his remark the Vice-chancellor of UNN, Prof Benjamin Ozumba said the 45th convocation lecture was unique because the lecture was delivered by  a guru in petroleum industry who had within  a record time transformed the  oil sector.

Describing Dr. Kachikwu as the pride and beacon of UNN, the Vice-Chancellor noted that University is glad to welcome a super lion and one of the profound thinkers in Nigeria.

More trouble for Manchester United

Manchester United produced another underwhelming display as they lost to Danish side FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

United were without a number of injured players, including Wayne Rooney, and lost David de Gea in the warm-up.

They took the lead through Memphis Depay's shot but Sergio Romero, who stepped in for De Gea, was unable to prevent Pione Sisto equalising.

United's Jesse Lingard hit the bar before Paul Onuachu struck the winner.

After losing to Sunderland 2-1 on Saturday, the Red Devils are six points shy of the top four in the Premier League, leaving qualification for next season's Champions League very much in the balance.

Winning the Europa League could represent their best chance of reclaiming a place in Europe's elite club competition, but if they are to do that they will have to be much better than they were against opponents who had not played for 71 days because of the Danish winter break.

That includes in the second leg of this tie, which is at Old Trafford in a week's time.

Midtjylland were only formed in 1999, the year United won their famous Treble, but what they lack in history they made up for with application and ability.

With 13 first-team players out and facing a side whose analytical tactical approach makes them a serious threat from set-pieces, United suffered a major setback when goalkeeper De Gea injured himself in the warm-up.

That meant a first United start in four months for Romero, but the Argentine proved an able replacement with three good saves.

One was a block to deny Vaclav Kadlec, who ran through unchallenged, just 56 seconds before United broke the deadlock through Depay's close-range finish from Lingard's cross.

Romero also produced a superb one-handed diving stop to keep out a powerful goalbound header from Onuachu in the second half.

Between those two saves, he could not stop Sisto pulling the hosts level with a shot that found the net via the shin of Chris Smalling.

Romero was equally powerless to keep out Onuachu's winner - a low drive after the substitute beat Juan Mata on the edge of the box.

A knee injury means United face a six-week insight into life without captain Rooney - an absence that could become permanent if reports of a move to China prove correct.

United have refused to comment on speculation about the striker's future, but his absence allowed Depay to make his first start since Boxing Day and gave Anthony Martial the chance to start up front.

Depay, the top scorer in the Dutch league last season prior to his £31m move to Old Trafford, had scored once in his previous 20 United appearances.

And while his display in Denmark was not a notable improvement on past performances in a United shirt he was able to add a goal to his modest tally of goals for the season, which now stands at six.

But the Dutchman, like the rest of the United team, offered little in the second half as the home side came back to win.

Martial, who has operated primarily on the left since joining the club for £36m in September, was largely anonymous in his central role.

Lingard struck the bar with a volley while the score was 1-1, but United rarely threatened as the clock ticked down.

Uganda election: Facebook and Whatsapp blocked

Social media has been blocked in Uganda on the day of presidential elections to stop people "telling lies", President Yoweri Museveni has said.

Mr Museveni, 71, is seeking to extend his 30-year rule, in a race widely seen as the tightest in the East African state's history.

His main rival Kizza Besigye was briefly detained by police.

A foreign observer group condemned the blockage of social media and lengthy delays in opening voting booths.

Interviewed on TV about social media, Mr Museveni said: "Some people misuse those pathways. You know how they misuse them - telling lies.

"If you want a right then use it properly."

Many people found a way around the controversial restrictions, including opposition candidate Amama Mbabazi who tweeted advice on how to do it.

A VPN - a Virtual Private Network - gets round government censorship by redirecting your internet activity to a computer in a different country.

Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and mobile money services were blocked.

Despite this, #UgandaDecides was trending on Twitter.

Commonwealth election observer mission head Olusegun Obasanjo said: "It is ill advised if anyone has blocked social media."

Condemning the failure of voting stations to open on time, he said: "Delays of three, four, five and even six hours, especially in Kampala, are absolutely inexcusable and will not inspire trust and confidence in the system and the process".

The electoral commission said difficulties in transporting electoral materials caused the delays.

The BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in the capital, Kampala, reports that crowds were angry after waiting several hours to vote and police fired tear gas to disperse them.

Voting was cancelled at at least two polling stations in the city after clashes with police and accusations of fake ballots being distributed.

Some voters in Kampala, traditionally an opposition stronghold, accused the authorities of deliberately stalling the vote, AFP news agency reports.

"People are quite angry and everybody is believing that there is something wrong behind this because of the way they are delaying things," Moses Omony, a motorbike taxi driver, is quoted as saying.

Mr Besigye was arrested for demanding access to a house in Kampala where he believed vote rigging was taking place following the closure of polling stations, said Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, spokesman for his FDC party.

He is among seven opposition candidates hoping to end Mr Museveni's 30-year rule.

A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.

Ugandans also voted in parliamentary and local elections.

Official results are expected by Saturday.

• Kizza Besigye, 59, veteran opposition leader and once personal doctor to incumbent President Museveni. He has lost the last three elections
• Amama Mbabazi, 67, former ally of President Museveni and once prime minister and also served as defence, security and justice ministers
• Yoweri Museveni, 71, in power since winning a five-year guerrilla war in 1986 and he is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. His final term was meant to end in 2006, but in 2005 he won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits.