Jerry Douglas' Blog

Back in January, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reportedly  splashed out nearly $11 million for this Mediterranean style mansion located in a guard gated community near Bel Air. The 9,000 square foot home has 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and was originally built in 2010. According to the description, the homes features include; a magnificent two-story entrance with black walnut parquet floors, cathedral living room with stone fireplace, a great room with beamed ceiling features a bar with leaded windows, fireplace and wine cellar, gourmet custom kitchen flows to the rear yard with an 800 square foot pavilion and BBQ. An elevator to the second floor and master suite, balconies, and serene views.

The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are gathering to elect a new pope. At some point, white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel will show that a decision has been made. But what goes on behind the closed doors before the smoke appears? Here are 10 lesser-known facts about the conclave. 1. It's a lock-in.  Conclave comes from the Latin "cum-clave" meaning literally "with key" - the cardinal-electors will be locked in the Sistine Chapel each day until Benedict XVI's successor is chosen. The tradition dates back to 1268, when after nearly three years of deliberation the cardinals had still not agreed on a new pope, prompting the people of Rome to hurry things up by locking them up and cutting their rations. Duly elected, the new pope, Gregory X, ruled that in future cardinals should be sequestered from the start of the conclave. 2. Spying is tricky.  During the conclave they are allowed no contact with the outside the world - no papers, no TV

Fear gripped many Nigerians yesterday over the alleged deteriorating health of Africa’s foremost novelist and author, Prof Chinua Achebe. Against the backdrop of rumours that the literary legend must have passed on following his failing health, Daily Sun contacted a source in the United States where the professor resides. The source confirmed that although the literary icon was in hospital, he was still very much alive. The source who called Achebe’s family at about 10 p.m. yesterday, said the professor was in the hospital, but that he was not dead. Chinua Achebe was born on November 16, 1930. He is a famous novelist, poet, professor, and critic. He is best known for his first novel Things Fall Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature. Source:  The Sun

Banky W is now out to find a replacement for Wizkid as the strained relationship between the two has finally snapped. Both had been trading words on social media as it concerns their crashed business relationship. A video producer close to Banky told R on Friday that the producer had made up his mind to find a young musician to replace Wizkid “just to teach the kid a lesson”. Devastated by Wizkid’s refusal to renew management contract with Banky’s EME outfit, the America-returnee has begun scouting for someone that would create a bigger effect on the music scene than Wizkid just to make a point in the industry. “He wants people to know that he can make and unmake”. As regards unmaking though, it remains to be seen if Banky can produce another Wizkid as the young chap has also formed his own record label, Star Boy, even before he parted ways with Banky. At a recent event in Lagos where it was expected that the two would put to rest tales of their sour relationship, Wizkid, who sur

Just months after purchasing a $45 million dollar jet, and a few days after recklessly doling out several thousands of dollars to Nigerian music star, 2Face and his wife, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has taken possession of several bulletproof sprinter luxury vans from US based Texas Armoring Corporation (TAC).  A source told Saharareporters that the governor took delivery of the Mercedes Benz made vans recently after they were customized to his specifications by TAC in Texas. The vans will join a remarkable fleet of top-of-the-line bulletproof luxury Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) Akpabio already has in his official convoy, making the latest purchase superfluous and insensitive, insiders in the government told SaharaReporters. The Texas Armoring Company has displayed the luxurious interior of Mr. Akpabio’s latest toy on its Facebook page. The Akwa Ibom governor, who intends to run for the Senate when his second term ends, has emerged as one of Nig

Originally, chewing gum was made from tree sap but today's commercial brands are loaded with harmful ingredients and chemicals. The modern day chewing gums are made of four major ingredients including synthetic rubber, plastic, sugar, and coloring (dye). Modern day gums are produced from synthetic polymers such as styrene-butadie ne rubbers and polyvinyl acetate. The final product is composed of 60% sugar, 20% corn syrup, and only 20% actual gum material. People do not typically swallow gum, so they pay very little attention to the ingredients. The assumption is that if it is not swallowed, then it is not a concern. However, the ingredients in gum travel into the bloodstream faster and in higher concentrations than food ingredients, because they absorb straight through the walls of the mouth, and they do not undergo the normal filtration process of digestion. Gum is typically the most toxic product in supermarkets that is intended for consumption, and it is likely to kill