Crisis In Nigeria Worsens As State of Emergency Is Declared To Battle Boko Haram

 

 

 

".... the president has made the somewhat embarrassing admission that the state no longer controls the entire territory of Nigeria. "
-Will Ross (BBC)

The escalating crisis in Nigeria has grown worse. This week President Goodluck Jonathan declared a 'state of emergency' in three northern states with huge Muslim populations. In making the declaration, the President, in essence, is admitting that he has lost control of the region including the support of many government officials in the area.

The President announced that he is sending more troops into the three states to battle with the insurgent Boko Haram. In the last two and a half years, over 2,000 people have been killed in battles in the region. The BBC reports that on Tuesday 53 people were killed and 13 villages were burnt to the ground

The government troops have committed a number of atrocities creating more sympathy for the rebels.

The emerging civil war with the northern Islamic states is a cause of great concern among observers of the situation. BBC News journalist Will Ross reports:

Attacks have largely been hit-and-run or even suicide missions, but by saying areas have been "taken over by groups whose allegiance was to different flags and ideologies", the president has made the somewhat embarrassing admission that the state no longer controls the entire territory of Nigeria.

Mr Jonathan also urged politicians in the affected states to co-operate with the armed forces and the police. This raises the question of what they have been doing. After all, some northern politicians have been accused of backing Boko Haram.

The BBC describes the Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram:

Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram - which has caused havoc in Africa's most populous country through a wave of bombings - is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: "Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors".

Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it "haram", or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society.

This includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education.

Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers, even when the country had a Muslim president.

The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".

But residents in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, where the group had its headquarters, dubbed it Boko Haram.

Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this means "Western education is forbidden".

And This Is An Airport???

 

 

Airports can be special places but increasingly like plane travel they are becoming more and more stress filled places. Standing in long security lines, not enough seats at the gates and people slamming into you as they are running to catch their planes makes for long trips!  Have you ever attempted to find restrooms at Newark Liberty Airport? Good luck!

However, there is one airport that BusinessInsider.com has discovered to be a special place. Take a look at Singapore's Changi Airport. Wow!

SEE MORE PICTURES HERE....

Homes: Living In A Piece of Art

 

 

 

Inthralld.com features this stunning Sagaponack, New York home that is literally a piece of fine art. With incredible architecture lines, perfect interior design and a location of a loving environment, you have a home of pure beauty. Each room invite nature indoors.

The interior doesn't compete with the outdoors but becomes just another extension of the beauty of its natural surroundings. Designed by Bates Masi, the house is open, light and has views of the water from practically every room.

REAL ESTATE: Britain's Most Expensive Home For Only $100,000 Million

 

 

 

Heath Hall in North London currently holds the title as 'Britain's Most Expensive Home'. Located in North London. The Mail Online has reported that the 27,000 square foot house price has dropped, believe it or not, $55 million! Despite a drop of a third it is still going for that century million mark.

Mail Online describes the house:

It may be hard for most of us to imagine how a house could be worth £65million, but Heath Hall combines giant scale with the most opulent luxury.

The mansion has 14 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, while the master bedroom has a steel-lined panic room attached in case the super-rich owner is targeted by burglars or kidnappers.

Its six reception rooms are decorated in Italian marble and seven different types of wood, while the hall and library are lined with oak.

When it comes to relaxation, Heath Hall boasts a 'leisure complex' featuring a swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.

For the sporty-minded resident, the house has a snooker room and outdoor tennis courts.

And the more sedentary variety of billionaire would doubtless appreciate the private cinema and climate-controlled cellar with space for more than 600 bottles of vintage wine.

Although the home was built in 1910, it features some distinctively modern touches - instead of light switches rooms are equipped with touchscreens, and it is possible to control the building's electrical systems using an iPad.

The grounds of Heath Hall occupy 2.5 acres, which apparently makes the garden one of the largest in North London.