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NAIJA NEWS

GENEVIEVE NNAJI LOSES THE NEXT BOND GIRL ROLE TO NAOMIE HARRIS

Contrary initial reports, Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji is not going to be the next bond girl. The News of the World (UK) has named the British Actress and Pirates of Caribbean star-Naomie Harris as the next bond girl rather.

According to what The News of the World (UK) wrote, Naomie, 34, will be Daniel Craig’s sexy sidekick in the soon -to-be filmed new 007 movie.

The British actress was spellbinding as Tia Dalma, the grotesque witch in the second and third Pirate films.

The plot of the new film, known only by its working title Bond 23, is being kept firmly under wraps. Judi Dench will again play M and Ralph Fiennes is in the running for a role.

ACTRESS TONTO DIKEH TALKS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH WIZKID

A while ago, news broke out that sultry actress Tonto Dikeh and fast rising singer Wizkid were romantically linked. After months of speculation, the actress finally broke her silence on the rumour in a recent interview. She said and I quote 'Whiz kid is just a friend on twitter, am not in a relationship with him. Those that follow me on twitter know that I love calling my friends on twitter romantic names like honey, sweetheart, darling etc. I guess that is what people saw about some of my tweets to Whiz kid and started speculating that we are dating. There is nothing of such''

KC PRESH TALKS ABOUT THEIR BREAKUP

It is no longer news that the popular Hip-hop group KC Presh have parted ways, but what led to their break up still remains unknown.

In a recent interview, they spoke on why they decide to go solo.

KC said "We've been together for twelve years and we just decided to try our luck as individual acts. Even though we once said its only death that can separate us, but we now want to do things separately, pursue solo careers and know our capabilities, because we have different gifts, talents and flavour. We are not fighting at all; we are still one, only working independent. It's just a strategy. KCEE will be my stage name and I am under a new label called Five Star Music."

Presh added "I decided to go solo because I wanted to explore, not because we had any misunderstanding. KC and I are still friends and brothers. We will always support each other"

Omawumi Delivers Baby Girl in US Hospital

Great news for the Nigerian music industry! Singer Omawumi has put to bed. The West African Idols runner up delivered a baby girl in a US hospital last weekend.

The 28-year-old singer constantly tried to stay away from the media during her pregnancy but was at different times spotted with a bulging belly till she finally escaped from prying eyes, travelling out of the country to deliver her first baby.

Omawunmi's blackberry messenger status read ‘A child is God’s reward – Psalm 127:3B… Welcome sweetie!'

The identity of the father still remains unknown but reliable sources have linked the child’s paternity to a yet-to-be-named part owner of night club Zamunda.

IKECHUKWU CLINCH JUICY RECORDING CONTRACT

If the story we hear is anything to go by then things just got better for rapper Ikechukwu. Reliable sources say that he has been signed up by a very rich millionaire who just floated a new record label and wants to have the very best of artistes on his label.

Though the name of the new label is still being kept under wraps, sources close to Ikechukwu disclosed that in the days ahead the name of the label will be made public in a much publicized ceremony.

Seun Kuti Taps Brian Eno, Challenges Government on Second Album

A first album is always difficult, no matter how confident you are," Seun Anikulapo Kuti says during a phone call from London. "You have your doubts."

Maybe so, but three years ago, "Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80" could've fooled anyone. It's an audacious reclamation, not only of the band that his father, Afrobeat pioneer and global music legend Fela Kuti, had led until his death in 1997 (when Seun was 15), but also of the music Fela had pioneered. "Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80," which appeared on Disorien, was as close to a new Fela album as it could get.

Seun's second album, "From Africa With Fury: Rise," released globally on Knitting Factory Records in April and set for a June 21 release in North America, is an even more complex piece of machinery. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro with co-producers Brian Eno and John Reynolds, "Rise" is at once supple and intricate -- the weave of percussion and guitar that makes "Mr. Big Thief" move, for example, is articulated more clearly than even on his father's prime records.

"Every aspect of the album is an improvement, not just the songwriting and production -- everything," he says.

2Face, Wizkid, Mo’Cheddah, Ice Prince, Waje and Illbliss To Record Theme Song For The Headies 2011!

As countdown to the 2011 Headies awards begins, organizers have announced that they have put together a list of stars to work on a theme song.

According to Ayo Animashaun, organizers of the event, six Nigerian acts – African pop icon 2face Idibia, fast rising pop stars Wizkid, Mo’Cheddah, and Ice Prince, R&B singer Waje and veteran rapper Illbiss will form the six-man team to record this year’s theme song which will be produced by urban music maker Samklef.

Unlike last year, all hands are on deck to ensure an earlier release of this year's theme song which will be followed with the video. And with this set of acts be assured we shall come up with another smash hit that communicate the theme for this year’s event: as well as the key values of our awards’, Animashaun explains.

Recently organizers announced that Nollywood actress Rita Dominic and performing artiste eLDee da Don as host for this year’s award.

Funmi Iyanda Dazzles At Monte Carlo Television Festival

TV host Funmi Iyanda looked stunning at the 51st Monte Carlo Television Festival Award; a global television festival established by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1961 to celebrate the best in worldwide television programming, which took place in Monaco.

As reported earlier, Iyanda was nominated in the ‘Best News Documentary’ category for ‘Lagos Stories’ an episode of ‘My Country Nigeria’; her three-part documentary on Nigeria. ‘Lagos Stories’ was broadcast in October 2010 on BBC World as part of the “My Country Nigeria” series commemorating Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary.

Funmi attended the festival with a delegation from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Lagos State Films and Censors Board and Mr. Chris Dada who is the co-producer and director of ‘Lagos Stories’.

FOREIGN NEWS

Shaquille O'Neal's Sex Tape Offered to His Ex-Wife

For those of you who watch NBA, you will be familiar with who am about to talk about. Shaquille O'Neal's sex tape becomes talk of the town this weekend after his former friend, who claimed to have possessed it, testified in court for kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy by seven Main Street Crip members. In addition, the NBA star's ex-wife Shaunie also confirmed that she was offered the sale of the tape.

Robert Ross said Shaq often brought women to his home and the security camera captured all. "He was at my house with some girl and it was on tape," Ross said as quoted from a transcript released Saturday, June 18.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Chun then asked, "So did you really have a video of Shaq or had it already been recorded over?" Ross replied, "It was over. It was gone." Ross is expected to continue his testimony when the hearing resumes July 6.

Meanwhile, Shaunie said that she rejected a copy of the sex tape when Ross and her had a meeting. Ross said that Shaq slept with these women while married to Shaunie but since she had split with Shaq, she "wanted nothing to do with it." Shaunie also added that she didn't believe Ross' story and called him a "liar" for alleging she had a relationship with him after separation from Shaq.

Warner Bros. settles 'Hangover Part II' tattoo lawsuit

Getting a tattoo removed can messy and painful. After months of legal suits, Warner Bros Co has settled a lawsuit brought by Missouri tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill over the Mike Tyson tattoo seen on Ed Helms’ face in the blockbuster comedy. It can be recalled that Whitmill sued the studio in April and unsuccessfully sought an injunction against the release of the film, claiming that the tattoo infringed a copyright as he had created the design. Terms of the settlement was not disclosed, but it is clear that the tattoo will stay in the movie. Warner Bros. had initially stated that, if the case was not settled in time for the film’s DVD release, it would digitally alter the tattoo. In a joint statement, Warner Bros. and Whitmill’s attorney, Geoff Gerber, simply said, “Warner Bros. and Mr. Whitmill have amicably resolved their dispute. No other information will be provided.”

James Cameron talks writing the Avatar sequels

Director James Cameron has revealed that he’s not forming his avatar sequels as a proper trilogy. In a recent interview, he said “We’re shooting two films back-to-back, so I’m writing two scripts, not one, which will complete a free-film story arc. Its not really a trilogy, but just an overall character arc so I’m pretty excited about that.”

When asked if he could handle the pressures of crafting a sequel to such a successful movie as he said; “There’s always an expectation, I had to deal with that after The Terminator back in 1984.

The filmmaker’s first Avatar film opened in December 2009 and went on to become the highest grossing film ever made – even trumping Cameron’s own Titanic. Avatar 2 opens December 2014, while Avatar 3 opens December 2015.

Lawsuit: R. Kelly Stiffed Rep to Pay Off Sex Accusers

R. Kelly’s ex-manager claims the singer refused to pay him more than $1 million in hard-earned commissions insisting Kelly instead used the money to pay off people who accused him of sexual misconduct.  The manager Jeff Kwatinetz filed a lawsuit against Kelly today in L.A. County Superior Court claiming he single-handedly resurrected R. Kelly's career back in 2008 when the singer was drowning in child pornography charges. Jeff claims he "guided Kelly

Lil Wayne's Baby Mama -- Mug Shot After DUI Bust

Lil Wayne's baby mama #4 R&B singer Nivea was busted for DUI in Atlanta last weekend after she crashed into a tree, with a kid in the car.

According to law enforcement sources Nivea plowed her '06 Mercedes right into a tree at about 1:30 am. Sources say the tree had fallen into the road during a recent storm.

When cops arrived at the scene, Nivea had "bloodshot, glassy eyes and smelled like alcohol and told police she only had 3 drinks earlier in the evening and didn't see the bright yellow crime tape and the traffic cones directing cars away from the downed tree.

She was eventually arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and reckless driving. Fortunately, the child in the car was not injured and was released to Nivea's boyfriend thank you Lord.

However, sources close to the family are adamant she was NOT drunk, or speeding, at the time of the accident.

Sean Kingston "feels a lot better"

Three weeks after a jet ski accident landed Sean Kingston in critical condition, the pop star has let his fans know that he's "feeling alot better" and posted a picture of himself on Twitter

 "Feeling alot better! GOD IS GREAT! Thanks for all the prayers and support! Love you ALL!" Kingston wrote  in his first Twitter post since the accident. Kingston also offered a picture of himself holding up a peace sign and cracking a small smile; medical equipment is visible to the left of Kingston in the photo, indicating that the 21-year-old singer is still hospitalized.

51-Year-Old 'Lost' Actor Weds 16-Year-Old

These don’t only happen in Africa, but also in the western world. Talk about a strange couple. E! Online reports that actor Doug Hutchison of 'The Green Mile' and 'Lost' has married country singer Courtney Stodden in Las Vegas. This may not seem out of the ordinary until you consider that Hutchison is 51 years old, while the new bride is a mere 16-years-old.

According to a statement by the couple:

"We're aware that our vast age difference is extremely controversial, But we're very much in love and want to get the message out there that true love can be ageless."

Reports say that Stodden likely had permission from at least one of her parents:

According to the Clark County, Nevada Marriage Bureau, both marriage license applicants must be at least 18 years of age. But minors (below the age of 18) are able to obtain a license with the consent of a parent or legal guardian -- reasoning that at lea.

Compiled By Celestine Osemeilu