2017 Oscars: ‘La La Land’ bags record-equalling 14 nominations

Nominees for the 89th annual Academy Awards also widely known as The Oscars were announced today Tuesday, January 24, 2016 at a live-streamed event.

La La Land picked up a record-equalling 14 nominations to bag the most Oscar nominations in history alongside Titanic and All About Eve.

Moonlight joins Manchester by the Sea, Arrival, Lion, Fences, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures and Hacksaw Ridge in rivalling La La Land for the Best Picture award.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs was joined by Demian Bichir, Dustin Lance Black, Glenn Close, Guillermo del Toro, Marcia Gay Harden, Terrence Howard, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson, Jason Reitman, Gabourey Sidibe, and Ken Watanabe to announce the nominees in 24 categories.

The 2017  Academy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the first time and it will air live on ABC on February 26.

The full list of nominees for the 2017 Oscars is below:

Best Picture:
“Arrival”
“Fences”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“Hell or High Water”
“Hidden Figures”
“La La Land”
“Manchester by the Sea”
“Lion”
“Moonlight”

Lead actor:
Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Ryan Gosling, “La La Land,”
Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”
Denzel Washington, “Fences”

Lead actress:
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
Ruth Negga, “Loving”
Natalie Portman, “Jackie”
Emma Stone, “La La Land”
Meryl Streep, “Florence Foster Jenkins”

Supporting actor:
Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”
Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
Lucas Hedges, “Manchester by the Sea”
Dev Patel, “Lion”
Michael Shannon, “Nocturnal Animals”

Supporting actress:
Viola Davis, “Fences”
Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”
Nicole Kidman, “Lion”
Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”
Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”

Best director:
Denis Villeneuve, “Arrival”
Mel Gibson, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”

Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”

Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”

Animated feature:
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Moana”
“My Life as a Zucchini”
“The Red Turtle”
“Zootopia”

Animated short:
“Blind Vaysha”
“Borrowed Time”
“Pear Cider and Cigarettes”
“Pearl”
“Piper”

Adapted screenplay:
“Arrival”
“Fences”
“Hidden Figures”
“Lion”
“Moonlight”

Original screenplay:
“Hell or High Water”
“La La Land”
“The Lobster”
“Manchester by the Sea”
“20th Century Women”

Cinematography:
“Arrival”
“La La Land”
“Lion”
“Moonlight”
“Silence”

Best documentary feature:
“Fire at Sea”
“I Am Not Your Negro”
“Life, Animated”
“OJ: Made in America”
“13th”

Best documentary short subject:
“Extremist”
“4.1 Miles”
“Joe’s Violin”
“Watani My Homeland”
“The White Helmets”

Best live-action short film:
“Ennemis Interieurs”
“La Femme et le TGV”
“Silent Nights”
“Sing”
“Timecode”

Best foreign language film:
“A Man Called Ove”
“Land of Mine”
“Tanna”
“The Salesman”
“Toni Erdmann”

Film editing:
“Arrival”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“Hell or High Water”
“La La Land”
“Moonlight”

Sound editing:
“Arrival”
“Deep Water Horizon”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“La La Land”
“Sully”

Sound mixing:
“Arrival”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“La La Land”
“Rogue One”
“13 Hours”

Production design:
“Arrival”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
“Hail Caesar!”
“La La Land”
“Passengers”

Original score:
“Jackie”
“La La Land”
“Lion”
“Moonlight”
“Passengers”

Original song:
Audition
Can’t Stop the Feeling
City of Stars
Empty Chair
How Far I’ll Go

Makeup and hair:
“A Man Called Ove”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“Suicide Squad”

Costume design:
“Allied”
“Fantastic Beasts”
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“Jackie”
“La La Land”

Visual effects:
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Doctor Strange”
“Jungle Book”
“Kubo”
“Rogue One”

Iggy Azalea shows off her assets while out and about

We finally get to see what's beneath her clothes as Iggy Azalea bares her butt

Iggy Azalea puts her butt on display as she holidays with her new boo, music producer, LJay Currie

EFCC re-arraigns Dasuki, Yuguda, others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday re-arraigned, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser (NSA) and five others, for alleged diversion, and criminal breach of trust at an FCT High Court.

The others were Bashir Yuguda, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the NSA, Dalhatu Investment Ltd., Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto State.

They were re-arraigned on a 22-count charge before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, and they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Baba-Yusuf ordered that the existing bail condition be maintained after listening to submissions of all counsel to the defendants and the prosecuting counsel.

The Prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the upholding of Dasuki’s bail, saying that he was still being held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was granted bail earlier.

Jacobs also applied for date to open his case against the defendants since they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This, he said, was in accordance with Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which provides for day-to-day trial.

Dasuki’s counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN), objected, saying that the EFCC brought his client to court and not DSS.

He also said that ECOWAS court had earlier given a valid judgment on the issue and objected to the suggestion of Rotimi.

He argued that the day-to-day trial was when the case fully commences.

The counsel to other defendants aligned with Dr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Counsel to Bafaarawa, saying that Section 396 of ACJA should not be put above the provisions of in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Fagbemi said that the section provides for fair hearing and so it would not be right for the defendants to be arraign today and trial to commence tomorrow.

Baba-Yusuf adjourned till Feb. 24 for commencement of trial.

Dasuki and others were earlier arraigned on a 22-count charge bordering on diversion, conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust of about N19.4 billion before Justice Peter Affen in December 2015.

The defendants were also granted bail by Affen in the sum of N250 million each with two sureties each in the like sum.

Affen said that one of sureties must be a retired or serving civil servant in Federal Government’s employment, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and own landed property in Abuja.

The case was consolidated and transferred to Baba-Yusuf’s court following an application by Chief Joseph Daudu, counsel to Dasuki.

Gambian Youths Demand Resignation Of National Assembly Members

Gambian youths progress have demanded the immediate reversal of Emergency rule and resignation of National Assembly members.

The Youth led movement promised to embark on a protest if the National Assembly members fails to meet their demands.

The proposed demands are for the NAMs to repeal the two resolutions on;

1. The State of Emergency, and
2. The extension of the life of the National Assembly to three months.
3. The third demand is for the National Assembly members to resign within 48 hours.

The group in a press briefing noted that the enactment of these aforementioned resolutions is a sense of irresponsibility, misrepresentation and a great threat to the welfare of Gambians and young people in particular.

T.B Joshua is a Blessing To Nigeria – Fani Kayode

Former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, FFK, has said he is proud to be associated with the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua.

He described him as a true and great man of God, saying the prophet is a blessing to Nigeria.

On his Twitter handle @realFFK, he wrote: “A truly great man of God whose good works will speak for him into eternity.

“Prophet T.B. Joshua is not just a blessing to the Body of Christ but also to Nigeria.

“If we had more men of God with his vision, courage, compassion and tenacity of purpose in our country, Nigeria would be a much better place.

“Posterity will be kind to him and I am very proud to be associated with him.

“He is undoubtedly one of God’s end time generals,” he tweeted.

18-year-old sugar baby who earns money from escorting rich men says her boyfriend doesn’t mind

18 year old Winnie Mei, an engineering student who is currently paying for her studies and expensive lifestyle by playing escort to men decades older than her has said her boyfriend Mason Chilton, 19, doesn’t mind as he understands she needs to take care of herself and pay for school.

Winnie, who got introduced to the sugar daddy lifestyle by a co-worker, has been enjoying four months of free gifts and cash from older men who she claims she’s never cheated on her boyfriend with. According to her, all these men seek is company of attractive younger women who enjoy all the good things of life.

Winnie’s boyfriend, Mason is surprisingly cool with the idea – although he’d initially been shocked by it – and even looks forward to meeting some of her dates.

Winnie, who also works at McDonalds, saves up the bulk of her earning for school, and spends the rest of it buying gifts for family and friends, including her very understanding boyfriend.

She has earned gifts like the iPhone 6S, gorgeous dress, expensive bags, watches and a cash total of $3,000 from just 10 dates in four months.

Sadly, Winnie’s relationship with these men is making her question men’s loyalty in general and wondering if this is what all married men do.

Femi Kuti visits Internally Displaced Persons camp in Maiduguri

Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti has visited the IDP camp for victims of the terror group Boko Haram in Maiduguri.

He was there on a trip with the International Rescue Commission to help the displaced people settle in new communities and build medical facilities.

Femi told news agency Reuters that he hoped that more celebrities will lend their voices to the cause and pressure government to find a lasting solution to their plight.

‘I hope more celebrities will visit and engage with their fans, he said. ‘Then more people will see what is going on, share it on social media and put pressure on the government to do more…’

An estimated 15, 000 people have been killed while two million others have been forced to flee their homes and villages since the Boko Haram terror group started its rampage in that region in 2009.

How actress Angela Okorie prostituted, got $1.5m from Yahya Jammeh’s alleged stolen $11m – Kemi Olunloyo

Popular US trained journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, has again taken a swipe at Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, disclosing how the actress got a share from the alleged $11m the immediate past president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh ‘stole.’

Ms. Olunloyo lambasted the actress for ‘prostituting’ in the movie industry, and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Recall that an aide to the newly inaugurated President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, Mai Fatty, had accused the ousted leader of stealing the said amount and shipping out luxury vehicles by cargo plane although, he has since denied the allegation.

But Ms. Olunloyo has disclosed how the ‘bleaching’ actress was ‘paid $1.5M to wear white Muslim dictator shit garb to campaign for an alleged evil man – Jammeh.

This will be the second time she will be taking on the actress. Recall that Ms. Olunloyo had blasted the actress, saying she had loose sexual organ used by immediate past Gambian President, Yayah Jammeh and others.

The Snitch Lady exposed her after she, Angela, insulted intersexual cross-dressing, bleaching advocate, Bobrisky and advised ladies not to date men who wear makeup.

Instagram page @HNNAfrica, Ms. Olunloyo tagged the actress and wrote: “The depth of high class prostitution of our #Nollywood ladies has reached alarming heights.

“While #AngelaOkorie fans are busy yapping me for calling her a call girl, they don’t understand my form of investigative journalism. No fear, favors or bribes.

“Okorie has been fucking a dictator in front of our eyes and could have possibly been a diplomatic nightmare that ECOWAS secret agents could have easily eliminated.

“If she were #American, the CIA would have KILLED her already! A total #Nigerian embarrassment to @muhammadubuhari’s #ECOWAS mission.

caught and monitored Okorie’s philandering with #yahyajammeh from the beginning of the elections that eventually earned #AdamaBarrow the Presidency.

“Instead, Okorie was on Instagram brainwashing her fans as usual calling Jammeh “a man of the people.”

“Angela once again after u were insinuating thunder will fire @bobrisky222, I repeat….the thunder that will fire u is coming straight from #Gambia from all those #Gambians who are refugees in #Senegal now suffering and trying to go home.

“Instead you conveniently flew back to #Nigeria and watched a dictator refuse to give up his throne after he paid u.

“A prominent #Gambian Journalist told me you were paid $1.5M to wear white Muslim dictator shit garb and rock your pussy around campaigning for an evil man.

“RETURN THE MONEY ANGELA!! #Jammeh also allegedly took $11M too.

“Both of u will be prosecuted by #Barrow soon. #OleOshi #AshewoOshi #hnninvestigates #Gambia #Gambiadecides,” Madame KOO added.

Mariah Carey steps out with new toyboy lover wearing her $10 million engagement ring from ex-fiance James Packer... on THAT finger

Mariah Carey has stepped out with her new lover on Sunday still wearing her diamond sparkler from ex-fiance James Packer on her engagment finger.

The pop diva, 46, looked stunning as she went for a romantic dinner at West Hollywood eatery Catch with her toyboy back-up dancer Bryan Tanaka, 33.

However, the singer's ex-fiance, Australian billionaire businessman James Packer, was there in spirit as Mariah sported the 35 carat rock on her left hand.

Shortly after the couple split, a source close to Mariah told US Weekly James won't be making her give the ring back. 

'He's not going to make her give the ring back because it's against the law,' the source revealed. 

The law in California is that she doesn't have to give the ring back because she didn't call off the engagement ... on the last day [of their Greek vacation], he said, "I can't do this anymore, this is just too much."'

During the Sunday dinner date, Mariah injected some serious sparkle to her ensemble with multiple diamond necklaces as well as dazzling chandelier earrings.

The blonde beauty added height with some black platform Louboutin pumps but appeared to need help walking in them, with minders seen holding her hand as she made her way to the car.

Mariah allowed her fishnets and a lacy corset to peak out of her long leather jacket, which was only done up with a belt tied around her waist. 

Wearing her caramel locks in a sleek straight style, the Touch My Body singer framed her eyes with smokey eyeshadow. 

Bryan, meanwhile, opted for a more casual vibe as he rocked a heavy-duty leather jacket and jeans with silver trainers. 

Barack and Michelle Obama are all smiles as they arrive in the British Virgin Islands on Richard Branson's private jet and head straight for his lavish private island retreat

Barack and Michelle Obama have arrived in the British Virgin Islands after jetting in to the Caribbean on Richard Branson's plane. 

The former first couple posed with staff at Terrence B Lettsome International Airport, the islands' main airport, on Monday night after a flight from California.

A photograph of the pair with their arms stretched around immigration officials and the local police commissioner appeared on social media after their quiet arrival. 

They were then whisked away in a waiting motorcade to be taken to a nearby boat to complete their journey to Branson's private retreat, Necker Island. 

Workers were seen loading the small wooden vessel with the couple's luggage before it launched. 

Michelle Obama was earlier seen boarding Branson's Falcon 900EX at Palm Springs International Airport.

The couple spent the weekend relaxing at the home of Spanish ambassador James Costos and his interior designer partner Michael Smith after taking part in President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday. 

Details of their visit to the Caribbean were not previously shared but they are believed to be spending at least some of their time on Branson's private retreat, Necker Island. 

The Virgin mogul was in the region last week but has since left to meet his newest grandson, Bluey. He celebrated news of the baby's birth on Necker Island, sharing a video of the special moment in an Instagram video on Monday. 

In Palm Springs, an eight-vehicle motorcade was seen leaving the home where the Obamas had been staying at around 10am. 

A Riverside County Sheriff's Department vehicle blocked traffic in both directions on Highway 111 as the motorcade sped to the airport.

Once there former First Lady Michelle was seen boarding a private jet owned by Sir Richard Branson. 

61 year old Mel Gibson welcomes his NINTH child with 26 year old girlfriend

Hollywood star, Mel Gibson has welcomed his ninth child with his 26 year old girlfriend Rosalind Ross (who is ten years younger than Gibson’s first child.

The baby boy was delivered over the weekend and is Rosalind Ross’ first child.

Mel Gibson already has seven children between the ages of 36 and 17 with his former wife Robyn Moore and also a 6 year old daughter with his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.

Age truly is a number, isn’t it?