Nigerian hostage deaths: Ansaru claims backed

 

William Hague: "This is an unforgivable act of pure cold-blooded murder"

A Nigerian Islamist militant group's claims to have killed seven foreign hostages it seized last month are credible, Western governments say.

The hostages - from Italy, Britain, Greece and Lebanon - were captured in a raid on a construction site in the northern state of Bauchi.

In an online statement posted on Saturday, the militant group Ansaru said it had killed the captives.

Ansaru is suspected of being an offshoot of the Boko Haram network.

On Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said a British construction worker, named as Brendan Vaughan, was "likely to have been killed at the hands of his captors, along with six other foreign nationals".

"This is an unforgivable act of pure, cold-blooded murder, for which there can be no excuse or justification," he added.

The Italian government issued a similar statement, while the Greek foreign ministry said: "The information we have shows that the Greek citizen is dead."

Ansaru at a glance:

• Based in Nigeria
• Suspected to be an offshoot of Boko Haram
• Listed by UK as a "terrorist organisation" aligned with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
• Announced its formation in January 2012
• Said it would target non-Muslims "in self-defence"
• Full Arabic name is Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Bidalis Sudan ("Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa")

• Who are Nigeria's Ansaru militants?

Ansaru's online message included grainy pictures purporting to show the bodies of the seven - a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers.

The group said they had been killed because of a rescue attempt by British and Nigerian forces.

But in its statement, the Italian foreign ministry said: "There was never any military attempt to rescue the hostages by any of the governments concerned."

It added that the group's actions "can have no explanation other than blind and barbaric violence".

Britain's military said its warplanes which were recently spotted in Nigeria's capital Abuja had been there to carry soldiers taking part in the French-led operation in Mali - not to rescue hostages.

The seven hostages were seized in a raid from a site belonging to the Setraco construction company. It resulted in the death of a guard.

Ansaru said it had carried out the attack in revenge for what it called atrocities by European nations against Islam.

The group, formed in January 2012, has been listed by the UK government as a "terrorist organisation" aligned with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

It abducted French national Francis Colump in December in an attack on a compound in the northern state of Katsina.

In January Ansaru said it had carried out an attack that killed two Nigerian soldiers as they prepared to deploy to Mali, where French-led troops have been fighting Islamic militants.

bbc.co.uk

The £599 anti-ageing cream formulated by NASA scientists using diamonds from space

It's out of this world! The £599 anti-ageing cream formulated by NASA scientists using diamonds from space that's sending the beauty world crazy

 

• 111 SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Cream available at Harrods
• Costs £599
• Contains rare diamond dust particles
• Claims to penetrate deeper layers of skin to transport potent youth-restoring ingredients
• Ingredients tested on astronauts in outer space

From Botox and lasers to surgery and high-end face creams containing a whole host of bizarre ingredients, it seems that we have entered a new era in the fight against ageing.

But the latest addition to the litany of unusual lotions and potions taking the beauty world by storm is literally out of this world.

111 SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Cream is a potent anti-ageing concoction using rare diamond dust particles that has been developed by NASA scientists and tested on astronauts in outer space.

Out of this world: The £599 111 SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Cream contains diamond particles from space and was developed with the help of NASA scientists

The galactic cream, which is sold exclusively at none other than luxury department store Harrods, doesn't come cheap. Beauty aficionados desperate to turn back the clock must pay a staggering £599 for 50ml.

111 SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Cream claims to penetrate the deeper layers of skin in order to transport potent youth restoring ingredients including NAC Y2 formula, Collagen type I and III and Hyaluronic acid.

And as you'd expect for a cream packed with diamond particles, it contains brightening agents to give skin a glowing appearance and a healthy complexion whilst diminishing signs of age spots and pigmentation.

The incorporation of black diamond particles is borrowed from medical research where they are used in cancer and rheumatism drugs as a delivery mechanism.

Doesn't come cheap: The galactic cream, which is sold exclusively at none other than luxury department store Harrods, will set you back £599 for 50ml

The 111 Skin range, which this quirky new product is a part of, was founded and developed by plastic surgeon Dr Y. Alexandrides MD of 111 Harley Street, London, in collaboration with space scientists.

 

Spacey: Key 111 SKIN ingredients were used by astronauts in extreme space conditions where accelerated ageing is known to occur

From the very beginning the product was designed to stand up to extreme conditions – to protect against environmental damage at high altitude, varying temperatures and the polluted urban setting.

Key 111 SKIN ingredients were used by astronauts in extreme space conditions where accelerated ageing is known to occur.

As research developed, space science became the clear answer.

The first cream from the range was created in 2008 to help patients heal after surgery. In addition to the dramatic healing results, the creams also had potent anti-ageing and protecting benefits.

Dr. Alexandrides said: 'As a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I deal with the most challenging problems of ageing and injury.

'I developed 111 SKIN through the inside out view that only a surgeon can master. Our products were tested in the most demanding situations: after cosmetic surgery and laser treatment, on scars and burns.

'Our science laboratory used the most advanced ingredients to maximise results. I am proud to offer my unique insight to my patients and now to everyone who wants to fight ageing.'
dailymail.co.uk

7 Natural Remedies For Lessening And Eliminating Scars

Many different things cause trauma to the skin, ranging from injuries and accidents to skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Treatments to get rid of scars on black skin can sometimes be a challenge, but with consistency and patience, it is possible to reduce the appearance of stubborn blemishes.

Types of Scars:

There are several types of scarring that occurs after skin exposure to trauma:
Keloidal scars – Elevated, dark, benign tumors that appears on ears, back, shoulders and chest. This can be very difficult to remove since it goes overboard the boundary of the affected area.
Hypertrophic scars – Raised and dark scars. Disappears in a certain amount of time but causes intense itching while this is used.
Atrophic scars – Creates indentation or sunken marks. One example of this type of scarring is stretch marks.

The following are natural remedies for lessening and eliminating scars:

1. Lavendar oil. Apply and massage directly on scars to help fade. In time, it can completely eliminate them.

2. Flaxseed oil. You can buy this oil at almost any health food store. Rub the flaxseed oil on old and new scars a few times each day, including after you shower and again before going to bed.

3. Grapeseed extract, jojoba and almond oil are all effective scar treatments, especially when combined together.

4. Vitamin K. Apply as a cream topically to scars. Depending on the severity of your scars and skin type, you may see results in as little as a couple of weeks to a couple of months when used twice daily.

5. Olive oil. Apply 100% extra virgin) to scars at least twice a day. Within a week you should start to see scars and stretch marks starting to fade.

5. Organic raw honey (especially high UMF factor manuka honey). Rub onto scars twice daily. The antibacterial properties in honey can help heal wounds and promote skin cell growth. With constant use, scars should fade. Using honey is not recommended if you have oily skin.

6. Castor oil. Use with a plastic wrap and a heating pad. Note: Be sure to use only food grade plastic wrap that contains no bisphenol A, a dangerous substance found in many plastics. Rub plenty of castor oil on the scars and then wrap it with plastic wrap. Place a heating pad turned on as high a setting as you comfortably stand and leave on for 20 to 25 minutes. You may see noticeable results in as little as a week or so.

7. Vitamin E. Use oil from punctured gel caps and rub it into scars.

Note: The key to natural lessening and elimination of scar tissue is persistence. Serious scars may take up to several months, but with persistent and consistent effort you should eventually see good results.
blackdoctor.org

Dita Von Teese Turns Heads In New York As She Debuts The World's First 3D Printed Dress

Dita Von Teese has conquered the burlesque world and now appears to be setting her curves on technology.

The style icon debuted what is said to be the world's very first 3D-printed dress on Monday night in New York City.

The 40-year-old may have been displaying a glimpse of the future but it was her tried and tested cleavage-baring look that turned heads at the Ace Hotel.

World first: Dita Von Teese showed off her cleavage in a very low cut 3D printed dress

 

Dita's dress was perfectly tailored to fit her famous figure with a very low neckline and huge shoulders.


Although she appeared to be completely naked through the outfit she was in fact wearing a nude colour corset.


The frock was designed by Michael Schmidt and architect Francis Bitonti and is made up of 13,000 black Swarvoski crystals and covered in black paint.

Back to black: Dita was the muse for designers Michael Schmidt and architect Francis Bitonti

Dita's dress was perfectly tailored to fit her famous figure with a very low neckline and huge shoulders

Schmidt, who has previously made Lady Gaga's bubble dress, worked with Bitonti to render the design with new technologies.

The 3D dress was printed with hardened powdered nylon so that Dita was still able to move around normally in it.

Schmidt designed the entire frock virtually on his iPad and collaborated with Bitonti via Skype.

Bold choice: The dress is made up of 13,000 black Swarvoski crystals and covered in black paint

Incredible shapes: Dita was the muse for designer Francis Bitonti, who opted to not 3D print his suit

Francis told mashable.com: 'We were an interesting team because I take things that are virtual and I figure out what to make them of.

'To do that you have to break it down into individual components so it can become something sensual, taking this hard plastic material and making it flow and sexy and undulate around the body.

'The curvature is always changing as she moves. As far as difficulty goes, if you could imagine creating a piece with 3,000 unique moving individual parts.'

Dita was the muse for the gown but the designers used pure science to exaggerate her shape taking inspiration from the Golden Ratio theory by 13th-century theorist Fibonacci.

The dress, which will go on tour in museums, was not meant to look futuristic but was intended to be an extension of Dita's sexy personality.

Coming soon: The dress, which will go on tour in museums, was not meant to look futuristic but was intended to be an extension of Dita's sexy personality

dailymail.co.uk

Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez Dies at 58

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has died ...  according to Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro, who was fighting back tears during the announcement, said Chavez died today at 4:25 PM.

Chavez had been in Cuba for months, receiving treatment for a mystery illness that turned out to be cancer.

He was 58 years old.