According to the AP Press,an 82-year-old man in India is claiming to have not had anything to eat or drink since 1940 - and doctors from the Indian military are allegedly studying him to learn his secret.

The man, Prahlad Jani, is being observed in a Gurjarat hospital. Jani claims to be a breatharian - someone who does not need to eat or drink, because he draws nourishment from the air and meditation.

As remarkable as his story is, Jani is not the first, nor the only, person to claim such a supernatural power. The claim that people can live without food or water is called inedia, and is actually somewhat of a common claim among religious fakirs and godmen of India. Unfortunately none of the cases have withstood scientific scrutiny. Thehuman body needs both food and water to function; it's as simple as that.

It's easy for anyone to claim that he or she has not had anything to eat or drink for the past few weeks or months (or years). But unless the person has been carefully and continuously watched during that time, it's impossible to prove the assertion true.

Reports claim that Prahlad Jani "has now spent six days without food or water under strict observation and doctors say his body has not yet shown any adverse effects from hunger or dehydration." Assuming the claim is true - and it's not clear just how strict the observation is - Jani's inedia so far remains unproven. If he really doesn't need food or water, he should be under close observation for months or years to prove it. Given that he claims not to have consumed anything since World War II, this shouldn't be a problem.

Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela

Chiwetel Ejiofor has officially been announced as the actor to play Fela in the biopic about the legendary musician and activist.

The movie is currently in development by Focus Features who secured the rights of Fela's music and a book by Michael Veal titled "Fela: The life and Times of an African Musical Icon'. The movie will be directed by Steve McQueen, director of the critically acclaimed Hunger.

Ejiofor has already been learning to play piano and saxophone in preparation for the role.

Wande Coal: Who Born The maga ft K-Switch - official Video

Video for the Hit track Who born the maga ft K-Switch, off wande coal's debut album Mushin to Mohits

Yar'Adua Laid to Rest

The remains of late President Umaru Yar’Adua were laid to rest yesterday evening at the Danwana Cemetery in Katsina, after funeral prayers. Yar’Ardua’s remains were first taken to the Katsina Township Stadium for prayers, so as to accommodate teeming sympathisers numbering several thousands. As the Muslim rites demands, he was buried today, Thursday at about 4:00pm

Jonathan sworn in as President

Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan has been sworn in as head of state following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua after a long illness.

Mr Jonathan, in charge since February, will appoint a deputy and serve out the rest of the current presidential term until elections due next year. Mr Yar'Adua died late on Wednesday in the capital Abuja. He is to be buried in his home town on Thursday.

Seven days of national mourning have been announced. Mr Jonathan took the oath of office in front of government ministers and other officials in Abuja almost 12 hours after Mr Yar'Adua died. The ceremony was performed by Chief Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu.

Mr Jonathan put on a sash bearing the green, yellow and white colours of Nigeria, signifying he had formally taken over as president.BBC

Fela! Broadway Musical Bags 11 Tony Award Nominations

The 2010 Tony Award nominations were announced on Tuesday, May 4 by Jeff Daniels and Lea Michele. The awards will be presented on Sunday, June 13 at 7pm at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast live on CBS.

Fela!  led the pack with 11 nominations, while Memphis picked up 8 nominations and Ragtime got 7 nods. On the play side, the revival of Fences received 10 nominations, followed by Red with 7 nominations, and A View from the Bridge with 6.

The musicals Fela! and La Cage Aux Folles
On the acting side, Jan Maxwell received two nominations, as Best Actress in a Play for The Royal Family and Best Featured Actress in a Play for Lend Me a Tenor. Maxwell's Royal Family co-star Rosemary Harris also received a nod for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

view complete list of nominations.

Nigeria President Yar'Adua is dead

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, long plagued by poor health, has died at age 58, his spokesman said.


Yar'Adua died at 9 p.m. (2000 GMT) Wednesday at the Aso Rock presidential villa, presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi told The Associated Press. Adeniyi, his voice cracking, said Yar'Adua's wife Turai was at his side when he died. Adeniyi did not give a cause of death.

Yar'Adua, a Muslim, will be buried Thursday, Adeniyi said.

VIDEO: 2face Idibia and Mary J Blige In The Studio

I was browsing through blogs and I spotted this video on Notjustok.com. So many rumors have been in the streets if 2face actually did a song with R-Kelly or Mary J. Blige. However, after watching this clip, if you still do not believe Africa’s Number 1 artiste, 2face Idibia and the Queen of Hiphop/Soul, Mary J Blige have recorded a song, then your head (especially your ears and eyes) is/are stuck in the clouds!

D'Banj - Fall In Love Ft. Genevieve | Official Video |

New Music Video from D'Banj - Fall In Love. The video stars Nollywood star, Genevieve Nnaji. ( wow! the kiss at the end should be saying enough).

According to Bellanaija.com, The Koko Master, D’Banj just signed a major international record contract and should be playing Fela during the world tour of Fela!


Video Directed by Sesan

Shakira's World Cup song isn't going over so great

 

With all the problems facing this summer's World Cup in South Africa, the last thing it needed was trouble over something as silly as the tournament's official anthem, but that's exactly what Shakira's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is causing among South Africans and many others who have endured it.

The song hit radio stations last week, with Johannesburg locals responding with comments like "It's horrible" and "How is Shakira going to sing the African part of it?" (My guess is with her voice, but a Speak & Spell could be a fun choice, too.)

The Colombian singer collaborated with South African band Freshlyground on the track, which borrows from a Cameroonian song called "Zangalewa." But the fact that the anthem for South Africa's World Cup is not being sung by a South African is the sticking point for the critics who aren't just opposed to the new tune itself.

Shakira is scheduled to perform "Waka Waka" with Freshlyground in front of 94,000 people at the final match on July 11. That should be interesting. Even more interesting? The actual tournament.    Yahoo!

42-year old panel beater redesigns Volkswagen Beetle

When the citizens consider their government to be corrupt, they lack the logic of productivity. I know Nigerians can be smart and innovative, and I always feel happy when I see someone doing something positive.

Anyways in case you're wondering, this is a locally redesigned Volkswagen beetle which was displayed at the 12th edition Abuja car show. The producer/designer is Mr. Mohammed Modibbo, a 42 yr old panel beater from Benue state. It took him 2 yrs to finish pimping this ride AKA Modibbo Wagen, turning the traditional two door beetle to a four door.

Hear him,”It was adapted from the Volkswagen Beetle. But because it is longer than the ordinary Beetle, I had to do some adjustment to the pedal, the clutch and gear selector.  I used the doors of two Volkswagen cars for the vehicle. The size of the car has also been increased. And the engine capacity is also changed to that of Danfo bus.

Due to the increase in the weight and size of the car, it needs extra engine to move it well. The car is therefore built with 1.6litre engine. It is 100 percent safe. I can even remove my hands from the steering when driving for some minutes to show its stability. I had done some perfection on the tyre alignment before assembling other parts.”