₦airaland Forum

What do you make of the list?

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on England team-mate Frank Lampard as the Chelsea man prepares to earn his 100th international cap. Lampard will make it a century of appearances for the Three Lions if he features in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday, and Gerrard is looking forward to being involved.

"Nobody deserves it more than Frank," he told reporters. "He's been tremendous for club and country, he's a top player.

"Hopefully I am on the pitch when he does get his 100th cap and I can share the moment with him because I have been with him all the way through. He's a good friend of mine, I can't wait for him to get it."

Gerrard, who racked up his own ton in November 2012, insists he enjoys playing with Lampard, despite their midfield partnership coming in for criticism for the best part of the last decade.

"A lot of people talk about me and Frank being in the same team. You know, we enjoy playing together," he added.

Lampard earned a new Chelsea contract at the end of the 2012-13 season thanks to a string of fine performances, as well as breaking the club's scoring record.

And Gerrard is pleased to see him stay at Stamford Bridge: "He is too good for LA Galaxy. You have seen his form for Chelsea at the back end of last season. It would have been sad if he had moved away, he's a great player."

Ashley Cole has paid tribute to his England and Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard ahead of Tuesday's game against Ukraine where he is expected to earn his 100th cap.

Lampard is set to join Cole and Steven Gerrard as the Three Lions' active centurions when he takes to the field in the crucial World Cup qualifier in Kiev.

Cole, who picked up his 100th cap in a friendly against Brazil earlier this year, says he will be one of the first to congratulate his club and country team-mate on his latest achievement.

"I don't think he needs me to give him any advice so it'll probably be a pat on the back and just congratulate him," Cole told TheFA.com.

"It's a great achievement, I think he was very nice with the comments he made about me when I did it and the same when Stevie G did it.

"I think if there's another player who does deserve it, it's him.

"So I'm very happy for him and hopefully we can get a good result for him as well."

Lampard has scored 29 goals in 99 appearances for England, including a record nine penalties.

Alright guys, I've been kinda busy. I'll buzz you soon.

king arizona: I see blood

I pray not.

4. Wale
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, popularly known by his stage name Wale (Wah-lay), is an American rapper best known for his single “Pretty Girls”. He has rubbed shoulders with the very best in the American music industry including the likes of Lady Gaga, Wiz Khalifa and Pharrell Williams. He has two BET awards in his kitty.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wale.jpg

3. Seal
Henry Olusegun Olumide“Seal” Adeola Samuel is perhaps more famous for his long time relationship with supermodel Heidi Klum than for the music he makes. But that does not belittle his musical credentials in any way. So far, he has four Grammy awards to his name, as well as making numerous hit singles that ended up at number 1 in various charts around the world.

In 1994 he recorded the Batman Forever theme song, “Kiss from a Rose” which remains his greatest hit till date. The song went on to win three awards at the 1996 Grammy Awards, including the Song of the Year. His 7-year marriage to German model, Heidi Klum, was the toast of the paparazzi as they were trailed everywhere they went and everything they did ended up on the pages of tabloids and celebrity magazines. The relationship which produced 3 beautiful children ended in 2012. He has sold more than 20 million albums in his career.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/seal.jpg

2. Taio Cruz
With 11 million likes on his Facebook fan page and over 2 million followers on Twitter, he is the most popular celebrity of Nigerian extraction as far as the social media goes. Two of his songs (“Break Your Heart” and “Dynamite”) have peaked at number one at the US Billboard Singles Chart. Associated acts include Travie Mccoy, Ludacris, Pitbull and DJ David Guetta. He also performed along with Tinie Tempah and Jessie J at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. It was later revealed that he was actually actually the one billed to record the single “Umbrella” before missing out to R&B superstar, Rihanna.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/taio-cruz.jpg

1. Tinie Tempah
He is followed by Barack Obama on Twitter! And he has nearly 3.6 million followers on Facebook. Mention Chukwuemeka Patrick Okogwu and people will give you a blank stare, but mention Tinie Tempah and everybody knows who you are talking about. He was born to Nigerian parents from Ibusa, Delta State, but he has spent all his life in London. He is one of the UK’s hottest rappers at the moment, with two of his singles peaking at number 1 (“Pass Out” and “Written in the Stars”) in the UK Singles Chart of 2010.

He has collaborated with the best of the best in the music world including Rihanna, Rita Ora, Eric Turner, the defunct Swedish House Mafia, J Cole and Snoop Dogg. His most popular track till date, “Written in the Stars”, was the official theme song for WWE’s Wrestlemania 27 and it was also used to usher in the New York Giants for Super Bowl 46. He has performed at various top events in the world including the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics where he performed “Written in the Stars”. The performance was watched by an estimated global television audience of 750 million.
https://cdn.respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/174_tinie-tempah-style-icon.jpg

http://observerreports.com/2013/09/nigerias-popular-musicians/

8. TuFace Idibia
He was the first Nigerian act to hit the limelight at the international level in the 21st century following the release of his major hit track, African Queen. He was born in Jos, Plateau State to Idoma parents. He dropped out from the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT Enugu, to pursue a career in music. It was a move that would eventually turn out to be a wise decision as he catapulted himself to the apex of the Nigerian music industry.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tu-face.jpg

7. P-Square
They are the most popular music acts based in Nigeria. The duo, composed of twins Peter and Paul Okoye, and managed by elder brother Jude “Engees” Okoye, are household names in Nigeria. They are signed to Akon’s Konvict Music as well as their own record label, Square Records. Their major inspiration was the late music icon, Michael Jackson, whom they mimicked in their days of humble beginnings. Today they are one of the most marketable faces in the Nigerian entertainment industry, banking on their fame in Nigeria and their immense popularity in East and Southern Africa.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/P-Square.jpg

6. Sade Adu
Folashade Helen Adu is a Nigerian-British soul musician, born in Ibadan and tutored in England. She achieved worldwide fame and acclaim in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the multi-platinum selling group, Sade, which was named after her. She is the first Nigerian to win a Grammy award, a feat she achieved in 1986 with her band, Sade. Sade has sold more than 40 million units till date.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/sade-adu.jpg

5. Chamillionaire
The controversial Grammy Award-winning rapper was born Hakeem Seriki in Washington DC to a Muslim father and a Christian mother, both of Nigerian extraction. At a very age, the family relocated to a rough neighbourhood in Houston, Texas. It was a move that would go on to shape the rest of his life. While in Houston, he was influenced by hardcore acts such as The Geto Boys and Public Enemy. His first solo album, The Sound of Revenge, peaked at number 10 in the Billboard 200 US chart following its release in November 2005. He is best known for his 2007 Grammy Award-winning rap single, “Ridin’”, which featured Krayzie Bone of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony fame.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chamillionaire.jpg

http://observerreports.com/2013/09/nigerias-popular-musicians/

This list includes musicians of other nationalities but with Nigerian parentage. The list was compiled by taking a look at the artistes' exposure, their popularity, their achievements at the international level and the number of fans they have been able to amass on the social media.

11. D'banj
The Kokomaster, as he is known, is one of Nigeria’s most successful and richest musicians. His journey to startdom stardom started with the single “Tongolo” which he released in 2005 with the help of long-time associate, Don Jazzy. It wasn’t long before the song became an anthem of sorts throughout the country, He followed this up with other successful tracks, most of which he recorded along with other artistes of the MO Hits Allstars. The peak of his career so far probably came with the release of the song “Oliver Twist” which featured Kanye West in 2012.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dbanj.jpg

10. Nneka Egbuna
Nneka Lucia Egbuna is one of the most popular Africans residing in Germany. Her father is from Anambra State in Nigeria, while her mother is a German. She and her family migrated to Germany when she was 18 to enable her study abroad and develop her budding musical skills. She has released songs that have been received positively by music critics the world over.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/nneka-egbuna.jpg

9. Asa
The France-based songstress is one of Nigeria’s most recognizable musical exports. She was born to Nigerian parents in Paris, but began her musical career back home in Nigeria following the influence of indigenous African musicians like Angelique Kidjo and soul musicians like Marvin Gay and Erykah Badu.
https://observerreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/asa.jpg

http://observerreports.com/2013/09/nigerias-popular-musicians/

Edited Version: On Monday, Congress reconvened to deliberate on Obama's plans to strike Syria. President Obama has already won the support of key congressmen in his bid to initiate confrontational military sanctions against the Bashar al-Assad-led government, while a few others have remained skeptical about the idea. Opinion polls conducted by various US media outlets suggest that only a few congressmen are really enthusiastic about the plan. A Washington Post survey conducted recently indicates that only about 23 out of the 100 senators have so far given their go ahead to US strikes in Syria, while 27 won’t hear of it and 50 are still undecided. In the House of Representatives, things become even harder for Obama. According to the same poll, 25 members of the Republican-controlled House are solidly behind Obama, 224 are against him and 184 would rather not be drawn into the issue for various reasons.

There are several implications for America and the Middle East if the US gets involved militarily in Syria. The already-tensed Middle East will boil over. Neighbouring countries, those leaning towards the US and those leaning towards Syria, will be drawn into the conflict. President Bashar al-Assad has already threatened in an interview with US news agency, PBS, on Monday that allies of the Damascus-based government will not hesitate to strike back at strategic US instalments in the region as well its allies like Israel and Turkey should foreign rockets land on Syrian soil.
Russia and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, are strongly against any military intervention without the backing of the United Nations. This they have achieved by deadlocking deliberations in the Security Council, blocking it from sanctioning any proposed strike.

A military intervention in Syria will surely draw the US into yet another prolonged conflict similar to the one in Iraq, but with more dire consequences for everyone directly involved this time around. Should rockets start raining in Syria, Assad should not be expected to fold his arms and watch proceedings from a bunker or a safe haven. He is likely to get his external allies involved.

Syria, through its backers in the Middle East like Iran (who have been spoiling for a war with Israel since forever), and the Lebanese terrorist organisation, Hezbollah, could launch attacks on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Russia on their part have shown that they would not like to be left behind, having already moved their warheads into the eastern Mediterranean, ready to attack US bases in the region.

According to reports, several thousand rockets have been locked in on targets in Israeli territory by Hezbollah in the neighboring Lebanon. Should Israel be attacked, they would no doubt seek to retaliate by bombarding Lebanon, Syria and old foes, Iran. This could also lead to the deployment of unconventional instruments like nuclear weapons since all the major actors in this conflict – the US, Russia, China, Israel, Hezbollah, Iran and Syria – are reputed to possess weapons of mass destruction.

Full version: http://observerreports.com/2013/09/obama-turns-congress-support-syria-assad-talks-tough-serious-implications-everyone-involved/

Edited Version: On Monday, Congress reconvened to deliberate on Obama's plans to strike Syria. President Obama has already won the support of key congressmen in his bid to initiate confrontational military sanctions against the Bashar al-Assad-led government, while a few others have remained skeptical about the idea. Opinion polls conducted by various US media outlets suggest that only a few congressmen are really enthusiastic about the plan. A Washington Post survey conducted recently indicates that only about 23 out of the 100 senators have so far given their go ahead to US strikes in Syria, while 27 won’t hear of it and 50 are still undecided. In the House of Representatives, things become even harder for Obama. According to the same poll, 25 members of the Republican-controlled House are solidly behind Obama, 224 are against him and 184 would rather not be drawn into the issue for various reasons.

There are several implications for America and the Middle East if the US gets involved militarily in Syria. The already-tensed Middle East will boil over. Neighbouring countries, those leaning towards the US and those leaning towards Syria, will be drawn into the conflict. President Bashar al-Assad has already threatened in an interview with US news agency, PBS, on Monday that allies of the Damascus-based government will not hesitate to strike back at strategic US instalments in the region as well its allies like Israel and Turkey should foreign rockets land on Syrian soil.
Russia and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, are strongly against any military intervention without the backing of the United Nations. This they have achieved by deadlocking deliberations in the Security Council, blocking it from sanctioning any proposed strike.

A military intervention in Syria will surely draw the US into yet another prolonged conflict similar to the one in Iraq, but with more dire consequences for everyone directly involved this time around. Should rockets start raining in Syria, Assad should not be expected to fold his arms and watch proceedings from a bunker or a safe haven. He is likely to get his external allies involved.

Syria, through its backers in the Middle East like Iran (who have been spoiling for a war with Israel since forever), and the Lebanese terrorist organisation, Hezbollah, could launch attacks on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Russia on their part have shown that they would not like to be left behind, having already moved their warheads into the eastern Mediterranean, ready to attack US bases in the region.

According to reports, several thousand rockets have been locked in on targets in Israeli territory by Hezbollah in the neighboring Lebanon. Should Israel be attacked, they would no doubt seek to retaliate by bombarding Lebanon, Syria and old foes, Iran. This could also lead to the deployment of unconventional instruments like nuclear weapons since all the major actors in this conflict – the US, Russia, China, Israel, Hezbollah, Iran and Syria – are reputed to possess weapons of mass destruction.

Full version: http://observerreports.com/2013/09/obama-turns-congress-support-syria-assad-talks-tough-serious-implications-everyone-involved/

If selected, as expected, by Roy Hodgson on Tuesday in England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Kiev, veteran midfielder, Frank Lampard, will be the third English player in less than 11 months to notch up a 100th cap. He will join the likes of skipper Steven Gerrard (November 2012, Sweden vs. England) and long-standing left-back Ashley Cole (February 2013, England vs. Brazil) in the exclusive club of centurions. This feat will make him only the 8th Englishman in history to wear the Three Lions jersey hundred times or more at the senior level.

Frank began his journey with the England national team way back in October 1999 in a friendly win over Belgium. He was overlooked by then-manager Sven-Goran Eriksson for the FIFA World Cup that was to follow 3 years later. Not to be deterred, Lampard bounced back to earn a place in England’s EURO’04 squad and finished the tournament as one of his country’s four representatives in the team of the tournament, scoring three goals in four games.

He went on to play for England in their ill-fated 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign in Germany where he played in every minute of England’s games without scoring a goal. Along with the rest of England’s squad, Lampard had no part to play in the 2008 European Championships which was later won by Spain, as the Three Lions failed to progress to the tournament courtesy of an embarrassing 2-3 loss to Croatia at the new Wembley stadium.

Frank’s most memorable – perhaps most controversial – moment in an England shirt came in their heavy 4-1 defeat to Germany in the round-of-16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in which he smashed a powerful shot spectacularly against the crossbar from the edge of the 18-yard box. The ball was clearly over the line by some inches, but it was not spotted by the referee or his assistant and as a result it was not given as a goal. Had the goal been given, it would have tied the game at 2-2. The decision led to FIFA’s introduction of the goal-line technology in high-profile football matches all over the world.

Lampard is currently England’s longest serving player and one of the country’s most decorated players of all-time. He is a winner of 10 major trophies including one UEFA Champions League, one Europa League, three English Premier Leagues and four FA Cups. The two major honours missing from Frank’s CV are the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships.

In 2005, he finished as runner-up to Ronaldinho in both the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards. So far, he has scored 29 times for England which makes him the highest scoring midfielder in the English national team. Only Wayne Rooney (36) has scored more in the current national set up.

However, the crowning success in Lampard’s stellar international career would be to step out onto the field in Kiev to represent his country for the 100th time. If Lampard, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard play together on Tuesday, it would be the first time in English football history that three centurions are on the pitch at the same time in a competitive fixture.

http://observerreports.com/2013/09/england-celebrate-hero-frank-lampard-veteran-earns-100th-cap-tuesday/

If selected, as expected, by Roy Hodgson on Tuesday in England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Kiev, veteran midfielder, Frank Lampard, will be the third English player in less than 11 months to notch up a 100th cap. He will join the likes of skipper Steven Gerrard (November 2012, Sweden vs. England) and long-standing left-back Ashley Cole (February 2013, England vs. Brazil) in the exclusive club of centurions. This feat will make him only the 8th Englishman in history to wear the Three Lions jersey hundred times or more at the senior level.

Frank began his journey with the England national team way back in October 1999 in a friendly win over Belgium. He was overlooked by then-manager Sven-Goran Eriksson for the FIFA World Cup that was to follow 3 years later. Not to be deterred, Lampard bounced back to earn a place in England’s EURO’04 squad and finished the tournament as one of his country’s four representatives in the team of the tournament, scoring three goals in four games.

He went on to play for England in their ill-fated 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign in Germany where he played in every minute of England’s games without scoring a goal. Along with the rest of England’s squad, Lampard had no part to play in the 2008 European Championships which was later won by Spain, as the Three Lions failed to progress to the tournament courtesy of an embarrassing 2-3 loss to Croatia at the new Wembley stadium.

Frank’s most memorable – perhaps most controversial – moment in an England shirt came in their heavy 4-1 defeat to Germany in the round-of-16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in which he smashed a powerful shot spectacularly against the crossbar from the edge of the 18-yard box. The ball was clearly over the line by some inches, but it was not spotted by the referee or his assistant and as a result it was not given as a goal. Had the goal been given, it would have tied the game at 2-2. The decision led to FIFA’s introduction of the goal-line technology in high-profile football matches all over the world.

Lampard is currently England’s longest serving player and one of the country’s most decorated players of all-time. He is a winner of 10 major trophies including one UEFA Champions League, one Europa League, three English Premier Leagues and four FA Cups. The two major honours missing from Frank’s CV are the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships.

In 2005, he finished as runner-up to Ronaldinho in both the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards. So far, he has scored 29 times for England which makes him the highest scoring midfielder in the English national team. Only Wayne Rooney (36) has scored more in the current national set up.

However, the crowning success in Lampard’s stellar international career would be to step out onto the field in Kiev to represent his country for the 100th time. If Lampard, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard play together on Tuesday, it would be the first time in English football history that three centurions are on the pitch at the same time in a competitive fixture.

http://observerreports.com/2013/09/england-celebrate-hero-frank-lampard-veteran-earns-100th-cap-tuesday/

Frank Lampard will win his 100th England cap from the start in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed.

The Chelsea midfielder made his international debut in a 2-1 friendly victory over Belgium in October 1999 and has been to two World Cups and two European Championships with the Three Lions, notching up 28 goals in the process.

Hodgson is delighted to see Lampard become the third player reach his century during his reign, following Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard.

"Yes, he'll play tomorrow night, so that's quite a first as well," the England boss told reporters on Monday

"All things being equal, Frank will play and start tomorrow and get his 100th cap."

Nairaland is not profitable because of the rate of tribalism going on here

I suggest we use a more interactive platform like whatsapp

italo: If Peter was fallible (could teach error) then you are saying the Bible probably contains error.

I didn't say that he was teaching error. Infallibility means that someone can do no wrong. Peter, as we all know, lied and denied Jesus Christ three times before realizing the implications of what he had done. So he cannot be said to have been infallible. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while. If the pope is infallible why does he have advisors?

According to Catholic traditions, the pope is only infallible when he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church".

The popes are not infallible, in fact no one is. Moses wasn't, Elijah wasn't, Abraham wasn't, St. Peter wasn't. Only Jesus Christ is.

Disclaimer: This is not to embarrass or badmouth the Roman Catholics in the house or anywhere in the world. I hold you guys in high regard and I have the utmost respect for your popes, especially the one that is in power now, Pope Francis, who I consider to be the true leader of Christians allover the world, though I am an Anglican. But I thought it wise to put this short piece here after I accidentally came across it on the net while conducting an unrelated research. I believe than in every organisation or institution (of which the Catholic Church is the oldest in the world), there are the good guys and there are the bad guys. Even among the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ there was a bad apple. These are just the 10 popes considered to be the worst out of about 266 popes that have headed the church for nearly 2,000 years.


1. Stephen VI was Pope from 896 to 897. Fueled by his anger with Pope Formosus, his predecessor, he exhumed Formosus's rotting corpse and put "him" on trial, in the so-called "Cadaver Synod" in January, 897.

With the corpse propped up on a throne, a deacon was appointed to answer for the deceased pontiff, who was condemned for performing the functions of a bishop when he had been deposed and for receiving the pontificate while he was the bishop of Porto, among other revived charges that had been leveled against Formosus in the strife during the pontificate of John VIII.

The corpse was found guilty, stripped of its sacred vestments, deprived of three fingers of its right hand (the blessing fingers), clad in the garb of a layman, and quickly buried; it was then re-exhumed and thrown in the Tiber. All ordinations performed by Formosus were annulled.

The trial excited a tumult. Though the instigators of the deed may actually have been Formosus' enemies of the House of Spoleto (notably Guy IV of Spoleto), who had recovered their authority in Rome at the beginning of 897 by renouncing their broader claims in central Italy, the scandal ended in Stephen's imprisonment and his death by strangling that summer. Talk about bad Popes.


2. Pope Benedict IX: the Pope who sold the papacy

Pope Benedict IX
Benedict IX was Pope from 1032 to 1044, again in 1045, and finally from 1047 to 1048, the only man to have served as Pope for three discontinuous periods, and one of the most controversial Popes of all time. Benedict gave up his papacy for the first time in exchange for a large sum of money in 1044. He returned in 1045 to depose his replacement and reigned for one month, after which he left again, possibly to marry, and sold the papacy for a second time, to his Godfather (possibly for over 650 kg /1450 lb of gold). Two years later, Benedict retook Rome and reigned for an additional one year, until 1048. Poppo of Brixen (later to become Pope Damascus II) eventually forced him out of Rome. Benedict’s place and date of death are unknown, but some speculate that he made further attempts to regain the Papal Throne. St. Peter Damian described him as “feasting on immorality” and “a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest” in the Liber Gomorrhianus, a treatise on papal corruption and sex that accused Benedict IX of routine homosexuality and bestiality.


3. Pope Sergius III: ordered the murder of another pope and started the "pornocracy"

Sergius III was Pope from 897 to 911, and has been the only pope known to have ordered the murder of another pope and the only known to have fathered an illegitimate son who later became pope; his pontificate has been described as "dismal and disgraceful." The pontificate of Sergius III was remarkable for the rise of what papal historians call a "pornocracy," or rule of the harlots, a reversal of the natural order as they saw it, according to Liber pontificalis and a later chronicler who was also biased against Sergius III. This "pornocracy" was an age with women in power: Theodora, whom Liutprand characterized as a "shameless LovePeddler... [who] exercised power on the Roman citizenry like a man" and her daughter Marozia, the mother of Pope John XI (931–935) and reputed to be the mistress of Sergius III.


4. Pope John XII: raped female pilgrims and invoked pagan gods

Pope John XII
John XII was Pope from 955 to 964. On 963, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I summoned a council, levelling charges that John had ordained a deacon in a stable, consecrated a 10-year-old boy as bishop of Todi, converted the Lateran Palace into a brothel, raped female pilgrims in St. Peter's, stolen church offerings, drank toasts to the devil, and invoked the aid of Jove, Venus, and other pagan gods when playing dice. He was deposed, but returned as pope when Otto left Rome, maiming and mutilating all who had opposed him. On 964, he was apparently beaten by the husband of a woman with which he was having an affair, dying three days later without receiving confession or the sacraments.


5. Pope Leo X: sold indulgences, killed cardinals

Pope Leo X
Leo X was Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He is known primarily for the sale of indulgences to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 theses.

According to Alexandre Dumas, "under his pontificate, Christianity assumed a pagan character, which, passing from art into manners, gives to this epoch a strange complexion. Crimes for the moment disappeared, to give place to vices; but to charming vices, vices in good taste, such as those indulged in by Alcibiades and sung by Catullus." When he became Pope, Leo X is reported to have said to his brother Giuliano: “Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it.”

His extravagance offended not only people like Martin Luther, but also some cardinals, who, led by Alfonso Petrucci of Siena, plotted an assassination attempt. Eventually, Pope Leo found out who these people were, and had them followed. The conspirators died of “food poisoning.” Some people argue that Leo X and his followers simply concocted the assassination charges in a moneymaking scheme to collect fines from the various wealthy cardinals Leo X detested.


6. Pope Alexander VI: nepotism, orgies and the rise of the Borgia family

Pope Alexander VI
Alexander VI was Pope from 1492 to 1503. He is the most controversial of the secular popes of the Renaissance, and his surname (Italianized as Borgia) became a byword for the debased standards of the papacy of that era. Originally Cardinal Borgia from Spain, Pope Alexander's claims to fame were taking over much of Italy by force with the help of his son Cesare (yes, his son), a racy relationship with his daughter Lucrezia (some say her son was his), and his affinity for throwing large parties, bordering on orgies, that usually culminated with little naked boys jumping out of large cakes.


7. Pope Innocent IV: introduced torture on the Inquisition

Pope Innocent IV
Innocent IV was Pope from 1243 to 1254. Certainly the Inquisition represents the darkest of Roman Church history, and it was Innocent IV who approved the use of torture to extract confessions of heresy. He aggressively applied the principle that “the end justifies the means.” It is shocking to learn about the deranged instruments of torture that were used on so many innocent people. One of the most famous people to suffer at the hands of Roman inquisitors was Galileo. The church condemned Galileo for claiming that the earth revolved around the sun.


8. Pope Urban VI: complained he did not hear enough screaming when his Cardinals were tortured

Pope Urban VI
Urban VI was Pope from 1378 to 1389. He was the first Pope of the Western Schism (which ultimately lead to three people claiming the Papal throne at the same time). Once elected, he was prone to outbursts of rage. The cardinals who elected him decided that they had made the wrong decision and they elected a new Pope in his place, so he took the name of Clement VII and started a second Papal court in Avignon, France. Later he would launch a program of violence against those he thought to have been conspiring against him, imprisoning people at will and mistreating them brutally. Later historians have considered seriously that he might have been insane.

The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been antipopes, rival claimants to the papacy, before, but most of them had been appointed by various rival factions; in this case, the legitimate leaders of the Church themselves had created both popes. The conflict quickly escalated from a church problem to a diplomatic crisis that divided Europe. Secular leaders had to choose which pope they would recognize. The schism was repaired forty years later when all three of the (then) reigning Popes abdicated together and a successor elected in the person of Pope Martin V.


9. Pope John XV: split the church's finances among his relatives

Pope John XV
John XV was Pope from 985 to 996. The Pope's venality and nepotism had made him very unpopular with the citizens, as he split the church's finances among his relatives and was described as "covetous of filthy lucre and corrupt in all his acts."


10. Pope Clement VII: his power-politicking with France, Spain, and Germany got Rome sacked

Pope Clement VII
Clement VII was Pope from 1523 to 1534. A member of the powerful Medici family, Clement VII possessed great political and diplomatic skills - but he lacked the understanding of the age necessary to cope with the political and religious changes he faced. His relationship with Emperor Charles V was so bad that, in May 1527, Charles invaded Italy and sacked Rome.

Imprisoned, Clement was forced into a humiliating compromise which forced him to give up a great deal of secular and religious power. Eventually, Clement became ill and never recovered. He died on September 25, 1534, hated by the people of Rome, who never forgave him for the destruction of 1527.

Culled from http://www.oddee.com

I've already sent u guys some mails. Let's hear what you think

Is there going to be a time when Nigeria will headline the world news on a daily basis because of the conflict here? Do you forsee it in/before/after 2015 with the recent happenings in the country? Will things going to ever get better or are they going to degenerate? I hope they will get better, but this is no time for wishful thinking. It's time for critical thinking. Please let's discuss this like matured minds that we are and eschew any childish behavior.

2-0; 2 goals less than I predicted. How did you see the match?

Show us video evidence of the so-called prophecy and we will believe.

Rehnoy: Let's get started already.

What do you think about my offer?

I have a blog already and a part of it is dedicated to sports, especially football. We can make use of it or if you guys prefer to create another blog I can help out with it.

Op, drop your email address let me contact you. I will also contact the rest of you guys that dropped your addresses before the end of the day.

This is a place for all lovers of European Football to come and discuss anything and everything about the second most prestigious trophy in world football (after the world cup of course).

[quote author=lexyman][/quote]Eagles all the way! 4-0 to the Super Eagles!

I'll definitely join the fast in my own little way. Obama and America must be stopped. They don't own the world. How can they decide to invade countries at will?

I'll definitely join the fast in my own little way. Obama and America must be stopped. They don't own the world. How can they decide to invade countries at will?

A global day of fasting and praying on Saturday has been called by the Catholic Church for peace in Syria and to oppose any military intervention in the country, with Pope Francis scheduled to host a mass vigil in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

The Argentinian pope has called for a "cry for peace" from the Christians as whole as well as believers from other faiths and atheists.

Syria's Sunni Muslim leader, Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, has called for Syrians to join in the prayers and the patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox, has said he is also backing the initiative, according to AFP news agency.

The four-hour prayer vigil in the Vatican will start at 1700 GMT , there will also be similar smaller initiatives around the world in Baghdad, Jerusalem, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Washington DC and Beirut.
Pope Francis is expected to be present for the duration of the marathon prayer vigil on St. Peter's Square and will speak briefly in-between long moments of silence and recitals of invocations for peace, reported AFP.
“Peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity #prayforpeace,” Pope Francis tweeted in one post, with another saying: “Never again war! War never again!”
The appeal has been well received in the Middle East, where Christian patriarchs have been united in their concern about the possible escalation of Syria's civil war and the rise of radical Islamism.
A similar call for a global day of prayer was made by late Pope John Paul II, following the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2013/09/07/Pope-Francis-leads-global-fasting-prayer-day-for-Syria-peace.html