President Jonathan arrives New York for the UN General Assembly

President Goodluck Jonathan arrived at the JFK International Airport in New York, United States early yesterday, ahead of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the president was received by the supervising  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the  Nigerian Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu and the Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof. Ade Adefuye.

The president was later received  at the city centre by the Minister of State for Works and supervising Minister, National Planning Commission, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State.

Jonathan is scheduled to meet with about 250 selected Nigerian professionals in the US later in the day and would also meet the US President, Mr. Barrak Obama on a later date.

The president is expected to hold five bilateral meetings that will cover the EU, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.

Obama speaks to Kenya president

President Obama called the leader of Kenya on Sunday to express sympathy over the horrific terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi.

The White House statement:

"President Obama called President (Uhuru) Kenyatta of Kenya this morning to express condolences to the government and people of Kenya for the terrorist attack carried out by al-Shabaab yesterday on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi.

"President Obama reiterated U.S. support for Kenya's efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

"The President also reaffirmed the strong and historic partnership between the United States and Kenya as well as our shared commitment to combating terrorism and promoting peace and prosperity in East Africa and around the world."

Sunderland sacks head coach after a 3-0 defeat at West Brom

Sunderland have parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at West Brom left them bottom of the Premier League.

The 45-year-old Italian has won two of his 13 matches since being appointed in March and the Blacks Cats have one point from five games this season.

"An announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor," read a club statement.

In the meantime, coach Kevin Ball will take charge of the squad.

The statement added: "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."

Kenya mall attack: Death toll rises to 68

Those are the grim numbers, more than a day after Islamist attackers stormed an upscale Nairobi mall on Saturday, spraying bullets and holding shoppers captive.The tense standoff continued into Sunday night, with sporadic gunfire heard through the day and at least one explosion.Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta told reporters Sunday afternoon the Kenyan people had showed resiliency as a nation and would triumph against the attackers.

Made in Africa, A Meetup group invites every one to the 7th Annual African Day parade taking place in New York today Sept 22, 2013

Below is the clarion call:

"Made In Africa is inviting you to come gather with us for the 7TH Annual African Day Parade & Festival taking place in Harlem this Sunday, September 22nd. Please call the number below to let us know you will be part of the Made in Africa group. We will march together as ONE and then attend the Festival.

I’m a prodigal daughter; forgive me mum! – Glo X Factor winner, DJ Switch, cries

Glo X Factor winner, DJ Switch

For abandoning her mother and siblings while searching for fame and fortune, fast rising rapper and winner of the maiden edition of Glo X Factor, Obianuju Catherine Udeh aka DJ Switch, has begged for forgiveness. The 29-year-old Geology graduate of the University of Port Harcourt was declared winner of the Globacom sponsored music reality TV show at the grand finale held in Lagos and beamed to million of viewers across the continent yesterday. She beat two other contestants, Ethel Eshun and Vicky Gomoti in the last round of voting to win a whopping N24 million cash prize and a recording contract with Sony Music.

A NIGERIAN BIS3XUAL SAYS GAYS HAVE RIGHT, CONDEMNS RELIGION

A Nigerian lady based in the U.K, Yemisi Ilesanmi, who is an atheist and has been clamouring for the rights of gays in Nigeria, recently in an interview with TELL magazine opened up on her sexuality as a bis3xual and also talked about homos3xuality and its perception here in Nigeria.

Photos: MayD Splashes N150m On Magodo Home

If the latest information about 'Sure Boy' crooner, Mayokun Awodunmila popularly known as May D, is anything to go by, then it means the artiste has moved into an apartment in Magodo highbrow area of Lagos, said to be worth about N150million in valuation. What is not clear at the moment is if he rented the said apartment or fully acquired it.