I love my fans on Twitter and Facebook....Don Jazzy 1st interview in a while

On Friday, August 19, 2011, Don Jazzy paid a visit to Lagos urban radio station Beat FM where he was interviewed by OAP, Toolz. Don Jazzy talked about life with Kanye West, why Wande Coal hasn’t released any song since his debut in 2009, his new found love for wearing pyjamas and shocks all by querying his nomination at this year’s Headies

How did you come up with the ‘Oliver’ song?
I was upset at some point when people were saying that D’banj and Wande Coal have slowed down in their career. I still want more for them.
Some ladies were mentioned on D’banj’s new song ‘Oliver’, who are they?
Genevieve, Beyonce and Omotola.
You have so many fans hailing you right now on Twitter
I love everybody; I love my fans on Twitter and Facebook
I suggest u throw a party.
I’m not quite sure I will throw a party.
You have over 100,000 thousand followers and you don’t want to throw a party?
I’m not sure about that now.
Where did music start for you?
I started music in the church. In the choir at some point… (Pauses) you know what? I don’t want to spill everything yet. I’ll be writing an autobiography, my dad and I are working on it. There’s no name for it yet but he has called it ‘The Making of a Don’.
When will the book be coming out?
It’s coming out next year.
Let’s talk about ‘Enigma’. You asked rappers to record their song versions and submit to you…
It was crazy. I was expecting to see about a hundred responses but I ended up seeing 2000!
Talking about the ‘Oliver’ dance competition, who are the judges?
For now, apart from myself, there are no other judges.
When is the closing date?
It’s been crazy though. I will give out a 3-day notice to when it will close.
So let’s move away from D’banj for a while. What are the other Mo’Hits members up to?
Well, Wande Coal has been recording in the studio and will be dropping a few songs this year. We are all concentrating on D’banj for now though. When his (D’banj) album drops, there’ll be time for the others. Dr. SID is performing in different states and has also started to learn music production, he isn’t doing badly too. D’Prince’s album has been completed since God knows when. We will be releasing it at the right time.
How do you deal with negative comments?
Just like the way Jesus handled them, like Jay-Z handles them, like Kanye, like Beyonce. The thing is that I get more love than hate, so when the negative ones come in, I try to find out why they do that. I block some (followers on Twitter) when I feel they have nothing to say.
Tell us more about D’banj’s album; will it still be titled ‘Mr. Endowed’?
A couple of tracks have been recorded. You can take the previously released singles as mixtape materials. The timing is what is most important. The album name ‘Mr. Endowed’ might change. It has to do with what comes up from now till then. Everybody should please be patient. I know you are all excited.
You were recently nominated at The Headies 2011 in the ‘Producer of The Year’ category alongside Cobhams, Samklef, Jesse Jagz and J Sleek, how do you feel?
Was I nominated? I didn’t know. Thank you so much. I’m honoured. Really, Cobhams and I shouldn’t be nominated. I like Samklef and wish he wins, everybody please vote for Samklef.
Who do you think is the next big thing in the music industry?
Wizkid.
But Wizkid has emerged already and even has an album, who else do you think is the next big thing?
For now, nobody.
So whose music do you listen to nowadays?
I listen to almost everybody, Wizkid, 2face – I can kill for him, Choc Boyz.
What about the Female artistes?
Tiwa savage is good and she has given out so much. Waje is a heavenly singer.
Tell us about working with Kanye West.
I’m very picky with music but Kanye is worse. At times I regret I played ‘Scapegoat’ and ‘Give it to me’ for him because he keeps referring to them when I make beats for him (Laughs). He likes ‘Entertainer’ too.
How about Jay Z, have you done any work for him?
Well, Jay Z recorded on a couple of beats that didn’t make the ‘Watch The Throne’ album but I’m glad ‘Lift off’ did. Over 70 songs were recorded for that album, ‘Lift off’ had been done a long time ago.
Have you done any solo production for Jay Z?
No, not yet.
When will you produce for Beyonce, when will she say ‘It’s Don Jazzy again’?
Beyonce will say it soon. Kanye West has already said it a couple of times.
If you had the chance to work with any other foreign artiste, who would it be?
I would like to work with Rihanna. I like the vibe she gives off, it would be nice to work with her.
Which other artistes have you done tracks for in the US?
I don’t want to talk about songs I’ve produced that have not been released because they might never be released and Nigerians will then think I’ve been lying.
What Nigerian influence have you taken over to New York?
Well I’ve taught Kanye how to eat pounded yam but he hates pepper.
Apart from making music, what other businesses do you run?
I’m into real estate and of course the Koko enterprises.
Don Jazzy, you have been seen on several occasions to be wearing T-shirts and pyjamas trousers, just like you are wearing now. What’s with the new look?
Well, I heard a story about a guy in Enugu who people used to call Don Jazzy because he dressed like me – you know wearing the Indian-overall gowns I used to put on. He also carried a walking stick like I used to. Apparently he got broke along the line but still wanted to keep up with the trend so he was caught stealing and was eventually burnt alive. That’s why I now wear what I have on. Besides they are more comfortable. I prefer to call them colourful trousers.
Tell us about Kanye West’s birthday, did you guys attend?
Well you know D’banj’s birthday is a day after Kanye’s. We travelled to New York, gave him his gift and left.
Will you marry anyone in the music industry?
Sure, why not? Of course! We will both understand that we have to work and travel, at least it won’t be one-sided.
Are you dating anyone at the moment?
Presently, no.
What’s your idea of an ideal woman?
Presently I don’t have any but I like any kind of person.
What do you have to say to upcoming acts out there?
Put God first! Do not wish anybody bad for any reason. Decide what to do before you get into it.

Oooosssseeeee.....I.D.J.A!!!

N1.2 Million up for grabs in OLIVER TWIST DANCE COMPETITION

For over three weeks, Mohits Records C.E.O Don Jazzy's ‘Enigma Music Competition created so much frenzy on and off Twitter, getting so many artistes all creative and yet again he is offering over N1.2 Million naira ($7,500) and other consolation prizes for a Dance Video Competition to D’ Banj's most anticipated single 'Oliver Twist'.

Mohits Records have stated the call for fun videos from either individuals or group dancing to the Oliver Twist song, which the Mohitian 1st crew themselves made a fun video to on their official website dancing energetically to tunes radiating from the gigantic sound system behind them.

Don Jazzy gave away N560, 000 naira ($3, 500) in the Enigma competition where he created the beat and released on Twitter for artistes to sing over. However, unlike the first contest which has three places, this one has five positions; 1st place gets $2, 5000, 2nd place to grab $2, 000, 3rd $1, 500, the 4th position to get $1,000 and finally in the 5th position $500.
He also stated that top 10 entries will be part of the Official Oliver Twist video and top 50 to get a free Koko Mobile Handset.
Ranking as the first Nigerian to get over 100, 000 followers on Twitter, Don Jazzy has emerged as a strong brand himself. And just as the mad-rush flooded the streets, facebook and twitter at the release of Enigma, we bet this again would keep many so busy......Ooooosssseeee!!! I.D.J.A!!!

Lindsay Lohan: Our Most Valuable Partyer and That's Before Hitting Kim Kardashian's Wedding!

It's been a busy week for Lindsay Lohan, but not because she's getting into trouble.
Quite the opposite actually. Linds has been rather productive, signing up for her court-mandated counseling and jetting to NYC, where she spent last weekend.
And, earlier today, flying into L.A. with mom Dina to attend certain someone's nuptials tomorrow...
Yes, Lindsay is one of many famous folks with a golden ticket to Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kris Humphries in Montecito, Calif., on Saturday.
"Dina and Kris [Jenner] are good friends and Kim and Lindsay and Kim have known each other forever," a Lohan insider tells E! News.
Let's just hope she continues to be on her best behavior at the reception, right?
If the past week was anything to go by, she will be.

Justin Bieber Sign-Napping Case Closed & Who wants to kidnap Justin Bieber?

The street sign that had been erected in honor of Justin Bieber in Forney, Texas, on Wednesday, went missing hours later, has been returned.
Of course, no one is more relieved than the young girl who initially made it all happen.
As you may or may not have heard, 11-year-old Caroline Gonzalez had been named "mayor for a day" in her small town near Dallas after winning a contest designed to spark government interest in young people. Her first order of business, naturally, was to give her favorite teen heartthrob his very own street.
But, soon after its unveiling during a ceremony on Wednesday, it disappeared.
So, what happened?
Well, Brian Brooks, the city manager for Forney, tells E! News that a group of boys inadvertently tore the sign off its pole while hanging from it and ended up running away with the sign in a moment of panic. The boys actually ended up bringing it back to the police department and explaining what had occurred.
Prior to it being turned in, however, a replacement sign had already been erected Thursday afternoon and is expected (hopefully!) to stay right where it belongs through the weekend.
So far no charges have been filed against the kid scofflaws.
Naturally, the next step is to get Bieber himself to swing by and there's already a "Bring Justin Bieber to Forney" Facebook page established.
Here's hoping nobody ends up taking him if he decides to visit.

Bumbling Justin Bieber Kidnapping Plot Thwarted!

Justin Bieber, watch out! Not even your cardboard doppelgänger is safe from overly obsessed superfans.
A Florida man was arrested Monday for attempting to make off with a life-size Biebs cutout from a Tampa-area record store.
And the best part—the suspect and Bieber have the exact same haircut!
According to the police affidavit obtained by the Manatee County Sheriff's Department, 23-year-old David Dowling walked into an F.Y.E. store with a friend (whose name was withheld because he/she is a minor) and jacked the standee.
They subsequently made their getaway through a nearby Sears store, whose "loss prevention" security cameras caught the less-than-dynamic duo on tape. By that point, an F.Y.E. assistant manager had caught up with them and retrieved poor Cardboard Justin.
The suspects tried to flee, but were apprehended a little later hiding out behind some bushes outside the mall and taken into custody.
Authorities also say Dowling and his partner-in-crime tore a $1.99 signage label off the cutout, which was priced at $34.99, destroying it. Dowling is also accused of lying to officers about his identity.
Dowling was booked on charges of petty theft and giving a false name while lawfully detained. He remains locked up in the county clink in lieu of $120 bond.
Did he just a bad case of Bieber Fever clouding his brain?
Nope. Dowling thought it was some kind of awesome joke.
In a post-arrest statement, Dowling told the cops their motivation for the heist: "We were just having fun holding Justin Bieber hostage."

NIGERIA LEADS WITH 18 NOMINATIONS FOR CHANNEL "O" 2011 MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

It’s down to the wire for Africa’s hottest artists and music videos with the just-released list of nominees in the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards driven by Hyundai!

This time around, the only original african awards feature multiple artists with two or more nods - making it an open field for nominees in the 14 categories as they make a bid for the votes of Channel O viewers throughout the continent!

This longstanding, public-voted awards event sees a massive 10 videos in contention for the hugely prestigious Most Gifted Video of the Year award – ensuring it’s a tough choice for fans.

One of the strongest bids must come from Ugandan artist, Navio whose “Keep Moving” is up for Most Gifted Video of the Year as well as Most Gifted Male Video and Most Gifted Hip Hop Video.

Also making a play for attention is hotshot South African artist Zakes Bantwini whose “Wasting My Time” clip has earned him a nod in the Most Gifted Video of the Year category as well as Most Gifted Male Video. The Durban-based artist is up against one of Africa’s undisputed heavyweights in both categories in the form of Nigeria’s D’Banj with his “Mr Endowed (Remix)’ featuring Snoop Dogg.

South African newcomer, AKA also has a strong showing in this year’s Channel O Music Video Awards: he’s up for Most Gifted Hip Hop Video, Most Gifted Video of the Year as well as Most Gifted Newcomer for his hit “Victory Lap”.

In the Most Gifted Newcomer category, AKA is vying for the title in a field that includes Nigeria’s Wizkid, Uganda’s Keko, Nigeria’s Ice Prince, Zambia’s Zone Fam and South Africa’s Kwesta in one of the most exciting categories at this year’s event. Most Gifted Hip Hop Video meanwhile has AKA toughing it out against Jesse Jagz featuring M.I. and Ice Prince (Nigeria), Proverb featuring Lungelo (South Africa), Navio (Uganda) and Collo (Kenya).  

 

In a music scene dominated by male artists, Lira (South Africa) and STL (Kenya) have made an impact over the past year – and it shows in their double nominations in the Most Gifted Video of the Year and Most Gifted Female Video categories. Lira is up for the video “Phakade” and STL’s “Lookie Lookie” has her in contention in both these categories, as well as Most Gifted Dance Video.

Also making a splash over the past year on Channel O is Samklef’s “Molowo Noni” featuring Wizkid, D’Prince and Ice Prince. The video from the Nigerian and his collaborators is in the running for Most Gifted Video of the Year.

Samklef’s “Molowo Noni” has also earned a nomination in the Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring Video category. Other videos vying for this hotly contested category are Jozi’s “Electric Avenue” (SA), Angolan Paul G featuring Akon’s “Bang It”, Tanzania’s AY featuring Ms Triniti’s “Good Look”, Slikour (SA) featuring various artists’ “Dubula (Remix)” and HHP, Teargas and Liquideep’s “Born For This” (SA).

Popular South African duo, Liquideep show up again with two nominations of their own: Most Gifted Video of the Year and Most Gifted African Southern Video – both for the track “Settle For Less”. Most Gifted African Southern Video sees Liquideep running against Cabo Snoop (Angola), Khuli Chana featuring JR (South Africa), C.R.I.S.I.S. (Zambia), and L-Tido featuring K.O. (South Africa).

Most Gifted African West Video is another category pitting Africa’s big name stars against each other for the votes of fans. Up for this award are Naeto C (Nigeria), Flavour (Nigeria), D-Black featuring Dr Cryme (Ghana), 2 Face (Nigeria) and Asa (Nigeria). 

Rounding off the regional categories is Most Gifted African East Video which sees P-Unit/Mimmo (Kenya), Jaguar (Kenya), Ay featuring Ms Triniti, Keko, Radio and Weseal (Uganda) and CPWAA (Tanzania) in the running.

This year’s Channel O Music Video Awards nominees list gives excellent insight into the growth, diversity and world-class talent currently making a mark on the African music scene.

Whether it’s well established artists like Nigeria’s 2Face (up for Most Gifted Video of the Year and Most Gifted African West Video for “Only Me”) and Mozambique’s Lizha James (Most Gifted Female Video and Most Gifted Dance Video for “Gotta Move On”), or those flying the flag for Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall (Samini; Wyre/Cecile; Black Dillinger; Nazizi), there’s something for all music fans to get passionate about and vote.

One of the most controversial categories at the Channel O Music Video Awards has always been Most Gifted Kwaito with South African artists sometimes having to take a back seat to artists from other countries – including in 2009 when Namibia’s Gazza took the crown. This year the competition is tough with Brickz (SA); The Dogg (Namibia); Howza (SA); and Professor featuring Speedy (SA) all in the running.

Another closely watched category is Most Gifted Afro Pop Video which has Theo (SA) up against J-Martins featuring Fally Ipupa (Nigeria/Congo) Shaa (Tanzania) Jaziel Brothers (SA) and Flavour (Nigeria). The competition is as strong in the Most Gifted R&B Video category where Jamali (SA), G2 featuring Trez Agah (Mozambique), Loyiso featuring Kuli Chana (SA), Banky W featuring M.I. (Nigeria) and Leanne (SA) are all eyeing the prize.

Voting for the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards opens Friday 19 August and closes midnight Thursday 27 October 2011. Visit www.channelo.tv to cast your votes via web or WAP. You can also vote on MXit and SMS (send your favourite artist’s code to 083 920 8406, or +27 83 920 8406 if you’re outside of South Africa). You can vote in all 14 categories as many times as you want, but only ONCE per hour.


The 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards are driven by Hyundai – New Thinking, New Possibilities!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: CHANTE MOORE CONCERT POSTPONED

Virtual Xchange, and True Health Foundation today have issued a statement postponing the Chante Moore Live in Lagos Charity Concert till 23rd October 2011.

As part of her African trip, Chante Moore was to perform 20th of August at Harbour Point, Victoria Island alongside Wizkid & Banky W. Chante Moore who is presently in South Africa, having featured at the ABSA Capital Leading Women in South Africa Event will return to the United States and return in October for the Charity Concert.

The decision to postpone the concert was made in conjunction with Chante Moore and was arrived at primarily because more time was required to conclude the placement of a dialysis machine and ensure access to it by its beneficiaries. This was and is considered critically important, as the ultimate aim of the concert was to raise support for the treatment for pregnant women suffering from Acute Renal Failure,
Leveraging on their deep experience across the media and entertainment industry, Virtual Xchange will continue to work with its partners and industry leaders to deliver a truly incredible concert experience to music lovers while also contributing to a socially relevant cause! These include Smooth FM, the radio station that has positioned itself as the best radio station in Lagos offering a mix of soul, rhythm and jazz; premier African music channel, Sound City; Chrome the world class state of the art Night club; Hart to Hart and Southern Sun Hotel.
For those who have bought tickets, the organizers have requested that they hold on to them as a wonderful experience awaits them. For those who haven’t, tickets are still available at Chrome, Swe Bar, Soul Lounge, Bogobiri, Hub Media Store at the Palms, Silverbird Galleria & Terra Kulture

To be a part of this experience and for further information on booking VIP Tables, visit the Virtual Xchange site (HYPERLINK "http://www.vx-group.com/"www.vx-group.com) or call 01 735 5555!

BECOME PART OF OLIVER TWIST VIDEO by KOKOMASTER D'BANJ

Do you have what it takes to move to the next level in your quest towards lifting your career as an entertainer(s)? Do you think you can do it better than the rest? Then this is your chance to take to the center-stage and make that historical statement that could lift you higher above others.

We at the Mo'Hits clan call out to all who wants to make it in arts, show business and entertainment industry to have a good entry point into the "League of Mohitians" through the most recent incentive from our camp.

It's no more news that the much awaited single from one of Nigeria's finest talents; BET Award winning/UN Ambassador for Peace Kokomaster Mr Endowed himself D'Banj is out and causing a stir in the entertainment scene.
The G.O.O.D news is that the number one record label on the continent Mo'Hits Records have taken the first step in challenging all who believe they have what it takes to make their dreams come true by being part of the latest frenzy in town.

Following the success of the #Enigma competition we at Mo'Hits Records have decided to give a chance to people with different kinds of talent - Dance, Comedy or anything Entertaining.

To participate simply record a video clip of yourself or your group dancing/jonzing, upload to YouTube and email the link to oliver@mohitsrecords.com. The videos will be judged based on how entertaining they are.
PRIZES:
1st: $2500
2nd: $2000
3rd: $1500
4th: $1000
5th: $500

Top 10 entries will be part of the Official Oliver video.
Top 50 gets a FREE Koko Mobile Handset.

Apart from the inspirations we provide and the pocket lifting rewards, participants challenge themselves to get better and somewhere with their dreams and get rewarded for such visibility.
This is also an opportunity for stakeholders in the entertainment industry to become part of a venture geared at giving the talented ones chance to become what they have always wanted by themselves but with just a little nudge in the right direction. Moreover it provides the much needed entertainment for the society.

Many talented youths will be empowered by participating creatively. Some will push their dancing and comic talents/skills higher while some will learn how to shoot better and creatively entertaining videos with less cost.

It is time to let your own Koko to start loading Kokoliciously.

So put on your dancing shoes and lets have fun with this!!!

Lady Gaga & Cher to release collabo The Greatest Thing Ever in September

Is a collaboration between Lady Gaga and Cher the "Greatest Thing Ever"?

That's the title of the song the two gay icons are set to release next month, according to a tweet from the legendary singer.

"The Greatest Thing Ever," a mid-tempo ballad originally written and recorded by Gaga, will be the first single off Cher's upcoming 26th album.

The the divas graced the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards last year when Cher presented the Moon Man trophy to Gaga for her Video of the Year win for "Bad Romance."

"I never thought I'd be asking Cher to hold my meat purse," a tearful Gaga said at the podium before belting out a refrain from her song, "Born This Way."

'The Greatest Thing Ever' was originally written and recorded by Lady Gaga, but now Cher will feature the track on her upcoming album.

Paris Hilton Voted the Least Trustworthy Celebrity

By Mike Krumboltz

Would you buy a used car from Paris Hilton? As our Magic 8 ball used to say, "Outlook not so good." According to a recently released poll by Ipsos, a whopping 60% of Americans don't trust her.

Hilton was found to be the absolute least trustworthy celeb, beating out other morally questionable folks like Charlie Sheen (52% unfavorable), Britney Spears (45% unfavorable), and Kanye West (45% unfavorable). Others on the bottom of the list of unpopular personalities: Arnold Schwarzenegger (44%), Tiger Woods (42%), Kim Kardashian (38%), Mel Gibson (33%), Donald Trump (31%), and LeBron James (29%).

According to Ipsos, four of the bottom ten celebs (Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears) "are more widely disliked by women than they are by men." The rest are relatively evenly disliked by both genders.

The poll is more than just a "Mean Girls"-like popularity contest. The results can have an effect on which celebrities companies choose to endorse their products. To that end, you can expect Betty White to be a highly coveted pitch-woman in the years to come. The "Golden Girls" star was ranked as America's most trusted celebrity.

 White, 89, scored an 86% favorable rating, topping such A-listers as Denzel Washington (85%), Sandra Bullock (84%), Clint Eastwood (83%), and Tom Hanks (81%). Rounding out the top ten were Harrison Ford (80%), Morgan Freeman (79%), Kate Middleton (79%), Will Smith (77%), and Johnny Depp (76%)

WHAT IS THE KOKO???.....THE KOKO IS MO'GREAT THINGS

Call it Destiny, call it Divine Providence, call it the Dividends of Hard Work...call it whatever you want to but the truth is that this is definitely the era of The MOHITIAN take-over.

The historical landmarks are too many to mention but it is time to get YOU involved in the MOHITIAN Train.

Following the success of the #Enigma competition we at Mo'Hits Records have decided to give a chance to people with different kinds of talent - Dance, Comedy or anything Entertaining...

To participate simply record a video clip of yourself or your group dancing/jonzing, upload to YouTube and email the link to oliver@mohitsrecords.com

The videos will be judged based on how entertaining they are. You don't have to be Michael Jackson.. LOL

PRIZES

1st: $2500

2nd: $2000

3rd: $1500

4th: $1000

5th: $500

Top 10 entries will be part of the Official Oliver video

Top 50 gets a FREE Koko Mobile Handset

So put on your dancing shoes and lets have fun with this!!!

Watch The Koko Master and Don Jazzy compete.....Oooosseeeee!!! I.D.J.A
http://youtu.be/w0b73ERaqj0

MEET WORLD'S FATTEST WOMAN

Weigh to go: Susanne Eman posing with her two sons, Gabriel, left, 16, and Brendin, right, 12, and their dog Sisco, 6, at their home in Casa Grande, Arizona

Obese model Susanne Eman is saying 'Supersize Me' for real - in her bid to become the fattest woman ever.

The 52-stone bombshell aims to reach a whopping 115 stone, or 1,600lbs, by guzzling at least 20,000 calories a day.

Susanne, 32, from Arizona, USA, hopes to pass the half way milestone of 57 stones by the end of the year.

The single mum-of-two believes she's already overtaken former biggest mum Donna Simpson, 43, from New Jersey, who weighs 50 stones.

And Susanne - who is creating a stir among fans of 'Super Size Big Beautiful Women' (SSBBWs) - plans to increase her calorie-intake to keep gaining.

‘I'd love to find out if it's humanly possible to reach a ton,’ she said. ‘A previous record holder was 1,600lbs (115 stone) , so I have to be at least that.

Little and large: Ms Eman poses back to back with her sister Cassie, 26

'My next goal is to be 57 stone (800lbs) by the end of the year.

‘At my current rate of growth, I should be 115 stone by age 41 or 42.’

Susanne visits the supermarket once a month with sons Gabriel, 16, and Brendin, 12, and spends up to eight hours filling six trollies.

‘It's like a full day's work,’ said Susanne, who uses a motorised scooter, but astonishingly believes she can stay healthy.

She added: ‘The bigger I get, the better I feel. I feel more confident and sexy. Why shouldn't I push the limits and see how fat I can get and stay healthy?’

Susanne's bizarre mission began after she couldn't stop gaining weight naturally.

'Two years ago I hit 35 stone because I was losing my battle against weight gain,’ she said.

Supermarket sweep: Ms Eman spends an incredible eight hours stocking up for the month

‘I noticed I actually started attracting more men, and it made me feel good.’

The unemployed mother - who cannot work because of her weight - claims she stays active by doing simple exercises and having regular health checks.

‘I go for a waddle and do stretches and exercises every day,’ she said. 'My muscles need to hold up to my weight, so I have to stay strong.

'I take my blood pressure once a week, and every day, after I exercise, I take readings of my other vitals. I use a pulse oximeter to measure the concentration of oxygen in my blood stream.
‘And I take my blood sugar levels just like a diabetic. If either of the readings go above a certain level, I'll immediately contact my doctor for advice.

‘If I was to get sick, I've arranged for my sister to take care of my kids.

'I haven't gone near the danger zones yet though.’
Despite warnings from her doctor that her bizarre experiment could kill her, Susanne insists she wants to break the record.

Heavy going: Ms Eman takes regular health checks but says....

...that the bigger she gets, the better she feels

Dr Patrick Flite said: ‘She's really playing Russian roulette with her life with this goal. There are well-documented complications that come with morbid obesity.

‘I would never encourage anyone to be doing what Susanne is doing.’

Dr Flite said Susanne's medical checks showed no current problems, adding: ‘She's capable of making her own decisions.  I don't see any psychiatric problems or anything else wrong.’

But Susanne admitted she's taken steps to protect her children in the future.

‘The boys do notice my diet and that I eat more each day,’ she said.

‘I tell them that everybody likes different things. If I'm making something fatty and they want something healthy, then I make us different meals.’

Susanne even acts as an online agony aunt for other potential SSBBWs.

‘I want to break the stigma that being fat is a bad thing,’ she said. ‘I remind other fat people that it is OK for them to be that way.

‘The message I want to get across is for people to accept others for who they are.’

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SUSANNE'S DAILY DIET

Breakfast: 6 x eggs scrambled, cooked in butter 468 cals. 1/2 pound bacon 1,168 cals, 4 x potatoes as hash browns 672 cals, 6 x pieces toast with butter 600 cals, 32 ounce cream shake 1,160 cals. Snacking 1 x bag of animal cookies 1,950 cals, 2litre bottle of soft drink 800 cals, 1 x 10.5 ounce bag of barbecue flavour crisps 1,650 cals, 3 x ham and cheese sandwiches 1,576 cals.
Lunch: 3 x beef, bean and green chilli burritos with 1 x cup of sour cream 1,453 cals. Salad (1 head lettuce, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup carrots, 1 cucumber, 1/2 cup ranch dressing, bacon bits, 1 cup crumbled cheese, 1 cup chicken 1,479 cals.
Dinner: 12 x filled tacos + 1 x cup sour cream 4,906 cals, 2litre bottle of soda 800 cals, Dessert 8 x scoops vanilla ice cream 2,080 cals, 1 x small pan of brownies 1,200 cals.
Total: 21,962 calories

Obama's plan: New jobs proposals, challenging GOP

Under fire in a nation desperate for jobs, President Barack Obama will soon announce a broad package of tax cuts, construction work and help for the millions of Americans who have been unemployed for months, a White House official said Wednesday. Republicans immediately cast doubt about any such plan, setting up a fresh economic showdown as the presidential campaign intensifies. Obama will unveil his economic strategy in a speech right after Labor Day, hoping to frame the autumn jobs debate by pressuring Republicans in Congress to act or face the voters' wrath. The country is in a deep state of disgust about Washington politics, piling urgency on both parties to help the economy quickly — or somehow position the other side to take the blame.
To pay for his jobs ideas, Obama will challenge the new "super committee" in Congress to go well beyond its goal of finding $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction, with part of the savings used to cover some of his economy-jolting help without sinking the nation deeper in debt. But there, too, Obama already faces trouble from Republican members who have ruled out tax hikes.
It's all leading to a sharp campaign for public opinion, the outcome shaping the presidential and congressional elections in 2012.

Obama, as the most visible target for voter ire, is seeking re-election with unemployment north of 9 percent. No incumbent in recent times has won a second term with the jobless rate anywhere near that high.
The final details of Obama's new economic plan have not been decided, and it is expected to be broader than the proposals known so far.
It is likely to include tax cuts to help the middle class, a build-up-America construction program that goes beyond any infrastructure proposal Obama has had already, and targeted help for the particularly worrisome group of people who have remained unemployed for many months in a row.
A White House official confirmed those details to The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity because the president has not disclosed them publicly.
In Illinois on Wednesday, Obama broadly outlined his plans to help the fragile economy and have the costs covered as part of a broad plan to reduce the deficit. He pledged to present a specific way to do both to the super committee of lawmakers assigned to come up with such a deficit-slicing plan before Thanksgiving.
Previewing his line of argument, Obama has spent much of a three-day bus tour through the Midwest lobbying people to pressure their members of Congress to deal with him.
"If you're delivering that message, it's a lot stronger than me delivering that message because you're the folks ultimately that put those members of Congress into office. All right?" Obama said at a town hall in northwest Illinois. He faced a supportive but restless audience eager for its government to deliver on jobs, aid for the needy and protection of Social Security.
Republicans were underwhelmed by news of another speech, jobs package and deficit plan from the president.
On the campaign trail, Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney needled Obama. "Too little, too late," he said from the key primary state of New Hampshire. "But we appreciate the fact that he's going to devote some time to it — not just going to be on the bus tour, not just going to be vacationing in Martha's Vineyard."
From Congress, Republican House Speaker John Boehner said the Democrats are the ones who have sat on GOP jobs bills in the Senate. Boehner said the burden was on Obama to offer the country fresh proposals "that depart from his previous policies and allow us to find common ground."
And from the liberal flank of Obama's own party, the advocacy group MoveOn.org asked its members to phone the White House and keep pressure on him not to "placate" Republicans who are being pressed in turn by the tea party. "He needs to start listening to the vast majority of the American people who say job creation is the number one priority, and the rich and corporations should be taxed more, not less," the group's email said.

Obama, too, wants to tax the wealthy more as one way to cut the deficit. But up against a potentially catastrophic government default, he settled for a deal with Congress this month that trimmed the debt without any new revenues, just spending cuts.
Obama is trying again by working to influence the new debt committee in Congress.
"You've got to have everything on the table," Obama said Wednesday, meaning taxes and popular health programs. He has little say over whether Congress goes that route.
Nearly 14 million people are out of work, and that doesn't count the millions more who have given up trying to find jobs or who have part-time employment when they want full-time.
The president will propose specific help for the long-term unemployed. Roughly 6.2 million people fit that description, meaning they have been out of work for 6 months or more.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and many private economists have cited the rise in long-term unemployment as a particularly ominous result of the deep recession and the weak recovery. Their fear is that even as the economy recovers, those who've been out of work that long may never rejoin the work force, relying instead on government help.
The administration official emphasized that Obama's proposals would be fresh ones, not a rehash of plans he has pitched for many weeks. Yet he will keep pushing those other ones, too, including three pending trade deals, patent-law changes and an extension of a payroll tax cut for employers.
___
AP Economics Writer Christopher S. Rugaber contributed to this story.

Release Pa Mikel Obi Nigerian Youths Cry Out

It is officially confirmed that Super Eagles/Chelsea Football Club Ace Midfielder Mikel Obi's father Pa Michael Obi went missing in Jos on Friday August 14 was kidnapped and the heartless kidnappers have contacted his family demanding N20 Million for his release.
The kidnappers told the Obi family that they have removed the abducted man from Jos and are holding him in a secret hideout in Lagos. Pa Michael Obi's abandoned car was found close to Kwali Falls in Riyom LG Area of Plateau State some days after he went missing.

 Please Nigerian youths cry for his release!!!

Former Chief of General Staff Rear Amiral Augustus Aikhomu passes on

Nigeria’s former Chief of General Staff, Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu is dead. The one time number two man of The Federal Republic of Nigeria passed on earlier today in Lagos after a battle with an ailment.
The Edo born retired naval officer served as the Chief of General Staff when General Ibrahim Babangida ruled Nigeria between 1986 and 1993.

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'Dark Knight Rises': Batwing First Look!

Ultra-secretive "Dark Knight Rises" director Christopher Nolan has met his match in the city of Pittsburgh. The filmmaker is famous for keeping his actors on spoiler-dishing lockdown, with "Inception" star Joseph Gordon-Levitt once telling us how his boss "very specifically asked [him] not to talk about" the mind-bending thriller and Anne Hathaway joking about taking a blood oath not to reveal anything about her role of Catwoman.


Check out photos of the Batwing on the set of "Dark Knight Rises"!

But as "Rises" continues to shoot on location in Pittsburgh, almost every day brings a fresh batch of spoiler-filled photos and videos about the comic-book flick. The latest is the first glimpse of what appears to be the Batwing, the Caped Crusader's signature aircraft.
The aircraft appears to utilize fan-driven engines and be made of a series of interlocking plates, indicating that the ship may have some sort of shape-shifting quality. Such a transformational vehicle wouldn't be out of place in Nolan's Gotham City; in the "Dark Knight," part of Batman's Tumbler turned out to contain a hidden Batpod. A YouTube video from set shows the Batwing being driven down a street during the shoot, its massive body gyrating back and forth, a Batman dummy placed in the cockpit.
In his many comic book, TV and film incarnations, Batman has long had an aerial vehicle. Tim Burton, in 1989's "Batman," introduced the idea of (and the name for) the Batwing. Nolan thus far has not delivered anything of the sort. "Dark Knight Rises," however, seems to be utilizing a slew of vehicles for the film, from a bunch of camouflaged Tumblers to Hathaway's Catwoman on the Batpod itself to this new aircraft.
And while we know far more at this point about "Dark Knight Rises" than we ever could have expected, and certainly more than Nolan would likely prefer, there remains much we don't know. Even what we have seen, Hathaway let MTV News know, doesn't give everything away.
"What I am happy to say is: If you didn't like the photo," she said of the first look at her in character as Catwoman, "you only see about a 10th of what that suit can do."

Twitter Users Reveal #JobsDrakeHadBeforeBecomingARapper

Before Drake was Drizzy or even the monosyllabic rapper named Drake, he was Aubrey Drake Graham, an eyebrow model and the spokesman of Drakes Cakes. No, not really. He played Jimmy Brooks for several years on the popular Canadian teen drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Most of you already knew that.
But thanks to thousands of Twitter users who have chimed in on the trending topic #JobsDrakeHadBeforeBecomingARapper, some incredible information about the secret backstory of Drake Aubrey Graham has finally come to light. It's entirely made-up information, but at least the good suggestions are based on Drake's lyrics, current events or his physical characteristics. For example, did you know that Drake used to be a lap dance tester? Still is, actually. Just the other day he tested a lap dance from wigged-out Nicki Minaj. He did a pretty good job too. Click on for more of Drake's old jobs.

Michael Jackson Estate Threatens Legal Action Over Tribute Concert

Several weeks after announcing their intention to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson with an all-star concert called "Michael Jackson Forever," the initial lineup for the October 8 show at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, was revealed last week.
According to promoters, the Michael Forever show is slated to feature such stars as Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Motown legend Smokey Robinson, in addition to less globally popular talents, including Alexandra Burke, Pixie Lott, Leona Lewis, JLS, Craig David, Alien Ant Farm and a pair of Jackson-related groups, 3T and the Jackson Brothers.
The one thing the event does not have, however, is the approval of Jackson's powerful estate, which had kept silent about the show put together by parents Joseph and Katherine Jackson, along with siblings Jackie, Tito, Marlon, LaToya and Rebbie. Brothers Jermaine and Randy have not been involved in the plans and have publicly objected to the event because it falls in the middle of the involuntary manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray.
On Tuesday (August 16) a spokesperson for the estate — which has handled all of Jackson's affairs since his 2009 death — confirmed that estate lawyer Howard Weitzman sent a letter to concert organizers last week raising some pointed questions about the show.
"I represent the Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson. As the legal caretakers of Michael's intellectual property, we believe it is our duty to contact you directly regarding the growing number of questions that have been addressed to the Estate, as well as multiple concerns that have emerged in recent days," reads the letter.
After reminding organizers that the estate is the only entity that can sign off on the use of Jackson's image or his intellectual property — the concert's website is careful not to feature any images of the singer or samples of his music — the letter said the estate was "especially disappointed" by the announcement on Monday that greasepaint rockers Kiss have been added to the bill.

Specifically, the beef was that outspoken Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has made a number of disparaging comments about Jackson in the past. "It was extraordinarily embarrassing when no sooner had you announced this 'news' that [Simmons] would participate in your concert that TMZ posted an item noting that Mr. Simmons called Michael Jackson ... a child molester, notwithstanding the fact that Michael was acquitted by a jury," read the letter.
Jackson fansite MJ4Justice was flooded with negative comments about the addition of Kiss, announced on Monday by Katherine Jackson on CNN, and has called for a boycott of the show. The concert's Facebook page has also been inundated with concerns over the booking of Kiss.
And the complaints worked. On Tuesday, the concert's promoter, Global Live Events, canceled Kiss' "invitation" to appear in the show. "We have listened to Michael's fans and are grateful to have been alerted to these unfortunate statements by Gene Simmons," CEO Chris Hunt said in a statement. "Under the circumstances we fully agree that even though Kiss is a band Michael admired we have no choice but to rescind our invitation to them to appear in our tribute concert. We offer our sincerest apologies to Mrs. Jackson and the family for this oversight — our primary concern must be to do justice to Michael's memory, and to put on a tribute that the family and the fans will find suitable and fit for a King, our King of Pop."
The estate also expressed concerns about the promotion of the concert as a charity event, noting that it is using Jackson's "good name" to promote contributions, when the charitable element of the show is voluntary. "It appears from your interviews and from your website that none of the (approximately $90-$390) per person ticket price is committed to charitable causes," the letter states. The estate asked for clarity on to whom the charitable contributions are going , as well as an explanation of the small type clause that says that refunds will not be offered if "50% or more of the number of contracted artists attend and perform."
A spokesperson for the concert had not returned requests for comment about the donations at press time. Tickets are being distributed in lottery fashion, with fans asked to register for the chance to buy them in order to, "avoid the usual frantic rush and confusion when tickets for big events go on sale," according to the concert's website.
"Michael Jackson always made sure his fans were treated to concert experiences so spectacular that they would remember the evening for the rest of their lives," lawyer Weitzman concluded. "He always treated his fans with the utmost respect. In light of the questions raised above and the confusion surrounding this 'event,' we are extremely concerned about Michael's legacy, his fans and the public-at-large." The letter asks promoter Global Live to address those concerns and those of the singer's fans as soon as possible.

Jay Z & Kanye West break Coldplay iTunes Record

There should be some interesting conversation this week between Jay-Z and his buddy Chris Martin. Billboard is reporting that when the sales numbers for Watch the Throne are released Wednesday, Hov and Kanye West will break Coldplay's U.S. one-week sales record on iTunes.
Billboard learned through its sources that the album — which was exclusively available through iTunes from its release on August 8 to August 11 — sold approximately 290,000 units through Sunday. That's 8,000 more digital copies than Coldplay slung when they dropped their 2008 album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.

On Friday, Throne was released to physical retailers, and when the first-week digital and physical sales are tallied together, it is a safe bet Jigga and Yeezy will land the #1 spot on the Billboard albums chart.
When MTV News interviewed a panel of hip-hop experts last week, estimations of Jay and Kanye's sales varied. Vibe editorial director Datwon Thomas guessed the Throne would sell 500,000, while Hot 97 DJ Kast One thought the album would push up to 400,000 copies.
Predicting the final first-week sales number for Watch the Throne isn't easy, though. While most albums traditionally drop on a Tuesday, WTT was released on a Monday, and its four-day iTunes exclusivity further complicated matters. By the time the physical CD was released on Friday, it was difficult to judge how buyers would react. While the album was originally predicted to sell just north of 500,000 copies, now that number is looking like it will fall anywhere between 410,000 and 450,000.

Britney Spears to get tribute at MTV Video Music Awards

A tribute to Britney Spears is to be held at this year's MTV video music awards (VMAs) in Los Angeles.

The singer has recorded a promo video for the event in which she's seen DJ'ing at a dance party playing tracks including her present single, I Wanna Go.
Britney Spears is nominated for best pop video and best choreography for her track Till The World Ends this year.
She has won four VMAs in the past and made several memorable appearances.
They include her handing a birthday cake to Michael Jackson (2002), her kiss with Madonna (2003), her comeback performance (2007) and her dance with an albino python (2001).

Nominations

Lil Wayne, Adele, Bruno Mars and Chris Brown are all performing at the ceremony with Selena Gomez, Rick Ross and Kim Kardashian all set to present awards.
A host for the video music awards has yet to be announced.
The VMAs will be broadcast from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on 28 August.
Katy Perry leads the field this year with nine nominations, including video of the year for Firework, best pop video and best special effects.
Adele and Kanye West both have seven nominations each.
Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Bruno Mars are also up for multiple awards.

HENNESSY ARTISTRY 2011

Hennessy Artistry is an innovative musical platform, launched worldwide by Hennessy in 2006 to celebrate the vibrant multiculturalism of different music genres. It combines contemporary, hip and inspirational music from around the world, and has worked in collaboration with talented artistes like Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis, LL Cool J and Fabulous.
Through its commitment to 'the art of blending', Hennessy Artistry has since become a permanent, anticipated fixture on the urban music scenes of many countries around the world, from China to Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, and more.

Hennessy Artistry, the global music campaign is gearing up for its fifth consecutive Nigerian edition. The highly celebrated musical platform explores different vibrant music genres; fusing styles and pushing the envelope as far as experimental collaboration is concerned.

Hennessy Artistry was launched by the French cognac house, Hennessy, as a means of celebrating the vibrant multiculturalism of different music genres. It started globally in 2006 and made its Nigerian debut the following year. The first Nigerian edition was a cocktail–mixing contest among bartenders. In 2008 the format of Hennessy Artistry changed as it became a competition among up and coming Nigerian DJs.

In 2009 the ‘Battle of the DJs’ as it was called was replaced with a live band competition among Nigeria’s fastest rising urban-music talents. Contestants included Ice Prince, Mo’ Cheddah, Blaise, Jimmy Flames and Bez. After a series of live performances in select spots across Lagos, Chocolate City recording artiste Ice Prince won the competition and had the pleasure of going home with a grand prize.

The 2010 Hennessy Artistry was a more grandiose edition with Nneka, M.I, Sir Shina Peters, Bez, and Ice Prince composing a song called Like A Bottle. The track, produced by Kas, was accompanied by a music video. The edition climaxed at an exclusive Grand Finale Halo concert at the GET Arena in Lagos, Nigeria.

“This year’s Hennessy Artistry project will have many similarities with last year’s. We started something interesting last year that we intend to evolve and improve upon this year. We will be working with a group of talented urban Nigerian artistes, who all have that cutting edge style that sets them apart from the crowd. As usual the Hennessy Artistry event this year will be a unique blend of sound, visual innovation and the premium Hennessy cognac experience” says TokiniPeterside, the company’s Communications Manager.

Hennessy Artistry 2011 is set to officially begin in August with a press conference where the artistes and producers involved in this year’s edition will be revealed to the public.

For further quotes, enquiries, pictures, snippets or interview requests, please email: nike@bhmng.com or info@bhmng.com or call 018102840

Four Years For Pair Who Incited Riots Online

Jordan Blackshaw (left) and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan have been jailed

Jordan Blackshaw, 20, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, who were arrested last week, were sentenced at Chester Crown Court.
Their jail terms are the most severe yet to be handed out by the courts following the riots in London and other English cities.
Blackshaw, from Marston near Northwich, and Sutcliffe-Keenan, from Warrington, used Facebook to incite violence.
The court heard Cheshire Police discovered a Facebook event entitled "Smash Down Northwich Town" created by Blackshaw.
It clearly stated who it was created by and gave a time and place to meet "behind maccies" [believed to mean McDonalds]
The invitation also mentioned it was intended for the receipt of the "MOB HILL MASSIVE NORTHWICH LOOTIN".
Blackshaw posted the first comment, saying: "WE'LL NEED TO GET ON THIS KICKIN OFF ALL OVER".
Sutcliffe-Keenan also set up a Facebook page encouraging disorder called "WARRINGTON RIOTS" with a date and time.
A witness identified the defendant from a photo which was posted on the site and he was listed as its sole creator.
Martin McRobb, Crown Advocate for the CPS, said: "They both used Facebook to organise and orchestrate serious disorder at a time when such incidents were taking place in other parts of the country.

Disney Puts Depp's Lone Ranger Film On Hold

Johnny Depp has been signed up to play Tonto in the remake of The Lone Ranger

The Hollywood remake of western The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp, has been put on hold by Disney following concerns over its budget. 

Filming had been due to start in New Mexico in October but has now been delayed after its costs ballooned to $250m (£153m).
Disney did not want to spend more than $200m (£122m) on the movie, according to industry blog Deadline.
Depp was due to play the title character's sidekick Tonto, alongside The Lone Ranger Armie Hammer, who played the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network.
British actress Ruth Wilson, who has appeared in TV series Luther, was cast as the female lead Rebecca.
The project had Jerry Bruckheimer on board as well as Gore Verbinski - both worked on the Pirates of The Caribbean films with Depp.
The Pirates franchise was a huge success for Disney and helped make Depp one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors.
The Lone Ranger had been tipped to become a similar series of films.
But Disney already has two other big budget projects in the works - Oz: The Great And Powerful and fantasy John Carter.
Last week the studio’s chief executive, Bob Iger, voiced fears about the economic climate.
He said: "It's our intention to take a very careful look at what films cost. And if we can't get them to a level that we're comfortable with, we think that we're better off actually reducing the size of our slate than making films that are bigger and increasingly more risky."
The Lone Ranger began life as a radio show then ran as a TV series from 1949-57 with reruns being shown for decades afterwards.
Speaking about the film earlier this year, Depp revealed he wanted to try to reinvent the relationship between the Lone Ranger and Tonto.
"What we’ve got so far screenplay-wise is really great, really funny. I think it's going to be good, when we have a chance to put it up on its feet.
"I always felt Native Americans were badly portrayed in Hollywood films over the decades.
"It's a real opportunity for me to give a salute to them. Tonto was a sidekick in all the Lone Ranger series. [This film] is a very different approach to that partnership. And a funny one I think."

Actor Armie Hammer has been cast as the Texas Ranger

 

Phone hacking: News of the World reporter's letter reveals cover-up

The News of the World's former royal correspondent, Clive Goodman, who was jailed over phone hacking. A letter from him claims phone hacking was widely discussed at the paper. Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images

Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and their former editor Andy Coulson all face embarrassing new allegations of dishonesty and cover-up after the publication of an explosive letter written by the News of the World's disgraced royal correspondent, Clive Goodman.
In the letter, which was written four years ago but published only on Tuesday, Goodman claims that phone hacking was "widely discussed" at editorial meetings at the paper until Coulson himself banned further references to it; that Coulson offered to let him keep his job if he agreed not to implicate the paper in hacking when he came to court; and that his own hacking was carried out with "the full knowledge and support" of other senior journalists, whom he named.
The claims are acutely troubling for the prime minister, David Cameron, who hired Coulson as his media adviser on the basis that he knew nothing about phone hacking. And they confront Rupert and James Murdoch with the humiliating prospect of being recalled to parliament to justify the evidence which they gave last month on the aftermath of Goodman's allegations. In a separate letter, one of the Murdochs' own law firms claim that parts of that evidence were variously "hard to credit", "self-serving" and "inaccurate and misleading".
Goodman's claims also raise serious questions about Rupert Murdoch's close friend and adviser, Les Hinton, who was sent a copy of the letter but failed to pass it to police and who then led a cast of senior Murdoch personnel in telling parliament that they believed Coulson knew nothing about the interception of the voicemail of public figures and that Goodman was the only journalist involved.
The letters from Goodman and from the London law firm Harbottle & Lewis are among a cache of paperwork published by the Commons culture, media and sport select committee. One committee member, the Labour MP Tom Watson, said Goodman's letter was "absolutely devastating". He said: "Clive Goodman's letter is the most significant piece of evidence that has been revealed so far. It completely removes News International's defence. This is one of the largest cover-ups I have seen in my lifetime."
Goodman's letter is dated 2 March 2007, soon after he was released from a four-month prison sentence. It is addressed to News International's director of human resources, Daniel Cloke, and registers his appeal against the decision of Hinton, the company's then chairman, to sack him for gross misconduct after he admitted intercepting the voicemail of three members of the royal household. Goodman lists five grounds for his appeal.
He argues that the decision is perverse because he acted "with the full knowledge and support" of named senior journalists and that payments for the private investigator who assisted him, Glenn Mulcaire, were arranged by another senior journalist. The names of the journalists have been redacted from the published letter at the request of Scotland Yard, who are investigating the affair.
Goodman then claims that other members of staff at the News of the World were also hacking phones. Crucially, he adds: "This practice was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the editor." He reveals that the paper continued to consult him on stories even though they knew he was going to plead guilty to phone hacking and that the paper's then lawyer, Tom Crone, knew all the details of the case against him.
In a particularly embarrassing allegation, he adds: "Tom Crone and the editor promised on many occasions that I could come back to a job at the newspaper if I did not implicate the paper or any of its staff in my mitigation plea. I did not, and I expect the paper to honour its promise to me." In the event, Goodman lost his appeal. But the claim that the paper induced him to mislead the court is one that may cause further problems for News International.
Two versions of his letter were provided to the committee. One which was supplied by Harbottle & Lewis has been redacted to remove the names of journalists, at the request of police. The other, which was supplied by News International, has been redacted to remove not only the names but also all references to hacking being discussed in Coulson's editorial meetings and to Coulson's offer to keep Goodman on staff if he agreed not to implicate the paper.
The company also faces a new claim that it misled parliament. In earlier evidence to the select committee, in answer to questions about whether it had bought Goodman's silence, it had said he was paid off with a period of notice plus compensation of no more than £60,000. The new paperwork, however, reveals that Goodman was paid a full year's salary, worth £90,502.08, plus a further £140,000 in compensation as well as £13,000 to cover his lawyer's bill. Watson said: "It's hush money. I think they tried to buy his silence." Murdoch's executives have always denied this.
When Goodman's letter reached News International four years ago, it set off a chain reaction which now threatens embarrassment for Rupert and James Murdoch personally. The company resisted Goodman's appeal, and he requested disclosure of emails sent to and from six named senior journalists on the paper. The company collected 2,500 emails and sent them to Harbottle & Lewis and asked the law firm to examine them.
Harbottle & Lewis then produced a letter, which has previously been published by the select committee in a non-redacted form: "I can confirm that we did not find anything in those emails which appeared to us to be reasonable evidence that Clive Goodman's illegal actions were known about and supported by both or either of Andy Coulson, the editor, and Neil Wallis, the deputy editor, and/or that Ian Edmondson, the news editor, and others were carrying out similar illegal procedures."
In their evidence to the select committee last month, the Murdochs presented this letter as evidence that the company had been given a clean bill of health. However, the Metropolitan police have since said that the emails contained evidence of "alleged payments by corrupt journalists to corrupt police officers". And the former director of public prosecutions, Ken Macdonald, who examined a small sample of the emails, said they contained evidence of indirect hacking, breaches of national security and serious crime.
In a lengthy reply, Harbottle & Lewis say it was never asked to investigate whether crimes generally had been committed at the News of the World but had been instructed only to say whether the emails contained evidence that Goodman had hacked phones with "the full knowledge and support" of the named senior journalists. The law firm reveals that the letter was the result of a detailed negotiation with News International's senior lawyer, Jon Chapman, and it refused to include a line which he suggested, that, having seen a copy of Goodman's letter of 2 March: "We did not find anything that we consider to be directly relevant to the grounds of appeal put forward by him."
In a lengthy criticism of the Murdochs' evidence to the select committee last month, Harbottle & Lewis says it finds it "hard to credit" James Murdoch's repeated claim that News International "rested on" its letter as part of their grounds for believing that Goodman was a "rogue reporter". It says News International's view of the law firm's role is "self-serving" and that Rupert Murdoch's claim that it was hired "to find out what the hell was going on" was "inaccurate and misleading", although it adds that he may have been confused or misinformed about its role.
Harbottle & Lewis writes: "There was absolutely no question of the firm being asked to provide News International with a clean bill of health which it could deploy years later in wholly different contexts for wholly different purposes … The firm was not being asked to provide some sort of 'good conduct certificate' which News International could show to parliament … Nor was it being given a general retainer, as Mr Rupert Murdoch asserted it was, 'to find out what the hell was going on'."
The law firm's challenge to the Murdochs' evidence follows an earlier claim made jointly by the paper's former editor and former lawyer that a different element of James Murdoch's evidence to the committee was "mistaken". He had told the committee that he had paid more than £1m to settle a legal action brought by Gordon Taylor of the Professional Footballers Association without knowing that Taylor's lawyers had obtained an email from a junior reporter to the paper's chief reporter, Neville Thurlbeck, containing 35 transcripts of voicemail messages. Crone and the former editor, Colin Myler, last month challenged this.
In letters published by the committee, the former News of the World lawyer repeats his position. He says this email was "the sole reason" for settling Taylor's case. He says he took it with him to a meeting with James Murdoch in June 2008 when he explained the need to settle: "I have no doubt that I informed Mr Murdoch of its existence, of what it was and where it came from."
Myler, in a separate letter also published on Tuesday, endorses Crone's account. Their evidence raises questions about James Murdoch's failure to tell the police or his shareholders about the evidence of crime contained in the email.
Watson said that both Murdochs should be recalled to the committee to explain their evidence. Hinton, who resigned last month, may join them. Four days after Goodman sent his letter, Hinton gave evidence to the select committee in which he made no reference to any of the allegations contained in the letter, but told MPs: "I believe absolutely that Andy [Coulson] did not have knowledge of what was going on". He added that he had carried out a full, rigorous internal inquiry and that he believed Goodman was the only person involved.
Commenting on the evidence from the select committee, a News International spokesperson said: "News Corporation's board has set up a management and standards committee, chaired by independent chairman Lord Grabiner, which is co-operating fully with the Metropolitan police and is facilitating their investigation into illegal voicemail interception at the News of the World and related issues.
"We recognise the seriousness of materials disclosed to the police and parliament and are committed to working in a constructive and open way with all the relevant authorities."