How to Turn an Argument Around: Three Keys to Success

By Mike Bundrant:

You know that point in an argument right before the blow up?

Things are beginning to heat up, but you’re not past the point of no return. You could still save yourself from the damage that is sure to come.


This is where we’re going to focus today. Managing this crucial point of awareness is the key to avoiding the pain of another argument. We’ll go over just three critical things you need to do.

It’s important to remember that NONE of these steps involve caving in or sacrificing your sense of justice. Avoiding arguments doesn’t make you weak. It makes you stronger. Weak, insecure people argue chronically. Strong people can remain calm and respect boundaries.

Here are the key elements you’ll need:

German judges may not text from the bench: federal court

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) found that "even in an age of limitless mobile phone and Internet use", a judge "must devote full attention to the hearing".

The judge for the regional court in the western city of Frankfurt had been presiding over the trial of two men accused of involvement in a knife fight.

Keyamo Wants NASS To Probe NNPC

Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo has urged the National Assembly to probe alleged massive looting of state resources “by some unscrupulous officials of the NNPC in collusion with some local companies in the oil and gas sector.”

The activist made reference to the crude oil swaps in a statement he released in Lagos and said that it was an arrangement whereby about 50 per cent of the nation’s daily quota of crude oil meant for domestic refining and consumption are given to some local companies in the oil and gas sector which then sell the products in the international market and thereafter import petroleum products, including derivatives or by products on behalf of the NNPC and PPMC for sale and distribution in the country.

CAF Bans Onazi For 2 Matches

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has slammed a two-match ban on Super Eagles’ midfielder Ogenyi Onazi over his sending-off in Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Chad.

The SS Lazio playmaker, who has been a regular in the team’s midfield in the past few years, was shown a straight red card for retaliation.

He committed the act after Nigerien referee Ibrahim Mamane awarded Nigeria a penalty kick for a foul on striker Odion Ighalo.

A report on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) website on Wednesday said news of the ban was conveyed to the Federation in a circular sent to it from the CAF Secretariat.

Buhari Was Misquoted: Like old wine, he gets better with age – Adesina

President Muhammadu Buhari

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was misquoted by national dailies and online media, noting that, “like old wine, Buhari gets better with age”.

Adesina noted that on Monday evening, Buhari spoke with the Nigerian community at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Speaking extempore, because according to him, he wanted to “speak from the heart,” the President urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, a country he went to the warfront to keep together.

Jay Z Advised Tina Knowles Lawson To Date Younger Men

PageSix: Tina Knowles Lawson, 61, reveals son-in-law Jay Z urged her to date a younger man when she split with Beyoncé’s dad, Matthew.

But she wed Richard Lawson, 68, in April.
“Our sex life is active; it’s really good,” Tina tells Ebony magazine. But Matthew is “family to this day.”

Photos: Ini Edo glows in print dress and gold highlights hair

                           

Actress Ini Edo looking ravishing an olive green dress and gold highlights hair extension. The photo was taken on set of the Get Away series. 

Real Madrid's Derik Osede wants to play for Nigeria

                               

He revealed to BBC Sports why he wants to play for Nigeria. The 22year old former Spain youth international defender, who is a regular for Real Madrid's B side, is free to play for Nigeria because he has not yet played for any country's senior national team. 

Kaduna Has 2nd Highest HIV Prevalence In Nigeria – State Governor

                        

New Governor of Kaduna State,  Nasir El-Rufai while addressing audience at Kaduna Health Summit on Tuesday said that the state has the second highest HIV prevalence in the country and sadly only 36 per cent of mothers have the benefit of being attended to by skilled birth attendants.

In his speech, Governor El-Rufai said the present situation is unacceptable.

“Kaduna State has the second highest HIV prevalence in the country, and only 36 per cent of mothers have the benefit of being attended by skilled birth attendants,” he said.

Kidnappers of Winners pastor demand N60m

                                                                Pastor Adekunle

There are indications that the kidnappers of the Senior Resident Pastor of the Winners Chapel located along IBB Way in Calabar, Mr. Seyi Adekunle, have demanded a ransom of N60m for his release.

A source from the church told Southern City News on Tuesday that the kidnappers had opened communication with the church.

The source said though he was not speaking on behalf of the church, he learnt that the kidnappers had established contact with the church and made demand for cash.

“I am not the church mouthpiece and therefore cannot speak on behalf of the church. However, I can authoritatively tell you that the kidnappers have made a demand of N60m before releasing the pastor,” the source said.

Police destroy Indian hemp farm in Abia

                                        The suspect and some of the uprooted weeds

The Abia State Police Command has destroyed an Indian hemp farm located at Amaorji village in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, who confirmed this to Southern City News, said the alleged owner of the farm was still being interrogated by the police.

He said police, acting on a tip-off, visited the house of the suspect, one Mr. Ibe Onwubuiko, on June 10, 2015 and arrested him with two wraps of Indian hemp.

Onyeke said the suspect took detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department to a farm behind his house where he planted the weed.

Why there is massive corruption in NNPC, by Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday attributed alleged massive corrupt practices in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to lack of operational budget framework.

Saraki said such an era where there was deliberate non-provision of operational budget for the Corporation was gone for good as will not be tolerated by the 8th Senate.

The Senate President spoke while receiving members of Civil Society Groups in Abuja.

Al-Bashir Drama: 1,400 S/African Soldiers ‘Held Hostage’ In Darfur

South African peacekeeping soldiers were allegedly “held hostage” in Darfur until Sudan president Omar al-Bashir was allowed to travel back to Khartoum, South African media and the secretary of the country’s largest military union have reported.

Netwerk24 reported that 1,400 South African troops stationed in the Western Sudanese region were held captive by Sudanese troops when Al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged atrocities committed during the Darfur conflict, was barred from leaving South Africa.

Buhari to probe Jonathan’s $9.7m failed arms contract

What actually went wrong with the $9.7m arms deal? Why was the cash flown to South Africa from Nigeria?Was the money, which South Africa impounded, actually meant for arms purchase?

These are some of the questions which will soon be answered.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to probe the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s deal.

He is to take up the issue with President Jacob Zuma.

The cash was seized by South African security men last September as it was being transferred into their country on a private jet by agents of the Federal Government.

Former President Jonathan’s government claimed that the money was mearnt to puchase arms from private companies in South Africa.

PHOTOS: President Buhari Returns From ‪AU‬ Summit In ‎SA

                 

President Muhammadu ‪Buhari‬ early Tuesday returned from the African Union summit in South Africa. The president who was accompanied by governors of ‪#‎Ogun‬ and ‪#‎Benue‬ states arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 5:30am. He was received by aides at the Airport and later met the Vice President, Prof. Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Check out all the photos:

Police Discover 1,333 Live Ammunition In School Playground In Abia State

Police have discovered 1,333 live ammunition of 7.762mm long hidden in a School playground in Abia State, south-east Nigeria. Channels TV Reports.

The discovery was made by the Explosive Ordinance Department of the Abia State Police Command at the school located in Nkata- Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Happy Birthday To My best Friend - Agbaeze Nkata

Best friends are supposed to share everything with each other, excluding ha ha ha! You know nah? So I am celebrating and sharing your birthday with you like it’s my own. I celebrate the beautiful friendship we share! Happy Birthday, buddy!

Boko Haram: 27 missing policemen yet to be declared dead, says I-G

                                                IG of Police, Solomon Arase

Twenty seven policemen missing after terrorists attacked Gwoza in Borno in August, 2014, are yet to be declared dead, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, said on Tuesday.

Arase disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen after inaugurating the Board of Directors of the Nigeria Police Property Development and Construction Company Ltd. (NIPPDCC).

The I-G explained that the police would follow its tradition of declaring officers that got missing in battle dead after the lapse of a period of time which he declined to give.

6 Steps to Help Couples Overcome Relationship Stumbles

It’s easy for couples to fall in love. Staying in love is the tough part, according to clinical psychologist and marriage counselor Randi Gunther, Ph.D.

In her new book When Love Stumbles: How to Rediscover Love, Trust & Fulfillment in Your Relationship, Gunther shares a six-step healing plan to help couples overcome eight of the most common “stumbles” or problematic patterns in their relationships.

She devotes a chapter to how couples can surmount each stumbling block. Inside, we cover the eight common relationship stumbles most couples grapple with, as well as the six steps to help overcome them.

Photos: 14-yr old runs into moving train after being raped by man she met on Facebook

A schoolgirl killed herself by jumping in front of a train after she was allegedly raped by a man she had met on Facebook .
Tragic Anaid Tutghushyan leapt to her death after she met up with a man who she had been talking to on social networks.The 14-year-old, met the man on a dating website where she claimed to be 25.
After the pair began talking through Facebook, Anaid then said she was 17 - but this did not seem to deter the 40-year-old man, identified only as Krystian W.

You Control Your Attitude

Attitude is your window to the world. . . . and it's your job to keep your window clean. Sure, I can give you a little encouragement. And other people can encourage you, too. But in the end, nobody else can do it for you.

You see, you always have a choice. You can leave the filth on your window and look at life through a smeared glass. But there are consequences to that approach--and they're not very pretty. You'll go through life negative and frustrated. You'll be unhappy. You'll achieve only a fraction of what you're capable of achieving.

Accepting Yourself Unconditionally

Self-acceptance begins in infancy, with the influence of your parents and siblings and other important people. Your own level of self-acceptance is determined largely by how well you feel you are accepted by the important people in your life.

Your attitude toward yourself is determined largely by the attitudes that you think other people have toward you. When you believe that other people think highly of you, your level of self-acceptance and self-esteem goes straight up.

The best way to build a healthy personality involves understanding yourself and your feelings.

I dont know why people are anxious for ministers – Buhari

                                                 President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari explained, yesterday, that he was yet to appoint his ministers because his predecessor’s transition committee submitted its report on the previous administration to him late.

Buhari, who spoke to newsmen at the Summit of the African Union in Johannesburg, South Africa, said he was being careful in order not to make mistakes in appointing individuals especially to key positions such as in the finance and petroleum ministries.

German fashion brand under fire for racist slur on Chinese

Demonstrators collect signatures in protest against Philipp Plein's racist slur in Germanyback in 2007.[Photo/weibo]

German's fashion company Philipp Plein is under fire on the Internet in China for its racisthistory as the brand looks at expanding its business in the country.

Woman Calls 911 To Complain About Drug Dealer Not Delivering Her Marijuana

A Fort Lauderdale woman found with flakka called 911 to say a man didn’t give her marijuana during a drug deal, police said.

According to a Broward County Sheriff’s Office report, Daneshia Heller, 19, told an officer than a man took $5 from her to buy pot, but left her empty-handed, WPLG-TV reported.
Heller then called 911, telling a dispatcher, “He got my money, and I want my drugs. Can you send an officer?” according to police. (Listen to the 911 call here.)

Ancient DNA reveals how Europeans became white

Analysis of ancient DNA may have revealed how Europeans ‘turned white’ after humans spread out of Africa.

Daniel Zadik of the University of Leicester says that analysis of ancient DNA shows that at one point, Europe may have seen populations of hunter gatherers with blue eyes and dark skin.

Europeans only developed lighter skins much later, and Zadik believes this may have been due to Middle Eastern immigrants during the Bronze Age.

New depression treatment discovered in UK

BRITISH scientists have created a potential new treatment for depression by combining a medication for pain relief with one for combating addiction.

CURRENT antidepressants, called SSRIs, increase the level of serotonin in the brain, although the exact mechanism by which they work is unclear.

Between 30 and 50 per cent of patients do not respond to the treatment, which can take several weeks to work and cause significant side effects, researchers say.

                               

A team at the University of Bath have now combined buprenorphine, a painkiller used post-surgery, and naltrexone, a drug used for treating addiction.

Young At Heart: Kris Jenner Can’t Stop Stealing Daughters’ Style

Kris Jenner turned many heads and gained a lot of haters when she stepped out wearing a super low-cut mini dress — a dress that looked like something she stole right out of daughter Kim Kardashian‘s closet! Click through the gallery to see Kris’s attempts to stay forever young.

Falana to Challenge Legality of Sexual Offences Bill

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, Sunday said he would challenge the Sexual Offences Bill, which the Senate passed into law at the twilight of the seventh National Assembly, in the court of competent jurisdiction if the upper chamber refused to reverse itself.

However, the initiator of the bill, Senator Chris Anyanwu, disagreed with the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, noting that there was nowhere in the bill that stated a girl of 11 years old can be defiled.

                                          Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana

Northern Group Warns Against Plot To Undermine Tinubu

A group under the aegis of the Patriotic Northern Coalition for Justice, Peace and Equity has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to beware of some politicians and elements within the party plotting to undermine the party’s chieftain and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu.

The national coordinator of the coalition, Alhaji Babangida Sule Jnr, told newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, that Tinubu is the bedrock of APC and still commands great respect in his region and in the party, adding that any plot against his interest will be counter-productive.

First Lady: don’t pay any money to see President

‘Tinubu insisted I should join Buhari’s campaign’

First Lady Aisha Buhari has warned influence peddlers never to collect money from people who want to see the President.

She spoke on Saturday night during “an appreciation dinner at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in honour of All Progressives Congress (APC) women and youths who played a major role in President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the April 11 election.

God Made Me Speaker – Dogara

The speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that his recent emergence as speaker of the 8th House was by “divine intervention”.

Dogara emerged House speaker last week Tuesday in a keenly contested election which saw him defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred candidate, former House Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos/APC) by a slim eight-vote margin.

Paul Play Dairo speaks on reports that he relapsed after kidney issues

Contrary to reports that musician, Paul Play Dairo, relapsed after the kidney issues he had years ago. Addressing the claims, the singer rubbished the reports saying people only started spreading untruths afterhe went to a hospital for routine check-up and medical attention.

Unemployed, Poor Nigerians To Get N5000 Monthly – FG

The Buhari Administration at the weekend declared that there are ongoing plans to implement one of its striking campaign promises that it will pay N5000 each to the poorest Nigerians across the country.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who gave the hint noted that government is “currently evaluating the best ways to collapse existing cash transfer and social welfare schemes to ensure consistency and alignment.

Five Habits That Cultivate a Lasting Love - Dr. Malinda Fasol

A good marriage takes talk, and talk takes time. If you need convincing, a television report just confirmed it: couples that communicate with each other at least 30 minutes a day are happier.

"Communicate" is a useful word, but my husband and I use the Latin communicare—meaning literally to come together because that's what we're learning to do in our conversation, our candor, and our marriage. Every couple forms its own habits, of course, but here are the "coming together" habits that work for us.

Man Rapes His Step Daughters, Gets 1 Pregnant And Infects Both Of Them With HIV

A 60 year old rapist and paedophile has admitted to raping his two step-daughters and deliberately infecting them with HIV. He originally denied the accusations but is now awaiting sentence after changing his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial this week. He has since developed full-blown AIDS.
One of the girls was about 11 when she contracted the potentially deadly virus. Her sister was 14.

Now one of the girls, now 22, tells how she only found she had been infected during a routine antenatal blood test when she got pregnant by her boyfriend. She said that moment of happiness turned to devastation when she found out. She knew immediately she had to try to save her younger sister, still only 12, from the same fate.
But tests after her sister was removed from the family home by social services showed that she, too, had been infected.

Shockingly, their mother stood by the man as he accused the girls of lying.
The daughter’s only relief has been that her diagnosis was early enough in her pregnancy for drugs to prevent the HIV being passed on in the womb, meaning her son was born free of the virus.

This is her story:

Sudan President Detained in South Africa Pending Court Order

The North Gauteng high court has ordered the South African government to prevent Sudan president Omar Al-Bashir from leaving the country pending the urgent application to compel SA to arrest him for war crimes.
The Southern African Litigation Centre brought the application for an order compelling SA to issue a warrant for Al-Bashir’s arrest on Sunday after the International Criminal Court called for Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir to be arrested on Sunday at a summit of African leaders in Johannesburg.

Baby Factory Discovered In Enugu; 9 Pregnant Girls Arrested

The Enugu State Police Command on Saturday raided a “baby factory” and arrested nine pregnant girls in the process.

The operation, carried out by the 9th Mile Division of the Nigeria Police Force, took the police to a baby factory located within Etiti Amankwo Ngwo of 9th mile, Udi local government Area of Enugu state.

The factory is allegedly being owned and operated by one Ikechukwu Onoh of Etiti Amakwo Ngwo.

RCCG Will Produce A President - Pastor Adeboye

The brilliant mathematician cum general overseer took his time to talk explain in both mathematical and biblical terms, the two linear equations to success. The general overseer during a programme organised for leaders and potential leaders at the RCCG national headquarters, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Meta in Lagos spoke about how he turns to mathematics even when he does not understand a life situation, bible passages and all. He reiterated how mathematics can explain lots of things.

He used the biblical king Nebuchadnezzar as an example, urging all leaders to be always allow God in whatever they do. He also advised them that in all they do, they should let God, who put them in position of power, lead them. He recollected how he prophesied that members of the church will become presidents and vice presidents, how he said world leaders will come and worship in church and how lots of the members at that time didn’t believe but said amen to the prophecy.

New cargo train service between China, Europe opens

The first freight train linking Harbin and Hamburg prepares to depart from Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, June 13, 2015. The first freight train linking Harbin and Germany's Hamburg departed from Harbin on Saturday. It runs a course of 9,820 kilometers and is expected to return to Harbin on July 11. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

HARBIN, June 13 -- A freight train service between the northeastern China city of Harbin and Europe was launched on Saturday, opening a new trade route between China and Europe.

Prison Staff Arrested After 'Helping Shawshank Killers Escape'

A PRISON worker has been arrested after she allegedly helped two convicted murderers escape.

Joyce Mitchell allegedly smuggled contraband into Clinton Correctional Facility, where Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped last weekend.
She gave the pair power tools and goggles with lights to aid their Shawshank Redemption-inspired plot, according to reports.
Mitchell, 51, could face seven years in prison if found guilty.
Charles Guess of New York State police said the arrest was "a large piece of the puzzle in our quest to find these two escaped murderers".

Nigerian Kimberly Anyadike, 15, Becomes Youngest African American Female To Pilot Plane Cross-Country

A Nigerian teen has become the youngest black female to ever fly from one end of America to the other known in aviation parlance as cross country flight. Kimberly Anyadike whose parents are Nigerians broke the U.S. record and entered into the record books when she flew flew a single-engine Cessna cross-country from her hometown of in California to Newport Virginia. Anyadike also became the youngest African American female pilot to complete the journey, which took 13 days.

Corporal Exposes the Terrible Working Conditions in the Army

Thirty two-year old Lawal Ahmed is a Corporal in 115 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. The Funtua, Katsina State-born soldier enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 27 August, 2003, and served in 6 Battalion, Akwa-Ibom State, 1 Brigade Garrison, Sokoto, as well as State Task Force (STF) Jos. His service number is 03/54/5867.

On 22 April, 2014, Lawal said he applied to the Chief of Army Staff for voluntary discharge to enable him contest a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly, but that the army turned down the application. He claims the working conditions in the army is terrible, and has therefore decided to take his case to the media, 

since, according to him, his employers won’t listen. He spoke with Chuks Akunna of ThisDay:

Beyonce sued for $7m by former backup singer who claims she stole his song

A background singer named Ahmad Lane filed a federal lawsuit last year against Knowles, her music company Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, accusing Beyonce of stealing his music for her hit song “XO.” He claimed that he worked as a background singer with Knowles’ current background singer Chrissy Collins for another artist. During his time working with Collins he had given her a copy of his song “XOXO” to listen to and infers that she passed it along to Knowles.

Well, on June 4, 2015, Knowles fired back at the background singer’s lawsuit claiming his complaint is a “vague and cryptic.”

We Are Suffering, Abiola Family Begs FG To Come To Their Aide

Alhaji Muri Abiola, senior brother of the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has appealed to the federal government to compensate the family having been treated badly after the death of the family breadwinner in July 1998.

Alhaji Abiola called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun to assist them in using his good offices to plead with President Muhammed Buhari to support the family as the exit of the breadwinner has created a lot of hardship into the family.

Bode George Explains Why PDP Voted For Saraki, Says Obanikoro Turning Lagos PDP Upside Down

PDP chieftain, Bode George in an interview with a Punch correspondent has explained why PDP voted for Saraki to emerge the senate president and also explained the crisis rocking PDP Lagos saying Obanikoro is the one behind it.

Speaking on Saraki, the reporter asked; When the election for the Senate President took place, the PDP had about 49 senators in the chamber while the APC had about eight. Why didn’t the PDP gun for the position of Senate President?

How oil barons, others hijacked Senate, House election

Tuesday elections of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Mr. Yakubu Dogara as House of Representatives Speaker tipped in their favour on account of the intervention of top businessmen, high-profile investors, and some ex-Ministers in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was gathered yesterday.

The plots were hatched in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abeokuta, Abuja and Ilishan, Ogun State by four serving governors and seven ex-governors in what a source described as a bid to “decimate APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”

3 Men Who Trekked For Atiku, Stranded In Yola

Three men, who trekked to Yola in honour of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, are now stranded in Yola, according to reports from News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

The men, Salihu Jibrin, Aliyu Adamu and Abubakar Suleiman, who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Yola, said since their arrival, they have been unable to see their mentor, Atiku.

Nigerian Footballer, Oniya, Dies In Malaysia

Nigerian defender, David Faramola Oniya died yesterday, after collapsing on the pitch during a friendly match between his Malaysian club T-Team and Kelantan. He was aged 30.

Local media said the T-Team skipper collapsed three minutes into the match in Kota Bharu and was taken to hospital.

Emeka Ike Replies Wale Adenuga's Interview

Concerning a statement made by veteran actor Wale Adenuga in an interview last week, where he asserted that the Igbos have taken over Nollywood, Nollywood Actor Emeka Ike has fired back at him.

Another succinct point made by the veteran actor which irked Emeka Ike was this..." When somebody claims he founded Nollywood, Oga Bello, and of course I, cannot be part of that. When I produced my first film in 1983, Emeka Ike and his Nollywood people were still in school.
They started their own film-making in 1992 and they are claiming that 1992 was the beginning of film-making in Nigeria”

In a fresh interview with Vanguard, Emeka Ike bares his mind and reacts to the assertions made by Wale Adenuga.

Read excerpts below....