Friday 6 December 2013

FIFA unveiled its official ball for the 2014 World Cup – the ‘Brazuca’. This name was given to a ball following a public vote in Brazil which involved more than one million fans.
Its design is said to be “inspired by vibrant colours, passion and heritage of Brazil.” Its name is a term used by natives of the country, meaning ‘Brazilian’ or to describe the Brazilian way of life.
The ball was unveiled during a spectacular 3D event held at the iconic Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, but went through a rigorous two-and-a-half-year testing process which involved more than 600 of the world’s top players.
Players and Adidas testimonials such as Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger and former France international Zinedine Zidane were all involved in the process and have since signed off on its use for next year’s World Cup.

World in his hands: Lionel Messi will be hoping to lead Argentina to glory at next summer's showpiece in Brazil.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi shows off his skills with the Brazuca ahead of Spain's World Cup defence.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/53622.html

On the volley: Uruguay striker Edison Cavani gets acquainted with the new Brazuca ball.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/53622.html
Ailing former South African President Nelson Mandela is not "doing well"  but is continuing to put up a courageous fight from his "deathbed", according to his family.

His daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, said in an interview: "Tata is still with us, strong, courageous. Even for a lack of a better word... on his "deathbed" he is teaching us lessons: lessons in patience, in love, lessons of tolerance.
"Every moment I get with him I'm amazed. There are times where I have to pinch myself that I come from this man who is a fighter even though you can see he is struggling, but fighting spirit is still there with him."
Mandela spent almost three months in a Pretoria hospital after being admitted in June with a recurring lung infection.
The 95-year-old liberation struggle icon was discharged in September and has been receiving home-based medical attention since then.
Since June the Presidency has consistently described his condition as "critical but stable".
"He is still with us although he is not doing well in bed," his grandson, Ndaba Mandela said.
Last month Mr Mandela's oldest grandson, Mandla Mandela said he found him in a "good state."
"He is still progressing steadily but very much under a critical condition," Mandla Mandela told reporters.

Infection: Mandela was discharged from hospital, where he had been for three months, on September 1 and taken by ambulance, pictured, to his home in Johannesburg where he receives intensive care
However, Mandela's former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told a local newspaper that he remains "quite ill" and is unable to speak because of tubes being used to clear his lungs of liquid.
He is using facial expressions to communicate, Ms Madikizela-Mandela added. The Nobel Peace Prize winner is under the care of 22 doctors.
While his pneumonia has cleared, his lungs remain sensitive, Ms Madikizela-Mandela said, adding that it was "difficult for him".
In a rare act of bravery, 14-year-old Gunjan Sarmah volunteered to be kidnapped in order to save the lives of 10 other kids from their school van at Simaluguri in Sivasagar district of Assam on Wednesday, India.
And not just that, she lumbered through dense forest on Thursday along the Assam-Nagaland border, where she was left abandoned by her armed kidnapper, and reached the house of a tea garden worker who called the police. Her ordeal lasted around 14 hours.
"The kidnapper picked up a small girl in the school van who started crying. I volunteered to be kidnapped instead. He clutched my hand and ran with me towards the forests," Gunjan told reporters at her home in Simaluguri.
"We crossed a river and walked through the forest for some time and stopped at one place. It was pitch dark and I couldn't see a thing.
I didn't eat anything all night. In the morning, I couldn't see him and escaped to reach a village. The villagers called up police and I was brought home," she added.
Sivasagar DSP Bijay Kuligam told TOI, "When I spoke to her this morning, she was very calm. She even referred to her kidnapper as 'uncle'." But for Gunjan's father, Shankar, a small-time trader, it was a torrid time.
10 Professional Qualities Employers Most Want in Their Employees
Every employer wants to be sure that among the large number of candidates for the vacant post, he/she will choose such an employee who will be able to ensure the successful work of the company. That is why workers are primarily evaluated by not having a higher education, but the combination of personal and professional qualities. What skills need to be developed to speed up the process of job search and to feel more confident during the job interview?.
More.