Facebook is purchasing messaging giant WhatsApp for$16B in cash and stock, according to aregulatory filing. The deal is being cut for$12B in Facebook shares, $4B in cash and an additional $3B in RSUs for employee retention.
A termination fee is attached to the deal that would cost Facebook $1B in cash and $1B in shares if the deal fails to pass regulatory muster.
Facebook hasposted on its blog, detailing the reasoning behind the acquisition as well. The post notes that WhatsApp will continue to operate independently and retain its brand. In addition,. WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will join Facebook’s board.
Facebook notes that WhatsApphas over 450M MAUs, with 70% of those active each day. In a staggering comparison, Facebook also notes that the messaging volume of WhatsApp approaches the SMSvolume of the entire global telecom industry — and that it’s adding 1M users a day.
WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founderand CEO in a statement. “I’ve known Jan for a long time and I’m excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected."
Jan Koum, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO, said, “WhatsApp’s extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide."
Facebook specifically calls out its deal with Instagram as a template for how it will deal with WhatsApp:
Facebook fosters an environment where independent-minded entrepreneurs can build companies, set their own direction and focus on growth while also benefiting from Facebook’sexpertise, resources and scale. This approach is working well with Instagram, and WhatsApp will operate in this manner. WhatsApp’s brandwill be maintained; its headquarters will remain in Mountain View, CA; Jan Koum will join Facebook’s Board of Directors; and WhatsApp’s core messaging product and Facebook’s existing Messenger app will continue to operate as standalone applications.
In a post on the WhatsApp blog,Koum elaborates on that:
Here’s what will change for you, our users:
nothing. WhatsApp will remain autonomous and operate independently. You can continue to enjoy the service for a nominal fee. You can continue to use WhatsApp no matter where in the world you are, or what smartphone you’re using. And you can still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication. There would have been no partnership between our two companies if we had to compromise on the core principles that will always define our company, our vision and our product.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
sombre as he meets devoted fans after private jet gets searched for marijuana
Source-mirror
The singer looked as far from upbeat and chirpy as you can get when he said a quick hello to fans who had waited 10 hours to meet him
We can't blame Justin Bieber for looking a little down in the dumps after the month he's had - especially after his private jet was searched for marijuana on Friday night.
But not one to dwell for too long, he was pictured just a few hours later saying a quick hello to a group of devoted fans in New York.
And it's a good job he did too, because some of them had waited more than 10 hours to see him.
The star looked a little sombre as he posed with his Beliebers, only managing to crack a slight grin when one girl gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He wore a cap and sunglasses to hide his face, and showed off his many tattoos in a short-sleeved jacket and low-cut top.
We even got a flash of that new cross tattoo on his chest.
He does NOT look happy
It's certainly a world away from the happy grin he showed us in his recent police mugshots.
Bieber's jet was detained when he landed in New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport on Friday evening , after authorities suspected it was carrying marijuana, police sources said.
Biebs was travelling to the States from Canada for the Super Bowl with his dad, when authorities detected what was described as a strong odour of pot.
The plane, believed to be a twin-jet Raytheon Hawker 800, was ordered to be held at the airport until drug-sniffing dogs could check it out.
No drugs are believed to have been found onboard.
Detained in the airport
It was not clear if the singer was on board after the plane touched down from Toronto.
3AM has contacted reps for the singer.
The search comes just days after police in Toronto decided to charge the 19-year-old Bieber with assault on Wednesday.
And the star is already facing a driving-under-the-influence case in Miami and remains under investigation for vandalism in Los Angeles.
The singer looked as far from upbeat and chirpy as you can get when he said a quick hello to fans who had waited 10 hours to meet him
But not one to dwell for too long, he was pictured just a few hours later saying a quick hello to a group of devoted fans in New York.
And it's a good job he did too, because some of them had waited more than 10 hours to see him.
The star looked a little sombre as he posed with his Beliebers, only managing to crack a slight grin when one girl gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He wore a cap and sunglasses to hide his face, and showed off his many tattoos in a short-sleeved jacket and low-cut top.
We even got a flash of that new cross tattoo on his chest.
He does NOT look happy
It's certainly a world away from the happy grin he showed us in his recent police mugshots.
Bieber's jet was detained when he landed in New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport on Friday evening , after authorities suspected it was carrying marijuana, police sources said.
Biebs was travelling to the States from Canada for the Super Bowl with his dad, when authorities detected what was described as a strong odour of pot.
The plane, believed to be a twin-jet Raytheon Hawker 800, was ordered to be held at the airport until drug-sniffing dogs could check it out.
No drugs are believed to have been found onboard.
Detained in the airport
It was not clear if the singer was on board after the plane touched down from Toronto.
3AM has contacted reps for the singer.
The search comes just days after police in Toronto decided to charge the 19-year-old Bieber with assault on Wednesday.
And the star is already facing a driving-under-the-influence case in Miami and remains under investigation for vandalism in Los Angeles.
NTA Journalist Among Those Killed In Ondo Deputy Governor’s Convoy Auto Accident.
Source-Sahara reporters
A journalist working with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Akure, Mr. Alex Akinwale has died. He has been identified among those who lost their life in a fatal motor accident involving the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi today (Saturday, February 1, 2014).
Four people, including the late Akinwale, were said to be among the occupants of a vehicle belonging to the NTA Staff when the convoy of the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi rammed on the Toyota Camry of a Traditional monarch, Oba Taofeek Olaposi, who was coming from Osun State, and heading to Akure.
The deputy Governor’s vehicle, which supposedly used as ‘spare car,’ bashed the white Toyota Camry car of Oba Olaposi, and immediately collided with another vehicle, a Nissan Serena of the NTA staff with Reg no. Ondo: AG 477 ANG.
Oba Taofeek Olaposi, the Osunmakinde of Ife Tuntun, was said to have been traveling from Ile Ife in Osun State, to Akure, with his driver and a teenager for an event in Akure.
The Incident happened at Aponmu-Owena, along Akure-Ondo road, a suburb in Ondo state.
An eyewitness said all occupants of the vehicle which included the reporter’s pregnant wife, Mrs Kehinde Akinwale, two children and a house maid of the NTA staff, died on the spot.
Akinwale, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Akure was also the local chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), NTA Akure chapter until his death.
A staff with the organization revealed that the deceased was transferred from NTA Ikare, to NTA akure, where he was performing his duties brilliantly, and where he got along famously with his fellow staff members there.
Saharareporters gathered that the NTA staff, and his family, were returning from a function in Ondo to Akure, in order to attend church program scheduled for Sunday, February 2nd, as the pastor of the church.
Many witnesses who spoke to Saharareporters, disclosed that a teenager, and the traditional ruler from Osun State, were immediately rescued from the scene.
“A white Camry car belonging to one local traditional ruler in Osun State with his a teenager lost control when the convoy of the Deputy Governor rammed into them. They were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.”
But another source told saharareporters that at the scene the driver of the traditional ruler, and a little girl in the vehicle died on their way before they could reach the hospital.
When Saharareporters visited the State General hospital in Akure, Four dead bodies were laid down on the floor of the hospital’s morgue with their bodies badly injured in the accident.
A doctor on duty who refused to comment officially,or give her name, did inform Saharareporters that the surviving monarch and two other people have since been transferred immediately to the Traumatic Centre of the hospital in Ondo town.
“We could not immediately attend to their condition here because they are in a critical condition that was why we referred them straight to the New Traumatic Centre in Ondo for more, she said.”
Meanwhile, Ali Olanusi, Press Secretary, Mr Daisi Ajayi has confirmed the incident stating that his boss was on his way to Ondo town on an official assignment when the incident occurred.
Daisi said one of the security cars in the convoy and the deputy governor’s spare car was badly damaged in the accident.
He said the Deputy Governor is now in the custody of medical doctors at the government house attending to treatment.
Akinloluwa was said to have survived the ghastly accident, and is receiving treatment at a family hospital in Akure.
Tragically, Alex Akinwale was just nursing the sudden death of his brother, Henry Akinwale, who had died just last week as a result of illness.
A journalist working with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Akure, Mr. Alex Akinwale has died. He has been identified among those who lost their life in a fatal motor accident involving the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi today (Saturday, February 1, 2014).
Four people, including the late Akinwale, were said to be among the occupants of a vehicle belonging to the NTA Staff when the convoy of the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi rammed on the Toyota Camry of a Traditional monarch, Oba Taofeek Olaposi, who was coming from Osun State, and heading to Akure.
The deputy Governor’s vehicle, which supposedly used as ‘spare car,’ bashed the white Toyota Camry car of Oba Olaposi, and immediately collided with another vehicle, a Nissan Serena of the NTA staff with Reg no. Ondo: AG 477 ANG.
Oba Taofeek Olaposi, the Osunmakinde of Ife Tuntun, was said to have been traveling from Ile Ife in Osun State, to Akure, with his driver and a teenager for an event in Akure.
The Incident happened at Aponmu-Owena, along Akure-Ondo road, a suburb in Ondo state.
An eyewitness said all occupants of the vehicle which included the reporter’s pregnant wife, Mrs Kehinde Akinwale, two children and a house maid of the NTA staff, died on the spot.
Akinwale, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Akure was also the local chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), NTA Akure chapter until his death.
A staff with the organization revealed that the deceased was transferred from NTA Ikare, to NTA akure, where he was performing his duties brilliantly, and where he got along famously with his fellow staff members there.
Saharareporters gathered that the NTA staff, and his family, were returning from a function in Ondo to Akure, in order to attend church program scheduled for Sunday, February 2nd, as the pastor of the church.
Many witnesses who spoke to Saharareporters, disclosed that a teenager, and the traditional ruler from Osun State, were immediately rescued from the scene.
“A white Camry car belonging to one local traditional ruler in Osun State with his a teenager lost control when the convoy of the Deputy Governor rammed into them. They were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.”
But another source told saharareporters that at the scene the driver of the traditional ruler, and a little girl in the vehicle died on their way before they could reach the hospital.
When Saharareporters visited the State General hospital in Akure, Four dead bodies were laid down on the floor of the hospital’s morgue with their bodies badly injured in the accident.
A doctor on duty who refused to comment officially,or give her name, did inform Saharareporters that the surviving monarch and two other people have since been transferred immediately to the Traumatic Centre of the hospital in Ondo town.
“We could not immediately attend to their condition here because they are in a critical condition that was why we referred them straight to the New Traumatic Centre in Ondo for more, she said.”
Meanwhile, Ali Olanusi, Press Secretary, Mr Daisi Ajayi has confirmed the incident stating that his boss was on his way to Ondo town on an official assignment when the incident occurred.
Daisi said one of the security cars in the convoy and the deputy governor’s spare car was badly damaged in the accident.
He said the Deputy Governor is now in the custody of medical doctors at the government house attending to treatment.
Akinloluwa was said to have survived the ghastly accident, and is receiving treatment at a family hospital in Akure.
Tragically, Alex Akinwale was just nursing the sudden death of his brother, Henry Akinwale, who had died just last week as a result of illness.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Pirates Attack Oil Tugboat In Bayelsa ; 2 Abducted
Seven pirates attacked a Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) tugboat yesterday in the firm's oil fields in Bayelsa State, abducting the captain and engineer.
The tugboat, with six crew members, was coming from Port Harcourt to Brass to load crude at the terminal. The four others on board had their valuables taken.
The attack comes at a time of rising insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
A security officer not authorized to speak for company said, "Nobody knows their whereabouts."
But he added the incident happened at Peter's town in Nembe Local Government area, Bayelsa.
In a related story, another gang of pirates attacked a passenger boat on Sunday afternoon.
The pirates took passengers' valuables and to immobilize the boat removed its engine.
The passengers were returning to Akassa after attending a church service in Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area of the state.
One source told SaharaReporters, "the waterways of the Bayelsa have remained volatile. It is no longer safe for people to travel. The security operatives especially the Navy and the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield seem clueless. They don't know what to do."
Saharareporters contacted the Navy and the Joint Task Force. JTF media coordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said he had yet to be briefed on the incident.
The tugboat, with six crew members, was coming from Port Harcourt to Brass to load crude at the terminal. The four others on board had their valuables taken.
The attack comes at a time of rising insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
A security officer not authorized to speak for company said, "Nobody knows their whereabouts."
But he added the incident happened at Peter's town in Nembe Local Government area, Bayelsa.
In a related story, another gang of pirates attacked a passenger boat on Sunday afternoon.
The pirates took passengers' valuables and to immobilize the boat removed its engine.
The passengers were returning to Akassa after attending a church service in Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area of the state.
One source told SaharaReporters, "the waterways of the Bayelsa have remained volatile. It is no longer safe for people to travel. The security operatives especially the Navy and the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield seem clueless. They don't know what to do."
Saharareporters contacted the Navy and the Joint Task Force. JTF media coordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said he had yet to be briefed on the incident.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Man Stabs, Burns And Eats A Muslim Brother In Revenge – See Full DetailsPHOTOS : (Viewer Discretion)
The horrific photos of this man killing and eating a Muslim brother was taken on Sunday in Bangui.
According to The Associated Press, the men Mad Dog ate their body parts were killed by residents of the Sango neighborhood in revenge for the lynching of a taxi driver from Sango a day earlier.
Two other Muslim passers-by escaped to the protection of French and African peacekeeping forces The agency understands that Magloire didn’t take part in the killings, but turned up in the aftermath.
Earlier in the month horrific footage emerged from Bangui of Mad Dog eating the leg of a Muslim who, according to the BBC, was hauled from a bus, battered and then stabbed before being set on fire.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mad Dog grabbed hold of his leg and then began to devour it. Mad Dog’ had spotted his victim on a minibus and followed him after deciding he looked Muslim.
He gathered a crowd of about 20 Christian youths who forced the bus driver to stop and dragged him from the bus.
Without emotion he told the BBC:
‘I poured petrol over him. I burned him. I ate his leg, right down the white bone.’ Witnesses did not intervene but recorded the footage on mobile phones, including the act of cannibalism.
A video showed his cheeks bulging as he consumes the flesh. Witness Jean-Sylvestre Tchya told news agency AFP:
‘One of the individuals took hold of an arm and went and bought some bread and starting chewing on the flesh, along with his bread.
The scene made many people vomit, and some cried out in horror.’
According to The Associated Press, the men Mad Dog ate their body parts were killed by residents of the Sango neighborhood in revenge for the lynching of a taxi driver from Sango a day earlier.
Two other Muslim passers-by escaped to the protection of French and African peacekeeping forces The agency understands that Magloire didn’t take part in the killings, but turned up in the aftermath.
Earlier in the month horrific footage emerged from Bangui of Mad Dog eating the leg of a Muslim who, according to the BBC, was hauled from a bus, battered and then stabbed before being set on fire.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mad Dog grabbed hold of his leg and then began to devour it. Mad Dog’ had spotted his victim on a minibus and followed him after deciding he looked Muslim.
He gathered a crowd of about 20 Christian youths who forced the bus driver to stop and dragged him from the bus.
Without emotion he told the BBC:
‘I poured petrol over him. I burned him. I ate his leg, right down the white bone.’ Witnesses did not intervene but recorded the footage on mobile phones, including the act of cannibalism.
A video showed his cheeks bulging as he consumes the flesh. Witness Jean-Sylvestre Tchya told news agency AFP:
‘One of the individuals took hold of an arm and went and bought some bread and starting chewing on the flesh, along with his bread.
The scene made many people vomit, and some cried out in horror.’
Sunday, January 19, 2014
KANYE WEST CAUGHT DANCING ON THE TABLES IN THE CLUB AFTER DINING WITH FIANCEE KIM KADARSHIAN
You've got to see it to believe it - but
Kanye West has been seen smiling and
dancing on tables in a Parisian club - and
we've got the pictures to prove it!
The Touch the Sky star appeared to
actually be smiling as he got his boogy on
in Club 79 on Friday night.
He's since been seen dining out with his
kurvy fiancée Kim Kardashian who had
jetted in to the capital of love to be with
him.
The rapper has been in the city promoting
his new clothing collaboration with A.P.C.
and appears to have left his inhibitions at
home in his sprawling L.A. mansion.
In fact fellow revellers seemed to be in awe
has he stood on top of the DJ decks and
started to throw his arms in the air like he
just didn't care!
And the DJ's, wearing all white and caps
with 'GOD' written on them, must have
been spinning some of his favourite tunes
as he appeared unstoppable throughout
the evening.
The rapping royalty also grabbed his
crotch for one shot while modelling a
fetching grey hoody which he'd earlier
covered with a grim reaper leather jacket.
The reality star touched down at Heathrow
for a meeting with Topshop boss Sir Philip
Green , who she has worked with before on
the Kardashian Kollection collaboration
for Dorothy Perkins.
And while she summonsed enough energy
for a bit of posh grub, wearing all black
and over-sized sunglasses, at French
restaurant Ferdi she missed her beau's
star turn in the club... shame!
Kanye West has been seen smiling and
dancing on tables in a Parisian club - and
we've got the pictures to prove it!
The Touch the Sky star appeared to
actually be smiling as he got his boogy on
in Club 79 on Friday night.
He's since been seen dining out with his
kurvy fiancée Kim Kardashian who had
jetted in to the capital of love to be with
him.
The rapper has been in the city promoting
his new clothing collaboration with A.P.C.
and appears to have left his inhibitions at
home in his sprawling L.A. mansion.
In fact fellow revellers seemed to be in awe
has he stood on top of the DJ decks and
started to throw his arms in the air like he
just didn't care!
And the DJ's, wearing all white and caps
with 'GOD' written on them, must have
been spinning some of his favourite tunes
as he appeared unstoppable throughout
the evening.
The rapping royalty also grabbed his
crotch for one shot while modelling a
fetching grey hoody which he'd earlier
covered with a grim reaper leather jacket.
The reality star touched down at Heathrow
for a meeting with Topshop boss Sir Philip
Green , who she has worked with before on
the Kardashian Kollection collaboration
for Dorothy Perkins.
And while she summonsed enough energy
for a bit of posh grub, wearing all black
and over-sized sunglasses, at French
restaurant Ferdi she missed her beau's
star turn in the club... shame!
Robbery Kingpin, Hamani Tidjani, Dies In Prison After 10 Years In Custody-
Suspected trans-border car snatcher, Hamani Tidjani, has died after 10 years in prison custody, PREMIUM TIMES has confirmed.
Mr. Tidjani, who was arrested by the police for allegedly masterminding a car snatching syndicate across the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, breathed his last at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The spokesperson of the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Biyi Jeje, told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Tidjani had been suffering partial stroke over the past nine months.
“We had given him series of medical attention but his condition worsened. We informed the Lagos State government but they thought we were making spurious assertions,” Mr. Jeje said.
The Lagos State team finally visited Mr. Tidjani in late December to confirm his illness, according to Mr. Jeje.
“We’d expected that they would come back with their medical team. But up till this morning, they never came,” he added.
Mr. Tidjani was arrested in September, 2003 and had been facing trial before Sybil Nwala of a Lagos High Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, and receiving stolen goods.
When contacted, J.H Bashir, the deceased’s lawyer told PREMIUM TIMES that he was heading to the Kirikiri Prison to confirm the development.
“If it is true, then an act of injustice has been done as far as we are concerned and the Lagos State government and the Obasanjo government are the ones responsible,” Mr. Bashir added.
Mr. Tidjani, who was arrested by the police for allegedly masterminding a car snatching syndicate across the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, breathed his last at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The spokesperson of the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Biyi Jeje, told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Tidjani had been suffering partial stroke over the past nine months.
“We had given him series of medical attention but his condition worsened. We informed the Lagos State government but they thought we were making spurious assertions,” Mr. Jeje said.
The Lagos State team finally visited Mr. Tidjani in late December to confirm his illness, according to Mr. Jeje.
“We’d expected that they would come back with their medical team. But up till this morning, they never came,” he added.
Mr. Tidjani was arrested in September, 2003 and had been facing trial before Sybil Nwala of a Lagos High Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, and receiving stolen goods.
When contacted, J.H Bashir, the deceased’s lawyer told PREMIUM TIMES that he was heading to the Kirikiri Prison to confirm the development.
“If it is true, then an act of injustice has been done as far as we are concerned and the Lagos State government and the Obasanjo government are the ones responsible,” Mr. Bashir added.
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