The new Ambassador to Somalia, Matt Baugh, will be based in the Kenyan capital Nairobi for the time being until security conditions permit the opening of a UK Embassy in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

On Thursday, William Hague arrived in Mogadishu, to  mark the start of a major diplomatic push by Britain to help stabilise a country he described as “the world’s most failed state”. The Government is hosting an international conference in London on Somalia later this month and Mr Hague said counter-terrorism co-operation would be high on the agenda.

Some will view Britain’s new diplomatic interest with suspicion as Hague’s visit to Somalia coincides with the drilling for oil by Canadian oil and gas exploration company Africa Oil Corp. The company began drilling an exploratory well in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on Tuesday, the first to be sunk in the country since civil war erupted two decades ago.

While there has been speculation about finding oil in the anarchic Horn of Africa country for decades, it has no proven hydrocarbon reserves. The prospect of oil beneath Dharoor’s sandy, arid plains has excited officials of the impoverished region.

“Soon Puntland will be out of hunger and shall stop asking assistance from the international community. We shall never beg, we shall be begged if the fuel comes out,” Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamud Farole said at the spudding ceremony.

“This fuel well is not only for Puntland. It will benefit all Somalis if Somalia becomes one with a common constitution,” Farole said, while laying a foundation stone.

Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Strategically located in the Horn of Africa, Somalia is one of the countries generating the highest number of refugees and internally displaced people in the world.

The prince plans to meet the world’s fastest man at his training base when the royal visits the Jamaican capital of Kingston next month.

It is expected that Bolt, who defends his Olympic 100-metre title at London 2012 this summer, will give Harry a few pointers about starting a sprint but – luckily for the royal – not actually race him.

The second-in-line to the throne is said to be “bouncing” in anticipation of his first solo overseas tour on behalf of the Queen to mark the monarch’s 60-year reign.

He will tour Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica – the sovereign’s realms, countries where she is head of state – from March 2 to 8 and then travel to Brazil from March 9 to 11, an additional leg separate from the jubilee celebrations and undertaken in support of the UK Government and his charity Sentebale.

Harry’s private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton said the second-in-line to the throne would bring his own “brand of enthusiasm and energy” to events during the tour.

He said: “Prince Harry is really bouncing about this tour, that’s the first thing to say. He’s hugely, hugely looking forward to it.”

The private secretary added: “The realms are personally chosen for Prince Harry by Her Majesty, who has visited the countries many times during her 60-year reign. Through Prince Harry the Queen will be formally extending her good wishes to Belize, Bahamas and Jamaica on the historic occasion of her diamond jubilee.”

Last month, Jamaica’s new prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, vowed to abandon the Queen as head of state and adopt a republican form of government. Harry will meet her before a state dinner held at the official residence of Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, the Queen’s official representative in the country. Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said the issue of whether the nation remains one of the monarch’s realms or follows a different path is something for the country’s people and government but stressed that the prince would be taking the “good wishes of the Queen of Jamaica to the Jamaican people”.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at Mr. Cornelius’s house at about 4am., and he was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police ruled out foul play in the death and said a search of the house did not turn up a suicide note. Detectives were conducting interviews to learn more about Mr. Cornelius’s mental state.

Soul Train introduced television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,” said Quincy Jones. “Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train, that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don’s family and loved ones.”

The show began in Chicago as a local program in 1970 and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006, bringing the best rhythm & blues, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and having teenagers dance to them. Cornelius was the first host and executive producer.

“There was not programming that targeted any particular ethnicity,” Cornelius said in 2006, then added: “I’m trying to use euphemisms here, trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them.”

Cornelius, who was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said in 2006 he remained grateful to the musicians who made Soul Train the destination for the best and latest in black music.

“I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for Soul Train,” Cornelius said.

He stepped down as Soul Train host in 1993.

The Soul Train Awards Cornelius founded will return to the air after a two-year break to recognise those who helped shape R&B music.

Record executive Antonio “LA” Reid, singers Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson will be honored on the two-hour music special scheduled to air  29 November. Actors Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard will co-host the awards.

The Respect hit-maker’s wax double will be unveiled at Madame Tussaud museum in New York today (Thursday).

The big reveal will also launch a three-month exhibit at the museum in recognition of Black History Month, which is aimed at promoting awareness about black culture.

The interactive display will allow visitors to pose with the likes of the Queen of Soul, James Brown and Billie Holiday, play the harmonica alongside a young Stevie Wonder, and join Ella Fitzgerald for a duet.

In the UK October is our month for celebrating black history.

Acknowledgment of black history was first conceived and documented by Dr. Carter Woodson (1875-1950), son of former slaves whose childhood was spent working in the Kentucky coal mines. At the age of 20 he enrolled in high school and graduated within two years. He later earned a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1912, only the second black person in his era to do so.

Woodson was appalled to learn that accomplishments by black people were generally ignored in American history, and when it was mentioned it was almost always in a demeaning manner that reflected their inferior social status. Blacks have been in America as far back as colonial times, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in history books, thanks to Woodson’s initiative.

Determined to educate the masses on the black culture, their historic struggle, accomplishments and contributions, he took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation’s history. He founded the Association of Study of Negro Life (now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) in 1915, and a year later The Journal of Negro History.

In 1926, Woodson launched Negro History Week which has evolved into Black History Month. He chose the second week of February to mark the event because it was the birthdays of two men who influenced the black population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

The purpose of Black History Month is, of course, to promote black history to the general public. And, even though there has been controversy over the usefulness of designating one month a year to a specific race, it has encouraged and obligated schools — at every level — to recognise and emphasize the importance of black peoples’ contributions to the world.

Stitt, born Winston Sparks, began his career in the late 1950s as part of Kingston’s sound system scene. He was among the first to develop the toasting style of vocals, in which deejays add rhythmic chants and intros to records being played at parties. The style eventually morphed into rapping in hip-hop culture.

Stitt, also known as the Ugly One for his disfigured facial features and missing teeth, appeared on many records throughout his career, including classic deejay tracks such as “Lee Van Cleef,” “Fire Corner,” “Vigorton 2″ and “Paradise Plum.”

Vetran Jamaican, DJ Big Youth said he vividly recalled his times as a boy watching Stitt’s unique performances in the 1960s.

“He was the first king. Stitt really did a lot for the music, always had a nice vibe,” Big Youth said.

The first campaign of its type in England – Be Clear on Cancer – says people should not “flush away” their toilet worries. It urges anyone who has blood in their stools or loose stools for more than three weeks to see their GP as soon as possible.

Bowel cancer affects 33,000 people every year in England and leads to 13,000 deaths, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 55.

If spotted early, it is often treatable, with more than 90% of people diagnosed at an early stage surviving for at least five years. However, this figure drops to just 6% if people are diagnosed at a late stage.

The Government believes an extra 1,700 lives could be saved every year if England’s bowel cancer survival rates matched the best in Europe.

Other symptoms of bowel cancer can include a pain or lump in the abdomen, feeling more tired than usual and over a period of time, and unexplained weight loss.

In December, Professor Sir Mike Richards, the Government’s national clinical director for cancer, wrote to NHS trusts telling them to prepare for an increase in referrals as a result of the campaign. Government figures suggest it could lead to an extra 15,000 referrals for colonoscopies across England.

A colonoscopy involves using a camera to examine the lining of the bowel to assess any changes that may suggest cancer. An average-sized NHS trust can expect to see an extra 100 colonscopies as a result of the campaign.

According to Cancer.net black people have the highest rates of sporadic (non-hereditary) colorectal cancer in the United States, and colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among black people. Black women are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than women from any other racial group, and black men are even more likely to die from colorectal cancer than black women. The reasons for these differences are unclear. Noting that black people are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age, the American College of Gastroenterology suggests that black people begin screening with colonoscopies at age 45. Earlier screening may find changes in the colon at a more treatable stage.

When the campaign was piloted in the South West and east of England last year, GPs saw the number of people over the age of 50 coming in with relevant symptoms increase by 48%. This is about one extra patient per GP practice per week.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: “No one likes talking about their poo – it’s embarrassing. But bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer so we need to get over the embarrassment and talk to someone about it. The Be Clear on Cancer campaign uses simple messages to make people aware of the key symptoms of bowel cancer and to give them the confidence to talk to their GP if they notice the symptoms. No matter how embarrassing it is, talking to your GP can help save your life.”

Today, however, new photos of quite a different looking phone were leaked, according to CrackBerry. Looking strikingly similar to an iPhone, this new BlackBerry London is sleek and black with rounded edges.

“London is about changing the game,” reads the BlackBerry marketing info. “Hardware & Platform, fused into one polished experience.”

The London is the first BlackBerry 10, which is supposed to have a TI OMAP dual-core CPU running at 1.5GHz, as well as 1GB of RAM, 16GB storage, and an 8-megapixel camera.

Hackney born Deacon made the shortlist for the BAFTA’s Orange Rising Star Award.  He faces competition from actors including Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddlestone, who are as different from Adam as chalk and cheese in terms of background.

Many stars have come out in support of Adam (watch the video) but as Adam mentioned on Twitter today, Kidulthood and Adulthood writer, Noel Clarke has not given his support as far as he is aware.

Adam supported Clarke when he was up for a BAFTA by making a freestyle video (below) but since then the relationship has deteriorated as anyone who follows the two actors on Twitter will know.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Last year there was a falling out over Adam’s film Anuvahood but today Adam told fans on Twitter that the pair had met and sorted things out.

Let’s hope Noel doesn’t see the tweets and think he’s being sent for again. Last year’s tweef was draining for anyone reading.

We’ve already voted so stop reading and cast your vote for Adam Deacon. Text  DEACON to 88080 or vote on the BAFTA website.

Prisoners are intimidating their victims and communicating with the outside world on Facebook, using mobile phones smuggled into jail.

Inmates are forbidden to use the internet or mobile phones, but the inability of authorities to prevent them from getting hold mobiles has sparked outrage from justice campaign groups.

In the last two years, nearly 350 people in the UK have been caught posting entries on Facebook while serving a custodial sentence. All of these profiles were closed once discovered by prison officials, but it is believed that hundreds more have used the social network without arousing suspicion.

Javed Khan, chief executive of the charity Victim Support, said: “Offenders using Facebook from prison makes a mockery of the idea that they are being punished. We would like to see this more tightly controlled.”

Ministry of Justice figures released under a Freedom of Information request show that between July 2009 and June 2011, 342 Facebook profiles were removed.

Jean Taylor, from Families Fighting for Justice, said: “These perpetrators should not be able to have access to mobile phones in prison. They are getting away with torturing their victims. The social networking sites should police this much more closely.”

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Prisoners have no access to the internet and are barred from updating their Facebook accounts, or asking others to do so from outside prison. If they do, their accounts will be terminated.”

Forecasters say that gusts from Siberia could bring severe and prolonged frosts with a windchill factor making it feel far colder.

The bitter snap is likely to set in throughout February, making it the longest period of cold since the big freeze of December 2010.

Almost everywhere is at risk of snow, widespread ice and frost. Temperatures will plunge overnight while daytime highs will struggle to climb above 2C, meaning frozen roads will take longer to thaw.

The Met Office has upgraded its cold weather alert to Level 3, stating that there was a 100% probability of “severe” conditions across most of England this week.

The warning means there is expected to be an impact on people’s health and on health services, with a surge in demand for care.

According to the Met Office temperatures will drop to as low as -6C (21.2F) on Wednesday and on Thursday, when daytime maximums will be no more than 3C (37.4F).

A Department of Health spokesman said: “During this period of cold weather we would advise people to check local weather forecasts for the latest information on weather conditions and staying safe when outdoors. We are working closely with the NHS and local authorities to ensure vulnerable people stay well during cold weather and get the help they need within their communities.”