6 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Condoms

For a very long time, co ndoms have been known to be highly preferred for safe intimacy and s exual relationship.

However, quite a lot of people do not know some important things about co ndoms, how it came about and some shocking things that surrounds its usage. Here are 6 things you never knew about co ndoms.

1. Only 5% Of Men Around The World Wear co ndoms

Although it is a general belief that a co ndom helps in safe intimacy, it is, however, surprising that only 5% of men around the world use it. This percentage is really low considering the goal is 100%.

2. There Are Four Different Kinds Of co ndoms

The commonest of all the types of co ndoms is the latex. For men with allergies, non-latex co ndoms are made from polyurethane. For those who are allergic to both latex and polyurethane, the third type is made of polyisoprene. Then there are lambskin co ndoms, which are actually made from lamb intestines, not skin. Finally, you can always pick up female co ndoms, which function drastically differently but are still designed to protect against pregnancy and STIs.

3. Modern co ndoms Are Made From Tires

All thanks to Charles Goodyear for the first rubber vulcanisation process produced in 1855. Ever wondered why the present-day latex co ndoms are sometimes called “rubbers” by people like your grandfather and carnival barkers? It is because it was produced from tires.

4. co ndoms Basically Have Not Been Redesigned Since They Were Invented

Since the evolution of the first co ndom in the 1920s, it has never been redesigned despite all the advances made with bumps and ridges. It has been the way it was first produced.

5. co ndoms (On Average) Do Not Really Affect How Good The s ex Is

For those who think co ndom affect how good a s exual experience is, it is a fallacy. Surveys have shown that couples were just as satisfied with s ex whether or not they used co ndoms. So considering co ndoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and make s ex more safer, “it doesn’t feel good” isn’t an excuse not to use one.

6. Women Account For Almost Half Of co ndom Sales

A popular survey has shown that women buy more co ndoms than men. This means the women buy for their men than men buy for themselves. Women account for at least 40% of co ndom sales. Which is good, because you should pretty much always have them at hand.

Let’s Put The Date Back Into Dating: The 4 Stages To A Successful Courtship

Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s time we put the “date” back in dating!

Dating is more complicated these days because singles have replaced talking with texting, going out with hanging out, and romance with rushing to hook up.

So I’m asking the men: Please step up and lead the way. Now I know the sisters have some work to do to be better dates, and don’t worry, I have some tips to give them in the next article. But fellas, the sisters have been telling me how you’ve been acting on dates. It’s some crazy, jaw-dropping stuff! We can do better.

Let’s start at the beginning and move through the different stages of courtship.

Make a good first impression.
If you’re using online dating to meet women, please know that every sister on these sites isn’t there to hook up! And please, don’t say you’re looking for a serious relationship when you’re not. The sisters don’t appreciate you wasting their time.

They also don’t want to see photos of you in your sweaty gym clothes or with your arm around another sister, standing on the altar at church! Who is that woman? The sister can’t tell if she’s your ex-girlfriend or the pastor’s wife!

You’re on a dating site, so please put your best foot forward. The sisters are thinking about what a date with you would be like and you in that all-purple suit you wore on Easter ain’t cutting it!

Take some professional photos, hire an image consultant who can make sure your swag is on point and use casual selfies of you in your bathroom sparingly. You’ve only got a few seconds to impress a lady online. Don’t waste them.

Be present on a date
Now that you’ve gotten her attention, ask her out on a date. Don’t text her and say, “You want to hang out?” Pick up the phone and make the call. She’ll be so impressed because most men don’t do that anymore.

Once you’re on the date, put away your smartphone please. I’ve heard stories from sisters that some guys check their text messages all night and then brag about it with lines like, “Yeah, you know, these women be blowing up my phone!” She’s not impressed by the fact that your iPhone is filled with women’s phone numbers. It doesn’t make her want you more. It’s a turn off.

Instead of checking social media, focus on your date.

Give her eye contact, smile, and show her you’re interested in her. Remember, the way to woman’s heart is through her ears. Compliment her and show her a good time.

Slow down
I’m appalled at the number of stories I’ve been hearing about men who are rushing to get women in the bed. Some wait until date number three and tell the woman, “Isn’t that why everyone is online? To hook up!” Others just come right out and ask for what they want on the first date.

I don’t advocate s*x before marriage anyway, but really ya’ll? What happened to romance? Holding hands? Talking all night on the phone until one of you falls asleep? Going for ice cream dates or giving her flowers when you meet her for dinner. Romance is not old-fashioned! Please pay attention to a woman’s heart and stop putting all the focus on her body. The sisters are feeling used. Let her know, guys, that Black women matter by treating her with respect and honor!

Be honest.
Instead of disappearing on a woman after you told her you’d call, or vanishing into thin air after you’ve been seeing each other for a few months, never to return her text messages again, please just be honest. If you don’t want to see her again, just say it. It goes something like this: “Things aren’t working out. I think you’re great, but it’s just not a match. I think we should part ways.”

You leave the sisters hurt and confused when you just disappear, and I know that you are a better man than that.

Listen, brothers. I know that you’re tired of the games women have played in relationships and you’ve been burned by bad dates too. You’re expected to pay for all of the dates and if they don’t result in anything worthwhile, you can feel like it’s not worth it to be a gentleman.

But I’m begging you, please bring back the date into dating.

The women are losing their faith in you. They don’t think there are men out there who are serious about relationships. Prove them wrong! And besides, there’s another generation watching you. We need you to be leaders and leave a great legacy for young men to follow.

MUST READ: Check Out The Deadly Virus Other Than HIV Than Even Condom Can’t Protect You Against!!

Condoms have been hyped as master-protectors against sexually transmitted infections. However, health experts are warning that in as much as condoms significantly decrease transmission rates of the most life-threatening viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, it’s not foolproof.

At a meeting of cancer specialists at the University of Nairobi last week, reproductive health expert, Nelly Mugo, said that even as we take protective measures using condoms against most STIs including HIV/Aids, the rubber sheaths cannot provide 100 per cent protection against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). “Condoms offer 60 per cent of HPV thus the virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas of the skin not covered by the condom such as the scrotum, anus, or vulva,” Dr Mugo said.

The 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, released last week, shows that male condoms are the most popular method among sexually active unmarried women. Unmarried men too seem to prefer condoms as the popular method to protect against STIs. But for a virus whose disease has no symptoms, the inefficacy of condoms allows for faster and wider spread, especially amongst those with multiple s*x partners.

The only 100 per cent effective way to prevent HPV transmission is abstinence from any s*xual contact, including oral, an*l, and vaginal s*x. See also: Morning after:That ‘oops’ moment when women’s emergency pills backfire Since abstinence may not be a realistic option, Dr Mugo advises remaining monogamous while in a relationship, vaccination and screening for women. Women can also pass viruses without having any symptoms.

But the chance of females infecting men is estimated at less than five per cent of the rates of male-to-female transmission. There are more than 100 types of HPV and about 13 of these are cancer causing, with HPV types 16 and 18 causing approximately 70 per cent of all cervical cancers worldwide. Sadly, it’s physically difficult to tell whether your partner has the HPV virus unless they have private part warts, yet those who do not have visible signs can also spread the virus.

The other interesting aspect of this particular virus is that you do not need to have s*x for it to be passed on from one person to another. The virus is found in the flora of the man-hood, scrotum, vag1na, vulva@, or anus of a person who has the HPV. One can get infected through kissing or touching an infected s*x organs or through oral s3’x.

Since cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among adult women, in the developing world, and the second most common cancer among women worldwide, preventive measures include getting a pap smear for women and/or getting vaccinated.

Better still, it’s important that you be honest with your partner about your s3’x history. Immunizing all girls before becoming sexually active ideally aged nine to 13 years in order to lower the risk of HPV took off in Kenya under a pilot project in Kitui County in 2013, targeting 20,000 girls.

Dead Cat Mourned, Gets Lavish Funeral In Japan

A Japanese cat which served as the master of a train station for eight years has been mourned by officials at a lavish funeral. The female tortoise-shell cat named Tama attracted international attention when it was awarded the position in 2007.

According to ABC News, 

for eight years Tama lived at Kishi station in western Japan, quietly patrolling the station dressed in a custom-made cap and uniform.

When she first started, the line was almost bankrupt and had just lost its last human member of staff.

But as her fame spread, thousands of tourists flocked to see her. The extra passengers and merchandising helped to save the railway.

Another cat has become an apprentice stationmaster following Tama’s death from heart failure on June 22.

Egypt Court Sentence 3 To 1year In Prison Over Racy Music Video

An Egyptian court has sentenced three people involved in a racy music video to one year in prison with labor for “inciting debauchery.”

The Associated Press reports that

the music video, titled “Hands Off,” contains scantily-clad dancing and shaking but no indecency. Reda al-Fouly, the woman dancing in the low-budget video, was arrested last month along with the clip’s cameraman after it went viral on social media.

Wael el-Sekedi, the third person sentenced in the case, is believed to have fled the country after some social media users called the video scandalous, according to the prosecutor.

The three were sentenced on Sunday.

The original clip on YouTube has been viewed nearly 1.9 million times.

Meet The ‘World’s Ugliest Dog [PHOTO]

Quasi Modo, whom the owner claims has a back too short for its body, walks on the stage at The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California

If you have to be ugly, you might as well be the best at it. A 10-year old, hunchbacked, mixed breed dog named “Quasi Modo” was awarded first place at the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition on Friday, according to a press release for the Petaluma, California, event. Quasi, whose short spine makes her resemble a hyena, “epitomized excellence in ugliness” Chief Judge Brian Sobel said. The designation won $1,500 for her owner.

This wasn’t Quasi’s first rodeo. Last year, the spunky Florida pup won second place, losing out to small, wild-eyed dog named Peanut. Quasi’s pageant bio says that despite the multiple birth defects that contribute to her odd appearance, she is a happy dog who loves to run and play. She also works as an “ambassador for teaching people about acceptance and tolerance for things that are different,” according to the bio.

Veterinarian Virginia Sayre and her husband, Mike Carroll, adopted Quasi from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control about nine years ago, according to a Palm Beach County press release. The lovable dog “gets along well with everybody,” but sometimes other people are alarmed by her appearance, Sayre told The Palm Beach Post last year.

“People who love dogs get her, but I’ve had grown men jump on top of a truck to get away from her. They don’t know what to make of her,” Sayre said. Though the press release and the Associated Press both initially identified Quasi as male, the dog is female, Andrian Guthrie, who worked at Palm Beach County Animal Care when Quasi lived there, told The Huffington Post in an email.

Here’s Blosom, The Tallest Cow To Ever Live [PHOTO]

Talk about a moo-ving tribute. Blosom — one “s” — is recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest cow to have ever lived. Sadly, the giant Holstein, who stood just over 6 feet, 2 inches tall, died May 26 at the age of 13 after suffering an irreparable leg injury. Read more from Scoop:

However, video and photos honor the bodacious bovine, who will be featured in the 2016 Guinness Book of World Records.  “The funny thing about Blosom was how unaffected she was by all the attention that seemed to surround her. As long as she had her oats, daily chin rubs and ear scratches, life was good,” owner Patty Meads-Hanson said in a Guinness World Records news release.

Meads-Hanson said the cow originally belonged to her father, who raised Blosom on the family farm in Orangeville, Illinois, from the time she was 8 weeks old. Blosom was officially measured there shortly before she died, and entered into the record books as the tallest cow to ever live.

The previous record-holder for the tallest cow was Mount Katahdin, who claimed the title in the early 1900s. That cow was just 0.8 inches shorter than Blosom, according to Guinness World Records.

22-Year-Old Woman Falls In Love With Her Mother’s Husband, Runs Away With Him

Police are looking to find a woman and her stepfather after they ran away together as a couple, police in Kenya said. 36-year-old Caroline Achieng of Kibera, told detectives that her husband has cut off all contact with her after running away with her 22-year-old daughter.

According to Odd News Blog, the husband and daughter skipped town after Achieng learned that they were having s*x behind her back. The daughter even became pregnant and underwent an abortion.

Achieng said that her husband tricked her into paying for her daughter’s abortion, claiming that she suffered from stomach ulcers and had to be treated at a hospital in Kijabe. Achieng appealed to the public for information about the whereabouts of her husband and daughter.

Solar-powered Plane Makes Second Bid To Cross The Pacific Ocean

A solar-powered plane is making its second bid at a record-breaking flight across the Pacific Ocean. Solar Impulse took off from Nagoya Airfield in Japan at 18:03 GMT on Sunday and is scheduled to land in Hawaii in approximately 120 hours. BBC reports:

Solar Impulse said on its website that pilot Andre Borschberg had passed the point of no return. The team has spent nearly two months waiting for a clear weather window to cross the Pacific. “Andre Borschberg has passed the point of no return and must now see this 5 days 5 nights flight through to the end,” Solar Impulse said on its website.

The pilot now no longer has the option to turn around and return to Japan, if the weather forecast changes. The first attempt to fly over the ocean was cut short after a change in the forecast forced an unscheduled landing. And another attempt to take off last Tuesday was cancelled at the last moment because of concerns about the conditions.

This time, the team will not be widely publicising the take-off until the plane is several hours into its flight, as it may need to turn back if the forecast changes.

Second NY Prison Escapee Caught

Second New York State prison escapee, David Sweat is in custody after being shot by police, US officials report. Convicted murderer Sweat, 35, was shot twice and captured less than two miles (3km) from the Canadian border. BBC reports:

His prison-break partner Richard Matt, 49, was killed by police on Friday. The two murderers escaped three weeks ago from the maximum security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora through the sewer system after using power tools to break out of their cell.

The spectacular escape set off a massive manhunt.  Sweat was shot and seized in the town of Constable on Sunday, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo told a news conference.

He said Sweat was shot twice in the torso and was now in hospital in stable condition. The convict was spotted by a police officer on patrol and shot when he tried to run away. “The nightmare is finally over,” the governor said.

Gaza-bound Flotilla Vessel Seized By Israeli Navy

Israel has boarded and taken over a vessel attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip, officials said. In a statement the Israeli army said on Monday that it did not use force in redirecting the main boat Marianne to the Israeli city of Ashdod. Aljazeera has more:

Petros Stergiou, a spokesperson for the flotilla, told Al Jazeera that organisers lost contact with the Marianne at around 2am local time on Monday morning, as three military boats approached.

“What we learned is that the Israeli navy attacked the Marianne around 100 nautical miles from the shore of Gaza,” Stergiou said. “They said they could see three military boats approaching them that had identified themselves as being military.

“Once again, the Israeli government and its military has acted like state pirates and attacked our boat in international waters.” Israeli army spokesman Peter Lerner said the seizure of the ship was “uneventful” and it would now be escorted to Ashdod in southern Israel.

Taliban Ambush Kills Several Afghan Soldiers

At least 11 Afghan soldiers have been killed in a Taliban ambush in western Afghanistan, officials said, as security forces face their first fighting season without NATO combat support. Aljazeera has more:

“The Taliban ambushed a convoy of soldiers in Karukh district of Herat, killing 11 Afghan army soldiers [on Sunday night],” Ehsanullah Hayat, spokesman for the provincial governor, told the AFP news agency on Monday. “The soldiers were riding in pick-up trucks.” Najibullah Najibi, a spokesman for the army in western Afghanistan, confirmed the attack and said four soldiers were also wounded. Taliban fighters have increased their attacks on Afghan security forces since launching their annual spring offensive.

The Taliban launched their offensive, named “Azm” (determination), in late April, vowing nationwide attacks in what is expected to be the bloodiest summer in a decade. Afghan security forces, stretched on multiple fronts and facing record casualties, are struggling to rein in the fighters even as the government makes repeated efforts to jump-start peace negotiations.

NATO’s combat mission formally ended in December after 13 years, but a small follow-up foreign force has stayed on to train and support local security forces.

Voting Delayed In Burundi Following Attack On Polling Stations

Polling stations in Burundi’s controversial parliamentary and local elections have officially opened, with the climate tense after two months of protests sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term. Aljazeera was there:

The polls opened at 6am local time (04:00 GMT) on Monday. Some 3.8 million Burundians are eligible to vote in the polls, which the opposition and civil society groups are boycotting, claiming they will not be free and fair. Burundian authorities have refused to delay the elections despite calls from the international community.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from a polling station in the capital Bujumbura, said the atmosphere was filled with fear and tension on Monday morning, with many fearing a continuation of the violence that has marred the lead-up to the elections.

She said there were delays reported at several polling stations across the country, following violence. “There aren’t many people here, I would say around 50. Several polling stations were attacked and there was gunfire overnight,” she said.

Pete Edochie Denies Alleged Kenyan Love Child

Talented veteran Nollywood star, Pete Edochie has finally broken his silence on a Kenyan, who alleged theThings Fall Apart star is his dad.

In an interview with The Vanguard, Edochie denied fathering a child outside wedlock and said the Kenyan looked more like a cattle rearer to him.

‘Why didn’t he come to Nigeria?‘ Edochie asked rhetorically. ‘I have never been to Kenya before. Where did I meet his mother? I am not a wayward person. Peter has been my Personal Assistant for over 17 years. If I were a sexually adventurous person, he wouldn’t have stayed with me for this long. But each time somebody calls me he picks up the phone. Somebody brought the story from the internet and showed it to me,’ Edochie began.

‘One slim character like that. He looked like a cattle Rear-er. He said, “somehow I think Pete Edochie is my father.” Well! Let him come to Nigeria and meet his father. But he hasn’t embarked on the journey yet. Like I said, such things don’t bother me. I got married at 22 years. I have never involved myself in tense extra-marital affairs.

‘It’s not necessary. We are all weak as men, but you see, if you decide to pursue a torrid extra-marital relationship, what will you be proving to people? However, I don’t involve myself in situations that will make me to compromise my integrity and that of my family,’ the bearded actor divulged.

Muma Gee Reveals How She Lost Millions To Her Political Ambition

Famous Nigerian singer turned actress, Muma Gee has spoken about how she lost a lot of money in her political ambition in Rivers State, where she contested for an elective position but lost out in the last general elections.

Muma Gee, who is married and has two kids with Nollywood actor, Prince Eke,

opened up in an interview that her bank account is currently not as buoyant as it used to be after her loss at the polls even though she feels she was robbed off her mandate.

‘I lost a lot of money. I am in red now but I know I will recover. All I know is that there was no election in my state. I don’t regret that I wanted to salvage the ruins in my community and liberate my people. It was just that somebody robbed us of the chances of doing that. If the people had the privilege to vote, I would be representing them by now. There was so much violence,’ she said to The Punch.

To recover her lost fortune, the singer has concluded plans to open a spa/salon even as she has returned to the music studio to produce another album after a long hiatus.

Yvonne Nelson Exposes Cleavage On BET Red Carpet

Famous Ghanaian movie producer and actress, Yvonne Nelson, isn’t the actress with the biggest boobies in the industry.

But that certainly didn’t stop her from showing off her cleavage on the red carpet 2015 BET scheduled to hold later today, Saturday June 27, 2015.

The House of Gold star who was spotted at the Staples Centre in New York on Friday, June 26, 2015 shared the image on her Instagram account.

Interestingly enough, Yvonne Nelson also noted the increase in size of her b**bs and captioned the picture, ‘My b**bs look big how did that happen??’

The actress is scheduled to start showing her recent production, If Tomorrow Never Comes in Nigeria cinemas from the first week of July 2015.

Two Men Die Rescuing A Chicken In Kano State

Two men on Saturday died while rescuing a hen that fell into a well in Dawakin Tofa local government area of Kano state, Daily Trust has learnt. It was gathered that the incident happened in Gargari village of the local government area at about 5am shortly before the Muslims dawn prayers. Daily Trust reports:

The two men are Garba Adamu (60) and Ali Abdullahi (50). The hen belonged to Adamu but his neighbour Abdullahi jumped into the well when Adamu was trapped in it. Our correspondent reports that efforts by neighbours to rescue the two men inside the well yielded no result.

When officials of the Kano Fire Service arrived, they maneuvered and removed the men from the deep well only to discover that they have ceased breathing. The chicken too was found dead. In a telephone interview, the Director of the Kano state fire service, Alhaji Balarabe Kabara confirmed the report, saying his men removed the lifeless bodies of the men.

Kabara who described the death of the men as unfortunate said they have handed over their corpses to the Divisional Police Officer of the local government police division. “When the first man jumped into the well in order to remove the hen, he drown thus the other man went inside to rescue the first person,” he said in a phone interview.

It was gathered that the two men have since been buried at the burial ground of the area in line with Islamic injunctions. When contacted the spokesperson of the Kano Police Command, ASP Magaji Musa Majia confirmed the report, saying the men were pronounced death at the General Hospital.

Man Kills Girlfriend, Impersonates Her On Social Media To Conceal Her Murder

A man was arrested on a charge of murder after allegedly killing his girlfriend and then pretending to be her for several weeks, police in South Korea said. The 24-year-old suspect identified as Lee, confessed to killing 26-year-old Sunny Kim because she wanted to break up with him.

According to Odd News Blog, 

after Kim disappeared, Lee had been answering text messages using her phone pretending to be her. The day of the murder, Kim was invited to begin her new job, but Lee sent a message to her employer, saying that she was not interested anymore.

After several weeks of pretending to be Kim, Lee turned himself in at a police station in Busan. He entered with cut and bleeding wrists, and told officers that he killed his girlfriend and buried the body.  He also tried to commit suicide. Kim was found in a suitcase buried in cement near her home.

Mother Found Eating Her 2-Year-Old Girl Alive In India

What could make a woman cut and eat her own child must be something beyond alcoholism as this post has attributed it to. It must be associated with the disease of the mind. Or can alcoholism induce one into cannibalistic tendencies?  Pramila, 40 has been reportedly arrested by Indian Police for cutting and eating the scalp of her two-year-old baby, Bharati Mondal. Scoop has more:

According to Daily mail, the toddler was rescued by her uncle Dablu after he heard her screams and was horrified to find his sister-in-law cutting her head and eaten her flesh. He snatched her away and rushed her to a local hospital where she was treated for injuries at a critical care unit.

Dablu said; ‘It was around noon and I was resting at home when I heard loud cries of Bharati, ’I ran to check on her but there the scene I saw was beyond shocking Bharati was bleeding profusely as Pramila was eating the flesh of her head. I immediately snatched away Bharati from Pramila and rushed her to Malda Medical College and Hospital where she is admitted to ICU.’

As the news of the grisly attack spread, angry locals gathered at her house, tied her with ropes and started beating her. She was only saved when sister-in-law Mamta Mandal, 36, called the police who dispersed the angry mob. The mother of three, who has an alcohol problem, confessed to the mob but was unable to explain her actions. Police inspector Kishna Das said Dablu Mondal, who lived next door to Pramila, was alerted by the child’s screams on Wednesday.

‘He there saw Pramila eating the flesh of Bharati’s head. Soon villagers learnt about the incident and reached Pramila’s house and started beating her in anger. ‘We rescued the woman and sent her to hospital.’ Pramila’s husband Habu Mondal, went to Delhi to work to work as a laborer last year but has not been seen since. The couple has two other children Parbati, eight, and son Swarna, two. Police have prepared a case against Pramila who is expected to appear in court soon, police said.

Learn About The Mexican Town Where Women Engage In Bloody Fist Fights To Call Down Rain

Every year, in the month of May, women from the Nahua villages of Guerrero, Mexico, get together to beat the living daylights out of each other in an ancient ritual that they believe will bring water to their land. Oddity Central has more:

The villagers stand in a circle, forming a ring of sorts, waiting for their adversaries to arrive from neighboring communities. The villages of La Esperanza and El Rancho Las Lomas, in particular, have a long standing rivalry – they fight in a field that lies on the border between the two towns. When everyone has arrived, the women begin to seek out opponents, challenging them to fights. The older women, who are seasoned warriors, provoke younger girls to get into the ring and spill some blood.

 Once the opponents are decided, the women get into the ring and face each other, tying up their hair and taking off their jewelry. One of them throws the first punch, the crowd begins to cheer, and pretty soon, a bloody fight is underway.The women don’t seem to care about winning, all they want is to spill as much blood as possible. They might ask for a time out to clean up their bloodied noses, but they’ll get right on with the punching once they’re done. Men and children sometimes join in as well, and the fighting continues until dark, after which everyone hugs each other and heads back home.