WORLD NEWS: Syria war: Yarmouk camp evacuation 'on hold'

The expected evacuation of thousands of rebels from in and around Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus has been put on hold, reports say.

Safety issues and the killing of a top rebel have been blamed for the delay.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Labour hails FG’s plan to provide 500,000 jobs

Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has commended the Federal Government on the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget just as it stressed the need for the content of the budget to be implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Nigeria receives more than 100 foreign investors in 7 months – NIPC

The Executive Director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Uju Baba, on Saturday said that more than 100 foreign investors had visited the country between June and December.

Baba, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja, said Nigeria remained an investment destination in Africa.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Pray for Buhari, Dogara urges Christians

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has pleaded with Nigerians most especially Christians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, saying, despite the many challenges confronting the country, the administration is more than ever before positioned to surmount them.

NEWS: NIGERIA - NNPC begins direct delivery to IPMAN retail outlets

As part of efforts to bridge the huge supply gap occasioned by the current fuel scarcity, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commenced direct delivery of petrol to Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) retail outlets across the country.

NEWS: NIGERIA - $2.1 arms scam: Your utterances are unprofessional – Jonathan replies Sagay

A legal luminary Professor Itse Sagay SAN, has come under heavy knocks by former President Goodluck Jonathan over a statement that Jonathan should confess his involvement in the deal before he is arrested.

WORLD NEWS: Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay flooding displaces 150,000

More than 150,000 people in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil have been driven from their homes by some of the worst flooding in years.
Heavy summer rains have caused rivers to swell across a vast area. 

In Paraguay, the most affected country, President Horacio Cartes declared a state of emergency, freeing up $3.5m (£2.3m) in relief funds.

WORLD NEWS: AUSTRALIA - Christmas Day blaze guts Australia homes

A Christmas Day bushfire has destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia's Victoria state, officials say.
Officials said 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek. No injuries are reported.
Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blaze along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria's south-west, popular with holidaymakers. 

ENTERTAINMENT WORLD: JANET JACKSON POSTPONES TOUR FOR SURGERY

US singer Janet Jackson has put her Unbreakable world tour on hold until spring to have surgery. 

Jackson said her doctors told her she needs an operation "soon".

"Please pray for me, my family and our entire company during this difficult time," the 49-year-old asked fans. She said she would not be giving any details of her health condition.

WORLD NEWS: SYRIA - Jaysh al-Islam rebel leaders die in air strike

The head and several leaders of one of Syria's most powerful rebel groups, Jaysh al-Islam, have been killed in an air strike east of Damascus.

Founder Zahroun Alloush, 44, was among those killed when rockets hit a meeting place, rebels and the Syrian army said.

FOOTBALL: ARSENAL - Hmm! Wow!! Arsenal train on Christmas Day

While the rest of us prepared to sit down for a turkey lunch, Arsene Wenger oversaw a session with his Gunners squad ahead of the trip to Southampton on Boxing Day
Arsenal are leaving nothing to chance ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton on Boxing Day.

FOOTBALL: Man City - Pellegrini warns Arsenal; The title isn't won in December

The Man City manager does not believe that the defeat to the Gunners will prove fatal in their bid to win the Premier League and is confident they can still finish top of the pile

Manuel Pellegrini has identified the need to pick up six points during the Christmas fixtures, but remains calm over Manchester City's Premier League title prospects.

WORLD NEWS: TURKEY - IRAQ; Arab League demands Turkish forces leave Iraq

The Arab League has called on Turkey to immediately withdraw its soldiers from northern Iraq, where the Turkish government says they are training local Kurdish and Sunni Arab forces to take on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Fire razes 200 shops in Ibadan

It was a black Christmas for traders in the popular Sango Market, Ibadan as fire razed over 200 shops in plank section of the market.

The market which at Alaro area of Sango was reportedly gutted by an inferno which started around 3pm and was yet to be put out as at 8pm.

WORLD NEWS: RUSSIA - TURKEY; Russia says its strikes reduce oil smuggling to Turkey

Russia said Friday that trucks loaded with oil continue to cross from Syria into Turkey but in lesser numbers thanks to its bombing campaign against Islamic State jihadists.

“Oil tank trucks are continuing to cross the Syrian-Turkish border,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

NEWS: NIGERIA - PDP stakeholders in Akwa Ibom pass confidence vote on Buhari

PDP stakeholders in Akwa Ibom North West Local Government Area have passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Sen. Godswill Akpabio (PDP-Akwa Ibom North West), made this known to newsmen after a stakeholders meeting held on Friday in Essien Udim.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Fuel to sell for N85 per litre in January

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has said that the NNPC will announce a new pump price of 85 naira per litre of petrol in January 2016.
Dr. Kachikwu said that the new pump price is according to a PPPRA template which he signed off on Wednesday which will be the first reflection of the price modulation that will kick off fully in the

NEWS: NIGERIA - Nnewi fire: APC calls for forensic investigation

All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called on Anambra State government to set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to investigate the Nnewi fire incidence of Thursday, which claimed many lives and property.

The party in Anambra State has also commiserated with the families and associates of the victims of the fire disaster and urged them to find the heart to bear “the great loss in what ought to be a season of joy.”

NEWS: NIGERIA - 3 die as fire razes fuels station in Asaba

Three persons were yesterday confirmed dead while six others were seriously injured in a lone accident that involved a Toyota Highlander SUV opposite Asaba Airport along the Benin- Asaba-Onitsha expressway.

This is even as a petrol station, Anioma Filling Station, along Okpanam Road within Asaba metropolis was razed by inferno.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Exchange rate falls on temporary supply boost

There appeared to be a significant respite for Naira as it strengthened against the US Dollar in the unofficial currency market a day to the public holidays after suffering severe depreciation daily for three consecutive weeks.

WORLD NEWS: INDIA - India PM Modi in surprise Pakistan visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Pakistan on a surprise visit in which he will meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

Mr Modi was on his way back to India from Afghanistan when he stopped off in the eastern city of Lahore. The visit coincides with Mr Sharif's birthday.

Mr Modi is the first Indian PM to visit Pakistan since 2004.

NEWS: AFGHANISTAN - Afghan and Taliban forces trade blows in Sangin battle

Afghan special forces troops are locked in an intense battle with Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's strategic Sangin district, after re-taking some government buildings from the armed group, officials said.

At least 20 civilians have been killed during the past 24 hours of fighting, local council officials told Al Jazeera on Friday morning.

The fight for control of the town in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province has raged for days, with both sides claiming to have the upper hand.

NEWS: NIGERIA - NACCIMA kicks as FG increases electricity tariff

The National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has cautioned the Federal Government on the increase in electricity tariff.

The National Vice President of NACCIMA, Prince Billy Gillis-Harry, who gave the warning in Abuja said that there was need to involve the stakeholders in the deciding what the consumer will pay.

WORLD NEWS: Pope Francis urges faithfuls to reject materialism, embrace simple values

Pope Francis was expected to appeal for reconciliation of fractured communities in his Christmas Day blessing Friday, as the world takes stock of a year of violence and suffering that saw hundreds of thousands flee their homes.

Francis was due to address his believers at Saint Peter’s Basilica around 1100 GMT for the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message, traditionally an occasion to appeal for solutions to the world’s problems.

Celebrity: Nigeria - Tiwa Savage finally reveals her baby’s face

Singer Tiwa Savage finally reveals photo of her son after a long wait!

See photo also hubby with baby after the jump>>>

NEWS: AFGHANISTAN - Xmas: Bus crash kills at least 24

At least 24 people were killed when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine after a head-on collision with a truck in northern Afghanistan, officials said Friday, in the latest deadly road accident.

Women and children were among those killed in the accident Thursday on a major highway in Samangan province.

WORLD NEWS: ISRAEL - Jewish leader demands expulsion of 'Christian vampires'

The leader of a right-wing Jewish group has called for a ban on Christmas in Israel and the expulsion of Christians, describing followers of the religion as "blood-sucking vampires".

Benzi Gopstein - leader of the group Lahava, or Flame in Hebrew - wrote last week on the ultra-Orthodox Kooker website that "impure" Christians must leave the region.

WORLD NEWS: CAR - CAR postpones crucial election over technical concerns

The Central African Republic (CAR) has pushed back by three days a key national election that is intended to be a fresh start for a country mired in sectarian violence since a coup in 2013.

The vote was initially scheduled for December 27, but will now be held on December 30 to allow authorities to deal with organizational and logistical issues.

NEWS: NIGERIA - DPR begins 24-hour surveillance on depots, filling stations

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it has set up a 24-hour special task force to supervise and monitor petrol sales at depots and stations.

It said the task force would sanction depots and stations selling above the recommended price.

Assistant Director, Public Affairs in DPR, Mrs Dorothy Bassey, disclosed this in telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, yesterday.

NEWS: NIGERIA - CBN cautions banks on regulations, international standard

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has promised that it would not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against banks that flout laid down regulations and international best practices.

Director, Banking and Payments System Department of the CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, stated this while delivering a paper on ‘Overview of Electronic Payments Regulation and Development in Nigeria,’ at a seminar in Owerri.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Dangote buys back former subsidiary to save over 3,000 jobs

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL)’s decision to buy back its former subsidiary, Tiger Branded Consumer Goods (TBCG) was informed by the need to prevent the company from going under and save over 3,000 jobs of Nigerians.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Shi’ites’ protest over killings grounds Kano as Army warns members

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, yesterday morning protested on the streets of Kano to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammed and mourn the killings of of their colleagues in Zaria two weeks ago by soldiers.

WORLD NEWS: NIGERIA - US; Chevron rig explosion: Bayelsa communities seek redress in US court

Coastal communities in Bayelsa State, impacted by the January 16, 2012 KS Endeavour Rig Explosion in Chevron’s oil field, have dragged the oil firm before a San Francisco court in the United States.

WORLD NEWS: IMF predicts oil price slump to $20 in 2016

THE days ahead may just be harder than envisaged as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday, said crude oil prices may slump to as low as $20 per barrel in 2016.

Following the release of the “IMF Executive Board Concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation with Iran” report, the body highlighted that the price of crude oil could drop between $5 and $15 in 2016. Following the release of the “IMF Executive Board Concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation with Iran” report, the body highlighted that the price of crude oil could drop between $5 and $15 in 2016.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FOREFRONT!!!

This is to you a very merry christmas and a blissful yuletide. May you have many reasons to celebrate now and always in good health, abundance and longevity

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON!!!

WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT!!! 

                                                                                         -Joshua Osayuwamen Osagie-

.

NEWS: SYRIA - 'Rebels to leave' Damascus suburbs under deal

Wounded fighters belonging to armed groups will be allowed to withdraw from the suburbs of Damascus as part of a deal with the Syrian government, according to a UK-based monitoring group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that buses to transport the fighters from the Damascus suburb of al-Qadam had already started arriving.

NEWS: NIGERIA - NDLEA seizes hard drugs concealed as biscuits and cheese balls

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had intercepted a truck load of cannabis disguised as biscuits and cheese balls. The discovery of the drug weighing 3,542.25kg was made by officers and men of the Agency in Ogun State along Odeda axis of Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government of the state. Two suspected cannabis dealers conveying the drugs, Ihenacho Chinweuba, 27, and Uche Enuosa, 33, have been arrested and the truck impounded.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Buhari preaches love at Christmas

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the virtues which Jesus Christ taught in his lifetime.
This is contained in the President’s Christmas message to Nigerians which he signed personally.
The President maintained that a greater manifestation of these will help the nation become a more united and progressive one.

NEWS: NIGERIA - “We have defeated Boko Haram!”, Lai Mohammed shocks Nigerians

The Federal Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed has stated that the Nigerian Army has won the war against Boko Haram.

He made the announcement during a meeting with members of the press in Lagos less than 24 hours to Christmas Eve.

WORLD NEWS: CHINA - China sentences journalist four years in prison for extortion, blackmail

A Chinese court sentenced the former head of one of the country’s best known financial newspapers to four years in prison on Thursday, closing a massive media corruption case as Beijing tightens control over the press. Shen Hao, former president of 21st Century Media, was convicted of extortion and blackmail, “forced transactions” and embezzlement, the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Court said in a statement on its official social media account.

WORLD NEWS: GHANA - Transport minister resigns over bus paint fraud

Ghana’s transport minister resigned Wednesday after a controversy erupted following reports she spent about one million dollars to repaint over 100 buses with portraits of the country’s recent leaders. Dzifa Attivor had commissioned a private firm to respray 116 imported passenger busses with the faces of the West African country’s past leaders and current president John Mahama.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Don’t write off FG’s efforts to reposition Nigeria, Mark tells Nigerians

The Former Senate President, Sen. David Mark, has urged Nigerians not to write off the efforts the Federal Government is making to reposition the country in spite of the security and socio-economic challenges. Mark’s call is contained in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Mr Paul Mumeh and issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Lol: Photo - Christmas Day in Badagry, Nigeria, in 1923

Drop your comments. Hit comment below,  and chose your sign in format like google account with gmail. Alternatively if you dont want to sign in, you can choose the name/url or open ID option.
A new race commences soon for highest comments rewards.


Follow Joshua Osagie on facebook Global audience / facebook Nigerian audience  / facebook personal account /  facebook  (fan page)/    and  twitter

ADVERTISE WITH THE FOREFRONT: +234-803-698-6103. For more details CLICK HERE NOW

TRAGIC PHOTOS (VIEWER'S DISCRETION): NIGERIA - Many feared dead as Gas Depot explodes in Nnewi, Anambra state

 

Over 20 people are feared dead after a Gas Depot owned by Chicason Group and located along traffic light at Nnewi-Okigwe road behind Innoson Motor Manufacturing industry in Nnewi, Anambra state exploded this afternoon.

 The fire destroyed the Depot and its surroundings including some buildings and cars around it. Workers, customers and motorcyclists are among those feared dead. The cause of the fire which started this afternoon is yet to be ascertained. Tragic photos after the jump>>> 

BREAKING NEWS: CHINA - Christmas security warning cautions Westerners in Beijing

Statements issued by government officials from France, the United Kingdom and the United States have warned of a potential security threat for Westerners in the Sanlitun area of Beijing “on or around Christmas.”

A statement on website of the US embassy in Beijing read “US citizens are urged to exercise heightened vigilance.”

WORLD NEWS: US - US launches air strikes in embattled Afghan district

US aircraft carried out two attacks in Sangin, the district in southern Afghanistan overrun by Taliban fighters this week, officials said as the battle for the strategic province of Helmand continued.

"US forces conducted two strikes in Sangin on December 23 against threats to the force," a spokesman for the military coalition said.

WORLD NEWS: US - Tornadoes, storms kill seven in US

Storms and tornadoes killed at least seven people and left dozens injured when they ripped through large swathes of the southeastern United States on Wednesday, reports and officials said.

Homes were badly damaged or even leveled as a series of tornadoes and twisters tore through several states, leaving a trail of destruction and ruining Christmas for some.

BREAKING NEWS: NIGERIA - Appeal Court dismisses Ogboru’s appeal against Okowa

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, has dismissed an appeal that was lodged against the election victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, by candidate of the Labour Party, LP,‎ in the April 11 governorship election in the state, ‎Chief Great Ogboru.

In a unanimous judgment, a five-man panel of Justices of the appellate court led by Justice ‎Uwani Abba-Aji, upheld the verdict of the Delta State ‎Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which had on ‎October 24, ‎affirmed Okowa’s election.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Election petitions: Court sacks 4 Akwa Ibom Assembly members

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has lost four members so far while the fifth person is hanging only on hope and prayers.

Those sent parking so far are the former Speaker, Anieakn Uko, the former Deputy Speaker, Effiong Okon Bassey, the erstwhile member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency, Idongesit Ntekpere and the erstwhile member representing Etinan state constituency, Aniefiok Dennis.

WORLD NEWS: HEALTH ARTICLE - Zobo drink kills cancer cells, study shows

Scientists, led by Chun-Tang Chui from the Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology in Taiwan, in a recent study published in Open Access found that Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extract inhibits human prostate cancer cell invasion.

Another study by the same team of researchers, published in the Journal of Food Science, found that the polyphenols present in hibiscus leaves may inhibit growth of and destroy melanoma cancer cells without damaging healthy human skin cells, scientists from Taiwan have found.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Govs playing politics with N18,000 minimum wage –Ngige

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has said state governors are merely playing politics with an alleged inability to continue to pay N18,000 minimum wage.

He said this at a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja.

The minister blamed labour for heating up the system by joining the governors to talk about reduction or increasing the minimum wage.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Immigration repatriates 712 illegal immigrants in Delta

Kure- Martin-Abeshi (NIS Boss)

The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, said it has captured and repatriated 712 illegal immigrants in the state to their respective countries.

The command in a statement by its Comptroller, Mr Madu Musa said; “In our effort to control the influx of irregular immigrants in Delta State, we have embarked on this mop-up exercise across

WORLD NEWS: UK - Reflect on Christian values, David Cameron says in Christmas message

David Cameron has urged people to reflect on Britain's Christian values in his Christmas message.

The PM said the country's "important religious roots" made it "a successful home to people of all faiths and none".