WORLD NEWS: US - US lottery fever as Powerball jackpot reaches $900m

The largest jackpot in American history is on offer to US lottery players, with a payout of about $900m (£620m) possible for the Saturday night draw.

Lottery fever in the US has resulted in long queues outside lottery-ticket vendors, driving up the jackpot value.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Metuh’s continued detention is illegal, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday said the continued detention of its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without charging him to court is illegal.

The party said the development is a clear breach of Metuh’s constitutionally guaranteed liberty and fundamental rights.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Soyinka confident in FG’s anti-corruption fight

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Saturday expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would fight corruption conclusively.

Soyinka said this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, visited him at his home in Lagos.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Nobody was killed in Bayelsa rerun election – Police; as Serakie Dickson claims 12 died during violence

The police on Saturday denied claims that over 10 persons suspected to be militants and political thugs were killed during the supplementary elections held in Southern Ijaw local government area and other 101 polling units across Bayelsa State.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Organisation faults DSS over detention of Faleke, Audu’s son

The Audu/Faleke Campaign Organisation has faulted the decision of the Directorate of the State Security (DSS) for inviting and detaining the Kogi State deputy governor-elect, Mr James Faleke.

The Organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Duro Meseko told newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday that Faleke was being detained alongside Alhaji Mohammed Audu, the first son of the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

WORLD NEWS: US - Last photo of US jet crash pilot Maj Taj Sareen emerges

The family of a US pilot who died when his jet crashed in a field said they were "thankful" after the last known photo of him emerged, showing him waving on the runway.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Bayelsa supplementary poll records impressive voter turnout

Saturday’s governorship supplementary election in Bayelsa recorded impressive turnout of voters in most units in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area where the exercise is being conducted.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as early as 7.45 a.m., voters had queued in polling units in some of the wards, waiting for accreditation and voting to begin at 8 a.m. as directed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

NEWS: NIGERIA - Obasanjo bags MA degree, graduate next week with 5,000 others at NOUN convocation

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is among over 5,000 students that would be graduating from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He would be conferred with MA degree in Christian Theology.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Kogi on red alert as DSS arrests Faleke, Audu

Uneasy calm pervades the political landscape of Kogi today as James Abiodun Faleke and Mr.
Mohammed Audu were invited by operatives of the Directorate of State Security in Abuja.

Supporters of the two politicians were apprehensive on the fate of their principals.

WOW NEWS: NIGERIA - Father ties son’s hands, legs; sets him ablaze

A 22-year-old man in Omu-Aran, Kwara, Sola Akangbe, died in the early hours of Saturday following wounds from a fire allegedly set on him by his biological father, Kehinde.

The deceased, a wheelbarrow pusher, was said to have suffered high degree burns and was confirmed dead by doctors at Ajisafe Hospital, Omu-Aran, where he was rushed to by the police on Friday.

NEWS: NIGERIA - GOSPEL; Winners Chapel denies Oyedepo’s retirement

Proud to say THE FOREFRONT never did such a report as we are poised to verify the veracity of stories before publishing!!! WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT!!!

The Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, has denied rumours that the founder of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo, was set to retire from active service.

The Church’s Mandate Secretary, Pastor Yemi Nathaniel, said any such reports were not true.

NEWS: NIGERIA - BAYELSA DECIDES; Soldiers arrest ballot box snatchers in Bayelsa

Two persons suspected to be agents of one of the political parties involved in Saturday’s supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa have been arrested for allegedly snatching a ballot box.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the suspects were arrested by soldiers at Otuokpoti Unit 1, Ward 2, Ogbia Local Government Area, where the box was allegedly snatched.

NEWS NIGERIA: BAYELSA DECIDES - Fake INEC official arrested in Bayelsa

Security agents arrested a fake official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Famgbe, Yenagoa.

He was reportedly hired to help rig the election in the area. He reportedly made confessional statement indicting some government officials.

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WOW STORY!!! PHOTOS - Tracey Curtis-Taylor finishes UK to Australia biplane flight

A British adventurer has completed an epic 14,600-nautical mile flight from the UK to Australia in a vintage open cockpit bi-plane. Tracey Curtis-Taylor, 53, set off in her 1942 Boeing Stearman Spirit of Artemis aircraft from Farnborough, Hampshire, in October. 

She retraced pioneer Amy Johnson's 1930 flight, flying over 23 countries and making some 50 refuelling stops. After landing in Sydney she tweeted it was the end of a "huge adventure".
Ms Curtis-Taylor - the self-styled "Bird in a Biplane" - also thanked "everyone who supported me". More photos after the jump>>>

WOW STORY!!! PHOTO: Rhino poacher-hunting dog from South Africa gets hero medal

A poacher-hunting dog in South Africa has been awarded a medal for his work in helping save endangered rhinos.

K9 Killer's tracking skills have led to the arrest of 115 poachers in Kruger National Park over the last four years.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Fayose to Buhari: Charge Metuh to court if you have evidence of fraud against him

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Friday, challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh to court if the commission was sure of evidences of fraud against him, saying “the EFCC appears to be operating a system in which an accused person is first arrested, detained endlessly while the anti-corruption agency goes about looking for evidence.”

NEWS: NIGERIA - Arms scam: Metuh, others to spend weekend in detention

There are indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission might not release the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, and others in detention.

It was gathered that the anti-graft agency might not release the detainees until after charges had been prepared.

WORLD NEWS: CHINA - Giant Mao statue 'removed' from Henan village

You will recall The Forefront reported the appearance of this mao ealier this week.

The 37m-high (120ft) gold-painted statue of Chairman Mao in China's countryside has been removed, just days after it was erected, state media report.

A village official told the People's Daily that construction of the Mao Zedong statue had not been approved. See more details and another photo after the cut>>>

WORLD NEWS: AUSTRALIA - Several missing after Australia bushfire

At least three people are missing after a bushfire that devastated a town in Western Australia and continues to threaten others.

Yarloop, south of Perth, was worst hit, with at least 130 properties destroyed. But State Premier Colin Barnett has said it will be rebuilt.

WORLD NEWS: GERMANY - Cologne attacks: Merkel considers tougher migrant laws

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will consider changes in the law to make it easier to deport migrants who commit crimes after sex attacks on women in Cologne.

The attacks on New Year's Eve have shocked the country and sparked a debate about Germany's open-door policy on migrants.

WORLD NEWS: US - 'Plot to kidnap one of Obama's dogs' stopped by police

The forefront in December displayed these beautiful dogs if you remember!!

US police have arrested a man who allegedly plotted to kidnap one of President Obama's two pet dogs.

Officials say Scott Stockert - who is from the state of North Dakota - was planning to snatch one of the dogs, either Bo or Sunny.

WORLD NEWS: US - White House unveils measures to counter IS propaganda

The White House has introduced new initiatives to combat recruitment of Americans to extremist groups like the so-called Islamic State.

Among a raft of measures is the creation of a new task force to counter the online propaganda of terror groups.

WORLD NEWS: LIBYA - Islamic State group claims Libya police bomb attack

The Islamic State group (IS) says it was behind a bomb attack which targeted a police training centre in Libya on Thursday, killing at least 65 people.

More than 100 people were injured in the truck bomb attack in the western city of Zliten, the deadliest since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi.

WORLD NEWS: EGYPT - 3 FOREIGN TOURIST INJURED IN EGYPTIAN HOTEL

Three foreign tourists have been injured after two suspected Islamic State militants stormed into a hotel in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

The attackers, armed with knives, were killed by police at the Bella Vista hotel after they stabbed two Austrian guests and a Swede, officials say.

WORLD NEWS: MEXICO - Drug Lord El Chapo Guzman recaptured after six months escape from jail

Mexico's authorities have recaptured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, six months after he escaped from a maximum-security jail.

In a post on Twitter, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said: "Mission accomplished: We got him."

Guzman, one of the world's most-wanted drug lords, smuggled cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines to the US through the Sinaloa cartel he led.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Anenih undergoes heart surgery

Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih underwent an open-heart surgery in a UK hospital last month.
A member of the family confirmed this development to The Cable and said it was “only God” that saved the life of the 82-year old politician. Anenih marked his 82nd birthday on August 4, 2015.

ENTERTAINMENT: NIGERIA - Wizkid, Tiwa Savage excite Lagosians at ‘One Lagos Fiesta’

Thousands of Lagosians thronged the Pepsi co-sponsored One Lagos Fiesta at several centres in Lagos to bid farewell to 2015, and welcome 2016 with joy and expectations.

The massive crowd that thronged the venue were excited as their favourite artistes held them spellbound with mesmerising performances.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Ex-Bayelsa speaker, council boss injured as APC, PDP supporters clash

A bloody clash between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State yesterday left the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Boyelayefa Debekeme, injured.

Also, the Chairman of the council, Mr. Billy Tobiye, was reportedly injured in the free-for-all that occurred following the arrival of electoral materials in the area for today’s supplementary election.

NEWS: NIGERIA - $2.1bn arms scandal: Ladoja got N100m from Anenih, Accord Party confesses

It is confession galore as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensifies investigation into the $2.1billion arms deals under the Jonathan Administration.

Accord Party (AP) admitted yesterday that its chieftain and former Governor of Oyo State,Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, got N100million from the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, ahead of last year’s general election.

BREAKING HEALTH NEWS: NIGERIA Lassa fever kills forty in ten states – Health minister

Forty people have died in Nigeria in a suspected outbreak of Lassa fever in 10 states across the country, Health Minister Isaac Adewole said Friday.

“The total number (of suspected cases) reported is 86 and 40 deaths, with a mortality rate of 43.2 percent,” Adewole told a news conference in the capital, Abuja.

NEWS: NIGERIA $2.1b arms cash: Panel invites 241 firms, others

No fewer than 241 companies, individuals and organisations are to appear before the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) over contracts awarded by the office between 2011 and 2015. Those who fail to appear risk being embarrassed, the office warned yesterday.

ONSA, in an advertorial in this newspaper, said the companies and representatives of the organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must appear before its Contracts’ Verification Committee between January 12 and 26. It issued the directive following these companies’, NGOs’ and individuals’ failure to heed the earlier call on them to report at the committee.

BREAKING NEWS: EGYPT - Gunmen 'attack Egypt tourist hotel'

Gunmen have opened fire on a hotel in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada, injuring two foreign tourists, reports say.

The attackers arrived by sea to carry out the assault, Reuters reported quoting Egyptian security sources.

Local media report that police have sealed off the area and one foreign tourist has been taken to hospital.

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NEWS: NIGERIA - 5 men bag N200,000 bail each for alleged theft of N1.8m cable

A Bwari Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Friday admitted five persons, Peter Onuobi, Lucky Shuaibu, Adams Barnabas, Sanusi Usman and Daniel Ashoti, to bail for alleged stealing.

In her ruling after their arraignment, Chief Magistrate Akanni Olaide, granted bail to them in the sum of N200,000 each with sureties in like sum.

NEWS: NIGERIA - MTN recalls sacked Visafone staff

MTN Nigeria said it has recalled over 90 per cent of sacked employees of Visafone following its acquisition of the leading Coded Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network.
Authoritative sources at MTN and Visafone told Daily Sun that all disengaged staff, excluding drivers and office assistants, have now been recalled.

NEWS: NIGERIA - ARMS DEAL; The N100m I got Was For SDP to Support Goodluck Jonathan – Olu Falae (Hmm)

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae has stated that he collected N100 million from the ex-Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tony Anenih.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Nigeria To Buy JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets From Pakistan For $25M

Nigeria plans to acquire three JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jets this year from Pakistan for $25 million, which would make the West African country the first export operator for the warplanes. The Nigerian government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, has also set aside money to purchase 10 PAC Super Mushshak basic trainers and two Mi-35M helicopters, Nigerian newspaper Punch reported Wednesday.

WORLD NEWS (PHOTOS): CHINA - China hospital demolished 'with people inside'

A hospital in China has been bulldozed while still in use, reportedly causing doctors inside to flee and burying six bodies from its morgue under rubble, state media say. More photos and details after the jump>>>

BREAKING WORLD NEWS: ISRAEL - Tel Aviv shooting suspect killed in northern Israel

An Israeli Arab wanted for shooting dead three people in Tel Aviv on 1 January has been killed by security forces in northern Israel.

Nashat Melhem was tracked down to a mosque in his home town of Arara and killed in a gun battle, police said.

The attacks sparked a huge hunt and security alert across the country.

ENTERTAINMENT WORLD: Justin Bieber sets UK singles chart record

Justin Bieber has pulled off another chart coup by occupying the number one, two and three spots with his songs - a feat never accomplished before.

The Canadian singer remains in pole position in this week's singles chart with Love Yourself and also stays put at two with Sorry.

WORLD NEWS: US - US economy adds 292,000 jobs in December 2015

US jobs growth remained solid in December as the economy added 292,000 jobs, beating expectations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data also showed the jobless rate held at its seven-and-a-half year low of 5%.

WORLD NEWS: US - Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam'

An officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), police officials have said.

The gunman, 30, fired at least 11 shots at the officer, in an act done "in the name of Islam". See attack photoand more details after the cut>>>

WORLD NEWS: GERMANY - Cologne police chief removed after New Year Eve attacks

The head of Cologne's police force is leaving his post "to restore public trust in the police" following scores of attacks on women in the city on New Year's Eve.

The state interior minister said on Friday that he had placed Wolfgang Albers in temporary retirement.

FOOTBALL: Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid forward staying - Zinedine Zidane

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving Real Madrid in the near future, says new manager Zinedine Zidane who described the forward as the "soul" of his club.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal said in November he wanted to bring the Portugal striker back to Old Trafford. 

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Comedian Allam Blooo’s big comeback on stage

Pioneer stand up comedian, Prince Elvins Godwin Allam-Blossom, popularly known as Allam-Blooo, made his return to stage with an elaborate comedy show tagged “Laff Nigeria Discovery Show Live”.
According to him, the show, which was sponsored by Sunny Side Hotels and Suites, was to celebrate his 31 years on stage and also launch his project, Naija Must Laff TV/Radio show aimed at discovering new talents.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Corrupt Nigerians fund Boko Haram, says Lai Mohammed

The Buhari administration would soon re-launch the War Against Indiscipline and Corruption.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) officials in Abuja yesterday to solicit their support in the on-going war against terrorism. He said the new attitudinal change programme was tagged: “Change begins with me”, adding that the National Orientation Agency (NOA), with offices across the 774 local government councils, will drive the campaign.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Boko Haram: Villagers accuse soldiers of killing suspects

Villagers in northeast Nigeria are saying that Nigerian soldiers shot and killed a teacher and two middle-aged men who had been detained. The account comes amid accusations that many other people arrested by the military and vigilantes on suspicion of being Boko Haram fighters have disappeared and are feared dead.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Politicians wanted to use us to scuttle 2015 elections -Young Democratic Party

National Chairman of Young Democratic Party (YDP), Ezekiel Nya-Etok, has disclosed that the party was approached by some highly-placed politicians in the country to scuttle the conduct of 2015 general elections.
This was even as he revealed that his party decided not to challenge its exclusion from the general elections because it never wanted to distract the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

WORLD NEWS: IS - Islamic State militant 'executes own mother' in Raqqa

An Islamic State militant carried out a public "execution" of his mother because she asked him to leave the group, activists say.

Ali Saqr, 21, killed his mother, Lena al-Qasem, 45, outside the post office in Raqqa, Syria, eyewitnesses said.