NEWS: NIGERIA - Explosion hits Agip pipeline in Bayelsa

Explosion has again rocked a major pipeline in the Niger Delta region, a few days after an attack on oil and gas pipelines in the Gbaramatu kingdom Delta state, dealt a deadly blow on the economy.

This time the attack occurred on a pipeline owned by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

TENNIS: German Angelique Kerber Defeats Serena Williams To Claim Australian Open Title

Angelique Kerber stunned Serena Williams to claim a first major title at the Australian Open, denying the world No1 her seventh crown in Melbourne and the chance to pull level with Steffi Graf on 22 grand slam victories.

WORLD NEWS: The UN says Central African Republic children were 'abused by EU troops'

The UN says it has new allegations of child sex abuse by European troops in the Central African Republic (CAR).

A number of girls aged between 14 and 16 have alleged they were raped by Georgian members of the EU's operation Eufor, the UN says.

WORLD NEWS: ENTERTAINMENT - Rock star David Bowie leaves $100m in will

Rock star David Bowie left an estate valued at about $100m (£70m), according to his will which has been filed in New York.

Half will go to his widow, Iman, along with the home they shared in New York. The rest is shared between his son and daughter.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Solicitors to allegedly sacked Anambra Lawmakers write INEC on misunderstanding judgement

The solicitors to the nine lawmakers allegedly sacked, have written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to also fall into the folly of misunderstanding the judgment.

The letter signed by the lawmakers urged the commission not to allow itself to be misled by its legal department just as it was initially misled to accepting the list presented by the state chapter of the party.

NEWS GIST NIGERIA - Senator Stella Oduah says she wasn't sacked by the Supreme Court

Senator Stella Oduah On Friday in Abuja, described as “a misinterpretation”, media reports which quoted a Supreme Court judgment to have sacked her and other federal lawmakers from Anambra.

Reports in the media said that the apex court had ordered the replacement of Oduah and other federal lawmakers from the state saying that their nomination to contest in the 2015 election was wrong.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Game Of Thrones Backdrop Wrecked By Storm Gertrude in UK

Storm Gertrude has wrecked a spectacular tree-lined avenue which was a backdrop for the hit fantasy drama Game Of Thrones.

Several trees making up the famous Dark Hedges in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, came down in the high winds.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Phil Collins back with ex-wife after 8 years

Phil Collins and his former third wife have rekindled their romance and are living together again - eight years after the singer reportedly paid out £25m in their divorce settlement.

The Genesis star split with Orianne Cevey in 2006 saying they had "grown apart".

WEIRD GIST: Shark Eats Shark In Aquarium Attack In South Korea

The largest shark at a South Korean aquarium has slowly eaten a smaller shark in an apparent "turf war".

The eight-year-old female sand tiger shark, measuring 2.2m (7.2ft) long, attacked the five-year-old male banded houndshark on Thursday - and reportedly devoured him bite by bite.

WORLD NEWS: Facebook and Instagram ban private gun advertisements

Private individuals will no longer be allowed to advertise guns on Facebook and Instagram, the photo-sharing service owned by Facebook.

Facebook had already banned the sale of guns without ID checks, but the new rules aim to stop all gun trade between individuals on the sites.

Businesses can still advertise guns on Facebook and Instagram.

HEALTH BREAKTHROUGH - Proton beam cancer therapy has 'fewer side effects' than radiotherapy

Proton beam therapy for cancer causes fewer side effects than conventional radiotherapy, research suggests.

The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, suggested the therapy is also as effective as other treatments.

WORLD NEWS: US - Clinton emails declared 'top secret'

The Democrat Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's unsecured home server contained more than a dozen emails deemed "top secret"- one of the highest levels of classification in the US government, the White House has said.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the documents were not marked classified at the time they were sent.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Wonderful!!! EFCC operative arrested for collecting #45m bribe from Military Officers under probe.

On a shocking note, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one of its operatives, Abdulrahman Mohammed Biu, a Deputy Detective Superintendent, for collecting $150,000 (about N45 million) from some military officers being investigated.

He was said to have promised to give the unnamed seven military officers soft landing to escape probe for the $2.1billion arms scandal.

NEWS: NIGERIA - How Supreme Court whirlwind swept through House of Reps members from Anambra State

The Supreme Court in a uniform verdict yesterday swept away Senators Andy Uba and Stella Oduah from the upper legislative chambers including nine other members of the House of Representatives from Anambra State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic [PDP].

Uba was a former Special Assistant to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Domestic Affairs, while Stella Oduah was a former Minister of Aviation. Other affected lawmakers include; Anayo Nnebe, Obinna Chidoka, Lynda Ikpeazu, Emeka Anohu, Eucharia Azodo, Chris Azubogu and three others who are all members of the House of Representatives.

WORLD NEWS: US - US Economic Growth Slows After Rate Rise

The US economy slowed sharply in the final quarter of 2015 to achieve annualised growth of just 0.7% after spending by consumers and businesses eased.

The figure - announced by the US Commerce Department - was weaker than had been expected by analysts and economists who were largely forecasting a rise of 0.9%.

WORLD NEWS: ITALY - Italian Mafia Bosses 'Living Like Animals'

Two high-ranking members of the powerful 'Ndrangheta organised crime group have been found "living like animals" in a mountain hideout.

Giuseppe Ferraro, 47, and Giuseppe Crea, 37, who were found with a submachine gun and a collection of rifles and pistols, had been on Italy's most dangerous fugitives list, police said.

Football: Real and Atletico Madrid transfer bans lifted temporarily

The information has reached the Forefront that Fifa's appeals committee has temporarily suspended Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid's transfer bans with immediate effect. 

The two clubs had been sanctioned for failing to comply with regulations on signing young players, with the ban on registering new transfers set to begin at the end of the January window.

NEWS: NIGERIA - At least two killed in Adamawa market twin blasts

It has been confirmed that at least 15 people were killed in two blasts that rocked a grain market in Adamawa on Friday.

There are reports the explosions occurred at about 2:00pm when the market was at its peak.

Two male suicide bombers, according to the reports, carried out the attack on unsuspecting traders in the market.

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PHOTOS: NIGERIA - PDP's Olisa Metuh resumes after bail grant

After his trial and bail as result of his involvement in the arms deal scandal, the

Publicity Secretary of the People's Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh resumed today as he received members of the British Conservative Party delegation. More photos after the cut>>>

NEWS: NIGERIA - Federal High Court denies Nnamdi Kanu bail

The Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and two other co-accused has been denied bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Metuh affirms; PDP will return to power in 2019

The National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh, who was released from Kuje prison on bail Thursday, said his party will regain power in 2019.

“The party has since overcome the initial trauma that accompanied the electoral setback of the 2015 general election, and is now poised to regain power at the centre in 2019,” he said on Friday.

FOOTBALL: Van Gaal affirms he will never quit Manchester United

The Dutchman insists he did not offer his resignation in the aftermath of the 1-0 defeat at Southampton and wants to continue at Old Trafford until the end of his contract

Louis van Gaal says he will never quit the Manchester United job, dismissing claims he offered his resignation to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward following the defeat against Southampton.

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Japan adopts negative interest rate in surprise move

In a surprise move, the Bank of Japan has introduced a negative interest rate.

The benchmark rate of -0.1% means that the central bank will charge commercial banks 0.1% on some of their deposits.

It hopes this will encourage banks to lend and counter the ongoing economic slump in the world's third-largest economy.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Oscars presenters announced amid diversity row

Kelvin Hart - one of 11 presenters

The Academy Awards has announced a diverse group of presenters and performers for this year's Oscars.

Among those who will take part in 28 February ceremony are Benicio Del Toro, Whoopi Goldberg and Kevin Hart.

"Each of these artists brings a wonderfully distinctive element to the Oscars stage," said Oscars producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin.

WORLD NEWS: US Election 2016 - Republican rivals in mockery of Donald Trump over debate boycott

Donald Trump has been mocked by his Republican rivals at a televised debate in Iowa, after quitting the event in a row with Fox News.

He decided to withdraw after the broadcaster refused to drop host Megyn Kelly, whom Mr Trump accused of bias.

The billionaire held a rally nearby, in honour of war veterans, that threatened to overshadow the debate itself.

WORLD NEWS: UK - Oil price slump threatens UK recycling jobs

Thousands of green jobs in the UK could be at risk because of stubbornly low oil prices.

Several plastic recycling plants have been closed or mothballed in recent months.

Cheap oil means cheaper plastics, which are made from oil.

NEWS: NIGERIA - President Buhari rejects devaluation od the naira

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he is yet to be convinced that Nigerians will benefit from an official devaluation of the Naira.

President Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, maintained that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation will only result in further inflation and hardship for the poor and middle class in Nigeria’s import-dependent economy.

World News: Eritea Officials react angrily to polygamy hoax

ImageStandard

ImageThe story was published in a satirical column called Crazy Monday

A satirical story that Eritrean men have been ordered to marry at least two wives, which has been shared across Africa, has upset Eritrean officials.

WORLD NEWS: US Election 2016 - Republican debate holds amid Donald Trump's boycott

Republican 2016 presidential candidates are due to take to the debate stage in Iowa shortly, with the notable exception of frontrunner Donald Trump.

He decided to withdraw after Fox News refused to drop host Megyn Kelly, whom Mr Trump accused of bias.

NEWS: NIGERIA (POLITICS) - PDP deeper in crisis as NWC and Governors disagree over Prince Secondus as Chairman

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shunned a directive by the party’s governors asking the Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to hand over to the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

The governors, in a communique at the end of a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, ordered Secondus to hand over to Oladipo, pending the emergence of a substantive chairman from the Northeast.

WORLD NEWS: Fears of job cut as Shell, BG seal world’ biggest $52bn LNG deal

As the hydrocarbon industry goes through its worst downturn in decade, BG Group (BG.L) shareholders, yesterday approved its acquisition by Royal Dutch Shell in a $52 deal, sending shivers down the spine of Shell workers in Nigeria and beyond and raising fears of possible job losses in months ahead.
Under the deal seen as the world’s largest LNG acquisition BG will now merge with Shell on February 15, bringing an end to nearly two decades of the company’s operation, having been carved out of British Gas.

TENNIS: AUSTRALIAN OPEN - Djokovic and Serena hit finals

Novak Djokovic advanced to his sixth Australian Open final with a 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory over Roger Federer.

The world number one dominated the first two sets with some superb hitting, then had to hold off a spirited Federer fightback.

It is the third straight Grand Slam in which Djokovic has beaten the Swiss, prolonging Federer’s wait for an 18th major title. Djokovic will face Andy Murray or Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: (Photo) One Direction's Louis Posts Baby pic

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has proudly presented his newborn son Freddie to his 21.3 million Twitter followers.

The 24-year-old posted a picture of him holding his boy with the tweet: "Meet my little lad, Freddie." See photo of Tomlinson and babay after the jump>>>

WORLD NEWS: ENTERTAINMENT - (Photo)The Revenant star actor Leonardo DiCaprio Talks Global Warming With The Pope

Di Caprio was with Pope Francis (The Forefront)

 Leonardo DiCaprio has met Pope Francis at the Vatican to discuss their shared their concern about the environment and give him a cheque to use on charity works "close to your heart".

"Your Holiness, thank you for granting me this private audience with you," DiCaprio said in Italian as he arrived in the Apostolic Palace and kissed the pope's ring.

WORLD NEWS: US Election 2016 - Trump Intensifies Feud With Fox's Megyn Kelly

Donald Trump has stepped up his feud with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly as he stands by his decision to shun Thursday night's presidential debate on the cable network.

The Republican White House front-runner has been pitting his Twitter megaphone against America's most popular conservative media outlet in the court of public opinion over his high-stakes boycott.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Tompolo agrees to appear in court at the 'appropriate time'

Former General Officer Commanding for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Government Ekpumupolo, alias Tompolo, made a volte face, Thursday, saying that he would appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which issued a bench warrant for his arrest, January 14, but “at the appropriate time.”

NEWS: NIGERIA - Corruption charges!!! Air Marshal Amosu arrested

The EFCC said that the retired air marshal is being investigated for authorizing the purchase of two helicopters without functional rotors. He added that the former top military officer later compelled two air force officers to fly in one of the helicopters after the craft was equipped with a rotor that was taken from an unserviceable Russian-made helicopter gunship. 

NEWS GIST: NIGERIA - SAD!!! 2 die as 3 get hospitalised after drinking locally brewed gin

Two persons have died after consuming some quantity of locally-brewed gin popularly called “Ogogoro’’, believed to have been contaminated, a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports .

The correspondent, who visited Ugieda, South Ibie, in the Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo on Thursday where the incident took place, reported that three persons were hospitalised at an undisclosed health facility, after taking the substance.

FOOTBALL: MANCHESTER UNITED - Van Gaal blasts resignation reports in the media

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hit out at media reports that he was set to leave Old Trafford, labelling the media "awful and horrible".

Several newspaper reports claimed Van Gaal had offered to resign from his position in the wake of United's 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Samsung Profit Pain From Smartphone Challenge

Samsung Electronics has revealed a 19% decline in annual net profits - with rivals eating into its share of the smartphone market and semiconductor earnings falling.

The company warned that because of the economic slowdown across large parts of the world it would be a "challenge" to meet 2015's operating profit level in the current year.

WORLD WEIRD NEWS: Man Guilty Of Stealing High-Tech Corn Seeds

A man has admitted stealing high-tech patent-protected inbred corn seeds to take to China for commercial use.

Mo Hailong, 46, was part of a plot to steal the seeds from two US companies so that his employer back home could use them.

WORLD NEWS: france - Man Held At Disneyland Paris With Two Handguns

A man has been arrested with two handguns at the Disneyland Paris amusement park complex, police have said.

A police source told the Reuters news agency the 28-year-old man of European origin was carrying the firearms in a suitcase and was stopped by security staff after the bag passed through an X-ray machine at the Hotel New York.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Ketu market razed by fire

Another fire outbreak has been reported in Lagos state, this time at the Jakande plank market which is just behind the Community Health Centre in Ketu.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Witnesses say Metuh funded Jonathan's campaign with funds from ONSA

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, funded the re-election campaign of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan with the funds he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), prosecution witnesses said on Thursday.

NEWS: NIGERIA - OGONI LAND; Buhari vows clean up

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of Niger Delta which had been damaged by oil spillage.

FOOTBALL: Barcelona fc - Luis Enrique hopes to add to Barca squad before close of transfer window

Luis Enrique has suggested the Liga champions could add to their squad before the close of the window as they seek to maintain their treble defence.

Luis Enrique's men overcame Athletic Bilbao to move into the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Wednesday as Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Neymar ensured a 3-1 second-leg victory at Camp Nou.

WORLD WEIRD NEWS: WOW (Photos)! Dead Whales Removed From Skegness Beach Lincolnshire

Three dead whales which washed up on the Lincolnshire coast have been removed in a five-hour operation.

The sperm whales - believed to weigh around 30 tonnes - were discovered on the beach at Skegness at the weekend. One more photo and details after the cut>>>

WORLD NEWS: US - Oregon leader Bundy tells remaining protesters to go home

Ammon Bundy, the leader of an armed siege at a wildlife refuge in Oregon who was arrested on Tuesday, has urged the remaining occupiers to go home.

One of Mr Bundy's fellow activists was killed during the operation to arrest the protest leader and seven others were taken into custody.

NEWS GIST: NIGERIA - Chai!!! Baby sold by nursing mother for #300, 000. Na wa sha.

Chai!!!

Bayelsa State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old mother, who allegedly sold her three months old baby girl for N300,000.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Lassa Fever; One person dies and 26 under surveillance in Jigawa State

Jigawa State Government has confirmed the death of one person as a result of Lassa fever outbreak and 26 others persons who had contact with the decease were at present under surveillance.

Confirming the development, Commissioner of Health, Dr Abba Zakar, said the victim who resided at Gujubaki village in Dutse Local Government area of the state had just returned from Port Harcourt in Rivers State and reported to Dutse General Hospital with signs and symptoms suggestive to Lassa fever.