WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: The movie documentary on migrants "Fire at Sea" wins Golden Bear Award

Fire at Sea, a documentary about Europe's migrant crisis, has won the Golden Bear award for best movie at the Berlin Film Festival.

Gianfranco Rosi's harrowing movie depicts life on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa.

The best director award went to Mia Hansen-Love for Things to Come.

WORLD NEWS: US - Two Serbs killed in US attack on IS in Libya

Two Serbian nationals held hostage in Libya since November were among those killed in Friday's air strikes by US warplanes, the Serbian government says.

The jets targeted positions of the self-styled Islamic State group (IS) in the city of Sabratha.

The kidnapped Serbs, Sladjana Stankovic and Jovica Stepic, worked at the Serbian embassy in Libya.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Benue South Senatorial rerun poll results; David Mark vs Daniel Onjeh

Oju LGA, Ukpa/Ainu Ette, Ihigile PU:

APC – 198

PDP -72

WORLD TECHNOLOGY NEWS GIST: Interesting!!! Facebook Rolls Out Anti-Suicide Tool In UK

Facebook is introducing a new feature in the UK to help users who may be suicidal.

The Suicide Prevention tool offers advice and support for people who are struggling to cope, as well as for their loved ones.

While people who see explicit threats of suicide are urged to call 999, those who see other troubling content from friends can flag it to Facebook.

WORLD NEWS: FIJI - 'Terrible' Cyclone Winston Slams Into Fiji

A "terrible" cyclone, feared to be the most powerful to ever hit Fiji, has made landfall.

Cyclone Winston has packed winds of 300 kilometres (186 miles) as it approached the Pacific island nation.

There are unconfirmed reports of one fatality so far, according to the Fiji Times.

FOOTBALL: Jose Mourinho's speculative Old Trafford move may have been exposed by Bredy Moratti

Sister of honorary Inter president Massimo Moratti may have let slip the fact that Jose Mourinho is on his way to Manchester United.

The Portuguese coach is in Milan to commemorate the club's 2010 triumph in the Champions League, which was masterminded by the former Chelsea boss.

WORLD NEWS: SOUTH AFRICA - First Zika Virus Case Confirmed in Johannesburg

The Forefront has learnt that a Colombian man has become South Africa's first recorded case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

The businessman was found to have the disease during a visit to Johannesburg, according to South Africa's health minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

He said the man "presented with fever and a rash approximately four days after arrival in South Africa but is now fully recovered".

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Yahoo to separate its Alibaba stake in search of strategic alternatives

The US internet firm Yahoo has confirmed it is looking at "strategic alternatives" for its business including splitting off its stake in Chinese online retailer Alibaba.

Yahoo said it is setting up a committee to look into how the business can be reorganised to reverse its current financial woes.

The firm's share price has fallen by more than 40% since the end of 2014.

FOOTBALL: Guus Hiddink says Chelsea is no more a elite side

Chelsea's interim manager Guus Hiddink believes his replacement will have a massive task ahead of them to rebuild the squad and be capable of challenging Europe's elite once again.

Chelsea are 12th in the Premier League table - 14 points outside of the top four - with Champions League qualification for next season seeming increasingly unlikely.

FOOTBALL: Muhren says Van Gaal should resign as Manchester United boss

Former Manchester United midfielder and Netherlands international Arnold Muhren believes embattled manager Louis van Gaal should leave Old Trafford.

Van Gaal is under immense pressure following United's shock 2-1 loss at Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday.

After suffering their 11th defeat of the season in all competitions, and United six points adrift of the Premier League's top four, Van Gaal's days in Manchester appear numbered, with Jose Mourinho reportedly waiting in the wings.

NEWS: NIGERIA - 47 armed robbery suspects and 34 cultists arrested so in Lagos since Jan. 2nd.

In an appraisal by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, and while parading suspects, he stated that 47 suspected armed robbers and 34 cultists were arrested in the state from Jan. 2 to Feb. 19 2016.

Parading 25 suspects before newsmen on Friday in Lagos, the police commissioner said the arrested robbery suspects include six Nigerien nationals.

WORLD NEWS: US - Americans wish Justice Scalia farewell

Family, colleagues and the American public have paid their respects to US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Thousands filed past Justice Scalia's casket inside the Great Hall of the US Supreme Court on Friday.
The court's remaining eight justices were among those on hand to say farewell to their former colleague, who died last week at age 79.

WORLD NEWS: TECHNOLOGY (US) - Sir Branson unveils New Virgin Galactic Space Plane

Business tycoon, Sir Richard Branson believes Virgin Galactic is "back on track" in the race to take tourists into space.

The billionaire tycoon was speaking at the unveiling of Virgin's new SpaceShipTwo in the Mojave Desert in California.

The six-seater vehicle replaces the previous SpaceShipTwo which broke up high over the same desert in October 2014.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Senator David Mark and others know fate today in Benue re run polls.

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, will today know whether or not he will return to the Senate to continue with his fifth term representing Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State on the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

So also is Senator Athan Achonu of Imo North Senatorial District, Imo State.

The duo will be running in two of the 22 National Assembly and state assembly re-run elections to be conducted, today, across eight states – Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Taraba and Imo by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

NEWS: NIGERIA - SAD!!! Jonathan's abducted nephew found dead in Otuoke Bayelsa State.

Samule Okies, the abducted 35-year-old nephew to former President Goodluck Jonathan has been found dead along the waterway of Otuoke, Jonathan’s community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Okies was reportedly abducted on Wednesday alongside Jonathan’s 72-year-old foster father, Chief Inegite Nitaba.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Tompolo's assets to be seized as ordered by court

The Forefront has learnt a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the forfeiture of multi-million naira worth of propery belonging to wanted former Niger Delta militant , Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

Justice Ibrahim Buba issued the order following Tompolo’s refusal to appear in court over a 40-count charge of money laundering and stealing of about N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

WORLD NEWS: US - Donald Trump calls for boycott of Apple products over FBI row

Donald Trump has called for a boycott of Apple products until the tech giant agrees to FBI demands to unlock a terrorist's iPhone.

Speaking at a rally in South Carolina, the Republican presidential candidate said Apple should help the US government in gathering information from a device owned by one of the killers involved in the San Bernardino shootings.

World News: Technology - Apple apologises to iPhone users for error 53 that altered home buttons

Apple has apologised to users who have been affected by 'error 53' that bricked iPhones which had their home buttons replaced by third parties.

The home button contains Apple's Touch ID fingerprint reader, which is used to unlock the device instead of the user typing in a passcode.

People who got a non-Apple repairer to replace the button on damaged iPhones and iPads were presented with 'error 53' when they tried to update their operating system.

WORLD NEWS: US planes attack IS camp in Libya

US warplanes have carried out attacks on militants from the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Libya, killing at least 38 people.

The strikes hit an IS camp in Sabratha, around 70km (43 miles) west of Tripoli.

US officials said it was "likely" that the strikes had killed senior Tunisian extremist, Noureddine Chouchane.

FOOTBALL: Mourinho clears the air on reports linking him with Inter Milan, says so many clubs are after him

A return to San Siro as Nerazzurri boss is not on the agenda for the Portuguese, who is backing his counterpart to lead them into next season

Jose Mourinho stated he will attend Inter's match against Sampdoria on Saturday but insists he has no designs on Roberto Mancini's job in the San Siro dugout.

NEWS: NIGERIA: National Population Commission commences enumeration in 29 states towards planned 2017 census.

Ahead of the rescheduled conduct of the 2017 national census, the Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze Duruiheoma has flagged off the second phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD), with 29 states expected to be captured.

Duruiheoma said the EAD is part of the core preparatory activities for the census exercise.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Nnamdi Kanu rejects request for secret trial by FG

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who is currently detained and facing a six-count treason charge, has rejected an application by the federal government to conduct his trial in secret.

FG had in the application it filed before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, decried that all the witnesses billed to testify against Kanu and two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, who are facing trial with him, have declined to appear in court.

FOOTBALL: Inter President Thohir denies Mourinho reports on a return.

Inter president Erick Thohir has moved to quash rumours that Jose Mourinho is in talks to take over at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, though the Portuguese also remains favourite to succeed Louis van Gaal at Manchester United.

WORLD NEWS: US - Helicopter Crashes In Water Near Pearl Harbor

Footage has emerged of a helicopter crashing into water in Hawaii as witnesses watched in horror.

The aircraft, with five people on board, came down near Pearl Harbor.

A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition, while a 45-year-old woman and 50-year-old man are stable.

Information was not available about two others on board, including the pilot.

WORLD NEWS: US - Barak Obama imposes new expanded North Korea sanctions

President Obama has signed off new expanded sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear programme, weeks after it launched a long-range rocket.

The country has refused to stop its nuclear programme and the bill was easily passed last week by Congress.

The sanctions attempt to cut off money North Korea needed to develop miniaturised nuclear warheads.

WORLD NEWS: US - Republican candidate Trump praises Pope Francis amid US wall row

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has heaped praise on Pope Francis, hours after the pontiff questioned his Christian faith.

The Pope had said Mr Trump's proposal to build a wall on the US border with Mexico was not Christian, provoking a strong response from the businessman.

NEWS: NIGERIA; Benue rerun; Police deploys 5,000 officers for senatorial election

Benue State Police Command, yesterday said it had mobilized and deployed no fewer than 5,000 police men to the Benue South zone, ahead of tomorrow ‘s senatorial rerun election between Senator David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party and Daniel Onjeh, of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

NEWS: NIGERIA - 195 Boko Haram captives rescued by troops as insurgents were killed

The Forefront has learnt that troops yesterday destroyed a patent medicine outlet and a major market operated by Boko Haram insurgents and rescued 195 captives at various locations in Borno State.

A statement by spokesman Col. Sani Usman, said: “quite a number” of insurgents were killed and a lot of items were recovered during the raid.

“The Nigerian troops of 7 Division Garrison comprising 112 Battalion and Armed Forces Special Forces yesterday carried out a joint clearance patrol on suspected Boko Haram terrorists locations at Kwaptara, Mijigete, Garin Boka, Mosole, Ngubdori, Ma’asa, Dukje and Gulumba in Dikwa and Bama Local Government Areas of Borno State.

FOOTBALL: Van Gaal says fans were right to call the team as "playing f***** s****"

Louis van Gaal has admitted fans were right to loudly criticise Manchester United as they suffered another disappointing defeat to Danish minnows FC Midtjylland on Thursday.

The visiting fans could be heard singing "freezing cold on a Thursday night, Man Utd playing f****** s****" following Paul Onuachu's winner as the Premier League giants fell to 2-1 first-leg loss in the Europa League.

FOOTBALL: Travelling Manchester United supporters berate players after Midtjylland loss

Manchester United's travelling supporters made their feelings clear after watching their side's embarrassing 2-1 Europa League defeat to FC Midtjylland.

The fans inside the MCH Arena lambasted their own players at the full-time whistle, chanting "we're f****** s***" after Louis van Gaal's side suffered yet another defeat, their 10th in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign.

NEWS: NIGERIA - APC and PDP clash in peace meeting with service chiefs on Rivers re-run

The Rivers state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday clashed at a peace parley with service chiefs, Political parties and their candidates in the forth- coming National and State Assemblies rerun elections in the state.

The meeting was organized by members of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and political parties and their candidates in the March 19, rerun polls.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Adele reveals she cried all day after her Grammys performance had sound issues

Adele has revealed she "cried all day" after her performance at the Grammys was hit by sound issues.

The British star was singing her hit All I Ask from her new album, 25, when the sound dropped in and out and she sounded uncharacteristically off-key.

She tweeted to explain the technical hitch: "The piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that's what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune. S**t happens."

WORLD NEWS: US - Pope Francis questions Donald Trump's Christianity

The Pope has questioned US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Christianity over his call to build a border wall with Mexico.

Pope Francis said "a person who thinks only about building walls... and not of building bridges, is not Christian".

The New York businessman supports deporting nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Calling himself a "proud Christian", Mr Trump blamed Mexico for the Pope's remarks, calling them "disgraceful".

NEWS: NIGERIA $2.1bn arms probe: Metuh tells court EFCC ought to have grilled Jonathan as regards the arms deal

The embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, Thursday, begged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to quash the seven-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

Metuh, who was alleged to have received N400million from the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, through his company, Destra Investments Limited prior to the 2015 presidential election, contended that the EFCC, failed to nail him to the charge.

WORLD NEWS: RAF Jets Scrambled To Intercept Russian Bombers

RAF Typhoons have been scrambled to intercept two Russian supersonic bombers heading towards UK airspace, Sky News has learned.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that the Russian Tupolev TU 160 aircraft are in the UK's "area of interest," but have not yet entered UK airspace.

WORLD NEWS: INDIA - Smartphone Launched For The Price Of A Coffee

An Indian company has launched a smartphone that costs just £2.50 - what many of us pay for our morning coffee.

The company behind it, Ringing Bells, says its mission is to give citizens in rural and semi-urban areas access to digital technology.

Such parts of India have a population of half a billion people.

WORLD NEWS: US - Apple Ordered To Help Crack California Shooter's Phone

Apple has been ordered to help the FBI unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters - but the firm is against it.

FBI director James Comey said his agents have been locked out of one of the killer's phones since the mass shootings in December last year.

WORLD NEWS: VENEZUELA - WOW!!! Venezuela raises petrol price for first time in 20 years

Venezuela is raising petrol prices for the first time in 20 years, although the president claimed it will still be the cheapest in the world.

President Nicolas Maduro said that pump prices of premium fuel would rise from the equivalent of $0.01 a litre to $0.95 (£0.66).

He unveiled a series measures to help ease Venezuela's economic crisis, including devaluing the currency.

WORLD WEIRD NEWS: US - TEENAGER CHARGED WITH IMPERSONATING A DOCTOR IN FLORIDA

An 18-year-old man has been charged with impersonating a doctor after he was allegedly caught examining patients at a fake clinic.

Police in Florida said Malachi Love-Robinson was arrested on Tuesday after he performed an exam on an undercover agent and gave medical advice.

Football: (Photos) UEFA Champions League Wednesday

Roma 0 - 2 Real Madrid

FOOTBALL RUMOUR: Ibrahimovich could reunite with Mourinho at Old Trafford

PSG striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic may link up with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United this summer, according to the Daily Telegraph. 

Mourinho is expected to replace Louis van Gaal this summer and enjoys a fine working relationship with Ibrahimovic, having worked with the Sweden international at Inter for a season in 2009.

NEWS: NIGERIA - EFCC interrogates husband of former Petroleum Minister Allison Madueke for alleged money laundering

Former Chief of Naval Staff and husband of embattled former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (retd), was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday in Abuja.


The former navy chief was picked up from his Abuja residence for questioning and was interrogated for several hours.


It was also gathered that his arrest was in connection with the ongoing probe of his wife’s financial transactions while she served as oil minister in former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. It was learnt that it had to do with an alleged money laundering case but did not give details of the amount involved.

NEWS: NIGERIA - SAD!!! Lady found dead at Murtala Muhammed Airport departure toilet

The Forefront reliably gathered yesterday that a middle-aged female passenger, who was billed to travel to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on an Etihad Airline flight was, yesterday, found dead inside one of the toilets at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

NEWS: NIGERIA - SHOCKING!!! Ritualist who allegedly beheaded 3 year old niece arrested

Police detectives in Ondo State have arrested a 42-year-old man, Samuel Omosaba, for allegedly beheading his three-year-old niece for ritual.

The niece, Adubarin Kola, was murdered at Ilepa quarters in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state.

Police source informed journalists that the suspect, who is single and jobless, allegedly contacted a herbalist, who resides at Ipe-Akoko area of the state, for money ritual and he was reportedly asked to come with the head of someone aged below five years.

FOOTBALL: Amazing!!! Optas stat shows Barca have been penalty poor all season with MSN including today.

Lionel Messi's impudent pass to set up Luis Suarez from the penalty spot against Celta attracted a mixed reception at the weekend, with some calling the improvised move a lack of respect towards the Galicians.

But it may be a necessary step for Barcelona, whose potency in front of goal seems to vanish when the ball is placed 12 yards from the net.

WORLD NEWS: Two People in 'Serious' condition After Highlands Avalanche

Two people are in a serious condition after being taken to hospital following an avalanche in the Highlands.

A search and rescue operation was launched after the avalanche in the Creag Meagaidh area of north Lochaber, northeast of Fort William.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Woops!!!! Former Beatle Paul McCartney Turned Away From Grammys Bash

Sir Paul McCartney was left wondering what else he needed to do to prove his celebrity status - when he was turned away from a Grammys after-party.

The former Beatle - arguably one of the most famous faces in the world - tried in vain to persuade bouncers to let him into the bash at the Argyle nightclub in Hollywood.

WORLD NEWS: TURKEY - Over 28 killed and many injured in Ankara blast

At least 28 people were killed and dozens injured after an explosion hit the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Police said a car bomb was detonated near a military headquarters, sending dark smoke billowing into the sky.

The Turkish military said that several buses carrying military personnel were deliberately attacked as they waited at traffic lights.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Raymond Dokpesi rearraigned before new judge for alleged #2.1bn fraud

The Federal Government Wednesday re-arraigned the founder, African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi and his company – Daar Investment and Holdings Limited before a new judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Dokpesi and his company were arraigned on December 9 last year before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court, on a six count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Wow!!! Prisoners escape in Lagos as service vehicle collides with a truck

There was commotion in the Badagry area of Lagos State, following the fleeing of some prison inmates who were being taken to court.

The incident was said to have occurred around 7am, at Beyuf Bus Stop on the Badagry Expressway, after a long bus belonging to the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) rammed into a Stationary truck.