FOOTBALL: FIFA approves trial for video assistant referees effective from 2017/2018 season

The use of video assistant referees in football games is to be tested in live matches in the 2017-18 season
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved trials for video assistant referees.
A decision to test the advantages and disadvantage of video assistants in private before implementing live experiments for the 2017-18 season was taken at IFAB's annual general meeting in Cardiff on Saturday.

NEWS: NIGERIA - EFCC TO ARRAIGN TARFA AND NWOBIKE (SENIOR ADVOCATES) FOR ALLEGED BRIBERY

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa and Dr Joseph Nwobike, at the Lagos State High Court for alleged bribery.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Commission`s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren.

NEWS: NIGERIA - FUEL SCARCITY; NNPC ASSURES NIGERIANS OF ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it had made special arrangement to provide intervention trucks that would ensure adequate supply of petroleum products in the country.

Mr Victor Adeniran, NNPC’s Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, disclosed this while during a monitoring tour of filling stations in Abuja on Saturday.

FOOTBALL: Arsenal and Spurs fans in bloody clash, two arrested

Two people were arrested after violent clashes involving Arsenal and Tottenham supporters broke out ahead of the North London derby.

One fan could be seen with blood streaming down his face, while mobile phone footage shows mounted police surrounded by rowdy fans throwing cans.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: US rapper shot dead at recording studio

A rapper has been shot dead outside a popular recording studio in Atlanta, Georgia, says a coroner investigator.

Bankroll Fresh, whose birth name was Trentavious White, was found outside Street Execs Studio on Friday night, says the Fulton County Medical Examiner's official.

World News: Oil prices rise to a 2 month high

Oil prices rallied to two-month high points Friday on hopes that producers will shortly strike a deal to tackle a global supply glut. Positive US jobs data handed a further boost to crude futures and commodity prices in general, which enjoyed a strong week overall as gold hit a 13-month peak at just under $1,280 ($1,164) an ounce. 

News: Nigeria - Dasuki's detention in order says court yet again

Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama ruled yesterday that the continued detention of ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, was in order.

The judge, ruling on an application by Dasuki, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Departmnet of State Services (DSS) and the Federal Government did not violate any subsisting court order in the detention of Dasuki.

World News: US - Harvard Law School to remove slavery crest

Harvard Law School has announced it will scrap its official emblem because of its links to an 18th century slaveholder.

The shield, which says "Veritas" and shows three sheaths of wheat, was modelled on the family crest of plantation owner Isaac Royall.

World Discovery: Nature - Ghost octopus discovered 13, 500ft down the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii

Scientists have discovered what might be a new species of octopus - with a spooky resemblance to a cartoon ghost.

The small, white, specimen was found at a depth of about 2.5 miles (13,500ft) in the Pacific Ocean, near Hawaii.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Builder Of Star Wars' R2-D2, Tony Dyson Dies

The man who built Star Wars' iconic robot, R2-D2, has died at his home in Malta aged 68.

The body of special effects wizard Professor Tony Dyson was discovered at his home on the Maltese island of Gozo after friends alerted police that he had not been seen for several days.

Malta police spokesman Kurt Bugeja Coster said: "A neighbour realised the front door was open and became concerned and called the police.

WORLD NEWS: THAILAND - Commuter boat explosion injures 60 in Bangkok

Sixty people have been hospitalised, mostly for burns, after the engine on a Bangkok commuter boat exploded and sent passengers leaping to a nearby pier or into the water.

The crowded boat was ferrying passengers on Saturday on a major canal in the eastern outskirts of the Thai capital, which boasts an extensive network of waterways that teem with motorised commuter boats during rush hour.

Most of the injured were later released from the hospital with minor injuries, while 14 were still receiving treatment, according to the city's Erawan emergency medical centre.

WORLD NEWS: US ELECTION 2016 - BEN CARSON BOWS OUT OF REPUBLICAN WHITE HOUSE RACE

US Republican Ben Carson has officially ended his campaign for the presidential nomination for the 2016 election.
Speaking to conservative activists, he said: "I'm leaving the campaign trail." 

Mr Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, had been a front-runner but his campaign stalled in recent months after he performed badly on foreign affairs and questions about his background story.

FOOTBALL: Falcao returns to training with Chelsea after protracted injury

Radamel Falcao has rejoined his Chelsea team-mates in training as he continues his battle to return to turn around a nightmare season at Stamford Bridge.

Falcao has made just nine Premier League appearances for the Blues and has completed 90 minutes on only one occasion, a 3-1 defeat to Southampton.

WORLD NEWS: TECH - BOEING PLANE DEVELOP UV SYSTEM IN TOILET TO DESTROY GERMS IN THREE SECONDS

Boeing has developed an aeroplane bathroom that can automatically kill 99.9% of bacteria.

The moment someone exits the bathroom, ultraviolet (UV) lights sanitise all surfaces in just three seconds.

The toilet seat even automatically lifts so that the light can hit hard-to-reach areas.

Given that the flush button alone has more than 250 colony-forming units of bacteria per square inch, the development is likely to be welcomed by flyers.

NEWS: NIGERIA; ABDUCTED LAGOS SCHOOL GIRLS - TRAUMA MAKES MOTHER SLUMPS AND HOSPITALIZED

The trauma triggered by the abduction of three school girls from Babington Macauley Junior Seminary (BMJS), Ikorodu, Lagos State, is beginning to take a toll on their families.

The mother of one of the abducted girls slumped yesterday and had to be rushed to a hospital in Lagos for treatment.

The woman was said to have collapsed after four days of dry fasting she embarked upon for God to intervene in the matter.

PHOTOS (NIGERIA): ADETUNJI CORONATED AS 41ST OLUBADAN OF IBADAN

Forty-six days after the demise of the last Olubadan of Ibadan,Oba Samuel Odulana, his successor Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji ,ascended the throne yesterday. Oba Adetunji adopted the title of Aje Ogunguniso.

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WORLD HEALTH RESEARCH: Zika virus caught 'killing' brain cells

Zika virus kills the type of tissue found in the developing brain, researchers have shown.

It was able to destroy or disrupt the growth of neural progenitor cells, which build the brain and nervous system, in lab tests.

The discovery, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, adds weight to claims that Zika is causing brain abnormalities in babies.

However, the US researchers caution this is not yet the conclusive link.

WORLD NEWS: US ELECTION 2016 - Donald Trump drop-out for rallies 'disappoints' CPAC conference

US Republican front-runner Donald Trump has dropped out of a major conservative political conference, opting instead to campaign in Kansas and Florida.

Organisers of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) said they were "very disappointed".

Mr Trump was scheduled to speak on Saturday at the gathering of conservative activists in Maryland.

FOOTBALL: Hazard claims he is happy at Chelsea fc despite form

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has poured cold water on rumours linking him with a summer exit from the Premier League side.

The Belgian had flirted with the prospect of a move to Paris Saint-Germain, stating that an offer from the French champions would be hard to turn down, but has backtracked on suggestions that he will soon leave Stamford Bridge.

NEWS: NIGERIA - TROOPS BOMBARD ESCAPING BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS IN SAMBISA FOREST

More Boko Haram Terrorists fleeing the air and land bombardment of the Nigerian Airforce and troops of the Nigerian Army have met their waterloo as scores escaping from Sambisa forest were felled by the military.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Over 100 suspects linked to Mile 12 Lagos clash arrested

More than 100 people were arrested in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, after bloody riots in the city’s biggest food market left at least three people dead, police said on Friday.

“The police have arrested 105 suspects in connection with the disturbances in and around ‘Mile 12’ market,” Lagos state police spokeswoman Dolapo Badmus told AFP referring to rioting which took place on Thursday.

“Three people died in the fracas. The suspects will be charged shortly with murder, arson and breach of public peace,” she said.

WORLD TECHNOLOGY NEWS: Apple competitors support refusal to unlock iphone to assist an FBI investigation

Some of Apple's biggest tech competitors have come together to support its refusal to unlock an iPhone to assist an FBI investigation.

A joint legal brief backing Apple's stance was prepared on behalf of 17 companies, including Twitter, eBay, Airbnb, Reddit and LinkedIn.

It was being filed ahead of a Thursday deadline for an appeal by Apple against an order, won by the FBI, forcing it to create software to unlock the iPhone of mass shooter Syed Farook.

NEWS: NIGERIA - National Broadcasting Commission fraud under EFCC investigation as over #10bn has been recovered, former DG Mba to be prosecuted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered NN10,061,172,600 from the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC) being alleged inflation of collateral funds meant for Digital Set-Top -Boxes.

The commission is set to prosecute a former Director-General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba and three others.

Also to face trial is the NBC’s Director of Finance, Mr. Patrick Areh, who received a curious transfer of N390million and another N20million cash gift from the contract sum.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Lagos clash leaves 10 persons dead

The Forefront understands Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday shut the popular Mile 12 market where a clash left no fewer than 10 people dead.

A massive security cordon was weaved around the huge market on Ikorodu Road and some streets.

Houses, vehicles and other property were either razed or vandalised by hoodlums.

FOOTBALL: LA LIGA - Barcelona looking unstoppable as they surpass Real Madrid's unbeaten record

Barcelona have now gone 35 matches unbeaten in all competitions after claiming victory over Rayo Vallecano on Thursday evening, setting a new Spanish record in the process.

The Catalan giants, who top the Liga table, tied Real Madrid's long-standing record on Sunday courtesy of a 2-1 win over Sevilla at Camp Nou, but have now gone one better by extending their streak even further.

WORLD NEWS: North Korean Leader orders alert mode for weapon use

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered his country to be ready to use its nuclear weapons at any time.

According to the official KCNA news agency, he also told the country's its military to be on "pre-emptive attack" mode in the face of growing threats from its enemies.It comes after the UN adopted its toughest sanctions to date in response to Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test and rocket launch.

WORLD HEALTH RESEARCH ARTICLE: MORE ADVANCEMENT IN CANCER THERAPY FOR PATIENTS AS TOXIC THERAPY COULD BECOME HISTORY

Scientists have made what they are be describing as a game-changing discovery which could lead to patients fighting cancer using their own immune systems.

For the first time they have identified a biological signature found on the surface of every cell in a patient's tumour - as well as immune 'killer' cells that are able to zero in on the signature.

Instead of being given toxic chemotherapy, patients could in future be given vaccines made from proteins in their own tumours that activate the immune system to wage war on the cancer.

NEWS: NIGERIA - PPMC assures Nigerians fuel scarcity would end by weekend

The Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, Thursday, assured Nigerians that the fuel scarcity currently witnessed across the country would end by weekend.

Speaking in Abuja, Managing Director of the PPMC, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, stated that right now, more than 300 trucks should be arriving in Abuja.

WORLD NEWS: HEALTH - Google donates $1m to fight Zika virus

Google's charitable arm has donated $1m (£710,000) to Unicef to help stop the spread of the Zika virus.

The virus is suspected to be linked to a large number of babies born with underdeveloped brains in Brazil.

In February, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.

WORLD HEALTH RESEARCH ARTICLE: Joyful moments 'can damage heart,' research says

The emotional stress that causes chest pains and breathlessness can occur in moments of joy as well as anger, grief and fear, a Swiss study suggests.

Three-quarters of cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a change in the shape of the heart's left ventricle, which can be fatal, are caused by stress.

The University Hospital Zurich study, in the European Heart Journal, suggests about one in 20 cases is caused by joy.

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Mastercard Plots £1bn Vocalink Takeover Bid

Mastercard has drawn up secret plans for a takeover of Vocalink, the bank-owned company which handles £6tn-worth of payments in Britain each year.

Sky News has learnt that Mastercard, which is one of the world's biggest credit card issuers, has approached the board of Vocalink about a deal that could be worth more than £1bn.

News of the approach from Mastercard comes just days after the new payments industry regulator said that the current ownership structure of Vocalink was "hampering competition and the speed of innovation in the market"

News: Nigeria - Lassa fever kills serving Corps member in Kaduna

A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Dr. Ogboji Kelechi, has died of Lassa fever in Kaduna State.

WEIRD NEWS: Poisoned Elephant Kills Lions and Vultures, Poacher suspected

Two lions and more than 100 vultures have died after eating a poisoned elephant's carcass, officials have said.

It is feared the killings in South Africa's Kruger National Park, indicate a new method of poaching.

The park's managing executive Glenn Phillips said: "It seems poachers have resorted to wildlife poisoning in the national parks and other protected areas in Southern Africa."

NEWS: NIGERIA - Badeh faces 10-count charge for diverting N3.97b NAF funds

All is now set for the trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, for diverting N1.1 billion, among others, meant for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to buy a choice mansion for himself in Abuja.

Other allegations against Badeh include alleged spending of NAF funds to build a shopping mall worth N878,362,732.94; another N650 million for the purchase of a commercial plot of land and $2 million on a duplex in Abuja.

NEWS: NIGERIA - James Ibori and others in UK to complete jail terms in Nigeria

Nigerians serving jail terms in the United Kingdom will soon be transferred to Nigeria to complete their period, following an agreement signed yesterday between the Federal Government and the UK government.

According to a top government source, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, will be part of those that will be repatriated to complete their jail term in Nigeria.

WORLD NEWS: TECH - Arrested Facebook top executive ordered to be released by court

A Facebook executive arrested in Brazil is due to be released after a day behind bars.

The social network's Latin America vice president Diego Dzodan was taken into custody at Guarulhos airport on Tuesday.

The arrest was related to a dispute over a court order demanding data from the company's WhatsApp messaging service in a drug-trafficking investigation, which WhatsApp refused.

FOOTBALL: Adam Johnson convicted of child sex charge

Footballer Adam Johnson could face up to 10 years in jail after being found guilty of one charge of sexual activity with a child.

The former Sunderland winger, who was convicted of touching a 15-year-old girl intimately, was told by the judge a "significant custodial sentence" was highly probable.

Earlier in the day, 28-year-old Johnson was cleared of another similar charge - relating to a sex act.

Before his trial started last month, he had admitted grooming the girl and sexual activity with her, relating to kissing her in his car.

NEWS: NIGERIA - SHIITE CLASH WITH NIGERIAN ARMY MAKES CESJET THREATEN LEGAL ACTION IF THE FG REFUSE TO ACT AGAINST IRAN

The Centre for Social Justice , Equity and Transparency, CESJET has threatened to take legal action against the Nigerian Government if it refuses to take firm action against Iranian Government over the role it played in the Army/Shi’ite clash.

CESJET made this known in a submission made to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna state government to look into the clashes between the Islamic movement and the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Immigration job scandal; FG urges court to ignore Moro’s claim of ill-health

Forefront learnt today that the Federal Government objected to plea for bail by former Interior Minister, Abba Moro and two other persons being tried over the 2014 botched recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIM).

The government, acting through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to ignore claim of ill-health made by Moro, and on which basis he had sought to be granted bail.

WORLD HEALTH RESEARCH ARTICLE -WOW! GENE FOR GREY HAIR DISCOVERED; DELAY OR PREVENTION COULD ARISE

Scientists have pinpointed a gene responsible for grey hair - a discovery that could lead to new ways of delaying or preventing this natural sign of ageing, they say in Nature Communications.

Hair dyes can cover up greying but gene manipulation may, in future, banish it altogether.

The international team collected DNA samples from "a diverse melting pot" of more than 6,000 volunteers of European, Native American and African ancestry.

NEWS: NIGERIA - ARMS DEAL PROBE; TOP MILITARY OFFICERS LOSE THEIR POSITIONS

Some of the top military officers under probe for the $2.1 billion phoney arms deals have lost their command positions, it was learnt yesterday.The Presidency has also replaced the designated military attache for the embassy in Germany.

It was gathered that the military officers under investigation have been detained at a facility in one of the barracks in Abuja.

The Presidency handed over a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and 17 others to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) for investigation on their involvement in the scandal.

NEWS: NIGERIA - NIgeria spending 80% of revenue on debts servicing

The Senate was yesterday, told by the Islamic Development Bank , IDB, that Nigeria was spending 80 percent of its total revenues to service debts.

It also ranked Nigeria as one of the countries in the world using the largest percentage of its revenues for debt payment.

According to IDB, this act explains why the nation bleeds economically and this requires urgent expansion.

FOOTBALL: Zidane is still skeptical about his future as Real Madrid coach

Zinedine Zidane insists he is improving every day as Real Madrid head coach, but admits he is none the wiser as to his future beyond this season.

Madrid legend Zidane had been coaching the club's Castilla side before he was promoted to the top job in January to replace Rafael Benitez, who lasted just seven months at the Santiago Bernabeu.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: ADELE PAYS SURPRISE VISIT TO SICK FAN IN BEDSIDE

Adele has made a seriously-ill fan's dream come true after she paid a surprise visit to her at home.

The singer, who was in Belfast for a concert, said 'hello' to 12-year-old superfan Rebecca Gibney who is blind, tube-fed, can't walk or talk, and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

The star sat beside Rebecca in her bed and was "so nice", according to the child's mother Tracy Gibney, from the Short Strand area of the city.

WORLD NEWS: US ELECTION 2016 - HILLARY CLINTON IN POLL POSITION IN SUPER TUESDAY

Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton has notched up seven victories, according to projections on the biggest night of the US election campaign.

The former Secretary of State looks to have swept primary votes in Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Massachusetts and her former home state of Arkansas.

But her Democratic rival, Bernie Sanders, has won primaries in Oklahoma and his home state of Vermont, along with caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado, exit polls say.

WORLD NEWS: US ELECTION 2016 - DONALD TRUMP IN SWEEPING SUPER TUESDAY VICTORY

Steamrolling to a string of Super Tuesday victories, Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump has vowed to beat Hillary Clinton in November's election.

With results from the day's nationwide votes still coming in, he is projected to win at least six victories as he vies to lock down his party's White House nomination.

Twelve US states held primaries and caucuses on Tuesday and Mr Trump is so far expected to win the contests in Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia and Arkansas.

WORLD NEWS: TECH - Whatsapp ends blackberry device support

Another nail appears to have been hammered into BlackBerry's coffin.

The once-dominant smartphone's popularity has dramatically waned in recent years.

Now Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp is dropping support for some older phones - including all BlackBerry models.

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Amazon And Facebook Founders In Rich Top Ten

Internet billionaires Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg have shot into the top-ten list of the world's richest people, according to Forbes magazine.

The Amazon and Facebook founders climbed to fifth and sixth place on the chart.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates - who has topped the list for 17 out of the past 22 years - remained number one, though his net worth shrank by $4.2bn (£3bn) to $75bn (£53.7bn).

WORLD NEWS: Millions To Be Spent 'On Jihad' according to Osama Bin Laden's handwritten will

Osama bin Laden's handwritten will has been released by US intelligence officials - in which the al Qaeda leader said he wanted most of his £20.7m wealth to be used "on jihad".

The document, which was seized from his Pakistan bolthole when he was killed in 2011, is among 113 newly declassified files made public.

He outlined the specific quantities of cash and gold to be given to his mother, a son, a daughter and other relatives - as well as two of his closest associates.