US - B-52 bombers deployed by the United States to Qatar for fight against Islamic State

The U.S. Air Force deployed B-52 bombers to Qatar on Saturday to join the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the first time they have been based in the Middle East since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

[NIGERIA - CHINA] - PRESIDENT BUHARI LEAVES FOR CHINA TOMORROW ; INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT TOP OF THE AGENDA

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Sunday for a working visit to China aimed at securing greater support from Beijing for the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, especially in the power, roads, railways, aviation, water supply and housing sectors.

NIGERIA {ABUJA} - INEC SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO CASE OF FAULTY CARD READER IN ABAJI AREA AS ALLEGED

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that no card reader malfunctioned in Abaji in Saturday’s council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

PERU - SAD!!! BUS PLUNGES OVER 20 METRES INTO RIVER KILLING 23

At least 23 people have been killed in Peru after a bus came off the road, plunged over 20 metres and ended up on its side in a river.

An oncoming truck had crossed into the bus lane and the bus driver had to swerve to avoid it and then left the highway, according to an early police investigation.

[UPDATED] - TWO PERSONS FOUND AFTER BOAT SANK OFF SCOTLAND

Two bodies have been found after a fishing boat sank off the Western Isles of Scotland, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said.

One fisherman is still unaccounted for, and a fourth was rescued shortly after the boat got into difficulty early this morning.

NORTH KOREA SAYS ENGINE MISSILE TEST WAS A SUCCESS

North Korea has said it has successfully tested an engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile that would "guarantee" an eventual nuclear strike on the US mainland.

It is the latest in a series of claims by Pyongyang of breakthroughs in both its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

SCOTLAND - THREE MISSING AS FISHING BOAT SINKS OFF SCOTLAND

A fishing vessel has sunk off the Western Isles in Scotland and three of the four crew members are missing.

The coastguard received a distress alert at about 3.45am on Saturday, and the boat's emergency positioning beacon was activated near the island of Mingulay.

FOOTBALL - KIRCHOFF SAYS GUARDIOLA WOULD WIN THE PREMIERSHIP WITH EASE

Kirchoff believes Guardiola will change the Premier League when he takes over Manchester City next season and will make them champions with ease.

The Bayern Munich coach is targeting the third Champions League title of his career this term as he prepares to bid farewell to the Bundesliga giants at the end of the campaign and take the helm at City.

NIGERIA - SUSPECTED HERDSMEN KILL OLU FALAE'S SECURITY MAN AS YOUTHS PROTEST KILLING OF INDIGENE BY HERDSMEN IN OKADA EDO

The Fulani herdsmen appear not to be through  yet with one time Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG) as it used to be known, Chief Olu Falae.

After abducting him from his farm at Ilado near Akure,Ondo State, last October and releasing him three days later after collecting a N5million ransom from his family,another gang suspected to be herdsmen returned to the farm last week to abduct one of his security guards.

NIGERIA {GHOST WORKERS SCAM} - EFCC ARRESTS NINE MAN SYNDICATE OVER #1BN FRAUD

The Forefront understands that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) has smashed a nine-man syndicate behind N1 billion salary fraud involving 599 ghost workers.

The anti-graft agency has also arrested a couple, Dayo Usman Aliyu and Ronke Usman, who were said to be members of the syndicate.

WOW! SPACEX ROCKET MAKES HISTORIC OCEAN PLATFORM LANDING

SpaceX has successfully landed and recovered a rocket on an ocean platform for the first time, after launching a cargo ship to the International Space Station.

US - Ex-Navy Seal 'Who Killed Bin Laden' Arrested for Drunkenness

The former US Navy Seal who claims to have fired the shots that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been arrested on a drunken driving charge.

US ELECTION 2016 - Barak Obama says Trump, Cruz doing Democrats a 'favor' in election campaign

President Barack Obama on Friday told donors that Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz were doing Democrats a "favor" by exposing extreme views within their party on issues such as immigration and national security.

FOOTBALL - JOSE MOURINHO PLAYS DOWN REIGNITION OF GUARDIOLA RIVALRY

The jobless one Jose Mourinho has refused to comment on whether his old rivalry with Guardiola could be renewed in the Premier League, pointing out that only one of the pair knows what the future holds. 

FOOTBALL: JOSE MOURINHO SAYS HE CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE A SUMMER RETURN TO MANAGEMENT

Jose Mourinho says he can “almost guarantee” he will be back in managerial action this summer and has "good offers on the table" as speculation surrounding his future continues.

BELGIUM {BRUSSELS ATTACKS + PARIS ATTACK} - Media say Paris attack suspect arrested, may be `man in the hat':

Mohamed Abrini, who was wanted for November's Islamic State attacks in Paris, has been arrested in Brussels, Belgian public broadcasters said on Friday, adding that Abrini was probably involved in last month's Brussels bombings.

PHOTOS (ABUJA, NIGERIA) - FEC EMERGENCY MEETING PRESIDED BY VP YEMI OSINBAJO

BREAKING (NIGERIAN FOOTBALL) - COURT SACKS PINNICK AND THE ENTIRE NFF BOARD, GIWA TAKES OVER

The executive board of the Nigeria Football Federation has been sacked by a Federal High Court ruling in Jos on Friday following the nullification of the election of Amaju Pinnick.

HEALTH RESEARCH - GENES FOR LIMB REGENERATION MAY HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED, STUDY SAYS

Humans could one day be able to regrow body parts if scientists manage to reawaken hidden DNA.

A study of zebra fish - which can regrow injured tissue - have identified the mechanism that activates the genes.

FOOTBALL - Swindon Town Suspend Three Players Over Laughing Gas Images

Swindon Town has suspended three players over reports they inhaled nitrous oxide using balloons.

The images on social media appear to show Drissa Traore, England youth player Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, and Jeremy Balmy taking the legal high - commonly known as laughing gas.

NIGERIA - BUHARI URGES DOCTORS TO SHELVE PLANNED STRIKE, VOWS TO HONOUR VALID AGREEMENTS WITH PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday urged the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve its proposed strike and give the Federal Government more time to address the grievances of doctors.

ENGLAND(QUEEN ELIZABETH'S 90TH BIRTHDAY) - ARTISTES KYLIE, BLUNT, BEVERLY AND OTHERS TO PERFORM

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue will perform for the Queen to celebrate her 90th birthday, it has been announced.

She will be joined by singers Katherine Jenkins, Beverley Knight, James Blunt, Andrea Bocelli, Alfie Boe and Jess Glynne as the nation celebrates the monarch's milestone.

EGYPT {SINAI} - BLASTS IN SINAI LEAVES SEVEN KILLED AND FIFTEEN INJURED

At least five Egyptian soldiers, a military officer and a civilian woman were killed, and 15 injured, on Thursday in the Sinai peninsula, after armored personnel carriers exploded in two separate incidents, security and medical sources said.

QFINAL FIRST LEG EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS

Dortmund 1-1 Liverpool
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Sevilla
Braga 1-2 Shakhtar Donestk
Villarreal 2-1 Sparta Prague

US {TEXAS} - VAMPIRE KILLER EXECUTED BY LETHAL POISONING

 A Texas man who claimed he drank his 12-year-old victim's blood has been put to death by lethal injection.

Pablo Lucio Vasquez, 38, was executed on Thursday for the murder of David Cardenas in April 1998.

Amazing!!! Venezuela decrees Fridays a holiday to ease energy crisis

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has decreed that all Fridays for the next two months will be holidays, in a bid to save energy in the blackout-hit OPEC country.

HEALTH RESEARCH - GENES FOR LIMB REGENERATION COULD BE IN HUMANS

Humans could one day be able to regrow body parts if scientists manage to reawaken hidden DNA.

A study of zebra fish - which can regrow injured tissue - have identified the mechanism that activates the genes.

FOOTBALL {FIFA RANKING} - NIGERIA TUMBLE TO 67TH IN WORLD RANKING AS ARGENTINA OVERTAKES BELGIUM TO NUMBER ONE

Nigeria's senior national team have dropped to 67th in the latest Fifa world ranking released on Thursday.

This fall is not far-fetched from the Super Eagles’ inability to defeat Egypt in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Kaduna and Alexandria – and in the process lost the ticket to feature at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Gabon.

PHOTOS (NIGERIA) - FORMER PRESIDENT OBASANJO VISITS ASO VILLA

NOLLYWOOD - ACTRESS IBINABO GRANTED BAIL ON THE GROUNDS OF MEDICAL ATTENTION

Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima who was sentenced to a five – year jail term for the death of a Lagos State of Doctor, Suraj Giwa, has just been granted bail in the sum of N2million and two sureties who are residents in Lagos in like sum.

NIGERIA - EIGHT SHIPS WITH PETROL EXPECTED IN LAGOS PORTS, REPORT SAYS

A Report from a publucation reaching The Forefront says eight ships laden with petrol are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos from April 7 to April 12 to improve the supply of the commodity in the country. 

NIGERIA - PRESIDENT BUHARI FORMALLY RECEIVES 2016 BUDGET DETAILS FROM NASS

President Mohammadu Buhari has formally received details of the 2016 budget.

The details were received by the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari on behalf of the President.

Lol 9ja do you concur? SMH

9ja peeps it is well oh. Lol

TECHNOLOGY - GOOGLE EXPANDING SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE TESTING TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA, USA.

Alphabet Inc is expanding its testing of self-driving cars to the Phoenix, Arizona metro area, the company said on Thursday, making it the fourth U.S. city to serve as a proving ground for the autonomous vehicles.

ENTERTAINMENT {INDONESIA} - So sad!!! Pop Star Bitten By Cobra Sings On Before Dying

A pop star in Indonesia has died after being bitten by a cobra mid-performance on stage.

Irma Bule astonishingly carried on singing for a further 45 minutes before she collapsed in front of fans.

AUSTRIA {VIENNA} - Austrian provincial bank's CEO quits after Panama Papers reports

The chief executive of Hypo Landesbank Vorarlberg, one of two Austrian lenders mentioned in the massive Panama Papers data leak, has informed the bank that he is stepping down, the lender said in a statement on Thursday.

NIGERIANS NAMED IN PANAMA PAPERS FACE EFCC PROBE

The Forefront has learnt from a reliable source that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may probe Nigerians associated with secret offshore companies.

Apart from Senate President Bukola Saraki, others mentioned in the secret leak that has been generating worldwide ripples are: Former Senate President David Mark, Saraki’s wife, Toyin, former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Mr. Laolu Saraki, Mr. Obi Asika and Mr. Olufela Ibidapo.

NIGERIAN TROOPS RESCUE 11, 595 CIVILIANS FROM BOKO HARAM IN SIX WEEKS

The anti-terrorism battle has recorded more success as the Nigerian Army said yesterday that no fewer than 11, 595 civilians held at various enclaves by Boko Haram had been rescued. This came as troops intensified efforts to clear and mop up all insurgent activities in the North East.

US - Sources say the White House has declined to support encryption legislation

The White House is declining to offer public support for long-awaited legislation that would give federal judges clearer authority to order technology companies like Apple to help law enforcement crack encrypted data, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

PHOTOS (UCL FOOTBALL) ADVANTAGE MAN CITY AFTER A 2-2 DRAW AGAINST THE PARISIENS

PHOTOS (UCL FOOTBALL) - KEY MOMENTS THAT CONDEMNED REAL TO A 2-0 LOSS TO WOLFSBURG

RODRIGUEZ 18' pen; Arnold 25' {Wolfsburg 2-0 real Madrid FC

NIGERIA - CHINA PREPARE FOR PRESIDENT BUHARI'S STATE VISIT NEXT MONDAY

President Muhammadu Buhari will pay a state visit to China between Monday to Friday next week at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on Wednesday.

ABUJA, NIGERIA - FINALLY NASS TRANSMITS DETAILED 2016 BUDGET TO PRESIDENT BUHARI

To the relief of millions of teeming Nigerians, the National Assembly Wednesday finally transmitted the detailed Budget 2016 to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent, The Forefront has learned.

Indications that the budget would be sent emerged when Chairman House Committee on Appropriation, Rep Abdulmunin Jibrin, APC, Kano was sighted at NASS lobby carrying the 1800 page budget by journalists at about 4.30pm. 

UPON FBI iPhone DEMAND, WHATSAPP PROTECTS USERS BY ENCRYPTION TO ALL SERVICES

WhatsApp has applied "end-to-end" encryption to all its services to boost user security.

The Facebook-owned messaging service announced the move amid fierce debate surrounding privacy versus security.

FOOTBALL {FALL OUT OF PANAMA PAPERS} - UEFA OFFICES RAIDED BY SWISS POLICE

Swiss police have raided UEFA's offices after its former secretary general and now FIFA president Gianni Infantino became embroiled in the Panama Papers scandal.

SYRIA CRISIS - DAMASCUS ATTACKS BY ISLAMIC STATE ON SYRIAN FORCES

Islamic State fighters launched attacks on government-held areas near Damascus overnight on Tuesday in an apparent response to the group's loss of ground elsewhere in Syria.

Lol 9ja you know better than I do

Oh boy fuel na gold now oh. Safeguard your fuel. *winks*

PHOTOS {NIGERIA} - TERRIBLE ARMED ROBBERS IN ENUGU WHO USE HAMMERS TO KILL TRICYCLE (KEKE) VICTIMS ARRESTED

The two robbers identified as Kennedy Ihunegbo and Nonso Azubuike escaped arrest in Nassarawa their arrest in Enugu. 

TECHNOLOGY - BEHOLD A DNA MAKING FACTORY EMERGES IN SOUTH KENSINGTON LAB, UK

In a basement in South Kensington, a very different sort of factory has just opened its doors.

A team of collaborative robots whirr, not assembling cars or steel, but the building blocks of life itself - DNA.