DISMAY AS NIGERIA U17 WORLD HEROES FAIL TO DELIVER IN AFCON U20 QUALIFIERS AGAINST SUDAN

Nigeria U20 failed to qualify for Zambia 2017 U20 Africa Cup of Nations following a 4-3 defeat at home to 10-man Sudan.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s side needed a draw to stand a chance of defending their title in Zambia, but were unable to do their part and the north Africans won at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Nigeria - Mastermind of deceptive planned overthrow of Buhari arrested

                                 

The Department of State Services has arrested one Jones Abari, aka Gen. Akotebe Darikoro, for the alleged mastermind of a hoaxed plan to overthrow President Muhammad Buhari by the military.

A statement issued by an official of the service, Mr Tony Opuiyo, in Abuja on Saturday said Abari was arrested in Yenagoa on July 21.

Football - David Moyes takes over from Allardyce at Sunderland

                                          

David Moyes has been appointed Sunderland manager on a four-year deal.

The former Everton and Manchester United boss, 53, takes charge at the Stadium of Light after Sam Allardyce left to become England manager.

Germany: Munich gunman raised locally, had no ties to Islamic state

A German-Iranian teenager who shot and killed nine people and then himself in Munich on Friday had received psychiatric care and was in all probability a lone gunman who had no ties to Islamic State, police said.

Afghanistan - Suicide bombers at Kabul demonstration kill at least 29

Suicide bombers hit a large demonstration by members of Afghanistan's Hazara minority in Kabul on Saturday, killing at least 29 people and wounding 142, officials said.

Graphic television footage from the site of the blasts showed many dead bodies lying on the bloodied road, close to where thousands of Hazara had been demonstrating over the route of a planned multimillion dollar power line.

UN delivers food to starving IDPs in Borno State Nigeria, BOKO HARAM hit region

The United Nations has made the first food aid delivery to thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram Islamists in the Nigerian town of Banki, where hundreds have starved to death since March, the UN said on Friday.

Goodness Gracious me! Heavy rain in China kills at least 87, millions evacuated (photos)

Heavy rain in China has killed at least 87 people and forced 16 million from their homes, state media reported on Saturday.

Seventy-two people have been killed and 78 are missing in the northern province of Hebei after rain triggered floods and landslides, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing the civil affairs department.

Photos: Pastor caught sleeping with a married woman disgracefully stripped in Asaba Nigeria [-Naij]

One Prophet Obi O. He is said to be Pastor of one Restoration Church at Asaba. Stripped naked with his banner held across streets. May God help and deliver him. More photos after the jump>>>

France to supply artillery to Iraqi army [AFP]

France will supply weapons to Iraq to support its fight against the Islamic State group, President Francois Hollande said Friday, but ruled out any troop deployment in the country.

Football - FIFA President Infantino due for Nigeria tomorrow

President of football’s world governing body, FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino and the Secretary General, Ms. Fatma Samba Samoura will arrive in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja tomorrow on a two–day working visit.

Football (Nigeria): Late coach Stephen Keshi to be honoured in memorial service in South Africa today

Bafana-Bafana Coach, Shakes Mashaba, is among those scheduled to pay homage to fallen Nigerian footballing icon, Stephen Keshi, at a memorial service organised by his former national team colleague, Idah Peterside, today.

Nigeria - Ex- militant leader writes BUHARI again in what might be his last letter: says his dad's limb amputated...

Again, ex-mili­tant leader Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, has in another letter to President Muham­madu Buhari, accused the present administration of unfair treatment.

Nigeria - Avengers disown peace talks with BUHARI,

The vociferous and ravaging militants, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday disowned any peace talks with the Federal Govern­ment. 

They insisted that they were not aware of any peace talks, adding that if actually any such existed, the government was dealing with mercenaries. 

The disclaimer is coming even as the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC described claims of any peace talks by the Federal Govern­ment as a hoax.

Nigeria - FAYOSE says his criticism of APC Government will continue amid corruption cases by EFCC

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose on Friday said he would not stop being vocal in his criticism of the All Progressives Congress-led government despite attempts to keep him silent.

Fayose was the guest on a personality programme on Fresh FM in Ibadan where he alleged that APC had deployed powers within its reach to intimidate him because of his criticism of the Federal Government.

Draw inspiration and motivation from The Forefront in quotes on PATIENCE

Can you remember VCRs? Production To End As Sales Slump

The world's last maker of VCRs has announced it is going to stop producing the videocassette recorders in the coming days.

The machines, which played VHS tapes where viewers could record programmes and also watch rented films, became popular in the 1980s.

Bacteria Lived In Gut Before We Were Human

Some of the bacteria in our guts was passed down from a time before we were even human, it has been discovered.

Bacteria in our gut helps to guide the early development of our intestines and train our immune systems to fight pathogens.

German-Iranian gunman kills at least nine in Munich shopping mall, he has been found dead

An 18-year-old German-Iranian gunman who apparently acted alone opened fire in a busy shopping mall in Munich on Friday evening, killing at least nine people in the third attack against civilians in Western Europe in eight days.

US Election 2016 - Clinton picks Kaine, able governing partner, as running mate

Hillary Clinton named U.S. Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate on Friday, opting for an experienced governing partner who will help her present the Democratic ticket as a steady alternative to the unpredictable campaign of Republican presidential rival Donald Trump.

Nigeria to deploy 700 military personnel to Liberia for peace keeping, says COAS Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai , said 700 military personnel would be deployed to Liberia for Peace Keeping operations.

Buratai stated this during the Graduation Ceremony of Nigerian Army Battalion (NIBATT) 38 United Nation Mission in Liberia, (UNMIL) in Kaduna.

US Election 2016 - Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump has pulled nearly even with Clinton after Republican convention

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has pulled nearly even with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for the first time since May, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken over the course of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week.

Football - Sam Allardyce named England Manager

The Football Association (FA), the English football governing body, on Friday named Sunderland AFC manager Sam Allardyce as the new England manager, handing him an initial two-year contract. 

The 61-year-old signed an initial two-year deal after compensation was agreed with Sunderland, whom he steered to Premier League safety last season. 

Full story: Nigeria technically in recession but it won't be long - Adeosun

Nigerians yesterday got a piece of bad news – the economy is in recession.

But, there is no need to panic because it will be short, according to Finance Minister Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

Europe’s medicine watchdog okays preventive AIDS pill

Europe’s medicines watchdog said Friday it has recommended the licencing of the first-ever AIDS prevention pill for the European Union.

Dubbed Truvada, the pill combines two drugs and is already used in Europe and elsewhere in the world as part of AIDS treatment, and is approved in the United States, Kenya and South Africa as a preventive “pre-exposure prophylaxis” or PrEP.

Photos: Multiple Deaths In Munich Mall Shooting

Germany's Muencher Abendzeitung reported that up to 15 people were killed in a shooting in a shopping mall in the southern city of Munich.

TV images showed dozens of emergency vehicles outside the mall.

Nigeria - Three storey building collapse in Ebonyi, no casualties

A three-storey building under construction collapsed on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

No life was lost in the incident which occurred at Nibo Street, Abakaliki.

Nigeria - David Mark's election upheld by Appeal Court

Former President of the Senate Senator David Mark has for the umpteenth time affirmed that he has forgiven  his opponent  Daniel Onjeh and all those who conspired against him during the February 20, 2016 rerun election for Benue South Senatorial district of the state. 

Indian Military Plane Goes Missing Over Sea

India's air force says it has lost contact with a transport plane carrying 29 people that has gone missing in the Bay of Bengal.

The AN-32 aircraft took off from Tambaram base in Chennai at 8.30am local time, and was due to touchdown at the Port Blair military base in the Andaman and Nicobar islands at 11.20am.

US Election 2016 - Democrat Clinton nears a choice on running mate, Kaine eyed

Democrat Hillary Clinton was close on Friday to announcing a vice presidential running mate after considering a small group of contenders led by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia to help her do battle with Republican rival Donald Trump.

Facebook's solar-powered internet drone takes flight

Facebook Inc said on Thursday it had completed a successful test flight of a solar-powered drone that it hopes will help it extend internet connectivity to every corner of the planet.

Football - Manchester United in move for Palmeiras striker Gabriel Jesus

Manchester United are preparing a £29 million bid for Man City target Gabriel Jesus, according to Estadao.

Nigeria - Some economic relief as FG, States and LGs share #559bn allocation, highest in months

The nation's economy has witnessed some relief as for the first time in many months, the revenue made a significant rebound with federal, state and local governments, yesterday, sharing a total of N559 billion. 

The amount represented accruals into the Federation Account and proceeds from Value Added Tax in the month of June.

Nigeria - Four killed in Plateau protest as government imposes curfew

The orgy of violence returned to Plateau State yesterday when four youths, who were protesting against the murder of their paramount ruler, the Saf Ron Kulere, Lazarus Agai and three of his family members, were allegedly shot to death by security operatives in Bokkos Local Council.

US - Again, shooting of unarmed black man in Florida yesterday heightens calls for police review

The shooting by police of an unarmed black man as he lay on the ground with his hands in the air in North Miami, Florida, raised calls on Thursday for U.S. police to review their training programs and policies.

Behavioral therapist Charles Kinsey was shot on Monday as he tried to get an autistic patient back to a nearby group home from which he had wandered. A cell phone video showed Kinsey with his hands extended above his chest moments before a bullet struck his leg.

Prosecutors appeal 'shockingly lenient' Pistorius sentence [AFP]

South African prosecutors said Thursday they would push for a longer sentence for Oscar Pistorius, describing his six-year jail term for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp as "shockingly too lenient".

After he was sentenced earlier this month, Pistorius' lawyers said the double-amputee Olympic sprinter would not appeal against the term, which was criticised by many activists as too short.

US - Plane crashes in northern Illinois city

A small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in a northern Illinois city on Thursday morning and the resulting fire torched the side of a home.

Authorities believe the fuel tank ruptured when the plane hit the street and ignited a fire that spread to a house to the north, Joliet Deputy Fire Chief Ray Randich said at a news conference.

US - White House to review ban on military gear for police

The White House will revisit a 2015 ban on police forces getting riot gear, armored vehicles and other military-grade equipment from the U.S. armed forces, two police organization directors told Reuters on Thursday.

Nigeria - Bishop accused of sponsoring Avengers cleared of accusation

Punch reports that Delta State Police Command on Thursday arraigned two suspects for false information where they had claimed that a bishop of a new generation church in Warri was sponsoring fleeing members of the Niger Delta Avengers as reported yesterday.

Nigeria - FAYOSE still has #1.3bn poultry fraud 2005 case to answer, says APC

The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has debunked claims by Governor Ayodele Fayose that he had been discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court in the alleged N1.3bn poultry project.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed the fraud case against the governor in 2005.

Nigeria - President BUHARI in talks with Niger Delta Militants

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday confirmed that his administration is currently engaging Niger Delta militants in talks in order to end the spate of violence being experienced in the region.

He said the talks are being done through oil companies and law-enforcement agencies and are meant a to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region.

Brazil arrests group plotting 'acts of terrorism' before Olympics

Brazil arrested 10 people on Thursday on suspicion of belonging to a group supporting Islamic State (IS) and preparing acts of terrorism during next month's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Justice Minister Alexandre Moraes said.

Football - Mourinho is confident of sealing Pogba deal for Manchester United

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he is "really confident" that Manchester United will be able to sign the players that he wants, as a move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba edges closer. 

Nigeria - Again and again! Nigerian troops rescue 80 hostages and kill 42 terrorists in Borno State

The Nigerian Army said last night that its troops on fighting patrols and clearance operations, rescued a total of 80 hostages mostly women and children who had been held captive for several months by Boko Haram terrorists in Garere village in Borno State. 

Football (Nigeria) - Late coach Stephen Keshi's burial for next week, details disclosed

The burial of former Super Eagles captain and Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, who died on June 8th has been slated for July 29th at his hometown, Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. 

US - Eighteen protesters arrested in Cleveland after scuffle with police

Cleveland police arrested 18 protesters on Wednesday after scuffling with demonstrators who tried to set an American flag on fire near the crowded entrance to the arena where Republicans made Donald Trump their presidential nominee, officials said.

Nigeria - Reps fire Appropriation Chair Jibrin over 2016 budget padding

The House of Representatives yesterday replaced its Appropriation Committee Chairman, Abdulmumin Jibrin, over the controversial “padding” of the 2016 budget.

Jibrin (APC Kano) was replaced with Mustapha Dawaki, also APC Kano, the former House committee chairman on Housing.

Nigeria - Anenih to PDP lawmakers; ' don't contemplate President BUHARI'S impeachment

Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, has warned members of the party in the National Assembly not to contemplate the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also asked the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to dissuade the PDP caucus in the National Assembly from participating in what he described as an “ill-advised adventure.”

Humanity Could Be 'Backed Up' On Space Chip In Genetic Blueprint

The genetic blueprint for human life and the sum of our knowledge could be fired into the cosmic cloud to "back up humanity".

A new project called Voices of Humanity wants to build a sophisticated ground-based laser and robotic telescope.

Flying Young Cannibals: Butterflies Eat Siblings, As Infected Give Birth To Cannibals

​Infected tropical butterflies are giving birth to cannibals which is splitting their species in two.

A study found that a microbe is infecting two subspecies of the African Queen butterfly, which causes male offspring produced to never hatch.

Turkey's Erdogan declares state of emergency after coup bid

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as he widened a crackdown against thousands of members of the security forces, judiciary, civil service and academia after a failed military coup.