WORLD NEWS: SYRIA - Syria set for halt to violence in seven days

A plan has been agreed for a "nationwide cessation" of violence in Syria in a week's time, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

However, Islamic State, al Nusra and other terror groups will not be involved in the truce - and Russia has said it will be continuing its bombing campaign.

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Bank Of England Shuts Personal Banking Unit

It may be responsible for authorising a generation of new banking start-ups created from the wreckage of the 2008 financial crisis, but Britain's central bank risks being accused of failing to practise what it preaches.

Sky News has learnt that the Bank of England (BoE) is in the process of closing its personal banking services - used by thousands of its staff and pensioners - following a four-month consultation process.

WORLD WEIRD NEWS: Judge Arrested After Baby Son Died In Hot Car

An Arkansas judge has been arrested on a complaint of negligent homicide after his 18-month-old son died in the back seat of a hot car last summer.

Circuit Judge Wade Naramore faces a misdemeanour complaint in the case, according to an arrest warrant filed in Garland County.

WORLD NEWS: NIGERIA - Teenage suicide bomber refuses to attack in tuesday's Dikwa IDP bombings

A teenage girl packed with explosives by Boko Haram ripped off her vest to avoid taking part in the attack on Borno Internally Displaced Persons camp (IDPs) in Dikwa, Borno State on Tuesday.

Two others with her, however, walked into the middle of hundreds of people lining up for food before they blew themselves up in the attack that killed 58 and injured 78.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Tompolo declared wanted by the EFCC

Ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo (akaTompolo) has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

NEWS GIST: NIGERIA - ADC to former President Goodluck Jonathan in a mess over #10bn oil money diversion for PDP chieftains

The Forefront understands detectives are questioning former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ex-Aide-De-Camp (ADC) on the disbursement of more than N10 billion oil proceeds to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination convention delegates.

Col. Ojogbane Adegbe is being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is on the trail of another key aide to the former President – Waripamowei Dudafa, former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

FOOTBALL: Adam Johnson's contract terminated by Sunderland

Sunderland have terminated Adam Johnson's contract after the winger pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming.

The 28-year-old is on trial for allegations of child sex charges relating to incidents between December 2014 and February last year. And Johnson, although he has admitted to one charge, has denied two charges of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.

FOOTBALL: Van Gaal says he would know if Manchester United spoke to Mourinho

Louis van Gaal believes the Manchester United board would inform him if they are holding talks with Jose Mourinho.

Several reports this week have claimed that Mourinho’s move to United this summer has all but been confirmed.

WORLD NEWS: US Scientists Discover Ripples In Space And Time as predicted by Einstein over 100 years ago

US scientists have announced the discovery of ripples in space and time known as gravitational waves, in a breakthrough that could revolutionise astronomy.

Their existence was first predicted by Albert Einstein in his Theory of Relativity a century ago but has never been proven - until now.

To loud applause, researchers from the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) unveiled their findings in Washington DC.

NEWS: NIGERIA - President Buhari resumes Aso Villa after vacation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday resumed work at the State House, Abuja, after a six- day vacation.

WORLD NEWS: MEXICO - Jail riot in Mexico results in loss of 52 lives

A riot and a fire at a prison near Monterrey in northern Mexico had killed 52 people, state officials said.

Another 12 were injured in the riot at Topo Chico jail that broke out just after midnight, the BBC reports.

Smoke was seen billowing from the complex but officials in Nuevo Leon state said the situation is now under control and no inmates have escaped.

WORLD NEWS: BUSINESS - Google Chief Now Highest-Paid Boss In America

Google boss Sundar Pichai is now the highest-paid chief executive in America after being awarded $199m (£138m) of shares.

He became chief executive in October after its reorganisation into holding company Alphabet, and was given 273,328 shares, according to a company filing.

It is more than the £130m ($187m) Google has agreed to pay the UK government in back taxes since 2005.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Paul McCartney Creates Emoji Tunes For Skype

Sir Paul McCartney has written a series of sounds to go with emojis on video chat service Skype.

The former Beatle created ultra-brief tunes for 20 emoticons using instruments including a guitar and xylophone.

The animated designs are being released by the Microsoft-owned communication service in time for Valentine's Day.

WORLD WEIRD NEWS: Man Jailed For Killing Unborn Son In Attack

A man has been jailed for life for killing his unborn son during a vicious attack on his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Teaching assistant Kevin Wilson took matters into his own hands after eight-months-pregnant Malorie Bantala refused to have an abortion.

The 22-year-old hid in bushes near her Peckham flat with accomplice Taffari Grant, 17, before pouncing on his former lover, who had been buying decorations for a baby shower.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: Firm Prosecuted Over Harrison Ford Leg Break during Stars shooting

A film production company has been charged with breaching health and safety laws after Harrison Ford broke his leg when shooting Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Representatives from Foodles Production (UK) will appear in court in May to face four charges after the incident at Pinewood Studios.

Ford was airlifted to hospital after he was struck by a heavy hydraulic metal door on the set of the Millennium Falcon on 12 June, 2014.

FOOTBALL: Shame!!! Adidas terminates boot deal with Adam Johnson after sex charge

Adidas has ended its association with Adam Johnson after the Sunderland winger pleaded guilty to two child sex charges.

England international Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday.

FOOTBALLRUMOUR: Jose Mourinho agrees 3 year deal with Manchester United, to go with Atletico Sporting Director

The ex-Chelsea boss has reportedly come to terms on a £15 million package to take charge at Old Trafford and wants to bring in Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta

Jose Mourinho has agreed in principle a three-year deal worth £15 million to take charge at Manchester United next season, according to the Daily Mirror.

FOOTBALL: Mourinho could lure John Terry to Manchester United - Wilkins

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins says he wouldn’t rule out the prospect of Jose Mourinho asking John Terry to join him at Manchester United.

Several reports claim that the Portuguese will replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford at the end of the season, while Terry revealed in January that he is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season when his contract expires.

NEWS: NIGERIA - APC supporters clash in Ondo, scores injured.

About twenty persons sustained injuries during a bloody clash among members of All Progressives Congress (APC), at Oka-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government area of Ondo State.
Also, an unconfirmed report said two persons were feared dead during the fracas which ensued between the loyalists of a Governorship aspirant, Dr Segun Abraham who were attacked by supporters of another governorship aspirant of the party during a campaign rally organised by Abraham in the town.

WORLD NEWS: AFRICA - The African Union (AU) says Al-Shabab is planning Somalia attacks

The African Union (AU) says the al-Qaeda-linked armed group, al-Shabab, is planning attacks in Somalia using AU troop uniforms as disguises.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said the uniforms were stolen by al-Shabab fighters from military camps belonging to the 22,000-strong UN-mandated mission.

"AMISOM has information that due to panic [al-Shabab] have plans to masquerade as AMISOM and dress in AMISOM troop's uniforms," AMISOM said in a statement on its Twitter account.