WORLD NEWS: US - Obama to nominate new Supreme Court judge in replacement of Scalia after Senate resumption.

A new US Supreme Court judge to replace justice Antonin Scalia will be nominated by the president after next week, the White House has said.

There will be no announcement before the Senate returns on 22 February, said deputy press secretary Eric Schultz.

Republicans have demanded President Barack Obama - a Democrat - leave the nomination to his successor next year.

NEWS: NIGERIA - FG fails to defend Dasuki's N500m suit at ECOWAS court

The Federal Government has failed to put in a defence in the N500 million suit former National Security Adviser, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd), filed at the ECOWAS court in Abuja.

The Federal government did not file a reply to the originating application, more than 30 days after it was served.

Instead, government, through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), said it would respond to the issues raised by Dasuki “at the appropriate time.”

Breaking News: Nigeria - Wow!!! DGs of NOA, NBC, VON, FRCN, NAN and NTA sacked by the federal Government .

The Federal Government on today sacked the Directors General of Nigeria Television Authority(NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria(FRCN) Voice of Nigeria(VON), News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission(NBC) and the National Orientation Agency(NOA).

WORLD NEWS: AUSTRALIA - Meth Worth £620m Hidden In Bra Pads And Glue Bottles Seized

More than 720 litres of liquid methamphetamine have been seized in Australia - believed to be one of largest drug finds in the country's history.

The £620m (A$1.26bn) stash was smuggled from China and had been hidden in bottles of glue and inside gel bra inserts.

WORLD NEWS: Virgin Atlantic flight back in UK after 'laser incident'

A flight heading to New York turned back to London Heathrow Airport after a "laser beam incident", Virgin Atlantic has confirmed.

A crew member is recorded saying to Irish air traffic control that they had a "medical issue with one of the pilots after a laser incident after take-off".

It happened at 20:13 GMT, shortly after take-off, the company said, before flight VS025 returned as a precaution.

WORLD NEWS GIST: John Paul letters reveal 'intense' friendship with woman as shown to the BBC

Hundreds of letters and photographs that tell the story of Pope John Paul II's close relationship with a married woman, which lasted more than 30 years, have been revealed to the BBC. 

The letters to Polish-born American philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka had been kept away from public view in the National Library of Poland for years.

FOOTBALL: Moyes to Van Gaal; missing out from champions league would ruin you at Manchester United

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes says Louis van Gaal will need to get the team into the Premier League's top four if he wants to keep his job.

Moyes lasted just eight months in charge of United after he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, falling to seventh-place in the league before he was replaced by Ryan Giggs.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Prof Sagay says soft landing is likely for those returning loot from Arms deal.

Presidential Anti-corruption Advisory Committee Chairman Prof. Itse Sagay has hinted of a possible soft landing for treasury looters and corrupt politicians, who return their shares of the $2.1 billion arms procurement and other loot traced to them.

He said this in an interview in Warri with The Nation, The Forefront has learnt.

He would, however, not disclose names of those making the refunds or how much has been recovered, saying: “If I knew (how much), I can’t tell you.”

NEWS: NIGERIA - ABACHA LOOT; Top lawyer to be quizzed by EFCC over #6.18bn

There is the £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot which the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, allegedly stashed away on the Island of Jersey?

This is the puzzle the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying to resolve.

Besides, there is uncertainty over the whereabouts of over $400million Abacha loot on the Island.

The anti-graft agency may quiz a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Damian Dodo, over the cash “any moment from now”.

FOOTBALL: Jose Mourinho could replace Luis Van Gaal before the turn of February.

Luis Van Gaal's tone after Manchester United's 2-1 loss to Sunderland was that of pessimism and the club's board is unhappy with such a tone.

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT: More honours for Leonardo DiCaprio and The Revenant Director in the BAFTA Awards.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been named best actor at the BAFTAs in London for his role in The Revenant.

The American star was the firm favourite for the prize, with even his British rival Eddie Redmayne tipping him to get the trophy.

DiCaprio thanked his mother and said he was "absolutely honoured by this award" during his speech at London's Royal Opera House. His words and more on Bafta Awards after the cut>>>

FOOTBALL (Photos): Amazing Messi passes spot kick to Suarez instead of shooting

Lionel Messi repeated Johan Cruyff's famous penalty routine by passing to Luis Suarez from the spot during Barcelona's 6-1 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday.

The 28-year-old scored the opening goal of the game - his 299th league goal - and was then handed the perfect opportunity to fire home his 300th strike from the penalty spot. See more photos after the jump>>>

FOOTBALL: PSG defender Aurier suspended by club for social media comments.

Serge Aurier has been suspended by Paris Saint-Germain following remarks made in a video on social media and will miss the Champions League clash with Chelsea on Tuesday.

The Ivory Coast international posted a video responding to questions from supporters in which he appeared to make controversial comments about head coach Laurent Blanc and certain PSG team-mates, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

NEWS: NIGERIA - Indications Over 1500 Niger Delta Militants to Surrender Arms to Fed Govt

Consequent upon the intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, over 1500 Niger Delta militants have expressed their desire to embrace amnesty and surrender arms to the federal government.

The commanders from Arepo, Ikorodu, Abule, Fatorla, Ibafo, Magboro, Epe, Itokin, Ilepete, Okenekene, Agric, Gbokoda camps, Camp 5 and environs, in a statement made available to Daily Sun, expressed their desire to surrender arms and embrace the amnesty program as long as the federal government is sincere in its intentions.

Funny photo: Mathsology short cut. lol

Way to go. Find a way out. Lol

Funny Photo: After the outing lol

Like ehn. Lol

WORLD NEWS: EGYPT - Policeman accused of killing a protester Shaimaa el-Sabbagh gets retrial

Egypt's highest court has annulled a 15-year jail sentence for a policeman accused of shooting dead a protester.

A retrial has been ordered over the death of Shaimaa el-Sabbagh in January last year.

Ms Sabbagh was with activists marching to Tahrir Square to mark the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

WORLD NEWS: UK - Teenager suspected to have hacked CIA Director John Brennan's email account arrested

A British teenager arrested for cyber crimes is suspected of hacking into the head of the CIA's personal email account.

The unnamed 16-year-old was detained in the East Midlands on Tuesday, said the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

Officers refused to comment on reports he carried out a series of computer attacks against the CIA, FBI and other parts of the US government.

GOSPEL NEWS GIST: NIGERIA - Angry Parishioners say PDP, Ohanaeze Ndigbo arm twisted Bishop Onaga to transfer Mbaka

The last has not been heard of the Rev. Fr Mbaka issue as members of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria, AMEN, Sunday, accused the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Calistus Onaga, of bowing to the pressures from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, over the recent transfer of Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

NEWS: NIGERIA - The Nigerian Army arrest 4-man gang terrorising Rivers community

Report just reaching The Forefront says The Nigerian Army today arrested members of a four-man gang allegedly terrorising residents of Ulakwo community in Etche Local Government area of Rivers.

There had been rising cases of cultism, assassinations, armed robbery and kidnapping in some communities in the state.