Air raid targeting IS militant kills up to 30 in Iraq's Mosul

Residents of the Iraqi city of Mosul said up to 30 civilians died in an air strike on a district held by Islamic State this week.

Locals said they saw at least three missiles hit the western Mosul al-Jadida area on Thursday, in a raid that appeared to target the house of senior militant Harbi Abdel Qader.

Gov. Fayose orders federal agencies in Ekiti State to pay rent or leave

Nigeria - The Ekiti Government yesterday  gave a seven day ultimatum to defaulting Federal Government agencies occupying its property to vacate.

The government insisted that the agencies must comply with its directive by either buying the property they are currently  occupying or pay the normal rent on the property.

Hmm! Naira falls to #497 as dollar demand rises, #500 ever so close

Nigeria - The naira fell to 497 against the United States currency at the parallel market on Friday as dollar shortages continued to hit the market.

Economic and currency experts have predicted that the naira will likely depreciate to over 500 per dollar this year.

Carrie Fisher will not be digitally recreated in future Star Wars films

The makers of Star Wars have dismissed rumours that Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia may live on.

In a statement Lucasfilm said: "There is a rumour circulating that we would like to address.

Axed FRC boss Jim Obazee in fresh trouble over allegations of corruption, sequel to RCCG issue

Nigeria - The last may not have been heard about the sack of Mr. Jim Obazee as Executive Secretary of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

Few days after he was removed as the scribe of the body, the Federal Government is considering probing his tenure.

Madagali blast update: Baby strapped mother among Madagali suicide bombers, 9 killed in all NEMA says

Adamawa, Nigeria - Three female suicide bombers, yesterday, attacked Madagali Market in Adamawa State, killing themselves and one person, with several others injured.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that one of the three female suicide bombers died with a baby strapped on her back.

U.S. House votes to begin repealing Obamacare

U.S. House Republicans on Friday won passage of a measure starting the process of dismantling Obamacare, despite concerns about not having a ready replacement and the potential financial cost of repealing Democratic President Barack Obama's landmark health insurance law.

Kaboom!!! Oil magnate slumps in court over 1.9bn fuel subsidy fraud

Nigeria - Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Nnadi, and their company Ontario Oil and Gas on an eight count amended charge of fuel subsidy fraud.

Trump suggests he may do away with Russia sanctions if Moscow helpful

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal he would keep intact sanctions against Russia "at least for a period of time," and also said he wouldn't commit to the "one China" policy until he sees progress from Beijing in its currency and trade practices.

Bishop Oyedepo denies inciting Christians against Muslims over Southern Kaduna killings

Nigeria - The Founder and President of Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel International, Dr. David Oyedepo, has denied reports (not reported on the Forefront) that quoted him as charging Christians to take up arms against Muslims in the recent killings in Southern Kaduna.

Costa clashes with Conte and medical staff, Chelsea future in doubt

Chelsea are unwilling to comment on reports that striker Diego Costa has been dropped from the squad to face Leicester City after a furious row with manager Antonio Conte.

Big security risks in Trump feud with spy agencies, officials say

An unprecedented pre-presidential inauguration feud between Donald Trump and intelligence agencies that soon will be under his command could harm U.S. security if not quickly defused, current and former government officials said.

Wow! 2 Unilag graduating students attain 5.0 CGPA

Nigeria - Two graduating students of the University of Lagos have also recorded 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in 2015/2016 academic session, just like Ayodele Dada recorded same feat in the previous year.

Oh boy! Baby kidnapped from Florida hospital found safe 18 years later, suspect arrested

A woman who was taken as a baby from a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1998 has been found safe, Florida authorities said on Friday, and the South Carolina woman she believed to be her mother has been arrested for kidnapping.

TGIF gags for your delight LOL. Enjoy!!!

Head on collision between a bus and a benz in Asaba Nigeria, leaves 5 dead and 23 injured

Not less than five persons have been confirmed dead while 23 others sustained injuries in an accident involving a luxury bus and a Mercedes Benz 911 along the Anwai-Illah road, near Asaba, the Delta State capital at about 4am.

The remains of the dead victims were deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba while the injured were taken to two hospitals including St. Joseph Catholic Hospital and St. Rebecca Hospital also in Asaba.

HRW says Donald Trump a threat to human rights and democracy

In an annual report that typically focuses on abuses in less-developed countries, Human Rights Watch on Thursday issued a sharply worded warning that the rise of populist politicians in the United States and Europe threatened modern rights movements and potentially even Western democracy.

The 704-page “World Rights 2017” report, covering key global trends in human rights as well as local conditions in 90 countries, singled out the rhetoric of Donald Trump — a man yet to take office as US president — as “a vivid illustration of (the) politics of intolerance.”

Tennis star Rafael Nadal talks about Trump and Clinton, not a fan of both

Former tennis world number one Rafael Nadal said Friday that US President-elect Donald Trump was not quite to his taste while lamenting Spanish politics has also, in his view, become too razzmatazz.

“It’s not my style. I was in the United States when Trump was on the campaign trail,” Nadal told Spanish online site El Espanol as he limbered up for the Australian Open.

Africanus, ex-militant leader warns Niger Delta Avengers, to shun fresh attacks

Nigeria - A prominent ex-militant leader,  Africanus Ukparasia, yesterday, vowed to resist renewed threats by the Niger Delta Avengers to begin attacks on oil installations in the region.

Ukparasia, formerly known in the creeks of the Niger Delta region as ‘General’ Africa warned the avengers to stay away from the region especially his home state, Bayelsa.

The former commander of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) reportedly spoke in Yenagoa when he patrolled the creeks of Bayelsa.

Oh boy! 4 Boko Haram, 100 motor bikes arrested in Borno Nigeria

Four Boko Haram members, carrying concealed 100 motorcycles have been arrested by Nigerian troops. 

According to army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman , the fleeing terrorists were arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Madaki village in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade.