Nigeria - Dokpesi believes PDP made mistakes in power in their 16 years leadership

One of the aspirants for the national chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has said the party made a lot of mistakes during the 16 years it occupied the Presidency.

Nigeria - Jailbreak at Kogi prison as 13 inmates escape [NAN]

Thirteen inmates escaped in fresh jailbreak recorded at Koton Karfe prison in Kogi in the early hours of Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learned that the incident happened at about 7a.m. when the inmates forcefully brought down the wall of the prison.

Two sisters shot dead in Pakistan ‘honour’ killings

A man killed his two sisters on the eve of their weddings in Pakistan’s central Punjab province, police said Saturday, in the latest case of so-called “honour” killings in the country.

Kosar and Gulzar Bibi, aged 22 and 28, were shot dead by 35-year-old brother Nasir Hussain on Friday as they prepared to marry men they had chosen themselves, senior police officer Mehar Riaz told AFP.

Nigeria - Governing council board approved by President Buhari for Ogoniland cleanup

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a 13-member Governing Council and 10-member Board of Trustees (BOT), for the cleanup of Ogoniland in Rivers.

The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, announced this in statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan, in Abuja, Saturday.

US - Hot Air Balloon Crash Kills 16 People In Texas

At least 16 people were feared dead when a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed in a pasture near the central Texas city of Lockhart on Saturday, according to federal and local authorities.

Nigeria - FG appeals for mercy on yet to be executed drug offenders in Indonesia

The Federal Government has appealed to the Republic of Indonesia to temper justice with mercy by commuting the sentence of remaining three Nigeria put on death row.

Turkey President Erdogan blasts U.S general for being ‘on plotters’ side’

Turkey’s president has blasted remarks by top United States general, Joseph Votel, in the wake of the failed coup, accusing him of being “on the side of the plotters.”

Gen. Votel, head of U.S Central Command, said jailing some military leaders could damage Turkish-American military co-operation, the BBC reports.

Football - Messi's retirement from Argentina? No going back!

Lionel Messi has no intention of reconsidering his retirement from the Argentina national team in time for the next World Cup qualifiers in September. 

Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Clinton leads Trump by 6 points after Democratic confab

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton held a 6- percentage-point lead over Republican rival Donald Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll with new wording that was released on Friday, the day after she formally accepted her party's nomination for the Nov. 8 election.

Nigeria - Reasons President Buhari sacked CEOs of five health agencies explained. Read...

                                    

More revelations have emerged why President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday sacked Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of five agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
President Buhari after a meeting with a team from the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria and Global Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) in Abuja earlier on Tuesday communicated the message to the CEOs through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The agencies have been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after a report from the Inspector General Office of the Global Fund accused them of financial misappropriation and systemic inefficiency.

Switzerland to return $321m Abacha loot

Nigeria and Switzerland on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the repatriation of $321 million stashed in the European nation’s banks by the late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The pact also seeks to block accounts linked to stolen funds.

IS executes 24 civilians after seizing Syria village

The Islamic State jihadist group has executed at least 24 civilians after seizing a village in northern Syria from a US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance, a monitor said Friday.

14 MOST WANTED ARRESTED BY EUROPEAN POLICE

                                     

European police forces have tracked down and arrested 14 people on a “most wanted” list in the six months since its launch, many thanks to public tip-offs, officials said Friday.

“In at least eight of these arrests, the leads provided via the online platform played a direct role in locating the fugitives,” the European police agency, Europol, said in a statement.

Nigeria (Politics) - The PDP vows to go ahead with National Convention as planned

                                        

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared on Friday it will go ahead with next month’s national convention in Port Harcourt, despite Thursday’s ruling of a Federal High Court, Abuja, restraining the party from organizing the meeting.

Nigeria - Nigerian Military invade Lagos and Ogun communities with suspected militants, many of them feared killed

                                 

The Forefront has learnt that Arepo area of Ogun State and some part of Lagos State were invaded by the Nigerian military, locations where suspected militants hid.

Sources say scores of militants were reportedly killed in the joint military operation which lasted for more than one hour.

Fence Could Save World's Largest Living Thing In Utah, US

The world's largest living thing is dying - and building a huge fence around it could be the only way to save it.

Pando is a forest in Utah, and because it comes from a single root system spread over 43 hectares, it is genetically one organism.
But its oldest trees are reaching the end of their lifespan, and the younger trees that should replace it are being eaten by ravenous deer and cattle.

Ant Species Named After Game Of Thrones Dragons

Two scary-looking new ant species have been named after Daenerys Targaryan's dragons in Game of Thrones.

Scientists usually use unwieldy Latin words when naming new species, but this time they called the two new species Drogon and Viserion.

NIGERIA - READ LIST OF DGs OF HEALTH AGENCIES SACKED BY THE FG

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sacked all five  heads of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health.

Nigeria : Abia power tussle - Appeal court judgement creates more confusion as status quo ordered to remain

Controversy and confusion has continued to trail the Appeal Court judgment on the Abia State governorship crisis.

The appellate court ruled that the parties, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Dr Uche Ogah should maintain the status quo pending the determination of the earlier suit challenging Ikpeazu’s removal from office.

UN suspends aid to IDPs in Borno State Nigeria, over convoy attack

The United Nations has temporarily suspended aid deliveries in Borno State, after a humanitarian convoy was attacked, the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF said on Thursday.

Nigeria (Politics) - Court warns Makarfi-PDP faction as party convention is now in doubt

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against doing anything to destroy a case before him.

His ruling has put a question mark on the party’s convention fixed for Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for August 17, by the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee.

Stephen Keshi honoured in exhibition match by ex-colleagues of USA 94 world cup

Activities for the burial of the late coach ‎of the senior national team, the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, began yesterday with a funeral mass held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State yesterday.

Oscar Nominees Sign Up For Leicester City Film

A film about Leicester City's shock Premier League title win will be written by the Oscar-nominated screenwriters behind The Fighter.

The as yet untitled film will be penned by Academy nominees Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, who are set to be joined by Goal! creator Adrian Butchart.

Football - Real Madrid finally opt out of Pogba chase, giving Man Utd room

Manchester United are set to seal the signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus for €110 million after Real Madrid dropped out of the race for the Frenchman.

Indonesia executes 3 Nigerians by firing squad over drug offence

Indonesia has executed three Nigerian drug convicts by firing squad, an official said.

Photos: Pope Francis Falls Over During Open Air Mass

Pope Francis has tripped and fallen whilst presiding over Mass on the latest leg of his visit to Poland.

The 79-year-old pontiff was blessing the altar at the start of the open-air Mass in Czestochowa when he tripped on a step.

Brazil fines Facebook $11.6m over WhatsApp stand-off

A judge in Brazil on Wednesday slapped an $11.6 million fine on the local Facebook branch over the company’s  refusal to surrender data from its WhatsApp messenger program to a police investigation.

The order came from a judge in the northern state of Amazonas, saying Facebook was failing to meet its legal obligations.

Antibiotic Strain Found In Nose Could Fight MRSA

A new class of antibiotics has been discovered - and it was right under our noses all along.

The discovery led to the development of a drug known as lugdunin, which could be used to treat superbug infections.

Photos: Football - Tears as Ex-Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi goes home

RIP COACH STEPHEN KESHI! AFCON PLAYER/ COACH CHAMPION. THE BIG BOSS.

Scientists plan first human gene-editing trial next month to stop cancer and asthma

Scientists have achieved two major breakthroughs with the plan to conduct the first-ever human gene-editing trial next month to treat cancer and to stop asthma by turning off the gene controlling coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Nigeria - Sheriff, Metuh in court today to stop PDP convention

The Ali Modu Sheriff-faction of the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party is to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday (today) to argue its application for an interlocutory injunction seeking to stop the party from going ahead with its planned national convention scheduled to hold on August 17.

Facebook Profits Leap After Push Into Video

Facebook has seen its second quarter profits leap 186% from a year ago to $2bn, the company has announced.

The figure came as it also revealed the number of users has risen to 1.71 billion from 1.49 billion a year earlier.

US - Florida identifies two more Zika cases not related to travel

The Florida health department said on Wednesday it was investigating another two cases of Zika not related to travel to a place where the virus is being transmitted, raising the possibility of local Zika transmission in the continental United States.

US Election 2016 - WikiLeaks releases hacked Democratic National Committee audio files

WikiLeaks released files on Wednesday of what it said were audio recordings pulled from the emails of the Democratic National Committee that were obtained by hacking its servers.

Lol (Photos): Cash-Strapped Drinker Leaves Clothes In Pub

A drinker who could not pay his bar bill left his clothes at the pub as collateral and walked off naked in search of money.

Other residents looked on amazed as the man walked through the town of Prerov in the Czech Republic dressed in just a pair of ankle-length black socks.

Nigeria - Oh Really? Hehehe... Enang says Ambassodorial nominees recited national anthem and pledge correctly

The Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, on Wednesday dismissed report that some ambassadorial nominees failed to recite the National Anthem and the Pledge.

Nigeria - Kidnappers in military gear arrested by the SSS

The men of the Department of State Security Service (SSS), Kogi State Command said on Wednesday that it had in the last few weeks arrested at least 10 suspected kidnappers terrorising the state.

Medical Expert explains reasons for rise in kidney failure

Dr Musa Obadiah, the Director, Taraba HIV Programme Implementation Unit, has identified self-medication as a major cause of kidney failure among Nigerians.

Obadiah made this assertion when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jalingo.

US - Ooooh memories! Judge frees President Reagan's would-be killer Hinckley

John Hinckley Jr., who wounded U.S. President Ronald Reagan and three other people in a 1981 assassination attempt prompted by his mental illness, should be freed after 35 years and released to live with his mother, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday.

Truck bomb blast kills dozens in northeast Syria city

A large truck bomb blast claimed by Islamic State killed nearly 50 people and wounded scores more in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli near the Turkish border on Wednesday, a monitoring group and state television reported.

Mysterious Purple Orb Spotted On Ocean Floor Baffles Scientists

A mysterious purple orb spotted on the sea bed during a live-streamed ocean exploration temporarily stumped scientists.

The colourful orb was seen near the Channel Islands of California by the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, a scientific expedition equipped with a live broadcasting studio.

Photo: Royalty knows motherhood: Emir of Kano Sanusi on his knees to greet mum

Emir of Kano goes on his knees to greet mum.

Respect to father and mother should never be compromised for anything in life. I greet you Sir Sanusi. 

Oh boy! Giant Dinosaur Footprint Found In Bolivia. Extinct?

A tourist guide has stumbled across a giant dinosaur footprint that is one of the biggest ever found.

The print, which measures over a metre wide, is thought to have been made by the meat-eating abelisaurus some 80 million years ago.

Nigeria - Hehehe... Na wa. Ambassadorial nominees unable to recite national anthem and pledge

The Senate on Tuesday began the screening of the 47 ambassadorial nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for legislative approval.

Buhari had on June 9 sent to the Senate 47 names of Nigerians to be screened and confirmed as career diplomats.

Nigeria - Abia power tussle: August 9th for Ikpeazu's appeal hearing

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned till August 9, hearing on the appeal filed by Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, challenging the June 27 nullification of his election by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Nigeria - Election tribunal upholds Seriake Dickson's election

The Bayelsa State Governorship Electoral Petitions Tribunal on Tuesday upheld the victory of Seriake Disckson in the state governorship election.

Twitter Earnings Fail To Meet Expectations

Twitter failed to meet financial analyst expectations in its latest earnings announcement amid another period of slow user growth.

The number of monthly active users rose just three million to 313 million in the last quarter.

Spacecraft Has Five Seconds To Vacuum Asteroid

NASA is putting the finishing touches to a spacecraft that will land on an asteroid for just five seconds to scan for the building blocks of life.

OSRIS-Rex will launch in September and travel to the Bennu asteroid to harvest samples from the surface.

US Election 2016 - Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump edge ahead of Clinton in U.S. presidential race

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump posted a two-point lead over his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Tuesday, the first time he has been ahead since early May.

Wow! Triple Eruption From Sun Captured On Camera

The sun has fired out the three most powerful solar flares seen this year, NASA has revealed.

Its Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the M-level flares, a category just below the most intense X-class flares, over the weekend.

Tennis - Federer to miss Olympics and rest of season with knee problem

Roger Federer has pulled out of the Rio Olympics and will miss the rest of the season, including the U.S. Open, because he needs "more extensive rehabilitation" to prolong his career after knee surgery earlier this year.

Last month he described how "one stupid move" sparked a chain of bad luck - which resulted in left knee surgery in February and sitting out the French Open with a back injury - culminating in Tuesday's decision to end his wretched season.

Nigeria - Fire guts UCH Accident and Emergency Ward

The Accident and Emergency Ward of the University College Hospital, Ibadan was gutted by fire on Tuesday, destroying the multi-million naira building and equipment.

Eyewitnesses said the fire began with a loud explosion, with patients running in different directions as a result of the commotion created by the explosion.

Football - Zlatan Ibrahimovich reveals he turned down Beckham's MLS offer for Mourinho and Man Utd

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to link up with David Beckham in the MLS to join Manchester United.

The Sweden international was heavily linked with a move to the United States after his exit from PSG, but ultimately opted to sign a one-year deal at Old Trafford, reuniting with former boss Jose Mourinho in the process.