Rio Olympics (Football) - Its Nigeria vs Germany semis as Dream team stun Denmark 2-0

John Obi Mikel and Aminu Umar strikes sent Nigeria into the semi-finals of the Olympics at the expense of Denmark, as Samson Siasia’s side ran out 2-0 winners in Salvador.

Kenny Baker, Star Wars actor behind R2-D2 robot dies aged 81

British Star Wars actor Kenny Baker, who played the robot R2-D2 in six of the films, has died aged 81, Baker's niece told the BBC on Saturday.

Oh my world! In Greater Manchester, Man Killed After Being Struck By Four Cars On M66 Motorway

A man has been killed after being struck by four vehicles on the M66 in Greater Manchester.

Detectives believe the man was walking along the northbound lanes of the motorway between junctions two and three when he was hit by an Audi A5.

Nollywood - Pete Edochie cries out; "I am not on social media" amidst accounts credited to his name

The Forefront understands veteran actor, Pete Edochie, is angry! The thespian said even in this age and craze for social media, he doesn’t have any account yet so many accounts have his name and so many posts are attributed to him.

The actor is reported to have said he was tired of people using his name falsely on social media.

NIGERIA - APGA HAILS THE FG OVER RELEASE OF IPOB MEMEBERS

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye, has commended the Federal Government for granting freedom to some detained supporters of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group.

Oye described the government’s gesture as bold, patriotic and surest way to peace and unity of Nigeria, which he said, was non-negotiable.

Nigerian Navy arrests two over attacks on Chevron facilities

Nigeria - The Navy authorities at NNS DELTA, Warri, on Saturday said two middle-aged men suspected to be involved in the attacks on Chevron facilities in Delta State have been arrested.

The Commander of the Naval Base in Delta State, Comm. Joseph Dzunve, told journalists that the suspects were apprehended in Sapele area of the state following a tip-off.

In Switzerland, Six Suffer Burns And Knife Wounds In Attack On Swiss Train

Six people have been hurt, some seriously, after a man set a train carriage on fire in Switzerland and stabbed several passengers.

The alleged attacker, who is a Swiss citizen, was also injured when the train was set alight as it travelled in the far east of the country along the border with Liechtenstein.

Chief of Air Staff says the Air Force is to launch major operation in South South Nigeria

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said that the Nigerian Air Force would soon launch an aerial operation to protect critical infrastructure and the people of the South South.

Abubakar said that having substantially addressed the security situation in the North East, the main focus focus of the NAF was to prevent the destruction of the nation’s infrastructure.

US drone kills Islamic State leader for Afghanistan, Pakistan

The leader of Islamic State's branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan was killed in a U.S. drone strike on July 26, a Pentagon spokesman said on Friday after the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan announced the news to Reuters.

The death of Hafiz Saeed Khan is a blow to efforts by Islamic State - also known as ISIS or Daesh - to expand from its heartlands in Syria and Iraq into Afghanistan and Pakistan, already crowded with jihadist movements including the Taliban and al Qaeda.

Popular Bollywood Star Shah Rukh Khan Detained By US Immigration

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has shared his frustration at being stopped by immigration officers "every damn time" he visits the US.

The actor, also known simply as SRK, was stopped at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - the third time he has been detained on arrival in the US.

Scientists Discover 400-Year-Old Shark

Greenland sharks are the longest-living vertebrates known on Earth, with some reaching the age of 400, scientists say.

The discovery means a shark swimming in the North Atlantic today could have been in the sea in the decade when the Mayflower carried the Pilgrim Fathers to North America.

Insect-Sized Drone Will Spy On Terrorists

An insect-sized spy drone with four flapping wings and four legs is set to become Britain's latest weapon in the war on terror.

The Dragonfly drone fits in the palm of a hand and has four flapping wings and four legs.

Nigeria - Jibrin sues Dogara and others over budget padding

The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has sued the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, his deputy, Yusuf Lasun and other principal officers of the lower chamber over an alleged plan to suspend him.

Breaking Football News! Messi returns to Argentina National team

Lionel Messi has confirmed in a statement his intention to return to the Argentina national team.

The Barcelona star made the decision to retire from international football after another heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2016 Copa America.

Oh goodness me! Miss World finalist dies in auto crash

A Miss World Australia finalist has tragically died following a head-on car crash with two French tourists who were reportedly driving on the wrong side of the road.

Rio Olympics (Swimming) - Phelps wins fourth successive 200m individual medley

Michael Phelps of the United States won the Olympic 200 meters individual medley on Thursday to capture the 22nd gold medal of his career and become the first swimmer to win the same event at four consecutive Games.

Mystery Object Lies On Fringes Of Our Solar System

There's a mystery object in a strange orbit beyond Neptune that cannot be explained.

The object sits beyond the most distant planet in our solar system, and could be less than 120 miles in diameter.

It is an oddity because it is above the plane of the solar system and moving upwards every day.
Its plane is 110 degrees to the plane of the solar system, and swings the opposite way around the sun to other objects.

British tourists among the injured in Thailand resort bombings

British tourists have been injured in a deadly double bombing at a beach resort in Thailand sources say.

One person has died - believed to be a Thai woman who ran a food stall - and 23 have been injured in the blasts in the seaside resort of Hua Hin.
At least two Britons are among nine foreigners being treated in hospital.

New Militant group Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate vows to blow up more oil installations if not included in negotiations

Nigeria - The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGM) has vowed to blow up more oil installations, if government does not meet its demand for inclusion in negotiations with other militant groups.

Spokesman of the group, one General Aldo Agbalaja, said the destruction of a delivery trunk line from Isoko to the Eriemu Manifold, belonging to the NPDC/Shoreline Resources, was a tip of the iceberg in its “operation zero” exercise.

Football - New Argentina coach Bauza optimistic Lionel Messi will renege on his retirement decision

Argentina’s new coach Edgardo Bauza said Thursday he was optimistic he can convince Lionel Messi to come out of international retirement after meeting the five-time World Player of the Year.

Bauza said he had “a good conversation” with the 29-year-old superstar when they met earlier on Thursday in Barcelona.

“We only talked about football. I’m optimistic. But I’m not inside his head,” he told Argentine television station TN.

In Lagos Nigeria, state owned Helipad commissioned for medical emergencies

The Forefront has learned that the Lagos State Government has commissioned the  first state-owned helipad for medical emergencies in Nigeria at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

“This helipad being commissioned today is a lifesaving asset and critical complement to the efficient functioning of this Unit and other emergency services being rendered by the State,” said Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday
 “The Helipad will also aid the movement of patients from remote areas where healthcare facilities to provide the level of emergency medicine required are not readily available.”

Nigeria - Celebration in Onitsha as IPOB members were released by the FG yesterday over Biafra

There was jubilation in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, yesterday, following the release of members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) arrested, during a prayer session, in Aba, Abia State, by security operatives.

Nigeria - INEC clears Makarfi factional PDP GUBER candidate Ize Iyamu, APC's OBASEKI and 17 others in Edo GUBER race

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC)  has released names of 19 candidates for the forthcoming governorship election.

In a statement by Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, the candidate that emerged at the primary election conducted by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi caretaker committee, Pastor Ize Iyamu featured prominently along with 18 others nominated by various political parties.

Africa's richest Dangote reassures that Nigeria is still Africa's biggest economy

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and president of Dangote Group, says Nigeria remains the number one economy in Africa.

Football - FIFpro member Stefanovic apologises to Mourinho over bullying claim

FIFPro board member Dejan Stefanovic has apologised to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho for accusing him of bullying Bastian Schweinsteiger.

President Buhari says Nigeria is in severe shortage, prudence and transparency is sustaining the country

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said Nigeria has suddenly become a poor country as a result of the sharp drop in price of oil.

He however said the prudent manner his administration had been handling the nation’s resources had made it impossible for people to know that there is severe shortage in the country.

World Health: US government shifts $81 million to Zika vaccine research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has shifted $81 million in funds from other projects to continue work on developing vaccines to fight Zika in the absence of any funding from U.S. lawmakers.

In a letter addressed to Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat and minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said she was allocating $34 million in funding to the National Institutes of Health and $47 million to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to work on Zika vaccines.

Breast feeding a direct link to reduce death toll of children under five - UN Consultant

Nigeria - The Kebbi State EU- UNICEF C4D Consultant, Mr Idris Nagia has called for improved awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding in the state.

Nagia made this known on Thursday while addressing pressmen in his office, stressing that Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 percent of infants less than six months old are exclusively breastfed in kebbi state.

Wow! Virtual Reality Helps Paralysed Patients Regain Feeling

Virtual reality has helped eight paralysed patients regain some feeling in their legs in "a big surprise", say scientists.

The clinical results of the programme in Sao Paulo, Brazil, show the participants have some sensations and muscle control in lower limbs.

A team led by neuroscientist Dr Miguel Nicolelis, of Duke University in North Carolina, used a virtual reality system which monitored the patients' brain activity to simulate control of their legs.

Breaking News! Deadly bombimg at Thailand Tourist Resort

A bomb explosion at a tourist resort in Thailand has killed at least one person and wounded 12 others, according to local media.

Thai PBS said the blast happened near a bar in the seaside resort of Hua Hin. It is thought that the dead person is a woman.

Football - See where Nigeria now ranks in the latest FIFA ranking

Nigeria have moved up to the 67th position in the latest Fifa global rankings released on Thursday.

Nigeria - Six escapees captured upon Nsukka jail break

Mr Isaiah Amariri, the Enugu State Controller of Nigeria Prisons Service, said on Thursday that six of the inmates that escaped from Nsukka Prisons on Tuesday night, have been re-arrested.

Amariri, who gave the figure to newsmen in Nsukka, however declined to give the exact number of inmates that escaped from the prison.

US - Seven missing, dozens injured in Maryland explosion, fire

Rescue workers searched on Thursday for as many as seven people who were missing after an explosion and fire torched an apartment building in a Washington, D.C. suburb, injuring dozens, including three firefighters, authorities said.

Nigeria - President Buhari and Wole Soyinka meet in Aso Rock

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting which lasted about an hour was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Nigeria - Buhari and Nobel Laureate Soyinka meet at Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

World Health:The Drug Prozac Could Boost Intelligence Of Children With Down's Syndrome

Some parents of children with Down's syndrome are giving them Prozac after tests showed that brain chemistry-altering drugs could boost intelligence.

Several drugs have been shown to improve memory and learning in the mouse version of the condition.

As a result, some families have started to give their children drugs such as Prozac - usually used to treat depression - despite the need for more studies on humans to be carried out to make sure it is safe.

South Africa overtakes Nigeria as largest economy in dollar value, assessment questioned by experts

Nigeria has lost its position as Africa’s largest economy to South African in dollar terms.

This came as the rand recorded gains to close at 13.2805 per dollar, with the naira weakening at 2.7 per cent, to N320 to $1, at the close of business yesterday.

 From a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) value of $510 billion to the present assessed $296 billion due to weakened naira, Nigerian economy is believed to have contracted by about 42 per cent compared to the South African economy that contracted from the assessed $370 billion to $310 billion.

Rio Olympics (Football) - Nigeria avoid Brazil in quarters, to play Denmark. See full quarters fixtures

After Wednesday’s final group matches at the Olympic Games, Nigeria will play Denmark in the quarter finals as Brazil rallied to an emphatic win to top Group A.

Group B winners Nigeria were on collision course with the Selecao Olimpica until the hosts defeated the Europeans 4-0 to emerge Group A winners.

US - Man scaling Trump Tower in New York City wanted meeting with nominee

A 20-year-old Donald Trump supporter who scaled the Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday for three hours using suction cups and a climbing harness was pulled inside through a window by police who had tried to coax him into the building throughout the escapade.

US - Trump Tower climber captured after three-hour ascent

A man spent three hours Wednesday scaling Trump Tower, the New York home and headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president, before police captured him through an open window.

Live television footage showed uniformed New York police officers reaching out and grabbing the young man with curly auburn hair — dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap — some three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups.

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The Forefront posts are broadcast across several facebook pages, groups and the host blogger's facebook account with thousands of friends and followers, twitter, instagram and other media.. They include (but not limited to)

Speed limiter enforcement to commence on October 1st

Nigeria - The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, has announced that enforcement of the speed limiters on commercial vehicles will commence nationwide on October  1, 2016.

Oyeyemi said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting with relevant government agencies and transport unions.

HMM! CONTROVERSY CONTINUES AS RNDA SAYS GOODLUCK JONATHAN FORMED THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS BEFORE 2015 ELECTIONS

Nigeria - The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers says former President Goodluck Jonathan formed the Niger Delta Avengers in 2014 during the build-up to the presidential election.

It threatened that should Jonathan deny being the NDA sponsor, it would reveal more details of their relationship.

US says 300 Islamic State fighters killed in Afghan operation

Afghan forces, backed by the United States, have killed an estimated 300 Islamic State fighters in an operation mounted two weeks ago, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan said on Wednesday, calling it a severe blow to the group.

Syria - Suspected gas attack on Aleppo causes deaths, injuries

At least four people died and many suffered breathing difficulties when a gas, believed to be chlorine, was dropped alongside barrel bombs on a neighborhood of the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, a hospital and a civil defense group told Reuters.

Rio Olympics (Football) - Colombia join Nigeria in quarters after 2-0 win

Colombia defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo on Wednesday to reach the quarter finals of the Olympic Games. 

They beat a Nigeria side that made five changes to its starting line after already qualifying as Group B leaders courtesy of their opening wins against Japan and Sweden. 

US Election 2016 - Clinton blasts Trump for 'casual inciting of violence'

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Wednesday accused Republican opponent Donald Trump of inciting violence with his call for gun rights activists to stop her from nominating liberal U.S. Supreme Court justices.

From England comes the sad one that four dead as lorries and cars crash on A34

Four people have died and several are injured in an accident involving four cars and four lorries on the A34 north of Newbury.   

The accident happened on the northbound stretch of the carriageway after the East Isley turn-off, at about 5pm.

Breaking! New militant group emerge, blows up NPDC pipeline

Nigeria - A new militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, which threatened to blow up oil installations in the upland of the Niger Delta region, on Wednesday, made good its threat.

Belgium - Two planes land safely at Brussels airport after bomb threats

Two aircraft landed safely at Brussels' Zaventem airport after receiving bomb threats, the Belgian state broadcaster VRT reported on Wednesday evening.