ABOUT 110 JOURNALISTS WERE KILLED AROUND THE WORLD IN 2015

A total of 110 journalists were killed around the world in 2015, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday, noting that while many died in war zones the majority were killed in supposedly peaceful countries. Sixty-seven journalists were killed in the line of duty this year, the watchdog group said in its annual roundup, listing war-torn Iraq and Syria as most dangerous places for journalists with 11 and 10 fatalities respectively, followed by France, where eight journalists were killed in a jihadist assault on a satirical magazine.

BELGIUM POLICE ARRESTS TWO OVER PLANNED ATTACKS ON NEW YEAR' S EVE.

Belgian police have arrested two people suspected of planning attacks in Brussels on New Year's Eve. Raids took place on Sunday and Monday in Brussels and the provinces of Flemish Brabant and Liege. Police seized military clothing and computer equipment in the raids, but no weapons or explosives.

GUINNESS NIGERIA DONATES N5 MILLION TO LUTH

In a bid to improve quality healthcare in the country, Guinness Nigeria has donated the sum of N5million to the eye centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Speaking at the handing over of the money to the hospital management, the CMD of LUTH! Professor Christopher Bode said he was pleased with the brewing giant’s involvement in sustaining the management of its eye centres for over 50 years; adding that the Centre would continue to deliver excellent eye care to patients.

CHRISTMAS : STORMS, TONADOES KILL AT LEAST 41 PEOPLE IN U.S

DALLAS (Reuters) - Storms hit southern and central U.S. states over the Christmas holiday, unleashing floods and tornadoes that killed at least 41 people, flattened buildings and snarled transportation for millions during a busy travel time.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS BECOMES FASTEST TO TAKE $I BILLION

Star Wars, The Force Awakens has become the fastest film to take $1bn (£674m) at the global box office. JJ Abrams' film achieved the feat in 12 days, beating the previous record of 13 days set by Jurassic World in June.

BENIN PRIME MINISTER LIONEL ZINSOU ESCAPES HELICOPTER CRASH

Benin's Prime Minister walked away unscathed after the helicopter in which he was travelling crashed in the country's northwest, his daughter said.

It is unclear why the helicopter carrying Lionel Zinsou crash-landed in a stadium.

JUDGE EXEMPTS SELF FROM HEARING TREASONABLE CHARGES AGAINST NNAMDI KANU

Following the fresh six-count charges filled by the Federal Government of Nigeria against the embattled leader of  Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, a  federal High Court judge has exempted himself from hearing the case. Justice Ahmed Mohammed who announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja after Mr. Kanu objected to the case, said that it was needless, as the federal government had repeatedly disobeyed previous court rulings.

US TECH INVESTORS TO BUY EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB FOR $297 MILLION

A consortium led by two US technology investors is negotiating to buy Everton Football Club for an estimated £200 million (272 million euros, $297 million), The Times newspaper reported on Wednesday. The report said the group had signed a preliminary agreement with owner and chairman Bill Kenwright and was checking the club’s accounts with the aim of completing a takeover within the next six weeks.

SOMALIA BANS XMAS AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Somalia’s government has banned celebrations of Christmas and New Year in the Muslim majority country, saying the festivities might attract Islamist attacks. “All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” the director general of the religious affairs ministry told reporters on Tuesday.

IMMIGRATION IN KANO ARREST MAN, 29, WITH 870 ATM CARDS

The suspect

A 29- year-old man,   Yahya Saifullahi , was  recently arrested  by Immigration officers  at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport  with 870 ATM cards and two bank internet tokens. The suspect arrested aboard Ethiopia Airways’ Flight No ET 940  with Passport No. A06694052 was said to be on his way to Dubai.

44% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION TO ACCESS THE INTERNET IN 2016

THE International Data Corporation (IDC ) has estimated that 3.2 billion people, or 44 per cent of the world’s population, will have access to the Internet in 2016. Of this number, more than two billion will be using mobile devices to do so.

NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY SANCTIONS AERO CONTRACTORS AIRLINE

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs). According to the NCAA, although  the incident did not result in any mishap, the aircraft is airworthy and the crew well qualified to operate the flight.

FIFA GIVES SEPP BLATTER DEADLINE TO VACATE APARTMENT

FIFA has told its banned leader Sepp Blatter he will have to leave his presidential apartment by February 26 when a successor is elected, a source close to the world body said on Tuesday. The apartment, an old Zurich house that has been divided is one of the perks Blatter, 79, will lose after his eight year suspension pronounced on Monday by FIFA’S ethics court.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

BUHARI PRESENTS 2016 BUDGET TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

President Buhari presents the 2016 Budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, at the National Assembly today in Abuja.
President Buhari during the presentation, said 'I am honoured and privileged to present the 2016 Budget proposal. This is my first address before this joint session of the National Assembly. I have come here today, not only to address members of the National Assembly, but also to speak directly to the men and women who placed us here.

More pictures after the cut......

ICPC FOILS FIRM PLANS TO SWINDLE 1,379 JOB APPLICANTS OF N5.2M

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences has foiled plans by a firm, Firstgate Business Intermediaries Limited (FBIL), few months ago to pocket the sum of N5.2 million from 1,379 applicants in Nigeria through tempting international job offers.  Prior to the ICPC intervention, the company, through newspaper advertorials, had raked in the huge sum by offering job seekers mouth-watering remunerations through internship with foreign multinational companies and manufacturing industries.

NIGERIAN BANKS STRUGGLE TO MEET $5 BILLION FOREIGN EXCHANGE OBLIOGATIONS

Nigerian banks are struggling to meet $5 billion foreign exchange obligations to importers and correspondent banks, reflecting the worsening foreign exchange situation in the country. This was disclosed, yesterday, by Renaissance Capital in a report entitled: “Nigerian banks struggling for FX liquidity.”

ZAMALEK OF EGYPT QUITS LEAGUE OVER REFREEING

Egyptian champions Zamalek have quit the current Premier League season, the club has announced on its website. Zamalek's board met after a 3-2 loss to El-Gaish on Sunday evening and decided not to complete the competition. The board are due to meet again on Monday to discuss the matter further.

TOSHIBA TO CUT 7,000 JOBS OVER $1.3BILLION ACCOUNTING SCANDAL

Japan’s Toshiba Corp said on Monday it would cut nearly 7,000 consumer electronics jobs after a 1.3 billion dollars accounting scandal. Toshiba also said it would sell its television manufacturing plant in Indonesia and that eventual job cuts could be over 10,000, including previously announced cuts and those seeking voluntary early retirement.

IKE CHIOKE, AFRINVEST CEO CELEBRATES WIFE @ 50 - PICTURES

Friends and family of Ike Chioke, CEO of leading wealth advisory firm, Afrinvest, gathered at Maison Fahrenheit in Victoria Island, Lagos yesterday to celebrate his darling wife as she turned the golden 50.

It was an evening of great fun, the highlight being the unveiling of Yvonne’s Charity Collection, featuring amazing designs by three promising Nigerian designers - Kehinde Opeloyeru, Opeoluwa Egbetayo and Alaba Etomi. Live music was provided by Veentage band.

SEPP BLATTER AND MICHEL PLATINI GET 8 YEARS BAN FROM FOOTBALL RELATED ACTIVITIES

FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini have been suspended for eight years from all football-related activities following an ethics investigation. They were found guilty of breaches surrounding a £1.3m ($2m) "disloyal payment" made to Platini in 2011.

OBJ FELICITATES WITH BUHARI @78 INSTEAD OF 73 ???

As sen on Obasanjo's Twitter page today. what do you think ?

JOSE MOURINHO SACKED AS CHELSEA MANAGER

Chelsea have sacked manager Jose Mourinho seven months after he led them to the Premier League title.

The 52-year-old Portuguese had been in his second spell at the club, taking charge in June 2013.

DIAMOND BANK, TOTAL NIGERIA PARTNER TO DEPLOY ATM's IN SERVICE STATIONS ACROSS NIGERIA

In a bid to make financial services more accessible to customers, Diamond Bank PLC, a leading retail bank in Nigeria, and Total Nigeria PLC, have partnered to provide Diamond Bank Automated Teller Machines (ATM) at select Total Service Stations across Nigeria.

FEDERAL HIGH COURT GRANTS NNAMDI KANU BAIL

The Federal High Court in Abuja has released the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu on bail.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola admitted him to bail unconditionally while ruling in an application filed and argued by his lawyer Vincent Obeta.

SAMUEL ETO'O APPOINTED INTERIM PLAYER MANAGER AT ANTALYASPOR

Former Cameroon captain, Samuel Eto’o, has been appointed interim player-manager at Turkish side, Antalyaspor.

The 34-year-old striker, who joined the club in June, has been given three matches to impress at the helm.

PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI TO PRESENT A 6.07 TRILLION BUDGET TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NEST WEEK

President Muhammadu Buhari will present a 6.07 trillion Naira budget proposal on Tuesday, December 22, to the National Assembly.

The Senate made the disclosed on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

DO MUSLIMS AROUND THE WORLD REALLY HATE THE UNITED STATES ?

As the Republican candidates for president take the debate stage in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, the race has oddly enough turned into a referendum on the roughly 3 million Muslims in the United States — and on the 1.6 billion outside its borders.

OBAMA APPOINTS ADEWALE ADEYEMO AS HIS DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVICER FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Barack Obama US president has appointed a Nigerian, Adewale ‘Wally’ Adeyemo who served in top roles at the Treasury Department to succeed Caroline Atkinson as his deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs.

DWAYNE ROCK'S BABY IS HERE !

Congratulations to Dwayne “The Rock”  and his girlfriend Lauren Hashian as they welcome  their baby girl into the world.

E! Online confirms that Hashian gave birth to a “healthy baby girl” this Wednesday (Dec. 16) and that mom and baby are doing well.

POVERTY, GREED, PEER PRESSURE, OTHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has listed Poverty, greed, peer pressure, adult male conspiracy, among other factors that are responsible for the high spate of global human trafficking.

COURT SENTENCE FIVE FOREIGN OIL THIEVES TO A JAIL TERM OF FIVE YEARS

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday convicted nine foreign citizens for stealing 3,423.097 metric tons of crude oil from Nigeria. Among the convicts were five Filipinos and four Bangladeshes.

They had been intercepted by the Nigerian Navy on March 27, 2015, while trying to export the stolen product loaded in their vessel, MT Asteris, out of the country.

NO MONETARY COMPENSATION FROM THE PAST GOVERNMENT FOR ATTACK ON BUHARI'S CONVOY - FEMI ADESINA

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to reports circulating the internet that he received compensation from Goodluck Johnathan for the attack on his convoy in Kaduna last year. Buhari's special advicer on media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesine revealed this in a statemet made available for newsmen.

According to Femi, 

INVESTORS LOSE N109 BILLION IN TWO DAYS

INVESTORS lost N109 billion on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in the first two days of the week, following persistent declines in total value of shares listed on Exchange. Unlike the Stock market, Forex trading is Online 

RIVER STATE UNIVERSITY LECTURER, SON , KILLED IN PORT HARCOURT

Dr Ebirien Fubara, returning Officer in the March 28, House of Representatives election for Obio Akpor federal constituency in Rivers State,  has been killed alongside his son at his residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

I DID NOT COLLECT N100M FROM ANYBODY- PETER ODILI

Dr. Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State,has denied reports that a former Minister of State for Finance, Mr Bashir Yuguda, gave him N100 million out of the money collected from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

GOODLUCK JOHNATHAN WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL PRESIDENT - FEMI ARIBISALA

Femi Aribisala, a scholar and international affairs expert believes that Goodluck Johnathan was an exceptional president. Do you agree with him ? See his reasons  below:

FG - PETROL TO SELL FOR N97 NEXT YEAR

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has said Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol will need to revert to the old pump price  of N97 next year. Kachikwu said the nation’s economy could not adequately support the current price of N87 per litre. He, however, added that the Federal Government might exit the subsidy regime if the current strategy invariably failed.

DELAYING MOTHERHOOD IS BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH - NEW STUDY

It is a fact of life, that as a woman ages, so her fertility decreases. Yet, the pressures of modern life dictate that more and more women are delaying motherhood, instead focusing on their careers and financial pressures.

The decision can be a difficult one, but now a new study has offered older women a ray of hope.

BILL COSBY FIRES BACK, SUES ACCUSERS FOR DEFAMATION

Bill Cosby has struck back against some of the dozens of women who've accused him of sexual assault.

The world-famous comedian counter-sued seven women who'd sued him for defamation, saying they actually defamed him.

By saying he sexually assaulted them, the women hurt his reputation so much that plans for a new family comedy on NBC were derailed, the counterclaim said.

LINDA IKEJI REACTS TO ALLEGED 240 MILLION NAIRA PAID TO A POPULAR FEMALE BLOGGER IN LAGOS BY #DASUKIGATE

Popular Female Blogger Linda Ikeji has reacted to rumours trending like wild fire all over the social media platforms that a popular female blogger who resides in Lagos collected N240million from SA Domestic to the former president.

View her reactions below

EX- NIMASA BOSS ROUGH HANDLED BY SECURITY AGENTS - VIDEO

According to PM News, the embattled former Director General of NIMASA who has been arraigned before two different courts of the federal high court on charges of stealing and conversion of money running into billions of Naira, was just coming from a court presided over by justice Ibrahim Buba, where one the cases was adjourned till 18th January, 2016 for trial and was about to enter his car outside the court when he was accosted by two EFCC operatives and two armed mobile policemen.

COURT GRANTS RAYMOND DOKPESI BAIL

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to the former chairman of the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Chief Raymond Dokpesi. Raymond Dokpesi was granted bail with two sureties each of whom must have properties worth 200 million Naira which must be verified by an established estate surveyor. The sureties must swear to an affidavit of means that in the event that the accused is not available for trial, the properties will be forfeited to the government.

FIRST WOMEN ELECTED INTO PUBLIC OFFICE IN SAUDI ARABIA

At least 17 women have been elected to public office in Saudi Arabia, according to preliminary results published in state media Monday. Saturday's historic elections for municipal councils marked the first time women in the country were allowed to vote and to run for office.

The female winners include Salma al-Oteibi in the Mecca region, Lama al-Suleiman and Rasha Hufaithi in Jeddah, Hanouf al-Hazimi in Al Jouf province, and Sanaa al-Hammam and Masoumah Abdelreda in the Ahsa region.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW : ARSENAL VS BARCELONA

Arsenal will face holders Barcelona in the Champions League last 16. Chelsea have been drawn against Paris St-Germain for the third consecutive season, while Manchester City face Dynamo Kiev.

Roma versus Real Madrid and Juventus, last year's beaten finalists, against Bayern Munich are two of the standout matches in the draw.

First legs are scheduled to take place on 16-17 and 23-24 February. Return legs are on 8-9 and 15-16 March.

WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA VOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME

It is history today as Saudi  women are allowed to cast a ballot for the first time.

Women are also standing as candidates, another first, despite the conservative kingdom being the only nation where women are not allowed to drive.

YAYA TOURE WINS BBC AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

Yaya Toure has been voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2015.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder becomes only the third player, after Nigerians Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, to receive the honour twice.

DUBAI RETAILER BANS DONALD TRUMP'S PRODUCTS FROM ITS STORES

A major retailer in the Middle East is dumping Donald Trump after he called for Muslims to be banned from traveling to the United States.

Lifestyle, a home decor chain based in Dubai, is removing all Trump-branded products from the shelves of its 195 outlets across the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Tanzania.

CBN PLANS SPECIAL LOW-INTEREST LOANS FOR ONE MILLION GRADUATES

Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria announced on Thursday that a low-interest loan scheme for one million young graduates would commence next year.

Emefiele said the special loan scheme, which would be managed by the central bank in collaboration with commercial banks, was part of the strategy of the Federal Government to boost the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector and curtail unemployment among the youth.

BIAFRA: NO NNAMDI KANU, NO DIALOGUE WITH FG - IPOB, MASSOB

It appears the ceasefire declared by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to give room for a dialogue with the Federal Government appears headed for the rocks.

The groups are peeved by reports that former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Senator Goodswill Akpabio led a delegation accompanied by some northern elites on behalf of MASSOB to Federal Government to broker a truce.

DIAMOND BANK, WTEC PARTNER TO PROVIDE WOMEN WITH ICT TRAINING

Diamond Bank has just concluded a six month training programme on information and communications technology (ICT) for 100 young women in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Held in collaboration with Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (WTEC), the training saw the young women learn over a six-month period the essential ICT skills required for a successful career.