Peace Is Top Priority For Next UN Chief Antonio Guterres

U.N. Secretary-General-designate, Antonio Guterres, right, listens during a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly concerning his appointment, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo

Antonio Guterres pledged Thursday to make the pursuit of peace in a conflict-torn world his “over-arching priority” after being elected the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

Bob Bylan Keeps Mum After Nobel Prize For Literature

Bob Dylan’s silence could prove embarrassing for the Academy, which has faced some criticism for its decision to award the prize to a songwriter for the first time. AFP

More than 24 hours after awarding Bob Dylan the Nobel Prize for literature, the Swedish Academy said Friday they had still not managed to speak to the reclusive US singer.

Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Peru Top Empathy Map Of The World

The responses revealed Ecuador to be the most empathetic country, followed by Saudi Arabia and Peru. Dark red indicates high empathy, while lighter shades indicate low empathy. Those pictured in grey were not included, as the sample sizes were too small 

*Ecuador was most empathetic country, followed by Saudi Arabia and Peru *Denmark was 4th, followed by UAE, Korea, US, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Kuwait *Lithuania is least empathetic, seven of the bottom 10 Eastern European

The United States is one of the most empathetic countries in the world, according to a new study – but it falls behind Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Peru.

More than 104,000 people responded, revealing major differences across the globe in the way people reported their compassion and tendency to see others’ point of view. The least empathetic country was found to be Lithuania

South Sudan Starves As Aid Blocked, Money Spent On Fighting

In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, Elizabeth Athiel holds her 8-month-old malnourished daughter Anger, at a UNICEF clinic in Aweil, South Sudan. (AP Photo/Justin Lynch)

The mother faced an anguished decision: choosing which of her children to save.

Nigeria's President Says Wife 'Belongs To My Kitchen'

President Buhari: "I don't know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room." His comments to reporters in Germany prompted German Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing at his side, to give him a short glare and then laugh.

Nigeria's first lady has openly questioned her husband's work and said she may not support him if he runs again — comments that President Muhammadu Buhari laughed off, saying, "I don't know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room."

Forum Exposes Nigeria’s Poor Preparation For Non-Oil Exports

A recent meeting in the United States held under the auspices of Civil Society Network on African Growth Opportunities Act exposed the poor preparation of Nigeria for the diversification of its economy along the non-oil export sector.

Big Donors Urge Republican Party To Drop Trump: NYT

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 13, 2016 ©David Kohl (AFP)

Some of the Republican Party's biggest financial donors urged its national committee on Thursday to drop Donald Trump following accusations he sexually assaulted women, The New York Times reported.

Oil Search: NNPC Deploys Equipment To Bauchi, Gombe States

– NNPC intensifies oil exploration in the North of the country, deploys equipment to Gombe, Bauchi states – At least 11 companies bid for setting up of masts in NNPC offices – As President Buhari directs further exploration of oil, the corporation drills 23 wells in Chad basin

As a part of the oil exploration in the North, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) plans to deploy equipment and to resume the search for oil in Bauch and Gombe states, the official site of the corporation said.

President Buhari Warned By First Lady

Aisha Buhari (L), pictured at President Muhammadu Buhari's inauguration last year, has put her husband on notice. AFP

President Muhammadu Buhari's wife has warned him that she may not back him at the next election unless he shakes up his government.

License Illegal Refineries, Rep Tells FG

An illegal refinery site in Niger Delta

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has said that instead of destroying illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government should license and regulate them.

Study: China's 2-Child Policy Won't Lead To Population Boom (SEE TIMELINE & GRAPHS)

A study predicts that China's loosening of its one-child policy to allow all married couples to have two children will bring only a small increase in population growth.

Only One Chibok Girl Has A Baby — VP Osinbajo

It was freedom at last yesterday for 21 secondary school girls who were abducted from Chibok community in Borno State 30 months ago by Boko Haram.

Tyson Fury Vacates Heavyweight Belts, Loses Boxing License

In this Nov. 29, 2015 file photo, Britain's new world champion Tyson Fury, celebrates with the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts after winning the world heavyweight title fight against Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko in Duesseldorf, western Germany. Fury has vacated his WBO and WBA world titles to concentrate on his treatment and recovery from drug use and other personal issues. Fury’s promotors released a statement early Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, confirming the decision. It comes in the wake of his second withdrawal from a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko after being declared "medically unfit" and following his admitted bingeing on cocaine and alcohol. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Tyson Fury's downward spiral since becoming world heavyweight boxing champion escalated Thursday when the British fighter relinquished his titles and had his license suspended over drug use and medical issues.

2-IN-1 STORY: Boko Haram Frees 21 Kidnapped Chibok Girls - Nigerian Government; Oby Ezekwesili Reacts To The Release Of 21 Chibok Girls To The Nigerian Goverment

The spokesman for President Buhari, Garba Shehu, has confirmed the release of 21 Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. 

In statement released, Shehu said: 

Senate Extends JAMB's UTME Validity Period To 3 Years

The Nigeria's Eighth Senate has passed the amendment to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Act #JAMBBill SB. 245 into law.

GRAPHITTI NEWS: Words On Marble — Jibrin Okutepa SAN

Jibrin Okutepa SAN (@jibrinSAN)

“I am really bothered as to why we devoted arguments on the propriety or otherwise of the method used by DSS to expose corruption on the part of some judges of our superior courts.

Côte d'Ivoire Tackles Vexed Issue Of Nationality

Côte d'Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara presents to the parliament the draft of a new constitution, on October 5, 2016 in Abidjan ©Issouf Sanogo (AFP)

In Côte d'Ivoire, the National Assembly has adopted a controversial draft constitution by a landslide, changing the eligibility rules for candidates running for president.

AFP

21 Chibok Schoolgirls Freed By Boko Haram

Twenty one of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents in April 2014 has been released to the Nigerian government, a government source told SaharaReporters.

Coke, Pepsi Fund Health Groups... But Fight Them Too: Study

The Coca-Cola Co and PepsiCo, from 2011 to 2015, sponsored 96 national health organizations battling public health problems, but at the same time lobbied against 29 public health bills intended to improve nutrition ©Eric Piermont (AFP)

Coca-Cola and Pepsi, the two major US soda giants, have given millions of dollars to health organizations while quietly fighting anti-obesity measures such as taxes on soft drinks, a new study shows.

PepsiCo and Coca-Cola gave more than US$5 million in 2009 to Save the Children, a year later the nonprofit withdrew its support of a tax for soft drinks ©Justin Sullivan (Getty/AFP)

UK 'Facing £18bn Divorce Bill For Brexit'

Theresa May refused to commit to giving MPs a vote on her Brexit strategy despite growing Tory calls for more clarity on the plan

Britain is facing a "divorce bill" of up to €20 billion (£18 billion) as the cost of leaving the European Union, it has been reported.

FAAN Sacks, Demotes Directors

Some 22 directors and general managers have been sacked and demoted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Greenhouse Gas Removal Technologies Needed To Meet Climate Goals, Experts Warn

The UK has signed up to the Paris Agreement, which commits countries to keep temperature rises to "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels

Schemes to take greenhouse gases back out of the atmosphere - from planting trees to new technology - will be needed to meet global climate goals, government advisers have said.

Kidnappers Brought Back Our Children To School Area — Parent

Lagos Junior Model College, Igbonla, Epe, Lagos State

One of the parents of four freed pupils of the Lagos Junior Model College, Igbonla, Epe, Lagos State, has said the victims were brought back by the kidnappers to a bush behind the school, not far from where they were abducted six days ago.

FOR THE RECORD: CBN Stops Banks From Disengaging Workers

Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja FCT

Bank workers will no longer nurse fears of losing their jobs going forward, the Bankers’ Committee assured on Wednesday.

2016 Winner Of US$100,000 NLNG Nigeria Prize For Literature Announced

The author and the cover of his winning entry

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has been announced winner of the 2016 Nigeria Prize for Literature.

'Deadly Violence' Hits Shia Procession In Katsina State

Shias, who are a minority in Nigeria, have been marching today Photo: Ali Kakaki

At least eight people have been killed in clashes between Nigeria's security forces and Shia Muslims in northern Funtua town, an eyewitness has said. 

Fading World Cup Hopes A Rude Awakening For China's Soccer Dream

China coach Gao Hongbo: Syria defeat does not end World Cup hopes

China's ambitions to become a global soccer power are facing a stark reality check after the national team's coach stepped down following defeats to Uzbekistan and war-torn Syria, leaving in tatters a bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

FIFA Times Benteke At 8.1 Seconds For Fastest World Cup Goal

Belgium’s Christian Benteke holds up six fingers to show how many seconds he thought it took for him to score against Gibraltar. In fact it was eight. Photograph: Rafael Marchante/Reuters

FIFA says Belgium forward Christian Benteke took 8.1 seconds to score the fastest goal in World Cup history.

5 Diesel Thieves Nabbed At National Assembly

Nigeria's National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja FCT

Five persons were yesterday arrested at the National Assembly for stealing diesel.

WHO Urges Countries To Raise Taxes On Sugary Drinks

In this May 18, 2016 photo, sodas and energy drinks are stacked and line the shelves in a grocery store in Springfield, Illinois, USA. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

The U.N. health agency on Tuesday recommended that countries use tax policy to increase the price of sugary drinks like sodas, sport drinks and even 100-percent fruit juices as a way to fight obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

AU Gets New Peace Building Thanks To Germany

BBC

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has now moved on to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, as she continues her visit to Ethiopia.

Buhari Seeks Germany’s Assistance On Intelligence Sharing, Others To Curb Oil Theft

President Muhammadu Buhari while receiving Germany’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Frank-Walters Steinmeier, at State House Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sought the assistance of Germany in the provision of equipment, training and sharing of intelligence with the Nigerian Navy to help curb oil theft in the Niger Delta.

2-IN-1 STORY: We Got ₦13m From Ransom Paid For Emefiele — Soldiers (SEE FULL POLICE BRIEFING)

Police briefing where two soldiers were paraded alongside seven others

Two soldiers, Lance Corporals Musa Maidabra and Edwin George, serving at 122D30 Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State, have been arrested for transporting the ransom that was paid for the release of the wife of the Central Bank Governor, Margaret Emefiele.

2-IN-1 STORY: There’s Hunger, Starvation In The Land, Northern Leaders Tell Buhari

Dr. Paul Unogo, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, and Alhaji Manur Yakubu, at the Northern Elders Forum summit of Northern Groups

Northern leaders gathered on Monday in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital and told President Muhammadu Buhari to work harder at fixing the nation’s economy because there was hunger and starvation in the land.

International Day Of The Girl Child: Things To Know This Day Of The Girl Child Featured

Today marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a United Nations led initiative supporting the more than 1.1 billion girls worldwide who are a powerful force for shaping a sustainable world. 

World Study Warns Of England Teachers' Long Hours

Half England's full-time teachers work 40-58 hours a week and a fifth work at least 60 hours a week, the study says

Teachers in England work some of the longest hours in the profession in the developed world, leaving them little time to develop their careers, a new report warns.

Rwanda Warns Of Showdown With France

Mr Kagame was a rebel leader when the plane was shot down AFP

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has warned of a showdown with France following an announcement by French investigators that they would reopen a probe into the assassination of ex-leader Juvenal Habyarimana.

Cattle Rustlers Kill 3,000 Vigilantes

Is cattle rustling proceeds funding Nigeria's Islamist insurgent

The Katsina State Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, says over 3,000 of its member have been killed by cattle rustlers operating in the state over the last three years.

NYSC Denies 25% Slash In Corps Members’ Allowance

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Monday refuted social media reports alleging it slashed corps members’ allowance by 25 per cent.

3-IN-1 STORY: A Corrupt Judge Is More Harmful To The Society Than An Armed Man — Justice Muhammadu Uwais

Photo: supremecourt.gov.ng

We must not masquerade under due process to permit and perpetuate the despoliation of our collective patrimony.

Abuja Pastor Donates ₦5m To Acid Victim, Car To Nollywood Actor

Pastor Joshua Iginla

Pastor Joshua Iginla, Senior Pastor, Champions Royal Assembly, Kubwa, Abuja, has given ₦5 million to Jamila Yusuf, 26, who was allegedly bathed with acid by her fiancé.