China, Vatican in face off over bishop’s consecration

THE upcoming consecration of Father Yue Fusheng as a bishop in China without the consent of the Vatican has earned the anger of the Holy See as it warned yesterday that he would be excommunicated along with any bishop taking part in the ceremony.

11 killed in new Iraq attacks

A car bombing at a market in central Iraq killed eight people on Wednesday and three others were murdered in Baghdad. In Wednesday's deadliest attack, a car bombing in Zubaidiyah at 9:15 am killed eight people and wounded 37 others, a security official said on condition of anonymity.

Zamfara: Sharia court sentences 4 to 6 months imprisonment for fornication

The High Sharia Court sitting in Kaura in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State has sentenced four adults to six months imprisonment for fornication and are to be given 30 strokes of the cane each.

Heavy rains: NCAA warns pilots against impatience

IN view of an earlier prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) of impending heavy rains attached with storms, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday, issued a circular to pilots and airline operators in the country, to exercise restraint while the period lasts.

Boko Haram: Police Now Victims of Human Rights Abuses

The Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, Wednesday said rather than for policemen to be involved in flagrant human rights abuses, especially in the northern part of the country where the Boko Haram insurgents had made life unbearable for the people, they were now the victims.

76 Oil Wells: Nigeria Risks Ceding More to Cameroon

As Cross River and Akwa Ibom States await the Supreme Court judgment on the disputed 76 oil wells, the Cross River Forum of Local Government Chairmen Wednesday in Abuja warned that ceding the wells to Akwa Ibom might result in automatically ceding parts of the state to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe.

FG Proposes Bill on Fake Drugs, Substandard Products

Stiffer penalty awaits organisations and individuals who deal in counterfeit drugs and substandard products in Nigeria as an executive bill is being proposed that would make the prosecution of such offenders possible.

I’ve got phone numbers of Boko Haram leaders - NSA

THE new National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) said on Wednesday in Jos, Plateau State, that he had contacts of key Boko Haram leaders for possible dialogue with the group.

Jonathan nominates Mukhtar as CJN, presents name to Senate

NIGERIA will soon have its first female Chief Justice of Nigeria as President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, whose name has been presented to the Senate for confirmation.

3 Ogun PDP chieftains sentenced to 6 months imprisonment

Justice Charles Achibong of a Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced three chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State to six months imprisonment for flouting a court order.

STF personnel murdered in Plateau •Gunmen kill GM in Borno

A mobile policeman, Corporal Friday Babale, attached to the Special Task Force in charge of security in Plateau State has been murdered by unknown gunmen in Barakin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

We Never Put Otedola On Trial – Reps

The House of Representatives yesterday said that it had no issues with Mr Femi Otedola who on Tuesday appeared before its Ethics and Privileges Committee but refused to testify on bribery allegations he levelled against the former chairman of the Adhoc Committee on Management of Fuel Subsidy, Hon. Farouk Lawan, stressing that at no time was he put on trial by the House.

Oil subsidy report: Court stops FG from prosecuting indicted company

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday stopped the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice from prosecuting one of the companies indicted by the Farouk Lawan ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe.

Yasser Arafat's widow, Suha, requests autopsy

The Palestinian president cleared the way Wednesday for a possible autopsy on Yasser Arafat's remains, following a request from his widow after a Swiss lab said it found elevated levels of a lethal radioactive isotope on the longtime Palestinian leader's belongings.

FG won't send official delegation to london olympics - Abdulahi

THE Federal Government yesterday said that it will not be sending any official delegation to London for the Olympics which begin soon to save cost.

NYSC Bows to Pressure, Redeploys Corps Members from Troubled States

In deference to the mounting safety concerns raised by parents, state governments and several sections of the public, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has redeployed prospective corps members (CMs) previously posted to “volatile states” in the North.