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In a major escalation of Spain’s territorial conflict, the Spanish Senate on Friday authorized the government to take direct control of the fractious region of Catalonia, just after Catalan lawmakers declared the region’s independence. The dueling actions set up a potential showdown over the weekend, as Spain careened into its greatest constitutional crisis since it embraced democracy in 1978. The Senate voted 214 to 47 to invoke Article 155 of Spain’s Constitution, granting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy a package of extraordinary powers to suppress Catalonia’s independence drive. The measure will go into effect after it is published in the government register, which is expected to happen Friday night. In a speech on Friday before the vote, Mr. Rajoy had said he had “no alternative” because the Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, and his separatist cabinet had pursued an illegal and unilateral path that was “contrary to the normal behavior in any democratic country like ours.”

Catalonia was an independent region of the Iberian Peninsula – modern day Spain and Portugal – with its own language, laws and customs. In 1150, the marriage of Petronilia, Queen of Aragon and Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona formed a dynasty leaving their son to inherit all territories concerning the region of Aragon and Catalonia. This lasted until the reign of King Philip V. The War of the Spanish Succession ended with the defeat of Valencia in 1707, of Catalonia in 1714, and finally with the last of the islands in 1715 – resulting in the birth of modern-day Spain. Subsequent kings tried to impose the Spanish language and laws on the region, but they abandoned their attempts in 1931 and restored the Generalitat (the national Catalan government). General Francisco Franco, however, set out to destroy Catalan separatism and with his victory at the Battle of Ebro in 1938 he took control of the region, killing 3,500 people and forcing many more into exile. The region was granted ...

Catalonia’s parliament voted Friday to declare independence from Spain and proclaim a republic, just as Madrid is poised to impose direct rule on the semi-autonomous region to stop it in its tracks. A motion declaring independence was approved with 70 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions, with Catalan opposition MPs walking out of the 135-seat chamber before the vote in protest at a declaration unlikely to be given official recognition by Madrid and abroad. Attached Files:

Catalonia declared independence from Spain on Friday, with Spain's central government kicking and ready to impose direct rule. Cheers erupted inside and outside the ornate Catalan parliament building after the vote result was read — a nearly unbroken series of  “Si, si, si.”  The final tally was 70 yes, 10 opposed and two blank ballots. READ MORE HERE Attached Files:

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered Kaduna State Governor, El-rufai to pay the sum of N40m to the President of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, as compensation for his unlawful arrest. The court also awarded N10m exemplary damages, with 10% interest in favour of Audu Maikori Delivering judgement in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Maikori on May 5, 2017, Justice John Tsoho ordered the four respondents including, Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, and the police to pay the damages to the applicant. The other respondents to the suit are the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of Kaduna State. The court also held that civic space should not be constricted and Governor of Kaduna cannot arrest Audu for lawful advocacy Maikori according to the ruling was said to have been unlawfully detained between February 17 and 18, 2017 and again March 10 and 13, 2017. Maikori was arrested on allegations of posting “inciting” tweets alleging ...

The Governors of Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano and Yobe, today visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House. Details of their meeting still sketcy. See photos:

Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias Evans and others will know their fate on November 10, on two separate charges filed against them by the Lagos State Government. The two charges are on kidnap, possession of firearms, murder and attempted murder. Evans had on October 23, rebuffed attempt by the state government to arraign him and others because he argued that the court lacked jurisdiction try him on the charges Evans’ counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje is seeking to quash the two charges and eleven counts filed against him . According to Ogungbeje, the court had no jurisdiction to hear both charges. However, in its counter-affidavit, the state government represented by the Director of Public Prosecution ( DPP ), Ms Titian Shitta-Bey, contended that the charge numbers; LD/5962/2017 and ID/5970/2017, referred to by Evans are separate and distinct from the new charges. The court adjourned to November 10 for ruling.

The management of Osun State University, Osogbo (UNIOSUN), Osogbo has announced its plan to increase the institution's tuition fees by 140% by next academic session. Amiloaded gathered that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Olabode Popoola, has formally informed parents with wards in the university of the development. Under the new tuition regime, fresh non science students that used to pay N150,500 will as from 2017/2018 academic session, pay N210,500, while those going for Sciences, Anatomy/Physiology will have to pay N245,500, a over 120% increment from the previous N110,500. Also, from the N135,500 paid last session, Nursing and Law students are to pay N285,500. Public Health students that used to pay N110,500, will, as from the beginning of 2017/2018 session pay N285, 500. Engineering students, from the N110,500 paid last session will be paying N250,500. Sources disclosed that the new tuition régime was presented to the parents at the Parents Forum Meeting, on 20th ...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, disclosed that despite his age and achievements, he was yet to be computer literate. Obasanjo, gave this disclosure in his remarks at the opening of a two-day robotics workshop for elementary, secondary and university students in Nigeria. The workshop, organised by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Consulate General Lagos and RoboRave International, USA, had over 300 students from 22 schools, from five states, participating at the event, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.

The 32 national teams competing at the 2018 World Cup will share $400m (344 million euros) in prize money, a 12 percent increase from the 2014 tournament, FIFA said Friday. The purse at the previous edition in Brazil was $358m – $35m of which was awarded to champions Germany, with runners-up Argentina pocketing $25 million. By contrast, countries who failed to advance beyond the group stage received $8 million.   At a meeting of the FIFA council in Kolkata, world football’s governing body also approved a decision to enhance the bidding regulations for the 2026 World Cup and appointed members of the bid evaluation task force. Dates for several upcoming FIFA tournaments, including next year’s Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, were also confirmed. The 2018 Club World Cup will run from December 12 to 22, while the Women’s World Cup in 2019 is scheduled to start on June 7 with the final to take place on July 7

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; sports minister Solomon Dalung; and Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed top the list of the Federal Government’s delegation to Wales to cheer on Anthony Joshua against Cameroonian Carlos Takam in their heavyweight fight at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday SEE MORE HERE Attached Files:

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Friday praised China for maintaining friendly relations with Africa and the developing world at large, as well as for providing assistance to the continent. In an interview with Chinese media, Mugabe told Xinhua he is glad to see that China has prioritised relations with African countries for decades and shared its development achievements with them. Mugabe said that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Africa in 2015 was a major highlight in bilateral relations. In December 2015, Xi paid state visits to Zimbabwe and South Africa, and co-chaired a summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)in Johannesburg, where he and African leaders adopted a package of programmes aimed at strengthening China-Africa cooperation and supporting Africa’s development. Recalling Xi’s visit, Mugabe said Zimbabweans knew they were not just hosting an individual who happened to be the head of China’s ruling party, but one who was carrying a blueprint fo...

The Buhari Support Group (BSG), an amalgamation of about 189 different support groups that worked for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC), has said the president has no option than to contest the 2019 elections. The leader of the group, Abu Ibrahim and Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, who were in the Presidential Villa to meet with Buhari, to intimate him of the activities of the group, said they believe in his philosophy. Ibrahim said though the issue of 2019 did not come up at the meeting, the group believes Buhari can ensure the progress, stability and prosperity of the nation.” Lawan, on his part said it is not enough to help a party win election but also to support the government of the day to succeed.

Claudia Sassou Nguesso who is the daughter of Congo-Brazzaville’s President has allegedly involved in a leaked sex scandal tape The lady Claudia, 50, is married to a lawyer but she kept a side-guy, according to report. The video was reported to have been released after she received to succour to a blackmailer who requested for $50,000 as compensation. See   video here Attached Files:

A branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is organizing a program themed 'Sex Is Sweet' in Kaduna. How appropriate is the theme?

The Rivers and Bayelsa states police commands are in a fierce argument over who is to take responsibility for a team of policemen who stole 4 bags of garri from a wholesale truck. According to reports, the policemen, who are members of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, snatched the goods from two traders in Mbiama Market on Tuesday, and fled with them in a white Hilux van. Mbiama is in the Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State; a border town between the state and Bayelsa State. Mashak Uyi, a witness, said: “I was completely bewildered to see men of the FSARS cart away four bags of  garri from two traders at the popular Mbiama Market at about 12.21pm today (Tuesday). “Three of them jumped down from the white Hilux van in a commando style, charging at the two traders in the guise of clearing the road. Rather than clear the road, it was the traders’ four bags of  garri  that they hurriedly “cleared” to their van. “Not knowing what their intention was, the traders ran to th...

England striker Harry Kane has been ruled out of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League clash at Manchester United on Saturday. Kane, who is the Premier League’s top scorer with eight goals this season, will miss the game with a minor hamstring strain he sustained against Liverpool last weekend, when he was taken off with two minutes left. He scored twice in that 4-1 win which took Spurs level on points with second-placed Manchester United.

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday said Nigeria was almost achieving self sufficiency in rice production in 1979 before he quit as the military Head of state, saying, the regime of the Second Republic president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, which succeeded him scuttled the strides. READ MORE HERE Attached Files:

The father of Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, Elder Olutayo Soyode, has stated that he hardly goes to Aso Rock for a visit in spite of his daughter’s position and the exalted office of her husband. In an interview with Punch, he said: "I don’t go there often. Going there is like going to jail, as far as I’m concerned. It’s like locking me up. The way you see me, do I look like someone that can be kept in one place? Before I could go out, I would have to sign papers and there would be plenty phone calls; I would just run mad because I wasn’t used to such. "I’m a free man. I cherish my freedom and I’m not used to having security aides around me. I love to be free. That place is a very good place but I’m not the type to live there, so I don’t go there often. "Anytime I go, I give them time, like telling them I was coming for two days. I don’t even live with them. Let us say we are in Abuja now, you possibly can’t visit me for this interview. They won’t allow you to come in, and if y...

A Nigerian man based in South Africa says he does not regret buying a luxury Mercedes-Benz G-class to a South African man as a token to apologise for impregnating his wife. “I know what I did is wrong but I feel better he has accepted my gift. He accepted that his wife, my girlfriend, is pregnant and will soon give birth to my son. He was angry at first but when I presented the car to him his anger vanished,” said the man who identified herself as John. One source close to the family of the woman who fell pregnant says she knew about the affair but never thought it would lead to a pregnancy. She says she is disappointed the husband accepted the Mercedes-Benz from the Nigerian national. “Nigerian men will never take our men seriously. What kind of a man accepts a gift from a man who impregnated his wife? He will impregnate her again and buy the stupid husband another car. I am so disappointed,” she said. When approached for a comment the husband said “it is wrong to say I am stupid. Th...

Nigeria's former senate president David Mark has narrated the conditions surrounding the sack of ex-pension reform boss Abdulrasheed Maina during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.  According to him, the senate had to threaten and bully the executive to sack Maina. This was contained in a book, “Against the Run of Play,” written by the Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspaper, Olusegun Adeniyi. According to Mark the Senate took the step because Maina "is a very loud fellow who talks too much. “He was all over the place, boasting about his connection to the Presidential Villa and kept on bluffing the Senate. “To compound the issue, he was indeed seen driving in and out of Aso Rock in a convoy of vehicles with police escort. It was at a point when I couldn’t take the nonsense any longer that that I decided on the letter to the President.” He was quoted as saying on February 13, 2013 the senate gave Jonathan a two-day ultimatum to sack Maina from the civil service...