Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, on Thursday announced a 2015 budget with a huge $38.6 billion deficit due to the sharp decline in oil prices but still raised spending.

Pope Francis condemned this year’s “brutal” religious persecution in the Middle East while urging peace in Nigeria, Ukraine and other world troublespots in his annual Christmas “urbi et orbi” message.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said a suicide bomber who rammed into a military check point in Bajoga, Gombe State on Tuesday failed to achieve his mission

Mr Salisu Galadanchi, Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Badagry Unit, said that the command would enforce traffic rules during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

One of the biggest misconceptions of the world, in my opinion, is the view held by some that members of the clergy should not participate in politics or government.

A Chinese city has banned schools from holding Christmas events, state media reported on Thursday, highlighting official suspicions about the increasingly popular festival because of its foreign origins.

Policemen yesterday, disrupted, the protest organized by #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, movement as they distributed fliers to motorists to remind them of the plight of the 219 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.

AGGRIEVED aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Deji Doherty, Ambassador Tokunbo Kamson and Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi, yesterday in Lagos, at a meeting, resolved to close ranks and work with winner of the primaries, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, in the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

The pope too urged peace in Nigeria “where more blood is being shed”, as well as in Libya, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Barely 13 days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo launched an autobiography, My watch , which castigated President Goodluck Jonathan, the Chairman, Organisation and mobilisation committee of the People’s Democratic Party in South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu has presented a book to counter the former President

TODAY is Christmas. It may just happen on millions of Nigerians who have survived one of the worst years of their lives. From security challenges to the pangs of the retracting economy, there are hardly resour-ces to make Christmas merry. While Christmas used to be awaited with anticipations of the joys of the season, 2014 has been a year of unequalled challenges in the race for survival. Survivors still bear the marks of a year of excruciating moments of doubts about governments or their purpose.

National President of Christian Association of Niger, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has urged Christians and all Nigerians to reflect on the happenings of the year, especially those moments that threatened the foundation and existence of the nation and work towards inspiring a positive change.

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has denied stories making the rounds that he had been appointed as President Goodluck Jonathan North-West Campaign Coordinator for 2015 general election.

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that Nigerians must reject the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at all levels in next year’s general elections, noting also that as long as the PDP remains in power, Nigerians will remain in darkness.

The Southeast zone of the All Progressives Congress, APC has lauded the people of the Southeast for coming first among other geopolitical zones in their contributions to the Muhammadu Buhari campaign fund.