#HEADLINES

= In an effort to end the ongoing ASUU strike, the Federal Government has said it is committed to spending N200 billion in the 2014 budget on universities in Nigeria for about three to four years until the universities are brought to world-class standard. This is in addition to the N100 billion dedicated and already made available for 2013.

= The Nigerian Labour Congress has petitioned the Federal Government over the planned November 1, 2013 handing over of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to the new investors.

= The opposition members of the House of Representatives and their counterpart from the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party have disagreed over the financial crisis rocking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

= About 10 people were feared dead while scores were reportedly injured last night following a stampede near the Ilofa residence of a former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. BUKOLA SARAKI.

= A former high-ranking UN investigator says the International Criminal Court (ICC) must look into – and prosecute – all human rights violations committed during Ivory Coast’s civil war – or lose its credibility.

= The US Congress has passed a bill to reopen the government and raise the federal debt limit, with hours to spare before the nation risked default.

= Pakistan TEHREEK-e-INSAF PARTY (PTI) leader IMRAN KHAN has condemned the killing on Wednesday of a provincial law minister and at least seven others in the north-west of the country.  = Nigeria moved three places from 36th to 33rd position in the latest edition of the monthly FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday.

= SHINJI KAGAWA has admitted his lack of regular first-team action at Manchester United is affecting his form for Japan.

= Nigerian artiste DAVIDO has released an official statement addressing the unofficial leak of the video for his hit single “Skelewu”. According to the statement, the video leaked on October 15th by some unauthorized group and was discarded due to its unacceptable quality.