China explosion: Live updates as massive blast rocks Tianjin

At least 44 people have been killed after two huge explosions tore through an industrial area in China.The blast happened where toxic chemicals and gas were stored in the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin.
At least 500 people have been injured. Read below for live updates.

10:22 am

China shuts down super computer used in space building programme

China has been forced to shut down one of its fastest supercomputers after the devastating blaze.
The Tianhe-1 supercomputer, which used to be the fastest computer in the world, is located close to the blast site.
The computer, which is used as part of the country's space programme is located in the National Supercomputing Centre.
The blast forced the ceiling to collapse at the centre leading to concerns for the computer, the South China Morning Post reported.
It is not thought to have been damaged but was shut down as a precaution.

10:08 am

Picture shows dozens of people queuing to donate blood

This picture shows dozens of people queuing to donate blood following the tragic explosions.
Hundreds have been injured following the blast with over sixty people described as being in a serious condition.
People were queuing to donate blood outside the city’s railway station.

 

Destroyed vehicles at a factory near the explosive site

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool latest PLUS Premier League gossip and done deals

 

Manchester United are to become the latest team to swoop for John Stones, according to ESPN.

They say that club sources claim that the Red Devils will turn their attention to Stones as they look to secure a top quality centre-back for the coming season.

• Chelsea were thought to be firm favourites to sign the Everton defender, but Old Trafford bosses are hopeful an offer of Johnny Evans plus cash will get the deal done.

‘Women must be active in Lagos APGA’

MRS. Anthonia Umeh is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) woman leader in Lagos State. Recently, she spoke to Daily Sun on how the party is repositioning towards becoming the party to beat in the Lagos. She noted that women in Lagos APGA are set to partake in the new vision of making APGA a national party.

US beauty queen arrested, accused of faking Cancer

A former Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International pageant winner is facing felony charges, accused of lying about having cancer. Police arrested 23-year-old Brandi Lee Weaver-Gates on Tuesday August 11th and charged her with theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Onyeka Onwenu sings for terrorism victims

Gallant stallion, Onyeka Onwenu is reaching out to victims of terrorist attacks in the country in her new single entitled Not Alone.
Described as a moving piece of art­work which will reassure the suffering hordes of North Eastern Nigeria that they are not alone but have the rest of the country with them in their plight, work has already kicked-off for the video.
According to a statement from her management, the video will be as important as her work, Squandering of Riches, the BBC documentary she masterminded in the 1980s on Nigeria’s endemic corruption in the oil sector and across the nation which continues till today. Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States are the hardest hit states in Nigeria due to the activities of Boko Haram which has claimed thousands of lives since 2010.

NPF Lagos state press releases: Helicopter crashes into Lagos Lagoon

                         Below is a press statement from the Lagos State Police Command. Read below...

Following a distress call received from Local Divers at about 3:10 pm today, 12th August, 2015, that a Helicopter plunged into the Lagos Lagoon at Oworonshoki, a team of Policemen and other emergency management agencies swiftly moved to the scene. During the rescue operation, six persons on board the helicopter were rescued alive and taken to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment, while four corpses were recovered.
Initial enquiry revealed that the helicopter belongs to Bristow Helicopters and that twelve(12) persons were said to be on board the ill-fated helicopter.

Gov Fayose pictured buying soup ingredients in the market

Governor Fayose on his way from Akure had a stop over at Elegberun Market in Ikere Ekiti to have a look at the construction work going on in the market. He then took time to buy some soup ingredients from the market women who were more than delighted to sell to him. More photos after the cut...

Basketball playoffs: We’ll spill blood to qualify -Warriors

 

The Dodan Warriors threw away a bright chance of confirming their place in the semis of the on-going Final 8 playoffs when they lost to a determined Union Bank side 63- 57 points.
The victory brought back Union Back in the fight for who qualifies to the semis having lost to reigning league champions, Kano Pillars by 51 – 67 points.
A proud Rotimi Savage praised his wards for doing a good job and the fighting spirit with which they approached the game. “Even when we were down, we didn’t give up and the Dodan Warriors players unfortunately were making mistakes we capitalized on. I am glad we’re back in contention,” he said.
However, Dodan Warriors coach, Chris Nomigo had declared that his boys will have no choice than to rebuild their confidence and take the fight to Kano Pillars in the team’s last group game today. “Unfortunately, we lost the game that was already ours to win. We take the blame for the fault but look forward to a better performance against Kano Pillars. If we need to spill our blood to get to the next stage, we’ll do so.”

Photos: Co-pilot of ill fated helicopter crash, Peter Bello still missing

The 26 year old co-pilot of the ill fated helicopter that crashed into the Lagoon yesterday, Peter Bello, (pictured above) has still not been found. 4 persons were confirmed dead while 6 were rescued alive. However Peter and one other person in the 12- seat helicopter are yet to be accounted for as they have not been found by divers.

Nigerian gets 22 years in U.S. prison for helping al Qaeda affiliate

A 35 year old Nigerian man, Lawal Babafemi was sentenced to 22 years in prison by a US court in Brooklyn yesterday August 12th for receiving weapons training from al Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate and writing rap lyrics, among other contributions, for the group's English-language media operations.

Lawal ,who was extradited to the US from Nigeria after he was accused of the crime, pleaded guilty to the allegations in April 2014 but was sentenced yesterday.

WAEC to release results of 14 debtor-states

 

WEST African Examina­tion Council (WAEC) has reversed its decision to withhold the results of the 19 indebted states, prom­ising to release the results today.
The Head of Nigeria National Office, Charles Eguridu announced this after a meeting with Ni­geria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the N4 billion debt from owed by 19 states, in Abuja, yester­day.
According to him, the council, which had earlier asked the affected states to produce guaranteed bank drafts before it could release the results, made the decision due to the prevailing economic chal­lenges facing the nation.

Resolving Nigeria’s energy challenge through Bayelsa power hub initiative

                                 

ALTHOUGH Nigeria’s Niger Delta region was once notorious as a hot bed for kidnapping, militancy and youth restiveness, new things are beginning to emerge in the ho­rizon, as governments of the vari­ous states in the zone are making strident efforts to contribute more to national development based on their competitive advantages.
For Bayelsa State, there appears to be a deliberate strategy by the government to erase resentment and all negative tags on the oil rich state and home to Nigeria’s im­mediate past President Goodluck Jonathan using its natural endow­ments and economic potentials as a selling point.
What perhaps seems to still wor­ry discerning observers of Africa’s largest economy was why succes­sive governments had continued to play politics with the state’s devel­opment aspirations until Governor Seriake Henry Dickson last year picked up the gauntlet to kickstart its industrialisation master plan with the 1st Bayelsa State Eco­nomic and Investment Forum.

Developing the solid minerals sector

 

President Muhammadu Buhari recently charged senior officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel to reverse the current underutilisation of the nation’s solid mineral resources. The ministry officials, who were in Aso Rock as part of the on-going briefing of the President by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, were told to change the situation in which the exploitation of solid minerals was mostly in the hands of illegal operators.

NigerianArmyBanner Boko Haram insurgents arrested in Lagos, Ogun –Outgoing GOC

                            

The Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed the arrest of several Boko Haram insurgents in Lagos and Ogun states.

The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81Division, Major General Tamunomiebi Dibi, said suspected terrorists were rounded up during several raids conducted in both states.

General Dibi disclosed this soon after he handed over the command to Major General Isidore Henry Edet as the new GOC at the Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos headquarters.

Jordan 2016: FIFA releases match schedule

                         

FIFA yesterday released the official match schedule for the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Jordan.

According to the schedule announced by the world football governing body and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the tournament, the host country Jordan, will open the competition on September 30, 2016 at the Amman International Stadium.

Obasanjo: I remain a ‘partyless’ Nigerian… for now

                    

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he would never be a partisan politician.

Obasanjo made the comment yesterday when he received Kogi State governor, Capt. Idris Wada, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governor, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

OBJ, as fondly called, however said he would continue to contribute his quota to nation-building.