Death toll rises to 276 in Somalia's worst bomb attack with about 300 injured in the capital

The most powerful bomb blast ever witnessed in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital killed 276 people with around 300 others injured, the country's information minister,  Information Minister Abdirahman O. Osman said early Monday morning, making it the deadliest single attack in this Horn of Africa nation. The toll was expected to rise.

The attack occurred when a truck carrying explosives detonated Saturday in a crowded street packed with cars and pedestrians, near government ministries and hotels.

OUR PRESIDENT MISSING IN ACTION

For two weeks, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s septuagenarian president, has been out of action, receiving medical treatment in London for an undisclosed illness. His absence has sent the rumour mill of Africa’s most populous nation spinning, with frequent erroneous reports that the president is dead. The tragedy for Nigeria is that policy making has been so ponderous during the 20 months since Mr Buhari took office that, dead or alive, it is not always easy to tell the difference.

Under Mr Buhari’s slow-blinking leadership, Africa’s largest economy has drifted into crisis. Brought low by the weak oil price, on which government revenues are woefully dependent, the system has been starved of dollars. That has driven businesses into the ground, people on to the margins and the economy into its worst recession in 25 years. What had been a growing middle class is being daily eviscerated. High inflation, especially for food, is damaging the poor in whose name Mr Buhari ran for office.

FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH AT THE 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

   

"Twelve years ago tonight, I addressed this convention for the very first time. You met my two little girls, Malia and Sasha – now two amazing young women who just fill me with pride. You fell for my brilliant wife and partner Michelle, who’s made me a better father and a better man; who’s gone on to inspire our nation as First Lady; and who somehow hasn’t aged a day.

I know the same can’t be said for me. My girls remind me all the time. Wow, you’ve changed so much, daddy.

And it’s true – I was so young that first time in Boston. Maybe a little nervous addressing such a big crowd. But I was filled with faith; faith in America – the generous, bighearted, hopeful country that made my story – indeed, all of our stories – possible.

A lot’s happened over the years. And while this nation has been tested by war and recession and all manner of challenge – I stand before you again tonight, after almost two terms as your President, to tell you I am even more optimistic about the future of America.

How could I not be – after all we’ve achieved together?

Nigerian Senate Buys 108 Toyota Landcruisers At twice The Original Price

The Senate has started taking delivery of 108 Toyota Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) it ordered for members at the cost of N3.8 billion, Daily Trust on Sunday has gathered.

Our correspondent learnt that the first set of the cars, numbering 36, was delivered last Tuesday and distributed to Senators last Wednesday. There are indications that the Senate purchased the vehicles at double the price of each in the showroom in Nigeria. The lawmakers bought each for N35.1 million, but checks by our reporter indicated that a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV V6 2016 model is sold at N17 million.

The delivery is coming in spite of the controversy surrounding the purchase of the vehicles. The cars, it was further gathered, were distributed the same day some senators told the Senate President Bukola Saraki that standing committees could no longer perform their statutory functions as a result of the paucity of funds.

JONATHAN REINSTATES KESHI

Stephen Keshi is set to return as the coach of Nigeria barely two weeks after he was relieved of his position by the Nigeria Football Federation. The PUNCH learnt on authority that Keshi is returning on the orders of President Goodluck Jonathan.

A person with detailed information of happenings at the NFF Secretariat told our correspondent on Thursday that it was only a matter of time before the official announcement would be made by the Federation.

He said, “It is not a question of if he is truly coming back to the Eagles but a matter of when he is resuming and how much he is going to earn.

“This is not an FA decision; this was passed down directly to them from far above and the message was not passed through a third party in the name of special adviser but a direct mouth to ear briefing.”

View inside America's most expensive house valued for $139million

Who wan buy? America's most expensive home is up for sale and it could be all yours for just $139m

The massive estate named 'Le Palais Royal' - The Royal Palace, is situated in the seafront of Millionaires Mile, Hillsboro Beach, Florida. It boasts of a 22-carat gold leaf gate, a $2million marble staircase and the first-ever IMAX Theatre to be contracted for private use.

The estate, which spans over 60,000 square feet, comes complete with 11 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, 4,500-square-foot pool, a 12-foot cascading waterfall, double loop LED-lit waterslide, fire pit, swim-up bar for outdoor entertaining, a 492-foot private dock that can accommodate up to a 185-foot mega yacht and an underground garage with parking for over 30 cars.

It is the most expensive home publicly listed for sale in the US. See inside the house after the cut...

Federal Government set to ban ‘ponmo’

POMO

Federal Government may have concluded plans to ban sale and widespread consumption of hides and skins(Ponmo)which is a delicacy to most Nigerians.

This indication emerged Tuesday  when the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina called for competent regulations that would check the consumption and sale of the product.

He said this at the 3rd joint anniversary of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and Nigeria Institute of Animal Science held at the University of Ibadan.