Author: damazah@gmail.com

At least 15 people may be missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon national park in Arizona on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Park Service.The flash-flood event occurred in the area of Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch, where park staff and the Arizona department of public safety have evacuated more than 60 people as of Sunday morning.No injuries have been reported as of Sunday, according to a statement from the National Park Service.“Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from…

In July and August, Washington tightened restrictions on foreign-made advanced robotic systems and imposed steep tariffs on imported drones and their components, both moves citing national-security concerns. The drone tariffs take effect in September, with additional component tariffs following in 2027. These moves are part of a broader U.S. effort to restrict foreign technology in strategically important industries. The FCC’s Covered List, established in 2021, initially targeted telecommunications and surveillance equipment from companies including Huawei, ZTE and Hikvision before expanding to foreign-made drones and, most recently, to advanced robotic devices. The latest move comes as Chinese manufacturers have built commanding…

Niger’s military government has contained an attempted mutiny in the capital, but the uprising has exposed tensions inside an army struggling to contain persistent attacks by armed groups.It has also highlighted the changing nature of Niger’s security partnerships, with Russian personnel helping government forces contain the unrest.The mutiny began on Saturday at Base 101, a military installation at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, before fighting spread to other sensitive sites, including areas near the presidential palace and the state broadcaster.Niger’s army said it regained control of the base after hours of fighting. State media reported that dozens of soldiers…

Aug 30, 2026, 06:00 PM ETBoth Liverpool and Newcastle United are eyeing Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, meanwhile Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr is pushing for a move to Liverpool. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.Transfers home page | Men’s summer grades | Women’s gradesTrending rumorsMatias Fernandez-Pardo is a target for Premier League sides Liverpool and Newcastle United. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images- Lille’s versatile forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo is a target for Premier League sides Liverpool and Newcastle United, Nicolò Schira reports. The 21-year-old scored eight goals and assisted another six for the French club last season…

Per longstanding annual tradition, The Hollywood Reporter granted anonymity to a member of the TV Academy — this year a male Emmy-winning member of the organization’s producers peer group — in return for candor about why he made the choices that he did on his Emmys ballot. We share “Brutally Honest Ballots” not because the views of any single member are representative of the views of all 27,000 members; obviously, they are not. Rather, we believe that they can offer interesting and valuable insight into the sorts of things that are on voters’ minds as they decide what and whom to…

Emma OKonji The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has stressed the need for collaboration between Nigeria and Canada, to further strengthen the trade relation that exist between both countries. The minister said this at a gathering in Lagos at the weekend, organised by the Headies and hosted by the Deputy High Commission of Canada in Lagos. Musawa who is billed to lead Nigerian delegation to the Trade and Investment Summit in Toronto, Canada, that will also showcase the 18th edition of the African Music Awards, said: “The decision to take the Headies to Canada under…

Heavy rain has hampered relief efforts in Nepal where thousands remain missing after flash floods hit its border with Tibet.

***As import bill exceeds N1trn ***Minister puts figure at N5.6trn ***Devt represents failed promises By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief Nigeria spent over N1 trillion on steel importation in 2025, according to available data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. This is despite the abundant raw materials for steel production in the multi-billion-dollar Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State, left idle for over four decades. The steel industry is widely regarded as the bedrock of industrialisation. Across the world, countries seeking sustainable economic growth have prioritised steel production because of its critical role in manufacturing, construction, transportation, infrastructure, defence and…

As backlash grows over Flock’s AI surveillance cameras, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has frozen state spending on them. The move came just ahead of the publication of a Texas Tribune investigation that revealed the state spent over $30 million on Flock cameras. That money was primarily raised by tacking a $1 fee onto insurance policies, allegedly to help fight catalytic converter theft.In recent months, cities around the country have been canceling their contracts with Flock, including many in Texas. Abbott’s Democratic opponent in the race for governor, Gina Hinojosa, has criticized him for expanding use of the cameras in the…

Since the return of democracy in 1999, political leaders have continued to weaken the civil service by eroding institutional discipline, promoting political patronage, truncating career progression and replacing merit with personal loyalty.  Promotions, appointments and recruitment are also frequently influenced by political connections rather than competence, qualifications or seniority. As a result, competent professionals have left mainly due to stagnation, lack of incentives, political interference, favouritism and nepotism. A recent example is the decision of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to reappoint Mrs. Titilayo Olayinka as Accountant General of the state barely 24 hours after she retired from the service…