Vice president Sam Sumana at the scene of the incident

Over 15 people have been confirmed dead and 14 more in critical condition after series of gas explosions rocked the central business district of Freetown in the afternoon hours today Thursday December 20 2007.Reports say butane tanks stored at a merchandise shop owned by a Lebanese merchant in Free Street exploded sending fragments and debris in the area.

Breaking news reaching Standard Times from the Presidential Lodge  Hill Station in Freetown, Sierra Leone states that President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has ordered SLPP stalwarts including Sulaiman Banja-Tejan to immediately halt the process to get an injunction to stop NEC Chairperson Dr Christiana Thorpe from reading the final Presidential run-off results

APC Presidential Candidate Ernest Koroma with some of his party stalwarts

Reports reaching Standard Times from the Southern Provincial town of Bo indicated that the former National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) Resident Secretary of State, Eastern province ex-Lt. Col. Tom Nyuma and two others have been arrested in connection with an alleged assassination attempt on the life of the All Peoples Congress Presidential candidate Ernest Koroma.

The pending elections in Sierra Leone have not only been the most serious cause for concern amongst the populace but also the most talked about its realities and the future outcomes.One such group that has distinguished itself in discussing, monitoring and praying for a good outcome of the polls on August 11 is the clergy in the country led by various Christian denominational sects.

Pres Kabbah...alive and kicking

Rumours being spread around in the diaspora and also in the capital of Sierra Leone,Freetown that President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is dead are not  true according to the Commissioner of National Commission for Social Action(NaCSa) Mr Kanja Ibrahim Sesay.Speaking to Standard Times Press on the phone Mr Sesay said he visited the President  the afternoon of Saturday 14 April at State House Lodge ,Hill Station and that "Pa Kabbah" as he refferred to him is safe and sound."Why people are spreading this malicious rumour beats my imagination"He said the President has just recently returned from a West Africa tour and he is an excellent shape." He is still going strong and their is no cause for alarm"