FRESH 4RM GIM

The United States and China clashed over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea on Saturday, as China’s foreign minister asserted its sovereignty to reclaim reefs saying its determination to protect its interests is “as hard as a rock”. Reuters report: After a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi showed no sign of backing down despite Kerry urging China to take action to reduce tension in the South China Sea. “With regard to construction on the Nansha islands and reefs, this is fully within the scope of China’s sovereignty,” Wang told reporters, using the Chinese name for the Spratly islands.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is poised to leave Old Trafford this summer after agreeing personal terms with Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain. Marca are reporting that the 24-year-old star has reached an agreement with the La Liga giants for a deal worth around £4million a year after tax and believed to be between five and six years in length. The Madrid-based newspaper also suggests that the only thing missing in the deal is for United and Madrid to agree a fee for the player. It could reach upwards of £30m.

Flying Eagles star, Kelechi Iheanacho, has been granted a work permit by the Home Office and will now represent Manchester City in official games as from next season, sl10.ng reports. “Kelechi Iheanacho has been issued a work permit. The Home Office gave him because he is a special talent,” his representatives told sl10.ng. “Like I previously told you, Manchester City will not send him on loan. Plan A, B and C is for him to remain with the club next season.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s loan to the club’s parent company Fordstam has surpassed £1 billion, accounts show. The loan to Fordstam from the Russian oligarch, who purchased the Blues in July 2003, has reached £1.041bn, up from £984m the previous year. Accounts for Fordstam, the company through which Abramovich owns Chelsea, for the year ending June 30, 2014 show the interest-free loan is repayable on 18 months’ notice, but also suggest the Russian billionaire is fully committed to the club.

An explosion at Bayan Tasha in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital has left seven people dead while 30 others were seriously injured. Governor Ibrahim Geidam who visited the scene of the incident this afternoon said government will take responsibility of the bills and care for the patients. An eyewitness told DAILY POST on phone that earlier, two female teens who were suspected to be behind the incident had been seen around the area before the explosion occurred.

Troops have been removing barricades from streets in the capital Bujumbura Eighteen people have appeared in court in Burundi accused of helping to organise a failed coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza, lawyers and relatives said. They are reported to include an army general and two police commissioners. Gen Godefroid Niyombare, who launched the coup bid on Wednesday, is said to be still on the run.

A young girl detonated explosives hidden under her clothes as she approached the gates of Damaturu bus station in northeast Nigeria   The aftermath of the bomb blast in Damaturu. Photograph: Twitter A young girl on Saturday carried out a suicide attack at a bus station in Damaturu in northeastern Nigeria, killing seven people and injuring 31, witnesses and the local hospital said. “A girl aged about 12 detonated an explosive under her clothes as she approached the station’s perimeter fence,” said witness Danbaba Nguru.