Author: News Room

Iranian authorities held mass public weddings in Tehran for couples who signed up to a state-sponsored scheme declaring their readiness to sacrifice their lives in the war against the US and Israel. The ceremonies conducted late on Monday involved hundreds of couples in several major squares in the capital, including more than 100 in the vast Imam Hossein square in central Tehran, according to reports in Iranian media. They were broadcast on state TV in a bid to boost wartime morale, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening new military action against Iran amid a shaky ceasefire which halted the…

A shawarma vendor identified simply as Andy has been shot dead by suspected cultists in the Sangotedo area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Saturday evening. It was gathered that Andy was attending to customers at his shawarma stand when some masked men stormed the spot and opened fire on him at close range. The attackers were said to have fled immediately after the shooting, leaving the victim in a pool of blood. A police source familiar with the incident told PUNCH Metro on Monday that the assailants allegedly disguised themselves as customers…

Lawrence Onoja Jnr, son of former Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of General Staff, the late Major General Lawrence Onoja (retd), and another aspirant, Andrew Abu, on Tuesday challenged the outcome of the House of Representatives primary election in Otukpo/Ohinmini Federal Constituency of the All Progressives Congress, won by Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark. Major General Lawrence Onoja (retd) served as Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of General Staff, the late General Oladipo Diya, during the General Sani Abacha military administration. The two aspirants in the just-concluded APC House of Representatives primary election submitted…

New Nigeria goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is anticipating his Super Eagles debut, hinting at a potential invitation ahead of the Unity Cup later this month and next month’s international friendlies against Portugal and Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Born in Camden to Nigerian parents, Okonkwo became eligible to represent Nigeria after his international switch from England was approved by FIFA last month. Okonkwo had represented England at various youth levels, including the U-18 team, during his time at Arsenal. According to reports, the Wrexham goalkeeper’s decision to switch allegiance followed a meeting in London with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle…

Google’s annual developer conference has arrived. We’re expecting plenty of updates to Gemini, Search, and every other product that Google has stuffed AI inside of. The keynote kicks off later today — here’s what to expect.When Google I/O will happen and where you can watch itGoogle I/O starts at 10AM PT / 1PM ET today, May 19th, with a keynote presentation, which will be livestreamed on Google’s YouTube channel and on the Google I/O site. Unlike last week’s Android Show, the I/O keynote is usually pretty long, around two hours, so plan accordingly if you’re hoping to watch the whole…

Blockchain data platform Bubblemaps said it identified a cluster of Polymarket wallets that collectively earned $2.4 million with a 98% win rate on contracts tied to US military operations.Nine wallets placed all their major bets just before major military developments, including the Feb. 28 attack on Iran, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, Bubblemaps wrote in a Monday X post.The accounts were all funded through centralized cryptocurrency exchanges in a tight timeframe and made some minor losing bets on Feb. 20, which likely served to “avoid attention,” according to Bubblemaps. Four of…

Yolanda Hadid made a rare red carpet appearance with her daughter, Bella Hadid, at the Cannes Film Festival. The RHOBH alum, 62, turned heads in a bright red cinched-waist dress, paired with matching silver earrings and a necklace, while her daughter Bella, 29, wore in a gold Elie Saab gown on Monday, May 18, in Cannes, France. Their visit to the Chopard Miracle Gala Evening on Monday was the first time Yolanda and Bella walked the red carpet together since October 2022, when they attended the God’s Love We Deliver 16th Annual Golden Heart Awards in New York City. Meanwhile,…

The senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Adetokunbo Abiru, has emerged as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 senatorial election. Mr Abiru, a banker and former Lagos State commissioner for finance, secured affirmation votes across all wards in Ikorodu, Somolu, Kosofe, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe local government areas during the party’s primaries held on Monday. With the victory, the senator will contest for a third term in the Senate in 2027. He was first elected into the Senate in 2020 following a bye-election and later won re-election in 2023. Mr Abiru currently chairs the Senate…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the latest outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The declaration follows a surge in suspected cases and deaths spreading across provincial and national borders, raising concerns among global health authorities. WHO expressed particular concern over the Bundibugyo strain because there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for the variant. The agency warned that the outbreak poses a high regional risk, with infections already detected in Uganda and a linked case…

Super Falcons defender and ex- FC Robo Queens star Shukurat Oladipo has been named Best Defender in Italy’s Serie A Women after a standout 2025–26 season with AS Roma. Named in the Serie A Women Team of the Year alongside club teammates Manuela Giugliano, Giada Greggi and Giulia Dragoni, the Falcons defensive wall enjoyed a breakout campaign in Italy, following the club’s dominant title-winning season. The former FC Robo Queens star established herself as a key figure in Roma’s defensive line, featuring in 18 Serie A matches with 15 starts as the team recorded 11 clean sheets during her involvement,…