Author: News Room

The United States has proposed a massive $300 billion reconstruction and economic development package for Iran as part of a sweeping peace framework designed to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pave the way for a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme. The commitment was contained in the officially released text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, making it one of the largest economic components of any US-Iran agreement to date, according to Reuters. Under the 14-point memorandum, which was first published by CNN, the United…

First HoldCo Plc (“FirstHoldCo” or “the Group”) hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), its shareholders, and the investing public that it has successfully completed the ₦45 billion second tranche of its ongoing ₦350 billion Private Placement programme, having secured all requisite approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The proceeds will be injected into First Bank of Nigeria Limited (“FirstBank”), the Group’s flagship subsidiary, as part of its capital restoration plan and broader balance sheet strengthening programme. This capital action further enhances FirstBank’s financial resilience, expands balance sheet capacity, and reinforces…

Nigeria’s leading shot put athlete, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, continued his impressive 2026 campaign with a strong second-place finish at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike meeting, delivering a season’s best throw to underline his status as one of the most consistent performers on the international circuit. Competing against a world-class field in the Czech Republic, Enekwechi produced a best mark of 21.43 metres in the third round to secure the silver medal and extend a run of results that has seen him regularly challenge for podium places this season. The event was won by Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri, whose throw of 21.91 metres…

Petrol imports rose sharply by 59.5 per cent in May after months of decline, as oil marketers increased purchases from foreign suppliers despite rising output from domestic refineries, according to data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The latest Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Statistics released by the NMDPRA, on Thursday, showed that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit increased from 3.7 million litres per day in April to 5.9 million litres per day in May. The increase came as crude oil supply to domestic refineries declined during the period, raising concerns over the sustainability of…

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled a suspected cult initiation in Isara-Remo, arresting 30 suspects during a raid on an uncompleted building where the gathering was taking place. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday. According to him, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division following credible intelligence. Babaseyi said the suspects allegedly converged at the location for an unlawful assembly involving cult-related activities, consumption of alcohol and initiation rites. He said,…

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to immediately discontinue the deduction of one per cent stamp duty from payments made to contractors, vendors, suppliers and service providers, citing the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. The directive was contained in a Federal Treasury Circular dated June 15, 2026, and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi. According to the circular, the new tax law makes it clear that stamp duty is imposed on chargeable instruments rather than on payment transactions, rendering the long-standing practice of deducting one per cent from government payments inconsistent…

Nigerian record holder in the women’s high jump, Temitope Adeshina, is still not certain about competing at the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, despite enjoying a successful season in the NCAA, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Adeshina ended the 2026 NCAA season unbeaten, winning all available indoor and outdoor titles. The 27-year-old capped a remarkable run in the U.S. collegiate system by winning the outdoor title last Saturday at the third attempt. The title had eluded her in two previous outings, but she left nothing to chance in Eugene, Oregon, clearing 1.97m to secure her first NCAA Outdoor title.…

A 56-year-old Florida resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business in connection with a $1.8 billion fraudulent crypto platform.According to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Rodney “Bitcoin Rodney” Burton conspired to provide unlicensed money transmitting services to promote HyperFund, a global wire-fraud scheme.Kelly O. Hayes, US Attorney for the District of Maryland and agents from the Washington Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit and Homeland Security Investigations, New York, announced Burton’s guilty plea on Wednesday.HyperFund is one of the largest crypto fraud schemes, which…

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée, Jade Jones, broke her silence after late friend Makenzi Kern died during her bachelorette party trip earlier this month.  “Kenzi was the funniest, goofiest person I’ve ever met,” Jones, 28, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, June 17. “She was always making me belly laugh. She had such a gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in. Some of my favorite memories with Kenzi are the simple ones — spending a summer living in her city, leaving our mark on the capital district, running around our cars at stop lights, cheering on the…

The Kebbi State Police Command says it has arrested at least 11 persons suspected of involvement in activities linked to Lakurawa terrorists, bandits and alleged Boko Haram-affiliated groups during security operations conducted across the state within the last month. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Hadejia, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, where he highlighted recent operational successes recorded by the command. Mr Hadejia said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, vigilante groups and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). Among those…