Author: News Room

Anambra State Government has announced a plea bargain initiative for suspects standing criminal trial in the state, excluding those charged with murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Awka. Mr Nweke said the initiative was part of the state government’s efforts to decongest correctional centres and courts, while advancing ongoing reforms in the criminal justice sector in line with the vision of Governor Charles Soludo. He said the plea bargain arrangement would apply to all offences created under the laws of Anambra State,…

Healthcare facilities in Borno State are under increasing pressure following a rise in suspected cholera cases, with more than 35,500 people infected and 198 deaths recorded since May. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, cited data from the Borno State Ministry of Health showing that the outbreak has spread rapidly since the first suspected cases were reported on 1 May. The organisation attributed the surge to overcrowded informal settlements, limited access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and inadequate waste management. MSF said the growing number of…

The National Emergency Management Agency has intensified its collaboration with the Kogi State Government to strengthen flood preparedness and emergency response as forecasts indicate an increased risk of flooding during the ongoing rainy season. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NEMA Abuja Operations Office Press Unit on Wednesday following a courtesy visit by the Head of the Abuja Operations Office, Zakari Abubakar, to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Salifu Oyibo, at the Government House, Lokoja. According to the statement, the meeting focused on strategies to strengthen disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination and flood risk reduction across…

Code found in an iOS 27 beta would allow Apple to put a financed iPhone in “Restricted Mode” if it detects any missed payments, 9to5Mac reports. The finding follows a story from Bloomberg earlier this week claiming Apple is preparing to launch a new “Apple Upgrade” financing program for leasing new devices.iPhones in “Restricted Mode” would reportedly lose access to nearly all apps, except for basics like the Phone app, Settings, and the App Store. It uses a new “App Managed Features” system that allows financing or partner apps to continually check if a financed device is in good standing.According…

Bitcoin (BTC) held higher on Wednesday as crypto and risk assets continued to brush off US-Iran war tensions.Key points:Bitcoin limits its comedown from five-week highs despite fresh escalation in the US-Iran war.US stocks also ignore the potential risks, as analysis warns that shorts could pay as a result.A Bitcoin trader sees BTC/USD outperforming the S&P 500 going forward.Bitcoin, stocks digest Trump pledge to “destroy” Iran power plantsData from TradingView showed BTC/USD down 1% on the day, having earlier hit five-week highs near $67,000.BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewCrypto and US stocks continued Tuesday’s direction, which saw them ignore escalation in the…

William Shatner and his daughter Melanie Shatner are shedding light on their battles with stage IV cancer — which they fought at the same time. Melanie, 61, was undergoing chemotherapy for stage IV breast cancer in June 2023 when William, 95, was diagnosed with stage IV malignant melanoma, which spread to his lungs and brain. “I remember vividly thinking, ‘I don’t have the strength to take care of myself and lose my father at the same time,’” Melanie told People in an interview published on Wednesday, July 22. William, meanwhile, remained positive while going through his own treatment. “They said,…

The Cross River State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state. The bill also seeks to bar the solemnisation and recognition of same-sex marriages, including those contracted outside the state, regardless of culture, tradition or existing law. Sponsor of the bill, Hilary Bisong, member representing Boki II State Constituency, said during the plenary that the proposal was rooted in biblical teachings on marriage. Mr Bisong cited Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, describing marriage as a union between a man and a woman. He also referenced the…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled its 2025 Bye-Laws, marking the first comprehensive review of the authority’s regulatory framework in 21 years. The new bye-laws were officially launched by the Chairman of the FAAN Board, Umar Ganduje, who commended the management for successfully reviewing the legal framework to reflect current realities in the aviation industry. He described the revised bye-laws as a significant milestone that will strengthen airport governance and enhance operational efficiency across the authority. Speaking at the unveiling, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said the previous bye-laws, last reviewed in 2005, had…

The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority have begun discussions on strengthening cooperation to improve support for victims of aircraft accidents and their families as Nigeria moves to align its emergency response framework with international aviation standards. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Arowojobe, on Wednesday. According to the statement, the discussions took place in Abuja during a meeting between the National Family Assistance Committee, coordinated by the NSIB, and officials of the NCAA, with both agencies focusing on improving institutional coordination, capacity building…

Samsung’s newest foldables are here. At Galaxy Unpacked, the company announced the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. All three devices will be available on August 7th, but you can preorder them now starting at $1,199.99, $1,899.99, and $2,099.99, respectively.You probably noticed that Samsung’s foldable lineup looks a little different this year. Rather than simply updating the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung now has two book-style foldables: the productivity-focused Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the shorter, wider (when folded) Galaxy Z Fold 8 that’s geared more toward entertainment. The Galaxy Z…