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Angus Taylor denies involvement in Icac caseTom McIlroyThe opposition leader, Angus Taylor, says no payments were made in relation to a growing corruption case involving members of the NSW Liberal party, insisting he is not a party to the proceedings.During a press conference in Queensland this morning, Taylor was asked about being named as a potential donor to a conservative Liberal group known as the Reformers, now being investigated by the New South Wales corruption watchdog.During a hearing as part of Operation Rosny on Tuesday, a screenshot of a text message from the Catholic Schools NSW chief executive, Dallas McInerney,…

FCMB Group Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, reporting a 99 per cent year-on-year increase in profit before tax to N157.3 billion from N79.1 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, extending the strong earnings momentum recorded in the 2025 financial year. Highlights of the six-month results released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed year-on-year profit before tax growth across all four divisions of the Group: Consumer Finance (92%), Banking Group (80%), Investment Banking (76%), and Investment Management (50%). Gross earnings grew by 27.8% to N676.2 billion for the first half of 2026, from N529.2 billion in…

The US government is targeting China with a new import ban on “advanced robotic devices” and power inverters made in foreign countries, as reported earlier by Reuters. In an announcement on Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission says the ban will include “mobile” robots, such as humanoid and quadruped models — but it is not limited to robots that walk around.China is also home to the world’s leading power inverter producers — Sungrow and the already-blacklisted Huawei — which are often used in solar panel arrays and other renewable energy systems. In its announcement, the FCC cites “unacceptable risks to the…

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has criticised the 2027 presidential ambition of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi, describing his promise to transform Nigeria within a single four-year term as unrealistic and driven by desperation. Oshiomhole made the remarks during an appearance on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, following Obi’s recent interview in which he reaffirmed his commitment to serve only one term if elected president in 2027. Questioning Obi’s credibility, the former Edo State governor argued that the former Anambra governor had not remained consistent in his political convictions, citing his exit from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after leaving…

The Oyo State Government has taken delivery of two surveillance aircraft procured for about N7.76 billion, more than a year after announcing plans to acquire them to strengthen security operations across the state. The Diamond DA42 Multi-Purpose Platform (MNG) aircraft arrived at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, on Tuesday. The delivery comes as state governments increasingly invest in security assets to complement federal security agencies amid persistent concerns over kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in parts of the country. Oyo, like several states in the South-west, has in recent years recorded incidents of kidnappings and attacks along highways…

Nigeria’s athletics team endured a difficult rainy evening at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Tuesday as Kanyinsola Ajayi and Temitope Adeshina both claimed bronze medals in their respective events. Ajayi made history by becoming the first Nigerian male sprinter in 20 years to win a Commonwealth Games 100m medal, finishing third in a high-quality final in 9.90 seconds. The last Nigerian man to stand on the Commonwealth Games 100m podium was Olusoji Fasuba, who won silver at the 2006 Games in Melbourne. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme stormed to gold in a Games record of 9.83 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan…

Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has her hit single, ‘Me & U’, featured in the first official teaser for the Hollywood fantasy film, Children of Blood & Bone. Read Also: Full list of African countries not required to show proof of funds for UK student visa Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, also appeared in the teaser, marking her Hollywood acting debut. The behind-the-scenes teaser, shared on Monday by director Gina Prince-Bythewood on her Instagram page @gpbmadeit, features scenes from the film’s production, including costume preparations, action sequences and brief appearances by cast members Its caption reads: “So…

The global impact of Next Level Prayer (NLP) continues to expand as the movement recently held a remarkable edition in Canada, drawing worshippers from across the country into a powerful atmosphere of prayer, worship, healing, and spiritual renewal. Hosted under the leadership of Pastor Bolaji Idowu, Global Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC), the Canada gathering witnessed an overwhelming turnout of attendees whose lives were profoundly impacted through heartfelt worship, fervent prayers, and the preaching of God’s Word. Attendees shared testimonies of healing, restoration, renewed faith, breakthroughs, and personal transformation, reflecting the growing influence of Next Level Prayer…

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, has dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s plan to deploy governors, lawmakers and other political leaders for its campaign ahead of the 15 August governorship election. The council said the APC’s strategy reflected what it described as an exaggerated assessment of the influence of political office holders in determining the outcome of the poll. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Osun governorship election for Saturday, 15 August. The poll is an off-cycle election, separate from the 2027 general elections. The latest exchange…

By Babajide Komolafe Nigeria risks conceding the African market to other countries unless it urgently tackles high power, credit and logistics costs undermining the competitiveness of local manufacturers. Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin, stated this at the technical session of the 17th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment, NCITI, in Enugu. Warning about the competitive pressure from the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, Bakrin said: “Either our goods are crossing borders going out, or everyone else’s goods are crossing ours coming in. “We are either going to compete, or we are going to concede…