Iran's foreign minister visits Russia amid stalled US talks
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Iran's foreign minister arrived in Russia on Monday, following a series of diplomatic efforts and the cancellation of planned talks in Pakistan aimed at de-escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. The foreign minister is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg. This visit comes after a trip to Oman and Pakistan, where mediators attempted to keep peace talks alive. US President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, after Iranian state television reported that the Iranian foreign minister had no plans to meet US officials there. Iran reportedly sent "written messages" to the Americans via Pakistan, outlining red lines including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, though these were not part of formal negotiations. Reports also suggest Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, with nuclear negotiations postponed. The Strait of Hormuz has been sealed off by Iran, impacting global oil, gas, and fertilizer flows, while the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Meanwhile, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged blame over violations of a ceasefire in Lebanon, with both sides reporting new attacks and casualties.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nigerian-British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua dedicated his recent victory over Kristian Prenga to his late friends and trainers, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. The win marked Joshua's first fight since a December car crash in Ogun State, Nigeria, claimed the lives of Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer. Joshua entered the ring wearing camouflage attire bearing the names of the deceased coaches and described the victory as a tribute to their memory, stating it was more than punch power, but spirit from Latz and Sina. Despite being knocked down twice in the first round, Joshua recovered to secure a second-round knockout. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, praised Joshua's resilience, highlighting the personal tragedy he had endured over the past seven months. Hearn also confirmed that contracts have been signed for a highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Joshua and fellow Briton Tyson Fury, though the date and venue are yet to be announced. Joshua welcomed the prospect of facing Fury, expressing respect for his achievements and readiness for the contest.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to account for an estimated ₦7.98tn in oil revenue windfall. He questioned why the administration continues significant domestic borrowing despite crude oil prices exceeding the 2026 budget benchmark. In a statement, Abubakar accused the Tinubu-led government of lacking fiscal transparency, noting that the government raised about ₦5tn from the domestic bond market in the first half of 2026, nearly double the borrowing from the same period in 2025. He highlighted that the 2026 Appropriation Act benchmarked crude oil at $92 per barrel, while actual prices have been higher, leading to an estimated $5.76bn ₦7.98tn in excess revenue between March 1 and July 14. Abubakar criticized the absence of transparent disclosure regarding these proceeds, contrasting it with previous governments' use of mechanisms like the Sovereign Wealth Fund. He argued that the benefits of higher oil earnings and fuel subsidy removal have not improved living conditions, citing UN findings that 80% of Nigerians cannot afford a decent daily meal. Abubakar pledged that an ADC administration would implement a rules-based fiscal framework, channeling excess oil receipts towards debt reduction, strengthening fiscal reserves, and investing in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture, rather than recurrent expenditure. The Tinubu administration has defended its borrowing
Must ReadBritish actor David Jonsson has been cast as the new Black Panther, taking on the role of Prince T’Challa II Toussaint, the son of T’Challa and Nakia, in "Black Panther 3," scheduled for release on December 15, 2028. Marvel Studios made the announcement at its Comic-Con Hall H panel in San Diego. Jonsson, 32, was born in London in 1993 and has described his family as Creole, with roots in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Caribbean, and Sweden. He is the youngest of four siblings, and his parents separated when he was 11. Jonsson has spoken about a difficult childhood, including being dismissed from school. He later joined the National Youth Theatre and earned a scholarship to study acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art RADA, graduating in 2016. His breakthrough came with the BBC and HBO drama "Industry" 2020-2022, where he played Augustus “Gus” Sackey. Jonsson has also appeared in films such as "Rye Lane" 2023, "Alien: Romulus" 2024, "The Long Walk" 2025, and "Wasteman" 2025, and is set to appear in "Scandalous!", "The Chaperones", and an untitled project by Frank Ocean. In 2025, he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Beyond acting, Jonsson is an executive producer on "Wasteman" and co-founded the production company greyarea. He has stated he is selective about his roles, saying he chooses projects carefully. The casting of Jonsson as Prince T’Challa II continues the Black Panther legacy after Chadwick Boseman's death, with the new film focusing on the character's coming-of-age