News
Just in: Oil Falls With Brent Below $100 Per Barrel On Hopes Of US-Iran Hormuz Deal
The price of North Sea Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate slipped close to five percent to $99.41 and $92.49 a barrel, respectively.
The United States and Iran appear closer than ever to a deal that would end the war that has ravaged the Middle East since late February, sending energy prices soaring and stoking global inflation.
But sticking points in their negotiations have tempered hopes of a swift resolution to restore the transit of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had informed US negotiators “not to rush into a deal”.
“The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” a post to Trump’s official Truth Social account said.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency said that, based on their information, key clauses of a possible agreement remained unresolved.
One of the main sticking points has been whether Tehran is willing to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The release of Iran’s frozen assets held under longstanding US sanctions and whether Lebanon, repeatedly targeted by Israeli strikes, will be included in any peace deal are also key issues.
Markets across Asia climbed in early trade on hopes that Washington and Tehran will be able to overcome these hurdles.
Tokyo soared more than three percent in early trade on Monday, while Hong Kong and Seoul were closed for public holidays.
Shanghai inched upwards, with Taipei, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney, and Wellington also climbing.
Kuala Lumpur was down 0.1 percent.
“The weekend news flow has once again focused on the prospects for a negotiated deal between the US and Iran,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.
“According to reports from Donald Trump, a memorandum of understanding has been ‘largely negotiated’, with details to be announced at some stage soon, although there appears to be limited urgency,” Weston said.
Investors will also be keeping an eye on how the US Federal Reserve and its new chief, Kevin Warsh, react to Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data this week, as well as European inflation metrics.
“The inflation story remains central to the entire setup,” said SPI Asset Management analyst Stephen Innes.
“Investors will receive another critical read on Thursday with the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.
“After several hotter-than-expected consumer and producer inflation reports earlier this month, markets are increasingly concerned that elevated oil prices and supply disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict are beginning to seep into the broader inflation pipeline.”
The conflict erupted after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and the Islamic Republic responded with missile and drone attacks across the region.
The United States and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement, although Tehran has imposed controls on Gulf shipping and Washington has blockaded Iran’s ports.
Currency dealers monitor exchange rates as an electronic screen shows the prices of WTI (L), Brent crude (C), and Dubai crude (R) in a foreign exchange dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on March 13, 2026. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
Key Figures At Around 0215 GMT
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 3.99 per cent at $99.41 a barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 4.25 per cent at $92.49 a barrel
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 3.2 per cent at 65,358.97
Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.3 per cent at 4123.89
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.9 percent at 25,606.03 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at 1.1640 from 1.1608 on Friday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3480 from $1.3441
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 158.86 from 159.13 yen
Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.35 from 86.36 pence
New York – DOW: UP 0.6 per cent at 50,579,70 (close)
New York – S&P 500: UP 0.4 per cent at 7,473.47 (close)
New York – Nasdaq: UP 0.2 per cent at 26,343.97 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 per cent at 10,466.26 (close)
Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.4 per cent at 8,115.75 (close)
Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 1.2 per cent at 24,888.56 (close)
AFP
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
House of Assembly Candidate, Sanni Urges Unity Among Ekiti ADC Members
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