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Rumble Mulls $1.2B Bid for German AI Firm Northern Data

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U.S. video platform and cloud services provider Rumble (RUM.O) is weighing a roughly $1.17 billion (1 billion euros) bid for German AI cloud firm Northern Data (NB2.DE), the companies said.

READ ALSO: Sudan Faces Cholera Crisis as Health System Crumbles

Rumble said Sunday the deal would give it control of Northern Data’s GPU-heavy cloud unit, Taiga, and its large-scale data center business, Ardent, which it plans to integrate into its operations. Northern Data said Monday its board is reviewing the potential offer and remains open to further talks.

The proposal offers 2.319 Rumble shares for each Northern Data share, valuing the German company at about $18.3 per share  roughly 32% below its last closing price in Frankfurt, according to Reuters calculations.

Reuters estimated the potential deal’s total value at about $1.17 billion.

Under the current terms, Northern Data shareholders would hold roughly 33.3% of Rumble’s shares. Both companies noted that any final offer, if made, is expected to come at a higher valuation.

Northern Data’s majority shareholder, stablecoin platform Tether, has voiced support for the deal. The proposal assumes Northern Data’s crypto mining unit will be sold before completion, with proceeds used to repay an existing loan from Tether.

Rumble said that, following the transaction, Tether would become a key customer under a multi-year agreement to purchase GPUs. Still, the companies cautioned there is no guarantee the talks will lead to a formal offer.

Trump Aims to Evict Homeless from Washington

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President Donald Trump pledged on Sunday to evict homeless people from the nation’s capital and jail criminals, despite Washington’s mayor arguing there is no current spike in crime.

While details of the plan were unclear, the administration is preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, a U.S. official told Reuters, a controversial tactic Trump used recently in Los Angeles to tackle immigration protests over the objections of local officials.

Trump has not made a final decision, the official said, adding that the number of troops and their role are still being determined.

Unlike in California and every other state, where the governor typically decides when to activate Guard troops, the president directly controls the National Guard in Washington, D.C.

Past instances of the Guard’s deployment in the city include in response to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.

“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”

The White House declined to explain what legal authority Trump would use to evict people from Washington. The Republican president controls only federal land and buildings in the city.

Trump plans to hold a press conference on Monday to “stop violent crime in Washington, D.C.” It was not clear whether he would announce more details of his eviction plan then.

There are 3,782 single persons experiencing homelessness on any given night in the city of about 700,000, says the Community Partnership, an organization working to reduce homelessness in D.C.

A White House official said on Friday more federal law enforcement officers were being deployed in the city following a violent attack on a young administration staffer that angered the president.

Alleged crimes investigated by federal agents on Friday night included “multiple persons carrying a pistol without license,” motorists driving on suspended licenses and dirt bike riding, a White House official said on Sunday.

The official said 450 federal law enforcement officers were deployed across the city on Saturday.
The city’s police department says violent crime was down 26% in D.C. in the first seven months of 2025, compared with last year, while overall crime was down about 7%.

 

 

 

Source:Reuters/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma

Exclusive: SK Hynix Sees AI Memory Market Growing 30% Yearly to 2030

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The global market for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a specialized type of memory used in artificial intelligence, is expected to expand by 30% annually through 2030, according to SK Hynix.

READ ALSO: Trump Says US To Levy 100% Tariff On Imported Chips

Choi Joon-yong, head of HBM business planning at the South Korean chipmaker, told Reuters that robust AI demand from end users remains strong despite concerns over rising prices in a sector long treated like a commodity market, similar to oil or coal.

Choi added that major cloud providers  including Amazon (AMZN.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O), and Google (GOOGL.O)  are projected to invest billions of dollars in AI infrastructure. He expects those spending forecasts to increase in the coming years, which he said would be a positive driver for the HBM market.

The relationship between AI build-outs and HBM purchases is “very straightforward” and there is a correlation between the two, Choi said. SK Hynix’s projections are conservative and include constraints such as available energy, he said.

But the memory business is undergoing a significant strategic change during this period as well. HBM – a type of dynamic random access memory or DRAM standard first produced in 2013 – involves stacking chips vertically to save space and reduce power consumption, helping to process the large volumes of data generated by complex AI applications.

SK Hynix expects the market for custom high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to grow into the tens of billions of dollars by 2030, driven by rising demand for artificial intelligence applications and increasing product customization.

Choi Joon-yong, head of HBM business planning at the South Korean chipmaker, told Reuters that next-generation HBM4 products developed by SK Hynix, Micron Technology (MU.O), and Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) now feature a customer-specific logic die, or “base die,” to manage memory. This shift makes it more difficult to replace a rival’s chip with a near-identical alternative, potentially locking in customers for longer periods.

Currently, major clients such as Nvidia (NVDA.O) receive individually tailored HBM solutions, while smaller customers typically get standardized products. Choi said he expects demand for customization to grow across the industry, noting that “each customer has different taste,” with varying needs for performance or power efficiency.

SK Hynix is Nvidia’s primary HBM supplier, though Samsung and Micron also supply the U.S. chipmaker in smaller volumes. However, Samsung cautioned during its recent earnings call that supply of current-generation HBM3E could outpace demand growth in the near term, a development that could weigh on prices.

Despite that warning, Choi voiced confidence in SK Hynix’s competitive edge, saying the company is well-positioned “to provide the right competitive product to customers” as the AI-driven chip market expands.

100% TARIFFS

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States would impose a tariff of about 100% on semiconductor chips imported from countries not producing in America or planning to do so.

Choi declined to comment on the tariffs.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office the new tariff rate would apply to “all chips and semiconductors coming into the United States,” but would not apply to companies that were already manufacturing in the United States or had made a commitment to do so.

Trump’s comments were not a formal tariff announcement, and the president offered no further specifics.

South Korea’s top trade envoy Yeo Han-koo said on Thursday that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix would not be subject to the 100% tariffs on chips if they were implemented.

Samsung has invested in two chip fabrication plants in Austin and Taylor, Texas, and SK Hynix has announced plans to build an advanced chip packaging plant and an artificial intelligence research and development facility in Indiana.

South Korea’s chip exports to the United States were valued at $10.7 billion last year, accounting for 7.5% of its total chip exports.

Some HBM chips are exported to Taiwan for packaging, accounting for 18% of South Korea’s chip exports in 2024, a 127% increase from the previous year.

Shares of SK Hynix closed up 4.1% on Monday after rising as much as 4.3%, versus a 0.1% drop in the benchmark KOSPI (.KS11), opens new tab.

Shares of SK Hynix so far this year are up 53.5%, outpacing KOSPI’s 33.6% gain. Shares of Samsung Electronics are up 33.5% and Micron has climbed 41.3%.

Seyi Sodimu Names Nigeria’s Most-Talented’ Afrobeats Artist

Nigerian veteran singer-songwriter  Seyi Sodimu, has spoken about Wande Coal’s impact on Afrobeat, naming him Nigeria’s ‘most-talented’ Afrobeats artist.

In an interview with Teju Babyface, Sodimu said:“Wande Coal was one of the pivotal moments where he switched it to the new generation where he influenced people like Wizkid, Davido, Sean Tizzle. It was Wande Coal’s style that took Afrobeats to the new sound. I think he is the most-talented Nigerian Afrobeats artist.”

Sodimu also noted that an artist’s impact, influence and relevance is not only measured by streams. He stated that despite being in the industry for decades, Wande Coal was still very relevant.

“What do you mean by flowers, are you talking about streams? Because people love Wande Coal when they hear his music. So it’s in context. Any artist you ask, if you meet any of them, even Burna Boy can attest to Wande Coal’s artistry.  Wande is a genius. He can sing, he also writes. He is amazing,” he said.

 

PM news / Foluke Ibitomi

APC Uyo Leaders Endorse President Tinubu, Governor Eno’s Re-Election

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and stakeholders of the Uyo Federal Constituency have formally adopted President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno as their preferred candidates for the 2027 elections.

They cited the duo’s notable contributions to infrastructure development, human capital growth, and inclusive governance as key reasons for their unwavering support.

Speaking at the Uyo Federal Constituency ARISE Town Square Meeting and Empowerment Programme, the chairmen of Uruan, Nsit Atai, Ibesikpo Asutan, and Uyo Local Government Areas, led by Dr. Uwemedimo Udoh (Uyo), collectively reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

For all the things you have done — the road, tourism, health, educational and business infrastructure you have brought to our federal constituency… when the time for votes comes, we will double and double for you.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, Stephen Ntukekpo, described the mammoth turnout at the gathering as “This is a crowd that has demonstrated love, demonstrated appreciation, and above all, demonstrated their solidarity for the good work he is doing for the Akwa Ibom people. People just heard His Excellency was coming and came on their own.”

We are ready and prepared in conjunction with all the nine federal constituencies to return His Excellency the Governor to Hilltop Mansion come 2027, he added.

Speaking for the non-indigenous communities, Alhaji Hassan Sadauke lauded Governor Eno’s inclusive leadership: “The all-inclusion you always show to the non-indigenous is very remarkable; we will make sure our support, 100%, will be to you and your deputy.” 

State Commissioners from Uyo Constituency, led by Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Linus Nkan, also eulogised Governor Eno: “Your Excellency, you have done so well in all areas… If in two years you are doing like this, in the remaining years, your successor will have nothing to do,” he said, pledging to “massively generate all the support that you need to move forward.”

Legislative Support 

Legislative leaders, including Senator Aniekan Bassey, Rt Hon. Mark Esset, Pastor Ubong Attah and constituency members in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, reinforced the commendations.

They pledged to “go with you all the way and support all your bills and all that you want us to do” in alignment with the governor’s development blueprint.

Esset moved a motion, “Having performed creditably well in your first two years, you have every legal right to do a second term.” 

Attah seconded and reaffirmed the constituency’s APC alignment, saying, “We adopt the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, and all APC candidates from our constituency for a second term.”

The motion received loud endorsement from the constituents.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government and political leader of Uyo Constituency, Enobong Uwah, recalled the constituency’s 2023 electoral record: “In 2023, we gave you the largest number of votes. In 2027, we will still give you the largest number of votes… everything you have done for the state, you normally double it for Uyo Federal Constituency.”

Uwah highlighted key infrastructural benefits from Eno’s Arise Agenda to include the Ibom Convention Centre, Ibom Tropicana Hotel, and Arise Resort and presented the constituency’s NEEDS document to the Governor for inclusion in the 2026 People’s Budget; “Our needs are very minimal. Our needs are more to the rural communities, because here in the city, you have really done a lot.”

Governor Reaffirms Commitment to the People

In his response, Governor Eno said, “If you serve the people of Akwa Ibom, they will tell you… I am much more committed to delivering the dividend of democracy to our people.”

The governor revealed that Uyo Federal Constituency had received 116 projects in two years: “Whether it is roads, hospitals, schools, or elderly homes, every LGA has something. Akwa Ibom is number one in human capital development… we give brand new, tear-rubber vehicles to help people do their work.”

On political direction, he urged continued alignment with the national government and his support for President Tinubu: “We are uniting Akwa Ibom with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, and all APC candidates… Go and register with the APC in your wards. If your name is not in the register, don’t blame us later.”

The Governor also honoured a newly decorated female Commissioner of Police from Akwa Ibom State, the Deputy Commandant, Police College, Oji River, CP Uduak-Otu Ita, with a brand-new Jeep: I want to encourage our women, particularly the women of Akwa Ibom State, that we are beginning to make an impact at the federal level.

When we have female CPs, that is the news. We celebrate you and want you to go to work knowing Akwa Ibom is behind you. Continue to fly the flag of Akwa Ibom, and to help you do that, as we have done in the past, we are giving you the key to a brand new Jeep.”

Closing, Eno called for unity and focus ahead of 2027: “Please don’t abuse anybody; they want you to lose focus. We have put our hands on the plough and will continue to build this state for generations yet unborn.”

Empowerment

The event featured the disbursement of ₦492 million in business grants to 1,187 entrepreneurs, with symbolic ₦5 million cheques being presented to a fashion designer, a food processor, a palm oil processor, and a tailor.

Organisers stressed the beneficiaries’ selection process was merit-based and non-partisan to boost local enterprise.

 

America to Take 15% of Nvidia, AMD China Sales

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Nvidia and AMD have agreed to hand over 15% of revenue from sales of advanced computer chips to China to the U.S. government, a U.S. official said on Sunday  an unusual arrangement that could unsettle American firms.

READ ALSO: US Government Charges Two for Smuggling Nvidia Chips

The Trump administration had halted sales of H20 chips to China in April, but Nvidia said last month that Washington had cleared it to resume sales, with deliveries expected to begin soon.

A U.S. official said Friday that the Commerce Department has begun granting licenses for the sale of H20 artificial intelligence chips to China.

Nvidia and AMD shares slipped 1.8% and 3.3% respectively in pre-market trading on Monday.

The revenue-sharing deal with the U.S. government over China sales is an uncommon move for a president and reflects Trump’s latest intervention in corporate affairs. He has repeatedly pressed company executives to invest in America to boost domestic jobs and manufacturing, and last week demanded the immediate resignation of new Intel (INTC.O) CEO Lip-Bu Tan, calling him “highly conflicted” over his ties to Chinese firms.

“It’s wild,” said Geoff Gertz, a senior fellow at Center for New American Security, an independent think tank in Washington, D.C.

“Either selling H20 chips to China is a national security risk, in which case we shouldn’t be doing it to begin with, or it’s not a national security risk, in which case, why are we putting this extra penalty on the sale?”

When asked if Nvidia had agreed to pay 15% of revenues to the United States, an Nvidia spokesperson said in a statement: “We follow rules the U.S. government sets for our participation in worldwide markets.”

The spokesperson added: “While we haven’t shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide.”

AMD did not respond to a request for comment on the news, which was first reported by the Financial Times earlier on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China’s foreign ministry, approached for comment on Monday, said that China had repeatedly expressed its position on the issue of U.S. chip exports to China. The ministry in the past has accused the U.S. of using technology and trade issues to “maliciously contain and suppress China”.

The Financial Times said the chipmakers agreed to the arrangement as a condition for obtaining the export licenses for their semiconductors, including AMD’s MI308 chips. The report said the Trump administration had yet to determine how to use the money.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said last month the planned resumption of sales of the AI chips was part of U.S. negotiations with China to get rare earths and described the H20 as Nvidia’s “fourth-best chip” in an interview with CNBC.

Lutnick said it was in U.S. interests to have Chinese companies using American technology, even if the most advanced was prohibited from export, so they continued to use an American “tech stack”.

The U.S. official said the Trump administration did not feel the sale of H20 and equivalent chips was compromising U.S. national security. The official did not know when the agreement would be implemented nor exactly how, but said the administration would be in compliance with the law.

Alasdair Phillips-Robins, who served as an adviser at the Commerce Department during former President Joe Biden’s administration, criticized the move.

If this reporting is accurate, it suggests the administration is trading away national security protections for revenue for the Treasury,” Phillips-Robins said.

Nvidia generated $17 billion in revenue from China in the fiscal year ending January 26, representing 13% of total sales. AMD reported $6.2 billion in China revenue for 2024, accounting for 24% of total revenue.

INEC Set For Voters Registration In Akwa-Ibom

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa-Ibom State, Southern Nigeria, says it is fully ready for the online and physical voter registration that will commence on August 18th and 25th, 2025, respectively, in 32 centres across Akwa-Ibom State.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Obo Effanga (Esq), in an interview with Voice of Nigeria, said, “We are training our registration officers, most of whom are our permanent staff, and we have assigned enough equipment for the exercise.”

Mr. Effanga explained that the registration is only for Nigerians aged 18 and above who have not registered before.

He called on residents to visit INEC offices, which are located across the 31 local government areas in the state, and also go to the state INEC office situated in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital, to register. The online registration will commence on the 18th of August 2025, while the physical registration will commence on the 25th of August 2025.

“Anybody who lost his/her Permanent Voters Card (PVC) does not need to register again, but should request a new PVC to be issued to him/her. This also applies to those who want to change any information on their voter’s card or who want to transfer to vote in a different location within the state from where they were originally assigned to vote.

“They should prioritise and make time to go to any of the INEC offices that are close to them. Since this is not a fresh registration, we are not expecting a large number of new registrants. Those who really must turn up physically at our registration centres are fresh registrants. All other cases can be treated online,” he added.

The REC urged all Nigerians to use this opportunity to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). The implication is that those without PVCs will not be allowed to vote during the forthcoming general elections in the country.

 

African Democratic Congress Seeks Unity To Strengthen Party

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The Niger State Coalition for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on residents to unite as part of its strategy to strengthen the party in the state.

The convener of the coalition, Comrade Yahaya Gambo, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Minna, the state capital in north-central Nigeria.

Gambo said the party is prepared to stand firm in the state, stressing that the people of Niger State deserve a better quality of life and improved social amenities that would benefit both present and future generations.

“Our public facilities are in a deplorable state, most workers are underpaid, and insecurity remains one of the most heartbreaking failures of this administration. It is time for the people to say enough is enough. The ADC is ready to restore the country’s glory, protect its dignity, empower youths, and provide them with jobs that will improve their lives.”

Also speaking, the Interim Chairman of ADC in Niger State, Alfa Mohammed, said the party is fully prepared to take over leadership from the ruling party, adding that the coalition was formed to save the people from untold hardship.

He vowed that the ADC would resist any attempt to undermine the people’s mandate and urged interested members of the public to register with the party early in preparation for the political contest ahead.

Other stakeholders at the meeting expressed appreciation for the timely gathering and urged Nigerlites to support the ADC for the dividends of democracy. They lamented that Niger State had been left behind in development, with insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, and lack of progress posing serious threats to the well-being of the people.

The meeting brought together ADC members from all 25 local government areas of Niger State. At the event, the Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Niger State, Engineer Sulaiman Mashegu, along with about 8,000 members of the SDP, formally defected to the ADC.

 

NSIA Revitalises Fertiliser Industry, Transfers PFI to MOFI

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The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has built over 90 operational fertiliser blending plants and delivered over 128 million bags of high-quality fertiliser to farmers nationwide under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI).

NSIA has formally transitioned the management of the PFI to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), marking a new chapter in the initiative.

The announcement was made at the annual PFI Stakeholder Forum held in Abuja, where key players in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain gathered to reflect on the programme’s achievements and future direction.

Launched in 2016 to revamp Nigeria’s struggling fertiliser supply chain, the PFI has evolved under NSIA’s stewardship into a cornerstone of national agricultural policy.

READ ALSO:Kaduna to Distribute Free Fertilizer to 100,000 Smallholder Farmers 

At the inception of the initiative, Nigeria had only four active blending plants. The fertiliser supply was heavily import-dependent, expensive, and unreliable.

Through targeted investments and efficient coordination, NSIA transformed this landscape by resuscitating dormant facilities, building new plants, and enabling nationwide distribution at affordable prices.

Speaking at the PFI Stakeholder Forum in Abuja, NSIA Managing Director and CEO, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, described the handover as both a celebration of impact and a signal of the initiative’s future readiness.

“This event is significant because we are honouring nearly a decade of positive impact, strategic partnerships, growth, and reform,” said Umar-Sadiq. “The PFI is a model of what collaboration between public institutions and the private sector can achieve. We remain committed to strategic partnerships that enhance positive socio-economic outcomes for Nigerians.”

Under NSIA’s leadership, the initiative not only revived Nigeria’s dormant fertiliser industry but also catalysed the creation of over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, while spurring local production and reducing reliance on imported fertilisers.

With this handover, NSIA reinforces its broader mandate to drive impactful investments across Nigeria.

“As we transition the PFI to MOFI, we reaffirm our focus on catalysing impactful investments, promoting public-private collaboration, and supporting initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes for Nigeria,” Umar-Sadiq added.

The CEO of MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, reaffirmed MOFI’s dedication to the continued success of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative by providing sustained strategic support to PFI-NPK Limited, now fully operated and managed by MOFI Management Company Limited (ManCo).

“Over the years, the PFI-NPK programme has played a vital role in transforming Nigeria’s fertiliser ecosystem—from expanding domestic blending capacity to improving farmers’ access to quality fertilisers and advancing national food security goals,” he stated.

“The 2025 PFI-NPK Stakeholders’ Roundtable, themed ‘PFI: A Journey of Reform, Partnership, and Transition’, was carefully chosen to recognise stakeholders for their long-standing commitment to the initiative, while also reminding all parties that the road ahead requires even greater effort to achieve more remarkable successes.”

The transition to MOFI signals a new era for the PFI now structured for greater financial and operational sustainability. This includes the adoption of wet blend technology, targeted geographic expansion, and a stronger emphasis on private sector participation aimed at deepening the initiative’s impact and scalability.

FACAN Moves to Reposition Commodity Associations in Benue

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The Benue chapter of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) has taken steps to reposition, reform, reorganise and strengthen commodity associations in the state.

The Coordinator, Benue FACAN, Mr Vitalis Tarnongu, said that the initiative was to reinvigorate the associations to adopt best agronomic practices to boost food production.

The coordinator stated in a letter to the FACAN national president on Monday in Makurdi that a committee had been immediately constituted to review the associations for improved performance and coordination.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Partners With FAO To Enhance Food Security In Nigeria.

Tarnongu said that upon assuming office in March, he discovered that commodity associations were in a comatose state and there was an urgent need to revive them.

“The committee discovered also, amongst other anomalies, that more than 90 per cent of commodity associations’ leadership, against the FACAN constitution, has stayed in office for decades.

“Most of the commodity associations existing in the state are not affiliated with any national office of the association, nor with FACAN.

“Most of the commodities formed in the state are not organised and can hardly benefit from modern agronomic practice; hence, low yield results at harvest time.

“Most crop cultivation in the state is not identified for the purpose of economic planning and growth.

“Leadership of all commodities in the state has no structures, leading to a one-man show, and they do not have addresses/locations,” he said.

Tarnongu solicited the support of the FACAN national secretariat to surmount the challenges.