More than 650 people have been killed in Iran following a massive Israeli bombing campaign launched a week ago, an activist group said on Friday.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 657 people have died and 2,037 have been injured in the nationwide airstrikes.

The Iranian government does not publish daily figures on casualties.

HRANA relies on a broad network of informants and publicly available sources.

The group said the dead include at least 263 civilians and 164 members of the military.

Another 230 fatalities remain unidentified.

The network also reported damage to civilian infrastructure, including a projectile striking a children’s hospital in Tehran, which did not result in any injuries.

In the western province of Ilam, a fire station was damaged, HRANA said, while an Israeli attack on a car factory in western Iran triggered a large fire.

Israel maintains its objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which it considers an existential threat. (dpa/NAN)

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has advised youths to steer clear of cybercrimes and embrace legitimate sources of income to secure their future.

Mr Adefemi Shaba, NDIC Port Harcourt Zonal Controller, gave the remark on Friday while addressing over 300 students at the 2025 Financial Literacy Day held at Community Secondary School Okoro-Nu-Odo, Rumuagholu, Obio/Akpo area of Rivers.

The theme of the event was “Think Before You Follow, Wish Money for Tomorrow.

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Shaba emphasised the need for students to reject the ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality, saying that they should invest their time in productive and meaningful ventures that would secure their future.

According to him, cybercrime and other unlawful means of making money are destructive to progress, that must be avoided at all costs.

He explained that NDIC, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), monitored and supervised banks to ensure safe and sound banking practices.

“NDIC is mandated to protect depositors’ funds, maintain stability within the financial system, guarantee bank deposit liabilities, and protect an efficient and effective payment system.

“This is why we are here – to educate students on managing their finances, saving, and investing for the future,” he stated.

Also speaking, Mr Alfred Ijah, Senior Manager, Communication and Public Affairs, NDIC, described the lack of financial literacy as a key challenge affecting the nation’s financial institutions.

He encouraged students to work hard, earn legitimately, and develop sound financial habits.

“It is important to cultivate the habit of saving, investing wisely, spending responsibly, and helping those in need.

“Making money through internet fraud, theft, or gambling is illegal. Money made through such means lacks legitimacy and is difficult to preserve or manage,” Ijah said.

Mr Peter Njoku, Assistant Director, Rivers State Ministry of Education, commended NDIC for selecting the state to host this year’s Financial Literacy Day.

Njoku, who represented the state government, stressed the critical importance of equipping young people with the knowledge of financial planning and long-term financial viability.

He urged students to apply the knowledge gained to improve their lives and grow into responsible citizens.

“Youths engaging in internet fraud require proper re-orientation, as cyber fraud is no different from stealing or robbery.

“They must desist, because every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house.

“If they persist, it will only lead to ruin, destroying their future and potential,” he concluded. (NAN)

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has received 119 stolen artefacts from the Netherlands, saying plans by some international cartel to re-loot the artifacts were thwarted after he prayed to God and his ancestors.The monarch spoke in Benin when he received the artifacts from the Federal Government delegation led by the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway.

According to him, “I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artifacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts. “The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had in our people. We do not want modern day politics; we do not want partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people.He continued: “The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing wonderful work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts. We had a running battle in this hall. I addressed my Chiefs in Benin language and I said these artifacts belong to my ancestors and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artifacts re-looted. They rather remain where they are than being re-looted.The Oba, while thanking the government of the Netherlands for working with the palace, said: “This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.”The Benin Monarch further prayed with his official spectre directing the artifacts to return more artifacts.Earlier, the NCMM DG, Holloway, said the commission and the Benin Royal Palace were working hard to ensure more artefacts were returned.Governor Monday Okpebholo who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Musa Ikhilor said his administration would continue to build necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artifacts as well as collaborate with the federal government to improve the storage system for the artifacts.“They are treasured monuments and treasured sacred objects. You can see the way they came. They are fragile and precious. We will continue to collaborate to see that a sage space is created.”We are supporting the palace to see that a befitting museum is put in place to display these objects for tourists as a way of boosting the tourism sector.”On his part, General Director of Wereld Musuem, Marieke Van Bommel, said: “The artifacts were looted and we have a policy in the Netherlands to bring them back.”We are bringing back 119 artifacts. We don’t have more. These are the collections in the Netherlands. There are more collections in Europe but that is not up to us. They have been with us for over 100 years.”