NEWS

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said Iran’s leadership had reached out to him seeking negotiations, following his repeated warnings of possible US military intervention if Tehran continued killing protesters.  For two weeks, Iran has been shaken by widespread protests that began over rising living costs but have since evolved into a direct challenge to the country’s theocratic system established after the 1979 revolution. Rights groups say the government’s crackdown has escalated into what they describe as a massacre.  Despite a days-long internet shutdown, information has continued to emerge from Iran. Videos circulating from Tehran and other cities over recent nights show large demonstrations, while reports indicate a rising death toll.  Speaking to report...

Concerns over worsening insecurity and rising cases of kidnapping in parts of Edo State have been raised by Aigbokhan Oseremen, Convener of the Esan Worldwide Community, who warned that the situation has strained relations between the police and local communities. In a video shared on X(Formerly Twitter) by ChannelsTV on Monday during a public discussion on the crisis, Oseremen said top police officers in the affected areas have also expressed worries about the fragile relationship between security agencies and residents, noting that tensions are growing amid persistent violence. “These officers, top police officers in the state in that area, are raising concern about the relationship between the police and the community,” he said, adding that while different actors may come and go, ...

An analysis of the proposed 2026 budget by Punch reveals that over ₦3.5 trillion in new projects have been included, despite directives for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to carry over 70% of their 2025 capital allocations and avoid fresh projects. Data from the 2026 Appropriation Bill shows that new projects at MDA level alone total ₦844.49 billion, rising to ₦3.5 trillion when Service-Wide Votes are included. This represents about 15.1% of the proposed ₦23.21 trillion capital expenditure for 2026. In December 2025, the Federal Government instructed MDAs to roll over 70% of their 2025 budgets, emphasizing the completion of ongoing projects amid weak revenue performance. Despite this, at least 82 MDAs introduced over 400 new capital or program items, including infrastru...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, by protesters. A peaceful protest by the people of Ekpoma over insecurity and incessant kidnapping on Saturday was hijacked by hoodlums, who unleashed violence on the community. They chased away traders at the livestock market, killed goats, beat cows, and attacked and destroyed parts of the Onojie’s palace. The protest also resulted in the blockage of a major highway and the grounding of commercial activities. Lagos Man Cleared of Child Molestation Charge After Seven Years in Custody| Punch 0:00 / 0:00 However, on Monday, the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, condemned the attack when he visited ...

US President Donald Trump is weighing a range of potential military options in response to deadly protests in Iran, according to two US officials, as he considers following through on recent threats to strike the Iranian regime if it uses lethal force against civilians. The president has been briefed in recent days on different intervention plans as violence across the country has led to dozens of deaths and mass arrests. Several of the options presented focus on targeting Tehran’s security services, which are being used to suppress the protests. However, concerns remain within the administration that military strikes could backfire and weaken the protest movement. Officials fear such action could unintentionally rally public support around the Iranian government or prompt Iran t...

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says the case involving a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is still in court and that he has done his bit on the matter as chairman of the antigraft agency. Olukoyede said this while speaking on Channels TV on Sunday, January 11.  Recall that Olukoyede had vowed to resign if the former governor was not prosecuted. “If I do not personally oversee the completion of the investigation regarding Yahaya Bello, I will tender my resignation as the chairman of the EFCC,” he said in April 2024 Nigerians have raised questions as to why Bello's case has not been concluded.  Responding to such questions, Olukoyede in his interview said; “Have I not made good that promise of...

Manchester United are set to speed up the appointment of a new interim head coach, with Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emerging as the leading contenders after holding face-to-face talks with the club’s leadership. According to Sky Sports News, both former United players have presented their plans to senior figures at Old Trafford, with further in-depth discussions expected to continue on Monday. Sources indicate that Carrick made a notably strong impression during his meetings, though there is still recognition within the club of the goodwill and popularity Solskjaer enjoyed during his previous tenure. The club is keen to name an interim manager quickly to ensure adequate preparation time ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. United are seeking a temp...

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a woman, Martina Dachung, for allegedly selling her newborn baby for N1.4m in Uromi, Edo Central Senatorial District of the state. The spokesperson of the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, January 10, 2025 said the mother was arrested following a report by one Ebhomien Matthew Asibor.  According to the PPRO, two other suspects, including a nurse, were arrested in connection with the illegal transaction.  “On 8th January 2026, one Ebhomien Matthew Asibor ‘m’ of Uromi alerted the Command after learning that a mother who is allegedly involved in a trafficking arrangement," the statement read. "Acting swiftly, operatives of Iruekpen Divisional Headquarters arrested one Martina Dachung, the m...

Donald Trump left Secretary of State Marco Rubio visibly uncomfortable during a meeting on Venezuela’s oil reserves when he accidentally read aloud a private note meant to be passed discreetly across the table. The 79-year-old president was speaking with oil executives less than a week after U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. During the discussion, Rubio slid a handwritten instruction toward Trump, which the president immediately picked up and read out loud. “Marco just gave me a note,” Trump said, before reading its contents: “Go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something.” Trump then added, “Go ahead, I’m going back to Chevron. Thank you, Marco,” while Rubio froze for a moment and attempted a strained smile. Trump appeared to realise the miss...

Euracare Multispecialist Hospital has finally reacted to the death of the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, announcing that it has begun an internal investigation into the incident. The hospital’s statement comes after Adichie publicly alleged that medical negligence at the Lagos-based facility caused the death of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Adichie had earlier accused the hospital of failing to adequately monitor her child after he was sedated with propofol for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line. She claimed the alleged lapse resulted in serious complications, including unresponsiveness, seizures, and eventual cardiac arrest. In a statement issued by its management, Euracare expressed deep sympathy to t...