NEWS

A Nigerian woman, Amanda Azubuike, has made history as the first Nigerian woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States ArmyAzubuike, who was born in London, United Kingdom, to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Zimbabwean mother, recently achieved the milestone.Her journey into the military began early after she moved to the United States with her mother and sister, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen in April 1989.At 17, she joined the Air Force Junior ROTC program while attending high school in the U.S., laying the groundwork for a distinguished career. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas before beginning her Army service in 1994 as an aviator after completing the Army Aviatio...

Russia launched a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight on Thursday, marking a rare use of one of Moscow’s most advanced weapons as attacks intensified amid harsh winter conditions.This was the first known use of the Oreshnik missile in over a year. The system is designed to carry multiple warheads and can be equipped with either conventional or nuclear payloads.In a statement released on Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said its forces carried out a “large-scale strike using high-precision long-range weapons,” including land- and sea-based systems as well as the Oreshnik mobile medium-range missile platform.While Russian officials did not disclose the specific target, Ukrainian authorities reported explosions and confirmed that a ballistic missile stru...

Iran was thrown into a nationwide internet shutdown on Thursday night, January 8, as widespread anti-government protests swept across the country. Demonstrators took to the streets chanting slogans against the ruling theocratic system, fueled by mounting frustration over economic hardship and intensified security crackdowns.Authorities severed internet access and telephone services shortly after protests broke out in Tehran and other major cities. Despite the blackout, videos of the demonstrations continued to surface online as the unrest entered its second week.Cybersecurity analysts say such nationwide shutdowns are often imposed when authorities anticipate the use of lethal force, with the aim of curbing information flow and reducing international scrutiny.Protests have erup...

The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved a ₦4.4 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, following the adoption of the report from the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.Committee chairman Sa’ad Olumoh presented the report during Thursday’s plenary, outlining the assumptions, projections, and structure of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, dubbed the “Budget of Shared Prosperity.”The budget marks the third cycle of the current administration and the final new-cycle budget of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term. It aligns with the state government’s development agenda, which is built on four strategic pillars: human-centric development, modern and adaptive infrastructure, a thriving 21st-century megacity economy, and governance that surpasses citizens’ expectatio...

Turkish Airlines has cancelled all five flights scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9, to the Iranian capital Tehran, amid protests against the rising cost of living, according to the Istanbul Airport app. Five other flights operated by Iranian airlines have also been cancelled, according to the airport app, while seven others remain scheduled. Turkish authorities have not commented so far on the situation in Iran, where protesters have challenged the authorities under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian government was already battling an economic crisis after years of sanctions and recovering from the war against Israel in 2025. Rights groups have accused Iranian security forces of opening fire on demonstrators. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said Thursday, Jan. 8, that sec...

The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, has tasked Governor Monday Okpebholo on sustained security efforts, strengthened governance and inclusive development in 2026.The State Chairman of the body, Dr James-Wisdom Abhulimen, gave the charge in the 2026 message to the Edo State Government, members of the organisation, as well as all stakeholders committed to good governance and sustainable development.According to him, security remains fundamental to development. Continued investment in professional policing, intelligence-led operations, and rural safety measures is crucial for protecting lives, enhancing productivity, and fostering an environment that attracts investment and opportunity.“As the administration consolidates its gains, we urge su...