United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by United States special forces represents “a dangerous precedent” and risks undermining international law. Mr Maduro was first indicted in New York in 2020 during Mr Trump’s initial term in office, on charges linked to drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government denounced the action as an “extremely serious military aggression” by the United States, saying it followed months of rising tensions between the two countries. The UN statement noted that the Secretary-General was “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potentially worrying implications for the region”. “Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” the statement said.

Mali and Burkina Faso have restricted United States citizens from entering their countries following President Donald Trump’s visa restrictions. With these, the number of African countries reciprocating the US travel ban has climbed to four. On June 6, 2025, Chad suspended the issuance of visas to American citizens as a reciprocal move to earlier US visa restrictions affecting Chadians. Also, 20 countries, including Nigeria, were placed under a partial ban that restricted the entry of immigrants and non-immigrants from January 1, 2026. “Nigeria cannot ban US citizens from entering the country because the stakes are higher for Nigeria; it wants investors from all over the world.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy is facing mounting pressure after his side suffered a 3–1 home defeat to arch-rivals Rangers on Saturday, a result that triggered protests by supporters outside Celtic Park. Nancy, appointed on December 3, has overseen a difficult start to his tenure, with Celtic losing six of their eight matches in all competitions under his leadership. My focus is to help my players to be better to turn things around. Celtic dominated the opening half and took the lead through Yang Hyun-jun, who capped a solo run with a powerful finish. The decision to appoint Nancy in the middle of a congested festive fixture schedule has also come under question.

Super Eagles of Nigeria take a team photo before their Africa Cup of Nations match against Uganda. Photo: NFF MediaSuper Eagles of Nigeria take a team photo before their Africa Cup of Nations match against Uganda. Photo: NFF MediaThe Confederation of African Football has appointed an all-Cameroonian team of match officials for Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Round of 16 tie against Mozambique. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the knockout encounter between the Super Eagles and the Mambas will be played on Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco. The second assistant referee is Carine Atezambong Fomo, a respected female official with vast experience in top-level CAF competitions.

In Lagos, Dangote depot, which consistently offers the lowest petrol price sold PMS at N703 per litre on Friday, up from N702.50 on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. While the increase at Dangote was marginal, other private depots recorded steeper adjustments. Similarly, Aiteo and Lister depots sold petrol at N780 per litre, up from N750–N760 band recorded on Wednesday. The new price took effect on December 11, 2025, marking the 20th petrol price adjustment announced by the refinery this year. The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, had raised expectations of price stability through local refining.

Earlier on Saturday, the U.S. attacked Venezuela and deposed Maduro, President Donald Trump said, in Washington’s most direct intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Lula had previously said that an armed intervention in Venezuela would be a “humanitarian catastrophe”, and has repeatedly offered for Brazil to mediate disputes between the countries. After a brief closure, the border was reopened, Roraima state Governor Antonio Denarium told Reuters. Roraima is one of two Brazilian states—along with Amazonas—to share borders with Venezuela and receives around 70% of all Venezuelan refugees that arrive in Brazil, the governor said. There were no official reports of a higher influx of refugees at the border ahead of its closing due to the military escalation in Venezuela.

One of the criminals killed in the operation Photo: Nigerian ArmyTroops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace have raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Jagindi Kagom village, Jemaa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing one suspected kidnapper during the operation. Troops from Sector 7 launched an offensive clearance operation on the identified hideout, where they engaged the criminals in a gun battle. “Sector 7 troops are currently tracking the remaining criminal elements to ensure they face the full wrath of the law,” the post added. Commending the troops for the successful operation,General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Major General EF Oyinlola, praised their professionalism and dedication to duty. The Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace assured the public that sustained pressure will be maintained on criminal elements to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across Kaduna State and the wider Joint Operations Area.

Tata Motors has officially announced that the long-awaited Tata Punch facelift will go on sale in our market on January 13, 2025. Big Design Changes - ADAS ConfirmsThe 2026 Tata Punch comes with notable design changes, including new front and rear design. This confirms that the Tata Punch will be the smallest SUV to offer ADAS system in our market. No Mechanical ChangesThe 2026 Tata Punch facelift won’t receive any mechanical changes. Launch Date and Estimated PriceScheduled to be launched on January 13, 2026, the 2026 Tata Punch facelift will take on the likes of the Hyundai Exter, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger and others in the category.

- NATO's new chief visited Kyiv on October 3, 2024, a major show of support for Ukraine in his maiden trip in the role. - NATO's new chief visited Kyiv on October 3, 2024, a major show of support for Ukraine in his maiden trip in the role. The renewed Russian advances have come as Ukraine steps up diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict. On Thursday, Russia accused Ukraine of striking a hotel and a café in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, killing 28 people, and warned of “consequences”. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, calling it a “special military operation” aimed at preventing NATO expansion — a justification Kyiv and its allies have dismissed.

“This misbegotten Obidient rat also doesn’t know that the fire from GNI building had greater negative impacts on Yoruba traders in the market. The mosque sat adjacent to the GNI building,” he said. Unsafe practices by traders in Lagos marketsAjetunmobi then listed the unsafe practices common with shop owners in Lagos markets and other reasons for frequent fire outbreaks in the state. “Anyone who now claims these market fire tragedies were deliberately planned against only Igbo traders or anyone else is simply crying wolf. The Guardian reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu once again visited the scene of the GNI building fire on Lagos Island, confirming eight dead.

The Benue State Police Command has intensified efforts to curb cult-related violence across the state after two people were killed in a violent confrontation between rival cult groups in Gboko. The Command said it received a distress call at about 4:15 am on Saturday, 3 January 2026, reporting a deadly clash between rival cult factions in Gboko town. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the clash resulted in the deaths of two adult males. “The Benue State Police Command will not tolerate cult activity or criminality in any form,” the CP warned. The Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring peace, security, and order across Benue State.

Revised front and rear endsNo mechanical updates expectedThe Tata Punch Facelift is set for a 13 January, 2026 showcase. Expected to receive few feature enhancements, barring cosmetic updates, here’s all exterior highlights seen in the latest teaser. The DRLs look sharper and more aggressive, but this design language doesn’t look overdone. To the rear, Tata has done away with Y-shaped tail lights. Mechanically, the Punch Facelift will mostly remain unchanged, carrying over the same 1.2L, three-cylinder NA petrol motor (87bhp/113Nm) paired with 5MT/5AT systems.

His government accused the United States of an “extremely serious military aggression” which follows a months-long campaign of increasing military and economic pressure by Trump. Proof of lifeVenezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on Saturday called on the United States to issue “proof of life” of leader Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by US forces, according to President Donald Trump. Trump said Maduro and Flores had been captured by US forces and flown out of Venezuela. Russia also demanded “immediate” clarification about the circumstances of the reported US abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during an attack ordered by Trump. Russia, Iran and other countries had also condemned the US strike, with Spain offering to mediate for a peaceful settlement.

Trump’s announcement came hours after a lightning attack in which special forces grabbed Maduro and his wife, while airstrikes pounded multiple sites, stunning the capital city. In another surprise, Trump indicated that US troops could be deployed in Venezuela. Although the operation is being framed as a law-enforcement action, Trump made clear that regime change and Venezuela’s oil riches are the major goals. Maduro, 63, and his wife “gave up” without a struggle, and there was “no loss of US life,” he said. Maduro — in power since 2013 after taking over from leftist mentor Hugo Chavez — long accused Trump of seeking regime change in order to control Venezuela’s huge oil reserves.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a mother and her son for allegedly attempting to use a 10-year-old boy for money rituals. The suspect, Maria, 53, who is the mother of Adewale, 28, was nabbed in Ile-Oluji, headquarters of the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state, along with her son. Abayomi stated that, “Preliminary investigations revealed that Maria conspired with her son, Adewale, to engage the services of an herbalist to use the victim for a money ritual. “Commending the operatives for their swift response and professional conduct, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, emphasised the critical role of intelligence-led policing in proactive crime prevention. He reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the State.