United States President, Donald Trump, has said he urged that nuclear negotiations with Iran continue during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Trump, however, warned that the United States could take action against Tehran if a nuclear agreement is not reached. Iran has indicated it is willing to restrict parts of its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, but has rejected wider demands. He also insisted Iran was “not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons” and was ready for verification. Israeli officials have said Israel reserves the right to take military action if Iran does not reach a nuclear agreement with the US.

The Tata Punch EV facelift has been spotted on the road for the first time ahead of its launch on February 20, 2026. The Punch facelift in its ICE form was launched in India in January this year, and the EV derivative follows suit. Also Read: Tata Punch EV Facelift Revealed Ahead Of LaunchNew here is the rear of the Punch EV facelift, which is identical to its facelifted ICE counterpart. Also Read: Tata Punch EV Facelift To Be Launched On February 20One of the more noticeable changes appears to be the LED DRL treatment. Also Read: Tata Punch Facelift Launched At Rs 5.59 Lakh; Gets Turbo-Petrol Engine OptionThe updated Punch EV is likely to receive a new powertrain.

The engagement comes ahead of a comprehensive field mission to Gombe State by the consortium to identify, structure and commence implementation of joint projects. Leading the TUCAD delegation, the Vice President of the Consortium, Issam Ben Youssef, said the mission was designed to align Tunisian technical expertise and investment capacity with Gombe State’s clearly defined development priorities. “Our objective is to deploy Tunisia’s proven experience in infrastructure, energy, water systems and industrial development to support Gombe State’s growth aspirations, while building sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said. “Gombe State is open for serious, value-driven investments, especially the Africa-Africa model. Our development strategy is anchored on infrastructure, energy security, water sustainability, agriculture and industrial growth.

Wife of Nigerian media personality, Victor Udochukwu Nwaogu, popularly known as Nkubi, has revealed how a medical doctor allegedly advised her to conceive for another man instead of her husband. Nkubi’s wife shared the disturbing experience in a video posted by Pulse Nigeria on Instagram on Wednesday, explaining that the incident occurred after she underwent an abnormality scan during pregnancy. According to her, the doctor had asked whether there was any history of dwarfism in her family. Recounting the moment, she said, “When I did my abnormality scan and gave the result to the doctor, he asked if anyone in my family had the trait of dwarfism. That is what a doctor told me.”She described the remark as shocking and discriminatory, saying it reflected the way people living with certain conditions are treated unfairly.

A study published in Molecules found that extracts from the plant’s leaves and roots can reduce the harmful effects of carpet viper venom. Blood clotting improved as the extracts countered the venom’s effect of speeding clotting, helping blood clot normally. It inhibited venom enzymes and slowed blood clotting but was less effective at protecting red blood cells than the full plant extracts, suggesting that multiple compounds in the plant work together for protection. The forest cobra’s venom disrupts clotting, destroys red blood cells, and damages muscles and nerves, potentially causing paralysis or death. Laboratory tests showed that water-based extracts and oils from the root bark of Toona ciliata protected rats from lethal venom doses.

The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, said on Wednesday that his administration has destroyed over 62 criminal camps in the state. He added, however, that with the suspension of the sit-at-home, over 45,000 shops reopened on Monday at the Onitsha Main Market, with business activities at their peak and traders in jubilation. Professor Soludo stated this while speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said: “When I assumed office, so far since I came into office, about 62 criminal camps have been dismantled in Anambra, and we’re not resting for one second. In Anambra, we pride ourselves on being the safest — if not, modestly, one of the safest — states in the country, and security is key.”

The crushed Toyota car after a granite-laden truck fell on it at Eleko Junction, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Lagos. Photo: LASTMA on XA motorist was killed on Thursday morning while his wife was critically injured after a granite-laden truck toppled onto their Toyota saloon car at Eleko Junction along the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Lagos State. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq. LASTMA said the impact caused the truck to overturn and crush the smaller vehicle, trapping the driver inside the wreckage. The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as avoidable, urged motorists and truck drivers to ensure proper vehicle maintenance, and warned against reckless driving.

People carry belongings on a flooded street in Monteria, Colombia on February 9, 2026. (Photo by AFP)Colombia declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after floods killed 18 people and left thousands of families displaced in the country’s northern cattle belt. Water submerged homes after a dam and rivers overflowed in Cordoba, one of the worst-hit departments, where more than 150,000 residents have been affected. The floods have destroyed more than 4,300 homes and submerged vast swathes of the country used for grazing and agriculture, authorities said. Colombia’s disaster relief agency had reported 22 deaths nationwide on Monday, but later revised the figure down.

National Assembly legislative aides appointed on the platform of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday formally declared their support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, pledging to mobilise voters for him nationwide. The declaration was made by the National Coordinator of the group, Ayoola Fakunle, at the inauguration of members of the National Assembly Legislative Aides into the APC Support Groups Council in Abuja. “We have legislative aides at the National Assembly, State Assembly and local government. So, legislative aides abound everywhere you go. “Today’s inauguration of legislative aides is an added advantage to the APC, because we need more members and groups like this.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has again emerged as a potential candidate for another coaching job, following multiple reports that French club Marseille are considering him to replace Roberto De Zerbi, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Marseille are in search of a replacement for the Italian manager, with Chelle emerging as a potential candidate. France-based Nigerian journalist Babatunde Ojora reported that the Super Eagles coach has been recommended to the French club. “It’s not just about interest in him because he has gotten results with the Super Eagles. He has so much belief in the Super Eagles.”

(FILES) This photograph taken on January 13, 2025 in Toulouse shows screens displaying the logo of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, the American company specializing in artificial intelligence and it's founder South African businessman Elon Musk. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)Brazil on Wednesday told Elon Musk’s social network X to stop its chatbot from creating sexually explicit images, the latest country to pressure the billionaire to fix the artificial intelligence tool. Indonesia became the first country to block Grok entirely last month, while Britain and France said they would maintain pressure after the chatbot cranked out a flood of lewd photos of women and children. X claimed it had deleted thousands of posts and suspended hundreds of accounts after Brazil issued a warning last month, Brazilian authorities said. But checks found that Grok users were still able to generate sexualised deepfakes, they added.

The Lagos State Police Command has sealed Signatious Hotel in the Ajao Estate area of the state following the mysterious death of Mattias Airenekhueme at the facility, after PUNCH Metro reported the incident. Airenekhueme disclosed that three persons — the hotel manager and two of Mattias’ friends — were initially arrested in connection with the incident. The source added that the organiser of the pool party had also been arrested, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to four. The organiser of the pool party is also currently in police custody,” the source said. He further claimed that the pool party continued that same night despite the discovery of his son’s body.

The Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Oba Idowu Adediwura, who is the Second-in-Command to Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for executing infrastructural projects in the ancient town. He said the projects have helped preserve the town’s cultural heritage and saved it from global embarrassment. ‎Adediwura, however, said the ongoing N14bn flyover and 17 road projects initiated by the Adeleke’s administration had improved access to cultural centres across the town. ‎According to him, the projects would promote culture and bring honour to Ile-Ife as the origin of the Yoruba race. ‎“I want to commend Governor Adeleke for saving us from global embarrassment through the ongoing flyover project and other township roads.

Ademola Lookman will face Barcelona when Atletico Madrid welcome the Catalan giants to the Metropolitano on Thursday (today) for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Copa del Rey represents a significant opportunity for Diego Simeone’s side, who secured their semi-final spot emphatically by dismantling Real Betis 5-0 in the quarter-finals, with Lookman scoring on his debut. Lookman has added an attacking edge to Simeone’s side since joining from Atalanta during the winter transfer window. Barcelona, meanwhile, arrive in formidable form, having won their last six matches in all competitions, scoring at least twice in each of those victories. They remain in contention for multiple trophies, having progressed to the Champions League last 16 and eyeing another Copa del Rey final appearance as part of a potential treble charge.

Operatives of the New Juaben South Municipal Police Command in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana, have arrested 13 suspected commercial sex workers, consisting of 12 Nigerians and one Ghanaian, during a special operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking. Further enquiries led officers to a suspected brothel in the same area, resulting in the arrest of 12 additional suspects. So far, about 15 persons, the youngest aged between 15 and 32 years, are in police custody and will be put before the court immediately,” Superintendent Nsiah said. Police said about 15 suspects aged between 15 and 31 are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court after investigations. The suspects, police said, have violated Sections 273, 274, and 277 of the Act, which prohibit prostitution, human trafficking, and brothel operations.