‘Together always’, says Lookman in new photo post with Osimhen
Super Eagles player Lookman Ademola has shared pictures of himself alongside Victor Osimhen and Bruno Onyemaechi on the pitch following Nigeria’s win against Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, which was played on Monday. The footballer shared the post on his official Instagram page on Tuesday with the caption, “TOGETHER ALWAYS”This photo post comes after fans have criticised Osimhen following his angry outbursts at Lookman during the match. Lookman, however, dismissed any form of rift between him and Osimhen, saying that Osimhen remains his brother. He is my brother,” he said in an interview after the match on Monday. PUNCH Online reports that the Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, also played down reports of a rift between Osimhen and Lookman, insisting that the incident was simply as a result of shared competitive mindset.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 16:06 UTC
2026 Tata Punch Facelift – First-in-Segment ADAS, New Turbo Engine
The new 2026 Tata Punch facelift has been officially revealed ahead of its launch on 13th January, 2026. Also Read: Tata Confirms Sierra EV, Punch EV & Avinya for 2026New 2026 Tata Punch Design ChangesThe front fascia receives Punch EV-inspired design elements such as the vertically-stacked trapezoidal headlamp clusters, sharply designed LED DRLs and a large air dam. The new Tata Punch 2026 lineup will also receive new exterior colour options. New 2026 Tata Punch FeaturesOfficial images confirm the presence of ADAS (autonomous driver assistance system) suite, making the new Tata Punch the first vehicle in its category to offer ADAS features. New 2026 Tata Punch Engine OptionsEngine 1.2L Turbo Petrol 1.2L NA Petrol Power 110PS 87.8PS Torque 140Nm 115Nm Gearbox 6-speed MT 5-speed MT/AMTThe new Tata Punch 2026 lineup is likely to be offered with the Altroz Racer’s 1.2L, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing a maximum power of 110PS and 140Nm of torque.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 14:11 UTC
I’m staying with APC, ex-minister Badaru denies defection rumours
PUNCH Online gathered that the rumours of Badaru Abubakar’s defection to ADC likely stem from the ongoing rift between him and his predecessor, Governor Umar Namadi, within the APC in Jigawa State. Our correspondent observed that the internal strife within the Jigawa APC has led to recent speculation about possible defections, with some party members reportedly feeling disillusioned and seeking alternative platforms. The former minister emphasised that he remains committed to the APC, a party he helped found. “My loyalty to the party remains absolute and unwavering,” he said. Badaru urged the public and APC members to disregard the false reports.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 13:55 UTC
Why the Tata Punch Facelift Could be a Segment Disruptor
1.2L turbo petrolMore variant choicesOfficial unveil on 13 JanuaryThe Tata Punch is set to receive a major overhaul. This could make the Punch Facelift stand at the apex of power figures in its segment, assuming prices remain similar. Diversity of Variants, Feature-loaded PackThe Punch Facelift, with the addition of a new engine + transmission system, will create a variant hierarchy. Although every feature is reserved for top-spec variants, the Punch Facelift will likely breach the Rs. SafetyThe Tata Punch stands as one of the sturdiest cars in the Indian market, scoring top charts in both GNCAP and BNCAP crash tests.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 13:20 UTC
Army will curb terrorists’ attacks in Niger, nationwide — COAS
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has said that the Nigerian Army will do everything humanly possible to stem the tide of increasing terrorists’ attacks in Niger and other parts of Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the COAS spoke on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, at the opening of the 2026 Doctrine and Training Conference at the Doctrine and Training Command of the Nigerian Army. Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was committed to fully implementing the directive of President Bola Tinubu in this regard. According to Shaibu, the Nigerian Army is leveraging technology to bolster its operational capabilities across the nation. He added that this would enable the Nigerian Army to realistically train its officers and men, as well as appropriately position its training institutions.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 13:15 UTC
Bode George, Lagos APC differ on democratic erosion claims
In a statement yesterday on Nigeria’s political and economic outlook for 2026, George said recent actions against dissenting political voices posed risks to federalism and multi-party democracy. George also criticised what he described as a disconnect between government actions and the economic realities facing many Nigerians. According to the Lagos APC, a weak and disorganised opposition poses risks to democratic development, noting that democracy thrives on the contest of ideas rather than persistent confrontation and what it termed institutional sabotage. The party maintained that criticism of government should be grounded in credible policy positions and accountability, rather than rhetoric and grievance-driven narratives. The statement further urged opposition parties to demonstrate greater acceptance of democratic outcomes, respect for the rule of law and responsibility in public discourse.
Source:The Guardian
January 06, 2026 12:55 UTC
Rosenior replaces Maresca as Chelsea’s head coach
Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a six-year contract, continuing the club’s managerial reshuffle under BlueCo ownership following the departure of Enzo Maresca. “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,” Rosenior said in a statement published on the club’s website. The former Hull City manager becomes Chelsea’s fourth permanent head coach since the consortium took control of the club in 2022. That year, he was appointed Hull City manager in the Championship but was dismissed after 18 months. Chelsea’s Under-21s coach, Calum McFarlane, oversaw the senior side’s 1–1 draw away at Manchester City on Sunday.
Source:The Guardian
January 06, 2026 12:49 UTC
Badenoch calls US raid on Maduro 'morally right'
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has defended the United States’ military operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power, describing the raid as “morally right” despite legal and diplomatic controversy. “I grew up under a military dictatorship, so I know what it’s like to have someone like Maduro in charge.”However, Badenoch cautioned that the raid raised “serious questions about the rules-based order,” and stressed that it was different from interventions in democratic countries. She cited Greenland, saying the territory’s future was rightly a matter for Denmark and its people. The UK government has so far avoided directly criticising the US action, describing Maduro as an “illegitimate president.” Opposition parties—including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and the SNP—have called for the government to condemn the operation and declare it illegal. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had reminded her US counterpart of his obligations under international law but reiterated that it was for the US to set out the legal justification for its actions.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 12:42 UTC
2026 Tata Punch Unveiled: ADAS, Turbo Engine and New Features
The 2026 Tata Punch has been officially unveiled by Tata Motors ahead of its scheduled launch on January 13, 2026. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)When is the 2026 Tata Punch facelift launching in India? Does the 2026 Tata Punch come with a turbo engine? What are the main rivals of the Tata Punch facelift? Does the 2026 Tata Punch have a rear middle headrest?
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 12:06 UTC
Maria Machado Vows to Return Home to Venezuela
(FILES) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado (C) cheers from a truck during a protest called by the opposition for election 'victory' to be recognised, in Caracas on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado said Monday she plans to return home “as soon as possible,” and slammed the interim president in Caracas. “I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible,” Machado told broadcaster Sean Hannity on Fox News, speaking from an undisclosed location. Machado said Rodriguez is “rejected” by the Venezuelan people, and voters were on the opposition’s side. “In free and fair elections, we will win by over 90 percent of the votes, I have no doubt about it,” Machado said.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 11:57 UTC
Nine soldiers killed in IED blast on Maiduguri – Gubio Road
Nine soldiers have been reported killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated along the Maiduguri–Gubio road in Borno State. The troops were travelling from Maiduguri through Gubio town for an operation in the Sasawa Forest, in neighbouring Yobe State, when the explosion occurred near Gubio, the headquarters of Gubio Local Council. A senior military source said several other soldiers sustained injuries from shrapnel, including burns to their limbs and heads. Clarifying the circumstances of the incident, the source said the attack was not an ambush, but the result of an IED planted along the road overnight. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, including details of investigations and the number of casualties.
Source:The Guardian
January 06, 2026 09:49 UTC
Nigerian Tax Acts 2025: Benefits beyond the rhetoric
Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms have been widely mischaracterised as revenue tricks, mostly through epistemic closure and motivated reasoning, solely focusing on revenue figures, tax rates, and who pays what. A transparent, rules-based tax system reduces discretion, rent-seeking, and arbitrariness which are long-standing deterrents to investment in Nigeria. Perhaps, the most forward-looking aspect of the Tax Reform Acts is the emphasis on digitalisation and technology driven tax administration. Conclusion: A reform for the long termThe Tax Reform Acts are best understood as part of Nigeria’s long-term economic strategy. As earlier stated by President Tinubu, these tax reforms will be implemented with human face and full consideration of the Nigerian citizenry.
Source:The Guardian
January 06, 2026 09:44 UTC
Nigerians cut household spending by N14tn as inflation bites hard
Constant price data are adjusted for inflation, meaning they strip out the effect of rising prices to measure actual changes in economic activity. The fact that nominal spending rose while real spending plunged shows that Nigerians are spending more money but getting less value, with inflation swallowing a large share of household budgets. The steep fall in real household spending is consistent with the sustained double-digit inflation that characterised the year. While employers may have raised salaries on paper, those increases were not enough to keep pace with rising prices. In this case, the slump in real household spending signals weakening domestic demand, which is a key engine of economic growth.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 09:41 UTC
Tata Punch Facelift Revealed Ahead of Jan 13 Launch
Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the Punch facelift on 13 January 2026. As indicated in the previous teasers, the new Punch gets revised exterior styling. At the rear, the Punch facelift gets a new connected LED taillight setup with new detailing seen in the cluster. The 2026 Tata Punch will borrow the same interior layout as the Tata Punch EV offering a dual-tone theme comprising a light blue-charcoal upholstery, along with a new dashboard with a white insert. 2026 Tata Punch Facelift: Powertrain specsIt was recently revealed that the Tata Punch facelift will also be offered in a new iTurbo iteration, which will receive a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine from the Tata Atroz Racer and Nexon.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 09:37 UTC
Diplomats Praise Nigeria-US Counter-Terrorism Efforts
The diplomats gave the commendation at a press conference in Abuja while presenting an Assessment Report on the Ongoing War Against Terrorism in Nigeria. Unveiling the report, the UN-WCD Secretary-General, Prof. Tunji Asaolu, lauded the expanding partnership between the Nigerian military and the United States, describing recent joint operations as precise, disciplined and effective. According to him, the assessment revealed that despite the scale of recent military engagements, no civilian casualties were recorded, a development he said underscored professionalism and strict adherence to international rules of engagement. “We commend the United States military and the Nigerian Ministry of Defence for the progress recorded so far in degrading terrorist networks,” Asaolu said, adding that the collaboration has weakened insurgent strongholds across several regions. Although the United States has consistently supported Nigeria through intelligence sharing, training and military assistance, direct US airstrikes on Nigerian territory are rare and often attract public scrutiny.
Source:Punch
January 06, 2026 09:19 UTC