This year's flu is packing a punch. How hospitals are trying to deal with surging cases
The situation is serious enough that some hospitals are taking extra precautions to prevent strain on the system and to curb flu transmission within their facilities. "But I think when we're looking at the data in hindsight, there probably will be more hospitalizations related to the flu this year compared to a regular flu season." Hospitals plan for surging casesDoctors, epidemiologists and other health officials have all warned that the strain of flu hitting Canada is more severe. WATCH | Health officials warn parents to avoid bringing kids to ERs unless necessary: Uptick in child flu cases putting pressure on Quebec pediatric hospitals | Duration 2:01 Flu season hit the province early and it’s expected to peak around the holidays. RSV is also affecting a higher number of seniors, but the most confirmed cases are in children one and under.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 16:30 UTC
Makinde Won't Back Tinubu in 2027, Unlike Wike
Speaking on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, Makinde said he was surprised when Wike reportedly told Tinubu he would “hold the PDP” for him in 2027. “I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock. The governor stressed that while Wike has the right to support Tinubu, others should also have the freedom to make independent political decisions. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, and that PDP survives as well. Makinde and Wike had previously supported Tinubu of the APC in the 2023 elections.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 16:08 UTC
Six Rivers PDP Reps Defect to APC Amid Party Crisis
Six members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Tuesday. The defected lawmakers include Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke. With their defection, the PDP, which previously had 12 members, now has only two representatives in the Rivers State caucus of the House. Last week, the party lost three more members to the APC, following the defection of Boniface Emerengwa, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, and Boma Goodhead. The two remaining PDP lawmakers in Rivers State are the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Kelechi Nwogu.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 15:42 UTC
US Mission in Nigeria to close for four days
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed from Wednesday, December 23, through Friday, December 26, 2025. According to an official notice posted on its X handle on Tuesday, normal operations at both diplomatic missions will resume on Monday, December 29, 2025. The US Mission did not provide further details on the reason for the temporary closure. The post read: “The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Wednesday, December 23, through Friday, December 26, 2025. We will resume normal work operations on Monday, December 29, 2025.”
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 15:12 UTC
LG Autonomy: Obey Supreme Court judgment, Ikonne tells Otti
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has urged Governor Alex Otti to comply fully with the Supreme Court judgment granting local governments unfettered access to their statutory allocations. According to Ikonne, President Tinubu’s stance on the issue reflects sincerity and courage, particularly given the political influence wielded by state governors. He expressed concern about the situation in Abia State, alleging that local governments there lack effective control over their allocations. He maintained that adherence to the Supreme Court ruling remains a constitutional obligation, not a partisan issue. President Tinubu, at the recent APC NEC meeting, had lamented continued non-compliance with the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and warned that further action could be taken to enforce it if necessary.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 15:11 UTC
49ers Help Jaguars Punch Ticket to Playoffs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have made it back to the playoffs. The Jaguars sit at 11-4 after a six-game winning streak was extended on the road against the Denver Broncos in Week 16. The Jaguars have two more weeks to wrap up the AFC South and perhaps even make a push for the No. You can’t just show up and win games in this league," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said after the 48-20 win over Denver. Nov 30, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen smiles to the crowd as he walks of the field against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 14:57 UTC
Two PDP Rivers Senators Defect to APC Ahead of 2027
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Tuesday after two senators from Rivers State—Allwell Onyesoh and Barinada Mpigi—formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The senators cited irreconcilable internal divisions within the PDP and the need to align with the Federal Government to effectively serve their constituents. Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, said his decision followed wide consultations with political leaders and stakeholders in his constituency. “The PDP has unresolved issues and divisions at the national, state, local government and even ward levels, resulting in a breakdown of effective party authority in Rivers State and particularly in my senatorial district,” he stated. Leaders of the APC, including the party’s National Secretary, South-South National Vice Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Youth Leader and the Rivers State APC chairman, were present to formally receive the defectors, describing their decision as a significant boost to the party’s influence in the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 14:34 UTC
Nigeria Deletes Terrorist Social Media Accounts, Says FG
The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerian security agencies are working with major social media companies to identify and take down accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds. According to him, security agencies have held several engagements with social media companies to address posts and accounts that pose threats to national security. “The issue of social media platforms used by terrorist groups—if you knew how many accounts we took down. We have had several meetings with these social media platforms like: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X. Laka also said ransom payments remain a major source of terror financing, with point-of-sale operators increasingly exploited to move funds.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 14:13 UTC
US launches $3,000 ‘leave voluntarily’ immigration plan
The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a limited-time programme aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season. Participants will also qualify for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties related to failure to depart the United States. According to DHS, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country since January 2025, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme. “Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme. Migrants simply download the app, submit their information, and DHS arranges and covers the cost of travel.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 12:30 UTC
Trump administration plans to promote loyal diplomats after recall of 30 ambassadors, sources say
The Trump administration has quietly recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior overseas diplomats as the Trump administration plans to promote appointees loyal to the new administration to higher levels of the state department, according to diplomatic sources. But the Trump administration had vowed to oust a “deep state” of civil servants in a process that critics have called a purge of a professional class of government employees including senior overseas diplomats. “This is a standard process in any administration,” a current senior state department official said in response to a request for comment from the Guardian. Powerful White House officials like the deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller have sought to install allies in the state department to execute goals of limiting immigration into the United States. The promotion of diplomats aligned with the current White House administration would further politicise the diplomatic corps, AFSA said.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 11:07 UTC
U.S. conducts surveillance flights over Nigeria after Trump threats
The report on Monday said the purpose of the surveillance missions could not be independently confirmed. However, the flights follow threats by U.S. President Donald Trump in November to intervene militarily in Nigeria over what he described as the government’s failure to halt violence against Christian communities. Flight tracking data for December showed that the contractor-operated aircraft typically takes off from Ghana, flies over Nigeria, and returns to Accra. Trump has also recalled the Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and other career diplomats from their ambassadorial posts. Africa is the region most affected by the recalls, with ambassadors from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda, among those removed.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 10:35 UTC
Kano Pillars return to home stadium after ban is reduced
Former Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Kano Pillars, will return to their home ground, the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, from their next fixture against Nasarawa United on Monday after serving a period of banishment to Katsina, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The committee reduced the sanction to a five-match stadium ban, effective from the date of the original punishment. Pillars marked their fifth and final home match in Katsina with a 2–1 victory over Plateau United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Sunday. During their temporary stay in Katsina, Pillars recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat. Ahead of their return to Kano, the club expressed gratitude to Katsina United and the people of Katsina State for their support.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 09:48 UTC
Troops arrest two for impersonating COAS in Edo
Troops have arrested two persons for impersonating the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at Utesi in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. The Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this in a statement, said the arrest was made on December 11, 2025, following intelligence reports. Onoja said that the suspects are in military custody, undergoing investigation before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. It said troops foiled an oil theft worth over N15 million in the South-South. “Troops’ sacrifices and dedication to duty are highly appreciated and have justified the confidence the nation reposes in the AFN,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 08:45 UTC
Amusan decries chaos, unchecked access at Nigerian airports
A former President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Olusoji Amusan, has raised concern over what he described as persistent chaos and lack of sanity at Nigerian airports. Amusan, who was also the pioneer General Manager, West Africa for Lufthansa German Airlines, said Nigerian airport terminals had become overly porous, with too many unauthorised persons roaming sensitive areas meant strictly for passengers and on-duty officials. He called for strict access control and the deployment of supervisors to coordinate activities, especially at the nation’s five international airports. He said: “We have been talking about sanity at Nigerian airports for years, but we must start from what we can achieve. Amusan also criticised the general chaos outside airport terminals, stressing the need for clear delineation of responsibilities among agencies operating at the airports.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 08:36 UTC
Firm donates police outpost to boost security in Rivers
An energy firm, Solewant Group, has donated a modern police outpost to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Alode, Elemé, Rivers State, to improve security in the community. The outpost, situated near the Solewant Group’s industrial park and residential area, aims to bring law enforcement closer to the community, fostering peace, security, and swift response to crime incidents. Ewanehi thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for approving the construction of the police outpost. The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the firm for its donation, noting the positive impact on community security and resident morale. The commissioner encouraged residents to embrace the initiative and assist the police in fighting crime.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 08:33 UTC