The aggregate figures are driven by a handful of states with particularly large security vote provisions. Edo approved N12.87bn while Benue budgeted N12bn, keeping it among the top tier of states in terms of security vote allocations. By 2025, security vote spending had widened sharply. In Nigeria, security votes are special monthly allocations of public funds reserved by federal and state governments for security-related purposes. “State governments receive special security allocations.

Here is a detailed explainer how the 2026 Tata Punch facelift has evolved from the old Tata Punch. 2026 Tata Punch facelift vs old Tata Punch: Exterior When we talk about the design, the 2026 Tata Punch facelift has received the biggest change at the front. The vertically stacked headlamp clusters come following the design cue of the Tata Nexon and Tata Punch EV. 2026 Tata Punch facelift vs old Tata Punch: Interior & features Like the exterior, the interior of the new Tata Punch has equally been revised to get a refreshed look and more upmarket feel thanks to the revamped layout and new features. The 2026 Tata Punch facelift gets a more contemporary dual-spoke steering wheel with illuminated brand logo, which replaced the conventional steering wheel.

Barq Group and US-based Elroy Air have signed an initial agreement to form a joint venture that will invest $200m in a new manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi to produce the Chaparral autonomous cargo aircraft. The partnership combines Barq Group, a leading provider of smart mobility and logistics solutions across the MENA region, and Elroy Air, a pioneer in autonomous aerial systems for middle-mile logistics. Subject to regulatory approvals, the venture will supply Chaparral systems to commercial and humanitarian customers across the Middle East and North Africa. The aircraft completed the world’s first flight of a turbogenerator hybrid-electric aircraft in November 2023. Ahmed AlMazrui, Chief Executive Officer of Barq Group, described the agreement as “a strategic commitment to Abu Dhabi’s role in shaping the future of mobility.

Moses Itauma’s fight against American Jermaine Franklin has been rescheduled for March after the British heavyweight picked up an injury while training. The 21-year-old is unbeaten in 13 fights while 32-year-old Franklin has 24 wins and two losses on his record. “Unfortunately Moses Itauma has sustained an injury in camp and therefore the Magnificent 7 show has been re-scheduled for 28 March,” promoters Queensberry said. American Franklin has lost just two of his 26 contests, with those defeats coming against Anthony Joshua and Whyte. Itauma stepped into the ring twice in 2025 and had been expected to fight on 13 December before a raft of issues delayed his return.

The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the United Arab Emirates, and the UAE has removed tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria, as part of a new trade pact aimed at expanding market access for Nigerian goods, businesses, and professionals. For trade in goods, the ministry said Nigeria has committed to eliminating tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE. The UAE also committed to eliminating tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria. Under the agreement, Nigeria will immediately remove tariffs on 3,949 products, representing 63.3 per cent of the total, while phasing out tariffs on 2,294 products over five years. On its part, the UAE will immediately eliminate tariffs on 2,805 products, representing 38.3 per cent of the total, remove tariffs on 1,468 products within three years, and on 3,042 products within five years.

Punch Facelift ArrivesTata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) officially launched its all-new Punch facelift on Tuesday, billing it as 'faster, smarter, bolder'. Optimistic 2026 OutlookShailesh Chandra, MD&CEO of TMPV, expressed confidence in robust sales figures for 2026. Milestones and Future AdditionsSeveral key milestones were achieved in 2025, including crossing 2.5 lakh electric vehicle (EV) sales. The Nexon EV became the first EV to surpass the 1 lakh sales mark, while the Tiago model approached 7 lakh sales. Beyond the Punch facelift, incremental volume is expected from the upcoming Sierra model, further bolstering the company's sales projections.

Tata Punch facelift crash tested against a truck at 50km/h shows strong cabin protection, six-airbag safety and five-star Bharat NCAP focus on real-world safety. Tata Motors has officially released a crash test video of the 2026 Tata Punch facelift, and it is one that car enthusiasts will want to watch closely. Tata Punch Facelift: Safety FeaturesThe video clearly captures the rapid deployment of safety systems. Tata Punch Facelift: EngineThe 2026 Tata Punch facelift comes from a 1.2-litre petrol engine, offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Also Read: Tata Punch Facelift Launched in India at Rs 5.59 Lakh, Bookings Now OpenThe Punch facelift holds a five-star rating under Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupant protection.

Police have released a fresh plea for a man possibly connected to an incident that involved a teenager being hit with a “coward’s punch” after an Arrowtown wedding. Images were released of a man who police believed could assist them with inquiries about a violent incident which occurred outside the Fork and Tap bar in December. A police spokesperson said they believe the man was part of a wedding party for “Abi and Rob” that had been held at the Arrowtown Bowls Club earlier on December 21. “We are unable to clearly identify him,” the spokesperson said, “and these are the clearest images we can locate.”“One person was seriously injured in a coward’s punch - meaning the punch was served to an unsuspecting victim, not as a result of a fight.”

The All Progressives Congress has said that reclaiming Oyo State in 2027 is no longer in doubt, citing what it described as the people’s growing love for the party. Senator Teslim Folarin, a former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for the Renewed Hope initiative, stated this in Ibadan on Tuesday. According to him, the APC in Oyo State is now united and repositioned to take over the state government and ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027. “Reclaiming Oyo State is no longer in doubt. “If we go to the polls from now, we will win Oyo State with a landslide victory,” he said.

Gabon's forward #09 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Gabon and Mozambique at Grand Stadium in Agadir on December 28, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Gabon has lifted the sanctions it imposed on the national football team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following the country’s disappointing performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Panthers finished bottom of Group F, prompting then-Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula to suspend the team, sack coach Thierry Mouyouma, and exclude Aubameyang and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga from the national setup on January 1. The decision clears the way for Aubameyang’s potential return to the national team and signals a move toward stabilising Gabonese football ahead of upcoming international competitions. PUNCH Online had reported that ex-Gabon sports minister had announced the banning of veteran players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, the suspension of the whole national team, and the sacking of the coaching staff following the Panthers’ disastrous showing at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The New Nigeria People’s Party has denied reports that its national leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, endorsed the rumoured defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress, describing the claim as false and misleading. “The NNPP has described the so-called ‘breaking news’ by Premium Times that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has suddenly reversed his well-known position and endorsed the defection of the Governor of Kano State from the NNPP to the APC as a wicked lie and a shameful, blatant falsehood,” the statement read. The party spokesman challenged Yusuf and his loyalists to leave the NNPP openly, if that was their intention, without invoking Kwankwaso’s name. “Do not attempt to deceive the public into thinking you have the support or blessings of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he added. Although Kwankwaso did not mention the APC by name, he reportedly referred repeatedly to the Gandujiyya movement associated with a former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

CNG + AMT highlighted as a USPTwin-cylinder CNG tankiTurbo paired with 6MTThe new Tata Punch launched today, and it gets a base ex-showroom tag of Rs. The sub-compact SUV is now the most powerful car in its segment, churning out 118bhp/170Nm via the turbo-petrol motor. The new Tata Punch gets three 1.2L petrol options: NA, (86.5bhp/115Nm) paired with 5MT/AMT systems, CNG (72bhp/103Nm) paired with 5MT/AMT, and turbo (118bhp/170Nm) paired with a 6MT system. The Punch also gets eight variants, viz. Smart, Pure, Pure+, Pure+ S, Adventure, Adventure S, Accomplished, and Accomplished+ S. Comprehensive variant-wise powertrain offerings have been listed below:Smart and Pure: 1.2 NA and 1.2 CNG with 5MTPure+: 1.2 NA and 1.2 CNG with 5MT/AMTPure+ S: 1.2 NA with 5MT/AMT, and 1.2 CNG with 5MTAdventure: 1.2 NA and 1.2 CNG with 5MT/AMT, and 1.2 turbo with 6MTAdventure S: 1.2 NA with 5MT, and 1.2 CNG with 5MT/AMTAccomplished: 1.2 NA with 5MT/AMT, and 1.2 CNG with 5MTAccomplished+ S: 1.2 NA with 5MT/AMT, 1.2 CNG with 5MT, and 1.2 turbo with 6MTBookings for the new Punch open today, with deliveries scheduled to follow later.

The Lagos State Government has arrested a Bus Rapid Transit driver following the death of a pedestrian, identified as, Elizabeth Fresh, who was knocked down by a high-capacity bus along the Airport Junction, Ikeja. The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority confirmed that the fatal incident occurred on Friday, January 9, 2026, and involved a bus operated by the Red and White Bus Operating Company under its regulation. Describing the incident as a tragic loss, LAMATA said it remained committed to safety and accountability across all transport services regulated by the Lagos State Government. The authority also urged pedestrians to make proper use of pedestrian bridges when crossing BRT corridors, warning that failure to do so continued to endanger lives. LAMATA reaffirmed its commitment to working with transport operators, security agencies and the public to prevent similar occurrences and improve commuter safety across Lagos.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to make amends with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, instead of engaging in political confrontation. “Those people leading on Governor Fubara, if Governor Fubara goes down today, they will run away. By now, Governor Fubara would have been history because the moment you are impeached, you’re out of the way. If you read the context of President Tinubu, he took the governor, Governor Fubara, to the cleaners. The move comes amid a protracted feud between former Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, which has plunged Rivers State into political instability since late 2023.

One of the world’s biggest hard rock bands, multi-platinum powerhouse Five Finger Death Punch announces the first leg of their 2026-2027 World tour. Long recognized as one of the most charitable bands in rock, Five Finger Death Punch has spent decades giving back to various causes, including U.S. military veterans and first responders and their families. Five Finger Death Punch continues to stand at the intersection of music, and service, proving once again that success means nothing unless it’s shared. “When Five Finger Death Punch learned that U.S. National Governing Bodies don’t receive government funding, they were surprised and immediately wanted to help spread the word. The City of Las Vegas, NV recognized 5FDP's relentless charitable efforts by officially declaring November 1st as "Five Finger Death Punch Day".