Ghana’s former finance minister, who is wanted at home on suspicion of corruption, has been detained by US immigration, his lawyers said. Ken Ofori-Atta, 66, has been in the United States since January last year to receive medical treatment, including prostate cancer surgery. They said the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Ofori-Atta into custody on Tuesday over “the status of his current stay in the United States”. ICE’s online database listed Ofori-Atta as being held at a facility in the US state of Virginia. Ofori-Atta served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo and oversaw contentious tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

A member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, on Wednesday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Peoples Party (APP). He accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, of being responsible for the crisis in the PDP. Mr Ugochinyere also accused Mr Wike and his loyalists in the PDP of changing the executives of the party in Imo State and installing Austin Nwachukwu as its state chairperson. Another faction of the party backed by Mr Wike is being led by its Acting National Chairperson, Abdulrahman Mohammed. Meanwhile, Mr Ugochinyere has been critical of Mr Wike in recent times mainly due to his alleged role in the previous political crisis and current tension in Rivers State.

The United States has introduced a new visa bond policy that could require Nigerian applicants for B1/B2 business or tourist visas to post bonds of up to $15,000. According to the US Department of State, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa approval, and fees paid without the direction of a consular officer will not be refunded. Nigeria is among 24 African countries included in the updated list of “high-risk” nations, which also includes Benin, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and The Gambia. The requirement will take effect in Nigeria on 21 January 2026. “Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,” the Department of State said.

Toronto police have charged 28-year-old Babatunde Afuwape with first-degree murder over the fatal shooting of 20-year-old University of Toronto student Shivank Avasthi on the Scarborough campus last month. “I’m not sure how he chose Shivank or what his ultimate plan was that day,” she told reporters. Avasthi, a third-year student from India, was remembered by friends and classmates as a kind and caring individual. The university’s cheerleading and powerlifting clubs also paid tribute to Avasthi on social media, highlighting his positive spirit and encouragement to others. The shooting, which appears to have been random, has shocked the campus community, underscoring concerns about student safety on and around university grounds.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, on Wednesday alleged that the party was rigged out of votes in the 2023 presidential election, claiming that its tally was reduced from about 10 million to six million votes. According to the 2023 presidential election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the All Progressives Congress scored 8,794,726 votes; the Peoples Democratic Party polled 6,984,520 votes; the Labour Party came third with 6,101,533 votes, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party recorded 1,496,687 votes. Speaking further, Abure argued that the party remained intact despite the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Obi, to the African Democratic Congress. “The Labour Party is intact; we will not let Nigerians down. “As a law-abiding citizen and a loyal party member, until the timetable is released by INEC and the leadership of the Labour Party calls for interested aspirants, I will not say anything about it.

The 2026 Tata Punch will be offered in six trim levels: Smart, Pure, Pure+, Adventure, Accomplished and Accomplished+ S.Tata Punch to get a new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine option It also has a new Punch EV-inspired exterior design Updated digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera among new features2026 Tata Punch revised trim line-upThe pre-facelift Punch has 10 trim levels: Pure, Pure (O), Adventure, Adventure+, Adventure S, Adventure+ S, Accomplished+, Accomplished+ S, Creative+ and Creative+ S.Tata Motors has simplified the Punch line-up with fewer trims. 2026 Tata Punch trims and features explainedSmartRight from the base Smart trim, Tata Motors will be offering 6 airbags, ESC and a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TMPS). AdventureNext, the Adventure trim will be quite well-equipped with features such as push-button start, rear wiper and washer, auto AC, auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. Tata Punch engine optionsThe updated Punch will get a new engine option – the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol unit seen on the Nexon – although its exact specs and gearbox options are yet to be confirmed. We expect the Punch facelift to come at a slight premium, likely ranging between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 9.50 lakh.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations. “Immediately upon returning to office, President Trump initiated the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement,” the White House noted. The message, officials said, is clear: international engagement must serve the United States first—or not at all. On X, the White House noted that from the 66 international organisations, 31 are UN entities while 35 are not. “Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations that no longer serve American interests including: 35-non UN organisations and 31 UN entities,” it concluded.

Aruna returns to WTT events in 2026 after the disappointment of missing out on the end-of-year WTT Cup Finals in 2025. For the first time in the history of the WTT Cup Finals, no African player featured in the 2025 edition, as both Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar missed qualification based on their overall performances last season. Aruna will renew his rivalry with China’s Liang Jingkun, while Goda faces a stern test against former world No. The Nigerian famously defeated the Chinese star at the 2021 WTT Cup Finals, but their first encounter at the 2018 Korean Open saw Jingkun dominate with a 4-1 victory. This marks the first time the Qatari capital will host the purple WTT Champions, adding further prestige to the season-opening event.

The upcoming new 2026 Tata Punch facelift is making headings ahead of its official debut scheduled for 13th January. Following multiple teasers and picture unveil, Tata Motors has now official revealed the variants lineup along with key feature details. Also Read: 2026 Tata Harrier & Safari Petrol Launched: Prices, Features, & SpecsThe updated Punch lineup will be offered in six trims, namely, Smart (new), Pure, Pure+, Adventure, Accomplished and Accomplished+. Below are the variant-wise features of the new Tata Punch. Competition & Price ExpectationsWhen launched, the new Tata Punch 2026 will continue to compete with the Hyundai Exter, Maruti Fronx and Citron C3.

The company is launching Punch facelift on 13th January, 2025 and media drives will commence soon after. New Tata Punch Variant-Wise FeaturesFor starters, new 2026 Tata Punch facelift will get six primary trim levels (personas). Pure+Over all equipment offered by Pure, 2026 Punch facelift Pure+ trim level brings more value-added features that buyers are likely to gravitate towards. AccomplishedIf you opt for Accomplished trim, new 2026 Tata Punch will offer you more premium features. Also read – 2026 Tata Punch ADAS, Turbo Petrol engine

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Photo: NTAThe Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government. The EFCC disclosed that the properties include several high-value real estate assets in prime locations within Abuja. Justice Nwite further ordered Malami to deposit his passport and all other travel documents with the court and restrained him from travelling outside Nigeria without express permission of the court. Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Malami be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

A former Senate Chief Whip, Ayoola Agboola, on Wednesday led hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress to the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State. The defectors officially joined the party during an APC rally held in the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government Area. Addressing the gathering on behalf of the defectors, Agboola said, “Our (members of PDP, SDP, and ADC) decision to join APC followed extensive consultations. Folarin said, “The APC remains the most credible platform for inclusive governance and sustainable national development.”He added that the APC in the state has resolved all internal differences. Dignitaries at the rally included Teslim Folarin; Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Senators Fatai Buhari, Sharafadeen Alli, and Ayo Adeseun; APC state Chairman Olayide Abas; Fatai Ibikunle; Idris Adeoye; former Deputy Governors Iyiola Oladokun and Rauf Olaniyan; and Moses Alake.

Just as I was starting to think I knew what I was doing, Monster Energy circled back with a surprise: One of this year’s Monster Ultra flavors is launching early. Put your earplugs in and get ready to mosh: Monster Ultra Punk Punch is taking the stage at your local Circle K.What does “punk punch” taste like? Are there any other new Monster Ultra flavors launching this year? While Monster Ultra Punk Punch is opening the show, we’ve got a killer headliner coming up. The second Monster Ultra flavor debuting in 2026 is the patriotic rocket pop-inspired Red, White, and Blue Razz Energy in honor of America’s bi-plus-fifty-centennial – and it might just be my new favorite Monster Ultra flavor ever.

His mood darkens, however, as he recalls the authorities’ assault on Kuti’s Lagos HQ, the Kalakuta Republic, on 18 February 1977. When Fela saw it, again he said: ‘Wow. I told Fela and his friends, and they all laughed at me.”Later that day, Kuti realised that Ghariokwu needed to go home. “When Fela saw it, he jumped for joy, shouting, ‘You see?’ like I should always have been smoking marijuana. “Fela broke my heart,” says the artist, who had always enjoyed “100% freedom” in his work for Kuti.

(Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)The United States has imposed a new set of conditions on Venezuela as part of efforts to reopen and expand its oil production and exports, demanding that Caracas reduce its strategic and economic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, told ABC that the US aims to control Venezuelan oil arrangements through diplomatic and economic measures rather than through a military deployment. President Donald Trump has said Venezuela will transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, to be sold at market prices with proceeds managed by Washington. Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, saw its output and exports plunge over recent years due to economic turmoil and sanctions. Prior to recent developments, China had been a major creditor and buyer of Venezuelan crude, underpinning extensive financial ties between Beijing and Caracas.