Indonesia is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza as part of a potential peacekeeping mission, the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States (US) late last year. However, Indonesia has joined President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, which was announced last month. According to the report, this move is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s effort to position Indonesia as a key player in international security. BBC reports that the deployment timeline and specific responsibilities of Indonesian troops in Gaza are still pending, although it seems President Prabowo Subianto has already committed to sending them. His decision to join Trump’s Board of Peace has been criticised by some Islamic groups in Indonesia, where there has been widespread public anger against the US.

The Ebonyi State Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Udeh, on Tuesday said the party will resist any attempt by EBSIEC to rig the forthcoming LG election, saying the party is following the process and keeping an eye on the ball. Ebonyi people are aware of this and will not forget it,” Udeh said. Ahead of the forthcoming elections, he warned the EBSIEC against any attempt to compromise the process, insisting that the people of Ebonyi State would resist any form of rigging. He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was already engaging with the recognised leadership, dismissing contrary claims as baseless. The Labour Party leadership reiterated its commitment to peaceful participation in the electoral process and urged its members to remain law-abiding throughout the campaign and election period.

LEOMINSTER — Needing just one win, just one, in order to get into the postseason was on Fitchburg’s agenda Tuesday night. The Red Raiders got it, and they went through the mixer in order to get it. Fitchburg only hit six field goals in the second half, but key rebounds and plays helped the Red Raiders hold on for a crucial 54-51 win over archrival Leominster at the Leominster High Gymnasium. Trailing 51-50 with 3:10 remaining, Fitchburg called a key time out. Leominster had closed the gap down to two, 30-28, before the Red Raiders closed the half on an 8-2 run.

Rising concerns over subnational debt also emerged after states paid about ₦455bn to service foreign loans, even as football fans await clarity on the Super Eagles’ World Cup fate ahead of crucial play-offs, among others. Here are the top stories to start your day:US deploys 200 troops to NigeriaAbout 200 United States troops are to be deployed to Nigeria, according to reports outlining ongoing security cooperation between both countries and the context of current defence engagements. https://punchng.com/us-deploys-200-troops-to-nigeria/Dangote cuts fuel price, explores new Burundi investmentsDangote cut fuel prices and is exploring new investment opportunities in Burundi, according to details on the company’s pricing adjustments and expansion plans released on Wednesday. https://punchng.com/dangote-cuts-fuel-price-explores-new-burundi-investments/Eagles await World Cup fate ahead play-offsThe Super Eagles are awaiting their World Cup fate ahead of scheduled play-off fixtures expected to determine Nigeria’s qualification pathway for the tournament. https://punchng.com/pressure-mounts-on-bayelsa-gov-over-choice-of-deputy/States pay ₦455bn to service foreign loansStates paid about ₦455bn to service foreign loans, according to recent figures highlighting subnational debt servicing obligations across the country.

SECURITY experts and stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to criminalise ransom payments to terrorists, describing them as the biggest betrayal in the war against insurgency in Nigeria. The experts, who condemned the menace, especially when the government secretly paid terrorists a ransom, said that such a practice would only further encourage and deepen insecurity in the country. He said that the system comprises multiple layers, including state police, county police, rangers, and sheriffs, which work together in synergy to achieve their goals. MEANWHILE, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has condemned the recent killing of more than 178 people in Kwara State communities, describing the incident as “heartbreaking” and a grave provocation. He, however, cautioned South-West governors against politicising insecurity, urging them instead to adopt a united regional response.

Police cracked down on people in Sydney protesting a visit by the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog. Footage provided to Guardian Australia appears to show a person being repeatedly punched by a police officer while on the ground. The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has defended the actions of police at a rally against Herzog’s visit, after video footage emerged showing officers repeatedly punching a number of protesters

Two persons —a commercial bus driver and his passenger—were burnt to death, while eight others sustained injuries after a minibus caught fire along the Okota–Mile 2 corridor in Lagos State. “Preliminary findings revealed that an unknown private vehicle reversed on the main carriageway, compelling the commercial minibus to apply an abrupt brake. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Ambulance Service were also deployed to extinguish the fire and manage rescue operations. “On behalf of the Lagos State Government, I express deep sorrow over this needless loss of life and extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We pray for the speedy and complete recovery of the eight rescued passengers,” Giwa said.

A PUNCH Metro correspondent, who visited the area on Tuesday, gathered from residents and video clips circulating in the community that the attackers struck inside the church, where Baba Iwo was allegedly hacked to death on the altar. In one clip lasting less than a minute and seen by PUNCH Metro, the deceased, dressed in Ankara fabric, had his neck almost severed. She explained that Baba Iwo, who was outside the church at the time, became suspicious after noticing movements within the premises. “With his cutlass in hand, he told another security guard who works in a nearby area that he wanted to go inside the church to inspect what was going on,” she said. “When he peeped through the entrance of the church, he saw Baba Iwo lying helpless on the altar.

There is growing confidence within the Nigeria Football Federation that the Super Eagles could receive another lifeline in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as the country awaits FIFA’s verdict on a protest against DR Congo, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. As the play-offs draw closer, a verdict from FIFA is expected soon, and the NFF remains confident in the process. Nigeria’s protest is hinged on the alleged illegal switch of nationality by some DR Congo players. “I mean, we’re still waiting — hopefully we can go to the World Cup,” midfielder Alex Iwobi said recently. The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the three host countries.

The cargo agents operating at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, have suspended their strike following a reduction in tariff by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Ogunojemite said that the crisis was resolved on Monday in a meeting with the representatives of FAAN at the Lagos airport. According to him, FAAN crashed the cargo tariff from the initial N20per kg to N15per kg. Agbebire in the statement, said that FAAN had reached an agreement with the cargo agents on the tariff. “FAAN believes the resolution will enhance the ease-of-doing business at MMA while supporting sustainable airport and cargo infrastructure development.”The air cargo agents had last week embarked on industrial action to protest the upward review of tariff introduced by FAAN, describing it as anti-business

The Peoples Democratic Party has rebuked the Senate’s inclusion of a manual result transmission clause in the Electoral Amendment Bill, describing it as a “backdoor move” that undermines efforts to strengthen electoral reforms and ensure credible elections in Nigeria. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, in a statement released on Tuesday said it is inconceivable that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which reliably handles election accreditation, would suddenly fail in transmitting results. The decision followed a review of a disputed clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday. Should this democracy fail, the names of Senator Akpabio and all Senators who voted against electronic transmission will undoubtedly occupy a conspicuous chapter in the book of infamy. “We also call on Nigerians to remain resolute in their demand for the real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The National Sports Commission has announced the disbursement of N200m in training grants to 26 Nigerian athletes as part of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, The PUNCH reports. “The training grants disbursed to 26 athletes across different sports followed a careful and professional selection process by the Yusuf Ali-led Elite and Podium Board. Olopade said the support would significantly aid preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland and other major events, including the Olympic Games. The latest disbursement marks the second time within six months that the commission has released training grants to Nigeria’s elite athletes , according to the NSC. Nigeria will be aiming to extend its Commonwealth Games medal tally of 271 medals, made up of 82 gold, 84 silver and 105 bronze, at the Glasgow 2026 Games, which are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026.

UK police said on Tuesday that they were questioning a teenager suspected of stabbing two boys at a London school, as counter-terrorism officers took over the investigation. “The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning by our officers,” he said. The UK, and London in particular, has long grappled with teenage violence and the use of knives, while violence within schools has been growing nationwide, according to unions representing teachers. Both teenage victims in the London stabbings, which occurred just after midday, were taken to hospital. In a letter to parents, Kingsbury High School headteacher Alex Thomas said it had been “a deeply traumatic event for the whole school community”.

Nigerian Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after all necessary procedures at the polling station are completed. According to the new rules, the presiding officer must ensure that results are signed off by the presiding officer, party agents, and security personnel before uploading them electronically. This process aims to boost trust, ensure transparency, and safeguard the fairness of the election. The decision was unanimously approved on Tuesday during an urgent Senate session, where it was agreed that this amendment would help restore public confidence and ensure the process remains organised and verifiable. Lawmakers highlighted that transmitting results to IReV after certification marks an important step forward in Nigeria’s democratic journey, increasing openness in result reporting and allowing citizens to track elections more easily.

A personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid, has lost his life during a raid by operatives of the agency on a notorious drug enclave known as Ama Hausa in Bonny Island, Rivers State. During the raid, six suspects were arrested and a significant cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk, and tramadol, was recovered. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, said Mujahid lost his life as a result of severe head injuries sustained when the drug dealers mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives during the raid. Babafemi said that despite the violent attack, the NDLEA operatives were able to apprehend all six targets of the raid, including the gang leader, Genesis George Benson, who is responsible for the death of the NDLEA operative. Even after the cowardly attack on Mujahid, our operatives ensured that the assailants were overpowered and arrested, and their illicit substances confiscated.