Trump says US is in talks with Cuba's top leaders
U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images via AFP)US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Washington was negotiating with Havana’s leadership to strike a deal, days after he threatened Cuba’s reeling economy with a virtual oil blockade. On Thursday, the Republican president signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. Hours later, Cubans were queuing up on Friday in long lines at gas stations in Havana. After Maduro’s fall, the US president warned Havana to “make a deal soon” or face unspecified consequences.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 21:31 UTC
Alcaraz Beats Djokovic to Win First Australian Open Title
Spains Carlos Alcaraz acknowledges spectators after defeating Serbias Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final match on day fifteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 1, 2026. I dreamt about getting an Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam.”He paid tribute to Djokovic. Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy, last won one at the US Open in 2023. Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead. But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a famous win.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 20:49 UTC
Nigeria Coup Plot: Defence Minister Reveals He Was a Target
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd. Musa disclosed this on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, days after the military announced that 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would face trial over an alleged coup plot. The former Chief of Defence Staff said he became aware that he was listed as a target of the plotters. But again, I think these guys were just a bunch of very unserious individuals that really don’t know. Even without the armed forces, Nigerians would have stood against them.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 20:04 UTC
Defection claims false, Kwankwaso never met APC — NNPP
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed reports claiming that its national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, held talks to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as false and deliberately misleading. The party said Kwankwaso never entered into negotiations with the ruling party nor made any demands to President Bola Tinubu, contrary to speculations circulating in some quarters. Johnson said Kwankwaso neither contemplated leaving the NNPP nor engaged President Tinubu or the APC on joining the ruling party. “It is a blatant lie that Kwankwaso made demands or entered into negotiations with the APC or President Tinubu for his defection. Johnson clarified that the last meeting between Kwankwaso and President Tinubu occurred in 2024 and was unrelated to any political realignment.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 19:25 UTC
Oil discovery: Ogun govt reasserts jurisdiction over Eba Island
The Ogun State Government has firmly restated its territorial jurisdiction over Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, dismissing claims from some quarters in Ondo State as misleading and capable of fuelling unnecessary communal tension. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo, representing Ilaje Federal Constituency in Ondo State, after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the resumption of drilling activities at an abandoned oil well on Eba Island. The request was declined and reported to the Ogun State Government, NNPCL, and security agencies, an action described as a tacit acknowledgment of Ogun State’s authority. The Ogun State Government also dismissed reliance on colonial notices from 1919 and 1920 as misleading, citing Colonial Government Gazette No. Eba Island where the approved oil well is located is in Ogun State,” the statement concluded.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 19:12 UTC
PDP Nigeria 2027: Party Aims to Safeguard Democracy
The Caretaker National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, says the party is focused on rebuilding unity and forging broad alliances to protect Nigeria’s democracy in 2027. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, Ogidi said the party is determined to defend democracy and reposition itself as a strong opposition ahead of the upcoming elections. The PDP chieftain, who acknowledged that the party is currently facing minor internal challenges, said its mission to safeguard democratic governance would not be derailed. “We are going to reach out to anybody reachable in the other political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress. Ogidi said that PDP’s priority in 2027 would be the protection of democracy, national unity, and the provision of a credible alternative to the ruling party.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 18:56 UTC
Police arrest suspects after attack on officers in Delta
The Delta State Police Command has arrested suspects following an attack on its officers at the boundary between Akukwu-Igbo and Ugbolu communities in Oshimili North Local Government Area. The arrests follow a manhunt ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, who directed the immediate deployment of operatives to restore order and public confidence after the incident. “Following prompt police deployment, operatives in a sting operation have arrested some suspects connected to the incident. He also warned that no extremist, secessionist, or violent group would be allowed to operate within Delta State. It urged the public to remain calm and provide credible information through the Control Room contact to aid in the arrest of other suspects currently at large.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 18:40 UTC
PAP Laptop Distribution Equips 900 Niger Delta Students
The latest recipients include students from partnering institutions, Nigeria Maritime University and Admiralty University of Nigeria, as well as non-partnering schools, Dennis Osadebey University, Southern Delta University, and the University of Delta. “This laptop distribution underscores our strong commitment to the overall academic success of our students. According to the statement, many students receiving the laptops described the distribution as timely, noting it would significantly aid their studies. According to PAP, Otuaro has deployed over 9,000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for various industry-relevant courses since assuming office in March 2024. PAP was established in 2009 to address militancy in the Niger Delta by disarming and rehabilitating former agitators.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 18:30 UTC
RTEAN backs Tinubu’s re-election bid for 2027
He added that the association plans to convene a national convention to publicly reaffirm its political direction and continued support for President Tinubu. Those who honoured me as Patron of the Jagaban Squad are determined to show the world that we stand firmly with Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said. He disclosed that RTEAN has over five million registered members nationwide and pledged the association’s continued loyalty to the Tinubu administration. Its support will significantly boost grassroots mobilisation for the APC ahead of the 2027 presidential election,” he said. “We are confident that this partnership between RTEAN and the Jagaban Squad will yield positive results and contribute immensely to the success of President Tinubu and the APC in the coming election cycle.”
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 18:20 UTC
Makinde assures of continued good governance after tenure
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday said that while his tenure will end in May 2027, members of his team, with whom he has delivered good governance, are poised to continue the work in different capacities. He therefore assured the people of continuity of good governance after the expiration of his tenure, stressing that his team is still intact and will carry on the good work. “I want to congratulate all of us for witnessing Oyo State at 50, and I pray that we shall witness many more years on earth. We will continue to operate in accordance with the will and guidance of God for Oyo State,” Makinde assured. Special prayers were offered for Governor Makinde, the state, past leaders/governors, and Nigeria, as well as for the continuity of good governance through a worthy successor.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 18:15 UTC
Ebonyi insecurity: Gov shuts schools, imposes curfew
The measures were part of resolutions reached at an emergency meeting of the Ebonyi State Security Council on Saturday night, convened in response to the mayhem in Okporojo village, Oso Edda community. Earlier on Saturday, Nwifuru visited the affected community, commiserated with residents, and directed security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. “Accordingly, all government and private schools in Amasiri Development Centre and in the Amasiri clan are hereby closed down, and all teachers are to be posted to other schools in other communities. Nwifuru added that the council directed security agencies to swing into action to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings in Okporojo and to recover the severed heads of the victims at all costs. “These resolutions take immediate effect,” the governor said, warning that the state would not tolerate acts of violence or lawlessness in any part of Ebonyi State.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 18:04 UTC
Soldiers Killed as Troops Confront Bandits in Zamfara
Some soldiers have been confirmed dead in a fierce firefight with notorious bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. “Following days of intensive surveillance, ground troops supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intercepted the bandits on January 31, 2026,” the statement read. The camp was set ablaze before the troops withdrew.”Osoba added that the NAF is conducting interdiction missions to intercept fleeing bandits, while ground troops maintain dominance over the area. He added that the army honours the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers and remains determined in its mission. “Combat efficiency remains high as troops continue to dismantle bandit networks and disrupt their supply chains across the region,” Osoba said.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 17:57 UTC
Caterer Says Holy Spirit Cooked iShowSpeed's Nigerian Jollof
“This Jollof rice, na Holy Spirit help me cook am. Sappor recounted that a customer who has never visited Freedom Park before, came to her restaurant to eat the jollof rice she made for iShowSpeed. “She said she has never stepped a foot into Freedom Park, but she came in because of iShowSpeed.We prepared the Jollof rice that iShowSpeed ate when he came to Nigeria. iShowSpeed, during his Africa tour titled Speed Does Africa, praised the Nigerian jollof rice during the livestream at Sappor Cuisine, saying, “I am not gonna lie, this is good. While sampling Nigerian jollof rice at the park, Speed told viewers during his livestream, “I am not gonna lie, this is good.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 17:41 UTC
Anxiety as Soludo reopens Onitsha main market
Tension gripped Anambra StateAnambra State on Sunday as Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered the reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, despite threats by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to enforce a sit-at-home across the South-East. The market was shut for one week last Monday after traders were accused of complying with the sit-at-home order. At the time, Soludo warned that the closure could be extended or parts of the market demolished should traders continue to defy government directives. The decision to reopen the market followed a series of engagements between the state government and market leaders. In a statement titled “Onitsha Main Market Re-opens on Monday, February 2,” the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, confirmed that the governor’s closure order had expired.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 17:21 UTC
‘I wanted to stop’: The silent gambling epidemic inside Nigeria’s banks
Although gambling is common among almost all age groups and socioeconomic classes in Nigeria, bankers appear particularly vulnerable to developing gambling problems. “The immediate environment of handling cash and financial transactions can greatly increase the risk of gambling addiction,” said Akinniku. The centre provides a safe, confidential environment for individuals seeking counselling, therapy, and structured recovery support for gambling addiction. So far, 47 bankers and former bankers have sought help from our organisation specifically for gambling addiction,” Abiose told The Guardian. Other options available are 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 120 days.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 17:13 UTC