Tata Punch Facelift CNG Arrives at Dealerships: Launch Next Week
To be offered in six variants and six coloursWill bring along design updates, new features, and a turbo-petrol engineThe Punch facelift, ahead of its launch scheduled to take place on 13 January, has started arriving at local dealerships across the country. The updated B-SUV will bring along a host of changes inside and out, along with a new engine option. As seen in the images here, the Tata Punch facelift is finished in a shade of Coorg Clouds, a new offering and one of the six paints that will be available with the model at launch. The car here is fitted with two CNG cylinders in the boot, a feature that is offered on multiple Tata cars. Under the hood, the Punch facelift will be offered with a 1.2-litre petrol engine in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 07:25 UTC
Tata Punch Facelift Starts Reaching Dealerships Ahead Of January 13 Launch
Tata Motors is preparing to introduce the Punch facelift in the Indian market on January 13. To begin with, the brand has revised the design of the Tata Punch facelift, keeping the silhouette the same. With the new design, the Punch facelift has also gained new colour schemes. Like the exterior, the interior of the Punch Facelift has received major revisions. Talking about new additions, the Tata Punch Facelift will have a new turbo petrol engine.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 06:55 UTC
FG Earmarks N1.7tn in 2026 Budget for Contractor Debt
Earlier, Minister of Works David Umahi had promised to clear verified arrears owed to federal contractors before the end of 2025. However, only partial payments were made amid revenue constraints, prompting the inclusion of the N1.7tn line item in the 2026 budget as a catch-up mechanism. They want to shift us to 2026; that 2026, they are going to pay,” he alleged. “In the last quarter, we did pay contractors over N2tn to settle outstanding capital budget obligations. Tinubu directed the setting up of a committee to verify all claims from federal contractors.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 06:33 UTC
Trump withdraws US from 66 international organizations
The United States has formally withdrawn from 66 international organisations, including several key climate and UN-related bodies, under orders from President Donald Trump. The withdrawal, announced in a memorandum signed on Wednesday, affects 35 non-UN entities and 31 UN-related organisations. Framework Convention on Climate Change, widely regarded as the “bedrock” climate treaty and the parent agreement of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. “Today, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations identified as part of the administration’s review of wasteful, ineffective, and harmful international organisations,” he said, adding that the review is ongoing. “What started as a pragmatic framework of international organisations for peace and cooperation has morphed into a sprawling architecture of global governance, often dominated by progressive ideology and detached from national interests,” Rubio said.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 06:01 UTC
2027: I’ll align with party offering presidential, VP ticket — Kwankwaso
The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he would only consider aligning with a political party ahead of the 2027 general elections if it offers him either the presidential ticket or the vice-presidential slot. Kwankwaso made the disclosure while speaking at a Kwankwasiyya gathering at his residence in Miller Road, Kano, where he addressed ongoing political realignments ahead of the next general elections. “At the national level, we are looking for a political party to align with,” he said. The former Kano State governor also criticised the style of politics under President Bola Tinubu, arguing that numerical strength within a party does not necessarily translate to electoral success. Arewa PUNCH reports that Kwankwaso’s remarks have further fuelled political discussions over possible alliances and realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 05:20 UTC
Nigerian man killed in Yorkdale terminal shooting in Canada
A 46-year-old Nigerian man, Osemwengie Irorere, has been shot and killed inside a bus at the Yorkdale GO Bus Terminal, located on the Yorkdale Road and Allen Road area of Toronto, Canada. Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Toronto Police Service said a 40-year-old suspect, identified as Tyrel Gibson, has been charged with first-degree murder. In a statement, the police said, “On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 7 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting at the Yorkdale GO Bus Terminal in the Yorkdale Road and Allen Road area. “It is alleged that the victim and the suspect both boarded a GO bus at the terminal, where the suspect shot the victim before fleeing the area on foot. “The suspect was located and arrested by officers a short time later, and a firearm was recovered.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 04:57 UTC
Venezuela insists on sovereignty, denies US subjugation
(FILES) Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez speaks during the presentation of the 2026 fiscal year budget at the National Congress in Caracas on December 4, 2025. (Photo by Pedro MATTEY / AFP)Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez insisted Thursday her country was not “subjugated,” despite US President Donald Trump’s claim to be in charge there after removing her predecessor Nicolas Maduro. “We are not subordinate or subjugated,” Rodriguez said during a ceremony for the 100 Venezuelans that her government says were killed during the US assault. “Nobody surrendered. There was fighting for the homeland” when the US forces attacked on January 3, she said.
Source:Punch
January 09, 2026 04:16 UTC
Senate advances war powers resolution to stop Trump from taking further military action in Venezuela
Trump went on to call the War Powers Resolution, the Vietnam-war era legislation Congress passed to stop presidents from conducting unapproved wars, “unconstitutional”. Previous war powers resolutions proposed in both chambers failed – albeit narrowly – to garner enough support from the Republican majority to advance. Johnson added: “President Trump is a strong president who takes decisive action, and that sends an important message to other dangerous people, terrorists and tyrants around the world. “President Trump campaigned against forever wars, and I strongly support him in that position. Shortly after the Senate vote, a group of House Democrats introduced a similar war powers resolution dealing with Venezuela in that chamber.
Source:The Guardian
January 08, 2026 23:19 UTC
Jason Cundy walks out of talkSPORT studio live on air to punch producer
Jason Cundy spectacularly left the talkSPORT studio to jokingly PUNCH a producer live on air on Wednesday night. Cundy and fellow talkSPORT host Jamie O'Hara were discussing Wednesday's Premier League action on The Sports Bar in midweek. 3 Jason Cundy walked out of the talkSPORT studio to punch producer Alex Irons Credit: talkSPORTFormer Chelsea man Cundy, sporting a clown hat and bowtie, had been forced to watch the Blues fall to a 2-1 loss at west London rivals Fulham. Cundy continued as O'Hara and United fan Dave discussed United. The Sports Bar will return tonight between 10pm and 1am to discuss Arsenal's welcome of Liverpool, which you can listen to live on talkSPORT.
Source:Punch
January 08, 2026 19:55 UTC
US Senate Rebukes Trump on Venezuela War Powers Vote
The Democratic-led legislation, which bars further US hostilities against Venezuela without explicit congressional authorisation, got through a key procedural vote with support from five Republicans. “But make no mistake, bombing another nation’s capital and removing their leader is an act of war, plain and simple. Republican leaders largely defended the president, touting his authority to conduct limited military actions in defence of US national security. “Only President Trump had the backbone to pull it off, to pull out an indicted, illegitimate president that was holding Venezuela hostage.”Since Trump returned to office, war powers resolutions on Venezuela have been rejected twice in the Senate and twice in the House. Over the last century, only one congressional resolution has successfully imposed a broad, lasting limit on unilateral presidential military action abroad: the War Powers Resolution of 1973, passed over then-president Richard Nixon’s veto.
Source:Punch
January 08, 2026 18:17 UTC
Wike Hails Tinubu for Completing Bodo-Bonny Road Project
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the completion of the Bodo–Bonny Road, describing the project as a long-standing dream finally realised. He described the road as a “political project” that had been promised by successive administrations without result, noting that the Tinubu-led government delivered it without pressure. “All of us know that this Bodo–Bonny road has been a political road for long. Tinubu, who spoke through Umahi at the ceremony, described the project as a flagship achievement of his Renewed Hope Agenda. “The dream of the Bonny Kingdom has come true; the dream of the Bodo Kingdom has come true,” the President said.
Source:Punch
January 08, 2026 18:11 UTC
Super Eagles to Receive AFCON Bonuses Before Friday
The Federal Government has said that the Super Eagles’ match bonuses at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have cleared the necessary regulatory stages. PUNCH Online had reported that the Super Eagles on Wednesday threatened to boycott travel to the host city of their quarter-final match at the AFCON over unpaid allowances. Earlier, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has said that all financial entitlements of Super Eagles players and officials have been resolved. Dikko told NAN that President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget in November 2025, bringing alignment among the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation and the players. The Eagles have won all four matches at the ongoing AFCON and are the competition’s highest-scoring side with 12 goals.
Source:Punch
January 08, 2026 17:55 UTC
Ndidi Pledges to Pay Super Eagles Bonuses if FG Fails
I’ve now made a commitment to the staff and players that I’ll personally pay the bonuses if the authorities fail to before Saturday,” Ndidi was quoted by Okeleji in an X post. “I don’t want these unpaid bonuses to affect our preparations. The Super Eagles’ camp was rocked by reports of alleged plans by players and officials to boycott travel to Marrakech and training on Thursday over unpaid bonuses for their three group stage fixtures and the round of 16. “We have implemented a fast-track conversion process to move funds into foreign currency, honouring the players’ preferences. Nigeria are chasing a fourth AFCON title in the North African country after previous triumphs in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Source:Punch
January 08, 2026 17:44 UTC
Tinubu’s reforms saved Nigeria from economic collapse — Ex-CBN deputy governor
Lemo said Nigeria would have faced economic collapse if not for the painful economic reforms and tax measures introduced by President Bola Tinubu. “We thank God because we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. He acknowledged that prices remain high but noted that inflation has been trending downward, with both headline and food inflation showing consistent moderation. Those who bought right will tell you prices were about 20 per cent cheaper than the previous year,” he said. If we don’t pay tax, where do we expect funding to come from?” he asked.
Source:The Guardian
January 08, 2026 17:29 UTC
Abia Politics 2027: Kalu Withdraws Support for Governor Otti
The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has vowed to withdraw his support for Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he will henceforth focus on working for the All Progressives Congress in the state. Kalu, who spoke on Thursday at his country home in Igbere, alleged that he played a key role in Otti’s emergence as governor in 2023 but would not repeat such support in the next election cycle. The former governor said he was angered by a press statement issued by Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ocha, who criticised him for declaring that he would support President Bola Tinubu and work to deliver Abia for the APC in 2027. We had work for him to have won in 2023, and we are not going to do that again. He recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo once described him as an “action governor”, adding that his administration provided free education and healthcare.
Source:Punch
January 08, 2026 17:21 UTC