Trump news at a glance: Nigeria says it provided intelligence for US airstrikes as Hegseth warns of more attacks
US airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day were aided by intelligence provided by the Nigerian government, the country’s foreign minister said on Friday. Donald Trump had announced the strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians. Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said on Friday that he had had “extensive” phone conversations with Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, before and after the attack. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, describing them as an “ongoing process” that would also involve other countries. In an interview with the BBC, Tuggar insisted the strikes had “nothing to do with a particular religion”.
Source:The Guardian
December 27, 2025 02:31 UTC
US airstrikes risk turning Nigeria into theatre of war — Gumi
Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s security collaboration with the United States, saying that recent airstrikes targeting terrorist camps in the Northwest could turn the country into a theatre of war. “As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theatre of war. If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” the cleric said. He said, “The US involvement in Nigeria will attract the real anti-US forces, making our land the theatre of war. The USA’s involvement in Nigeria, citing coming to ‘protect Christians’, will ultimately polarise our nation and infringe on our sovereignty.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 23:10 UTC
New security steps will soon yield results, Tinubu assures CAN
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the ongoing recalibration of the country’s security architecture will soon begin to yield results that will gladden their hearts. Tinubu stated this at a meeting with a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria, led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence. In November, terrorists abducted 315 school children from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area. Two days later, 50 of the school children of the abducted children escaped from the terrorists’ den and returned to their parents. Also, 100 of the school children regained their freedom two weeks later.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 22:18 UTC
2025 AFCON: Zimbabwe draw 1-1 with Angola
Zimbabwe's forward #20 Tawanda Chirewa and Angola's midfielder #16 Fredy compete during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Angola and Zimbabwe at Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh on December 26, 2025. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)Zimbabwe's forward #20 Tawanda Chirewa and Angola's midfielder #16 Fredy compete during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Angola and Zimbabwe at Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh on December 26, 2025. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)Veteran Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday as the second round of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches kicked off. Gelson Dala put Angola ahead midway through the first half and recalled Musona levelled deep in first half added time. After Angola were dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe counterattacked swiftly and a superb pass found Musona inside the box.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 22:03 UTC
FG confirms major tax reforms to take effect January 1, 2026
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the January 1, 2026, commencement of Nigeria’s landmark tax reforms, dismissing calls for further delays. In a major boost for the private sector, 97 per cent of small businesses will be exempted from three key taxes: Corporate Income Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Withholding Tax. “These reforms are designed to provide direct relief to the Nigerian people,” Oyedele explained, outlining the targeted benefits. The tax reform bills underwent an extensive nine-month legislative review at the National Assembly, from October 2024 to June 2025. While expressing encouragement at the progress, the tax chairman acknowledged that such transformative policies require ongoing adjustment.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 22:00 UTC
China sanctions US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales
(Photo by Maxim Shemetov / POOL / AFP)Beijing imposed sanctions on Friday against 20 US defence-related companies and 10 executives, a week after Washington announced large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, Associated Press reports. The sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from dealing with them, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Any company or individual who engages in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for the wrongdoing”, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. China says that the US arms sales to Taiwan would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the USChina’s military has increased its presence in Taiwan’s skies and waters in the past few years, holding joint drills with its warships and fighter jets on a near-daily basis near the island. Under the American federal law, the US is obligated to assist Taiwan with its self-defence, a point that has become increasingly contentious with China.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 21:57 UTC
Police arrest two bandit kingpins, recover arms, cash in Kwara
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of two suspected bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across four states. The suspects were arrested during a covert operation by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command. “Preliminary findings showed that the suspects belonged to a notorious gang terrorising communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states,” he said. Hundeyin disclosed that the gang also specialised in supplying arms and ammunition to other criminal elements operating within the region. He said both suspects are cooperating with investigators to facilitate the arrest of other gang members and the recovery of additional weapons.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 21:29 UTC
EPL: Guardiola hails Man City players’ discipline over Christmas
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised his players for maintaining “incredibly disciplined” habits during the Christmas break as they prepare for their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (12:30 GMT). As reported by BBC on Friday, Guardiola revealed that his squad will be weighed on their return to training to ensure they meet the club’s high fitness standards. He highlighted that City players have consistently maintained discipline over the past decade. The manager previously confirmed that players met the required standards when weighed before their 3-0 victory over West Ham on 20 December. With Manchester City aiming to maintain their Premier League momentum, Guardiola’s insistence on discipline and fitness underscores the club’s high standards both on and off the pitch.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 21:15 UTC
What is the Average Temperature in Nigeria?
The average temperature in Nigeria hovers around 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit) annually, though this figure barely captures the full story of Nigeria’s climate diversity across its distinct geographical zones. Nigeria’s average annual temperature of 27 degrees Celsius converts to approximately 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Dallol in Ethiopia recorded an average annual temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius (93.9 degrees Fahrenheit) between 1960 and 1966, making it perhaps the hottest inhabited place on Earth by average temperature. West African neighbours Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Cameroon experience temperature patterns similar to southern Nigeria, with average temperatures between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Understanding Nigeria’s Average Temperature: Final ThoughtsAfter months researching temperature data, consulting meteorological experts, and experiencing Nigeria’s climate variations firsthand across different regions and seasons, I’ve reached several clear conclusions about our temperature realities.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 21:04 UTC
AFCON 2025: Salah fires Egypt into 1-0 victory over South Africa
Egypt on Friday hold a 1–0 lead over South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B match in Agadir, following a first-half penalty converted by captain Mohamed Salah. The goal came in the 45th minute after South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau conceded a foul in the penalty area, allowing Salah to score with a left-footed shot to the centre of the goal. Moments later, Egypt were reduced to 10 men when Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for a bad foul. In the second half, South Africa increased the tempo and committed more players forward in search of an equaliser, while Egypt dropped deeper and looked to create chances on the counter-attack. A late VAR check for a possible penalty in favour of South Africa was reviewed and overturned, with no penalty awarded.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 20:53 UTC
What is Life Like in Nigeria Today?
Understanding what life in Nigeria is really like today requires looking beyond headlines and statistics to see how actual people navigate their daily existence in Africa’s most populous nation. What Economic and Security Challenges Define Nigerian Life Today? Seven Steps to Understanding Contemporary Nigerian LifeIf you want to truly grasp what life is like in Nigeria today, here’s a practical framework based on years of observation:1. Understanding this informal sector is key to understanding Nigerian economic life. Living in Nigeria Today: The VerdictAfter all this research and reflection, what’s the actual answer to “what is life like in Nigeria today”?
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 20:17 UTC
Oyedele clarifies Tax ID rules for bank accounts
The Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified fears about the use of Tax Identification Numbers for bank accounts ahead of the January 2026 rollout of new tax regulations. He urged Nigerians not to panic, noting that the TIN requirement primarily applies to business accounts to facilitate efficient tax administration. He posted, “𝐓he 𝐅ear: Your bank account will be frozen without a Tax ID, and you will be automatically debited from January 2026. “𝐓he 𝐅act: Tax ID (TIN) is only required for income or business accounts. The Tax ID requirement is for ease of administration, not punishment, and applies primarily to business accounts.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 19:46 UTC
Guardiola proud of Man City players’ response to weighty issues
City enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 pre-Christmas win over Premier League strugglers West Ham to stay just two points behind leaders Arsenal. And while the manager confessed to a degree of seasonal excess, he expects his players to have maintained their fitness standards. “Forest away has always been tough, especially in this period and especially with an important person in the history and the legacy like Mr Robertson, who unfortunately passed away,” said Guardiola. “It has always been a tough, tough place to go – for the crowd, especially for the quality they have,” he said. “The team invested a lot in the last years and was promoted in the Premier League and they are a really, really good side.”
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 19:41 UTC
AFCON: Salah helps Egypt beat South Africa, book last-16 place
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Mohamed Salah scored as 10-man Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in Agadir on Friday to become the first qualifiers for the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa have three points, and Angola and Zimbabwe one each after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier. Midway through the opening half a pattern had developed — Egypt were pushing forward regularly while South Africa defended with calmness and solid tackling. A rare South Africa attack ended disappointingly as Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that was comfortably saved by 37-year-old Mohamed El Shenawy. Awarded a free-kick close to the touchline, South Africa performed an intricate, multi-pass move that ended tamely as El Shenawy clutched a cross.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 19:41 UTC
Slot says Ekitike reaping rewards for greater physicality
Arne Slot believes Hugo Ekitike’s run of five goals in four matches indicates the striker has heeded the Liverpool manager’s advice when it comes to improving his fitness. Ekitike only managed three goals in his next 17 matches as the British record signing struggled to get to grips with the repeated demands of English football. Slot believes much of Ekitike’s recent progress can be attributed to better physical condition, although the Dutch boss said he had to convince the forward that such work was needed. “He showed a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment,” Slot said ahead of Saturday’s match at home to basement club Wolves. “I also think we have been a bit more lucky than in the games before because we have played games where we were so much better than the other teams.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 19:41 UTC