Author: News Room

The United States has started an operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after it evaded a partial blockade around Venezuela, multiple US media said Wednesday. US officials say the tanker is part of a so-called shadow fleet that has carried oil for countries such as Venezuela, Russia and Iran in violation of US sanctions. Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed the tanker nearing Iceland’s exclusive economic zone on Wednesday. The operation, first reported by Reuters citing two US officials, comes after Russia sent a submarine to escort the empty tanker that the United States has been pursuing…

The Benue State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with robbery and cult-related activities, just days after four suspected cultists were apprehended in Gboko Local Government Area during a clash that reportedly left two members dead. The State Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, two suspects were arrested on Monday in Vandeikya Local Government Area while attempting to rob members of the public. “On the 5th of January 2026 at about 1430hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Vandeikya Division, received credible information…

A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor, has accused the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of illegally spending public funds. Ewor alleged that the state is currently running without a valid budget for the 2026 fiscal year. He made the allegation on Wednesday during the “thank you” visit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to Ahoada East Local Government Area. According to him, governance in the state has been crippled by the lack of cooperation between the executive and the legislature, warning that without a duly passed appropriation law,…

ASHA Microfinance Bank has concluded a three-day bursary and client empowerment programme across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and sustainable community development. In a statement on Wednesday, the MfB said the initiative was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. The initiative was designed to support education and empower small business owners within the bank’s operating communities. The programme commenced at Ikotun Market in Lagos State, continued in Sango Ota, Ogun State, and culminated in Ibadan, Oyo State. As part of the initiative, 100 students were awarded bursaries. The beneficiaries were outstanding children of ASHA Microfinance…

Ivory Coast’s defence of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title is gathering momentum after they comfortably beat Burkina Faso 3-0 in the last 16, meaning they have now won six of their last eight internationals (D1, L1). Burkina Faso had the first shot on target when Saïdou Simporé’s effort from distance was gathered by Yahia Fofana. However, Ivory Coast took control from that point, with Amad Diallo twice firing off target and captain Franck Kessié curling over. Still, the reigning champions could have fallen behind when Cyriaque Irié’s driven cross went behind Fofana, but it also evaded forward Lassina…

IKEA’s new cute, colorful KALLSUP Bluetooth speakers cost just $10 (€5 in Europe) each and feature instant Bluetooth pairing. Pair one to your phone, then, with a two-button sequence, another KALLSUP can join the party. You can theoretically pair up to 100. The team I chatted with at CES — where IKEA is making its debut this year — says they’ve only paired 40 so far in their office. Challenge accepted!Designed by famed Swedish designer and IKEA collaborator Ola Wihlborg, the portable square speaker measures just 2.75 x 2.75 x 3 inches. It has small legs on the bottom, a…

The steep decline in altcoins over the past year may reflect a broader reassessment of which blockchain networks are likely to attract long-term capital, as institutional investors begin a gradual, multiyear entry into the market, analysts say.Excluding Bitcoin (BTC), 2025 turned out to be a bear market for the wider cryptocurrency market. Decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens fell 67% while cryptocurrencies associated with smart contract blockchains delivered a negative average return of 66%, according to blockchain data shared by Jamie Coutts, the chief crypto analyst at Real Vision.The past year’s poor performance was a “repricing” of the leading crypto projects as…

The actress who portrayed Max’s mom on Stranger Things in seasons 2 and 4, Jennifer Marshall, claims that being invited back for season 5 would’ve financially aided her cancer battle. Marshall, 44, took to Instagram on Tuesday, January 6, to tell fans that returning as Susan Hargrove in the Netflix series’ final instalment would’ve proved life altering. “I had cancer, I get it. But I was in remission during the shooting of season five. Shooting would have helped me obtain my health insurance through the union. Maybe they had too many characters, idk but obv Susan Hargrove is THE WORST…

Former governor of Kano State and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, had sent a “cryptic” birthday greeting to Governor Abba Yusuf on the occasion of the governor’s 63rd birthday. In a Facebook message on Tuesday, Mr Kwankwaso reflected on their long political alliance, citing the various roles Mr Yusuf has played over the decades under his tutelage. Mr Kwankwaso offered a poignant prayer for the governor to be granted “clarity of purpose”. “I reflect on the many years of our shared political journey, during which he served in various important capacities— first as my Personal…

Moroccan cabinet member in charge of fisheries, Zakia Driouich, on Wednesday said the country will halt exports of frozen sardines from 1 February to protect domestic supplies and contain prices. Sardines are a staple for Moroccan households, and the country is the world’s top exporter of the fish, thanks to its long Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Ms Driouich told members of parliament on Tuesday that the decision was triggered by a noticeable drop in supply, without specifying how long the ban would last. She said that pelagic species, such as sardines, account for around 80 per cent of Morocco’s coastal…