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 Tunisia’s President Sacks Finance Minister, Appoints Magistrate as Replacement Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has dismissed Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia and appointed Michket Slama Khaldi as her successor. The announcement was made via the presidency’s Facebook page overnight, accompanied by images of Khaldi taking the oath of office. No further details were provided regarding the minister’s removal. Khaldi previously led a national commission focused on recovering embezzled public funds. Tunisia has been grappling with intermittent shortages of essential goods, including milk, sugar, flour, and domestic gas cylinders, which are widely used for cooking and heating.

 Trump Signs Order Banning Trans Athletes from Women’s Sports U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, marking his latest move on transgender issues since returning to office. “From now on, women’s sports will be only for women,” Trump declared during the White House signing ceremony, surrounded by female athletes and children. He claimed the move would “end the war on women’s sports.” The order authorizes federal agencies to withhold funds from schools that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. “If you let men take over women’s teams or invade locker rooms, you will be investigated and risk losing federal funding,” Trump warned. Trump also announced plans to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its rules on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He further directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to deny visas to transgender women...

 Kwara Police Arrest Four Over Criminal Conspiracy, Extortion, and Kidnap Threats The Kwara State Police Command has arrested four suspects for their alleged involvement in criminal conspiracy, extortion, and kidnapping threats. According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspects—Tukur Muhammad, Yahaya Abdullahi, Umar Sanni, and Dairu Isiaku—were apprehended following intelligence-led operations. On January 15, 2025, a resident of Ajuba Fulani Camp, Ilesha Baruba, discovered a white paper at his doorstep containing two phone numbers. Upon calling one of the numbers, the caller threatened to kidnap him and his family unless he paid a N20 million ransom, which was later reduced to N4 million. The victim reported the case to the police, leading to the arrest of Muhammad and Abdullahi. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to placing their contact details at the victim’s residence to extort ransom money. Further investigations revealed...

 Zulum Leads Delegation to Repatriate 7,790 Refugees from Chad Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has spearheaded a Nigerian delegation to repatriate 7,790 refugees who had sought refuge in Baga Sola, Chad, after fleeing the Boko Haram insurgency. The displaced individuals, primarily from Borno State, had been living in exile for nearly 10 years due to the ongoing conflict in the Lake Chad Basin region. A statement shared with PUNCH Online on Thursday indicated that this repatriation, the first phase of the process, involves 1,768 families, who will return to Nigeria. The delegation, which included Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and Federal Commissioner/CEO of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, was welcomed in Baga Sola by Governor Saleh Tidjani of Lac Province. In addition to the repatriation launch, the delegation participated in a tripartite agreement signing involving Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations Hig...

 Nsulu Village Heads to Boycott Abia Airport Meeting Over Unresolved Concerns Village heads from the proposed Abia Airport host communities in Isiala Ngwa North have decided to boycott a meeting with the Abia State Government due to unresolved concerns about the airport project.  They urge the government to engage with their technical committee to address issues regarding land size and socio-economic impact. The village heads also criticized the lack of clarity surrounding additional projects and emphasized their commitment to dialogue once all concerns are addressed.

 Nigerian Entertainment Industry Mourns as Actress Pat Ugwu Passes Away The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the sudden passing of Nollywood actress Pat Ugwu at the age of 35. A colleague of the deceased, Emeka Okoye, announced her passing on social media, describing it as an "unusual death." "Rest in peace sis. Pat ugwu. @patpat_ugwu so we no get to work again? Death whyooo ? God please . Rest in peace PAT. May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. God please protect all my colleagues especially those am close to. This unusual D£@th is frightening . I proclaim life to everyone close to me this 2025 in the precious blood of Jesus. Amen." May her soul rest in peace 🕊️.  More photos below. 

  Tiger Woods Announces His Mom Kultida Has Died: 'She Was My Biggest Fan' Tiger Woods’ mother, Kultida Woods, has died, the golfer announced on Tuesday. She was 81. “It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Woods, 49, shared on social media Tuesday, Feb. 4. He continued, “She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many,  but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom.” Kultida was seen attending the golfer’s TGL match in south Florida last week, NBC Sports reported. Kultida and Tiger’s father, Earl, were married for 37 years until his death in May 2006. While Earl was a sol...