IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Israel’s defence ministry said Sunday that a shipment of “heavy” US-made bombs arrived overnight in Israel, as Marco Rubio began his first visit to the country as Washington’s top diplomat. “A shipment of heavy aerial bombs recently released by the US government was received and unloaded overnight in Israel,” the ministry said in a statement, referring to MK-84 munitions recently authorised by President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The munitions shipment that arrived in Israel, released by the Trump administration, represents a significant asset for the air force and the IDF (military) and serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in the statement. The Trump administration had earlier in February approved the sale of more than $7.4 billion in bombs, missiles and related equipment to Israel.

The sale “improves Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and serves as a deterrent to regional threats”, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said at the time. Israel launched a hugely destructive offensive against Hamas in Gaza in October 2023 in response to an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian militant group that month. The war has devastated much of Gaza, resulting in the displacement of much of its 2.4 million population.

A ceasefire has been in effect since January 19, providing for the release of hostages seized by Hamas. In response to concerns over civilian deaths, former US president Joe Biden’s administration had blocked a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, but Trump reportedly approved them after taking office. Rubio, meanwhile, began his official trip to Israel on Sunday, and is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials during the day.

He is expected to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and Trump’s plan that sees displacing Palestinians from the territory and relocating them to Egypt and Jordan, a proposal that has triggered global outrage. 

President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 budget, initially proposed at N49.7 trillion, was increased to N54.9 trillion following additional revenue from key government agencies. The National Assembly approved the budget on February 13, 2025, with allocations covering debt servicing, recurrent expenses, and capital projects.

Economic experts and analysts have expressed divided opinions. Some argue that the additional revenue should have been used to fully implement the 2024 budget, while others warn of potential inflation risks. Business leaders stress the need for infrastructure-focused spending to drive economic growth.

Critics believe the budget increase is more of a political move than an economic necessity, urging the government to ensure proper execution to prevent economic strain. The success of the budget will depend on its implementation and its impact on Nigeria’s economy. 

A mob in Abuja’s Lugbe area killed two suspected one-chance operators on Saturday, setting their vehicle ablaze after they allegedly threw a victim out of the moving car.

According to a commercial driver, Ahmed, residents pursued the suspects and caught up with them near Dunamis Church. While one suspect managed to escape, one died instantly, and another, critically injured from the mob attack, later succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment, while authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. 

There are indications that residents of Emeke Agbala in Owerri North Area of Imo State, now live in fear, following more than four hours of unchallenged armed robbery attacks in the area over the weekend.

Our correspondent gathered that the armed robbers were armed with guns, axes, iron bars and other dangerous weapons, just as they robbed victims of their valuables, including phones, sophisticated electronics, rappers and women jewelries.

According to the report, the scene of crime was less than 500 metres to the premises of the youth President, head of the vigilante team, community leaders and the traditional ruler of the area His Royal Highness Eze Malachi Onu. 

The house to house armed robbery attacks which started about 1.00am lasted for four hours without any help from the community leaders, vigilante team, youth leadership and the Nigerian police, despite efforts by victims and other residents of the area who reached out to these community leaders, but regrettably non of them came to their rescue.

One of the victims, Mr Uzor forwarded worrisome photographs to our correspondence on how the armed robbers accessed his house along Emeke Agbala old road.

He confirmed that the armed robbers stole phones, money and other valuables belonging to all members of his family and later proceeded to the house of one Chief Mrs Ann Amadi and dispossessed her of her jewelries and other valuables.

Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH) in Kano has become a hotspot for criminal activities, with rising cases of phone snatching and attacks on staff, patients, and visitors. Reports indicate that hoodlums are increasingly operating around the hospital, instilling fear among healthcare workers and the public.

A midwife was recently injured in a violent phone-snatching incident, while past cases include a doctor being threatened and a nurse hiding under a patient’s bed to evade attackers. Despite efforts by hospital management to enhance security, the surrounding area remains unsafe.

Investigations confirm an increase in insecurity, with criminals targeting healthcare workers, including doctors on night shifts. Residents now prioritize safety over carrying phones after dark.

Attempts to reach Kano State Police Command for a response were unsuccessful. While the state government declared a state of emergency on phone snatching in 2023, residents and security experts continue to urge caution, advising people to avoid using phones in public, especially at night.

Arne Slot said "emotions got the better of me" as the Liverpool head coach waits to learn his punishment after being sent off in Wednesday's Merseyside derby. Dutchman Slot, 46, was shown a red card after approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch following the full-time whistle at Goodison Park.

Everton scored a 98th-minute equaliser in a dramatic conclusion to the 2-2 draw, in which Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool's Curtis Jones were both also sent off after the game had ended. About the incident which led to his red card, Slot said on Friday: "There is an ongoing process now and I have to respect that." He added: "Emotions got the better of me. If I could do that differently, if I look back I would love to do that differently, and I hope to do that differently next time."

As it stands, Slot will be on the touchline for Sunday's Premier League match against Wolves at Anfield (14:00 GMT) while the Football Association reviews Oliver's report and decides whether it will take further action. The Premier League initially reported on its website that Slot would be banned for two matches "for using offensive, insulting, or abusive language" - but that was later deleted. It is understood human error was to blame for the erroneous post.

Liverpool were adamant that James Tarkowski's late leveller, which was checked by the video assistant referee (VAR), should have been ruled out for a shove on defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up. But Slot, who was unable to speak to the media after Wednesday's match because of his red card, also voiced frustration over the amount of stoppage time played, after five minutes were initially added.

"I think what happened was that the extra five minutes ended up being eight. It happened a lot," said Slot, whose assistant Sipke Hulshoff was also sent off. "I should have acted differently after the game, but it's an emotional sport and sometimes individuals make wrong decisions and that's definitely what I did."