- Gaza Ceasefire Deal: A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to commence on Sunday morning. This deal includes the release of hostages held in Gaza, with the first phase expected to last for six weeks. Human rights groups have welcomed this development and are pushing for a permanent ceasefire.
- U.S. Immigration Raids: The Trump administration plans to conduct large-scale immigration raids in sanctuary cities like Chicago and New York, starting Tuesday morning. This has sparked significant online discussion regarding the strategy and implications of these operations.
- Environmental News: In Los Angeles, strong winds that exacerbated wildfires have weakened, providing some relief to firefighters, although concerns remain about lingering fire hazards.
- New York City Updates:
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams is scheduled to meet with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss New Yorkers’ priorities, amidst Adams facing federal corruption charges.
- Subway services in Manhattan were disrupted due to a loss of third-rail power near Columbus Circle but have since resumed.
- Political Changes: Speaker Mike Johnson has appointed Rick Crawford as the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee following the removal of Mike Turner.
- Global News: A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, with the first phase expected to begin soon.
- Local News in Nigeria:
- The Federal Government has established 36 additional CNG refueling stations to support the energy transition.
- The FAAC distributed N1.424 trillion to the federal government, states, and local governments in December 2024.
- A Youth Farmers Portal was launched to address unemployment and food security issues.
- U.S. Supreme Court: There’s anticipation around a potential Supreme Court announcement regarding a case involving TikTok’s operation in the U.S., with discussions on the implications of such rulings trending online.
These updates reflect a mix of local, national, and international news as of January 18, 2025.