Potential Hurdles as Israel and Hamas Begin Indirect Gaza Talks in Egypt

Potential Hurdles as Israel and Hamas Begin Indirect Gaza Talks in Egypt

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have begun in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, as part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. According to Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian state intelligence, the delegations are discussing “preparing ground conditions for the release of detainees and prisoners,” with Egyptian and Qatari mediators facilitating the talks. The discussions, coinciding with the second anniversary of Hamas’s attacks on Israel, have raised cautious hopes of a ceasefire after months of devastating conflict that has killed over 67,000 people in Gaza and displaced millions. Trump claimed over the weekend that “very positive discussions” had taken place, urging both sides to “move fast” to avoid further bloodshed. He said the first phase of his plan should be completed “this week.” Under the proposal, Hamas would release 48 Israeli captives—20 believed to be alive—in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The plan also envisions Hamas relinquishing power in Gaza and Israel withdrawing its troops from the enclave. However, major uncertainties remain. The plan lacks a clear timeline for Hamas’s disarmament and offers only vague language on the creation of a Palestinian state, leaving many skeptical on both sides. Israeli forces have continued air strikes in Gaza even as talks proceed, with seven people reportedly killed on Monday morning, including three seeking humanitarian aid. Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, said “a lot of details could potentially derail the negotiations,” pointing to Israel’s demand that all hostages be released within 72 hours and its insistence on maintaining freedom to pursue Hamas operatives. Israeli and US representatives are expected to join the mediators later this week, after Hamas holds preliminary discussions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a two-step process: Hamas would first release captives, after which Israel would withdraw its troops to positions held in August. The future of Hamas remains the most contentious issue. Trump’s plan rules out any governing role for the group, though it allows members to remain in Gaza if they renounce violence. While Hamas has expressed willingness to negotiate within a broader Palestinian national framework, Israeli far-right leaders have vowed to collapse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if Hamas survives politically. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned that allowing Hamas to exist after the war would be a “national defeat,” while opposition leader Yair Lapid said he would back Netanyahu to prevent his “extremist partners” from derailing the process. Despite mounting international pressure and optimism from Washington, analysts warn that deep divisions, vague terms, and political risks on both sides threaten to derail Trump’s ceasefire initiative before it gains traction.

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Phyna Celebrates Imisi’s BBNaija Win, Calls Her ‘My Authentic Winner’

Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Phyna, has joined fans and celebrities in celebrating Imisi’s recent victory on the reality show, describing her as her “authentic winner.” Taking to social media shortly after the announcement, Phyna expressed excitement over Imisi’s triumph, revealing that she had been rooting for her from the start. “In the midst of all, Imisi has been my top pick! Congratulations, my authentic winner. The street has made another queen,” she wrote, adding several heart and dancing emojis. Her post has since gained massive reactions online, with many fans praising Phyna for supporting another female winner and showing solidarity within the BBNaija community. Imisi’s win marks another milestone for women on the show, continuing the legacy of strong female champions like Phyna, Mercy Eke, and Ilebaye.

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NNPC Boss Blames PENGASSAN Strike For Surge In Cooking Gas Prices

NNPC Boss Blames PENGASSAN Strike For Surge In Cooking Gas Prices

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari, has attributed the recent spike in the price of cooking gas to the industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Ojulari, who spoke to journalists after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday, said the strike temporarily disrupted loading and distribution, leading to supply shortages and an artificial price surge. “The increase you saw was relatively artificial because during the strike, loading and movements were delayed for about two to three days,” he explained. “That delay affected distribution, and as the system normalises, prices are expected to ease gradually.” He also noted that some gas retailers took advantage of the situation to hike prices, exploiting the temporary scarcity. “In Nigeria, people take opportunities. With that short delay, some dealers who had stock raised prices unnecessarily,” Ojulari added. The NNPC boss assured Nigerians that normalcy would soon return to the market, saying, “Now that operations have resumed, prices should drop back to their previous levels.” The nationwide strike by PENGASSAN, triggered by the sacking of some Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery, had disrupted fuel and gas supply chains. The industrial action was, however, suspended on October 1 after the intervention of the federal government. Following negotiations, the Dangote Group agreed to reinstate the affected workers, paving the way for normal operations and the anticipated stabilisation of cooking gas prices across the country.  

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Mercy Eke Says Her BBNaija Victory Was Carefully Planned To Inspire Women

Big Brother Naija Season 4 winner, Mercy Eke, has once again become a topic of conversation after opening up about how she meticulously planned her path to victory in 2019. In an interview with Bella Naija, Mercy explained that her success wasn’t accidental but the result of preparation, confidence, and determination. “I calculated all the days we’d spend in the house and packed for the full 99 days. I was ready,” she said. “When I won, I did it for every young woman who’s ever been told she can’t. Now, more women have won, and many more will.” Her remarks stirred debate across social media. Some users applauded her for inspiring women and breaking barriers, while others accused her of being self-congratulatory. One user, @Detolarnee, argued, “If Tacha wasn’t disqualified, you wouldn’t have won,” while another, @Heylumi_s, wrote, “You did it for yourself, not for women.” Despite the criticism, many fans rallied behind her, describing her as a symbol of hard work and grace. “Mercy is focused, humble, and drama-free — that’s why she keeps succeeding,” said @Sassenacker. Mercy made history in 2019 as the first woman to win Big Brother Naija, a landmark victory that redefined the perception of female housemates and inspired future generations of women to dream bigger.  

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Tinubu Returns To Abuja After 10-Day Working Visit To Lagos

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja today (Monday) after spending ten days in Lagos for a working visit that focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economy and attracting investment. According to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu arrived in Lagos on September 26, shortly after attending the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, in Ibadan. During his stay, the President held a series of strategic meetings with business leaders and investors, including Global Infrastructure Partners CEO Bayo Ogunlesi and Metis Capital Partners Chairman Hakeem Belo-Osagie, who is also a former Chairman of UBA and Etisalat. The discussions centered on fostering public-private partnerships and enhancing investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy. Tinubu also hosted the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, in the company of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and other key maritime stakeholders. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing the maritime industry as a major source of revenue, positioning it as a sustainable alternative to the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.  

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Minister Uche Nnaji Reveals He Never Received His UNN Certificate Despite Completing Studies

Minister Uche Nnaji Reveals He Never Received His UNN Certificate Despite Completing Studies

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has admitted that he never received his certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), even though he completed his studies there. Speaking about his academic background, Nnaji revealed that despite finishing his degree program at the institution, he was not issued a certificate upon graduation. He, however, clarified that the absence of the document did not invalidate his education or achievements. The minister’s disclosure has drawn mixed reactions, with some Nigerians questioning how such a situation could occur, while others commended his openness about the issue. Nnaji, who is known for his extensive experience in business and innovation, maintained that his time at UNN contributed significantly to his growth and professional development, even without the physical certificate to show for it.  

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NiMet Warns Nigerians To Brace For Heavy Rainfall And Flash Floods

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a fresh weather alert predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across several parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday, with warnings of possible flash floods in northern and central states. In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet forecasted early morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina on Monday, while Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba would likely experience rains later in the day. “Flash floods are possible in Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano States during this period,” the agency warned. For central states such as Niger, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, and Nasarawa, NiMet predicted cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall, cautioning that parts of Plateau may experience significant flooding. In the southern region, light to moderate rains are expected in Ondo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. The agency also forecast that northern states will experience a mix of sunshine and cloud cover on Tuesday, while thunderstorms and rainfall will persist in Adamawa, Taraba, and nearby areas. “Central and southern regions will continue to witness moderate rainfall,” NiMet stated. By Wednesday, northern states are expected to see morning sunshine followed by isolated thunderstorms, while cloudy skies and moderate rainfall will dominate central areas. In the South, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River are forecast to experience morning showers and heavier rain later in the day. NiMet urged residents in flood-prone zones to stay alert, avoid driving during heavy downpours, and secure belongings against strong winds. The agency also advised the public to disconnect electrical appliances during storms and avoid sheltering under trees. For flight safety, NiMet encouraged airlines to rely on up-to-date, airport-specific weather reports. The agency added that more detailed updates and forecasts could be accessed through its official website, www.nimet.gov.ng.  

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Cooking Gas Price Jumps to N25,000 as Supply Disruptions Hit

The cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, has surged to N25,000 this week, up from N17,500 last week. Mr. Bassey Essien, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), told Vanguard that the spike was due to supply disruptions caused by the recent industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). “Dangote Petroleum Refinery is currently the largest local supplier of cooking gas in Nigeria. The PENGASSAN strike disrupted distribution, leaving many dealers unable to replenish their stocks,” Essien explained. “What we are seeing is a result of demand exceeding supply, but supply should stabilize in the coming days now that the dispute is being resolved.” Vanguard checks revealed that several gas plants in Lagos and surrounding areas were shut down due to shortages, forcing consumers to move from one outlet to another in search of LPG. Recently, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, disclosed that the refinery is currently producing 2,000 tonnes of LPG per day, with plans to further increase output to meet national demand. Dangote also emphasized the need to transition Nigerians from firewood and kerosene to LPG for cooking. “If distributors are not making LPG affordable and accessible, we’ll sell directly to consumers to ensure more households can switch to clean energy,” Dangote said, noting concerns over Nigeria’s energy poverty. Before the Dangote Refinery ramped up production, the nation’s LPG demand was primarily met by NLNG Limited. In a recent statement, NLNG reiterated its commitment to providing clean and reliable energy to Nigerian homes through its Domestic LPG (DLPG) scheme, which has been supplying cooking gas since 2007.  

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