Trump tells Iranian protesters ‘help is on its way’ as death toll hits 2,000
President Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting on Tuesday, posting “HELP IS ON ITS WAY” on Truth Social as a US-based rights group reported the death toll from Iran’s crackdown has reached 2,000 people. He cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killing stops.
- Trump tells Iranian protesters ‘help is on its way’ as death toll hits 2,000
- China posts record $1.2 trillion trade surplus despite Trump tariffs
- Nigeria hires $9 million lobbying firm to communicate Christian protection efforts
- Silver breaks $90 for the first time as precious metals rally continues
- World Bank raises Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.4%
Trump told protesters to “take over your institutions” and save the names of killers and abusers, saying they’ll pay a big price. When reporters in Michigan asked what he meant by “help is on its way,” he said, “You’re gonna have to figure that one out, I’m sorry.” The Human Rights Activists News Agency counted 2,403 deaths as of Tuesday—including 12 children—with 18,434 arrested across all 31 Iranian provinces. The Iranian government hasn’t provided any death toll, though state media reported over 100 security personnel killed.
Protests began on 28 December over soaring prices but evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations against the regime that’s ruled since 1979. Internet connectivity remains at roughly 1 per cent of normal levels. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action while remaining open to negotiations. Vice President JD Vance chaired a National Security Council meeting on Tuesday to develop options ranging from diplomatic approaches to military strikes. Iran warned that US bases and Israel would become “legitimate targets” if attacked.
China posts record $1.2 trillion trade surplus despite Trump tariffs
China reported a $1.189 trillion trade surplus for 2025 on Wednesday—a figure equal to Saudi Arabia’s entire GDP—showing Trump’s tariffs haven’t dented the country’s broader trade with the rest of the world even though they’ve crushed US-bound shipments.
Exports to America dropped 20 per cent in dollar terms last year, whilst imports from the US fell 14.6 per cent. But Chinese factories made serious inroads elsewhere. Exports to Africa jumped 25.8 per cent, shipments to Southeast Asia’s ASEAN bloc rose 13.4 per cent, and EU-bound exports grew 8.4 per cent. The monthly surplus topped $100 billion seven times in 2025—up from just once in 2024—partly helped by a weakened yuan. US duties on Chinese goods stand at 47.5 per cent after Trump and Xi Jinping struck a year-long truce in late October. Analysts say that’s well above the roughly 35 per cent level where Chinese firms can export to America profitably.
Trump threatened on Monday to slap a 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran, risking fresh tensions with Beijing, which is Tehran’s biggest trading partner. Chinese Premier Li Qiang called last week for “proactively expanding imports” to promote balanced trade. Beijing scrapped export tax rebates for solar products and rushed through Foreign Trade Law revisions in two readings instead of the usual three—signals that it’s prepared to shift from industrial subsidies toward more open trade.
Nigeria hires $9 million lobbying firm to communicate Christian protection efforts
The Federal Government has hired a Washington lobbying firm for $9 million to communicate its efforts to protect Christians to the US administration. The decision follows months of American pressure over the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, including threats of military intervention from President Trump.
The contract went to a firm with ties to senior Republican figures and experience navigating the Trump White House, according to sources familiar with the agreement. Nigeria will pay the firm to coordinate meetings with administration officials, congressional leaders, and conservative Christian organisations that have pushed for stronger US action. The lobbying effort aims to counter narratives about systematic persecution of Christians in Nigeria, while highlighting government security operations against Boko Haram and bandits who’ve attacked churches. Trump threatened unilateral military action in December over what he called the slaughter of Christians, though Nigerian officials rejected the characterisation. The US launched airstrikes on ISIS-linked camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day following intelligence sharing, though the operation was conducted with Nigerian approval. The deal marks one of Nigeria’s largest foreign lobbying expenditures in recent years.
Silver breaks $90 for the first time as precious metals rally continues
Silver smashed through $90 per ounce for the first time on Tuesday, jumping as much as 5.3 per cent to touch $91.55 whilst gold traded near its own record high. The white metal’s surge came after US inflation data came in softer than expected, strengthening bets the Federal Reserve will cut rates later this year.
Consumer prices rose 2.6 per cent year-on-year in December, down from 2.8 per cent in November and below the 2.9 per cent forecast. Core inflation matched expectations at 3.1 per cent. Traders now see a 70 per cent chance of a quarter-point rate cut in March. Lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like silver and gold whilst weakening the dollar. Silver surged 150 per cent in 2025—its strongest year on record—driven by a short squeeze in October, persistent supply tightness in London, and heavy speculative buying. The rally has continued into 2026, with the metal up roughly 26 per cent since the start of January. Citigroup upgraded its three-month silver forecast to $100 per ounce. Some analysts think it could hit $150 by year-end. Hao Hong, chief investment officer at Lotus Asset Management, said silver is benefiting from a broader rotation into commodities and the rally “has a lot of room to run.”
Industrial demand for silver in electronics, solar panels, and medical equipment remains strong alongside safe-haven buying driven by geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela, attacks on Fed independence, and Trump’s tariff policies. Traders are also watching a US Section 232 investigation that could lead to import tariffs on silver.
World Bank raises Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.4%
The World Bank has revised Nigeria’s economic growth projection for 2026 upward to 4.4 per cent, up from an earlier estimate of 3.7 per cent, citing improved oil production, better foreign exchange management, and structural reforms. The new forecast appeared in the bank’s January 2026 Global Economic Prospects report.
The upgrade reflects optimism about sustained gains in crude oil output, which averaged 1.5 million barrels per day in late 2025 compared with 1.3 million earlier in the year. The bank credited enhanced security around oil infrastructure and the production monitoring command centre for the improvements.
Increased domestic refining from the Dangote facility and partial rehabilitation of state refineries have reduced foreign exchange pressure from fuel imports, which dropped 54 per cent over two years. The World Bank noted that inflation is projected to moderate to around 19 per cent in 2026 from over 30 per cent in 2025, supported by monetary tightening, exchange rate stability, and easing food prices following better harvests.
However, the bank warned that poverty levels remain elevated, with approximately 62 per cent of Nigerians—about 141 million people—living below the poverty line. Key risks to the growth outlook include potential oil production disruptions, slower-than-expected implementation of reforms, and external shocks from global economic conditions.
