The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed as fake a viral screenshot purporting to show a tweet from United States President Donald Trump criticising President Bola Tinubu’s handling of security, particularly in relation to ongoing terrorist threats in the North-East. The alleged Trump tweet, which has been circulating on social media, reportedly criticised Tinubu’s handling of insecurity. It also referenced Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom amid recent deadly incidents in Maiduguri, Borno State. While his country is in a state of NATIONAL EMERGENCY, President Tinubu is currently in the UK on a ‘State Visit.’“Unbelievable! In a statement released on Tuesday, President Tinubu described the attacks as “profoundly upsetting” and the “final desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorists facing sustained pressure from Nigerian forces.

Two brothers, 35-year-old Sanni Muhammad and 17-year-old Bashir Muhammad, have recounted how they narrowly escaped the Maiduguri bombing that killed 23 people and injured 108 others on Monday evening. The police have confirmed the attack, noting that investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to Sanni, his brother, Bashir Muhammad, had accompanied him to pick up some items at the market area. Following the attack, PUNCH Online reported that the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, condemned the incident. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told our correspondent that arrangements for evacuation were ongoing. “The government is working out the necessary administrative details and the release of funds to commence evacuation,” he said. The envoy explained that Iran’s land borders with neighbouring countries remained open and are currently being used by foreign nationals for travel. “According to available estimates, several hundred Nigerian nationals live in Iran. However, even before the latest suspension, many Nigerian passengers who had purchased tickets prior to the earlier halt in operations were already grappling with unresolved refund requests.

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the people of Borno State following the recent terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, describing the incidents as desperate attempts by insurgents to instil fear. “The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. Tinubu also commended security operatives for repelling coordinated attacks on military positions in the state, describing their response as courageous. Tinubu added that he had directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to oversee operations, while emergency agencies had been mobilised to assist victims. The Borno State Police Command also confirmed the attacks, noting that investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances.

Draped in garlands, Bhumika Shrestha on Monday became Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker, marking a proud milestone for the marginalised community in the Himalayan nation. “I am very excited but also feel the responsibility on my shoulders,” Shrestha, an LGBTQ rights advocate, told AFP. Umisha Pandey, president of the Blue Diamond Society (BDS), a leading LGBTQ rights group, called Shrestha’s election a “historic” moment. Nepal has some of South Asia’s most progressive laws on LGBTQ rights. In 2023, an interim order from the Supreme Court allowed same-sex and transgender couples to register their marriage.

According to the report, the presiding judge warned the defence counsel over his tone while making submissions and at a point ordered him to “come out and kneel down” in open court. Other lawyers present reportedly intervened, pleading for leniency, after which the judge adjourned the matter and rose for the day. While acknowledging that judges are empowered to maintain order and discipline, the NBA emphasised that such powers are not absolute. The association also reminded lawyers of their professional responsibilities, urging them to maintain restraint and decorum in court at all times. “How do you expect justice in a country where a judge orders a solid lawyer to kneel down…?” he wrote, adding that the lawyer stood his ground during the exchange.

The US President, Donald Trump, on Tuesday dismissed speculation raised by one of his advisers that Israel might resort to using nuclear weapons against Iran in any conflict. “Israel wouldn’t do that. Israel has long maintained a policy of deliberate ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities, neither confirming nor denying possession of such weapons. Israeli officials have consistently stated that the country would not be the first in the Middle East to introduce nuclear weapons. However, estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute suggest that Israel possesses approximately 90 nuclear warheads, making it one of the world’s undeclared nuclear powers.

Grammy-winning Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy has set a new record as the first African artist to generate the highest revenue from a single concert. The ‘No Sign of Weakness’ tour spanned 20 shows across three continents, including North America, Europe, and Oceania. During the Oceania leg, four shows in Australia sold approximately 30,946 tickets, producing a total of $3.1 million in revenue. This achievement underscores that African artistes can sell out large arenas outside the continent. Burna Boy’s global tours have now become some of the highest-earning tours by African artists worldwide.

The Ondo State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, carried out a coordinated joint show-of-force patrol across strategic locations in the state. “The show-of-force patrol forms part of a broader security strategy being implemented to proactively tackle crime and ensure that residents go about their lawful activities without fear or intimidation. “The Command remains committed to intelligence-driven policing and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies. This joint patrol sends a strong message to criminal elements that Ondo State is not a safe haven for crime,” CP Lawal said. He added that security agencies are working around the clock to maintain peace, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

Brentford FC have emerged as the team with the most penalties awarded in the Premier League this season, highlighting their efficient and direct attacking approach. Despite spending fewer years in the top flight compared to traditional heavyweights, Brentford’s style of play—characterised by quick transitions, aggressive forward runs, and intelligent movement in the box—has consistently drawn fouls from defenders. Their rise above established clubs such as Manchester City FC, Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC, and Liverpool FC in this metric reflects tactical efficiency rather than the sheer volume of matches played. The following teams have been awarded the most penalties, according to data obtained from Transfermarkt.com and cited by PUNCH Online on Tuesday:Top 10 ListClub penalty received goals scored missed goal rateBrentford FC – 8 awarded | 6 scored | 2 missed | 75.0%Chelsea FC – 7 awarded | 7 scored | 0 missed | 100%Leeds United – 6 awarded | 4 scored | 2 missed | 66.7%Crystal Palace FC – 6 awarded | 6 scored | 0 missed | 100%Newcastle United FC – 6 awarded | 6 scored | 0 missed | 100%Brighton & Hove Albion FC – 5 awarded | 3 scored | 2 missed | 60.0%Manchester United FC – 5 awarded | 3 scored | 2 missed | 60.0%Sunderland AFC – 5 awarded | 4 scored | 1 missed | 80.0%Wolverhampton Wanderers FC – 4 awarded | 2 scored | 2 missed | 50.0%AFC Bournemouth – 4 awarded | (3 scored) | 1 missed | 75.0%

The naira sustained its upward trajectory on Monday, appreciating to N1,355/$ at the official foreign exchange market, compared to N1,363.5/$ recorded on Friday. During Monday’s trading session, the naira fluctuated between N1,365.35/$ and N1,354/$, reflecting relatively stable intraday activity. The apex bank noted that Nigeria’s improving external reserve position could help stabilise the naira against sustained pressure. The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said ongoing monetary and foreign exchange reforms are aimed at boosting investor confidence and enhancing market liquidity. According to projections in the bank’s 2026 macroeconomic outlook, Nigeria’s external reserves could rise further to $51.04 billion, largely supported by improved oil revenues.

The notice read, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission wishes to inform the public that it has completed the pre-qualification stage of the 2025 Licensing Round and has notified successful pre-qualified applicants accordingly. “This was done on March 16, 2026, in line with the 2025 Licensing Round Guidelines. The 2025 oil licensing round was formally launched in December 2025 following approval by President Bola Tinubu as part of efforts to attract fresh investment into the country’s upstream petroleum sector. The bid round offers 50 oil and gas blocks located across several sedimentary basins, including the Niger Delta, Anambra, Bida, Benue Trough, and Chad basins, to boost exploration activity, increase reserves, and support long-term crude production growth. The latest development indicates that the 2025 round is progressing on schedule, with the next phase expected to culminate in the submission of technical and commercial bids, followed by evaluation and eventual award of oil blocks.

A former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has expressed grief over the multiple suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, which reportedly claimed 23 lives and left over 100 others injured. Kwankwaso, in a statement on Tuesday, described the attacks as horrific and a setback to the peace recorded in the state in recent years. Kwankwaso expressed sympathy with the victims and their families, as well as the people and government of Borno State. “My heart goes out to the bereaved families, the injured, and all the people of Borno State. Confirming the incident, the Head of Operations of the Federal Fire Service in Borno State, Mohammed Kafaran, said emergency teams were immediately deployed to the scene.

Twenty-three persons have been confirmed dead while 108 sustained varying degrees of injuries following bomb explosions that simultaneously rocked three locations in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday. PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the locations included the Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri Monday Market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. “The Borno State Police Command wishes to state that normalcy has been fully restored in the affected areas. Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had condemned the attack. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast.

Musk called himself the “Dogefather” and used a cartoon dog as Doge’s first logo. Doge, Musk said, took the same approach. Musk’s Doge speedrun belonged to the “any%” category. Musk called George Soros a “system hacker” who was funding a “fake asylum-seeker nightmare”, while NGOs were bankrolling “fake protests” against Tesla dealerships. Before and during his time at Doge, Musk repeatedly referred to what he was doing as “reprogramming the matrix”.