Burna Boy's Oceania Tour Grosses $3M, Sets New Record
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.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 09:00 UTC
Police, security agencies conduct coordinated patrols in Ondo
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.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 08:46 UTC
FULL LIST: Top 10 EPL teams with most awarded penalties
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%
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 08:41 UTC
Naira strengthens to N1,355 per dollar
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.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 08:38 UTC
NUPRC shortlists firms for Nigeria's 2025 oil auction
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.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 07:46 UTC
Kwankwaso condemns Maiduguri bombings, urges action against terrorists
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.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 06:42 UTC
Maiduguri bombings: Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured
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.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 06:36 UTC
What was Doge? How Elon Musk tried to gamify government
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”.
Source:The Guardian
March 17, 2026 06:31 UTC
Indonesian police detain three Europeans accused of producing porn
The trio, a woman and two men, were being held on suspicion of seeking to “profit from pornographic video and content,” police chief Joseph Edward Purba of the Badung district of Bali told reporters. The foreigners risk up to 10 years’ imprisonment on a pornography production charge and another six for online distribution. Bali is predominantly Hindu and a magnet for millions of foreign visitors, but Muslim-majority Indonesia strictly forbids the production of pornographic material. Last year, British adult film star Bonnie Blue was deported from Bali, after receiving a fine for a traffic violation that was the only charge to stick from an investigation into porn production. The Frenchman, described as the woman’s “manager,” was arrested days later in Badung.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 04:51 UTC
Atiku mourns pioneer media aide Ifeanyi Izeze
Atiku mourns pioneer media aide Ifeanyi IzezeBy Idris AbdulsalamFormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a pioneer member of his media team, Mr. Ifeanyi Izeze. In a condolence message, Atiku described the late Izeze as a dedicated professional who made significant contributions to the development and direction of his media operations during a critical period of his political career. The former VP recalled that Izeze joined his media team in 2006 from the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot-Abasi, where he served as Office Manager. The former Vice President recalled that the late media aide worked with several newspapers, including the defunct S, Anchor, and NewAge, before moving to ALSCON and later joining his media team. Atiku also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late media aide, asking God to forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest.
Source:The Guardian
March 17, 2026 04:35 UTC
Mathematics key to Nigeria’s national progress – FG
The Federal Government, through the National Mathematical Centre, on Monday said mathematics remains central to Nigeria’s quest for national development. Oyelami urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen the role of mathematics in national planning, science, and technological development. Oyelami highlighted the contributions of the National Mathematical Centre, which was established in 1988 to promote the development and application of mathematical sciences in Nigeria. Oyelami also outlined several innovations introduced by the centre to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics across Nigeria’s education system. Education stakeholders say strengthening mathematics education will be critical for Nigeria as the country seeks to expand its digital economy, develop technological innovation hubs and compete in the global knowledge-driven economy.
Source:Punch
March 17, 2026 02:32 UTC
US secret service opens massive recruitment, offers $75,000 incentive
The United States Secret Service has announced that applications are now open for individuals seeking to join its Uniformed Division, offering a recruitment incentive of up to $75,000 for successful candidates. Eligible candidates may have acquired citizenship by birth in the United States, through U.S. citizen parents, or through naturalisation. Officers in the Secret Service Uniformed Division are tasked with protecting key government facilities and locations secured for Secret Service protectees. These include the White House, the Vice President’s residence at the United States Naval Observatory, the United States Department of the Treasury Building, as well as foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C. The $75,000 recruitment incentive will be paid in instalments over four years, tied to completion of training and continued service with the agency.
Source:Punch
March 16, 2026 23:13 UTC
Trump demands more enthusiasm from allies for Hormuz mission
US President Donald Trump speaks during a Working Breakfast with Governors at the White House in Washington, DC on February 20, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)President Donald Trump on Monday demanded US allies join an effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as European powers ruled out a NATO mission to reopen the vital waterway shut by Iran during the Middle East war. “We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm,” Trump told reporters at a White House event. “The level of enthusiasm matters to me.”NATO allies and other Western nations pushed back earlier on Trump’s call, made at the weekend, for military hardware. We will not do so.”Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden also all distanced themselves from any military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.
Source:Punch
March 16, 2026 22:31 UTC
Wine-Based Punch
Blake’s Beverage Co., under its Austin Eastciders brand, released a new line called Giddy Up, an assortment of canned punches. At 11% alcohol by volume, Giddy Up is a wine-based punch sold in 19.2-ounce single-serve cans. This beverage is gluten free, lightly carbonated and available at convenience stores in two flavors, Blue Raspberry and Tropical Blast. The suggested target retail price is $3.49. Blake’s Beverage Co.www.blakesbevco.com
Source:Punch
March 16, 2026 21:54 UTC
Many feared dead as bomb explosions rock Maiduguri
An unspecified number of persons are feared dead, while many others sustained injuries following bomb explosions around Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno State and near a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. He said, “Yes, there was a bomb explosion at the Monday Market area around Elkanemi. “There were dead bodies on the ground, and many persons with wounds have been rushed to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri,” one witness said. “I had just left the post office and was on my way when I heard a loud sound,” the resident said. Further details are expected as emergency responders continue rescue and assessment operations at the affected locations.
Source:Punch
March 16, 2026 21:35 UTC