‘Big Four’ meatpackers under fire as beef prices soar
“This is a time of near record high beef prices and demand for beef,” Osborn wrote on X. Because the packers control so much of the market, even a temporary reduction of kills immediately depressed market prices. “Even with the drastic collapse in fed cattle prices caused by [the Big Four’s] conspiracy,” the lawsuit claims, the meatpackers “continued to benefit from record beef prices”, allowing them “to post record per-head meat margins”. View image in fullscreen Beef cattle in pens, their last stop moments before slaughter at the JBS Beef plant, in June 2015. And though the Big Four complain that the meat margin has been reduced by rising cattle prices, their earnings remain strong.
Source:The Guardian
February 25, 2026 11:14 UTC
Police recruitment: PSC begins screening for applicants March 9
The Police Service Commission has announced that physical and credential screening for applicants in the ongoing recruitment of constables into the Nigeria Police Force will commence on March 9, 2026. “These include the Guarantors Form, Application Submission Slip, Invitation Slip, Credential Screening Form, and Physical Screening Form. ), reiterated that the recruitment exercise is free of charge and does not require any financial commitment from applicants. The application portal for the recruitment exercise, which opened on December 15, 2025, was initially scheduled to close on January 25, 2026, but was extended to February 8, 2026. The PSC, in a statement in January, expressed concern over the low turnout of applicants from Lagos and several other states, prompting the commission to extend the recruitment exercise by two weeks.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 10:14 UTC
Morning recap: Tinubu picks Disu for pre-2027 security boost, Dangote signs 65m-litre petrol deal, banks raise N4tn, other top stories
President Bola Tinubu has appointed IG Kayode Egbetokun’s former Chief Security Officer, AIG Olatunji Disu, for a new security role ahead of 2027, while DIGs are set to retire. Also, Dangote has signed a deal to distribute 65 million litres of petrol, and Nigerian banks have raised N4tn ahead of a March recapitalisation deadline. Here are the top stories this morning, among others:Tinubu picks Disu for pre-2027 security boost, DIGs to retire:President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of AIG Olatunji Disu in a move described as part of efforts to strengthen security ahead of the 2027 elections. https://punchng.com/police-grill-man-for-killing-girlfriend-in-abia/Oil revenue shake-up: States back Tinubu’s Executive Order:State governments have expressed support for President Tinubu’s Executive Order concerning oil revenue administration. https://punchng.com/family-seeks-help-over-missing-20-year-old-utme-applicant-in-lagos/Recapitalisation: Banks raise N4tn ahead of March deadline:Nigerian banks have raised N4tn as part of efforts to meet the recapitalisation requirements set by regulators ahead of a March deadline.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 09:56 UTC
2026 Tata Punch EV Variant-wise Colour Options Explained: Smart, Smart Plus, Adventure, Empowered and Empowered Plus S
With refreshed styling and updated battery packs, Tata Motors recently launched the facelifted Tata Punch EV. It is offered in five broad variants: Smart, Smart Plus, Adventure, Empowered and Empowered Plus S. Bookings for the 2026 Punch EV are now underway, and in this report, we take a look at the variant-wise colour options available with the 2026 Punch EV:2026 Tata Punch EV: Colour OptionsThe 2026 Punch EV is available in five monotone shades and seven dual-tone shades. 2026 Tata Punch EV Variant-wise Colour OptionsHere’s a complete variant-wise breakdown of the available colour options:Variant Supernova Copper Pure Grey Bengal Rouge Pristine White Caramel Fearless Yellow Empowered Oxide Smart ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ Smart+ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ Adventure ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ Empowered ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Empowered+ S ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅The entry-level Smart and Smart+ variants get four monotone shades. Price & RivalsPrices for the Tata Punch EV start at Rs 6.49 lakh (ex-showroom), under the BaaS battery rental scheme. The Punch EV takes on the likes of the Citroen eC3 and serves as an alternative to EVs like the MG Comet EV, Tata Nexon EV, MG Windsor EV, and the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 09:30 UTC
Iran rejects US claims on missile programme as ‘big lies’
US President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry south west Scotland on July 28, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Furlong / POOL / AFP)Iran’s foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed US claims about its missile programme as “big lies”, after President Donald Trump claimed Tehran was developing missiles that can strike the United States. “Whatever they’re alleging regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest, is simply the repetition of ‘big lies’,” ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on X.Baqaei did not specify exactly which claims he was responding to, but hours earlier, Trump had said Iran was seeking missiles that could reach American soil. During his State of the Union speech, Trump also reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to build a nuclear weapon, saying that Tehran’s leaders were “at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions”. Iran has repeatedly denied it is seeking a nuclear weapon but insists it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 09:06 UTC
Tata Punch EV Facelift's Most Affordable Variant Revealed; Here's What It Offers
Tata Motors has launched the updated Punch EV in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs 6.49 lakh (ex-showroom) with BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) and Rs 9.69 lakh (ex-showroom) with a battery. While the bookings for the micro electric SUV are underway, the details of its entry-level Smart variant are out, revealing what the consumers of the base variant of the model will get. On the outside, the major difference from the higher variants in the Tata Punch EV facelift is the use of 15-inch steel wheels. The 2026 Tata Punch EV Smart variant comes solely with a 30 kWh battery pack combined with a single electric motor that produces 87 bhp and 154 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, Smart Plus onwards, the brand offers the 40 kWh battery pack, which offers a MIDC range of 468 km on a single charge.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 08:45 UTC
FG slammed as medical tourism hits $550m annually
Analysts and health experts slammed the government for failing to curb medical tourism despite repeated pledges to improve local healthcare infrastructure and reduce dependence on treatment abroad. The foreign exchange refers to the personal allowance an individual can obtain from the Central Bank of Nigeria for medical travel abroad. Despite promises to reverse medical tourism, the figures indicate limited progress. In April 2025, he stated Nigeria loses about $2bn annually to medical tourism and emphasised the need to build health sovereignty. Former NMA President Prof Mike Ogirima expressed concern over the outflow of FX, describing medical tourism as a drain on the country’s foreign reserves.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 06:09 UTC
Recapitalisation: Banks raise N4tn ahead of March deadline
Banks have raised N4.05tn in verified and approved capital ahead of the March 31, 2026, recapitalisation deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria. This balance, in my view, represents a mix of domestic and foreign, which signals broad investor engagement and confidence in the sector,” Cardoso said. The recapitalisation policy is aimed at strengthening the resilience of the banking sector and positioning lenders to better support economic growth and absorb potential shocks. Beyond recapitalisation, Cardoso highlighted developments in the external sector, stating that Nigeria’s gross external reserves rose to about $50.4bn as of mid-February 2026. He said, “The capital market is strong enough to provide the much-needed funding for various sectors of the economy.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 05:52 UTC
Oil revenue shakeup: States back Tinubu’s Executive Order
Oyebode, who spoke on Arise News on Tuesday, is also the Commissioner for Finance for the Ekiti State Government. He said, “In monetary terms, this is not even a significant increase to the federation account. It’s a single-digit impact in terms of growth on the federation account. It’s about doing what is proper,” he said, adding that public debate should focus on “safeguarding federation revenues”. Oyebode rejected the claim that states were being “given” money by the Federal Government, saying revenues in the Federation Account belonged to the federation and must be shared under the constitutionally prescribed distributable pool.
Source:Punch
February 25, 2026 03:51 UTC
Six LAUTECH Nursing Students in Final Year Die After Tragic Road Accident
LAUTECH nursing students face tragedy as six die in Ogbomoso road crash. About LAUTECHLadoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) is a public institution located in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Its origins date back to 1987 when the Governing Council of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, requested the establishment of a state university. Over the years, LAUTECH has grown into a leading institution, enrolling tens of thousands of students and emphasising excellence in technology-driven education. Pregnant LAUTECH student is among victims of fatal accident.
Source:The Guardian
February 25, 2026 00:56 UTC
Punch the monkey’s stuffed orangutan from Ikea sold out in stores - National
Send this page to someone via emailAn Ikea stuffed orangutan has sold out after Punch, the abandoned baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, stole the hearts of many when a video showed him dragging the plushie around his enclosure. The baby monkey was abandoned by his mother at birth and raised by zoo staff, according to the zoo’s website. The stuffed animal was given to Punch to serve as a surrogate mother and provide comfort for the now seven-month-old macaque. After the interaction, Punch ran to his plushie and hugged it while a few other macaques came to check on him. Punch’s stuffed orangutan from Ikea’s Djungelskog line of children’s toys was selling for $14.99 in Canada but now it is completely sold out.
Source:Punch
February 24, 2026 21:47 UTC
Punch clings to zoo keeper’s leg after they switch out dirty rag doll
Watch as Punch the monkey clings to a zoo keeper’s leg as they switch out his beloved cuddly orangutan toy. Punch, a six-month-old baby macaque from Japan, has broken millions of hearts after videos of him dragging around a stuffed animal given to him as a substitute mother went viral online. He had been rejected by his biological mother shortly after he was born in July last year, and multiple clips show Punch also being ostracised by his fellow monkeys at Ichikawa City Zoo. In a new clip, Punch can be seen jumping onto a zoo keeper’s leg as they took away his dirty toy and replaced it with a new one.
Source:Punch
February 24, 2026 18:53 UTC
Why did Punch the monkey’s mum abandon him?
Why did Punch the Monkey’s Mother abandon him? Shikano said: “The burden of her [Punch’s mother] first birth may have been a factor. Punch has often been seen cuddling up to his beloved stuffed orangutan toy. AdvertisementWhilst this orangutan occurrence was taking place, Ichikawa’s zoo keepers were working hard behind the scenes to reintegrate Punch with his old gang. Advertisement“He’s actively engaging with other monkeys, and I can feel he’s growing up,” keeper Miyakoshi told Punch fans.
Source:Punch
February 24, 2026 18:12 UTC
Punch the monkey's story isn't unusual, then why does it feel so personal?
In a quiet way, Punch reminded people of moments when they themselves felt left out, unsupported, or emotionally alone. The image of a baby monkey looking for comfort reflects feelings many associate with moments of emotional vulnerability, times when support felt uncertain or absent. Dr Bhattacharya mentions that Punch's vulnerability doesn't push people away; it draws them in. While rooting for Punch, many have found a way to restore emotional balance in an increasingly uncertain world. Caring for a small, vulnerable baby monkey offers a simple, hopeful focus, one where kindness and protection still feel meaningful.
Source:Punch
February 24, 2026 18:01 UTC
No, Punch the Monkey hasn't found a new family. Here's what's going on
Without being able to ask Punch’s mom directly, zookeepers can only make an educated guess as to why Punch’s mom showed no interest in raising Punch. “When Punch approached another baby monkey from the troop in attempt to communicate, the baby monkey avoided him. “The adult monkey that dragged Punch is probably the mother of the monkey with whom Punch tried to communicate. The statement continued, saying that Punch, like any other baby monkey navigating a new world, has been scolded at different times. Videos have cropped up showing other monkeys grooming Punch, Punch sitting close with other adults and even getting a hug.
Source:Punch
February 24, 2026 17:50 UTC