N’Korea fires multiple missiles after warning over drills
North Korea fired about 10 unidentified ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Saturday, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, days after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over South Korea-US military drills. Pyongyang recently dashed hopes of a diplomatic thaw with South Korea, Washington’s security ally, describing its latest peace efforts as a “clumsy, deceptive farce”. Japan’s defence ministry also confirmed the launch, saying on its official X account that “what is possibly a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea”. Terrible consequencesLast month, Pyongyang’s leader Kim said North Korea had “absolutely no business dealing with South Korea, its most hostile entity, and will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots”. Earlier this week, Kim Yo Jong, a powerful confidante of her brother Kim Jong Un, said the joint drills “may cause unimaginably terrible consequences”.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2026 08:02 UTC
Tinubu overrules Keyamo, moves safety investigation bureau to Presidency
President Bola Tinubu has overridden the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, by moving the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to the Presidency. The presidential aide cited accident investigation bodies such as the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States, which reports directly to the highest level of government. This structure ensures independence, credibility and efficiency in accident investigation processes. “The proposed repositioning of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to report to the Presidency will allow the necessary enforcement of safety regulations across all transportation sectors and remove it from the current limited sectoral ministerial oversight. “I recommend that the National Assembly and its relevant stakeholders should please retain the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau within the Federal Ministry of Aviation,” Kana told the committee.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2026 04:55 UTC
Storm over Chimamanda son’s death as doctors demand apology
The decisions were reached after reviewing complaints against all 21 doctors, examining counter-affidavits, and considering oral depositions on oath. According to the doctor, the panel accused him and others of violating Rule 49(c), which he argued was incorrectly interpreted. The patient was not my private patient. “I do not collect fees from colleagues, and I do not work in any public hospital in Lagos. She further accused the panel of unfairly indicting the doctors in order to give the impression that action was being taken.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2026 04:53 UTC
Losing 84K jobs in February marks ‘gut punch’ for Canada’s economy: experts - National
The Labour Force Survey for February was released Friday, and comes after January’s report showed the unemployment rate was 6.5 per cent. The net job loss total of 84,000 is the final amount left over after calculating all jobs lost in the month minus the number of jobs added. Story continues below advertisementThe first two months of the year have seen a total of 109,000 jobs lost, including the 25,000 shed in January. This includes wholesale and retail trade, which Statistics Canada says has trended down since October 2025, with a total of 52,000 jobs lost. 2:23 Business Matters: Canadian economy loses 25,000 jobs in JanuaryTwenty-eight thousand jobs were eliminated in goods-producing industries, including construction and manufacturing sectors.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2026 01:17 UTC
Dangote refinery raises petrol price to N1,175/litre as crude spikes
“Yes, it is true,” the official said when asked about the upward price review. A refinery source explained that the decision was largely driven by rising global crude prices, which directly affect refining costs. “The revision reflects the surge in global crude oil prices. PUNCH Online reports that global oil prices have risen sharply in recent hours following escalating tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Iran and Israel. The rally reflects a growing “war premium” in global oil prices as traders factor in the risk of supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2026 00:50 UTC
Nigeria's Power Crisis: Blackouts Wreak Havoc on Homes
“Because of the heat and fasting, people now depend on neighbours who have solar power to buy ice blocks or cold water,” he said. According to her, the area hardly enjoys power supply even when other areas in the capital city used to have steady power supply. “Before now, our area had not been enjoying power supply, we only have power for like two hours hours in two or three days. Saturday PUNCH observes that social media is awash with content created by Nigerians to express frustration over the poor power supply. “We are currently experiencing a reduction in power supply due to gas supply constraints affecting power generation,” the company said.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2026 00:16 UTC
Royal Marine killed man with single punch in Exmouth
A Royal Marine who killed a man with a single punch after he felt "disrespected" by him has been jailed. Commando Joseph Jones pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of chef Cemal Yilmaz following an incident in Church Street in Exmouth, Devon, on 13 December. Manchester-born Yilmaz, who was 29, died three days later. Jones, who was based at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison during a hearing at Exeter Crown Court. During sentencing, the court heard Wolverhampton-native Jones had punched Yilmaz when he became irritated after he said the 22-year-old was from Birmingham.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 21:33 UTC
23 aircraft components damaged in Arik Air engine failure — NSIB
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has revealed that at least 23 components of the aircraft sustained damage following an abnormal engine event mid-flight. According to the report, the engine inlet cowling was missing and the number six fan blade of the engine was broken with the root still attached. The report noted that the remaining 23 fan blades were chipped and damaged, while both the inboard and outboard engine cowling covers were folded upward, exposing the engine accessories. “While climbing through FL 260 to FL 270, the flight crew heard a loud bang and grinding noise, followed by vibrations from the No. The bureau also confirmed that communication between the flight crew and air traffic controllers remained effective throughout the emergency.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 16:47 UTC
EPL title bid ‘over’ if Man City lose to West Ham, Guardiola warns
(Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge “will be over” if they fail to beat resurgent West Ham on Saturday. City could kick off at the London Stadium, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal, should the Gunners beat Everton earlier in the day. But they must bounce back from the disappointment of a 3-0 Champions League drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday that means their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals are slim. “The league was the most difficult title,” Guardiola said Friday. “Always I said when I arrived in the last 10 games every team plays for something — for relegation, for Europa League, for Conference League, for Champions League, to be champions.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 16:29 UTC
Trump says ‘honour’ to be killing Iranian military
President Donald Trump said Friday he feels honoured to be killing Iran’s leadership, calling them “deranged scumbags.”“They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honour it is to do so!” Trump posted on social media shortly after midnight in Washington. Iran’s longtime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and numerous other top figures in Tehran have been killed since the war was launched by the United States and Israel on February 28. “We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time — Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump’s defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, said the US military would bombard Iran more heavily on Friday than any other day so far in the war.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 15:59 UTC
Poverty rate jumps to 63% after subsidy removal – Report
“After the subsidy removal, poverty increased from a baseline of about 50 per cent to 63 per cent,” Shuaibu said. Data from the study showed that poverty among low-income households rose sharply from about 50 per cent before subsidy removal to roughly 63 per cent afterwards, while the national poverty gap widened significantly. “Across the board, household consumption declined following both the subsidy removal and electricity tariff adjustments. Others reported switching to alternative energy sources to cope with rising electricity tariffs and fuel costs. “For the private sector, what we want to see is that the savings from the fuel subsidy removal are actually being used to fund infrastructure,” she said.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 14:18 UTC
Nigerian innovators unveil tech solutions for Africa
Young Nigerian innovators showcased technology-driven solutions designed to address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges at the AfriVatech iResearch Fellowship Cohort One Grand Pitch. The event featured seven young research fellows drawn from major Nigerian universities, who presented innovative projects designed to address issues ranging from food safety and healthcare to agriculture and antimicrobial resistance. According to him, startups driven by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics hold the key to solving many of the continent’s developmental challenges. The results were announced by former Egyptian Minister of Health, Dr Halla Zaid, who served as a judge alongside Olanrewaju-Smart. Zaid praised the fellows for their strong understanding of the challenges facing their communities and encouraged them to pursue their ideas and continue developing impactful solutions.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 13:50 UTC
Trump says Iran’s new supreme leader alive but ‘damaged’
President Donald Trump said that he thinks new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father, the former supreme leader, was killed on the first day of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, is alive but “damaged.”Khamenei has not been seen by Iranians since his selection on Sunday by a clerical assembly, and his first comments were read out by a television presenter on Thursday. “I think he probably is (alive). I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Brian Kilmeade Show.”His remarks were published by Fox News late on Thursday. Iran has responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf countries with US bases. As the war approached the two-week mark, having killed thousands and shaken financial markets, the leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States all voiced defiance and have vowed to fight on.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 13:00 UTC
Punch the Monkey video lacks key information about animal behavior
Recently, a viral video surfaced on social media showing Punch cradling the plush orangutan in one hand and being pushed around by the other monkeys in the enclosure. So amidst all the social dysfunction and doomscrolling, here comes Punch to our emotional rescue.”The one thing social media doesn’t do is give background information. For example, the viral video of Punch lacked information in relation to the animal world and how survival works in certain mammals. The zoo has taken advantage of the noise, putting an emphasis on marketing and social media throughout the Punch craze. The zoo has taken advantage of the noise, putting an emphasis on marketing and social media throughout the Punch craze.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 11:21 UTC
Army Foils Ambush in Cross River, Kills Four Gunmen
Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have foiled an ambush by suspected criminals while responding to a communal dispute in Odonget Community, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Army disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, signed by the Major Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lt. Yemi Sokoya. However, while returning to their respective locations after stabilising the area, the soldiers discovered that their route had been deliberately blocked by unidentified persons. “During efforts to clear the obstruction, the soldiers came under a coordinated ambush by unknown gunmen, leading to a fierce exchange of fire,” the statement said. “The prompt response enabled the troops to successfully repel and clear the ambush,” Sokoya stated.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 11:09 UTC