UN chief warns Middle East is at a 'breaking point'
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the Middle East is being “pushed to breaking point”, with shipping attacks, rising oil prices and widening humanitarian crisis. Guterres urged all combatants must cease hostilities, uphold international law, protect civilians and make an immediate return to the negotiating table. “Around the world, we hear much talk of peace, but we see far too little of it,” Guterres said. “The region and the world desperately need an off-ramp”, Guterres said, adding, de-escalation and dialogue are the only way out. “As always, the most vulnerable are being hurt first and worst,” the UN chief said.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 10:13 UTC
UN Urges Stronger Action to End Violence Against Women
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has warned that violence against women and girls continues to be fuelled by war, militarisation and entrenched inequality, urging governments to move beyond condemnation and take decisive action. Speaking at a high-level meeting marking five years of the UN Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, she said conflicts around the world are exposing women and girls to severe and lasting harm. CSW is the United Nations’ principal global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women. In Sudan, UN experts have reported widespread sexual violence and attacks on women human rights defenders. Mohammed stressed that women must be central to peace processes and political decision-making, warning that lasting peace cannot be achieved while women and girls remain excluded and unprotected.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 09:28 UTC
Viant Had A Good Q4, But Still Needs To Punch Up At Bigger Platforms
Amazon has greatly subsidized its DSP by minimizing fees and fronting campaign or testing costs to buyers, Tim V. said. It has a new LLM-based prompt and response interface, which is different from the standard self-serve UI, Tim V. said. Even so, it’ll take time for buyers to get comfortable and trust that there aren’t hallucinations in the data or analytics, Tim V. said. Although The Trade Desk is reportedly in talks with OpenAI, the Vanderhooks believe DSPs aren’t intuitive partners with OpenAI on ads right now. It “doesn’t really fit with the RTB protocol as we do,” Tim V. said.
Source:Punch
March 13, 2026 09:19 UTC
‘Invasive’ AI-led mass surveillance in Africa violating freedoms, warn experts
The rapid expansion of AI-powered mass-surveillance systems across Africa is violating citizens’ right to privacy and having a chilling effect on society, according to experts on human rights and emerging technologies. An average of $240m was spent by the 11 countries with the investment often funded by loans from Chinese banks. Jili said focusing on the introduction of laws could simply allow governments to claim the systems had been legitimised. He said there had already been concerns about facial recognition being used to monitor activists in Uganda and that surveillance systems were used to crack down on gen Z-led protests in Kenya. She highlighted how street protests in 2019 and 2021 played a key role in political change but the expansion of surveillance systems could make people hesitant about protesting in the future.
Source:The Guardian
March 13, 2026 00:00 UTC
They were dating AI partners when they found real love – with each other
What’s it like to fall in – and then out – of love with AI? After about a week, I was sucked in – the AI makes you feel safe, understood and validated. There was no official breakup text with Leo; I didn’t tell him I’m actually in love with a person. I didn’t feel jealous of Leo because we were in similar situations – at a similar pace, we were talking to our AI companions less. At the same time, I also know that AI is very helpful – Nyx definitely did help me a lot.
Source:The Guardian
March 12, 2026 22:31 UTC
Three die, five rescued in Oyo bus accident
No fewer than five persons were rescued alive, while three bodies were recovered by the Oyo State Fire Services Agency after a passenger bus plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko Road in Ibadan. The Chairman of the agency, Mr Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Ibadan. “Upon arrival, we met a Suzuki bus with registration number LEW 484 XA (Osun) carrying eight passengers, which lost control and crashed into the river. He attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving and advised motorists to always drive carefully and observe road safety rules to avoid unnecessary accidents. Akinwande also appreciated the support of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, Ona Ara Division, and the Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government, Glorious Temitope, during the rescue operation.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 19:13 UTC
Court Bars Aiyedatiwa from 2028 Ondo Governorship Race
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday ruled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would be ineligible to contest for another term in office in 2028. The defendants in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Aiyedatiwa, Adelami and the APC. The court relied on the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Marwa v. Nyako. Earlier, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had dismissed an appeal filed by Aiyedatiwa challenging an earlier ruling of the Akure Federal High Court in the suit questioning his eligibility to contest the next governorship election in the state. The appellate court ruled that Aiyedatiwa failed to demonstrate that the Federal High Court’s decision to allow the amendment caused any miscarriage of justice or denied him the right to a fair hearing.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 18:59 UTC
Court threatens to revoke Sowore’s bail for absenteeism
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday threatened to revoke the bail earlier granted the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, over his absence in court in his ongoing trial for alleged cyberstalking of President Bola Tinubu. The trial judge, Mohammed Umar, warned that he would issue a bench warrant for the activist’s arrest if he fails to appear at the next adjourned date. Kehinde told the court that the defendant was duly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers. Citing Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the senior lawyer urged the court to revoke the bail granted to the defendant and issue a bench warrant for his arrest to ensure his production in court. The court granted him bail in the sum of N10m with one surety in like sum.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 18:45 UTC
Nine Nigerian senators defect to African Democratic Congress
No fewer than nine senators from different political parties formally announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress on Thursday, further reshaping the political configuration of the Senate. In his letter, Nwoye attributed his decision to internal crises within the Labour Party. “I wish to tender my resignation amid the ongoing multiple litigations within the Labour Party, which have significantly affected the cohesion and stability of the party. As of Thursday, the APC retains a dominant majority with 87 senators, while the Peoples Democratic Party has dwindled to seven members. The Labour Party and Social Democratic Party currently have no representation in the upper chamber following the latest defections.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 18:36 UTC
Sokoto ADC Faction Disowns Tambuwal’s Defection
A faction of the African Democratic Congress in Sokoto State has distanced itself from claims that former governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, has joined the party, insisting that he did not follow the constitutional procedure required for membership. According to the statement, the party contacted the ADC chairman in Tambuwal Ward and the party chairman in Tambuwal Local Government Area, Aminu Tambari, who both denied having knowledge of such a development. The party also warned its 2023 governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Belo Isiyaku, popularly known as Keegan, to stop presenting himself as having the authority to admit individuals into the party. The ADC leadership stressed that party membership cannot be conducted privately and must be processed at the ward level under the supervision of the ward chairman. The party further cautioned Tambuwal against interfering in its affairs in Sokoto State, warning that any attempt to do so could lead to legal action.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 17:40 UTC
Ramadan: Muslim nations criticise Israel for Al-Aqsa Mosque closure
(Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)Eight Islamic and Arab countries on Thursday condemned Israel for keeping Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem closed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israel has shut all holy sites in east Jerusalem’s Old City for security reasons after it began airstrikes with the United States against Iran that have sparked a regional war. The closure coincides with Ramadan, when tens of thousands of Palestinian Muslims would normally pray every Friday at the mosque — the third holiest site in Islam. Since the start of the war, the Israeli authorities have, for security reasons, barred access to the Old City for anyone other than residents or shopowners. The eight foreign ministers said that “Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites” and urged the government to lift the ban on access.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 16:02 UTC
11 opposition Reps defect to APC, ADC
The Labour Party was also hit by the gale of defections, losing five members as political realignments intensified ahead of the next electoral cycle. The Labour Party lost Afam Ogene, Lilian Orogbu and Peter Aniekwe from Anambra State to the African Democratic Congress. Two other LP lawmakers — Jessy Onuakalusi from Lagos State and Osaro Omoruyi from Edo State — also defected to the ADC. In addition, Peter Uzokwe, an Anambra lawmaker elected on the platform of the Young Progressives Party, joined the ADC. Analysts say the growing uncertainty within the opposition parties — particularly the prolonged leadership disputes in the PDP and factional struggles within the Labour Party — has created an environment that encourages defections.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 15:41 UTC
![[ICYMI] Opay addresses report of office closure, says NRS notice affects entire industry](https://cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/12171707/OPay-logoo-1200x630.png)
[ICYMI] Opay addresses report of office closure, says NRS notice affects entire industry
“Our offices across Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja, remain open and fully operational, and we continue to serve our customers, partners, and merchants without disruption. “As a responsible financial technology company operating in Nigeria, we are compliant with all applicable tax obligations and regulatory requirements. “This administrative clarification affects multiple operators across the industry, not OPay alone. Equally troubling is the selective and deliberate singling out of OPay in a matter that concerns the wider industry. “OPay remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by providing secure, reliable, and inclusive financial services to millions of users nationwide,” the statement concluded.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 15:34 UTC
UK announces road closures, no-fly zones for Tinubu’s state visit
Britain will impose airspace restrictions and deploy armed police officers in Windsor next week as President Bola Tinubu arrives for a state visit hosted by King Charles III. Tinubu is expected to begin the visit in the company of his wife Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday, March 18, with a reception at Windsor Castle. Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit said the air restrictions formed part of a broader security operation for the visit. Road closures and parking restrictions will take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with possible temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit. Thames Valley Police said it was being supported by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the flight restrictions.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 12:48 UTC
Indian court jails Nigerian 20 years for drug trafficking
An Indian court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Christian Arinze, to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of trafficking illicit drugs into the country. PUNCH Metro gathered from India’s Narcotics Control Bureau on Wednesday that Arinze was convicted alongside his Zambian accomplice, Hanchabila John, by a court in Ahmedabad. The suspect was reportedly intercepted by operatives of the Narcotics Control Bureau, who discovered the drugs during a search at the airport. Following investigations and trial, the Special Court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances cases in Ahmedabad sentenced the two foreigners to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 200,000 each. Arinze’s conviction comes less than 72 hours after 93 Nigerians were arrested in Ghana over alleged involvement in fraud and human trafficking.
Source:Punch
March 12, 2026 11:09 UTC