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 Dolly Parton returns to public eye to celebrate opening day at Dollywood     Dolly Parton made her first public appearance in months to celebrate the opening day of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on Friday. The country music icon reflected on the past year, a year after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, saying she is “doing good” and has been working to rebuild herself spiritually, emotionally, and physically after grieving and dealing with health issues that kept her from touring. Joined on stage by Dollywood president Eugene Naughton, Parton brought her trademark humor to the crowd, joking about rumors of a new husband while reaffirming her devotion to Dean. She also shared updates on her ongoing projects, including a new Broadway musical and her Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville. Parton previewed the park’s 41st season, highlighting the upcoming NightFlight Expedition ride, a new “Run Dollywood” race weekend, an updated ...

North Korea launches roughly 10 missiles into the sea in military display, South Korea says      North Korea on Saturday fired around 10 ballistic missiles into the eastern sea, South Korea’s military reported, in a show of force timed with a joint U.S.-South Korea military exercise. The missiles were launched from Sunan, the area near Pyongyang’s international airport, and traveled roughly 350 kilometers (220 miles), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Japanese officials said the missiles landed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone, and no damage to ships or aircraft was reported. South Korea said its military has increased surveillance and is maintaining readiness in case of additional launches while sharing intelligence with the U.S. and Japan. The missile salvo comes amid annual spring drills by U.S. and South Korean forces and at a time of heightened U.S. military activity in the Middle East. Analysts noted the launches signal Pyongyang’s defia...

 PRESS RELEASE Enyimba Throws Gates Open For NPFL Clash Against Plateau United The Management of Enyimba Football Club wishes to formally inform its esteemed fans, supporters, stakeholders, partners and the general public that the club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 30 encounter against Plateau United FC has been declared a gate-free fixture. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to hold on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba (Elephant Park). This development follows the successful completion of the club’s three-match closed-door sanction, thereby paving the way for the much-awaited return of our passionate supporters to the stands. The club is delighted to once again welcome fans back to the stadium to create the electrifying atmosphere that has always made the Elephant Park a formidable fortress. Management also seizes this opportunity to express profound appreciation to our loyal fans, supporters, stakeholders and partners for...

 Pope Leo XIV meets Nigerian Catholic Bishops in Rome Pope Leo XIV on Saturday received members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria who are currently in Rome for their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit. The Ad Limina Apostolorum is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church during which bishops travel to the Vatican to meet the Pope and present reports on the pastoral activities, challenges and general state of their dioceses. The visit comes shortly after the conclusion of the bishops’ conference, where key issues concerning the Catholic Church in Nigeria were deliberated. A video released on social media by the Vatican showed some of the Nigerian bishops presenting gifts to the pontiff during the meeting. Earlier, a group of 37 Nigerian bishops met with the Pope on March 6, while another delegation of 35 bishops held discussions with the head of the Catholic Church on Saturday. Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025, and formally inaugurated on May 18 of the same year....

 Abia State Bans Quackery and Unorthodox Glaucoma Treatments Amid Alarming Rise in Cases The Abia State Government has outlawed quackery and unprofessional practices in the treatment of glaucoma, including the traditional method known as couching, as health experts raise urgent alarms over the disease's growing prevalence and its role as a major cause of irreversible blindness. The announcement came during the 2026 World Glaucoma Week Symposium held in Umuahia and organized by the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau. The event brought together medical professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to promote awareness, early detection, and collective action against the "silent thief of sight." Chairman of the symposium and ophthalmologist Dr. Abali Chuku, immediate past Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, warned that glaucoma affects an estimated 80 million people globally and remains one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. He highlighted ...

 NSCDC Busts Suspected Baby Factory in Owerri, Rescues Five Newborn Babies and Five Pregnant Women The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Imo State Command, has dismantled a suspected baby factory operating at the World Bank axis in Owerri West Local Government Area, arresting the alleged operator, 52-year-old Tochukwu Ogaranya, and rescuing five newborns and five pregnant women. Also arrested was 47-year-old Godwin Nnamdi, described as a cousin to Ogaranya and suspected business partner in the orphanage home's operations. The breakthrough followed intelligence from a pregnant teenager who fled the facility on March 14, 2026. Commandant Basil Igwebueze stated that one of his officers encountered the fleeing teenager, prompting immediate action. NSCDC operatives raided the orphanage, apprehending Ogaranya and rescuing the victims: five infants aged between one and two months, and five pregnant women aged 25 to 33 years. Parading the suspects at the NSCDC headquarters ...

 PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF LEGENDARY SUPER EAGLES MIDFIELDER HENRY NWOSU President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the family of Henry Onyemanze Nwosu, a legendary Super Eagles midfielder who passed away this Saturday. Aged 62. In a statement by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President Information & Strategy, President Tinubu joins the Nigerian football community in mourning the exceptionally skilled Nwosu, whose football artistry remains the stuff of legends. The President recalls Nwosu's brilliance on the field of play as a 17-year-old in the then-Green Eagles squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. It adds, President Tinubu acknowledges Nwosu's over a decade of service to the nation as a member of the national football team, his role in subsequent AFCON tournaments in 1982, 1984, and 1988, and his contributions to sports development in the country. The President states that Nigerians will always remember the late playmaker for t...

 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPS  NATIONAL WATER COMPACT IN THE COUNTRY The Federal Government  is taking steps to develop a National Water Compact, aiming to strengthen sustainable water resources management and improve climate resilience across the country.  Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation  Prof.Joseph  Utsev, Stated this  when received the World Bank Global Director on Water  Saroj Kumar led  on a working visit to the Country  This effort aligns with Nigeria's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030. According to the Minister, the National Water Compact will provide a unified reform road-map for the entire water sector,   and strengthen institutional accountability.  Prof. Utsev explained that the Water Compact will mobilise blended financing, enhance private sector participation, mainstream climate resilience and gender inclu...

 LAGOS MULTI-DOOR COURTHOUSE MARKS 2026 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.  The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC) commemorated International Women’s Day 2026 on Tuesday, March 10, bringing together Judicial Officers, legal practitioners, community leaders, and grassroots market women for an engaging dialogue on access to justice and peaceful dispute resolution. Aligned with the global campaign theme “Give To Gain” and the UN theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” the programme was largely conducted in the Yoruba language to promote meaningful participation, cultural connection, and effective understanding among the market women and community stakeholders in attendance. In her special remarks, Hon. Justice Jumoke O. Pedro, Chairman of the LMDC Governing Council, acknowledged the importance of sustained community engagement and accessible justice at the grassroots level. In keeping with the audience and overall theme of the event, she reinforced the message of inclus...

 LASPA ISSUES FINAL NOTICE ON Y2025 PARKING LEVIES  … Vows To Commence Enforcement  The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), has issued a final call to defaulting parking operators in the State to pay up the year 2025 parking levies, warning that enforcement would soon commence. The General Manager, LASPA, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, gave the warning on Thursday during an interaction with the press on the activities of the Parking Authority. She noted that Demand Notices were issued for 2025 to all parking operators registered with LASPA earlier in the year, with payment expected within seven days of receipt of the notice, observing that some organisations are yet to comply. Mrs. Adelabu emphasised that the parking levy is not a discretionary but a legal requirement enshrined in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (LSTSRL 2018), adding that all defaulters of the 2025 parking levies will be penalised. She further noted that the funds generated from the parking levies a...

 LSWMO CRACKS DOWN ON ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENDERS  … Seals Public Toilets, Residential Buildings in Lagos The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) has intensified its compliance and enforcement drive against environmental pollution, sealing several public toilets and residential buildings across parts of Lagos for illegal sewage discharge and other sanitation violations that threaten public health and the environment. In a series of enforcement operations carried out between March 9 and March 12, 2026, the Agency sealed facilities in Oyingbo, Alaba, and Alimosho over acts constituting environmental nuisance and deliberate pollution. On Monday, March 9, the Agency sealed a residential property at No. 9, Taofeek Olowooke Street, Aboru, Alimosho, for the absence of toilet facilities, collapsed septic tanks, and the deliberate discharge of raw sewage into the environment. On the same day, two additional residential buildings located at No. 15C and 17 Lomuwa Street, Pleasur...

 LASG ISSUES MARCH 31, 2026 ULTIMATUM TO BUILDING OWNERS, OTHERS … Says Unregistered Elevators To Be Decommissioned After Deadline  The Lagos State Government has issued a final "Riot Act" to building owners, facility managers, and developers across the metropolis, demanding the immediate registration and safety certification of all elevators and vertical transportation equipment (VTE). In a decisive move to eradicate avoidable accidents in the state’s rapidly expanding high-rise landscape, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, announced on Friday that the state will no longer tolerate the operation of uncertified lifts. He said building owners have been given until March 31, 2026, to ensure full compliance or face aggressive enforcement actions, including the immediate shutdown and sealing of non-compliant premises. Stressing that public safety remains a non-negotiable priority, Mojola emphasised that elevators p...

 Kaduna Ranks Second Nationwide In 2026 JAMB Registration Kaduna State has recorded the second-highest number of candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with a total of 302,963 applicants. The figure places Kaduna behind Lagos State, which recorded the highest number of registrations nationwide, highlighting Kaduna’s strong participation in the national entrance examination into tertiary institutions. Education stakeholders say the large number of candidates reflects the growing interest in higher education among young people in the state, as well as the support of individuals and organizations committed to expanding educational opportunities. Among those who contributed to the registration drive is Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar Mairago, Board Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), who sponsored the JAMB registration for hundreds of candidates...

 Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine flees country after tense election Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine said on Saturday he fled the country to escape a military search for him in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, went into hiding shortly after the Jan. 15 presidential election. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni won the election with 71.6% of the vote, according to official results that Wine rejects as fake. Wine’s location has been unknown to the general public for weeks, with growing concern for his safety after the army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, repeatedly posted threats against him on social platform X, AP reported. Kainerugaba, the president’s son, has suggested Wine is wanted for unspecified crimes. Ugandan police say they are not looking for him. In a video message posted on X on Saturday, an unshaven Wine said he managed to leave Uganda but did not reveal where he went. “Fellow Ugandans and friends ...

 The truth about UK based Jupiter Lithium Limited and Nigeria’s Basin Mining Limited  By Kehinde Bamigbetan The coming visit of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom is generating high expectations on the back of positive evaluations of his economic management by international rating agencies and policy institutions. The invitation by King Charles highlights the diplomatic recognition and respect Nigeria commands within the United Kingdom’s political landscape. Yet, as arrangements for what promises to be a great achievement in diplomacy peak, a lawless gang of influence-peddlers is circling the sky like a kettle of vultures, seeking to dim the shine of the epochal event with lies, bile and blackmail. Editors, readers, listeners and viewers should be wary of the poisonous and toxic content of the gargantuan falsehood from the mill of Steve Davis and his fellow traveller, Hamish Macdonald, who, by the way, seems unrestrained by the honorific title of the B...

 BENUE STATE POLICE RECOVERS SIX BODIES AFTER ATTACK ON FARMERS IN APA Benue State Police Command says it has recovered six bodies after the attacks on cashew farmers by suspected armed herders on Wednesday at Asaba, Ojantele, and Okpette communities, in Apa Local Government Area of the state. A Statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Edet Udeme, explained that the farmers were reportedly working on their farms when the assailants launched the attack. Joint security teams comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and local youths from the affected communities immediately mobilized into the forest to carry out search and rescue operations and recovered six (6) bodies.  It adds, efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of residents in the affected communities. The Commissioner of Police Benue State Command CP Ifeanyi Emenari assured the public that reinforcements have been sent to facilitate a more thorough and coor...

 State Department cuts fee to renounce US citizenship by 80% to $450 The State Department has reduced the fee required for Americans to formally renounce their U.S. citizenship by about 80%, lowering the cost from $2,350 to $450. The change took effect on Friday after the department published a final rule in the Federal Register. The lower fee had been announced in 2023 but had not previously been implemented. The new price returns the cost to the same level charged when the government first began requiring a fee for renouncing citizenship in 2010. Giving up U.S. citizenship remains a complex and lengthy process. Individuals seeking to renounce must meet with a State Department consular officer and repeatedly confirm—both in writing and verbally—that they fully understand the legal and personal consequences of the decision. After taking a formal oath of renunciation, the request must also be reviewed and approved by the department before it becomes official. The fee was originally ...

WADA considers banning Trump, US officials from LA Olympics over unpaid dues The World Anti-Doping Agency is considering a rule change that could attempt to bar President Donald Trump and other U.S. government officials from attending major international sporting events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The proposal is scheduled to be discussed at the organization’s executive committee meeting next Tuesday and is tied to an ongoing dispute over unpaid U.S. funding for the agency. The conflict stems from the U.S. government’s decision to withhold its annual contributions to the anti-doping body. Lawmakers from both parties have supported the move as part of a protest over how the agency handled several controversial cases, including one involving Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete despite testing positive for a banned substance. The United States has not paid its required dues since 2023, leaving millions of dollars in contributions unpaid. The rule under con...

 Cuba and US hold high-level talks after Trump predicts regime collapse Cuba’s president, Miquel Díaz-Canel, publicly confirmed Friday that his government has been holding talks with the United States, a rare acknowledgment amid rising pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking on national television, Díaz-Canel said the discussions were “in their first phase,” with officials from both countries working to “establish an agenda” and stressed the goal of avoiding speculation about the process. The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Havana, including an effective fuel blockade since late January that has deepened Cuba’s energy crisis, leaving the island without shipments for over three months. President Trump has charged Secretary of State Marco Rubio with leading the negotiations, predicting that the Cuban regime “is going to fall pretty soon” and signaling openness to a “friendly takeover,” though he has not ruled out military intervention. Rubio has...

 Palestinian woman granted ICE release for third time, but detention could continue For the third time, an immigration judge has ordered 33-year-old Palestinian woman Leqaa Kordia released on bond from ICE detention, coinciding with the anniversary of her arrest, though it remains uncertain whether she will actually be freed. Kordia was first taken into custody on March 13, 2025, after immigration authorities said she overstayed a visa that expired on January 26, 2022. Her arrest was part of a series of actions targeting pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi. Kordia had previously been arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest outside Columbia University on April 30, 2024, though all charges in that case were quickly dismissed. DHS officials have also alleged that she provided financial support to individuals in countries hostile to the U.S., but Kordia’s attorneys argue the funds were sent to relatives displaced by the conflict in Gaza. In a statem...

 Israel preparing large-scale ground offensive in Lebanon, officials report Israel is preparing to significantly expand its ground operations in Lebanon, to seize territory south of the Litani River and dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. The operation could become the largest Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon since 2006, potentially putting the country at the center of the escalating conflict with Iran. A senior Israeli official said the plan mirrors tactics used in Gaza, targeting buildings used by Hezbollah to store weapons and launch attacks. The expanded campaign could result in a prolonged Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, raising fears of further civilian displacement and destruction. Lebanon’s government has expressed alarm over the potential devastation, while the Trump administration supports efforts to disarm Hezbollah but is pushing for measures to limit damage to Lebanese state infrastructure and for direct postw...

 Kerry Washington says her mother’s cancer journey inspires her to ‘live fully’ Kerry Washington was honored with the Courage Award by the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, but she insisted the true embodiment of courage is her mother, Valerie.  Accepting the award at An Unforgettable Evening, Washington reflected on her mother’s strength, calling the recognition “the most undeserved award” she had ever received.  Valerie, who has faced cancer four times, proudly accompanied her daughter to the event, dressed elegantly in Armani, as Washington praised her resilience and spirit. In her speech, Washington described her mother as a “badass warrior survivor” and emphasized that Valerie’s unwavering fight to live defines courage more than any accolade.  She expressed gratitude to the researchers and advocates working to save lives, noting that her mother’s journey has been a constant reminder of hope.  Speaking later to PEOPLE, Washington reiterated that her mother’s det...

 Sheryl Underwood addresses feud with Sharon Osbourne Sheryl Underwood recently revisited her relationship with Sharon Osbourne while guest co-hosting The View.  The former Talk co-host reflected on their tense 2021 on-air exchange about racism, which stemmed from Osbourne defending Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle.  Underwood admitted that despite the fallout, she still feels there is “some love” between them, noting that she even tried to reach out when Ozzy Osbourne passed away in 2025.  She explained that years of working side by side created a bond, even if disagreements overshadowed it. Underwood acknowledged that she avoided leaving voicemails for Osbourne out of fear they might be misinterpreted or leaked, preferring silence over causing further hurt.  She emphasized that her restraint during their televised clash was intentional, as she wanted to represent women positively rather than engage in a public shouting match.  For her, the mome...

 Kurt Russell reveals how Elvis Presley reacted when he kicked him in the shins for a movie Kurt Russell recently revisited his earliest film role, recalling the time he worked alongside Elvis Presley in the 1963 movie It Happened at the World’s Fair.  At just 12 years old, Russell was credited as “Boy Kicking Mike,” a part that required him to literally kick Presley in the shins for a comedic scene.  Appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Russell laughed about the memory, explaining that he had to do the stunt multiple times, with Presley reassuring everyone that he could handle it. Russell reflected on how surreal it was to share the screen with Presley, who was 27 at the time, and later went on to portray the music icon himself in the 1979 biopic Elvis.  He recalled how his father, actor Bing Russell, visited the set and caught Presley’s attention.  Presley asked to meet Bing, telling him he admired the way he wore his cowboy hats in films and even sought ...

 I’ll Do the Hard Job - Kate Middleton Jokes With Prince William at Brewery Stop A relaxed day along the River Thames turned into a lighthearted moment for Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales, who spent time visiting small businesses and chatting with locals around London on March 12. The royal couple made several stops at markets and independent vendors, sampling local goods and even stepping behind the counter to lend a hand.  Coffee was poured, cheese and fruit crumbles were served, and plenty of smiles were exchanged with curious onlookers. One particularly charming moment unfolded during a conversation about honey. As Kate discussed how different flowers influence the flavor of honey produced by bees, William could not resist teasing his wife in front of the crowd. “Catherine’s got her own bees, she knows a lot about bees,” he joked. “Be careful what you say, you might be corrected.” Kate’s interest in beekeeping is well known. She previously ...

 Sebastian Bach breaks silence on Christina Applegate and Brad Pitt love triangle Sebastian Bach has responded to Christina Applegate’s revelation in her new memoir that she left Brad Pitt at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards to spend time with the rocker.  In comments published by Billboard, the former Skid Row frontman said he was surprised by the resurfaced story and offered an apology. “I was a single guy on tour, in a band, and I met a lot of girls and I apologize if I hurt her, if I hurt anybody,” Bach explained, adding that the whirlwind of rock ’n’ roll in his youth often led to impulsive choices.  “It was a long time ago. If I hurt anybody, I apologize for it.” Applegate, now 54, wrote in You with the Sad Eyes that she impulsively left Pitt then still an up-and-coming actor for Bach, describing him as a “long-haired hunk” she couldn’t stop staring at.  She recalled feeling powerful in the moment but later regretted the decision, especially after learning Bach ...

 Rosamund Pike makes rare comments about ending her engagement to director Joe Wright: Felt like 'a big adult failure' Rosamund Pike has offered a candid reflection on her past relationship with Pride and Prejudice director Joe Wright, which lasted from 2005 to 2008.  Speaking on the podcast How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, the 47-year-old actress described their romance as a “huge love affair” filled with adventure and passion, but admitted the breakup was devastating.  She recalled how public speculation at the time fueled rumors of scandal, though she emphasized the split was far less dramatic than people imagined. Pike explained that the end of the engagement left her feeling like she had failed at a key milestone, particularly during the first holiday season afterward when she returned to her parents’ home.  She said it felt like “a big adult failure,” not only because she hadn’t achieved the expected template of marriage, but also because she was still in love w...