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 ANAMBRA SECURITY: INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNOR DURING THE EVENT OF THE SECOND TERM INAUGURATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMNET.  The Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, on 18th March 2026, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South East Zone, DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, fdc, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Anambra State as part of activities marking the second term inauguration of the State Government. During the visit at the Government House, Awka, His Excellency, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, commended and congratulated the Inspector-General of Police and the Deputy Inspector-General on their appointments. The Governor noted that their leadership comes at a critical time when enhanced security collaboration is essential for sustaining peace and economic development in the State. Governor Soludo further emphasised the importance of continuous synergy betwe...

 2027: Sanga Group Calls For Rotation Of Jema’a/Sanga Rep Seat To Sanga LGA A group, Sanga LGA Indigenes of Conscience, has called for the rotation of the Jema’a/Sanga Federal House of Representatives seat to Sanga Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections. The call was made during a press conference held on Thursday in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. Addressing the press conference, Secretary of the group, Mr. Gideon Audu, said the demand became necessary because Sanga Local Government Area had not produced a member of the House of Representatives for the constituency since the return to democratic rule in 1999. He said records of representation in Kaduna South Senatorial District showed that while other constituencies with joint local government arrangements had rotated their seats among component councils, the Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency had remained dominated by Jema’a Local Government Area. Audu described the development as a clear case of political marginalisat...

 47-year-old Idaho mayor dies after collapsing during town hall event Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam, 47, has died after collapsing while attending a regional town hall on Wednesday evening. Hogaboam suffered a sudden medical emergency at Eagle City Hall during the meeting with neighboring city officials and passed away shortly afterward, the city confirmed. Hogaboam collapsed around 6:45 p.m., and Eagle Mayor Brad Pike administered CPR until emergency responders arrived. Pike described the moment as a “tragic loss” and said his focus remains on supporting Hogaboam’s family. City Council President David Bills will serve as acting mayor until an interim replacement is appointed ahead of the November election. Hogaboam, who was sworn in on January 5, was only months into his first term. He had previously served as a Canyon County clerk, Nampa city councilman, and briefly as a state senator in 2021. Known as an avid reader, baseball fan, and Buffalo Bills supporter, Hogaboam was described ...

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham suffers collapsed lung, sidelined for at least two weeks Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham will miss at least two weeks after sustaining a collapsed lung, the team announced Thursday. The injury occurred Tuesday during a 130-117 win over the Washington Wizards in Washington, D.C., when Cunningham dove for a loose ball and collided with guard Tre Johnson in the first quarter. He left the game about a minute later and did not return. While the Pistons initially cited back spasms, Cunningham was later diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax and will be re-evaluated after his two-week absence. Cunningham, a two-time All-Star, has been averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game over 61 starts this season. The Pistons, currently 49-19, have gone 5-5 over their last 10 games but remain first in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics. Detroit is set to face Washington again on Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT.

 U.S considers easing Iranian oil sanctions to control prices The White House is weighing the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea to help stabilize global oil prices, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday. The move would be aimed at easing the recent spike in Brent crude, which jumped 10% in just 24 hours and is now trading around $111 per barrel—nearly 60% higher than pre-war levels. Bessent explained that unsanctioning Iranian barrels could add roughly 140 million barrels to the market, equivalent to 10 to 14 days of supply, using the oil itself to help contain prices. The administration has relied on a variety of measures to manage costs in recent weeks, including promising tanker escorts through the Strait of Hormuz, waiving the Jones Act, and temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil. Experts say easing Iranian sanctions in the middle of a conflict would be unprecedented, reflecting the pressure on the U.S. to offset the economic ripple e...

Trump jokes about Pearl Harbor during meeting with Japanese Prime Minister      During a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President Donald Trump drew attention after making a remark referencing Pearl Harbor while discussing military strategy. Asked why U.S. allies were not informed in advance about planned strikes on Iran, Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining surprise, saying the operation was carried out without prior notice to ensure effectiveness. He then joked about Japan’s historical use of surprise, referencing the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, which prompted a brief and uneasy reaction in the room. Trump continued taking questions, stating he has no plans to deploy U.S. ground troops to Iran, adding that he would not disclose such plans publicly if they did exist. He also suggested the conflict could end soon, claiming that U.S. actions had significantly weakened Iran’s capabilities, including its leadersh...

 Nigerian Army Disowns Alleged Armed Robber in Abia, Labels Suspect ‘Criminal Impersonator’ The Nigerian Army has firmly distanced itself from an individual identified as Lance Corporal Chukwu Ebuka Peter, who was reportedly involved in armed robbery activities in Abia State, declaring him a fraudster impersonating a serving soldier. In an official press statement released by the Headquarters, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, the military authorities described the claims linking the suspect to the Brigade as false and misleading. The statement, signed by Captain Mazinho Attah, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, explained that the Army’s attention was drawn to viral social media reports alleging that the suspect, who claimed to be attached to the 14 Brigade, had been arrested in connection with criminal activities. “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the said Lance Corporal Chukwu Ebuka Peter is not, and has never been, a member of the Nigerian Army,” the statemen...

 COURT SLAMS 50 MILLION NAIRA DAMAGES AGAINST DON UBANI FOR DEFAMATION OF CHIEF UMEH KALU, SAN The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has Ordered Don Ubani a.k.a Okwunbunka of Asa, to pay the sum of fifty million Naira to Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, a former Attorney – General/Commissioner for Justice in Abia State, and, also to publish a full – page apology in Thisday Newspaper and Sun Newspaper for the defamation of the character of Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN.  The Orders were contained in the judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered by Hon. Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi – Ajayi in Suit No.: FCT/HC/CV/6777/2023 a longstanding Suit instituted by Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN against Don Ubani for a libelous publication by Don Ubani titled “What a demeaning unprofessional conduct by Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN”. Don Ubani, a former Commissioner for Information in Abia State had in June 2023 issued a Press Statement wherein he described Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN in very ...

 Rivers Police Arrest Suspect for Alleged Murder in Etche, Recover Victim’s Remains from Shallow Grave The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Robinson Uche, in connection with the alleged murder of 42-year-old Shedrack Ogadinma Chukwem from Umuemeshie community in Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area. Operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emuohia Annex, apprehended the suspect on March 6, 2026, following intensive and sustained investigative efforts, according to police authorities. The command revealed that Uche has confessed to his involvement in the killing, which took place on December 17, 2025. In his statement, the suspect claimed he and four other accomplices were allegedly hired by one Chief Elijah Okere to abduct the victim and bring him to Okere’s palace. The operation reportedly went awry during the encounter, resulting in the victim being shot dead. The group is said to have subsequently transported the body to a bush in Ekerre-Ugbor,...

 Ohanaeze Ndigbo Appoints Four Professors to Professorial Chairs in Bid to Halt Igbo Language Extinction The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has appointed four distinguished professors to its Professorial Endowment Chair initiative aimed at preserving and revitalising the Igbo language amid growing concerns over its potential extinction. The appointees are Prof. Mercy Nnyigide of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Prof. Boniface Mbah of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Prof. Ngozi Emeka-Nwobi of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki; and Prof. Ngozi Chukwukere of Imo State University, Owerri. The appointments, announced on Thursday during a cheque presentation ceremony at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Enugu, form part of a broader 2025 pledge by the organisation to establish seven professorial chairs in Igbo studies across universities in Igbo-speaking states. The initiative focuses on advancing scholarship in Igbo language, culture, history, and relate...

 86-Year-Old Martial Arts Legend Chuck Norris Reportedly Admitted to Hospital Chuck Norris, the legendary martial artist and actor, has reportedly been admitted to a hospital in Hawaii following a medical emergency.  TMZ reported the news on Thursday, March 19, noting that the 86-year-old star was in “good spirits” amid the health scare. Us Weekly has reached out for comment. Just weeks ago, Norris celebrated his 86th birthday with his signature energy and positivity. On March 10, he posted on Instagram, “I don’t age. I level up.  "I’m 86 today!” alongside footage of himself boxing outdoors. He added, “Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love.” He thanked his fans for their support over the years, writing, “Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”  Fitness and discipline have long been central to Norris’s lifestyle. In ...

 Demi Lovato Explains Why She Sang “Heart Attack” at Charity Event Demi Lovato is setting the record straight about a performance that caught some fans off guard. The singer, 33, performed her hit “Heart Attack” at a 2024 American Heart Association charity event, a choice that drew raised eyebrows online. During a March 19 appearance on iHeartRadio’s Elvis Duran Show, Demi clarified the story. “They asked me to sing that song,” she said. “I flagged it beforehand and was like, ‘Um, isn’t this like not the vibe?’ But they said, ‘No, they want to hear it.’” Fans were quick to question the irony of singing a song called “Heart Attack” at an event focused on preventing cardiovascular disease.  Demi explained, “People online were like, ‘Why did she sing that?’ And I’m like, ‘Y’all, it wasn’t me, I didn’t ask. I flagged it.’” Elvis Duran joked back, “I thought that was the worst idea ever of yours.” A spokesperson for Demi told Entertainment Weekly that her performance was “a sensiti...

 Kaduna Government Allocates New Plots To Victims Of El-Rufai-Era Demolitions The Kaduna State Government has allocated new plots of land to residents of Malali Low-Cost in Kaduna whose homes were demolished during the administration of Nasir El-Rufai. The Director General of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Bashir Garba Ibrahim, presented the land titles to the affected residents, stating that the move fulfills a promise made by Governor Uba Sani to ensure justice for the victims. He explained that the allocation followed a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 21, where it was agreed that the circumstances surrounding the earlier demolitions should be reviewed. During the presentation, Dr Ibrahim urged beneficiaries to develop their plots promptly and advised them not to sell the land, emphasizing that the goal is to help them become homeowners and contribute to the state’s development. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Auwal, chairman of the fo...

“I didn’t take money from anyone” — actor Aremu Afolayan reacts to backlash after insinuating that there's no insecurity in the Country  Nollywood actor Aremu Afolayan has responded to criticism following his recent comments. In a statement, he apologised to Nigerians, saying the backlash he received has been overwhelming. “To all Nigerians, please forgive me. The criticism has been overwhelming,” he said. The actor also addressed allegations, stating clearly that he did not receive money from anyone. He added that his comments were based on concerns about the current situation in the country. “I didn’t take money from anyone, and it’s clear there’s insecurity while the government isn’t doing enough,” he said. Watch video below.  . 

 Senator Natasha Akpoti reacts to fire incident in Okene, speaks on delayed fire service project Nigerian politician Natasha Akpoti has reacted to the fire incident that occurred at Old Zango, near the Total fuel station in Okene. In a post shared on Instagram, she described the incident as tragic, noting that lives were lost and properties destroyed. She added that similar occurrences have happened in the area over the years. According to her, steps have already been taken to reduce the impact of such emergencies. She revealed that she facilitated the establishment of a Federal Fire Service facility to be located in Okene LGA. However, she explained that although the proposed site has been inspected by the relevant ministry and agency, the project is yet to begin due to lack of capital allocation in the 2025 budget. She added that after the holidays, she will meet with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to push for the immediate commencement of the project. She ended he...

 That’s Not Fair - Kim Kardashian Says Prisoners Who Fought L.A. Wildfires Were Paid 'Just a Few Dollars,' and She Wants to Change That A renewed push for prison labor reform is gaining attention, with Kim Kardashian stepping in to support new legislation aimed at changing how incarcerated workers are paid. The bill, reintroduced on March 19 by Cory Booker, seeks to ensure that people working while incarcerated receive at least the federal minimum wage. It also proposes limits on deductions for fees, fines, and living costs within correctional facilities, through amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Kardashian, who has increasingly focused on criminal justice reform, explained that her support is rooted in what she witnessed during the Los Angeles wildfires.  “I personally watched incarcerated people who risked their lives battling the massive wildfires,” she said, pointing out that many were paid only a few dollars a day despite doing the same high-risk work as profess...

 Seventeen bodies recovered in Comoros from boat carrying African migrants Seventeen bodies have been recovered from a boat ‌carrying African migrants that was found on the coast of Comoros, the Indian Ocean archipelago's interior minister said on Thursday. Authorities ​said they believed the migrants were attempting to ​reach Mayotte, a French territory located between Mozambique ⁠and Madagascar. The vessel was discovered late on Wednesday after ​residents of the coastal town of Mitsamiouli heard cries for ​help and alerted police, a local hospital director told Reuters. Comoros Interior Minister Mohamed Ahamada told a press conference that nine bodies ​had been recovered early on Thursday, in addition to ​eight recovered overnight. He said 30 people on board the boat had ‌survived. The ⁠hospital director gave a death toll of 18 and said survivors reported they were from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ahamada told reporters that most of the migrants ​were from Congo. Migrants ​...

 Drone attack from Sudan kills 17 in Chad, Chadian government says A cross-border drone attack from Sudan killed 17 ‌people in Chad including mourners attending a funeral service, the Chadian government and local sources said on Thursday, and the country's president vowed to retaliate for any further attacks. The ​border town of Tine was struck on Wednesday afternoon as mourners gathered ​at a house for a funeral ceremony for a dead ⁠relative that involved reading the Koran, a local resident said, Reuters reported. There were two ​explosions and casualties included mourners and children who had been playing nearby, said ​the resident, who declined to be identified for security reasons. Local government sources said it was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. The conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese army and ​the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has periodically ​spilled into Chadian territory, causing casualties and property damage. ...

 NYSC DG Reaffirms Comprehensive Insurance Coverage for Corps Members, Cautions Against Unverified Reports The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reiterated that all corps members are fully covered by a comprehensive insurance package throughout their mandatory one-year national service. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, Nafiu emphasized that the welfare package includes both life insurance and medical care, designed to guarantee corps members a safe and fulfilling service year. He disclosed that the Federal Government has instituted robust measures to protect corps members, including intervention in medical emergencies not fully covered by standard health insurance. The NYSC boss cited specific instances of the scheme’s support, revealing that ₦28 million was disbursed to save the life of a pregnant corps member and her unb...

 Ilia II, Georgian patriarch who guided church through Soviet collapse, dies at 93    Ilia II, the long-serving spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, has died at the age of 93, following hospitalization for massive internal bleeding, senior cleric Metropolitan Shio confirmed. He had led the Church for nearly 50 years, guiding it from a period of Soviet-era repression to becoming one of the most influential institutions in Georgia. The Holy Synod has 40 days to select a new Catholicos-Patriarch. Born Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili on January 4, 1933, in Russia’s North Caucasus to a family from Georgia’s mountainous Kazbegi district, Ilia II studied at Moscow’s Theological Academy, which had briefly been closed under Soviet anti-religion policies. Ordained under the name Ilia, he returned to Georgia and steadily rose through the church hierarchy, becoming Catholicos-Patriarch in 1977. Under his leadership, the Church regained prominence after decades of Soviet ...

 Iran escalates attacks on Gulf energy sites after Israeli strike on key gas field    Iran escalated its campaign against oil and gas infrastructure across the Gulf on Thursday, significantly intensifying a conflict that is already rattling global energy markets and raising fears of a broader regional war. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a major Iranian gas field, and they quickly drove fuel prices higher while increasing the risk of drawing neighboring Arab countries deeper into the fighting. The situation has also heightened concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The attacks targeted key energy sites across multiple countries. Fires were reported at major facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted several drones before confirming that a refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu had been hit. Ira...

 Kevin Spacey reaches out-of-court settlement with three men over alleged sexual assault claims Three men who accused actor Kevin Spacey of sexual assault have reached a settlement in their civil claims before a London High Court trial could begin, according to court documents. The allegations, which Spacey has denied, involved incidents said to have occurred between 2000 and 2013. The civil cases had been scheduled to go to trial later this year, but Judge Christina Lambert paused the proceedings last week after the parties agreed to settle. The judge’s order confirmed that all further action in the cases would be stayed under the terms of the confidential settlement, though no details were disclosed and no ruling on legal costs was made. Spacey, 66, was acquitted in a 2023 criminal trial in London on nine alleged sex offenses, and previously won a separate $40 million civil case in New York brought by actor Anthony Rapp. Once one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, Spacey is k...

Four migrants detained off Miami coast after failed human smuggling attempt U.S. authorities intercepted a boat off the coast of Miami last week, stopping an attempt to smuggle 15 migrants from three countries into the United States illegally. The operation, carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in coordination with the Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations, led to the arrest of four people, including a Bahamian national operating the vessel. The four face criminal human smuggling charges and illegal reentry violations. Officials said the boat, traveling without lights around 11:45 p.m. on March 11 to avoid detection, carried five men from the Dominican Republic, three men from Ecuador, one man and five women from Haiti, and one Haitian minor. A Lauderdale Marine Unit vessel helped secure the scene, and all occupants were transported to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter William Flores. Eleven of the migrants were returned to the Bahamas. Acting Assistant DHS Secretary ...

 NRC ANNOUNCES SPECIAL SALLAH TRAIN SERVICES   The Nigerian Railway Corporation has announced special train service arrangements to ease passenger movement during the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. In a statement signed by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the Corporation said additional trips and increased capacity have been deployed across major corridors to meet the expected surge in travel demand. On the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, three special trips will operate on Thursday, March 19, from both Ebute Metta and Moniya stations, after which services will return to the regular timetable. Similarly, on the Abuja–Kaduna route, two trips are scheduled for Thursday, while three daily trips will run from Friday through Monday to provide more travel options during the festive period. The Corporation also announced a special partnership with the Osun State Government to run the Imole Train Service from Lagos to Osogbo, offering free transportation to i...

 NESREA Seals Bond Chemicals Industries Limited for Environmental Violations The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed off Bond Chemicals Industries Limited in Oyo State following concerns over violations of the National Environmental Regulations.  According to Nwamaka Ejiofor Assistant Director (Press)compliance inspection carried out by officials from the South West Zonal Office revealed that the facility had no functional Effluent Treatment Plant and was discharging untreated wastewater with offensive odour directly into the environment in contravention of applicable environmental standards and regulations . After due notification, NESREA in exercise of its statutory mandate, consequently sealed the facility to prevent further environmental degradation and to safeguard public health. The Director General of NESREA Prof. Innocent Barikor reiterates that all industry operators are required to comply fully with environmental re...

 GOV. ALIA ENDORSES STATE POLICE, SAYS GOVERNORS MUST CONTROL SECURITY STRUCTURE  Governor Hyacinth Alia has declared Benue State’s full support for the establishment of state police, stressing that governors must have operational control of security structures to effectively safeguard their states. Alia made the position known on Tuesday during the flag-off of a six-day training for 300 personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPGs). The exercise, organised by the The Kukah Centre in collaboration with the state government, is holding at the Firing Range in Ikpayongo, Gwer-East Local Government Area. Represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, the governor described state policing as “an idea whose time has come,” noting that ongoing constitutional reforms would pave the way for its implementation. He said the move aligns with efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a legal framework for decentralised policing, describing it as a necessary devolution of pow...

 'STOP IMPERSONATING REV. FR. DAV—GBOKO DIOCESE WARNS PUBLIC AGAINST FAKE PRIEST IN BENUE, CHARGING ₦35,000 FOR HOUSE BLESSINGS  The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has raised an alarm over an alleged impersonator posing as Rev. Fr. Gabriel Aondover Dav, warning members of the public to be cautious of fraudulent religious activities in Benue State. In a statement circulating within church circles, the Diocese identified the suspect as Igbudu Moses, reportedly from Ushongu Local Government Area. He is accused of falsely presenting himself as a Catholic priest and using social media to reinforce the claim. According to the Diocese, the individual has allegedly been extorting money from unsuspecting residents, particularly in rural communities. He is said to charge up to ₦35,000 for house blessings and also demand payment for holy water and other religious services. Church authorities stressed that such practices are not in line with Catholic doctrine, noting that priests do not commer...