Tinubu Slashes GenCos' Debt, Approves N2.8tn Payment
President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of N2.8tn to power generation companies as the Federal Government’s verified liability for accumulated electricity subsidies dating back to 2010, The PUNCH reports. “The GenCos came here last August to meet the President, pleading that legacy debt doesn’t make them shut down. However, the Federal Government is going to raise money and issue a bond to pay them,” the source said. They include First Independent Power Limited, Geregu Power Plc, Ibom Power Company Limited, Mabon Limited, and Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited. “The President is now saying this N2.8tn that I’m going to pay you, we’re not just going to pay you like that.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 08:53 UTC
Why India deported over 2,300 Nigerians in five years
The Government of India deported at least 2,356 Nigerians between 2019 and 2024, with removals quadrupling from 339 in 2021 to 1,470 in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Breaking down the annual figures, an average of 122.5 Nigerians were deported monthly from India during the 2023-2024 review period, translating to approximately four deportations per day. In 2019, India deported 547 Nigerians out of a total of 1,233 foreign nationals removed, 44.3 per cent of all deportations that year. Deported Nigerians rose from 339 in 2021 to 1,470 in 2023-2024, representing a 333 per cent increase. In December 2025, Indian authorities deported 32 Nigerians following a multi-state narcotics raid in Delhi by the EAGLE anti-narcotics unit.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 08:33 UTC
Tata Punch EV Facelift Booking Details Explained: Booking Amount, Booking Process, Features And Powertrain Explained
Over the pre-facelift model, the Punch EV facelift brings a fresher design, some new features, and an improved claimed range. So if you are planning to buy the Punch EV, then here’s all you need to know about the 2026 Punch EV, with respect to its booking process and specifications:How To Book The Punch EV? You can book the 2026 Tata Punch EV either through Tata’s official website or at a Tata dealership in your city. Tata Punch EV OverviewThe facelifted Tata Punch EV brings subtle design tweaks, added features and improved efficiency. Positioned below the Tata Nexon EV and Tata Curvv EV in the brand’s electric portfolio, the Punch EV continues to target buyers looking for an affordable yet well-equipped urban EV.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 07:04 UTC
Punch the monkey: World goes bananas for lonely baby macaque monkey and his IKEA plushie
After the incident, Punch could be seen running away to his comfort toy, an orangutan plushie. “The adult monkey that dragged Punch is probably the mother of the monkey with whom Punch tried to communicate. She probably felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch and got upset, expressing ‘don’t be mean’,” the zoo’s statement read. Punch’s comfort orangutan sells outPunch’s fame has gone global and even prompted sales of his comfort toy, a stuffed orangutan Djungelskog toy sold at Ikea, to sell out, including in Australia. Punch with his comfort toy.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 06:01 UTC
Awujale Selection: Ruling Family Urges Gov to Resume Process
This is the plea of the Fusengbuwa ruling house.”The state government had halted the selection process for the second time last month. In a statement by Hamzat, the government maintained that the selection process to fill the vacant stool of Awujale remained suspended as announced last month by the government, due to a plethora of petitions that it had received over the selection process. Kuye spoke while responding to allegations made by the princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode. He explained: “I have never been involved in any of their allegations, and I am also part of the princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa ruling house. So it is all baseless accusations.”On the viral song, Kuye said: “I don’t know about the production of any song.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 05:28 UTC
Tata Punch EV facelift in wishlist? Variant-wise features explained for buyers
Tata Motors has launched the 2026 Tata Punch EV facelift in India on January 20 as one of the most-awaited cars in the country. The updated iteration of the Tata Punch EV has received a plethora of changes on the exterior, inside the cabin, and on the powertrain front. In a nutshell, the 2026 Tata Punch EV marks a major upgrade for the EV, not just a few cosmetic updates. The 2026 Tata Punch EV facelift is available at a starting price of ₹9.69 lakh (ex-showroom), while the price list goes up to ₹12.59 lakh (ex-showroom). If you are planning to buy the 2026 Tata Punch EV facelift, here are the variant-wise features of the electric micro SUV.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 03:30 UTC
Punch the monkey: A rejected monkey finding comfort in a stuffed toy is the internet's new favourite animal at Ichikawa City Zoo
He was abandoned by his mother after his birth in July and was hand-raised by staff at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan . (Ichikawa City Zoo/X)Lonely and seeking comfort, Punch has been seen clinging to an IKEA stuffed orangutan he was given. Crowds form to see Punch the monkey at Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan. (Ichikawa City Zoo/X)Punch's plight has led to "unprecedented and unexpected" crowds and two-hour wait lines at the zoo. IKEA Australia has also confirmed it has sold out of the orangutan toy online that Punch loves so much.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 02:23 UTC
2027: Real-time results transmission achievable, say telcos
Nigeria’s telecommunications network is capable of supporting the real-time electronic transmission of election results, major telecommunications operators have confirmed. Major telecom operators, who spoke with The PUNCH, said that Nigeria’s telecommunications network was capable of supporting the real-time electronic transmission of election results, but the process remains largely paper-based. It stated that the SCR “is not used for result transmission” and is not permanently connected to any data network. The amended law has sparked arguments among political stakeholders and civil society groups over whether real-time electronic transmission from polling units should be made mandatory. No special intervention requiredAdebayo stressed that telecom operators are not seeking any special government intervention specifically for election result transmission, noting that existing infrastructure is adequate.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 01:51 UTC
Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios Judges' Scorecards, Punch Stats and Prize Money
Ryan Garcia captured the WBC welterweight title with a unanimous decision win over Mario Barrios at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Garcia has been unsteady at times in his career, but this was not one of those times. The Ring contextualized Garcia's efficiency compared to the last time we saw in the ring. None had brought him a world title. Stevenson beat Garcia when they were both amateurs and a rematch would certainly draw a ton of interest.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 01:01 UTC
Nigeria recorded N5trn post-harvest losses in 2025 — OTACCWA
The Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) has disclosed that Nigeria recorded between N3.5 trillion and N5 trillion in post-harvest losses in 2025. He stressed the need for urgent national investment in refrigerated transport, aggregation centres and modular cold storage facilities to curb the losses. He described cold chain infrastructure as the missing link between agricultural production and economic prosperity. Isong described the lack of adequate cold storage facilities as the primary obstacle, which severely hampers efforts to address post-harvest losses. “Cold chain is an integral part of agriculture, and without sufficient investment, the sector’s growth and potential are severely limited,” he said.
Source:Punch
February 23, 2026 00:56 UTC
Mexican army kills ‘El Mencho’ world’s most wanted drug lord
Armed civilians blocked several roads in the state of Jalisco, in western Mexico, following an operation by federal forces in the town of Tapalpa, local authorities reported. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP)Soldiers on Sunday killed a powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who was one of the most wanted men here and in the United States, several media outlets reported. There was no immediate confirmation from the government of the death of Nemesio Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Oseguera, whose nickname was “El Mencho,” was reported killed by the Mexican newspapers El Universal and Reforma, and by the Televisa network. His cartel was formed in 2009 and became one of Mexico’s most violent drug trafficking organisations, according to the US Justice Department.
Source:Punch
February 22, 2026 20:54 UTC
Story Of Abandoned Baby Monkey Punch Moves Internet, Andrew Tate's Brother Offers To Buy It
Tristan Tate, brother of Andrew Tate, has offered $250,000 to buy Punch, the baby Japanese macaque who went viral for clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy after being abandoned by his mother. "We thought that its resemblance to a monkey might help Punch integrate back into the troop later on, and that's why we chose it." Also read | Watch: Viral Baby Monkey Punch Finally Accepted By His Troop With Heartwarming HugSee the post hereWhich Zoo owns this monkey. https://t.co/44UXASPwsO — Tristan Tate (@TateTheTalisman) February 19, 2026The post went viral, garnering more than 5.5 million views in just two days. "Spending $250,000 to buy a monkey is highly impractical and ethically complex," another user wrote.
Source:Punch
February 22, 2026 20:44 UTC
Why Was Punch Rejected By His Mom? Baby Monkey Rejection Reasons
At Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, a young Japanese macaque named Punch, born in 2025, faced immediate rejection from his mother shortly after delivery. The infant’s plight captured widespread attention online, as videos showed the tiny primate forming an unusual bond with a stuffed orangutan toy provided by zoo staff. In place of maternal care, they introduced the plush toy, selected for its long hair and graspable features that mimic a real monkey. Shikano pointed to the intense July heat during the birth as a potential trigger, suggesting environmental stress played a role. Zookeepers remain optimistic, with Shikano expressing confidence that Punch will eventually outgrow his reliance on the toy and fully integrate into the troop.
Source:Punch
February 22, 2026 16:22 UTC
How daily routines in Minneapolis and St Paul have changed amid 3,000 federal immigration agents – in pictures
Agents have also killed two Minneapolis residents – and US citizens – Renee Good and Alex Pretti, while they were monitoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. Federal agents’ presence, and their often abrupt and aggressive handling of residents, has left the Twin Cities on edge. View image in fullscreen Brittany Kubricky at her home in St Paul, Minnesota. View image in fullscreen School district employees patrol an elementary school drop-off in Fridley, Minnesota, on 5 February. View image in fullscreen A driver raises their hands in deference to a protest passing in Minneapolis on 31 January.
Source:The Guardian
February 22, 2026 16:04 UTC
Global leaders are dreaming of a US-free world order. Do they stand a chance?
Two-thirds of Canada’s exports go to the United States, down from three-quarters a couple of years ago. Each of these ushered in a new world order, which lasted for a few decades until the next inflection point. The next five to 10 years, Stubb thinks, will shape the world order over the next 30 to 50. Success will depend on whether Washington wants to preserve a multilateral world order in which it would not exercise power as freely as it has over the last 80 years. They will try to maintain trade and financial links to both China and the United States.
Source:The Guardian
February 22, 2026 15:33 UTC