US warplane disables Iranian tankers as Gulf peace talks continue
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
A US warplane disabled two Iranian tankers on Friday to enforce a port blockade, as Washington awaited Tehran’s response to a proposed deal to end the Gulf conflict. US Central Command reported an F/A-18 Super Hornet used precision munitions to prevent the ships from reaching Iran, while Iranian media cited "sporadic clashes" with US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. These incidents followed an overnight exchange of fire that raised concerns about the Gulf ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in Rome that Washington expected Tehran's answer to the US proposal later that day, emphasizing that Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz. The US, through Pakistani mediators, has proposed extending the Gulf truce to facilitate talks on a final settlement of the conflict, which began 10 weeks ago with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed the proposal was "under review." Meanwhile, two Saudi sources informed AFP that the kingdom declined to allow the US military to use its airspace or bases for an operation to reopen the strait for commercial shipping. US Central Command also reported that its forces are preventing 70 tankers from entering or leaving Iranian ports. World markets and oil prices had initially reacted positively to hopes for a prolonged ceasefire and a negotiated accord, but stock markets declined again on Friday after the exchange in Hormuz, fueling fears that renewed fighting could delay or derail the
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Mrs. Love Marcus, a resident of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was abducted while heavily pregnant. Her husband was killed during the attack. She was held captive and subjected to harsh conditions, eventually giving birth in the bandits' camp. A ransom of approximately ₦77 million was paid for her release. This account was shared during a victims’ support and trauma counseling program in Kaduna, organized by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria in partnership with Palace Alliance. The program aimed to provide emotional and spiritual support to survivors of kidnapping and violent attacks. Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan recounted Mrs. Marcus's ordeal, including the difficult march into the forest and the repeated beatings she endured. Two other abducted individuals reportedly died in captivity. After her release, Mrs. Marcus received medical and psychological support, but continues to suffer severe emotional trauma, particularly from the loss of her husband and the circumstances of her child's birth. Rev. Joseph Hayab, Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, emphasized the need for political will and community cooperation to address insecurity in Nigeria, noting the program's goal to help victims heal and share experiences. Kaduna State continues to be significantly affected by banditry and kidnapping.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has characterized his long-standing competition with Cristiano Ronaldo as a "beautiful sporting rivalry." Messi stated that their rivalry was driven by ambition and competition, not personal animosity. The two players dominated global football for over a decade while playing for FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. Messi explained that their relationship was always good and respectful, and any competition was purely athletic. He noted that they rarely met outside of matches or award ceremonies and were always on good terms. Messi acknowledged that constant comparisons between them were inevitable as they consistently broke records and won trophies. The Argentine captain emphasized that their relationship remained respectful despite intense on-field competition. Messi now looks back on that era with pride and appreciation, describing it as a period that helped define modern football.
Nigeria experienced a 12 percent reduction in road traffic crash fatalities in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps. Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed announced this during the 2026 West African Road Safety Organisation Day in Abuja. Despite this improvement, Mohammed noted that the situation remains concerning within the broader African context, as Africa accounts for less than three percent of the world’s registered vehicles but over 20 percent of global road traffic fatalities. He emphasized that most victims are productive citizens, highlighting the need for urgent, coordinated interventions. The establishment of the West African Road Safety Organisation aims to promote harmonized policies and joint enforcement strategies among member states. Mohammed stated that road crashes cause over 1.5 million deaths and 70 million injuries globally each year, and a 2023 report indicated that road traffic crashes are responsible for about seven percent loss of Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria. He also mentioned that Nigeria has taken steps since ratifying the African Road Safety Charter, including aligning its National Road Safety Strategy II with the Charter’s provisions, strengthening data management, intensifying public enlightenment, promoting speed limiting devices, and introducing the FRSC mobile app. Deputy Director Abubakar El-Nafaty from the Ministry of Transportation called for stronger collaboration among Afr
Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, stated that phone snatching is no longer a significant issue in Nigeria, asserting the country's safety compared to the United Kingdom and Cameroon. This claim was made during a Coffee Hangout organized by Kay Hikers Club in Abuja and led to immediate online mockery after a video of the event was posted. A woman at the event confronted Fasua about unaffordable ride-hailing services, rampant phone robberies, and the general lack of safety, linking economic hardship to street crime. She urged Fasua to convey the severity of these conditions to President Tinubu, questioning how technocrats could understand grassroots realities. Fasua, in response, downplayed the phone-snatching concerns by referencing similar incidents abroad, citing a Cameroonian vlogger who allegedly stated that one cannot hold a phone openly in Cameroon. He insisted that the situation in Nigeria had improved and that phone snatching is not a major crisis. Another attendee challenged Fasua, accusing him of spiritualizing structural problems by suggesting a change in "mindset" as a solution. Fasua maintained that individuals could still improve their circumstances regardless of government performance.