PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

  Brazil ex-First Lady launches Senate bid while her stepson goes for Presidency The right-wing Liberal Party in Brazil has nominated former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro as a Senate candidate on Sunday, August 2, despite her recent feud with her stepson Flávio Bolsonaro, the party’s presidential nominee. With ex-president Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for plotting a coup at the end of his 2019–2022 term, Michelle and Flávio Bolsonaro have been locked in a struggle over influence in Brazil’s large conservative movement. The feud became public in late June when the former first lady, 44, accused her 45-year-old stepson of disrespecting her, claiming he had said she "didn’t understand anything about politics." The spat was viewed as a major impediment to her stepson’s attempts at broadening support ahead of the presidential election, given Michelle Bolsonaro has proven popular among female and evangelical voters. Flávio Bolsonaro, currently a senator, issued a public apolog...

  Drone smashes into beachgoers near Putin’s Black Sea palace killing four as Ukraine’s aerial onslaught continues A drone crashed onto a crowded beach near Russian President Vladimir Putin's Black Sea residence after being intercepted by Russian air defences, reportedly killing at least four people, including a child, and injuring 10 others. The incident occurred at Arkhipo-Osipovka, a resort village on Russia's Black Sea coast, close to Putin's reported Gelendzhik residence. Videos circulating online showed the damaged drone descending toward the beach before exploding, sending beachgoers running for safety as thick smoke rose from the scene. Some people were seen taking cover beneath sun loungers. Witnesses said they heard air defence gunfire moments before the explosion but claimed no warning sirens were activated. He said: "I'm in complete shock. We were on the beach, didn't have time to leave, hid behind a ledge, covered ourselves with sun loungers, and d...

  "Islamophobia!" — American Woman Shouts Allegation During Arrest for Aggravated Assault Bodycam footage released by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office shows Reem M. Al Dhahiry being taken into custody in Illinois after she allegedly assaulted a man. During the arrest, Al Dhahiry repeatedly told deputies, “You know I’m a Muslim. Islamophobia! Islamophobic. He tried to kill me!” and alleged that officers touched her inappropriately while restraining her. She was charged with aggravated assault. Court records also list prior arrests in Skokie in 2017 for disorderly conduct and battery. The current case remained pending as of the latest available updates.

 GOVERNOR SOLUDO LEADS CALL FOR MADE-IN-NIGERIA PRODUCTS AT DELTA ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT SUMMIT By MaryAnn Chukwuma. The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has led a strong call for Nigerians to embrace Made-in-Nigeria products as a sustainable strategy for creating jobs and accelerating economic growth. Governor Soludo made the call while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, held on, August 3, in Asaba, Delta State. He said Nigeria cannot create the kind of jobs its growing population requires while citizens continue patronising imported goods instead of supporting products manufactured by local industries and entrepreneurs. The Governor noted that many participants wore suits imported from Europe, America and China, urging Nigerians to deliberately promote African-made products, especially those proudly produced within the country. Sharing his personal experience, Governor Soludo disclose...

 South African coalition party goes to court over law that angered Trump South Africa's Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the ‌governing coalition, went to court on Monday to challenge a land seizure law that U.S. President Donald Trump cited when cutting off aid to the country last year. The case has caused friction with the ​biggest party, the African National Congress, as the country gears up for municipal ​elections in November. The Expropriation Act allows the state to seize land in ⁠the public interest, in some cases without compensating the owner, as part of efforts ​to redress the legacy of apartheid, Reuters reported. It has been the subject of lengthy and often acrimonious ​debate for years, and was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025. No land has been seized to date. The pro-business and mostly white-led DA says the legislation gives the government "vague and ​sweeping powers" and it will deter investment. South Africa...

Doris Ogala Declares Herself Abia’s ‘Messiah,’ Vows to Be Best Governor in 2027 Nollywood actress and African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate Doris Ogala has described herself as the “messiah” sent to rescue oppressed Abia women and residents, insisting that her emergence as governor in 2027 is already assured by God. In a recent interview, Ogala challenged critics who dismiss her as “just a content creator” and “not serious,” asking why they appear afraid of her if their “hands are clean.” “The fear of Doris Ogala is the beginning of wisdom. If your hands are clean, you have nothing to fear,” she said. “I hear people say ‘she is just a content creator,’ ‘she is not serious,’ so why are you afraid?” Ogala claimed that the moment she obtained her nomination form, “all the oppressed, every Abia woman stood up and knew their messiah is here to rescue them.” She linked the reported panic among opponents to divine intervention that cannot be stopped. “That is why you see everyw...