PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Football Viewing Centres Struggle as Rising Costs, Mobile Streaming Shrink Patronage Once vibrant hubs of football fandom across Nigeria, viewing centres that brought communities together to watch major football matches are facing an uncertain future as rising fuel prices, increasing pay-TV subscription costs, and the growing popularity of mobile streaming continue to erode patronage. Operators in different parts of the country told Saturday PUNCH that businesses which once attracted large crowds and generated significant profits have witnessed sharp declines in attendance, leaving many struggling to stay afloat while others have shut down completely. In Ibafo, Ogun State, football viewing centre operator Jide Ojo recalled how his centre was once packed with football lovers who gathered to watch English Premier League and UEFA Champions League matches. According to him, securing a seat during major fixtures was once difficult due to the large turnout of fans. However, attendance h...

 2027: Former Ondo First Lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Secures LP Ticket for Owerri Federal Constituency A former First Lady of Ondo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has emerged as the Labour Party’s candidate for the Owerri Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections. Anyanwu-Akeredolu received the party’s Certificate of Return and expressed gratitude to the Labour Party leadership for the confidence reposed in her, describing her emergence as both a milestone and a renewed call to public service. She said her candidacy presents an opportunity to strengthen engagement with constituents and advance practical solutions to developmental challenges affecting communities across Owerri Federal Constituency. According to her, political leadership should be driven by service and measurable impact, stressing that her focus would be on listening to constituents and translating their concerns into legislative action. The former First Lady also explained her earlier withdrawal...

 Nollywood Legend Francis Duru Breaks Silence on Terminal Illness Rumors: 'I Have Never Been That Sick' Veteran Nollywood star Francis Duru has officially broken his silence regarding viral speculations about his well-being. The beloved actor took to social media to firmly debunk reports claiming he is battling a life-threatening, terminal illness. The rumors gained massive traction online after a video surfaced showing the actor looking noticeably frail, sparking widespread panic and concern among his colleagues, friends, and dedicated fanbase. In response to the growing anxiety, Duru released a video message on his Instagram page to set the record straight. Francis Duru Slams 'Merchants of Darkness' Over Fake Health News Addressing his fans directly, the veteran actor expressed gratitude for their prayers but blasted those responsible for spreading the malicious rumors. He described the creators of the viral video as 'merchants of darkness' who thrive on manuf...

 Legendary sitcom director James Burrows dies at 85    James Burrows, the legendary television director who shaped decades of American comedy behind the camera, died Friday at the age of 85. His family announced that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. A specific cause and location of death were not disclosed. Though his name flashed by quickly in the opening credits of television's most beloved sitcoms, Burrows was the creative force responsible for directing more than a thousand episodes of network television. His extensive resume included generation-defining hits such as "Cheers," "Taxi," "Friends," and "Will & Grace." Burrows entered the television industry relatively late, landing his first directing opportunities at age 35 in 1974 with episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," and "Laverne & Shirley." He went on to co-create "Cheers," directing 2...

 Italian tourist killed in massive fire at Dominican Republic resort A massive fire swept through a prominent resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday, leaving at least one person dead. The blaze erupted at the Viva Dominicus Beach resort, an expansive property with nearly 700 rooms located in the La Altagracia province between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. A large emergency response was deployed to the scene, with 15 firefighting units working to contain and extinguish the flames. A 46-year-old female tourist from Italy was killed in the fire. The total number of additional injuries remains unclear as emergency personnel continue to assess the situation. Visuals from the scene captured dramatic footage of thick, black smoke billowing high into the sky above the coastal resort. The property is operated in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

 Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot killed in plane crash in France   Claude Guillemot, a co-founder of the global video game publisher Ubisoft, was killed in a plane crash in western France on Friday evening. The accident occurred when a Cessna aircraft carrying Guillemot and one other individual went down in a field just short of the runway at La Baule Airport, located along the Atlantic coast. Authorities and local reports confirmed that both occupants on board the aircraft were killed in the crash. In a formal statement, Ubisoft confirmed his passing, noting his dual legacy as a company co-founder and the president of the Guillemot Foundation. Guillemot, along with his four brothers, established Ubisoft in 1986. Over the last four decades, the company grew into an industry giant, developing major global entertainment properties including the Assassin's Creed, Just Dance, Rayman, and Tom Clancy video game franchises.