PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Kenya-US rare earths deal challenged in court over secrecy A multi-billion-dollar rare earth minerals deal between Kenya and the United States was challenged in a Kenyan court on Monday, accused of lacking transparency. The deal involves minerals critical to high-tech and low-carbon industries in the coastal forest of Mrima Hill, which is believed to hold deposits worth about $62.4 billion, including large reserves of niobium, a metal used to strengthen steel. The Centre for Litigation Trust, a legal advocacy organisation, is suing the Kenyan government in a bid to halt the deal with the United States to mine the area, after media reports that it was nearing completion. In court papers seen by AFP, the group calls for full transparency and public consultation around the deal, arguing that any such agreement requires approval by parliament. 'Shrouded in secrecy' "The specific contract and framework details are shrouded in secrecy, remain opaque and vague to the public,...

Nick Jonas, Tim McGraw, and Reba McEntire lead star-studded July 4 celebration for America’s 250th anniversary in Nashville   A lineup of major music stars, including Nick Jonas, Tim McGraw and Reba McEntire, will take the stage in Nashville on July 4 as part of a nationwide celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary. The event, titled “Disney Celebrates America: Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash,” will be held in downtown Nashville and broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET across multiple platforms, including ABC, Disney+, Hulu, FX, Freeform, ESPN App and National Geographic. The celebration will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and will feature performances from a wide range of artists including Boyz II Men, Brothers Osborne, Clint Black, Lauren Daigle, Little Big Town, Sublime, The All-American Rejects, Elizabeth Nichols and NE-YO, among others. Reba McEntire highlighted the significance of the occasion in a message celebrating the country’s milestone anniversary, calling it America’s 25...

 Woman killed in alligator attack while swimming in Florida river A woman has died after being attacked by an alligator while swimming in a river in Florida, officials said. Authorities said the incident occurred Sunday in the Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County, just north of Orlando. The woman was in the water when she was attacked, according to wildlife officials. She was transported to a hospital but later died from her injuries. Officials said efforts are underway to capture the alligator involved in the attack. The Florida wildlife agency expressed condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones, saying it extends its deepest sympathies during a difficult time. The attack comes just days after a separate fatal incident involving a crocodile killed a 28-year-old man at a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

 Former NBA players and agent indicted in alleged sports betting scheme tied to bribed player performance manipulation Former NBA players Malik Beasley and Edward Davis, along with sports agent Paolo Zamorano and three others, have been indicted in connection with an alleged gambling scheme involving the manipulation of NBA game performance to influence betting outcomes. Prosecutors allege that Beasley, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, agreed to alter aspects of his in-game performance in exchange for bribes, with inside information then passed along to co-conspirators who placed wagers worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In one example cited in the indictment, Beasley allegedly told Davis ahead of a January 2024 game that he planned to underperform in rebounding, information that was then shared with others involved in the scheme. Authorities say similar arrangements were made in subsequent games, including instances where Beasley allegedly indicated he would adjust scor...

 ‎A Federal High Court in Abuja has given the all clear for the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), by ordering ordering Nigeria’s electoral body INEC, to generate and release Access Code for the party’s registration to the Akin Rickett-led leadership of the party. ‎ ‎Justice Peter Lifu in a judgement on Monday gave INEC 72 hours within which the access code must be released to the Protem Secretary of ADA. ‎ ‎Justice Lifu in the judgement faulted the electoral body for releasing the access code to one Umar Ardo, who was not a recognized Protem Secretary of the political association and consequently declared the action of INEC as illegal, wrongful, null and void. ‎ ‎The court further ordered INEC to open its portal for a period of one week to enable the plaintiff upload necessary documents, including membership register as required by law. ‎ ‎The plaintiff through his counsel, Stephen Atabo, had dragged INEC and Ardo to court, seeking a declaration that the electoral ...

 Adeboye Defends Tinubu on Insecurity, Urges Crackdown on Sponsors Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has come to the defence of President Bola Tinubu amid growing criticism over the worsening security situation in Nigeria. Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group on June 23 in Washington, Adeboye said the president had fulfilled his duty by issuing directives to the military and should not be expected to personally take up arms. “I need to make this one clear: I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough,” Adeboye said. “When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight.” The revered cleric drew a parallel with former US President Donald Trump, stating: “When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has...