PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Baltimore's Catholic archdiocese will cut parishes as attendance falls and infrastructure ages Baltimore's Catholic archdiocese, the nation's oldest, will cut the number of parishes in the city and nearby suburbs by about two-thirds as part of a realignment plan responding to falling attendance and aging infrastructure. Under the final plan released Wednesday, the number of parishes will drop from 61 to 23 with 30 worship and ministry sites. Archbishop William E. Lori said feedback from four town hall meetings on a draft plan was crucial, The Baltimore Sun reported. The initial proposal shared with parishioners in April suggested reducing the number of parishes to 21 and the number of worship sites from 59 to 26, and parishioners’ arguments led to some changes. "I hope that this lays the foundation for what the prophet Jeremiah calls a future full of hope," Lori said. "It’s a move away from putting most of our energy into aging buildings, into leaky plumbing...

 Florida woman, allegedly driving 5 times over legal limit while rushing to work, kills mother of 3: police A Florida woman is behind bars after she was allegedly nearly five times over the legal limit for drinking when, while running late for work and speeding, she T-boned another vehicle, killing its driver, according to the Winter Springs Police Department. Officers said that they responded to what was described as a "horrific crash" at an intersection in Winter Springs around 10 a.m. Tuesday. The crash claimed the life of Tiffany Alexander, a wife and mother of three children. She succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital following the crash, police said.  Police said Asnubil Escobar, 25, a bartender and restaurant manager in Sanford, was arrested at her home on Wednesday night and booked into the Seminole County jail on charges of vehicular DUI homicide, DUI with property damage, DUI causing injury, and DUI with a blood alcohol of 0.08 or more, in connection to the f...

 Kosovo's parliament passes a bill on leasing some of its prison space for Denmark's use Kosovo’s parliament on Thursday approved a bill on leasing some of the country's prison space to Denmark, following an agreement to help the Scandinavian country cope with its overcrowded prison system. Under the deal, signed in 2022, Danish authorities would send foreigners convicted in Denmark to serve time in Kosovo. Danish nationals would be excluded, as would those convicted of terrorism or war crimes, as well as mentally ill prisoners. Kosovo's lawmakers voted 86-7, with no abstentions, in favor of the bill, which gives Denmark the use of 300 cells at the prison in the town of Gjilan, south of the capital of Pristina, for 10 years. The bill still needs to be signed by Kosovo's president to become law. It can be implemented once it's published in the official gazette. It remained unclear when Denmark, which agreed to pay Kosovo 210 million euros ($227 million) for the u...

 The collapse of a building on Spain’s Mallorca island leaves 4 people dead, officials say Four people died and several more were seriously injured Thursday when a building collapsed on the island of Mallorca, Spanish emergency authorities said. Emergency services said that seven more people had been very seriously injured while another nine were seriously injured. They were being attended at local hospitals. The accident occurred in the city of Palma on the Mediterranean island popular with tourists. Spanish news agency EFE and other media said the building housed a restaurant called "Medusa Beach Club" located near the beach. Public television for the Balearic Islands, IB3, reported there were people dancing on a terrace that collapsed on top of another floor underneath. No cause has been given for the collapse of the building. Emergency services are continuing to search the site and attend the wounded.

 Ryan Garcia threatens to quit boxing in since-deleted posts after test results come back positive for PEDs Embattled boxer Ryan Garcia's drug test samples collected before his fight against Devin Haney returned two positive tests for banned performance-enhancing drugs .  "Ryan Garcia’s B sample results were returned Thursday a.m., 1 day after being opened," Rafael tweeted. "I have the lab reports & the B samples, as expected, matched A samples – both are positive for the banned PED Ostarine related to VADA tests the day before & after Haney fight." Garcia caught wind of the results and, as he’s done many times in the past, took to social media, though the posts have since been deleted.  "Let’s go we positive," he tweeted, per MMA Mania. "Positive vibes bruh. Yess so happy. I F---ING LOVE STEROIDS. I don’t care I’ll never make money again with boxing. Your loss not mine for setting me up lol joke’s on y’all. I will swallow all steroids....

 Rapper Sean Kingston's mom arrested on fraud, theft charges following SWAT raid at his Florida home Sean Kingston's mother, Janice Turner, was arrested Thursday after a raid at the rapper's home in South Florida. Deputies from the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Davie Police SWAT members served search warrants at Kingston's Southwest Ranches mansion May 23, Public Information Officer Carey Codd told Fox News Digital. It's unclear if Kingston is affiliated with the investigation or if he was at home at the time of the raid. "Following an investigation that began in the city of Dania Beach, this morning, May 23, Broward Sheriff’s Office Dania Beach District detectives along with members of BSO’s Strategic Investigations Unit and Davie Police SWAT, served arrest and search warrants at a residence in Southwest Ranches," Codd said in a statement.  "As a result of the investigation, an adult female, Janice Turner, was taken into custody on numerous...

 Céline Dion 'almost died' during stiff person syndrome battle Céline Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022, a largely unknown neurological disorder that nearly killed her. Ahead of an upcoming interview with the singing sensation, Hoda Kotb revealed on Thursday's episode of "Hoda and Jenna" that Dion "almost died" while battling the disorder. "Céline Dion at some point — she is now much better — but, at some point, she almost died, which is something that she says, and it was a scary time," Kotb said while sharing details of her sit-down with the award-winning singer.  "It was a scary time." Kotb noted, "She was diagnosed with a terrible disease and, at one point, she wondered if she was going to make it, whether she was going to live through it. "A lot of people are wondering what happened, what was wrong," and had asked Dion about the "possibility of a comeback." "We’ve missed her, and ...

 Chris Hemsworth 'forever' in wife's 'debt' after she ‘put aside her own dreams’ to support his Chris Hemsworth is singing his wife's praises. The "Thor" actor was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday and gave wife Elsa Pataky a special shout-out during his acceptance speech. "I want to say thank you to my beautiful wife, who has been here for my entire career basically by my side, endlessly encouraging and supportive," he said. "And it doesn't get lost on me that she put aside her own dreams in order to support mine and, again, [I am] forever in your debt. "The fact [is] that nothing that I do, any of these moments, these special occasions and events, none of it is special without you by my side. I love you." Hemsworth and Pataky met in 2010 and married that same year, just three months after making their relationship official. Since then, they have welcomed three children together — daughter India Ro...

 Diddy allegedly forced student, ex Kim Porter to take ecstasy during sexual assault, according to new lawsuit Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly sexually assaulted a fashion student throughout the '90s, according to a new lawsuit filed Thursday in New York. April Lampros, a former Fashion Institute of Technology student, said Combs "promised to mentor her" in the industry after meeting in 1994, but their friendship "quickly manifested into an aggressive, coercive, and abusive relationship based on sex," according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. Lampros recalled "four terrifying sexual encounters" with Combs, one of which was from 1996 when Combs "forced" Kim Porter and Lampros to take ecstasy and then "demanded Kim Porter to have sexual intercourse with Ms. Lampros." Combs and Porter dated for nearly 13 years and have three children together. Porter died in November 2018. She was 47. The night of the encounter with C...

 NBA closes investigation into Thunder’s Josh Giddey over underage relationship allegations The NBA has closed its investigation into Josh Giddey’s alleged relationship with a minor, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.  Giddey, the sixth overall pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft, was not charged after the Newport Beach Police Department in California announced in January it was unable to find criminal activity.  "No charges have been filed against Josh Giddey. Our detectives have reviewed all of the available information regarding allegations circulating on social media and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr. Giddey," a spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police said in an email to Fox News Digital at the time.  ESPN says the league closed its investigation for the same reason.  Rumors that Giddey was in a relationship with a minor exploded on social media in November after video and photos circulated. It got ...

 Rapper Sean Kingston arrested following raid at Florida mansion Sean Kingston was arrested in California Thursday in connection to a raid at his Florida mansion earlier in the day. "This evening, police in Fort Irwin, CA, arrested Kisean Anderson, aka Sean Kingston without incident on a Broward Sheriff's Office arrest warrant for numerous fraud and theft charges," Public Information Officer Carey Codd told Fox News Digital.  "According to investigators, he will be booked into jail in San Bernardino, CA."  Deputies from the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Davie Police SWAT members served search warrants at Kingston's Southwest Ranches mansion May 23, Public Information Officer Carey Codd told Fox News Digital. Kingston's mother, Janice Turner, was arrested earlier this morning at his home in South Florida. "Following an investigation that began in the city of Dania Beach, this morning, May 23, Broward Sheriff’s Office Dania Beach District de...

 ABUJA-BASED ONLINE PUBLISHER ARRESTED OVER ALLEGATION OF DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION AND NOT ABDUCTED AS ALLEGED ...Enugu CP orders a professional investigation of the case and solicits patience from NUJ and others The Enugu State Police Command is in receipt of several publications alleging the abduction of an Abuja-based online news publisher, one Madu Onuorah “m”. The Command wishes to state that contrary to the allegations, he was duly arrested in Abuja with the assistance of police operatives from Ebonyi State Command and the aid of intelligence, after efforts made to formally invite him failed. Furthermore, his arrest was following the receipt of a written petition to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, against him over an alleged defamatory publication he made against a US-based Reverend Sister. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, psc (+), has ordered the office handling the case to professionally investigate and ensure that justice prevails. H...

 Someone mailed a California man a rattlesnake , he says it was attempted homicide. 60-year-old Elijah Bowles called 911 last week after picking up his mail from the post office. As Mr. Bowles drove away with a friend in the car he asked her if she would open a package marked fragile he had received. When the friend opened the box she immediately cried out in alarm and threw the box. She exclaimed, "There's a snake in there!"  Bowles quickly pulled over and removed the box from the car. He then found a stick and gingerly opened the box to reveal a 2 foot long Rattlesnake.  Whoever had sent the lethal package had placed cotton balls inside of the box in an attempt to keep the rattles quiet.  Besides being marked fragile it also had a return address to a home in Palm Coast, Florida. However the package was mailed from Hayward, California.  Animal control officers identified the snake as a Western Rattlesnake. The incident is being investigated by U.S Postal Inspec...

 Reps to engage Labour to prevent strike over minimum wage In response to the looming threat of a strike over the minimum wage, the House of Representatives has decided to engage with representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to find a resolution. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chaired the plenary session on Thursday in the absence of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, assured the nation that discussions with labour unions would aim to address the ongoing dispute concerning the implementation of a new minimum wage in Nigeria. This decision came after the adoption of a motion on a matter of personal explanation raised by Kelechi Nwogu, the member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State, during the plenary session. Nwogu reminded his colleagues about the impending strike announced by organised labour, scheduled to commence on May 31, due to disagreements with the Federal Government regarding the approval of a new minimum wage. He emphasized the need for proac...

 Ajaka vs Ododo: Tribunal to deliver judgment in Kogi guber dispute on May 27 The Kogi governorship election petition tribunal has fixed May 27 to deliver judgment on the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the victory of Usman Ododo. The three-member tribunal led by Ado Birnin-Kudu communicated the date to the parties in the suit on Thursday. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Ododo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Kogi governorship election held on November 11, 2023. Ododo polled 446,237 votes to defeat Ajaka, who came second with 259,052 votes, and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 46,362 votes. The SDP and Ajaka, after the poll, filed petitions to challenge the victory of Ododo. Lawyers to the parties in the petition made their final submissions and adopted their written addresses on May 13. During the hearing ...

 'The View' co-host scolds Fani Willis and Nathan Wade for workplace romance: 'Stupid thing to do' "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin unleashed on Fulton County DA Fani Willis and her ex-boyfriend Nathan Wade for jeopardizing the prosecution of former President Trump in Georgia on Thursday, arguing that workplace romances are "professional suicide."  "I think this was one of the biggest unforced errors almost in our nation’s history. You do not have an office affair when our very democracy is on the line, and you can do something to prevent it from going over the edge," Hostin said. "It was a stupid, stupid thing to do." Willis and Wade were accused of having an "improper" affair by the co-defendants in the Trump election interference case in Georgia. Wade eventually resigned so Willis could continue to prosecute the significant case. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin agreed with Hostin and said she never dated in her immediate ...

 Blue state mayor on defensive over 'inhumane' plan to evict hundreds of migrants New York City Mayor Eric Adams pushed back against critics who have called the city’s plan to evict hundreds of migrants from the city’s shelter system "inhumane." "People said it's inhumane to put people out during the wintertime, so now they say it's inhumane to do it in the summertime. It's humane to do it in the springtime. It's humane to do in the fall time," Adams said in response to critics, according to a report by Fox 5. "It's always inhumane to have to not be able to house 198,000 people." The mayor’s comments come as he readies to evict about 250 adult migrants from shelters this week who have reached their 30- or 60-day shelter limit and have not proven they face extenuating circumstances to find housing. The move comes as migrants continue to arrive in the city, with over 1,300 new migrants reaching New York City last week, according t...

 EFCC Arraigns Hadi Sirika,  Brother,  Firms  for N5.8billion Fraud    Former Minister of Aviation,  Mr. Hadi Abubakar Sirika,  his brother Ahmad Abubakar Sirika and two companies Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited were, on Thursday,  May 23, 2024  arraigned by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  before Justice S.B. Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory,  FCT,  High Court Garki . They were arraigned on an amended 10-count charge bordering on contract fraud to the tune of N5,802,254,573.55( Five Billion Eight Hundred and Two Million,  Two Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Three Naira,  Fifty Five Kobo).   Count one reads :‘that you Hadi Abubakar Sirika, while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about 18th August 2022, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to ...

 Banky W successfully undergoes fourth cancer surgery Renowned Nigerian singer, Olubankole Wellington, fondly called Banky W, recently underwent his fourth cancer surgery. In a touching message shared via his Instagram page on the 23rd of May, 2024, he expressed deep gratitude to God for his healing. The father of one also extended thanks to his wife, family, friends, pastors, and medical team, including Dr. Onyewu and Dr. Adenuga, for their steadfast support and expert care throughout his journey. The singer shared a video and wrote “Christ 4 – Cancer Tumors “Sometimes, your faith in God will not prevent the storms from coming… but it will carry you through them. Faith won’t always stop you from hurting, but it will help you heal, and it will help you deal. “God never said the weapons wouldn’t form, He promised that they wouldn’t prosper. He never said the enemy wouldn’t come… He promised that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God would raise a standard against h...

 Gov Yusuf engages in high-stakes talks with Kano lawmakers, kingmakers amid emirship reversal drama In a significant development, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has convened a closed-door meeting with members of the state assembly and key traditional leaders, believed to be kingmakers, at the Government House in Kano. The focus of the meeting revolves around the anticipated assent by the governor to a bill recently passed by the state assembly. This legislation passed on Thursday, seeks to reverse the creation of new emirates initiated by the previous administration led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Should the governor endorse the bill into law, it is anticipated to pave the way for the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano, who was deposed in March 2020. However, the fate of Sanusi’s successor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, remains uncertain at this time. Emir Ado Bayero’s absence from the state adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding situation, as he is repor...

 Anti, pro-Ganduje protesters clash in APC secretariat   There was pandemonium and security lapses at the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja as anti and pro-protesters engage each other in a free for all fight over the future of the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The anti-Ganduje protesters, majorly comprising APC stakeholders from North Central geopolitical zone, while the pro-Ganduje camp were suspected thugs mobilised to counter the protest. The protesters had stormed the party’s headquarters in the afternoon to demand the resignation of the APC National Chairman, Ganduje and allow the North Central zone to reclaim the headship seat, previously occupied by Abdullahi Adamu. The protest was a renewal of the series of aborted moves and legal fireworks staged to remove national chairman from office, which he survived by the whiskers Displaying placards and displaying banners with various inscriptions that read; “Return APC ...

 23rd May, 2024 PRESS RELEASE DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND ARRESTS TWO SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HOUSE TO HOUSE ARMED ROBBERY OPERATION IN ASABA ARREST OF A SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER, ARREST OF A SUSPECTED ILLICIT DRUG DEALER AND RECOVERY OF ILLICIT DRUGS 1. ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS: Sequel to reports of armed robbery operations in the metropolis, the commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi strategically deployed all Tactical Teams to various nipping points in Asaba, Okpanam, Ibusa and other parts of the metro. On  20/05/2024  at about 02:00 hrs, the Area Command Asaba received complaints that some suspected armed robbers who robbed three houses the night before were sighted around Coka in Asaba, the Area command swiftly deployed operatives who went all out for the suspects and arrested one Ozuluonye Okonkwo age 21 yrs. Upon interrogation of the suspect, he stated that he and his gang were responsible for the robbery operation...

 SECURITY IN ANAMBRA: POLICE INTERCEPT A GUN RUNNER, RECOVER SEVEN BRAND NEW PUMP ACTION GUNS Anambra Police Operatives today 23/5/2024 by 11:30 am intercepted a gang member of a notorious gun-running syndicate in Onitsha, recovered seven brand new Jojef magnum pump action guns,  in a concealed bag. This breakthrough is following the practical intelligence and tact-led Policing strategy of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam to frustrate criminal plans, especially on the intel received over time about planned attacks by unlawful group/secessionists to enforce illegal sit-at-home on 30th May 2024. The Operatives laid ambush at the identified location at Creek Road, Onitsha and the convener/ gunrunner on sighting the Police abandoned the bag and took to his heels.  To this end, the *CP* directs a manhunt on the notorious gun runner and the gang and urges Ndi Anambra to sustain the provision of security information as the Police will continue to act upon it, to ...

 ANAMBRA POLICE FOIL KIDNAP ATTEMPT, RESCUE VICTIM AND RECOVER VEHICLE The technology-driven and rejigged Personnel Operational Positioning on the anti-crime approach of the Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has continued to thwart criminal endeavors of gunmen in the state, as Police in Aguata rescued an abducted victim and recovered his vehicle, a sky blue Toyota Camry.  The Officers responded swiftly when they got the report at about 4:30 pm on 22/5/2024 of the abduction along Umuchiana village, Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA. During the hot chase by the Police team, the criminals shoved the victim out of the vehicle at Ndike village in Orumba North LGA and drove off for escape.  The Officers sustained the trail on the abductors and the criminals abandoned the vehicle along Umunze road Orumba South LGA and ran into a nearby bush. Operations are still ongoing for the possible arrest of the hoodlums.  Meanwhile, the victim has been debriefed and reunited with his fa...

 ANAMBRA POLICE ARREST MOST WANTED ARMED ROBBER/CULTIST, RECOVER SUSPECTED ASSAILANT OPERATIONAL VEHICLE, AMMUNITION AND OTHER INCRIMINATING ITEMS _As CP Itam restates Commitment to sustain Police onslaught Operations and Security/Safety dominance in the State_ The Policing plan and model on Practical Intelligence, Technology-driven, and Tactical Operations already placed by the Commissioner of Police *CP Nnaghe Obono Itam*, has paid off, following the arrest on 17/5/2024 of a notorious and most wanted Cultist and Armed robber in Uruagu village, Oba, Idemili South LGA. The suspect, Anichede Akachukwu ‘M’ 18 years A.K.A Star B is a Confessed leader of Vikings Secret Cult Confraternity and Armed Gang terrorizing Ogbaru LGA and Asaba in Delta State. His arrest is following a tip-off of intelligence gathered as he was receiving treatment in their den from a bullet wound sustained in their encounter with Police Operatives in Asaba. The suspects have provided Police with information on t...

 FG TEAM VISITS ABIA TO INSPECT SITE OF NEW AIRPORT, AS GOV OTTI ANNOUNCES ACCESS BANK WILLING PARTNER A Federal Government team from the Ministry of Aviation has visited Abia State to inspect a proposed site for a new airport planned for the State.  This comes as Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has declared that one of Nigeria's leading financial institutions, Access Bank, has expressed willingness to partner with the State Government in developing the airport project. Led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, the Federal Government team said that it was in the state to ensure that the land and location approved for the project are in alignment with regulatory requirement for the siting of an airport. Dr. Meribeole said the Federal Government is desirous of delivering the airport in record time, hence the visit by the team made up of representatives of all the various aviation agencies responsible for approvals and supervision of a...