PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Police arrest 91-year-old Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach on sexual assault charges Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach was arrested on sexual assault charges spanning decades, police said. The 91-year-old was charged Friday with five crimes including rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement, Peel Regional Police said. He was released with conditions and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, Ontario, at a later date, the police statement said. Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said there is more than one accuser but declined to say how many. "Obviously, this is a high-profile case. Our special victims unit is bound to protect the victims and in doing so that’s why were are being vague," Bell said. "There is more than one victim but we won’t confirm that number yet." Police allege the sexual assaults occurred from the 1980s to as recent as 2023. Bell said they are appeal

 Anti-Israel agitator in Hamas headband holds up bloodied Biden face mask steps from White House A man wearing a Hamas headband held up a bloody face mask depicting President Biden on Saturday amid an anti-Israel protest outside the White House.  The man and others wearing similar headbands shouted "Down, down occupation!" while another man lit an American flag on fire and others flew Palestinian flags. Other agitators at the demonstration threw objects at a National Park Service ranger, shouting "piggy, piggy!" at him, and defaced statues in Washington, D.C. Holding signs that accused Biden of being on "the wrong side of history," protesters converged on the White House Saturday morning after security measures at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue were tightened in anticipation of the planned demonstration.  Protesters waved Palestinian flags, chanted "Free Palestine!" and held signs, urging Biden to stop his support for Israel.  Although the protest star

 Python swallows woman whole in Indonesia A missing woman was found eaten alive by a massive python after locals cut her body out of the snake in Indonesia. Farida, 45, went missing on Thursday night. Her body was discovered inside the reticulated python Friday by her husband and residents of Kalempang village in South Sulawesi province, a local official said, according to AFP. The search for the missing mother of four began after she failed to return home Thursday night, village chief Suardi Rosi told AFP. Her husband "found her belongings… which made him suspicious. The villagers then searched the area. They soon spotted a python with a large belly," Suardi said. "They agreed to cut open the python's stomach. As soon as they did, Farida's head was immediately visible."  The missing woman was found fully clothed inside the massive snake, which was reported to be at least 16 feet long. Her husband, identified as Noni, expressed regret that he let his wife go

 Iyabo Ojo gives update on court case with Lizzy Anjorin as judge finally settles their beef Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has given an update on her court case with colleague Lizzy Anjorin It was reported in March that Iyabo had filed a defamatory lawsuit against Lizzy; unfortunately, Lizzy failed to attend court during their first hearing. Following this, the court had served letters, which were pasted at Lizzy Anjorin’s house gate. In an update to it, the judge presiding over their case has played a mediator between the two as he reconciled the actresses. Confirming it to the press, Iyabo stated that the judge gave both of them motherly advice to stop fighting and cursing each other on social media and embrace peace. According to reports, both of them smiled out of the court, and Lizzy’s husband went to Iyabo and gave her a peaceful hug.

 Kate Middleton breaks silence, apologizes for missing Trooping The Colour rehearsal amid ongoing cancer battle Kate Middleton has broken her silence ahead of the annual Trooping the Colour parade next weekend in honor of King Charles III's birthday.  On Saturday, the Irish Guards shared a letter from the Princess of Wales — who is currently undergoing cancer treatment — in which she expressed her regret for not being able to attend the rehearsal held on June 8.  "I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonel’s review and Trooping of the Colour. I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate," Middleton’s letter, which was shared on on X, read.  "I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate," Middleton, who se

 Additional barriers erected around White House ahead of planned pro-Palestinian demonstration Several additional barriers have been put in place around the White House ahead of this weekend's pro-Palestinian demonstration, where activists plan to surround the iconic residence and call for an end to U.S. support for Israel amid its war with Hamas militants. A handful of activist groups, including CODEPINK and the Council on American Islamic Relations, said this week that they plan to mark eight months of the war in the Middle East through demonstrations in the nation's capital. The most significant demonstration – the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) protest is taking place Saturday outside the White House, leading to enhanced security precautions. Several barriers and anti-scale fencing were erected this week ahead of the planned demonstration, with additional barriers appearing to have been set up prior to the demonstrations early Saturday morning. In a statement t

 EFCC Arrests 127 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Akure   Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested One Hundred and Twenty Seven (127) suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo State.   The alleged internet fraudsters were arrested in an early morning sting  operation  at a “Yahoo Party” held simultaneously at Signature and Abah Clubs on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Akure, Ondo State.   Credible  intelligence showed that the alleged party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024 but was later moved to Saturday to beat security and intelligence networks of the EFCC.   The suspects have given useful information to  Investigators of the Directorate.    Items recovered from them include ten exotic cars, phones, laptops, motor-cycle, wristwatches and many incriminating documents    They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. 

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has revealed that the woman identified in the viral video of mal-treating a child has been arraigned in Court 5, Ogba Magistrate Court, Ikeja on Friday. A statement issued by the Agency added that the woman, who allegedly dehumanized the young girl in her custody, will be remanded pending the issuance of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) legal advice. The DSVA also informed the public that the child has been placed under the care of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, ensuring she receives the proper care and shelter she needs. While noting that the  Lagos State Government remains committed to protecting the rights and well-being of children and will continue to work diligently to ensure justice is served in this case, the DSVA enjoined residents to speak up and report cases when they occur through its toll-free number 08000333333. One more photo below. 

 LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMAND INTRODUCES PERMANENT PHONE NUMBERS FOR POLICE DIVISIONS, AREA COMMANDS AND STRATEGIC OFFICERS The Lagos State Police Command, in a remarkable move to provide a more stable channel of communication between the public and the police, has acquired hundreds of telephone lines to be permanently assigned to the offices of Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other strategic officers. This move phases out the old era where the personal phone numbers of these strategic officers are used for official communication/ assignments, resulting in communication barrier whenever these officers are redeployed. With the new arrangement, numbers remain permanently attached to particular offices such that with the redeployment of the occupants of such officers, the phone numbers remain the same. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade mni, has taken this step to provide improved access, quicker response times and enhanced communication for the good p

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU AT INAUGURATION OF FCT ROAD PROJECT: I DO NOT HAVE A PLOT IN GUZAPE; I DO HAVE THE PEOPLE'S MANDATE TO DELIVER IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL President Bola Tinubu says his administration is prioritizing people-focused development by providing essential infrastructure and amenities that will improve the quality of life of citizens. President Tinubu made the remarks at the inauguration of engineering infrastructure in Guzape District Lot II. "Minister Nyesom Wike has provided exceptional leadership at a trying time for the country. It has been a very challenging time for us in the country. We are still retooling and rejigging our financial system to bring prosperity and relief to the people of this country. "You have demonstrated the capacity to build a team, lead a team, and deliver on promises. I commend you, well done. "To all of you here, to the District Head of Guzape, and the representatives, litigation is not the an

 NRC Blames Recent Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment On Vandals Following the derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train at the Asham station in the Chikun area of Kaduna State, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has blamed the action on vandals. The incident occurred at 3:52 pm on Wednesday shortly after the train departed the Kubwa station in the nation’s capital. In a statement, the NRC said the train “experienced train technical hitch in our operation at Asham Railway Station in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State.” “This minor hitch is attributed to the removal of track fastening clips by vandals,” the statement signed by the corporation’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, read. “However, the NRC Management remains resolute towards ensuring the safety of our valued passengers in the entire system.” Earlier, the agency said it would cancel the first train scheduled for Thursday, June 6 from Kaduna State. It, however, assured that other train services would go on as p

 Court grants Final Forfeiture of NOK University, Hotel and Factory in Kaduna Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, June 7, 202 ordered the final forfeiture of every asset of NOK University, Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center and Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  had,  through its counsel Ekele Iheanacho filed  an order of final forfeiture of the said properties  pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Iheanacho,  through diligent submission and evidence before the court, established the facts that  Anthony Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, DFA, in the Federal Ministry of Health, built   NOK University using proceeds of unlawful activities traced to him. Physical assets of the University forfeited include Senate building, ICT

 ‘I’m technically still married to Blossom Chukwujekwu’ – Ex-wife Maureen Esisi Maureen Esisi has insisted that she and Nollywood actor, Blossom Chukwujekwu are “technically” still married, despite their marriage crashing in 2019. She maintained that they were not officially divorced, as she didn’t sign any legal documents. Featuring on a recent episode of ‘The House Chronicles’ podcast, Esisi accused her ex-in-laws of encouraging their separation, despite advising her against exiting the union earlier on. She said, “I would call his mum, she would give me reasons why we cannot divorce. She would say, ‘It [divorce] is not of the Lord. Don’t worry, he would get better.’ And then, magically, he said he was done. And the same you guys [in-laws] that were telling me every year to stay, how come your son comes up to you that he’s done and surprisingly, you throw God out of the way? “My separation happened way before it became public. I’m not divorced by books. Technically, we are still marr

 MANAGEMENT, STAFF OF ANAMBRA MINISTRY OF LANDS CHARGED TO UPHOLD CULTURE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN DISCHARGING DUTIES By Okeke Josephine Nwando/Amara obikwelu/Oluchi Akueche The management and staff of Anambra State Ministry of Lands have been charged to continue to uphold their culture of professionalism while carrying out their duties. A guest speaker, Mr Praise Fowowe gave the charge during a zoom interactive training session organized for the management and staff of Anambra State Ministry of Lands. According to Mr Fowowe, the quality of the staff of the ministry would impact either positively or negatively on the quality of outputs of the ministry, urging them never to allow their personal interests to override the overall public interest of the ministry which supports the vision of the ministry for a liveable and prosperous Anambra State through appropriate land administration. He also admonished them against abusing their respective offices, saying "Public service work place is

 James Brown visits Bobrisky in Kirikiri prison James Brown visits Bobrisky in prison amid social media feud James Brown, the controversial Nigerian crossdresser, has visited his colleague Bobrisky at the Kirikiri correctional facility. Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 by Abimbola Awogboro, the Lagos high court judge, for abusing the naira. Awogboro, in her verdict, also ruled that the sentence is without the option of a fine. The judge held that the jail term commenced on March 24, the day of her arrest. In an Instagram post on Friday, Brown put out pictures from his visit to the Kirikiri prison. Brown, who also shared photos of him and his team meeting the prison officials, added that he went to know “if she is alright”. “I went to Kirikiri prison to visit Bobrisky to know if she is alright,” he wrote. In a follow-up post, Brown also revealed it took him a week of rigorous process to get access to the prison. “I wanted to know how she is holding up. It was n

 How being single revived my career – Korra Obidi Controversial dancer, Korra Obidi, has spoken on the positive impact her separation from husband, Justin Dean, has been. In a recent interview on the popular “Heroes Diary” show, she claimed being single has revitalised her career and passion. Korra observed that while getting married and starting a family often receives initial congratulations and support, it can also lead to a loss of momentum and opportunities in the industry. However, when she became single again, she received an outpouring of sympathy and support, which reignited her spark and led to a surge in bookings and opportunities. Embracing her newfound freedom, Korra has been able to connect with her audience on a deeper level, sharing her authentic self and inspiring others with her resilience and determination. “One thing about we humans is that when somebody’s married. I don’t know you people don’t like the person anymore. You kind of like go ‘ahh happy married life’, a

 How God used D’Banj to revive ‘Jenifa’ series- Funke Akindele In a heartwarming tribute, superstar Funke Akindele has credited D’Banj for reviving the beloved Jenifa franchise. She shared how a club encounter with D’Banj sparked a career-changing conversation which led to a great outcome.  Funke noted how the ‘Kokomaster’ hitmaker gifted her the funds to create more Jenifa content, describing it as a lucrative brand which she should keep milking and feasting on. Funke praised Dbanj as a trailblazer, whose music has brought joy and inspiration to countless fans. She honored his legacy, acknowledging that his impact extends far beyond his music. “After the big break with Jenifa, everybody loved Jenifa so much, I was out there and everyone was celebrating me so much. I was invited to a club where I met Dbanj for the first time and he gave me his number and inquired if there is a sequence to Jenifa, I told him No and he questioned why as he noted how Jenifa is a brand I can feast on for t

 Lexus SUV stolen in Anambra, recovered in Adamawa A Lexus SUV RX 330, which was stolen in Awka, Anambra State, has been recovered by the Adamawa State Police Command. The command, which disclosed this in a press release, also said two people had been arrested over the car theft. “On May 20, 2024, the Adamawa State Police Command received a complaint from one Daiso Kyrian, that on April 12, 2024, armed robbers attacked him in Awka, Anambra State, shot him, and stole his Lexus Jeep RX 330,” the command said in the release. The release, signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Nguroje, added, “Upon receiving the report, a thorough investigation was carried out by the Command’s surveillance team. Luckily, one Saidu Mohammed, aged 30, of Gombi LGA, was arrested in possession of the said vehicle. “Investigation further conducted led to the arrest of another 25-year-old Rabiu Idris of the same address in connection with the case.”

 UN: 32 million people in Sahel need lifesaving aid, protection Facing a web of complex crises, 32.8 million people in Africa's Sahel region, stretching from Senegal to Eritrea, need lifesaving assistance and protection, according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The report said some critical areas of concern are the Liptako Gourma region (covering Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), and the Lake Chad basin (including Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria), with spillover effects increasingly felt in the Gulf of Guinea's coastal countries and Mauritania. The report pointed out that the region hosts 2 million refugees and asylum seekers and 5.6 million internally displaced persons, many of whom have faced multiple displacements. The United Nations and partners need 4.7 billion U.S. dollars this year to support 21 million people in Burkina Faso, Cameroon's Far North Region, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria's Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

 DR Congo: Suspected Islamists kill at least 10 people in eastern province attack Suspected Islamist rebels killed at least 10 people in an overnight attack on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official and a civil society leader said on Saturday. Armed men which were members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF attacked the village of Masala in Beni territory, which lies in North Kivu province. Last week attack which left 16 people killed were also carried out by the ADF

 Prince William 'suffered his own private turmoil' as Kate Middleton continues her cancer treatment: expert As the royal family prepares for Trooping the Colour, its heir is determined to put on a united front. On May 30, Kensington Palace, which handles the office for the Prince and Princess of Wales, confirmed to Fox News Digital that Kate Middleton won’t be serving as Inspecting Officer of the traditional Colonel’s Review on Saturday. Instead, she will continue to focus on her recovery. The Princess of Wales has been keeping a low profile since she publicly announced her cancer diagnosis in March. "I imagine Prince William has suffered his own private turmoil, having both his father and wife undergoing cancer treatment at the same time, and without the support from his brother, Prince Harry," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "It must… be a lonely time," said Chard. "I know he values every moment he spends with

 Jewish students file lawsuit against UCLA over anti-Israel encampment on campus Three Jewish students filed a civil rights lawsuit against the University of California Board of Regents and university officials, claiming UCLA allowed "antisemitic activists" to prevent Jewish students from walking to classes, offices and the library on campus during anti-Israel demonstrations in April and May. Two law students and an undergraduate student allege that UCLA allowed a group of students and outside demonstrators to set up an encampment, and that these demonstrators prevented Jewish students and faculty from accessing the heart of campus, according to the complaint. This comes amid the ongoing war in the Middle East between Hamas terrorists and Israeli forces, which stems from Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks against Israel that led to a retaliatory military response from Israel. Since Oct. 7, anti-Israel demonstrations have been observed on college campuses across the U.S. and around the

 China's vast cyber trafficking network dupes Americans using fake shops A Chinese network running countless fake online shops has scammed over 800,000 people in the U.S. and Europe, according to The Guardian.  These shops dupe people into sharing card details and other sensitive personal data by touting to offer discounted goods from Dior, Nike, Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Versace, and Prada, as well as many other premium brands. How this online scam works The Chinese network has more than 22,500 fake online shops that are live, according to an international investigation by The Guardian, Die Zeit, and Le Monde. These online shops lure people into giving away their credit card and debit card details, names, phone numbers, email and postal addresses by claiming to offer designer brands at a discount. There are two levels of this scam. In the first level, fake payment gateways trick people into entering their credit card information, but they don't charge them. This lets the scammers st

 Seattle student shot and killed while trying to break up fight outside high school, police say Police in Seattle say a 17-year-old student has died after being shot while trying to break up a fight outside his high school.  Seattle Police Deputy Chief Eric Barden described the incident that unfolded outside Garfield High School on Thursday as an "extraordinary tragedy for the community."  "Unfortunately, gun violence emerged again today at our high school," Barden said, while announcing that the suspect – who was wearing a red hoodie, light-colored pants and white shoes – remains on the run after fleeing on foot from the scene.  Barden added that "We believe that an altercation took place between some high school-aged students" and "Our victim, it appears, tried to intervene and break up that fight.  "Subsequent to that, one of the original combatants approached the victim and an additional altercation broke out and the suspect produced a weapon

 PRESS RELEASE  FG REMAINS COMMITTED TO IMPROVE BORDER SECURITY The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the government has made conscious efforts to improve border security, adding that it is important for national security. He said this when the Director of the United States Mission in Nigeria, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Mr. Jason Smith, paid a working visit to the Minister in Abuja during the week. According to the Minister; "An area that is very key is Border control. The Ministry is exclusively in charge of border control. And Border management is key to national security.  If you cannot control your border you will never be able to control the security of your nation." He commended the working relationship between Nigeria and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United States Mission in Nigeria, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The Minister further solicited cooperation in t