PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 A collection of 3,404 eggs have been seized in Australia after a European operation into the illegal bird trade. Investigators discovered the haul – believed to be worth $400,000 to $500,000 (£207,000 – £259,000) – at a property in Granton, Tasmania on 9 July. The eggs had been blown – or hollowed out – meaning they only had ornamental value. A 62-year-old man was being investigated but no arrests had been made, according to officials. Environmental and wildlife crime has become one of the world’s largest and most profitable crime sectors and continues to grow as it pushes many species to the brink of extinction. It is expected that the Australian suspect will appear in court at a later date for offences in contravention of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. “[The man] is alleged to have been involved in the collection and harvesting of bird eggs from the wild and trading of both Australian native and CITES-listed bird eggs with people overseas,” a spokesperson ...

 A High Security Alert has been issued for the whole of Bangladesh, as violent clashes between students and police continue. The capital Dhaka is in the midst of a near-total internet blackout, with phone lines also down. On Thursday evening, several thousand protestors stormed the state broadcaster BTV, vandalizing furniture, smashing windows and lights and setting parts of it on fire. Bangladesh's information minister told the BBC that broadcasts had been stopped and most employees had left the building in the capital. A post on BTV's official Facebook page had earlier warned "many" were trapped inside the building, and appealed for help from the fire service to put the blaze out. A senior BTV journalist, who didn’t want to be named, told the BBC: "The situation was so bad we didn’t have any other option but to leave the place. Some of our colleagues were trapped inside. I don’t know what happened to them." Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the netw...

  A mum-of-three choked to death on holiday just weeks before she was due to marry her fiance in Scotland  Sophie Runkee died while on holiday in Turkey. She and her partner, JJ Warner, decided to take her three children abroad to create precious memories before JJ began treatment for skin cancer. However, after a night out, Sophie was found lifeless on the balcony of their apartment .  Sophie and her daughter Alicia went out for a mother-daughter night, dancing together in local bars, while JJ stayed in with Tommy and Luca. It is believed Sophie fell unconscious when she returned and choked, leading to young Alicia finding her mother's body. Speaking to Yorkshire Live, JJ said: "We were all having a great time on holiday in Turkey, we wanted the kids to remember this summer for the right reasons despite everything that's going on. Sophie went out on the Thursday evening. "She was upset over my diagnosis so she decided to go out with Alicia to blow off some steam whil...

 A fire has broken out at a site in Coolock, North Dublin, which was being renovated to accommodate international protection applicants. Dublin Fire Brigade is currently at the former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road. Hoses have been deployed, and smoke is seen billowing from the building. The fire brigade reported that two fire engines are on the scene. Firefighters are actively extinguishing the fire, which is now contained. “We expect to finish at the scene soon,” a spokesperson said. An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) issued a statement: “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in which a fire has broken out at a premises on the Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.” Traffic on Malahide Road at Coolock remains open in both directions. **What is the Coolock Site?** The site in Coolock, North Dublin, was being prepared to house asylum seekers. It has been the focal point of protests and violence earlier this week. Construction was slated ...

 Abacha was mad, obsessed with me, It was a bit miracle I survived his period - Soyinka Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has said he considered it a bit of miracle that he managed to survive the period of late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha as the man was mad and obsessed with him. Soyinka, in an interview with TheNEWS to mark his 90th birthday, said Abacha was really obsessed with him, saying many people paid a heavy price simply because they associated with him. “I consider it a bit of a miracle that I managed to survive that period.  Because Abacha was mad.  He was obsessed. He was really obsessed with me. Many people paid heavy price simply because they were associated with Wole Soyinka, and they were available,” he said. Soyinka added: “A story which I told the other day at The Metropolitan Club in Lagos was one of my favourite stories. A driver who was now working for yet another military officer had worked for Abacha. And he heard the host and the visitor talking abo...

 CNG vehicles: 36 states will be mobilised by end of 2024 — Coordinator Mr Folarin Oworu, the programme Coordinator, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), says all the 36 states will be fully mobilised and sensitised on the conversion of vehicles using petrol to compressed natural gas. CNGI is a key component of President Bola Tinubu administration’s palliative measures aimed at mitigating the effects of the fuel subsidy removal policy on the masses. The initiative seeks to provide relief to Nigerians by promoting the use of CNG as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to fuel. Oworu, who disclosed this while speaking at a Park Rally held at Mando motor park, Kaduna, said the project targets commercial vehicles across the country. He said the kick off in Kaduna was done with 100 conversion kits, adding that the next point of the rally would be Lagos, believing that before the year runs out, the 36 States must have been covered. Oworu said, “What we are doing h...

 I love you with every air I breathe, Cubana Chief Priest tells Davido Popular businessman Cubana Chief Priest has declared love and loyalty for music star Davido on Instagram. He praised Davido for his accomplishments, asking God to continue blessing and protecting him for his kindness in supporting his friends. Sharing a photo of the singer, he wrote: “@davido Chief David Chukwuma Adeleke, You Have Done It All; I Love You With Every Single Air I Breathe. God Bless & Protect You For Putting My Boys On. Indeed, In 30BG, We Rise By Lifting Others. Now You Know Why #CpNoSmall Na Me Run Am, Tomorrow Una Go Chop Am @dammytwitch Did @boypee__ @hyce_thegreat @iambrownjoel Chukwu Agozie Go Unu, Tinye Kwa Jara”.

 Death of my Police aide must be avenged – APC candidate, Okpebholo vows Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State has demanded justice for his Police orderly who was killed by suspected political thugs on Thursday in Benin City. DAILY POST reports that the Police orderly identified as Inspector Akor Onu was killed after leaving the Benin airport premises on arrival from Abuja with Senator Okpebholo and Philip Shaibu, the now-reinstated Deputy Governor of the state. Recall that Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu was on March 8, 2024, impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly, he was, however, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, reinstated by Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. It appears, however, that his reinstatement has ruffled some feathers and angered some groups of persons who allegedly engineered an attack, during which Inspector Onu was killed. In a condolence...

 Orumba South LGA Receives New Corps Members, Charges them on competence By Chioma Akaogu The Transition Committee Chairman, Orumba South Local Government Area, Mr Shedrack Azubuike has congratulated the corps members posted to the local council for their successful completion of their university education and NYSC orientation The chairman who was represented by the Head of Education and Social Development Department,  Miss Joy Ihefu thanked God for granting them journey mercies to Anambra State and finally Orumba South LGA. He explained that Orumba South which is made up of 15 communities is a peace loving, hospitable that relates with Corps members as relation,friends and siblings. The chairman emphasized that with a conducive environment in place, the corps members are expected to excel in their national service to the local government, thereby achieving the objectives of the NYSC program. He implored them to desist from all acts capable of tarnishing the image of their res...

 NAUTH CMD Seeks Employment of 1000 Staff From FG ..As Health minister commissions GOPD, medical ward, MOP buildings  By Uzo Ugwunze The Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital(NAUTH), Anambra State, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja has requested that the federal government employs additional 1000 medical staff to fill up the workforce needed to enhance healthcare services and delivery in the facility. Prof Ugboaja made the request at the NAUTH permanent site  when the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate came for the commissioning of the newly completed GOPD, medical ward complex, MOP and other buildings named after Sir Emeka Offor, Chief Cletus Ibeto, and some founding Members of NAUTH. Presenting his address, the CMD after appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his massive investment in the health sector and the Coordinating Health Minister for his direct involvement in ensuring that NAUTH gets the best and s...

 Govs Will Abuse State Police Like Electoral Commissions – Dogara A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that some functions in the concurrent list ceded to governors have not been well-managed. The Speaker of the 8th National Assembly was a guest on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Friday. According to him, governors are mismanaging state-controlled electoral commissions to have their way during local government elections. He said the opposition won’t be allowed to breathe if governors are empowered with state police. He described as “laughable,” the calls by some persons that state police should be introduced as a means to curb the ubiquitous security challenges such as kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria. Dogara said, “Look at this country, what is it that has been outsourced to a state that has been properly managed? “Look at how the state electoral commissions have turned out to be. ...

 NAF AIRCRAFT PATROL KOLO CREEK AND SOKU-SAMBARTH TRUNKLINES, DESTROY CANOES AND ILLEGAL SITES AT OBENIBOKIRI IN RIVERS STATE  In line with the renewed efforts geared towards reducing to the barest minimum the activities of crude oit thieves, pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs operating in the Niger Delta region, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, on 18 July 2024  carried out reconnaissance missions along Kolo Creek trunkline and Soku Sambarth lines in Rivers State.  At the start point of Kolo Creek trunkline, the crew scanned the Right of Way of the pipeline with no sign of breach observed. Midway along the line,  a leak was observed with some persons suspected to be staff of an oil company attempting to fix the leakage. Extending the patrol towards the end of the line revealed no sign of illegal activities. Thereafter, the aircraft proceeded to Soku-Sambarth, identified Soku Gas station, and carried out further scan of the general environmen...

 Kenya's President Ruto returns several sacked ministers Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday re-appointed several members of the cabinet he sacked last week to a new government that he said would respond to the grievances of young protesters. In a televised address, Ruto announced 11 appointments to what he had promised would be a broad-based unity government. He said other nominations would follow soon, TRT Afrika reported. The mass firing last week was a concession to demands from youth-led protests that had already forced him to withdraw $2.7 billion in proposed tax hikes. Ruto re-appointed Kithure Kindiki as interior minister, Aden Duale as defence minister, Alice Wahome as land minister and Soipan Tuya as environment minister. He also changed the portfolios of two other ministers. 'BETRAYAL OF PEOPLE' Shortly before the president’s announcement, opposition coalition members on Friday distanced themselves from the proposal to form a broad-based government, calling i...

 BENUE VARSITY HOSPITAL PLANS VIP SECTION  The Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Dr Steven Hwande, on Wednesday, said the hospital would soon establish a special section that will cater to the health needs of  Very Important Personalities in the country. Hwande stated this at a press briefing to herald this year’s summit, tagged “International Investigation Summit.” The highlight of the summit, according to the CMD, would be the exhibition, where medical equipment would be displayed by professionals. The summit, a two-day event with the theme, “Attaining One Stock Hospital,” would also include instituting an endowment fund and recognition for those who had supported the hospital. “Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, is set to open the International Investment Summit. The aim is to mimic what is happening everywhere, part of it is to achieve medical tourism. “We are having an exhibition from Thursday, which is a med...

 Don’t receive or buy stolen items, FPRO warns The Force Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has warned Nigerians against collecting, keeping or buying stolen items. He referred Nigerians to section 427 of the criminal code act, which states: “Any person who receives anything which has been obtained by means of any act constituting a felony or misdemeanor, or by means of any act done at a place not in Nigeria, which if it had been done in Nigeria would have constituted a felony or misdemeanor, and which is an offence under the laws in force in the place where it was done, knowing the same to have been so obtained, is guilty of a felony. “If the offence by means of which the thing was obtained is a felony, the offender is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, except in the case in which the thing so obtained was postal matter, or any chattel, money or valuable security contained therein, in which case the offender is liable to imprisonment for life. “In any othe...

 No Such Thing As Cut-Off Mark — JAMB The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has denied setting cut-off marks for admissions into higher institutions across the country. In a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, the Board dismissed reports that it had set 140 as cut-off marks for universities, and 100 for polytechnics respectively. “There’s no such thing as ‘cut-off mark’ in the admission process to tertiary institutions in Nigeria, what’s obtainable is minimum tolerable score determinable by individual institutions,” it said. The denial comes just one day after it was widely reported that the Board had pegged 140 as a cut-off mark for admission into universities, and 100 as the minimum cut-off point mark for admission into polytechnics and colleges of education. The statement attributed to JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, quoted him as announcing the development in Abuja at the 2024 Policy meeting of the Board. The meeting had in attendance t...

  I’m an unofficial APC member, says Shaibu The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philips Shaibu, on Friday, said he was already an unofficial member of the All Progressives Congress. He said the only thing still keeping him in the Peoples Democratic Party was because he was yet to officially dump the ruling party in Edo. Reacting to questions on why he was supporting the APC governorship candidate in Edo when he featured on Arise TV’s morning show on Friday, the deputy governor maintained that his spirit had left the PDP. “In PDP now, everybody can support whoever they like. On the issue of supporting a candidate, the constitution guarantees that you can support who you like and you can belong to any political party,” Shaibu said. He added, “As of now, I’m a PDP man and I will not support anybody while I am in another party contrary to who I am supporting. For now, I am a member of PDP but going forward, I am good as being a member of APC; I can tell you that.” When interje...

 Abuja man arrested for attempted suicide released on bail after mental assessment The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said a man identified as Shuaibu Yushau who was arrested on July 8 for attempted suicide has been released on bail to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju. The FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, in a statement on X.com on Friday, said Yushau’s release follows a mental assessment conducted by the FCTA SDS. She said although the assessment report indicated that he is mentally stable, symptoms of anxiety, persistent worry, and fears were observed in the course of profiling him. Adeh added that the FCTA SDS recommended that the suspect should be allowed to report weekly to their office for further psycho-social care and support, hence the reason for admitting him to bail. She wrote, “On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the FCT police command released Alhaji Yushau Shuaibu on bail to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju. Shuaibu who was arrested for climbing the Aso Radio ma...

 NYSC clears self of wrongdoing in Ogun poly student’s death The Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, Ogun State, Mrs Olayinka Nasamu, on Wednesday said it knew nothing over a hit-and-run driver who crushed to death a student of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Aiyepe Annexe, Pelumi David Idowu, in front of the Orientation Camp along the Sagamu-Ikenne Road last Monday. The fleeing driver had reportedly hit the motorcyclist carrying Idowu from the back killing both the student and the motorcyclist on the spot. Students in Ogun State, under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students and National Association of Ogun State Students had on Tuesday protested the death of the student alleging cover-up of the culprit by the state coordinator of the NYSC. The students who took their protest to the Ogun State Police Command had alleged that the driver of the car was one Ojo Aina, an NYSC official who after running over the deceased allegedly ran into the orientati...

 Ndume Breaks Silence On His Removal As Chief Whip, Defends His Utterances Ali Ndume has broken the silence on his removal as the Chief Whip of the Senate, saying, having reviewed the conversation that prompted his ouster, his action did not warrant his sack.   Ndume was removed as the senate chief whip after his criticism of the President Bola Tinubu government’s handling of the nation. About two days after the decision, the lawmaker said he has also declined the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism, arguing that he lacks the experience and exposure to lead such a sensitive group. The Borno South lawmaker said this in his country home of Maiduguri on Friday about 48 hours after he was removed as the Senate Chief Whip. Ndume said that he never wanted to be a senate whip after serving as the leader in the eight Senate. “I did not say anything wrong. And therefore I want to state that I stand by all my statements in the interview I granted,” the senator insisted....

 Kaduna Govt Distances Itself, Orders Investigation Into Viral Video Of Flogging Of Popular Politician For Criticizing Gov Uba Sani The Kaduna state government has ordered an investigation into the viral video showing the brutalization of a popular politician known as Dan Balki Commander. In the video, Danbalki Commander, a die-hard supporter of former President Buhari, is seen being beaten by plainclothes operatives who repeatedly asked him to stop criticizing Governor Uba Sani on his radio program. A statement by Governor Sani’s spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, on Thursday said the state government strongly disassociates itself from the heinous act and has ordered an investigation into the matter. “The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to a video that has gone viral, showing Dan Balki Commander being whipped by unidentified persons. In the video, accusing fingers were pointed at the Kaduna State Government. “The Kaduna State Government wishes to strongly disass...

 A Fairfield, Illinois woman is facing charges after leaving 2 children in a hot car for multiple hours resulting in the death of one and severe injury to the other. 36-year-old Adreian Hooper is facing a litany of charges after the July 14th incident which claimed the life of one child and left the other in critical condition. The high temperature that day was 91° and the low temperature was 72°. This created an internal vehicle temperature of nearly 140°.  According to reports, first responders were called after 2 children were found inside of a car on the 1200 block of Illinois Avenue in Fairfield. Once on scene they recovered a 1-year-old and 2-year-old child from the vehicle. The small children were rushed to the Fairfield Memorial Hospital where the 1-year-old was pronounced deceased. The 2-year-old child had to be airlifted to a trauma center due to his critical condition.  Fairfield Police Department requested the help of ISP to assist in the investigation. On Jul...

 A pregnant 16-year-old girl was found deceased on the side of the road in Georgia. She was unfortunately found by her family.  Authorities in Gwinnett County, Georgia, were called by family members of Mia Campos after they made the shocking discovery. Mia, who was 7 months pregnant, left the home the previous night with an "unknown person" and her family rightfully grew concerned when she had not returned home the next day. Her loved ones decided to investigate and began tracking her whereabouts using a phone tracking app. Sadly, what they found has left them heartbroken and searching for answers. According to family members, they found young Mia, face down on the side of the road, near Logansville in the early morning hours of Monday July, 15th.  Family immediately notified their local authorities and the death was quickly ruled a homicide, although officials have not released details concerning her manner of death.   Gwinnett County detectives have launched an inv...

 PRESS RELEASE 18th July 2024 CRIME: Recovery of locally made fabricated revolver and foraying into flashpoints The Bauchi State Police Command, under the stewardship of Commissioner of Police CP Auwal Muhammad Musa psc, Anipr, is committed to upholding the international best practicing policing standards, mandating all Area Commanders, DPOs, and other Strategic Tactical Commanders to conduct regular raids of blackspots across the State to bolster community confidence. This initiative has yielded positive results, exemplified bÿ a recent incident. On the 17th of July, 2024 at about 0430hrs, operatives of the Command, led by DPO Alkaleri CSP Mohammed B. Usman, conducted a raid along Mai-ari-arewa axis, a recognized suspected black spot situated in Alkaleri LGA area of Bauchi State. A suspected group of hoodlums opened fire on sight, but our detectives gallantly and professionally repelled the attack, forcing the suspected hoodlums to scatter into nearby bushes, likely with serious i...

 Fubara denies promising to pay N80,000 minimum wage Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied proposing to pay a minimum wage of N80,000 to workers in the state and local government areas. The denial came following reports circulating online that the governor had promised to pay the said sum. But his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Friday described the report as unverified claims. The statement read,, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to claims circulating in an online media that the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara,, has proposed to pay a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants in the dtate and local government areas. “Ordinarily, we would not have responded to this fake news, but for the wrong impression it would create in the minds of the public, especially civil servants in the state. “Therefore, it is important to state that the unverified claims b...