PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Biden endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic Party nominee US President Joe Biden has nominated Kamala Harris, the vice-president,as his replacement for the United States 2024 presidential election. On Sunday, Biden withdrew from the presidential race, saying his decision not to seek reelection is in the best interest of his party and country. In another post on X, Biden said he has offered his full support to Harris as a nominee of the Democratic Party in the forthcoming election. “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,”  Biden said. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. “Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: Nigerian Youth, Bashir Abubakar Arrested In Kano For Advertising T-shirts Supporting Nationwide Protests The arrest is reportedly related to Abubakar's advertisement of T-shirts supporting the upcoming nationwide protests against economic hardship. The Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria has been accused of arresting an individual named Bashir Abubakar in Kano.  The arrest is reportedly related to Abubakar's advertisement of T-shirts supporting the upcoming nationwide protests against economic hardship. However, the DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, denied the allegation when contacted by SaharaReporters on Sunday. "It is not true. It is not true,” he said in a message sent to our reporter. #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has demanded the immediate release of Abubakar in a message on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “The lawless @OfficialDSSNG has begun inciting the public to riot even before the D-Day, early this morning...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  SIXTH MID-YEAR MEETING OF THE AU: PRESIDENT TINUBU ADDRESSES AFRICAN LEADERS ON STATUS OF ECOWAS, HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES President Bola Tinubu on Sunday in Accra, Ghana addressed African leaders on the status of ECOWAS, highlighting the progress so far made by the West African economic bloc and the prevailing challenges. Presenting the achievements of ECOWAS in the past one year at the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said the Community has activated a Standby Force to counter terrorism and will continue to explore funding options. The President said ECOWAS has been supporting member states to enhance electoral and governance processes, and recently deployed Election Observation Missions to Senegal and Togo - both of which elections were adjudged to be peaceful, transparent, and fair. He also highlighted the facilitati...

 JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR. July 21, 2024 My Fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthen...

 OUR SANITATION ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ALL RESIDENTS ARE CONVERTED - ENV. SPECIAL ADVISER The Lagos State  Government  on Sunday reiterated its commitment to continue to take the sanitation advocacy Campaign for residents round the state until residents imbibe the culture of good environmental sanitation and hygienical practices. Addressing Market traders / residents at Alamutu Market, Idi - Oro Mushin during the community-based Sanitation Exercise/ Sensitization, the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi - Akodu, said maintaining a clean environment is a must for all residents to keep all types of disease at bay. Akodu who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Omobolaji Gaji and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr Mahamood Adegbite and Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin had earlier engaged in cleaning the drainage on Agege Motor Road by desilting it, while a waste truc...

 Protest: CNPP warns against clampdown, asks FG to address suffering Nigerians’ concerns Ahead of the impending nationwide protest planned by some Nigerians over the biting hardship in the country, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has warned the Federal Government against moves to clamp down on some individuals perceived to be enemies of the President Bola Tinubu administration. The planned nationwide protest, being mobilized with the hashtags #TinubuMustGo and #Revolution2024, is scheduled to hold on August 1. CNPP, an umbrella body of Nigerian political parties and political associations, urged the government to focus on addressing the genuine concerns of suffering Nigerians due to the increasing cost of living and loss of jobs and businesses, rather than planning to silence individuals and groups who are speaking out. In a press statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the association raised the alarm over the government...

 Gunmen attack police team in Aba, kill Inspector, three others A police Inspector identified as Shehu Oyibo attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, and three civilians have been killed as gunmen attacked a police patrol team along Mosque street by Ngwa road, Aba, Abia State. This is three weeks after gunmen killed two policemen at Opobo junction, Ogbor Hill Aba. The gunmen who operated in a Toyota Sienna bus at Mosque street by Ngwa road, were said to have opened fire on sighting the police team in the area. However, the police team repelled the attack. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, three civilians identified as Chika Godliveth, Onyeaturuchi Jonah and Eniobong God’sgift Clement, were killed by stray bullets. Police public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, stated that two gunmen were also killed in the attack while others escaped with bullet wounds. However, eyewitnesses told newsmen that more people were injured and may have died in the attack. T...

 Court declines to stop Fubara from spending Rivers funds A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja has refused to shut down all expenditures of Gov. Siminalay Fubara of Rivers pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit field by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24 and moved by Sebastien Hon, SAN, rather ordered the plaintiffs to put all the defendants in the suit on notice. Justice Nwite, however, granted another motion ex-parte by the plaintiffs to serve the 5th to 10th defendants with the originating process and other applications in the matter by substituted means. The judge said: “the leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with tne plaintiffs/applicants’ originating and any other process(es) filed or issued in this suit by substituted means to wit: “By publishing same in the Nation Newspapers.” Justice Nwite adjourned t...

  16 A hard-left French lawmaker has come under fire from fellow left-wing politicians, as well as a major French Jewish group, for saying that Israeli athletes were not welcome at the Paris Olympics, due to the war with Hamas in Gaza. France Unbowed (LFI) lawmaker Thomas Portes is “putting a target on the backs of Israeli athletes,” says Yonathan Arfi, head of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, on X. Portes said at a rally in support of Palestinians that “the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli sportspeople are not welcome at the Paris Olympic Games.” He called for “mobilization” around the event. He later told the Parisian newspaper that “France’s diplomats should pressure the International Olympic Committee to bar the Israeli flag and anthem, as is done for Russia.” “It’s time to end the double standard,” Portes added. In response, Arfi says Israeli athletes are “already the most in danger at the Olympic Games,” and recalls the 11 “murde...

 In a rare interview from jail, the PTI party chief said he is under constant surveillance by security agencies and denied any outside contact .  Pakistan’s jailed former premier Imran Khan has claimed that he is being caged like a "terrorist” and was denied basic prisoner and human rights in a "death cell" at a high-security jail. The 71-year-old Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founder made these claims in a rare interview from behind bars with British publication 'The Sunday Times', the Dawn newspaper reported on Sunday. “I am confined in a 7ft by 8ft death cell, typically reserved for terrorists to ensure they have no contact with anyone,” he told the newspaper. “It is solitary confinement with barely any space to move. I am under constant surveillance by the agencies, being recorded 24/7, and I am denied basic prisoner and human rights such as visitation,” he said. The interview was conducted via his lawyers, as — according to the article — he is not all...

 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 The bodies of a couple who set off on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean have been found on a washed-up life raft almost six weeks after they were last seen. Briton Sarah Packwood and her Canadian husband Brett Clibbery are thought to have abandoned their yacht and perished before washing up on Sable Island near Nova Scotia in Canada on 12 July. The couple were reported missing on 18 June after leaving Nova Scotia in their 13m (42ft) eco-friendly yacht, Theros, a week earlier. They were on the way to the Azores – about 3,228 km away – with the trip planned to take 21 days. According to National Geographic, the Atlantic is more than 41 million square miles, the second-largest ocean on Earth after the Pacific Ocean.

 U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a three-decade member of Congress and a voice for a predominantly Hispanic and Black Houston district, has died, the 74-year-old's family said on Friday. "Today, with incredible grief of our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announced the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas," Jackson Lee's family wrote. "A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as 'Congresswoman' by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years. The lawmaker's family said funeral arrangements are pending. Early last month, Jackson Lee revealed she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and undergoing treatment, adding that she would be occasionally absent from her Congressional duties. "I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan t...

 Ojukwu ran for President and he didn’t have the full supp0rt of the South East region.  Even at the beginning of Peter Obi’s campaign many swore that the South East region will not even supp0rt him. He was pegged to win only Anambra if any. N0w the people of South East are being vilified and called tribal!stic because they supported Peter Obi. When they supp0rted Obasanjo they weren’t tribal!stic! When they supported YAR’ADUA they weren’t tribal!stic! When they supported Jonathan they weren’t tribal!stic! When they supported Atiku they weren’t tribal!stic! It is when they supported the most competent who happened to be from their region they became tribal!stic. Anyways, I like this form of tr!balism. Let’s have more! - Aisha Yesufu

 Press release  Gombe State Police Command 21/07/2024. Gombe State Police Command mourned the demise of its senior officer. CP Hayatu Usman psc offers his condolences to family members and loved ones of late CSP Muhammad Haruna, his demise is an irreparable loss to the entire NPF and the family. May almighty Allah gave the fortitude to the family to bear the irreparable loss. Before his demise he served as second in command of the State Intelligent Department of the command, as a seasoned and dedicated police officer the command will forever remember the everlasting impact of the Officer. The command offers its sincerest condolences. ASP Buhari Abdullahi PPRO Gombe State Police Command.

 UNIZIK Governing Council sacks Acting VC Ikechebelu, appoints Umobi The Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has appointed Prof Carol Umobi as as Acting Vice Chancellor. The Council, during its meeting on Saturday, removed Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Joe Ikechebelu. Ikechebelu has been the Acting Vice Chancellor for about two months, after taking over from the outgone Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone. A letter from the Governing Council of the university, which was signed by the chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, congratulated Umobi on the appointment. The letter which was presented to Umobi read: “Dear Professor Umobi, “APPOINTMENT AS ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY “1 am pleased to inform you that in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act CAP 139, LFN 2004 as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amended) Act 2007, the Governing Council has approved your appointment...

  Mazi Afam Osigwe Emerges NBA President A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mazi Afam Osigwe, has emerged as the president-elect in the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election. The 2024 NBA election was held online. The Voting began at 12am on Saturday and ended at 11.59pm with the live results for all positions presented at https://go.ecnba.org/results/ As of 12am on Sunday, Osigwe secured 20,395 votes, defeating his closest rival, Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, who garnered 10,970 votes while former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), got 9,007 votes. Osigwe is set to succeed the outgoing president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).

 Fubara Directs Immediate Promotion Of Senior Secondary School Teachers The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has directed the immediate promotion of teachers under the employment of the government in all the senior secondary schools in the state. Governor Fubara gave the directive while inaugurating the Chairmen and four members each, for the Senior Secondary Schools and Universal Basic Education Boards at the government house in Port Harcourt on Friday. He said the promotion exercise in the senior cadre in public schools was suspended because the section was previously headed by an Acting Director whom he felt should not be given the responsibility to handle such a delicate task. The task will now be handled by the substantive board headed by an educationist, Dr. Sam Umejuru. The Governor spoke highly of his passion to improve the standard of education in the state, explaining that education, healthcare and agriculture will form his top priorities in the 2025 budget. In th...

 Dangote faults quality of imported diesel, demands investigation The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has claimed that substandard petroleum products are being imported into the country and sold to unsuspecting Nigerians. Dangote made the claim on Saturday during the visit of the leadership of the House of Representatives, led by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State. The business tycoon said there was a need for an investigation to be carried out to determine if there are some saboteurs in the oil sector or to find out if there are ulterior motives to demarket his business. Africa’s richest man also said the best way to determine the quality of products being imported and sold to Nigerians is by going to the filling stations and buying and testing them. He said, “The most important thing, Your Excellency, is to note that the imported one they are encouraging, is the spec in the test, but in certain cases, ...

 $60bn cash calls: Reps panel threatens to sanction oil companies The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) on Saturday, vowed to deal with oil companies which fail to participate in the ongoing investigation of the loss of $60b inflated cash calls by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s Joint Venture Agreements. Recall that the joint committee co-chaired by James Faleke (Chairman, Finance) and Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (Petroleum Resources), had in the past week, frowned at the absence of chief executives of companies and agencies earmarked for the probe at the hearings. It also chided the presentations made by the few who turned up, even as it warned against the practices of some companies sending representatives instead of their top expectative officers. Not happy by the uncooperative attitude of the invited companies, Co-Chairman, Ado-Doguwa said the committee would not take it lightly with those who attempt to undermine t...

 One dies, two survive in Anambra road accident A fatal motor accident has claimed one life and left two others unhurt opposite the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command in Nteje, along the Awka-Onitsha expressway in Anambra state. The crash, which occurred around 9:30 am, involved a Toyota Camry with registration number ABJ125JV and a Ford Explorer with registration number ZBL626RL. Eyewitnesses reported that the Camry driver lost control and collided with the Ford Explorer after crossing into its lane on the single-carriageway. He said one male adult lost his life, while two other male adults were rescued uninjured. He expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists to stay alert and maintain full concentration while driving. The eyewitness said: “A fatal road traffic crash happened opposite FRSC Command Nteje by Nteje-Awka-Onitsha Expressway. “A driver identified as Chiweuba Evaristus Chidiebere with a private Toyota Camry with Registration Number: ABJ...

 FACT CHECK: OLD VIDEO SHOWING SOLDIER MOLESTING CIVILIAN IN CAMOUFLAGE RECIRCULATED The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted the recent circulation of an old video depicting a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing a Nigerian Army Desert Camouflage uniform. The NA wishes to clarify that this video footage is a stale audio-visual being recirculated by individuals or content creators either bereft of content or with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace. The unfortunate incident in question occurred in 2021, and the NA took immediate and decisive action at that time. The soldier involved was arrested, tried, and appropriately punished for his unacceptable behavior, which violated the core values of the Nigerian Army, particularly the respect for others and their fundamental rights. The NA wishes to reiterate that the ban on the unauthorized use of military camouflage remains in full effect. Only personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the N...

 Kenya demos must stop, says Ruto Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga Sunday insisted “justice” was a prerequisite for any talks with the government after deadly clashes, as President William Ruto warned unrest could “destroy” the country. Initially peaceful rallies that started last month against planned tax rises descended into violence with dozens killed after some marchers stormed parliament. Ruto shelved his tax reform and proposed a national dialogue. “Justice must come first before any talks,” said Odinga on Sunday, however. He demanded “compensation for every victim of police brutality” during the rallies. Despite Ruto’s concessions, rallies have continued across the country. The opposition has called for fresh demonstrations next week. “I want to promise it is going to stop. Enough is enough,” Ruto said on Sunday. A court on Thursday suspended a police move to ban protests in the centre of the capital Nairobi. Ruto vowed to stop “looters” and “killers” who he said “risk ...

 Proposed Abuja mega rally cancelled The mega rally planned by a group of June 12 activists under the banner of the Coalition of Pro-Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria has been cancelled. Tinubu Mandate Protection Mega Rally (part II) was initially slated to be held on Monday 22 July inside Unity Fountain Square, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. The cancellation was announced in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji which was forwarded to P.M.NEWS on Saturday. Awa hinged the decision to cancel the much-expected rally on the need to “allow patriotic Nigerians to monitor plans and activities of opposition leaders across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. “After careful study of the true situation of things regarding the planned nationwide protests being spearheaded by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors, all who spoke out their minds through the communique of their meeting held on Wednesday in Enugu condemnin...

 Trending bandits video: Zamfara group warns govt officials over Bello Turji’s claims The Zamfara Conscience Movement (ZCM) has warned that there must not be an apparent close relationship between the government officials and notorious bandits and criminal gangs operating in the state. The group noted that these bandits and criminals have devastated the state and neighboring areas in the North-West region. This was following the emergence of a video clip featuring Bello Turji, a prominent bandit leader. In the clip, Turji openly criticised the Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle. ZCM said it finds it highly improbable that such bold statements could have been made without governmental support. In a statement signed by ZCM Chairman Sahabi Lawali, the movement highlighted a prior video showing hooded armed bandits confessing to having ties with government officials. “These disturbing revelations, coupled with Turji’s audacious declarations, suggest a worrying trend of collu...

 MADONNA’S ADOPTED SON SAYS HE'S SCAVENGING  Madonna’s 18-year-old son David Banda, who was adopted as an infant from Malawi, says he’s “scavenging” for food after moving out of his mom’s multi-million dollar home. “I love it. I’m not on my own, I’ve got my girlfriend. But I love it,” Banda, who is dating 21-year-old model Maria Atuesta, said on recent session on Instagram Live. “It’s lovely to experience it being nine o’clock at night, me being hungry and realising that I don’t have enough money to get food and scavenging. It’s fun to be young.” Banda is purportedly living in The Bronx and making his own money by teaching guitar. His new way of life seems to be a far cry from that of his mother’s, who is reportedly worth a whopping $850 million (about K21bn) and boasts an impressive bicoastal real estate portfolio. Banda charges $200 (about K5,000) a pop for his guitar lessons, which can be booked through his Instagram page.

 A ZAMBIA National Service (ZNS) officer of Lusaka has been dragged to the Livingstone Local Court by his lover, who is demanding K35,000 for allegedly impregnating her and promising her marriage.  Francisca Inambao, of Dambwa Site and Service, aged 27, told the local court that she wanted Nelson Sakala, 31, to compensate her because he has wasted her time.  However, Sakala denied the claim.  Inambao said she met Sakala in 2019 when she used to sell fritters at Intercity.  “He also used to work there. He approached me and proposed love to me, but I told him that I did not want to flirt with anyone because I am an orphan. I later accepted and we started dating. In 2020 I fell pregnant,” she said.  She said he was summoned, the matter was discussed and he accepted responsibility.  “He was called for military training under ZNS. He went for his training and forgot about me. I went to live with my mother-in-law in Lusaka, who advised me to wait for Sakala,...