PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 FFK to Badenoch: You trust British police but Nigerian policemen protecting your mum in Lagos Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has again taken a swipe at the leader of the British Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, over her criticism of Nigeria. Badenoch, a Nigerian born British citizen, has consistently attacked Nigeria and its institutions. During a recent interview with a British journalist, she accused police officers back home of stealing her brother’s wristwatch and shoes in defence of the UK police. Vice President, Kashim Shettima recently told her to remove ‘Kemi’ from her name if she was not proud of her Nigerian roots. However, on Thursday while replying to Badenoch in a post on X, the former minister said the conservative party leader cannot demand for police protection for her mother in Lagos from the police she attacked “She says she trusts the British police and claims that Nigerian policemen stole her brother’s watch and shoes. But she refuses to ackno...

 Burkina Faso frees four French spies Four French nationals held in Burkina Faso for a year have been released following mediation from Morocco, France and Morocco said on Thursday, resolving a diplomatic row over their detention, Reuters reported. The head of France's foreign intelligence agency, the DGSE, has previously said that they were spies. A spokesperson for the French military, which oversees the DGSE, and the DGSE did not respond to a request for comment. They had been held in Ouagadougou since December 2023. The French presidency said in statement that President Emmanuel Macron had on Wednesday thanked Morocco's King Mohammed for his mediation "which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year". Morocco's foreign ministry also praised King Mohammed and Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traore and said "this humanitarian act" was made possible due to the good relations between their count...

 Cyclone Chido death toll in Mozambique rises to 73 The death toll in from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has risen to 73, disaster management officials announced on Thursday, AA reported. In a flash update, Luisa Meque, chairperson of the country’s National Disaster Risk Management Institute (INGD), said while the “assessment of the extent of the damage that the cyclone has caused to the Southern African nation continues, more bodies are being identified in the process.” “We can’t ascertain the exact number of people who have died as a result of the storm,” she said. Meque said that the number of injured is also increasing on a daily basis. 'Horrendous and overwhelming' “Our situation is quite horrendous and overwhelming. We need a lot of support for us to establish the exact number of fatalities, otherwise, it’s becoming extremely hard for us to find bodies, because some are deep buried after buildings had collapsed on them,” she said. “Much as the storm has calmed down, there i...

 Libya PM warns country could become a 'battlefield' Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah expressed concerns on Thursday that the North African country could become a "battlefield", following reports of Russian weapon transfers from Syria after Bashar al-Assad's fall, AFP reported. "We have concerns about moving international conflicts to Libya, and that it will become a battlefield between countries," Dbeibah said during a news conference. Oil-rich Libya has struggled to recover from years of conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ended Muammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule. It remains divided between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar. Imposing 'hegemony' In recent days reported indicated Russian forces were transferring military equipment from Syria's Tartus naval base and Hmeimim air base to eastern Libya, where the rival administration h...

 Algerian president holds talks with senior Russian officials Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Thursday received Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, and Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, according to a statement from the Algerian Presidency. The statement noted that the meeting was also attended by Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army Said Chengriha, without providing further details, Xinhua reported. Earlier in the day, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf held talks with Bogdanov, addressing bilateral cooperation and global issues. The Algerian Foreign Ministry stated that both sides expressed satisfaction with the "positive" outcomes of Tebboune's state visit to Russia in June 2023. They also exchanged views on the Sahel region and recent events in the Middle East, including Syria and the occupied Palestinian territories. In October, Tebboune dismissed claims of significant disagr...

 TRENDING VIDEO OF ALLEGED SWAP OF ATM CARD OF AN OLD WOMAN IN NNEWI: ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND BEGINS INVESTIGATION: CALLS ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HELP IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT The Anambra State Police Command has intercepted a trending video of an unidentified lady in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of a Commercial bank in Nnewi, who allegedly swapped an ATM Card belonging to a 58 years old (quinquagenarian) handicapped woman and withdrew the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) in parts.  The Command having commenced  investigations into the incident, calls on anyone with useful information, especially residents of Nnewi and environs to help in identifying the suspect for possible arrest and prosecution. Preliminary information reveals that the  unidentified lady suspect disguised herself to assist the victim and swapped the ATM card of the victim and a few minutes after the suspect left the ATM spot, the quinquagenarian received several debit alerts totalin...

  Trump's New Hairstyle Sparks Online Buzz US President-elect Donald Trump's apparent new hairstyle during his recent visit to Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida, has created a buzz online. Trump was spotted at the golf club on Tuesday evening wearing a white golf shirt, black pants, a red hat, and shoes. A video circulating on social media shows Trump walking and approaching visitors, waving his hands and asking if they are enjoying themselves. He further asks, "Is everybody a Republican?" Trump's hair appeared different in the video, leading some to believe he had a new haircut, sparking online discussions. While some praised Trump for his apparent new hairstyle, others said the president-elect had lost his charm. His new style has drawn comparisons to that of his youngest son Barron Trump. Some also said the 78-year-old's 'do could be a simple case of "hat hair." Overall, the hairstyle got a mixed reception. "Trump cut h...

 Employee stabs company president with ‘red-handled’ knife during morning meeting Police in Michigan are searching for a motive after a manufacturing company president was stabbed by an employee during. staff meeting Tuesday morning. Nathan Mahoney, 32, fled the scene but was soon arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder. He had worked for Anderseon Express Inc. in Fruitport Township for about two weeks. Police said Mahoney got up and left the meeting Tuesday morning and returned minutes later, walked over to the company president, and stabbed him in the side. The company president, identified as Eric Denslow on the company website, was in serious but stable condition after surgery. Deputy Fruitport Township Police Chief Greg Poulson said investigators had not “ruled out copycat motive in regards to this,” apparently referring to the murder of a insurance giant UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York earlier this month. Luigi Mangione has been charged in the ...

 𝐈𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐲: 𝐎𝐨𝐧𝐢’𝐬 𝐞𝐱-𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝟑𝟓 The Oyo State Police Command has disclosed the arrest of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi; and six others in connection to the death of some children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday. The ex-queen was named as the main sponsor of the event. Meanwhile, Oyo State Police Command have detained the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi. Fasasi was invited by the police on Wednesday and has been detained since then. More so, the number of children who have died from the stampede has risen to 35 while six others are critically injured, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso. The event, which was held at the Islamic High Sch...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU EXPRESSES DEEP ANGUISH OVER IBADAN FUNFAIR TRAGEDY AND DEMANDS THOROUGH INVESTIGATION   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident at the Children's FunFair in Ibadan, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and left many injured.    The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.   In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.   President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly. He emphasises that it is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident, ensurin...

 Alleged N110.4billion Money Laundering: Yahaya Bello Begs Court:  Spare me Landed Property in Maitama for Bail A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has appealed to Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to spare him the possession of a landed property in the Maitama district as one of the conditions for bail. Bello made the plea on Thursday, December 19, 2024, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN. He argued that obtaining Certificates of Occupancy and other title documents for properties in Maitama is challenging due to the peculiarities of the area. "My Lord, most people who may be willing to stand as sureties are reluctant to part with their original title documents.  Moreover, many buildings in Maitama are corporate establishments like Transcorp Hilton, NCC among others. Therefore, we are pleading with this honourable court to consider other highbrow areas such as Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape, and others when...

 Police Arrest Fake Navy Officer for Fraud and Impersonation in Yobe The Yobe State Police Command has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against cybercrime and fraud with the arrest of a fake Navy personnel who specialized in defrauding the public. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the 29-year-old suspect, Agugu Joshua, was apprehended in possession of a counterfeit Nigerian Navy ID card. He used the fake identity to deceive victims, particularly POS vendors and store owners. Joshua’s method involved generating fake receipts through his Kuda Bank app, which appeared to confirm successful transactions, even though they were fraudulent. He would start by making a small, legitimate transaction to gain trust, then use the app to alter the receipt, delaying the alert to his victim. This tactic allowed him to deceive people into handing over money or goods. Joshua was arrested during a covert operation on December 18, 2024, at 2:00 PM by op...

 Some Roads Awarded by Former Governor Obaseki Not Properly Documented – Edo State Committee The Edo State Assets Verification Committee has revealed that some roads awarded under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki were not properly documented. Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, the committee chairman, disclosed this in a press briefing on Thursday, stating that these roads were not accurately recorded in the Ministry of Roads and Bridges (now Ministry of Works) files presented to the committee. He also highlighted a significant financial burden left by the previous government, with about ₦200 billion in outstanding payments to contractors for ongoing road projects. Umakhihe claimed that while road contracts were awarded in 2024, contractors were only provided with mobilization funds, and in some cases, money was reportedly returned to government officials. This situation, he said, has delayed the progress of the road projects. The committee further observed inadequate ...

 Adamawa Police Prosecute 292 Out of 715 Criminal Suspects in 2024 The Adamawa State Police Command has successfully prosecuted 292 of the 715 suspects arrested for various crimes between January and December 2024. The arrested individuals faced charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, and culpable homicide.  Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, highlighted that these prosecutions were a result of deliberate efforts to combat crime in the state, such as community policing, operational patrols, and quick response to distress calls. Speaking at a year-end press briefing, CP Morris reiterated his commitment to reducing crime in the state, a promise he made upon assuming office in February 2024.

 Abia High Court Acquits Five Pro-Biafrans After Two Years in Detention An Abia State High Court in Umuahia has acquitted five pro-Biafran activists who had been held in detention since their arrest in July 2022. The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Hon. Justice A.O. Chijioke, brought an end to the lengthy legal proceedings. The five individuals had faced charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and membership in an unlawful society, under case number HU/61C/2022.  During the trial, three witnesses were presented by the prosecution, but the court found the evidence insufficient to uphold the charges. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), confirmed the verdict and praised his legal team for their dedication in securing justice. He also urged pro-Biafran supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding in their pursuit of self-determination.

 Lagos Assembly Denies Awarding N17bn Gate Contract The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed as baseless allegations made by an anti-corruption group that it awarded a N17 billion contract for the construction of its gate. In a statement issued on Thursday, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security, and Strategy, clarified that the project in question was completed over three years ago and that no recent gate construction had taken place. The Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition had recently written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requesting an investigation into the alleged contract. Ogundipe labeled the petition as frivolous and politically motivated, designed to tarnish the reputation of the Assembly. He emphasized that although the Assembly has its own procurement unit, it follows the state government's official procurement process from start to finish. Ogundipe questioned the credibility of the allegations, p...

 Nigerian Woman Arrested in Major Drug Seizure in India A 40-year-old Nigerian woman, Roselime Oluchi Ikeoha, was arrested in Bengaluru, India, in connection with one of the city’s largest drug trafficking busts. The Anti-Narcotics wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) recovered 12 kilograms of MDMA, a powerful synthetic drug, from her possession, valued at approximately ₹24 crore. Police Commissioner B. Dayananda confirmed the arrest, describing the seizure as one of the biggest in Bengaluru and Karnataka. Investigations revealed that Ikeoha had been running a grocery store in the TC Palya area for five years, which allegedly served as a front for her drug distribution activities. “This is one of the largest drug seizures in Bengaluru and Karnataka. The CCB team successfully dismantled an international MDMA crystal drug network, seizing 12 kg of pure white and yellow MDMA,” Dayananda stated. During the raid on Ikeoha’s premises, officials discovered 70 SIM cards, suggesting a wid...

 Kenyan university scraps forest deal with Israel over Gaza A Kenyan university has cancelled a deal with the Israeli government to establish a so-called Zion Forest at its premises following public outcry over the war in Gaza, TRT Afrika reported. Daystar University, located in the capital Nairobi, earlier this week signed the deal with the Israeli embassy for the planting of over 5,000 trees on the campus. But it drew condemnation from Kenyans expressing solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza, where more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the war on the territory since October 2023. "We are not in any way supporting the ongoing humanitarian conflict in the Middle East. Daystar University esteems the sanctity of life and advocates for the peaceful co-existence of humanity,” Vice Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro was quoted as saying in a Tuesday statement by the university. "We acknowledge the pain we have inadvertently caused to members of the public, a...

 𝐁𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢, 𝐀𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐬, 𝐀𝐤𝐮𝐦𝐞, 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝟕𝟔𝟐 𝐅𝐂𝐓 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has revoked the lands allocated to several prominent Nigerians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, due to non-payment of Certificate of Occupancy fees. Also, 759 other prominent figures and organisations in Maitama II, Abuja. were also affected by the revocation which was for non-payment of Certificate of Occupancy. This was contained in a publication by the FCT Administration and made available to newsmen by the Special Adviser to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka. In a separate publication, the minister also threatened to revoke lands belonging to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda; former presidents of the Sena...

 LASG HOSTS Y2024 WOMEN'S ASSEMBLY TO EMPOWER, CELEBRATE WOMEN Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to advancing and empowering women, describing them as the pillars of communities, contributing in numerous ways as mothers, entrepreneurs, educators and leaders.  Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this in his keynote address at the 2024 Women's Assembly for Local Government and Local Council Development Areas organised by the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) at the De Blue Roof, LTV 8 complex, Agindigbi Ikeja.  The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Governor, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the Assembly as a critical platform for celebrating women’s contributions and tackling challenges affecting their well-being. He restated his administration’s commitment to prioritising women through policies and programmes aimed at economic empowerment, political inclusion, and grassroots engag...

 TURNING WASTE TO WEALTH: LASEPA PARTNERS ORORO WASTE MANAGEMENT LTD. TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF USED COOKING OIL The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) is partnering with Ororo Waste Management Ltd to promote the recycling of used cooking oil for wealth creation, sustainable environment and public health safety. As such, the Agency in collaboration with Ororo Waste Management Ltd on Tuesday organised a One-Day public sensitisation programme on sustainable management of used cooking oil with the Theme: “Turning Used Cooking Oil to Wealth: Prospects and Opportunities,”  The event, which was held at the Protea Hotels, Alausa, Ikeja, brought together people from different walks of life who shared knowledge on the new recycling initiative for healthy living and sustainable environmental growth. Speaking at the event, LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi emphasised the importance of proper waste oil management, calling for urgent action to tackl...

 AGF to Meet Senate Panel on Tax Reform Bills Today The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is set to meet with the Senate today (Thursday) to review the Tax Reform Bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly. Amid controversy surrounding the bills, especially from the North, President Tinubu had urged for calm and directed the AGF to engage with the National Assembly to resolve the issues. In response, the Senate established a panel to meet with the AGF. Although the meeting had been delayed due to changes in the Senate panel's membership and caucus discussions, a source from the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the meeting will proceed today. Senator Abba Moro, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee, also confirmed that both the AGF and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, have been invited to the session. The Senate formed the committee to address unresolved issues in the Tax Reform...

 NSCDC Deploys 4,000 Personnel in FCT for Yuletide Security The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command has assured residents of robust security throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities. Commandant Olusola Odumosu announced that 4,000 personnel have been deployed across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its surrounding areas to ensure public safety and protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure. The personnel, drawn from various specialized units including the Special Intervention Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit, Arm Squad, Agro Rangers, and others, will work to maintain peace and order during the festive season. In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by command spokesperson Monica Ojobi, Odumosu called for strict adherence to the operation order and emphasized the importance of securing key locations such as infrastructure, worship centers, markets, and recreational areas. He warned that anyone attempting to exploit the holiday period ...

 Reps to Present N704.91m Half-Year Salary Donation to Tinubu The House of Representatives is set to present N704.91 million on December 31, 2024, to assist vulnerable Nigerians facing economic hardship due to the removal of the petrol subsidy. In July, the House resolved to donate 50% of their salaries for six months to support ordinary Nigerians during these challenging times, following a motion moved by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Kalu had stated, “This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the country’s challenges. I urge our colleagues to sacrifice 50% of their salaries for six months.” During Thursday's plenary, Speaker Tajudeen Abba confirmed that the House had raised N704,907,578.82 through the initiative. He announced that, on December 31, he and other House leaders would present the donation to President Tinubu for the exclusive benefit of vulnerable Nigerians in need. Abba expressed pride in the House's collective effort to address the...

 Ekiti Government Denies N25,000 Christmas Cash Grant Rumours The Ekiti State Government has dismissed rumors claiming that a N25,000 Christmas cash grant is being distributed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji. In a statement issued on Thursday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the claim as false and warned residents to be cautious of potential scams. The statement read: “We would like to inform the public that the circulating information about a ₦25,000 Christmas cash grant from Governor Biodun Oyebanji is untrue and should be ignored. “The governor does not distribute cash grants or engage in any financial transactions through unofficial or online platforms.” The government urged the public to be vigilant and avoid sharing personal information with unauthorized websites or individuals seeking to defraud them. “All official announcements from the Ekiti State Government are made through official channels and authorized state representatives,” Oyebode adde...

 SON Sets Ambition to Make Nigeria a Leader in Global Tobacco Regulation The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) aims to position Nigeria as a global leader in regulating tobacco and related products. During a recent Technical Committee Meeting on heated tobacco products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, SON’s Director General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, stressed the importance of aligning Nigeria’s tobacco standards with international regulations to ensure safety and quality.  The meeting, which included stakeholders from key organizations and regulatory bodies, focused on reducing health risks, enhancing transparency, and developing technical guidelines for manufacturers. SON remains committed to strengthening public health and consumer safety in the tobacco sector.

 A septuagenarian couple from Haryana’s Karnal district officially ended their 44-year marriage following an 18-year legal dispute. The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s mediation and conciliation centre facilitated the resolution, which involved a significant settlement of Rs 3.07 crore in permanent alimony. The husband, determined to part ways, sold portions of his prime agricultural land to fulfill the agreement. The couple, married on August 27, 1980, under Hindu rites, had three children—two daughters and one son. Due to growing temperamental differences, they began living separately on May 8, 2006. The husband filed for divorce in the Karnal family court on grounds of mental cruelty, but his plea was rejected in January 2013. He later appealed to the high court, where the case remained unresolved for nearly 11 years before being referred to mediation on November 4, 2024. During the mediation, the wife and their children agreed to the settlement. To fulfill his promise, the husb...

 A 28-year-old man allegedly set his girlfriend’s house on fire after she refused his marriage proposal in Anandpur village, Bhadrak district, Odisha. The accused, Jyoti Ranjan Das, a resident of Vidyadharpur village, has been on the run since the incident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, police said on Wednesday. According to the victim, Jyoti had been pressuring her to marry him and even threatened to leak private photos if she did not agree. She also accused him of issuing death threats and attempting to force her into meeting him multiple times. When she refused his advances, Jyoti allegedly resorted to arson, setting her house on fire. The blaze destroyed five sheds and reduced valuables worth Rs 15 lakh, including gold jewellery, furniture, food grains, and important documents, to ashes. Following the incident, the victim lodged a complaint with the Dhamnagar police, who have registered a case and begun their investigation. The victim and her family have expressed fea...

 Russia has made a major medical breakthrough with the announcement of its first mRNA-based cancer vaccine, which will be available for free to patients starting early 2025. The development was confirmed by Andrey Kaprin, General Director of the Radiology Medical Research Center under the Russian Ministry of Health, during an interview with Radio Rossiya. Pre-clinical trials have shown that the vaccine effectively suppresses tumor growth and potential metastases, according to Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. However, the name of the vaccine is yet to be disclosed. The Russian government views this vaccine as a significant step in addressing the country’s rising cancer rates. In 2022 alone, over 635,000 new cancer cases were reported in Russia, with colon, breast, and lung cancers being the most prevalent. Earlier this year, President Vladimir Putin highlighted in a televised address that the country was nearin...

 Apple's statement on minerals must be 'verified': DRC International lawyers for the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomed Apple's decision to stop sourcing minerals from there due to worsening conflict, but said they would press ahead with their cases against the company in Europe. Criminal complaints were filed against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium this week on behalf of DR Congo, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, Reuters reported. DR Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones. But some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres, rapes and other crimes, say UN experts and rights groups. 'Satisfaction and caution' Apple said on Tuesday that it strongly disputes the claims and has told suppliers they must not use the minerals in question sourced from DR Congo or Rwanda. The lawyers representing DR Congo said on Wednesday they w...

Abia State Community Policing Vigilante has arrested an electric cable thief, simply identified as Samuel, while vandalizing power installations along Isi Court-Ikputu road in Isiala Ngwa area. While two out of the three thieves escaped with their operational tricycle, the leader of the syndicate identified as Samuel, from Ebonyi State was apprehended by the Community Policing Vigilante. The arrest of the suspect was made known by the Commander of Abia State Community Policing Vigilante in the area, K.C. Martins. Martins, who said that efforts have been intensified by his men to arrest the two fleeing members of the criminal gang, commended Governor Alex Otti’s administration’s determination protecting the lives and property of the people in the State. Confirming the arrest, the Commander of Abia State Community Policing Vigilante, Daniel Iheadindu charged his men to sustain their efforts in ridding Abia communities of criminal elements, even as he advised youths to shun crime and enga...

 Zamfara Governor’s Wife Facilitates Marriage for 100 Orphans, Offers Support to Grooms The wife of the Zamfara State Governor, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has overseen the marriage of 100 orphaned girls in the state. The brides, who were well cared for prior to the ceremony, received full attention for their beautification. Each bride’s dowry, amounting to 151,000 Naira, was covered by the Governor’s wife. In addition, Huriyya Dauda Lawal provided essential household items, including furniture such as cushions, beds, wardrobes, mattresses, and kitchen utensils. Furthermore, she offered financial assistance of N50,000 to each groom to help them start their businesses and achieve self-sufficiency. Hajiya Lawal encouraged the brides to respect their husbands and practice patience. She also assured them that the Zakkat and Endowment Board would be available to offer support should any marital issues arise.