PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Peter Obi blasts Gov Alia for blocking him from visiting Benue The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has accused the Benue State Government of politicising his planned visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps and health institutions in the state. In a statement shared on Monday via his official X account, Obi expressed disappointment over what he described as deliberate attempts to frustrate his humanitarian trip to Benue, lamenting what he called the growing politicisation of good causes in Nigeria. DAILY POST had exclusively reported that Alia had moved to block a planned visit by Obi to camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. Top government officials reportedly advised Governor Alia against granting Obi access to the IDP camps, citing political undertones. Alia had said he could not guarantee the security of any high-profile figure in the state. Reacting, however, Obi explained that his visit, s...

 1980 AFCON Champion Charles Bassey Dies at 71 Charles Bassey, a member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, has died at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness. He passed away on Saturday in his hometown, Eket, Akwa Ibom State. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed his death in a statement released on Monday by its General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, describing the loss as part of a “day of double tragedy” following the earlier death of team captain Christian Chukwu. Bassey was part of the Green Eagles team that secured Nigeria’s first AFCON title with a 3-0 victory over Algeria at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 22, 1980. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching and managed several clubs, including Calabar Rovers, Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions, Flash Flamingoes, Akwa United, and Wikki Tourists. His passing brings the number of deceased members of the 1980 squad to nine.

 MAN STEALING TV SETS, FRIDGE OTHER ELECTRONICS FROM MAKURDI HOMES CAUGHT 14th April, 2025    Example of your good neighbor turn bad. This guy go around looking for cheap apartments to rent, he stays in for days without proper moving in just to monitors other tenant's moves and strike comfortably.  In his current house, when he moved in other tenant's properties like fridge, generator, TV started missing. Luck ran out of him yesterday when tenants discovered his evil act. Don't be victim of this guy. Zoom and see his face very well. Culled from Zege'Orkwande facebook post.  More photos below. 

 I CAN'T GUARANTEE SAFETY OF ANYONE VISITING BENUE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE - GOV. ALIA  14th April, 2025     |      2:22 PM Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has warned that he would not guarantee the safety of any person or group coming to the state without his knowledge. He urged those considering such visits to reconsider their decision in their interest and safety. The governor also cautioned anyone planning to visit the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps in the state to get prior approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, before embarking on such visits. This was contained in a statement issued Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula with the caption “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State.” Part of the statement read: “The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, wishes to inform the public that he is not expecting any August visitor to the state today. “He is current...

 In a major wildlife trafficking crackdown, 11 Tokay Geckos were rescued by authorities in Dibrugarh, Assam, India.  The operation was carried out with the help of intelligence shared by the Wildlife Justice Commission South Asia and coordinated efforts from the Assam Forest Department and Dibrugarh Police. The geckos, which are often illegally traded due to false medicinal claims, are reportedly worth over ₹60 lakhs in the black market. Three people involved in the trafficking have been arrested, and the vehicles used to transport the animals have been seized. Tokay Geckos are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, and trading or keeping them is strictly illegal. Authorities are continuing the investigation to find out more about the wildlife trafficking network involved. Officials confirmed that all 11 geckos are safe and will soon be released back into their natural habitat. They also reminded the public that capturing or trading wild animals is a serious cr...

 EFCC Arrests 19 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin City Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday April 12, 2025 arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Benin City, Edo State. The suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. Items recovered from them included five exotic cars and smartphones. They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT  PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDEMNS LATEST ATTACK IN PLATEAU, CHARGES GOVERNOR MUTFWANG WITH RESOLVING UNDERLYING COMMUNAL ISSUES President Bola Tinubu expresses profound sorrow over the recent bloodshed in Plateau State, a tragedy that has claimed the lives of over 40 individuals. He strongly condemns the violence and extends his sympathies to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the state government, and the people of Plateau while urging him to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis and establish enduring peace. In his call for harmony among the people of Plateau State, President Tinubu emphasises the importance of love and unity beyond religious and ethnic lines. He encourages community, spiritual, and political leaders within and beyond the state to unite and end the cycle of retaliatory attacks that have made life unbearable for affected communities.  "The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings be...

 COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AFTER ITS 2025/4TH MEETING HELD IN IBADAN ON MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2025 The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) held its 2025/4th Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, and resolved the following; 1. Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027. 2. The Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba on the issue of the National Secretary of the party, but in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment, Forum resolved to recommend that the Deputy National Secretary acts as National Secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a Substantive Secretary from the South East Zone and NEC respectively at its next meeting. 3. The Forum re...

 Mississippi Deacon remembered as a hero after he lost his life during a shooting at a church Easter egg hunt. The Empowerment Ministries Christian Center was holding a family Easter egg hunt at Godin Sports Complex on April 12th when tragedy struck.  While families enjoyed their day, and children searched for eggs an argument erupted between 24-year-old Tyran Gable and the mother of his child. The disagreement reportedly stemmed from a child custody dispute.  This is when 39-year-old Eddie Shed did what came natural to him. Eddie and another parishioner attempted to intervene. As Eddie and the unidentified parishioner were trying to de-escalate the situation, Tyran Gable pulled out a gun and opened fire.  Officers arrived on scene at 2:05 p.m. and discovered Eddie and the unidentified parishioner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. First responders immediately began rendering aid to the victims. Sadly, Eddie was pronounced deceased at the scene. The unidentified...

  ‘It’s Constitutional,’ women protest in support of Rivers Emergency Rule The political crisis in Rivers has taken a new turn as a coalition of women groups stormed the streets of Port Harcourt in support of the emergency rule in the oil-rich state.  The women who were dressed in white marched from the Garrison Flyover to the Isaac Boro Cark and were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “State of Emergency is Constitutional”, “We Don’t Want Fubara,” among others. They were led by a former Commissioner for Social Welfare in Rivers, Ifeyinwa Aguma, who is an ally of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. The protesters threw their weight behind Ibok-Ette Ibas, who President Bola Tinubu appointed as the administrator of the state. They urged him to continue his good work in the state. Monday’s protest is coming on the heels of last week’s women’s demonstration in favour of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended by Tinubu owing to the political crisis in the sta...

 Indonesia Detains Three Judges Over Palm Oil Bribery Scandal Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office has detained three judges—Agam Syarif Baharuddin, Ali Muhtarom, and Djuyamto—over allegations of accepting bribes to acquit firms in a high-profile illegal palm oil export case. The judges allegedly received over 22.5 billion rupiah ($1.5 million) to favor Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group, despite their involvement in violating a 2022 export ban. The arrests raise the number of suspects in the case to seven, including court officials and defense attorneys. The AGO said the scandal caused state losses of $10.9 million during Indonesia’s cooking oil crisis.

 Algeria Expels 12 French Diplomats Amid Escalating Tensions with Paris Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country within 48 hours, intensifying a diplomatic rift sparked by France’s indictment of three Algerian nationals—one reportedly a consular official—over the 2024 abduction of anti-government influencer Amir Boukhors (Amir DZ). French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the expulsion on Monday, urging Algeria to reconsider, warning of reciprocal action. Algiers condemned the arrests as politically motivated and accused France of undermining efforts to restore bilateral ties. The move threatens recent attempts by both nations to mend relations strained by past disputes over migration, regional politics, and colonial history.

 Ekiti Court Sentences Two to Death for Kidnapping, Armed Robbery An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two men, Onileowo Rotimi and Adetola Ayodele, both 42, to death by hanging for armed robbery and kidnapping. The duo was also handed life imprisonment for conspiracy. The court found them guilty of robbing Mrs. Ajibola Oyelola on October 7, 2016, at Abuta, Omuo Ekiti, and kidnapping her the same day. The offences violated sections of the Ekiti State Criminal Code and Kidnapping and Terrorism (Prohibition) Laws. Testifying, the victim said she was abducted from her home by five armed men, blindfolded, and held captive in the forest for eight days. Her husband eventually paid a ransom of ₦600,000 for her release. Prosecutor Akinola Abon presented four witnesses and the defendants’ statements. The convicts, who admitted to meeting in prison before committing the crimes, presented no defense. Justice Bamidele Omotoso ruled that the prosecution had proved its ca...

 GenCos Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over ₦4trn Debt Power generation companies (GenCos) have warned of an imminent shutdown of power plants nationwide due to an outstanding ₦4 trillion debt owed by the Federal Government. In a statement released on Monday by Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), the GenCos revealed they are owed ₦2 trillion for electricity supplied in 2024 and ₦1.9 trillion in legacy debts. They lamented receiving less than 30% of their monthly invoices, citing severe cash flow constraints, regulatory hurdles, and inadequate government budgetary allocation for the sector. The companies warned that failure to urgently address the liquidity crisis could lead to national grid collapse and security challenges, urging immediate action and a clear debt repayment plan.

 Libyan Police Arrest Three Nigerians for Drug Trafficking Libyan authorities have arrested three Nigerian nationals in Samnu, Murzuq district, for alleged drug trafficking, according to Migrant Rescue Watch. The suspects were caught with hashish reportedly prepared for sale and have been handed over to the public prosecution. The arrests come amid intensified security efforts in southern Libya, a region known for smuggling and trafficking due to its porous borders.

 Building Under Construction Collapses in Lagos, Two Rescued The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed the rescue of two men from the rubble of a collapsed building under construction on Agarawu Street, near Aroloya Central Mosque in Idumota, Lagos Island. According to Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Monday. The agency’s response team from its Lekki base arrived promptly after receiving a distress call via the emergency lines. The victims received first aid treatment from the LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Unit. No fatalities have been reported so far. The scene has been secured by law enforcement, while investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse. Search and rescue operations have now concluded.

 Clarification on NBA AGC 2025 Hosting and Rivers State Government’s Support The attention of the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee has been drawn to comments attributed to the Administrator of Rivers State, suggesting that the state government paid for hosting rights of the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2025 AGC. We wish to make it clear that the decision to hold the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024. This decision was not the outcome of a bidding process, nor was it tied to any form of hosting rights or financial obligations from any state. The NBA does not confer or sell hosting rights, nor is there any representation that the conference must be held in any specific city. As is customary, due to the significant cost of organizing the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee routinely seeks support from public and private organizations—including state governments—on an unconditional basis. These contributions are considered goodwill gestures a...

 Rivers Demands ₦300m Refund from NBA Over Conference Relocation Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (rtd), has demanded a refund of ₦300 million from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu. The NBA had cited the state of emergency and collapse of democratic structures in Rivers as reasons for the move. In response, Ibas criticized the association for failing to return the funds paid for hosting rights, urging the NBA to uphold its claimed principles by issuing a prompt refund.

 LGAs/LCDAs Are Foundation Of Development, 'You Cannot Develop Nigeria Without LGA' - Mayor Dele Oshinowo • Bags Vanguard Grassroots Development Icon of the Year  By Oki Samson Political leaders from Kosofe Federal Constituency, House of Assembly members, the Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, All Progressives Congress (APC) Party leaders from Agboyi-Ketu, the Council management, friends, family, and relatives thronged the venue of the Vanguard Newspaper's 2025 Vanguard Personality of the Yea Award to congratulate the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo who emerged as the winner of the Vanguard Grassroots Governance Icon of the Year Award, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report. This award is in recognition of his exemplary grassroots political leadership style, demonstration of excellence in infrastructural development and provisions of good governance and dividend of democracy for the people of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, pr...

 Peter  Obi Visits Bokkos Attack Victims in Plateau, Donates ₦7.5 Million for Relief Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi visited victims and families affected by the recent killings in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday, expressing grief over the “senseless violence.” The 63-year-old, in a statement shared on his official X handle on Monday, called the attacks “utterly unacceptable” in a country not at war. Obi traveled from Abuja to Jos to show solidarity with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the people of Plateau State. During his visit to Bokkos, he met with displaced persons, children, and survivors, lamenting the scale of destruction. “Nigerians should not be killed or forced to flee their homes when we are not at war. Every life is precious,” he said, offering condolences to the affected families and communities. The former Anambra governor announced a ₦7.5 million donation to support displaced children, education continuity, and other ne...

 APC Chieftain Warns Wike Against Meddling in Bayelsa Politics, Urges Respect for Ijaw Peaceful Nature Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of the APC Legacy media team, has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to refrain from interfering in Bayelsa State politics. In a statement released over the weekend in Port Harcourt, Eze cautioned Wike against mistaking the peaceful nature of the Ijaw people for weakness, emphasizing that Bayelsans do not engage in politics marked by betrayal, gangsterism, or bitterness. Eze accused Wike of plotting to destabilize Governor Douye Diri’s administration by importing political violence and thuggery into Bayelsa, similar to the recent suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers by President Bola Tinubu. He described Wike’s alleged plan to incite violence in Bayelsa, potentially leading to another state of emerg...

 NFF Denies Owing Late Super Eagles Captain Christian Chukwu $128,000 The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted social media claims that it owes the late former Super Eagles captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, $128,000. Chukwu, fondly known as “Chairman,” passed away on Saturday. In a statement released on Monday, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi dismissed the allegations as baseless, asserting that the federation’s financial records show no outstanding debt to Chukwu. “During the first term of the Amaju Pinnick-led Board, a committee was established to thoroughly review claims of unpaid wages to coaches, including debts inherited from previous administrations. To the best of our knowledge, there is no record of indebtedness to Christian Chukwu,” Sanusi said. Chukwu, who captained Nigeria to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations title, served as head coach of the Super Eagles from 2002 to 2005, before being sacked after a 1-1 draw against Angola in a FIFA World Cup quali...

 NPFL Fines Nasarawa United N6m, Banishes Team to Gombe After Fan Attack on Player The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a N6 million fine on Nasarawa United for failing to provide adequate security during their matchday 33 clash against Plateau United, which ended in a 3-2 victory for the hosts. The NPFL also ordered the Solid Miners to play their remaining home matches this season at Pantami Stadium in Gombe, following an incident where Plateau United forward Vincent Temitope was attacked by a home supporter. Nasarawa United has been directed to identify the culprit responsible for causing bodily harm to Temitope and provide evidence of their legal prosecution. Additionally, the club must implement effective matchday security and crowd control measures and submit a plan to the NPFL board before they can return to Lafia City Stadium in future seasons. The Lafia-based club has 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions.

 Rivers State Chief Magistrate Resigns Over Appointment of Sole Administrator Chief Magistrate Ejike George of the Rivers State Judiciary has resigned, citing his discomfort with the recent appointment of a Sole Administrator to govern the state, which he described as a “quasi-military administration.” George, who has served 16 years in the judiciary, announced his voluntary retirement in a letter dated April 11, 2025, addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission. In the letter titled ‘Voluntary Retirement From Service,’ George expressed dismay over the state’s governance direction, calling it “alien” and “antithetical” to the values of the legal profession. “This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern state like ours,” he wrote. He added, “Having put in 16 out of my 22 years o...

 SPEECH OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ANAMBRA STATE CP IKIOYE ORUTUGU FWC MINPS PHD ON THE LANUCH OF _OPERATION UDO GA CHI - ZERO KIDNAPPING AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE STATE_ BY THE POLICE AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES  AT AMAWBIA FLYOVER, AWKA ON 14TH APRIL 2025 Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the Press. The purpose of this Press Briefing today 14th April 2025 is to let Ndi Anambra and residents know after a review and evaluation of policing capabilities to nip in the bud serious crimes like Armed robbery, kidnapping, and other related situations, especially within this Easter period and beyond. The Police as the lead agency in internal security have emplaced an Operation code-named _*Operation Udo ga chi Zero Kidnapping and Other Violent Crimes in the State*_, a proactive template to assuage the fear of the unknown to effectively police the State by encouraging the great people of Anambra State to come home en-masse for this festive period.  Let us reiterate th...

 South Africa appoints a special US envoy after its ambassador was expelled South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a former deputy finance minister as a special envoy to the United States on Monday after the ambassador was expelled last month by the Trump administration, AP reported. Ramaphosa said Mcebisi Jonas’ appointment would help South Africa rebuild its relationship with the U.S., which has deteriorated swiftly since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has accused the Black-led South African government of mistreating a white minority at home and also criticized its foreign policy as anti-American. He signed an executive order in February cutting U.S. funding to South Africa over those issues. Trump continued his criticism in a Truth Social post this weekend, when he said the U.S. did not want to attend the Group of 20 summit this year if it were held in South Africa, as scheduled. South Africa holds the rotational presidency of the G20 group of developed and...

 Eight Kwara TESCOM Applicants Disqualified Over Failed Drug Tests Eight out of 1,800 shortlisted candidates for teaching roles under the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) have been disqualified after testing positive for banned substances. TESCOM Press Secretary, Sam Onile, revealed this in a statement on Monday, quoting the Commission’s Chairman, Bello Abubakar. The affected candidates tested positive for drugs including tramadol, marijuana, benzodiazepine, cotinine, and amphetamine. The tests were conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with the support of the state government. Abubakar said the disqualified applicants will be replaced by the next best-performing candidates from their respective local governments. “This underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance on drug abuse,” the statement read. “We cannot risk exposing schoolchildren to such influences.” The TESCOM chairman also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for champio...

 Portable Remanded in Ilorin Prison Over Bail Violations Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, known as Portable, is currently remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin after failing to meet strict bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court. Portable, who faces charges of defamation, was granted bail on Monday for ₦1 million on the condition that he provide two sureties of the same amount. One surety must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must be a property owner in an Ilorin Government Reserved Area, as verified by a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Despite his bail, the “Zazoo Zeh” crooner was unable to immediately satisfy these requirements. The case, registered under FIR 117(1) CPC, stems from a petition filed by fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa (aka Osupa) on March 21, 2025. Osupa alleges that on March 19, Portable made defamatory remarks during a live Instagram broadcast, accusing Osu...

 FG reaffirms commitment to North-East inclusion in Agro-Industrial Project amid exclusion claims The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has dismissed concerns raised by the North-East Caucus of the National Assembly regarding the alleged exclusion of the region from the Federal Government's flagship agricultural initiative the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) program. The minister of agriculture and food security Sen. Abubakar Kyari made the clarification over the weekend while briefing the media. He noted that the North-East is not only included in the SAPZ program, but that several states from the region have already met the eligibility criteria for the second phase of the project. The response comes on the heels of public criticisms sparked by the recent groundbreaking ceremonies in Kaduna and Cross River states. Setting the Record Straight The Ministry emphasized that the SAPZ program, initially launched in 2022 following a conceptual design proces...

 FG, FAO, and Stakeholders launch “Nourishing Nigeria” Initiative to combat malnutrition In a bold move to tackle the rising challenge of malnutrition and food insecurity, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and key stakeholders to kick off the implementation of the “Nourishing Nigeria” project. The project was formally introduced during a strategic inception workshop held in Abuja. The workshop brought together players from various sectors to align on a roadmap for deploying nutrition-sensitive agriculture across the country. Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Director of Agricultural Lands and Climate Change Management Services, Oshadiya Olanipeku, emphasized the project's goal: to review and update the Agriculture Sector Food and Nutrition Strategy (ASFSNS) in line with evolving national and global standards. Olanipeku e...

 Boko Haram Resurges: 300 Killed in 252 Attacks in Borno — Ndume Senator Ali Ndume has raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno State, revealing that over 300 people, including 100 soldiers, have been killed in 252 incidents within six months. Speaking in Abuja, Ndume said the security crisis prompted Governor Babagana Zulum to lead a delegation, including lawmakers, to meet with the military high command. He disclosed that three local governments—Gudumbari, Marte, and Abadam—are now under Boko Haram control. Ndume stressed that despite being overstretched, the military has neutralized over 800 terrorists, but more support is urgently needed to contain the insurgency.

 Hollywood on Edge as China Plans to Cut U.S. Film Imports Amid Tariff Tensions Hollywood is facing fresh uncertainty as China signals plans to scale back American film imports in response to escalating U.S. tariffs, Chinese journalist He Beiping has revealed. According to reports, Beiping noted that the shift comes as China expands its global film partnerships, recently signing a cooperation deal with Spain. The move, backed by China’s National Film Administration, has rattled U.S. studios like Disney and Warner Bros Discovery, whose shares have already dipped amid fears of reduced market access. While China remains a key global box office, Beiping warns that Washington’s trade policies may be undermining its own success in film and tech services—sectors heavily reliant on foreign markets. He added that China’s new multilateral approach, prioritizing mutual benefit, marks the end of U.S. dominance in global content distribution.

 Gabon's leader Nguema elected president with 90.35% of vote, interior minister says Brice Oligui Nguema, who led a coup in Gabon in August 2023, won Saturday's presidential election with 90.35% of votes cast, according to provisional results, the Central African country's interior minister said on Sunday, Reuters reported. The result cements Nguema's grip on power 19 months after the coup ended more than half a century of rule by the Bongo family in Gabon, an oil producer with a population of around 2.5 million. Nguema's most prominent opponent in the eight-candidate race was Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, who was serving as prime minister under President Ali Bongo at the time of the coup. Nze, 57, finished with 3.02% of the total, according to the provisional results announced. Campaigning in a baseball cap bearing his "We Build Together" slogan, Nguema pitched himself as a change agent cracking down on the corrupt old guard. He vowed to diversify the oil-re...