PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 NYC jewelry heist carried out by thieves wearing construction outfits At least three men dressed as construction workers broke into a Queens home and stole $3.2 million in jewelry along with a safe, authorities said. The burglary occurred at 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 16 near 160th Street and 84th Drive in the Jamaica Hills neighborhood. Police said the suspects forced open the back door and fled in a blue sedan. Surveillance footage shows the men approaching the house in construction-style outfits before leaving with the stolen items. It was unclear if anyone was home, but no injuries were reported. Authorities are seeking tips from the public to identify the suspects. The theft comes just days before a separate high-profile heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where thieves stole crown jewels valued at over $100 million. The Louvre investigation has already led to arrests, while police continue to probe the Queens burglary.

 Sean 'Diddy' Combs requests fast-tracked appeal Sean "Diddy" Combs is asking a federal appeals court to fast-track his appeal of his conviction on two prostitution-related charges, saying his prison sentence could be completed before a normal appeal schedule is finished. Combs is challenging both the conviction and his more than four-year sentence. Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro said in a court filing that an accelerated briefing and argument timeline is essential to prevent the appeal from becoming moot while it is pending. She noted that Combs has already served roughly 14 months of his 50-month sentence, with his remaining time uncertain due to potential reductions. The Bureau of Prisons has listed Combs’ projected release date from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as May 8, 2028, though that date is subject to change. Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution following an eight-week trial in July. He was...

 More protests in Tanzania's main city after chaotic election Police in Tanzania fired tear gas and gunshots on Thursday to disperse groups of protesters who returned to the streets a day after a general election marred by violent demonstrations, witnesses said, Reuters reported. Protests broke out in commercial capital Dar es Salaam and other cities during the vote on Wednesday over the exclusion of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's two biggest challengers from the presidential race, as well as what demonstrators say is increasing government repression. Police ordered an overnight curfew in Dar es Salaam, a city of more than seven million people, after government offices and other buildings were set ablaze. Internet access, disrupted during the election, appeared to be returning intermittently on Thursday. Tito Magoti, a Tanzanian human rights activist, told Reuters he had received reports of at least five deaths in Wednesday's protests. A diplomatic source, who asked not to...

 SENATE SCREENS AND CONFIRMS DR DORO AS MINISTER Senate has screened and confirmed Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dr Doro from Plateau state was nominated last week by President Bola Tinubu. The minister holds degrees in pharmacy and law and masters degree in business strategy and advanced clinical practice. He is the third person appointed as minister from Plateau state under the current administration.  First to be appointed was Simon Lalong who later won a court case and proceeded to the senate. Also appointed was Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who also later vacated the ministerial seat, after being appointed the National Chairman of the ruling APC.

 NSCDC TO DEPLOY 10,250 PERSONNEL FOR ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has assured the public of a peaceful and hitch-free Governorship Election in Anambra State on Saturday, November 8, 2025.  The National Spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, quoted the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, as saying that 10,250 operatives, including Tactical Teams from the National Headquarters and neighboring states, have been deployed to provide maximum security before, during, and after the polls. The statement reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to working in synergy with the Nigeria Police and other sister agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure the safety of voters, electoral materials, and officials.  It further assured residents of Anambra that the Corps remains resolute in maintaining law and order while upholding the fundamental rights of citizens throughout the exercise.

 AVM SUNDAY ANEKE TAKES OVER AS 23RD CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF The Nigerian Air Force  witnessed a landmark transition of leadership as Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke officially assumed duty as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Aneke describes his appointment as a tremendous privilege and a solemn duty, pledging to lead with humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to national security.  He reaffirms the unflinching loyalty of the Nigerian Air Force to the President, the Constitution, and the Nigerian people, assuring that under his leadership, the NAF would remain Willing, Able, and Ready to safeguard the nation’s airspace, strengthen inter-service synergy, and deliver the security architecture vital to Nigeria’s peace, progress, and transformation. With the formal handover complete, the Nigerian Air Force ushers in a new era under the leadership of Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, one defined by continui...

 Wife Of Ebonyi State Governor, Registers Additional 10,000 Pregnant Women For Free Antenatal/ Postnatal Care. As part of her contribution to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Ebonyi State, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has launched the second phase of her baby showers initiative by registering ten thousand pregnant women into the state health insurance scheme for free antenatal and postnatal care. Caleb ogbonna reports that this brings the total number of pregnant women registered under the scheme, to fourteen thousand and seventy eight.

 Bandits Abduct Anglican Priest, Wife In Kaduna Community Suspected bandits have abducted an Anglican priest, Reverend Edwin Achi, alongside his wife, Mrs. Sarah Achi, during an early morning attack on Nissi village in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. A member of the Anglican Church of Nigeria confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, revealing that the armed men stormed the community and whisked the couple away from their residence before dawn. The source expressed concern that the attack had not been widely reported, adding that the situation reflected the deepening insecurity facing residents in the area. “The bandits invaded Nissi village and took away Reverend Achi and his wife. Sadly, incidents like this are happening too often, yet many of them never make it to the news,” the source lamented.

 Northerners Visit Ex-CDS Gen. Christopher Musa’s Residence To Celebrate And Show Support A large number of well-wishers from across Northern Nigeria have continued to visit the Abuja residence of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (rtd), to celebrate and express their support for the retired military leader. The visits, which began shortly after his retirement, have seen a steady stream of traditional rulers, youth organizations, and political associates trooping to his home. The gatherings have been marked by an atmosphere of goodwill and celebration, as visitors commended General Musa for his distinguished service to the nation and his outstanding leadership in the Nigerian Armed Forces. Eyewitnesses described scenes of warmth and camaraderie, with many praising the retired general as a patriot who made immense contributions to national security and unity. Others offered prayers for his continued success and good health in his post-service life. The su...

 LAGOS DSVA TRAINS CUSTOMARY COURT PRESIDENTS ON SGBV  The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) on Thursday, 23rd October 2025, organised a one-day capacity-building workshop for 65 Customary Court Presidents on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.               The training was designed to enhance participants’ understanding of existing SGBV laws, policies, and referral mechanisms, while strengthening their competence in delivering survivor-centered justice within customary court  In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, commended the Customary Court Presidents for their dedication to upholding justice.                                              ...

 HEFAMAA INTENSIFIES WAR AGAINST QUACKERY AMONG HEALTH FACILITIES IN ETI-OSA The Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has intensified its campaign against quackery and unlicensed medical practice with a renewed sensitisation drive and town hall meeting held in Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The Town Hall Meeting was organised in collaboration with the World Bank and the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project. Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Mrs. Oladunni Omonike, Deputy Director, Health Education, reiterated the Agency’s determination to safeguard public health through continuous monitoring, accreditation, and regulation of health facilities across Lagos State. “HEFAMAA was established in 2006 under the Health Sector Reform Law to ensure that all health facilities operate within approved guidelines, are properly staff...

 Eight casualties recorded in multiple-vehicle crash on Lagos-Ibadan expressway Multiple-vehicle crash involving several trucks and a container-laden trailer has caused a fire outbreak and traffic gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, around Kara Bridge inward Mowe, Ogun state today October 30.  Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the crash led to “a major fire outbreak” and “severe traffic congestion” along the busy route. According to the agency, the accident involved a truck and a container-laden trailer that went up in flames, another truck that spilled its load of cartons of biscuits onto the road, and a separate container truck that crashed into the bridge barrier, causing its carrier to fall into the river. “There’s a report of a multiple road crash where a truck and a container-laden trailer were in flames, another truck spilling its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, a container-laden truck ran ont...

 Pump price to increase as President Tinubu approves 15 percent Import Duty on petrol, diesel imports President Bola Tinubu has approved a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The approval was conveyed in a letter dated October 21, 2025, by Damilotun Aderemi, the President’s Private Secretary, to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The President’s decision followed a request from the FIRS to apply the 15 percent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value, aimed at aligning import costs with domestic realities. With the implementation of the new import duty, the price of petrol is expected to rise by an estimated N99.72 per litre. Following the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) disclosed that it has commenced a comprehensive review of the nation’s three petroleum refineries to bring the...

 THE JUST COMMISSIONED UMUENE MAGISTRATE COURT IN ABIA STATE.  Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has just commisioned the newly rebuilt ultra-modern court complex in Umuene, Isiala Ngwa south Local Government Area, Abia State. This project is one of the 16 new Court Complexes currently nearing completion under Alex Otti's administration which is a clear demonstration of his commitment towards strengthening the justice system of the state. By merely looking at the 'before and after' pictures, we need no soothsayer to tell of Governore Otti's great works.  In less than 3years, there is no sector that his administration has not touched!.  More photos below. 

 President Tinubu to service chiefs: We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer SPEECH BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR AT THE DECORATION OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED SERVICE CHIEFS DELIVERED AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, ON OCTOBER 30, 2025 PROTOCOL Distinguished Service chiefs, 1. I congratulate you on your appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. As your Commander-in-Chief, I am entrusting you with a tremendous responsibility—one that you must approach with the highest standards of commitment and dedication. 2. Today's ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration. It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task. Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet. Our people and our nation must remain secure to e...

 I will end Insecurity in Anambra Within Two Months of Assumption of Office- Jude Ezenwafor The governorship candidate of the People's Democratic party, Jude Ezenwafor, has assured Anambra residents that insecurity in the state will be eliminated within the first two months of his administration if elected. He made this known during his interview with BBC News Igbo when asked what he will do for Anambra people. Speaking on his experience in security management, Ezenwafor recalled his tenure as Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, during which he said the state recorded significant security improvements. According to him, Anambra became one of the safest states in the country under his watch, attracting attention from national security agencies. “During my time as SSA on Security, the Army and Police came to Anambra to study the template we were using,” he stated. He emphasized that security is achieved through practical action rather than rhetoric. “Security of a state is ...

 I will collaborate with the federal government to Deepen River Niger for ndi Anambra and  Southeast economic growth- Nicholas Ukachukwu Nikolas Ukachukwu the Governorship candidate for the All progressives Congress APC, has reaffirmed his commitment to fostering stronger collaboration between Anambra State and the Federal Government if elected governor. He reaffirmed this during his interactive session with BBC News Igbo  Ukachukwu stated that with the All Progressives Congress (APC) currently leading at the national level, his administration would leverage that relationship to pursue strategic infrastructural development, including the deepening of the River Niger at Onitsha. According to him, dredging the waterway to allow ships access into the Southeast will open new economic opportunities, enhance regional commerce, and create a more enabling environment not only for the people of Anambra State but for the entire Igbo nation. He emphasized that unlocking the maritime...

 Election Will Not Take Place In Two Polling Units in the upcoming Anambra Election - Prof Amupitan (INEC Chairman) The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has announced that voting will not take place in two polling units during the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.  According to him, the decision was made because there are no registered voters in those polling units, making it unnecessary to deploy electoral materials or staff there. Professor Amupitan made this clarification on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in preparation for the Anambra governorship polls. 

 The entire Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The defection was announced Today by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, who read the lawmakers’ letters of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party during plenary. The event was witnessed by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah. The defectors said they decided to dump their former political platforms due to what they described as unresolved internal crises threatening the stability of the opposition parties. After the 2023 general election, the Labour Party won seven of the eight House of Representatives seats in Enugu State, while the PDP secured one. With this development, the APC now controls the entire Enugu caucus in the House of Representatives. Addressing journalists after their defection, the spokesman of the defectors and member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Nnolim Nnaji, said their deci...

 Valentine Ozigbo Rejects Supreme Court Ruling, Says “We Will Not Bow to Darkness”  Former Anambra governorship candidate, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has reacted strongly to the Supreme Court judgment in the case between him and businessman Nicholas Ukachukwu over who should be the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in Anambra. In a statement issued on Monday, Ozigbo described the ruling as a “deep wound to Nigeria’s democracy” and alleged that the court came under “intense pressure from anti-democratic forces.” He claimed that his legal team was prevented from fully presenting their arguments and suggested that the verdict was delivered without proper hearing. “Our lawyers were silenced and our case — a case of truth, merit, and hope — was denied a hearing,” Ozigbo stated. “They announced their verdict without listening, decided without examining, and declared without conscience.” Despite expressing disappointment, Ozigbo vowed to continue what he called a struggle for ju...

 "I chose to marry early because I have all it takes to do so"- Kosisochukwu Augustine Ibemesi Kosisochukwu Augustine Ibemesi a young Igbo entrepreneur also known as Alusi awkuzu global, while responding to a question on why he chose early marriage, emphasized that starting a family has no universal formula. According to him, he married early purely out of personal conviction and readiness.  “I chose to marry early because I had what it takes to do so, and I was prepared for the responsibilities that come with it,” he said. Ibemesi noted that early marriage is a matter of personal choice, not a mandatory life milestone. Many people remain unmarried even into their 40s and 50s, not due to lack of capacity, but because marriage may not be a priority for them. He further stressed that anyone who chooses marriage must be mentally, emotionally, and financially prepared. A stable source of income, he said, is crucial to supporting a family. Marriage should not result in dependence ...

 Hurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaving Caribbean with major humanitarian and recovery challenges Traffic snarled as stoplights lay among piles of debris, trees and power lines lay in ruin, and streets became rivers. Entire communities were swept away by fierce winds and floodwaters, according to satellite imagery. Jamaica awoke Thursday to scenes of widespread devastation, nearly 48 hours after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island as the most powerful storm in its history and one of the strongest ever recorded. The United Nations described the damage as unprecedented. Cuba also faced significant impacts, with homes collapsed and roads blocked, as roughly 735,000 people had spent the night in shelters, though the full extent of the destruction remains unclear. Melissa, with winds that once reached 185 mph, has killed at least seven people in Jamaica and 27 across the Caribbean this week. By Thursday morning, the storm was moving toward the Bahamas and Bermuda as a still-dang...

 30-year-old woman dies after drinking margarita laced with cleaning product ELGIN, OKLAHOMA - Holly Hill, a 30-year-old mother of three and teacher from Elgin, Oklahoma, has died following an incident in which she was served a cocktail containing an industrial cleaning product. The incident occurred during a Valentine’s Day dinner in 2023 at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill. Hill reportedly noticed something was wrong after taking a sip of her second margarita. “Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” her mother, Kelly Hunter, said. Hill immediately ran to the bathroom, vomiting and rinsing her mouth with water. In the aftermath, Hill made multiple trips to the emergency room due to severe chemical burns that left a large hole in her esophagus. In October, doctors found some improvement but noted the injury had not fully healed, requiring ongoing tube feeding and further medical evaluation. Hill died shortly after her last update. The Elgin Police Depar...

 Bus carrying dozens of high school students overturns in Missouri en route to FFA convention LACLEDE COUNTY, MISSOURI - Ten high school students were treated for minor injuries after the bus they were traveling on to the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention overturned in rural Missouri on Wednesday. The bus, carrying roughly 50 students from Bolivar, Fair Play, and Dadeville schools, was traveling on Highway A near Phillipsburg, about 40 miles from Springfield, when it slid off a curvy road in heavy rain and tipped onto its side, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. The 10 students transported for medical care were reported to have only minor injuries, while the rest were taken to Conway High School for shelter and reunification with their families. The students had been en route to Indianapolis for the convention. Conway Schools staff quickly stepped in after learning of the crash around 8 a.m., providing blankets, dry clothes, snacks, and even a therapy dog f...

 Russia increases alert after Trump calls for resuming nuclear weapons tests President Donald Trump’s call for the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing after a more than 30-year moratorium has drawn a cautious response from Russia, with the Kremlin warning Thursday that it would “act accordingly” if the Cold War-era testing ban were broken. Trump, ahead of his high-profile talks with China’s President Xi Jinping in Asia, said he instructed the Pentagon—referred to by him as the “Department of War”—to restart nuclear testing. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote that the U.S. has the most nuclear weapons in the world, followed by Russia and China, and that testing would begin “on an equal basis” due to other countries’ programs. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to the announcement, emphasizing that no nuclear tests were known to be occurring elsewhere and that Russia’s recent missile tests, including the Burevestnik long-range cruise missile, did not constit...

 Eight Takeaways from Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris’ CNN Interview on October 28, 2025 1. It’s wrong to characterize Nigeria as a country that does not tolerate religious freedom. It's also wrong to say that everywhere is not safe in Nigeria. Nigeria is indeed a safe country, but we do recognize that we have security challenges in the Northeast. Once upon a time, some of the territories around the Northeast were taken over by Boko Haram. That is no longer the case. 2. Some of the claims made by some officials in the United States is based on faulty data — some assumptions that the victims of this religious violence are largely Christian. Yes, there are Christians being attacked. But these criminals do not just target one religion, they target Christians, they also target Muslims. 3. For the record, we want to say that Nigeria is a very tolerant country when it comes to religion. We don't want these dangerous narratives to go on because criminal...

 Illinois- Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson has been found guilty of second-degree homicide in the death of Sonya Massey. Sean Grayson shot an unarmed Sonya Massey three times in July of 2024.  His trial was moved to Peoria, Illinois. Many people in the community believed the jury would not deliberate for long and they were correct. The jury deliberated for just 12 hours before handing over the guilty verdict.  We will update with his sentencing when it occurs. His sentencing could include prison time for 4 to 20 years, or probation, fines, and home confinement. We are very curious to see what his sentence will be.  Grayson does have third stage colon cancer. He is treated for it regularly.  Rest in peace, Sonya Massey. All of her family members that I have met are wonderful people. They deserve closure.

 Paramilitary RSF admits committing 'violations' in Sudan's Al Fasher Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has acknowledged "violations" by its forces in Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, claiming that investigation committees have been formed and deployed to the city. "I see that excesses happened in Al Fasher, and I hereby announce the formation of investigative committees. These committees have already reached Al Fasher," RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said in a prerecorded video on Telegram, TRT Afrika reported. Sudanese authorities and international organisations have accused the RSF of committing "massacres and humanitarian violations" in Al Fasher, including "summary executions," arbitrary arrests, and displacement of civilians during its assault on the city since Sunday, which it had besieged for over a year. Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al Burhan confirm...

 Arsonists raze warehouse with over N10m prepaid meters in Ondo Suspected arsonists have set ablaze a warehouse belonging to one of the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) accredited by the Ondo State Government under the O’DATIWA Metering Scheme, destroying prepaid meters worth over N10 million. The incident, The Nation learnt, occurred on Monday and leading to the razing of a facility belonging to the Active Achievers Nigeria Limited along Barracks Road, Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.  Not less than 100 Active Energy Prepaid Meters were lost to the inferno. Confirming the incident on Wednesday in a chat, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Henry Akinbola Oyinbo, said residents in the area alerted the firm to the fire outbreak. Oyinbo described the development as a “coordinated blaze”, insisting that the incident was an act of sabotage. “We were informed early on Monday morning that a raging inferno was consuming our warehouse.  “Our Active Energy Prepaid Met...

 From Green Card to Blacklist: Soyinka’s Tumultuous U.S. Journey By Kazeem Ugbodaga The revocation of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka’s United States visa has reopened old debates about citizenship, protest, and the political tensions that define America’s relations with outspoken critics of its leadership. For many, this development marks the culmination of a long and uneasy relationship between the Nobel Laureate and the Donald Trump-era U.S. establishment, a relationship that began to unravel nearly a decade ago when Soyinka famously destroyed his Green Card in protest against Trump’s 2016 presidential victory. Soyinka’s act of “Wolexit” was symbolic. It was his way of expressing disapproval of what he described as Trump’s divisive and discriminatory politics, a stance consistent with his lifelong record of moral resistance to authoritarianism and racial injustice. His protest, carried out on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., drew global attention and polarised public opinion at ...