PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Côte d'Ivoire's president reappoints Robert Beugre Mambe as prime minister Côte d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara has reappointed Robert Beugre Mambe as prime minister, following the resignation of the government in the wake of December’s legislative elections, a presidential decree said on Wednesday. Ouattara tasked Mambe with forming a new government “as soon as possible,” according to the decree that was read in a broadcast, Anadolu Agency reported. The president had accepted the resignations of Mambe and his government on January 7, paving the way for a new government following legislative elections that were held on December 27. Ouattara’s ruling party, Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, secured a majority in the National Assembly, winning 197 of the 255 seats, an equivalent of 77% parliamentary composition. The legislative elections followed presidential polls on October 25, in which Ouattara won a fourth term with nearly 90% of the vote.

 Guinea-Bissau declares December 6, 2026 presidential election date Guinea-Bissau's transitional government has said in a decree published on Wednesday that the country will hold presidential and legislative elections on December 6. "All the conditions for organising free, fair and transparent elections have been met," according to the decree read by transitional president, General Horta N'Tam, in front of the press, AFP reported. The announcement comes two months after the military seized power and follows a transitional charter, published early December, which bars N'Tam from running for election. Just days after Guinea-Bissau held a presidential election in November, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was seeking a second term, was toppled. Additionally, the electoral process was suspended. ECOWAS leaders engage Guinea-Bissau The military said it seized power to "avoid a bloodbath between supporters of the rival presidential candidates." The election...

 Trump says progress possible on Egypt, Ethiopia dam talks US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he believes progress is possible between Egypt and Ethiopia as he resumes efforts to resolve their long-running dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Trump said the dam "basically blocks the Nile River," suggesting that he will "see if I can get" negotiations "back on track." "It's a dangerous thing. They built a dam where somebody is not getting the water that they are supposed to get and that they've gotten for a million years, and all of a sudden the water flow is blocked by a very massive dam," Trump said, as he hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Anadolu Agency reported. "I think we'll be able to get to something about the dam. The dam is a big problem. We'll be able to do something," he added. Dam inauguration Last week, Trump offered to mediate between Cairo and Addis Ababa, with Sisi...

 Billionaire businessman, Deji Adeleke, addresses paternity claims against his son, Davido Dr Deji Adeleke, the billionaire father of singer, David Adeleke aka Davido, has come out to address the paternity claims made against his son, Davido. A young lady based in Ibadan, Ayo Labinjo, has insisted that she had sexual relations with Davido when he visited Ibadan some years ago and that she got pregnant and had a baby girl and that the singer has since refused to take responsibility for the little girl named Anu. Recently, the issue came up online after Anu via her IG page appealed to the singer to carry out a fresh DNA test just so she can be sure he is indeed not her father. Davido in his reaction, said that five DNA tests have been carried out and that all the tests came out negative. Today, Deji Adedeji held a press conference in which he addressed the paternity claims. Watch video below. 

 FCT police arraigns eleven over murder of Arise TV reporter, Somto Maduagwu and her security guard The FCT Police Command today, January 21, arraigned eleven (11) suspects linked to the m#rder of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, Esq., an Anchor, Reporter, and Producer with ARISE News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard,  k!lled during a robbery incident at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on 29th September 2025. A statement from SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the command oday January 21, said the the suspects identified as Shamsu Hassan, ⁠Sani Sirajo, ⁠Hassan Isah, ⁠Abubakar Alkamu, ⁠Abdulsalam Saleh, ⁠Suleiman Badamasi, ⁠Zaharadeen Mohammed, ⁠Musa Umar (aka “Small”), ⁠Mashkur Jamil, ⁠Suleiman Sani and Abubakar Usman, were arraigned on a nine (9) count charge including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.  She said the matter has been adjourned to February 2026 for further proceedings.

 South Africa raised concerns with China over Iran’s participation in naval drills: President Ramaphosa South Africa raised concerns with China over Iran’s participation in recent Chinese-led naval exercises in its waters, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday. “The naval exercises were led by China, and we were just the host waters,” he told reporters. Ramaphosa said China was responsible for organizing the exercises and inviting participants, and Pretoria raised with Beijing “the issue of Iran and said that it would be best that they should withdraw and not participate.” He said South Africa launched a board of inquiry to review the exercises after extensive consultations revealed the need for more information on what occurred and how to respond. “It is a matter that everyone in defense and in government is seized with at the moment,” he noted, Anadolu Agency reported. He said the government prefers to carefully examine “every aspect of everything before just blurting out a...

 Iran’s top diplomat delivers strongest warning yet to US amid protest crackdown  Iran’s foreign minister issued his strongest warning yet to the United States on Wednesday, saying the Islamic Republic would respond with full military force if it comes under renewed attack, as international tensions intensify following Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests. Abbas Araghchi made the remarks as U.S. military activity in and around the Middle East appeared to increase, including the movement of an American aircraft carrier group westward from Asia and the arrival of additional fighter jets and missile systems in the region. Araghchi’s comments came days after his invitation to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos was withdrawn amid outrage over the killings of protesters in Iran. In a written statement, Araghchi downplayed the scale and duration of the unrest, blaming armed demonstrators for the violence and claiming the most intense phase lasted less than three da...

Mercedes-Benz hit with $150 million penalty over emissions cheating Mercedes-Benz has agreed to pay a $150 million settlement after being accused of concealing emission-cheating technology in hundreds of thousands of diesel vehicles sold across the United States. As part of the agreement, eligible consumers who owned or leased affected models will receive $2,000 per vehicle. The settlement resolves claims brought by 48 states and two U.S. territories, which alleged the automaker intentionally equipped its diesel cars and vans with software designed to manipulate emissions testing results. According to the allegations, Mercedes sold more than 211,000 diesel passenger vehicles and vans nationwide that contained so-called “defeat devices.” These software systems were programmed to activate full emissions controls only during laboratory testing conditions, while significantly reducing pollution controls during normal driving. As a result, the vehicles were able to emit nitrogen oxides at l...

 Trump says he will not use force to seize Greenland in Davos address President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, stating that Greenland’s defense ultimately falls to the United States. Trump emphasized his respect for both Greenland and Denmark, but argued that no NATO ally is capable of defending the territory. “No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States. We’re a great power,” he said. He described Greenland as “sitting undefended” and said he is pursuing “immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”

 Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst dies at 70 from pancreatic cancer Rob Hirst, the founder and drummer of Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has died at the age of 70 after a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The band shared the news on social media on Monday, expressing deep grief over the loss. “We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now, there are no words, but there will always be songs. Love always from Jim, Martin & Pete,” they wrote on Instagram. On Facebook, they added that Hirst “fought heroically for almost three years” and passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. The post encouraged those wishing to honor him to donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia, or Support Act. Hirst co-founded Midnight Oil in Sydney in 1972, and the band released their self-titled debut in 1978, followed by Head Injuries in 1979. They went on a nearly 15-year hiatus in 2002 before reuniting in 2016, later releasing their final album, Resist,...

Rachel McAdams receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame  Rachel McAdams was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday for her contributions to motion pictures. The Mean Girls star, 47, celebrated the milestone during a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard and later shared the experience on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I did drop my speech in the gutter right before I went up,” McAdams joked to Kimmel. “Got a little sewage on it, but it was fine.” Her About Time co-star Domhnall Gleeson and director Sam Raimi, who helms her upcoming film Send Help, spoke at the event. McAdams quipped about their remarks, saying, “You have an Irishman and a writer-director. I mean, generally, they can write well.” She added that “half of Canada” came out to support her. McAdams has appeared in a wide range of films, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Spotlight, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Game Night, Mi...

 Being Gordon Ramsay premieres on Netflix Feb. 18 Netflix is set to release the docuseries Being Gordon Ramsay on Feb. 18, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the celebrity chef’s latest venture. A trailer released Wednesday highlights Ramsay tackling what he calls his “most ambitious project” yet: opening 22 Bishopsgate. “Five businesses under one roof… the budget is millions of pounds, and I’m doing that personally,” he says in the preview. The series follows Ramsay over nine months as he faces numerous challenges while bringing the project to life. Viewers will also get unprecedented access to the Ramsay family, showing Gordon balancing his professional obligations with life as a husband to Tana and father to their six children. The docuseries promises an intimate look at both the pressures of running a massive culinary enterprise and the demands of family life.

Assassin of former Japanese prime minister sentenced to life in prison  A Japanese court on Wednesday sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, to life in prison for the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a crime that stunned the nation and exposed long-standing political ties to a controversial religious organization. Yamagami admitted to killing Abe in July 2022 as the former leader delivered a campaign speech in the city of Nara, an attack that shocked Japan, where gun violence is exceedingly rare. Abe, Japan’s longest-serving postwar prime minister and one of its most influential political figures, had stepped down in 2021 but remained active as a lawmaker at the time of his death. Prosecutors sought a life sentence, citing the gravity of the crime and the danger posed to the public at a crowded campaign event, while the defense argued for leniency based on Yamagami’s troubled upbringing. The court ultimately found him guilty and imposed life imprisonment, rejecting calls...

Japan’s TEPCO reactivates nuclear plant after 14 years Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) restarted operations on Wednesday at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world’s largest by output, after roughly 14 years offline. The Niigata Prefecture plant, northwest of Tokyo, resumed activity after 7 p.m. local time. The restart had been scheduled for Tuesday, but a test revealed a faulty alarm during the removal of a control rod in the No. 6 reactor. The issue was corrected, and the Japanese Nuclear Regulatory Authority approved the restart. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the 15th reactor in Japan to resume operations under stringent post-Fukushima safety standards. The plant initially went offline in March 2012 for inspection, and none of its seven reactors had operated due to tighter regulations following the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear disaster in 2011. TEPCO acknowledged that about 60% of workers at the No. 6 and 7 reactors lack prior operational experience, raising safety concerns. To ad...

 Venezuela collects first payments from US oil exports Venezuela received $300 million on Tuesday as the first installment from oil sales to the United States, interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced on social media. The payment is part of a larger $500 million deal announced by President Donald Trump following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Rodriguez said the funds will be routed through Venezuela’s national banking system and the Central Bank to support workers’ purchasing power and stabilize the foreign exchange market amid ongoing inflation. The oil agreement came after negotiations between Caracas and Washington, allowing the U.S. to manage up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude while maintaining control over commercialization and revenue management. Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, emphasized that the legislature aims to pass laws aligned with the country’s new economic reality, including reforms to the Organic La...

 Taylor Swift joins Songwriters Hall of Fame as one of its youngest inductees Taylor Swift has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, making her one of the youngest members ever at 36. The announcement came on Wednesday, placing the global pop star alongside other 2026 honorees, including Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of Kiss, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. Eligibility for the hall requires that a songwriter’s first commercially released work be at least 20 years old. Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” first hit the airwaves in June 2006, qualifying her for consideration. She is now the second youngest living inductee, behind Stevie Wonder, who was 32 when he joined in 1983. For her submission, Swift highlighted hits such as “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “Love Story,” and “The Last Great American Dynasty.” The induction ceremony is scheduled for June 1...

EU pauses US trade deal approval following Trump’s Greenland tariff warning The European Union has suspended work on formally approving a trade deal with the United States, citing escalating threats from President Donald Trump. Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, said the decision comes in response to Trump’s recent tariff threats targeting Greenland, Denmark, and their European allies. “Until the U.S. decides to re-engage on a path of cooperation rather than confrontation, no steps will be taken to move the deal forward,” Lange said, emphasizing that the bloc’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are at stake. The trade agreement, negotiated last July during a meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump in Scotland, included a cap on U.S. tariffs for most European imports at 15%, with some goods, such as generic pharmaceuticals, enjoying full tariff removal. In return, the E.U. would lower tariffs on cert...

 TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI RECORD SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN TIMBUKTU TRIANGLE OPERATIONS; TERRORIST NETWORKS DISRUPTED, VBIED ATTACKS FOILED Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have sustained their advance into the Timbuktu Triangle, recording significant operational gains and further degrading terrorist networks operating within the area. In the latest phase of operations, troops successfully cleared and dominated key terrorist locations across the triangle, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas. During the conduct of these operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them with high volumes of fire, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists.  On 20 January 2026, while consolidating at a harbour area approximately 6 km North of Chilaria, troops encountered 2 Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED). Through vigilance and swift action, one VBIED was successfully neutralised. The secon...

 OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA: TROOPS ELIMINATE TERRORISTS, RESCUE 62 HOSTAGES IN COORDINATED OPERATIONS Troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMM operating under Sector 2 have successfully neutralized 2  terrorists in Kebbi State and rescued 62 hostages in Munhaye Forest of Zamfara State. These operations were conducted in close collaboration with allied security forces and local vigilantes, demonstrating a unified front against banditry and terrorism. In Kebbi State, troops  Acting on actionable intelligence  ambushed members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group  near the border between Augie Local Government Area (Kebbi State) and Binji Local Government Area (Sokoto State). The operation, executed in Kerani Village, resulted in the elimination of 2  terrorists and the recovery of 2  motorcycles used by the insurgents. The 2 terrorists were wearing camouflage uniforms with 2 motorcycles  padded with thick blankets and fitted with equipmen...

 Booysens Court Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Three Injured Two men were shot and killed at Booysens Court on Tuesday following a violent incident outside the court building. Upon arrival at the scene, police found the bodies of two coloured males lying on the stairs at Booysens Court. The deceased were identified as Malcolm Pietersen, also known as “Castar,” the father of Wadey Pietersen, and Jonathan Swartz, also known as “Capone.” Information gathered at the scene indicates that the deceased had attended court to support Miguel Swartz and Quelin Davis, who were appearing on a murder charge linked to Mondeor CAS 85/04/2025. Quelin Davis is alleged to be the driver of the late Ridwaan Morris, also known as “Pannas.” Three other people were injured during the shooting: • Heidi Rochelle Swartz, the mother of Miguel Swartz, who was shot in the upper body • Quelin Davis, who was also shot in the upper body • Paul Liecher, a lawyer, who was shot in the head All three injured victims were r...

 Ogun Launches First-of-Its-Kind AI-Powered Teaching Platform Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has launched a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Teaching and Learning Platform, known as the Ogun Learning Enhancement and Academic Resource Network (OgunLearn), aimed at repositioning the state’s education sector for 21st-century learning. The platform was officially unveiled at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta. Speaking at the launch, Governor Abiodun said OgunLearn would provide comprehensive lesson resources and interactive learning support for students, while enabling teachers to plan lessons, access teaching materials and track performance more efficiently. He explained that the platform would promote creativity, digital thinking and self-paced learning, adding that it is designed not only to deliver educational content but also to nurture accountability, analytical thinking and lifelong learning skills among learners. “Today, OgunLearn reflects o...

 EFCC Hands over N1.2billion Recovered  from Sujimoto to Enugu State Government In line with its unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and the recovery of public funds misappropriated or unutilized by fraudulent actors, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  on Wednesday,  January 21, 2026, handed over the sum of N1, 234,350,000 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-four Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) to the Enugu State government. The said sum was recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, for failure to honour the agreement between it and the state, over the construction of 22 smart schools in the state.

 US company secures $150m funding for Zimbabwe gold mine US mining company Caledonia Corporation said it raised $150 million via a seven-year convertible bond offering to fund its Bilboes project, which, once operational, will be Zimbabwe's largest gold mine. Zimbabwe-focused Caledonia's debt issuance is the biggest international capital raising in over a decade for the country, which had been shunned by global investors due to economic and policy volatility. Spot gold prices surged to more than $4,800 per ounce on Wednesday, driven by investors seeking havens who are backing miners like Caledonia to lift output. In a statement on Wednesday, Caledonia - which operates the 80,000-ounce-per-year Blanket mine in Zimbabwe - said demand for the offering from U.S. institutional investors exceeded $600 million. Assets "Receiving more than $600 million of demand from high-quality North American investors is a tremendous endorsement of our strategy, the quality of our assets, our o...

 Senegal players to get bonuses, land for Afcon victory Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land to each member of the country's soccer team following their victory in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. He spoke at a ceremony in the capital Dakar on Tuesday night during which thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home. Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, having staged a walk-off after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes. After the Senegal players returned to the pitch, Morocco missed the spot kick and Pape Gueye then won the trophy with a superb strike four minutes into extra time. Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode atop a bus emblazoned with the words "African champions" along Dakar's corniche towards the presidential palace. The bonuse...

Police arrest 47-year-old man conducting illegal INEC voters’ registration ‘for politicians’ in Abia Operatives of the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a 47-year-old man, identified as Chukwuemeka Nwaobilor, for having the voters’ registration machine of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  According to The Nation, Nwaobilor was arrested at a football field in Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North local government area of the state, with an INEC registration machine that was meant for the registration of voters in Isiala Ngwa South local government area. Unconfirmed reports noted that Nwaobilor, a staff member of INEC who works in Isiala Ngwa South, was alleged to be working with yet-to-be-named politicians from the same Isiala Ngwa North and South federal constituency. Nwaobilor was apprehended by the police personnel from the Criminal and Investigation Department (CID), Isiala Ngwa North Division, in conjunction with the Divisional officer and t...

 Onitsha- Enugu Expressway will be fully completed with Solar streetlight in April 2026 - Federal Government  After decades of deterioration and failed interventions, the Federal Government has fixed April 28 for the completion of major sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being executed by MTN Nigeria and its subcontractors. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced while addressing journalists after inspecting the project, describing the highway as one of the most problematic roads in the South-East and a symbol of prolonged neglect The 107-kilometre expressway, which links Enugu and Anambra states, is being reconstructed under the Federal Government’s tax-credit scheme, with MTN Nigeria initially awarded the entire project at a cost of N202 billion. Umahi disclosed that MTN had already completed work valued at about N50 billion before economic developments, including the floating of the naira and subsidy rem...

 The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has exited the country following a directive by US President Donald Trump recalling American envoys. A photograph accompanying shows Ambassador Mills walking through a guard of honour formed by embassy staff and well-wishers, who applauded as he made his way out of the US Embassy premises in Abuja. Dressed in traditional Nigerian attire, Mills was flanked by colleagues and supporters, reflecting a warm and symbolic farewell that underscored his close engagement with Nigeria during his tenure. The departure comes amid reports that Trump, who recently returned to office, ordered the recall of several US diplomatic representatives as part of a broader reshuffling of America’s foreign service and diplomatic strategy. While official details of the recall were yet to be fully outlined at the time of reporting, the move has already generated significant reactions within diplomatic and political circles in Nigeria. Ambassador Mills s...

 Rep. Kalu Commissions 3km Inter-State Road Linking Abia, Ebonyi Communities. Member of the House of Representatives for Bende Federal Constituency, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has commissioned a newly constructed 3-kilometre Alayi–Ugwueke–Akaeze Road, a key inter-state link connecting Ugwueke community in Abia State with Akaeze in Ebonyi State. Kalu announced the commissioning in Ugwueke, describing the project as a historic milestone for the benefiting communities, as the road is being constructed for the first time. He said the intervention marked the end of decades of difficult travel conditions that had constrained movement, trade and social interaction within the area. According to the lawmaker, residents of the Ugwueke Ezeukwu community had long endured poor access routes, which affected economic activities and limited inter-community engagement.  He noted that the completion and commissioning of the road would significantly improve connectivity between communities and s...

 Umueri Villagers, Ogbunike, Protest Alleged Land Sales and Operation Udogachi brutality, Seek Gov. Soludo’s Intervention The people of Umueri Village, Ogbunike, in Oyi Local Government Area, have staged a peaceful protest, calling on the Anambra State Government to intervene in the recent crisis allegedly caused by the sale of their communal land and the brutalisation of villagers by a former chairman, Mr. Levi Elobisi, his supporters, and the village security. During the protest, the people were since with placards with inscriptions like Our Land is not for sale", "Umueri Village Ogbunike Passes Vote of  No Confidence on LEVI ELOBISI", "Stop Udo-Ga-Achi Brutality In Umueri Ogbunike", "We Demand Justice Now!", among others, all demanding for the intervention of the state government in the land issue and brutalization of one Mr Ebuka and others by officers of the village Udo-Ga-Achi outfit on the directive of the former Chairman, Mr Elobisi . Speaking...

 Guinness World Records Confirms Hilda Baci as Three-Time Record Holder Guinness World Records has officially confirmed Nigerian chef and restaurateur, Hilda Baci, as a three-time world record holder, following her latest feat involving the largest serving of jollof rice. The confirmation was announced after Guinness World Records validated that Baci’s recent culinary showcase set two new records simultaneously, adding to her growing list of global achievements. With this development, the celebrated chef has now secured three Guinness World Records titles, further cementing her place in international culinary history. Hilda Baci first gained worldwide recognition in 2023 after completing a marathon cooking session that earned her the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Since then, she has remained a prominent figure in promoting Nigerian cuisine on the global stage. According to the certificates unveiled, the latest records were achieved through the preparatio...