PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 U.S cardinals reveal the real reason why the pope rejected Trump's invitation to join the United States 250th birthday celebrations Pope Leo XIV’s refusal to attend the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations has become a flashpoint in the already tense relationship between the Vatican and the Trump administration.  Though Vice President JD Vance personally delivered the invitation in May 2025, the pope chose instead to spend July 4 on Lampedusa, the Italian island symbolic of migration and displacement.  According to U.S. cardinals interviewed on 60 Minutes, the decision was deliberate: Leo wanted to stand with the marginalized rather than participate in a high‑profile political event.  Cardinal Blase Cupich described it as a moral choice, while Cardinal Joseph Tobin drew a symbolic parallel to the Statue of Liberty, suggesting the pope views the migrant crisis as central to American identity. The cardinals also highlighted how immigration policies in the U.S. h...

 Seven-hour car ride - Kourtney Kardashian shares every parent’s travel struggle with Rocky Kourtney Kardashian Barker has shared a refreshingly relatable parenting moment after a long road trip with her two-year-old son, Rocky Thirteen. The reality star and businesswoman gave fans a peek into the less glamorous side of motherhood on Monday, posting the “aftermath” of a seven-hour car ride with her toddler. Her first Instagram Stories post showed a quiet selfie from inside the vehicle, with little Rocky’s hand resting gently on her chest. Kourtney kept things casual in a light grey Mickey Mouse sweater paired with a skull chain necklace. “SEVEN HOUR CAR RIDE,” she wrote across the image. Moments later, she followed up with another post that many parents could instantly relate to. Captioned simply “aftermath,” the photo revealed the inside of the car scattered with toddler essentials and travel chaos. The floor was covered with items including a children’s book, headphones, a water ...

 It was you and me, God - Carole Gist opens up on homelessness before Miss USA history Former Miss USA Carole Gist is opening up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life, revealing that she experienced homelessness as a teenager long before making history on the national pageant stage. The 56-year-old, who became the first Black woman to win the Miss USA title in 1990, spoke candidly about her high school years during a television interview, sharing how family instability forced her to rely on herself at a young age. Reflecting on life at home, Gist described a deeply challenging environment involving both of her parents. She said there was a “dicey” situation between her mother and biological father, explaining that both struggled with substance abuse. The emotional weight of that period was immense, especially as a teenager trying to make sense of what was happening around her. “I had mixed emotions and hormones raging, and just probably a bad attitude about ... why c...

 Alec Baldwin admits he 'doesn’t want to work anymore' after 'Rust' shooting death: 'I want to retire' Nearly five years after the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, Alec Baldwin has spoken candidly about how the incident reshaped his life and career.  In July 2024, a judge in Santa Fe dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin, ruling that prosecutors had withheld evidence from his defense team.  Despite the legal resolution, Baldwin admitted the experience left a lasting mark on him, describing it as “unspeakably difficult” and profoundly altering his outlook on work and family. Reflecting on the aftermath, Baldwin explained that the tragedy led him to step away from acting for several years, spending most of his time at home with his children.  He confessed that this period of domestic life became unexpectedly fulfilling, to the point where he grew reluctant to return to the industry.  While he acknowledged th...

 Billy Ray Cyrus defends Trump: 'Being president is tough' Billy Ray Cyrus recently reflected on politics and family tensions during an interview with Sky News.  The 64-year-old country star, best known for his hit Achy Breaky Heart, was promoting his upcoming album The Hill, produced by his son Braison and featuring a duet with daughter Noah.  Toward the end of the conversation, host Wilfred Frost asked about Cyrus’s support for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, noting that the singer had previously identified as a Democrat.  Cyrus responded by acknowledging the challenges of the presidency, saying, “Being president’s a tough job,” and emphasized his habit of praying for the country and its leaders regardless of party. Cyrus’s political journey has been complex. Back in 2000, he described himself as a lifelong Democrat, even though his song “We the People” was used by Republican George W. Bush’s campaign.  In August 2024, he publicly endorsed Trump on Instagra...

 Gabourey Sidibe slams critics of her 23-month-old twins' hair, says she 'didn't have kids' for the aesthetic Gabourey Sidibe recently addressed criticism aimed at her twins, Cooper and Maya, on social media.  The Precious actress, 42, made it clear she would block anyone leaving negative comments about her children’s hair, stressing that she didn’t have kids “for the aesthetic.”  Sidibe explained that her toddlers are active and playful, often getting food in their hair, which sometimes requires multiple brushings a day.  She added that her daughter’s hair is braided weekly, but she doesn’t feel the need to constantly redo it just to impress others online. Sidibe emphasized that her priority is raising happy, healthy children rather than curating a picture-perfect image for social media.  She urged followers to “keep it cute,” noting that maintaining “constantly manicured children” isn’t part of her parenting goals.  To lighten the mood, she humorously sha...

 FMINO PRESS STATEMENT Federal Government of Nigeria on the Jilli Axis Airstrike of 11 April, 2026 On 11 April 2026, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation HADIN KAI, carried out a precision counter-terrorism strike on confirmed terrorist targets in the Jilli axis, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.   The Federal Government reiterates that this was a deliberate, intelligence-led operation, not an indiscriminate attack, conducted in one of the most active insurgent corridors in the North-East. The area had been designated a high-risk zone with clear security advisories restricting civilian presence.  The Government extends its deepest condolences to the families of those affected and sympathises with the injured. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and any loss of civilian life is deeply regretted.  The operation followed sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The Jilli axis, locally known as “Kasu Daulaye” (the terrorists’ market), has lo...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE OLD TAX LAWS MADE NIGERIANS POOR, NEW SYSTEMS WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPERITY, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, said colonial-era tax laws impoverished Nigerians through fragmentation, multiplicity, and inconsistencies, and assured that the new reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity.  President Tinubu emphasised that the new tax system is designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, thereby advancing the nation’s development goals. The President made these remarks at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were in attendance, along with ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, private-sector leaders, and the governors of Kwara, Imo, Borno, Kogi, Plateau, and Anambra States. President Tinubu explained that the new tax laws, whic...

 No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC. My attention has been drawn to Rauf Aregbesola’s attack on the Tinubu administration at today's illegal elective convention of the ADC—a party of desperados and power mongers who, to date, have not articulated any credible plan for Nigeria. At the event, Aregbesola reportedly called on his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, parroting the opposition’s warped narratives about the economy and orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country. Unfortunately, Aregbesola did not undertake any honest self-reflection on his own record in public office—as governor or as Minister of Interior. His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people. Under his half-baked socialist policies, civil servants went unpaid for months, and those who were paid received only a fraction of their salaries. It is to Aregbesola’s infamy that Osun became kn...

 TROOPS SMASHES BANDIT STRONGHOLDS IN BAUCHI, RESCUES HOSTAGES  RECOVERS ARMS  Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade under Operation WUTAN DAJI have recorded a significant operational success following a coordinated clearance operation in Kumbodoro Forest and Kumbodoro Village in Bauchi State. The offensive offensive operation dealt a major setback to bandit networks operating within the area. Troops  successfully cleared multiple bandit enclaves, including the notorious Azuge camps within the Kumbodoro Forest axis. Supported by the Air Component, the troops neutralised several bandits and dismantled key operational bases, further degrading the criminals’ capability to threaten lives and property of citizens. The operation led to rescue of eight kidnapped victims. A thorough search of the bandits enclave led to the recovery of  cache of arms and equipment, including 4 skeletal rifles, 4 dane guns, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, as well as communication devi...

  Kaduna PDP Women Leader Resigns The Kaduna State Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godiya Lolo, has resigned from both her position and membership of the party. Lolo announced her resignation in a letter dated April 13, addressed to the party chairman of Dura/Bitaro Ward in Jaba Local Government Area. In the letter, she expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the party in a strategic leadership role. “I have formally resigned my membership and position within the PDP. I am grateful for the experience and the opportunity to serve as State Woman Leader. It has been an honour,” she stated. Although she did not officially disclose her next political move, sources within Kaduna’s political circle said her name has emerged among members of a Kaduna South campaign team linked to the ruling party, fueling speculation about a possible defection.

 Court Grants Bail To El-Rufai A Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption. The update was shared on Tuesday by political commentator Imran Wakili in a post on X, where he stated that the court had approved El-Rufai’s bail. The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. More details are expected to emerge.

 War pushes 70% of Sudanese into poverty, UN says Around seven in 10 people in Sudan are now living in poverty, UN Development Programme has said, nearly twice as many as before the war between the army and paramilitary forces broke out three years ago. "Before the war, we were probably looking (at) around 38 percent of people living in poverty, and now we are estimating about 70 percent," said the UN Development Programme's Sudan representative Luca Renda on Tuesday, as the agency released a new report on poverty timed to coincide with the anniversary of the start of the war. The figures Renda cited were based on a poverty line of about $4 a day, while at least a quarter of the population is believed to be surviving on less than half that, he said, AFP reported. ‘Systematic erosion of a country's future’ Now in its fourth year, the war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than ...

 Alleged Theft of 25,354,000 Litres of PMS :  EFCC Presents Second Witness against Vessel, Captain, Others   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, presented its second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of a vessel, MT Ostria, and three others over an alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,  NNPC Retail Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Vincent Wayas, were arraigned by the EFCC on October 29, 2025, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280, and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.  At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the witness, who is a representative of NNPC, testified on the t...

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for first visit since stepping back from royal duties    Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday for their first visit to Australia since their official royal tour in 2018. The four-day trip is notably more low-key and comes years after the couple stepped back from their roles as senior members of the royal family in 2020, choosing to pursue financial independence while living in California. The visit is privately funded, with the pair traveling on a commercial flight from Los Angeles, but it has still drawn criticism over the cost of security for police agencies as they make stops in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. Unlike their highly publicized 2018 tour, large crowds are not expected due in part to those security concerns. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, did not accompany them on the trip. The visit has sparked mixed reactions, with some critics questioning appe...

Former student opens fire at Turkish high school, wounds 16 before killing himself A former student opened fire at a vocational high school in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, injuring at least 16 people before taking his own life, according to officials. The 18-year-old attacker used a shotgun to fire randomly inside the school in Siverek in Sanliurfa province before briefly taking cover inside the building. Authorities said he later died by suicide using the same weapon after being cornered by police. Officials said those injured included 10 students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker, and a police officer. Several victims were treated locally, while five students and teachers with more serious injuries were transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital. The motive for the attack is still unknown, and such incidents are considered rare in Turkey. Authorities said all students were evacuated from the school as police units responded and worked to secure the building. Video from t...

 Over 1,000 Hollywood figures oppose proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. merger, warning of job losses and industry consolidation    More than 1,000 actors, directors, writers, and other entertainment industry professionals have voiced strong opposition to the proposed Paramount merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that the deal could significantly reshape Hollywood and reduce opportunities across the industry. In an open letter released Monday, prominent figures including Denis Villeneuve, Kristen Stewart, J.J. Abrams, and Joaquin Phoenix criticized the $111 billion acquisition, arguing it would lead to fewer films being made, fewer jobs, and reduced creative output at a time when the industry is already facing contraction. The letter warns that consolidating the two major studios would narrow the landscape of U.S. film production, reducing the number of major studios and limiting competition. It also argues that the merger would increase costs for production and dimi...

 Chucky returning to theaters as Don Mancini develops new Child’s Play film with loose ties to TV series Chucky is set to return to the big screen as franchise creator Don Mancini develops a new “Child’s Play” film following three seasons of the TV series. Mancini revealed at Steel City Con that he is currently writing the next installment in the long-running horror franchise, which will have a “loose connection” to the television series. The show’s recent storyline concluded with Chucky and Tiffany returning to doll form and departing with Caroline, while the main group of characters had their souls transferred into marionette dolls. The upcoming film is expected to act as a partial reset of the franchise’s continuity, similar in approach to 2013’s “Curse of Chucky.” Mancini reportedly intends to recapture the darker tone of that film along with the original “Child’s Play” and “Child’s Play 2.” Unlike several recent entries in the series that went direct to home release, the new m...

 World Aquatics lifts restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing national flag and anthem at competitions ahead of LA 2028 Olympics  Russian swimmers, divers, and water polo athletes will now be allowed to compete under their national flag and anthem after World Aquatics lifted long-standing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian participation. The governing body announced that it will remove rules requiring athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals or undergo special eligibility vetting. The policy change marks a significant shift in international aquatic sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after years of restrictions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. World Aquatics initially barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from its events, including world championships, before later allowing limited neutral participation. The new decision fully restores their ability to compete alongside other nations, including the use of national unifor...

 My 600-Lb. Life star Dolly Martinez dies at 30 from congestive heart failure, family says Dolly Martinez, who appeared on the reality series “My 600-Lb. Life,” has died at the age of 30, her family confirmed. Her sister, Lindsey Cooper, announced the news in a social media post on Saturday, sharing a tribute to her sibling and describing her as someone with a bright personality who could light up any room with her laughter and kindness. Martinez’s mother said she died at a hospital in Fort Worth after suffering from congestive heart failure. She had reportedly been hospitalized in late March with fluid buildup in her heart and lungs, and was later placed in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator before her condition worsened. Friends and loved ones shared an outpouring of tributes online, remembering Martinez for her warmth, generosity, and positive spirit. Many described her as consistently supportive and uplifting to those around her. Her sister said she takes comfort in b...

 Nicole Kidman says she is training to become a death doula following her mother’s passing Academy Award–winning actress Nicole Kidman has revealed that she is training to become a death doula, describing the decision as a deeply personal response to grief following the loss of her mother. Kidman discussed her new direction during an appearance at the University of San Francisco as part of the school’s Silk Speaker Series. She explained that her interest in end-of-life care was shaped by her experience during her mother’s death in May 2024. Kidman said her mother, who was 84, experienced loneliness in her final days, and that despite the family’s efforts, they struggled to provide the level of constant presence and comfort she felt was needed. That experience led Kidman to reflect on the role of non-medical support during dying and bereavement. She said the idea of becoming a death doula initially sounded “a little weird,” but added that it grew into something meaningful after witn...

 JAMB EXAMINATION: ANAMBRA POLICE COMMAND DEPLOYS SIXTY SAFE SCHOOL OPERATIVES TO MONITOR PROCESS, ENSURE SAFETY AND ORDERLINESS The Anambra State Police Command has deployed sixty (60) Safe School Operatives across designated centres to monitor the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations scheduled to hold from 15th to 26th April 2026, in order to ensure safety, security, and orderliness throughout the exercise. The deployment with the Operational base located in the respective eight (8) Police Area Command in the State is coordinated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, psc, forms part of the Command’s proactive measures under the Safe School Initiative aimed at providing a secure environment for candidates, invigilators, and examination officials, while preventing any form of malpractice, disruption, or security breach. The Command reassures the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and prope...

 2026 UTME CANDIDATES: Everything You Need to Know Before Thursday As the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) prepares to welcome over 2.24 million candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, we have compiled the essential updates to ensure you are ready for the exercise starting April 16 to 22. 👉 Action: Re-print your examination slip immediately to confirm your new venue, date, and time.                                                  Portal:  https://slipsprinting.jamb.gov.ng/ 1. CHECK YOUR VENUE (Reassignment Alert) JAMB has officially delisted 23 CBT centres nationwide due to technical failures during the recent mock exams. If you were originally posted to one of these centres, you have been reassigned. 2. ARRIVE EARLY Biometric verification is mandatory. Candidates are advised to be at their designated centres ...

FG PARTNERS NETHERLANDS FOR SUSTAINABLE  BLUE ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT  The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and climate-responsive initiatives as core pillars for the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy Fatima Sugra Mahmood, stated  this while receiving a delegation from Invest International, a state-owned development finance institution under the Dutch Ministry of Finance, led by Fenna Zoe Howkamp in Abuja Mahmood in a statement by the Ministry's Director, Information and Public Relations Anastasia  Ogbonna, notes that the Ministry is actively integrating climate considerations into its policies and programmes, with a strong focus on reducing carbon footprints, conserving marine ecosystems, and promoting environmentally responsible resource utilisation.  The Permanent Secretary while reiterating the Ministry’s openness to strategic partnerships, particu...

 SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FORTHCOMING JAMB The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is aware of recent unfounded rumors circulating regarding the safety of certain centers in a North Central State for the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination scheduled to commence on 16th April 2026. The NPF wishes to categorically state that these claims are without basis. While the NPF does not act on rumors, the concerns raised by members of the public have been duly noted as it concerns the safety, education and future of our children and wards, and the Force has taken the following proactive steps to ensure the safety of all candidates. To this end, extra security has been deployed at examination centres nationwide, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents. This includes routine patrols, perimeter checks, and rapid response teams stationed at strategic locations. The Nigeria Police Force is collaborating closely with sister security agencies, to...

 IGP PLEDGES DIRECT ADVOCACY FOR RETIREES: VOWS TO FACILITATE PENSION REFORMS AND SUPPORT FOR OFFICERS’ FAMILIES The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, met yesterday with a delegation of retired police officers to address critical welfare concerns, placing the resolution of pension and gratuity issues at the forefront of the Force’s current agenda. During the meeting, the IGP Disu highlighted the persistent challenges surrounding pensions and salaries, identifying them as pressing matters that demand immediate attention. He underscored his administration’s determination to pursue lasting solutions and encouraged retirees to maintain a balanced perspective while the leadership navigates the necessary administrative processes. In a landmark commitment to the welfare of the Force’s veterans, the Inspector General of Police  outlined two distinct avenues to ensure retirees’ grievances reach the highest levels of government: first, through an execu...