PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 NIGERIA & UK PARTNER ON YOUTH SKILLS TRAINING-SCRIPTOVER The Federal Government is partnering the United Kingdom to prepare Nigerian youths for global job opportunities, focusing on technical and vocational education and training, digital skills, and industry-led apprenticeships under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.  Minister of education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known during a bilateral meeting with UK’s Minister of state for skills, Baroness Smith, on the sidelines of the 2026 education world forum in London. Dr. Alausa says, the government is repositioning TVET as a key driver of employment and productivity by aligning education reforms with labour market needs in priority sectors including clean energy, healthcare, engineering, digital technology, and artificial intelligence, as Nigeria is implementing a modern skills framework built on quality assurance, stronger industry participation, globally recognised accreditation, and structured apprenticeship...

 INT'L DAY TO END OBSTETRIC FISTULA: FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU URGES SOCIETIES TO END EARLY CHILD MARRAIGE   Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says the society must act urgently to end child marriage and invest needed resources to empower girls through education. This is contained in her message marking the 2026 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, as she joined the global community to reaffirm that no woman or girl should suffer from a condition that is entirely preventable and treatable.   While describing the theme of the celebration, “Her Health, Her Right: Shaping a Future without Fistula,” as a reminder that access to quality maternal healthcare is a fundamental right, the First Lady identified early marriage and early pregnancy as major causes of obstetric fistula. To scale down, she notes the need for the society to work together in addressing harmful traditional practices and lack of awareness that limits access to skilled care and vital health informa...

 President Tinubu Polls 277,192 Votes In APC Presidential Primaries in Bayelsa State. President Bola Tinubu  polled 277,192 votes in the direct primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of Baylesa state. Governor Douye Diri, who served as the state’s Coordinator/Collation Officer for the presidential primary, declared the results at the collation centre at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa. The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted Governor Diri as saying that the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the state, from the presidential to the National Assembly and the House of Assembly primaries, showed a shift from the party’s “toxic” primaries previously in the state. He stressed that no single individual could win an election without collective support, urging members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general election. The state governor stated that with the party’s u...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE  President Tinubu to be presented by APC with certificate of return, party’s flag as the 2027 presidential candidate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Sunday receive the All Progressives Congress (APC) certificate and flag as its Presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.  The Presidential Primary Elections Committee will present the certificate and flag at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja after nationwide collation of the primary election results. APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, and the National Assembly, along with party stalwarts, will attend the event. Bayo Onanuga  Special Adviser to the President  (Information & Strategy) May 23, 2026

 Woman Sparks Reactions After Showing Up in Wrapper for Company’s “Work From Home Outfit” Day A woman has gone viral after fully embracing her company’s “work from home outfit” themed day in a hilarious way. The company had instructed staff members to report to work dressed the same way they normally appear while working remotely from home, leading to several funny fashion choices around the office. While some employees showed up in casual homewear and one female worker arrived wearing a hair bonnet, another staff member stole the spotlight after appearing at work wrapped in a traditional wrapper tied across her chest. A voice in the background could be heard reacting in surprise, saying: “This is the real work from home,” as colleagues burst into laughter and watched the woman confidently walk into the workplace. Watch video below. 

 Bruno Fernandes Wins Premier League Player of the Season After Outstanding Campaign With Manchester United Bruno Fernandes has been named the Premier League Player of the Season following an impressive campaign with Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder adds the latest recognition to the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award he received earlier this month after playing a major role in helping Manchester United finish third in the league and secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Fernandes scored eight league goals and matched the Premier League’s single-season assist record after registering his 20th assist during United’s clash against Nottingham Forest last weekend. The midfielder also created 132 chances during the season, the highest by any player in the division and 43 more than the next closest player, Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool. Fernandes becomes the first Manchester United player to win the Premier League Player of ...

 Mexico City airport undergoes massive World Cup deadline renovation amid ongoing construction chaos  With less than a month until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, passengers arriving at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport are being met with active construction zones, where drilling equipment, exposed pipes, and unfinished flooring dominate parts of the terminals. Despite the disruption, the airport is also filled with World Cup branding, including posters and large decorative soccer balls and trophies meant to keep the focus on the upcoming tournament. Airport officials say more than 3,000 workers are on site operating up to 20 hours a day as part of an accelerated effort to finish major upgrades. The renovation, launched in May 2025 and valued at roughly $500 million, is one of the largest modernization projects in the airport’s history and is fully funded by the facility itself, which has been overseen by the Mexican Navy since 2023. The first phase is more than 90% c...

New York’s highest court rules children can independently appeal custody decisions through their attorneys without parental support  The New York Court of Appeals has ruled that children may appeal custody decisions in family court even without parental backing, resolving a split among lower appellate courts across the state. In a unanimous decision issued Thursday, Judge Madeline Singas wrote that state law “clearly authorizes” an attorney for the child to file such appeals, even when neither parent chooses to do so. She noted that while children are not full parties to custody proceedings, the Family Court Act still permits their appointed attorneys to act on their behalf in pursuing appeals, provided the child has standing as an “aggrieved” party. The ruling reverses precedent from the state’s Fourth Department, which had held that children in custody disputes could not independently appeal unless a parent also participated. Other appellate divisions — including those covering N...

Netflix’s Virgin River actor, Stewart McLean found dead in British Columbia, death ruled a homicide by police  Canadian actor Stewart McLean, known for his role in Netflix’s “Virgin River” and other television projects, has been found dead in Lions Bay, British Columbia, with authorities confirming they are investigating his death as a homicide. McLean, 45, was reported missing on May 18 after last being seen three days earlier on May 15 at his residence in the coastal community northwest of Vancouver. Police later located his remains in the area, and investigators say evidence gathered during the missing persons case led them to determine the circumstances were suspicious. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed the case is now being treated as a homicide, with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team taking over the investigation. Officials have not released details about what evidence led to the homicide determination, but say multiple agencies are involved, including fore...

Rob Base, hip-hop artist behind It Takes Two, dies at 59 after private cancer battle Rob Base, the hip-hop artist best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two” with DJ E-Z Rock, has died at age 59 after a private battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully on Friday, surrounded by family, according to a statement shared on his social media account. The statement described Base as a foundational figure in hip-hop whose music and energy helped define a generation and brought joy to millions worldwide. It also noted that beyond his career, he was a devoted father, family man, friend, and creative force whose legacy would endure. The message concluded with a tribute thanking him for the music and memories that became a soundtrack for fans. Born Robert Ginyard, Base rose to prominence in the late 1980s with DJ E-Z Rock through the release of “It Takes Two,” a track built around a sample of Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It)” that became a defining party anthem of the era. The song was featured o...

 Disney sued over alleged use of facial recognition at Disneyland without guest consent Disney is facing a lawsuit alleging it used facial recognition technology at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure without properly informing guests or obtaining meaningful consent, according to court filings in California federal court. The complaint claims the company collected and stored biometric data from visitors beginning in April as part of a system used to verify tickets and annual passes by comparing live images taken at park entrances with photos tied to guests’ accounts. The lawsuit argues that most visitors were unaware that the technology was in use and that Disney violated privacy and consumer protection laws by failing to provide adequate disclosure. It also disputes the company’s privacy claims, saying data retention practices are necessary to match returning guests with existing ticket and pass photos, contradicting assurances that biometric data is deleted within 30 days ...

 Actor Grizz Chapman of 30 Rock dies at 52 Actor Grizz Chapman, best known for his role on the NBC comedy “30 Rock,” has died at the age of 52. Chapman died on Friday, according to fellow “30 Rock” actor Kevin Brown, who announced the news in a social media post. “I regret to inform you that Mack Chapman, aka Grizz Chapman, passed today,” Brown wrote. “May he RIP.” Harlem Globetrotter Donte “Hammer” Harrison, who said Chapman was his cousin, also confirmed the death in a post, writing that Chapman had been battling illness for years and died peacefully in his sleep. He described him as having “a good heart” and “good energy,” adding that he made a lasting impact on those around him. Chapman appeared in 80 episodes of “30 Rock,” where he played Grizz, one of Tracy Jordan’s close friends alongside Dot Com. He was introduced to the entertainment world after meeting Tracy Morgan while working as a bouncer in New York, which eventually led to his casting on the show. Beyond “30 Rock,” C...

 NUT Opposes FG’s Plan To Exempt NCE Candidates From JAMB Exams The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kaduna State has backed the National Executive Council’s opposition to the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. In a statement signed by the union’s chairman and secretary, Ibrahim Dalhatu and Adamu Ayuba Kaltungo, the NUT described the policy as counterproductive, warning that it could lower the quality of teacher education and negatively affect Nigeria’s education system. The union stressed that teaching is a highly intellectual and strategic profession that requires a competitive and rigorous admission process. According to the statement, removing the JAMB requirement could create the impression that the teaching profession is meant for academically weak candidates or “all-comers.” The NUT further noted that the profession already suffers from...

 ICPC Explains Why ADC Leaders Were Denied Access To El-Rufai The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has clarified why leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were prevented from visiting former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying the action was based on an existing court order. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the commission received a letter from the ADC requesting permission for some party leaders, including Rauf Aregbesola and Bolaji Abdullahi, to visit El-Rufai. According to Odey, the commission replied to the party on May 21, informing them that the visit could not be approved because the court order only permits access to El-Rufai’s immediate family members, legal representatives, and medical doctors. He stated that the ADC was officially notified before its members arrived at the commission’s office, adding that evidence showed the party acknowledged receipt of the letter. Odey a...

 Gov Soludo Orders Motorists, Private/Public Park Owners To Operate On Mondays or Face Sanctions By Ifeyinwa Ogwo The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has instructed motorists, as well as private and public park owners, to open their parks every Monday or face penalties. "Transport is the backbone of every economy. As the movement of goods and people, it is vital because society cannot function without it. To operate in this state, you must operate on Mondays, and failing to do so will not only impact the parks but also individual transporters or owners. They will be barred from operating in their parks for the rest of the week, and a fine will be paid. "If you want to operate here, you must be open on Monday; otherwise, you have two options: close your park permanently or pay a hefty fine and be allowed to operate again. If your park is sealed, we will pursue legal action, and it will only be unsealed once the case concludes in court".  This statement was ...

 TROOPS OF OPERATION EASTERN SANITY II BUST CRIMINAL HIDEOUT, RECOVER EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS IN ENUGU Troops of Operation EASTERN SANITY II have recorded another operational success against criminal elements in the South East following a raid operation conducted in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed at Oji River, in conjunction with Keystone personnel from Oji River LGA, conducted a raid operation at about 0430 hours on 23 May 2026 on a house suspected to be harbouring cultists and other criminal elements at Achi Town in Oji River LGA. During the operation, troops recovered 8 motorcycles and 2 buckets of locally made gun powder suspected to be used for criminal activities. Additionally, troops apprehended 3 suspects namely Mr Ozor Benjamin (85 years) from Isikwe Achi, Mrs Miracle Eze (26 years) and Mrs Ogechukwu Okorie (29 years), both from Umuoka Achi in Oji River LGA, Enugu State. The arrested suspects and recovered items...

 TROOPS RESCUE ABDUCTEES, ARREST TERRORIST COLLABORATORS, RECORD SURRENDERS IN SUSTAINED OPERATIONS ACROSS NORTH EAST Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under  the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V and Siege Operations, have recorded significant operational successes including the rescue of abducted civilians, arrest of terrorist collaborators, recovery of weapons, and continued surrender of insurgents’ family members across the theatre.  In a major breakthrough, troops of OPHK, while on operation along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, successfully intercepted and rescued four abducted persons comprising two women and two children. The victims—Salamatu Sidiq Ali (19), Halima Idrisa (20), Umar Abdullahi (3), and Mustapha Abdullahi (4)—were among residents abducted during the terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. Preliminary debrief revealed that the victims had been held at a terrorist enclave , but...

 PRESS RELEASE EDO POLICE RESCUE ALL ABDUCTED PASSENGERS ALONG BENIN–LAGOS ROAD The Edo State Police Command wishes to update the general public on the kidnapping incident which occurred on 9th May, 2026, at Ogua Community along the Benin–Lagos Road, where armed kidnappers attacked a commercial bus belonging to Young Shall Grow Motors conveying thirteen (13) passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Lagos, during which a female passenger was shot by the hoodlums. Following the incident, the Command immediately launched coordinated rescue and bush combing operations, rescuing  five (5) passengers (2 adults & 3 children), and has remained on the trail of the kidnappers. Furthermore, on 10th May, 2026, through the deployment of drones, aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven policing, and sustained technological support, operatives of the Command engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and successfully rescued two additional passengers. Today, the Edo State Police Command is pleased t...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE APC PRIMARIES DEMONSTRATE INTERNAL DEMOCRACY, DEEPEN GRASSROOT POLITICS, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday described the conduct of the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries nationwide as a strong demonstration of internal democracy within the ruling party. President Tinubu stated this after he participated in the APC Presidential Primaries at Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos, noting that the exercise has further deepened the democratic process. The President, who arrived at the venue alongside his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, was received by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Conerlius Ojelabi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and former Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, among other party leaders. The President commended party members for their orderly conduct, enthusiasm, and commitment to democratic values. "This is a demonstration of internal democ...

 Regina Daniels Shows Off Romantic Gifts and Mysterious Love Note From Secret Admirer Regina Daniels has sparked reactions online after showing off a romantic package she recently received from an unidentified admirer. The actress shared photos of herself admiring a bouquet of flowers accompanied by a balloon carrying the inscription, “To Reggie with love.” She also displayed a small red box believed to contain jewellery, alongside a handwritten note that appeared to contain an emotional message from the mystery sender. The note read: “For love and conquest. Together we shall build an empire. Promise made and I intend to keep it. I'm a heartbeat away.” Regina partially concealed the sender’s identity with her thumb while sharing the photos online. Captioning the post, she wrote: “The little things.” The development comes months after reports emerged that Regina had separated from her husband, Ned Nwoko. Following the reported separation, several social media users speculated that t...

 Ahmad Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Says Viral Videos and Statements Were Doctored Prominent Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has denied allegations linking him to comments allegedly supporting banditry, insisting that videos and statements being circulated online about him were manipulated and taken out of context. In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Gumi claimed that some of his past interviews concerning insecurity in Nigeria were being deliberately distorted by individuals and groups he described as biased. He further alleged that certain ethnic-interest groups and online content creators were using “sensational and outrageous headlines” to gain public attention. Rejecting claims that he supports criminal activities, the cleric stated: “I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo, suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry in Nigeria or anywh...

 Kindness should never replace boundaries and vigilance- actor Enyinnaya Nwigwe writes after discovering his driver had been stealing his valuables and selling them cheap.  He wrote:  gsisn't new with domestic staff, but everyone needs to be careful. One of the hardest things is realizing someone (driver) you've gone above and for, supported his family through his time working for you, has absence. from you over time. And been quietly stealing some oľ my most valued items for that matter. I started looking for one item ... then another... and that's when the pattern became clear. Finally admits after days of denials but claims the most priced of the items got damaged and trashed. (more lies) To think he had no idea of the value even hurts more cos it must've been sold for next to nothing in comparison to actual worth. Very painful lesson: kindness should never replace boundaries and vigilance". One more photo below. 

 A Kentucky man set his wife's dogs on fire when he got caught cheating. Just awful.  37-year-old Bobby Atkinson was arraigned on May 22nd on two counts of t*rture of a dog (or cat), two counts of cruelty to animals, one count of menacing and one count of t*rroristic threatening.  These charges stem from a domestic incident involving Atkinson and his wife. According to official reports, Atkinson's wife confronted him after learning he had an affair with another woman. During the course of the ensuing argument, Atkinson would then use accelerant to light his wife's dogs on fire. Fortunately, both dogs were quickly extinguished and survived the ordeal. They are both being treated at Louisville Metro Animal Services.  Atkinson is also accused of intimidating his wife with a firearm and threatening to take her life. Bobby Atkinson originally had his bond set at $20,000. However, during his May 22nd arraignment, the judge raised his bond to $50,000

 A 14-year-old boy was sent into cardiac arrest after being severely shocked by an electrified pole at a Houston park. This alarming incident occurred at F.M Law Park in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, May 19th.  At approximately 7 p.m. 14-year-old, Angel Galeas, came into contact with a light pole that was electrified. The subsequent shock sent young Angel into full cardiac arrest. Thankfully, a little league coach on scene immediately began CPR until first responders arrived. Angel was taken by ambulance to Texas Children's Hospital, where he remains in ICU.  In the aftermath, Angel is in stable condition but dealing with heart issues and memory loss. Angel's mother is demanding answers on how this happened, saying, "I just want answers from the city. Why? I could have lost my son over a light pole." City officials say the incident is under investigation, and they will update when they have accurate information.  The Houston Fire Department shut off the parks circuit b...

 Commenting is being shut off while I'm at meetings because of the hate speech. It is never tolerated on my page.  An Illinois man is facing first-degree murder charges after a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed. According to official reports, deputies with the Saline County Sheriff's Office were initially called to an alleged burglary in progress on the evening of May 20th. However, more information would come to light resulting in the shooter receiving three first-degree m*rder charges. Not all of that information can be shared publicly yet. A person can face more than one first degree charge due to a few reasons.  "When a person is charged with multiple counts for the death of a single victim, prosecutors are using a legal strategy to pursue multiple theories of how the crime was committed, such as premeditated murder, intentional murder, and felony murder. It can also be reflective of how many times the victim was shot."  When deputies responded to the home on C...

 "No good deed goes unpunished."  An Indiana deputy is in critical condition after being shot by a motorist he stopped to help. 33-year-old Deputy John Samuelson was driving to a work function on the morning of Friday, May 22nd. While on the way, Deputy Samuelson stopped to help 22-year-old Sharod Grafton, whose vehicle had stalled near Westville, Indiana. Grafton asked Deputy Samuelson for a ride to the hospital, and Deputy Samuelson kindly agreed. He drove Grafton to Franciscan Health in Michigan City, Indiana.  Once at the hospital, things would spiral out of control quickly when Deputy Samuelson learned that Grafton was involved in a crime in Illinois.    A brief physical altercation ensued during which Grafton drew a handgun and shot Deputy Samuelson 3 times. After the shooting, Grafton fled the hospital to a nearby wooded area but was quickly apprehended.  Deputy John Samuelson works for the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office as a K-9 handler. He is a th...

 A Florida man was forced to crouch over his severely injured wife's body, to fend off pit bulls with a knife. Sadly, she would pass away from the attack.  On Tuesday May, 19th, Donnell Smith returned to his Brevard County home after helping a neighbor. He immediately noticed his wife, 50-year-old Jodi Cowan, and the couple's pet dog were missing. As Donnell began to investigate, he heard nearby cries for help. As Donnell moved towards those cries, he was horrified to see Jodi being dragged down the road by two pit bulls.  When Donnell made it to Jodi, she was lying in a pool of blood and had dog bites all over her body. As he began to attempt to aid his wife, the pit bulls began approaching in an attempt to drag Jodi away again. Donnell described the following scene, saying, "I pulled my knife out, just swinging it with one hand and holding the blood with the other, trying to stop her from bleeding." Donnell believes Jodi must have tried to stop the pit bulls from at...

 DSS RELEASES WRONGFULLY DETAINED YOBE YOUTH, OFFERS ₦2 MILLION FOR REINTEGRATION The Department of State Services (DSS), under the leadership of Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, has released a young man, Mr. Ya’u Mohammed from Gashua town in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, after investigations confirmed that he had no connection to any wrongdoing. In what has been described as a rare humanitarian gesture, the DSS also provided the young man with ₦2 million to support his reintegration into society and help him establish a livelihood for himself and his family. The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd), disclosed this during a visit to the DSS Yobe State Command Headquarters in Damaturu, where the young man was formally handed over to him before reuniting with his family. General Abdulsalam explained that his visit to the Command was aimed at ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the detention and eventual rele...

    APC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION IN RIVERS STATE The APC Presidential primary election is holding  across Rivers state as party Members across 319 wards are voting to choose the party's candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The exercise witnessed impressive turnout of party faithful voting to choose between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Stanley Osifo, who are the two presidential aspirants. For now, Oyigbo ward 3 has concluded the exercise, with president Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared winner of the the election in the area.

 APC Primary: Tinubu Wins 100% in Zulum’s Ward President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant for the 2027 general elections, has recorded a clean sweep in Mafa Ward of Borno State – the home ward of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. The direct primary election was conducted at Mafa Central Primary School and presided over by the Chairperson of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, Inna Alkali Imam. Tinubu polled 2,175 votes out of the total number of votes cast, representing 100% of all valid votes in the ward. Mafa Ward has 2,277 registered party members, and the exercise saw an impressive turnout, with nearly all registered members participating in the primary. The other contestant, Stanley Osifo, a businessman and APC chieftain from Edo State, scored zero votes.

 TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI NEUTRALISE TERRORISTS, RESCUE VICTIMS, RECOVER, ARMS, AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES ACROSS NORTH EAST THEATRE Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), operating under Operation DESERT SANITY and related missions, have recorded significant operational successes across the theatre of OPHK, including the neutralisation of terrorists, rescue of abducted persons, recovery of arms, ammunition,  explosive ordnance, and arrest of criminal collaborators. In sustained offensive operations, troops of OPHK supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) conducted coordinated offensives in the Valle, Ashigashiya, and Gakara general areas. During the operations, troops made contact with suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, neutralising two insurgents while others fled towards the Ngoshe axis. The area was subsequently cleared, with no casualties recorded among own troops. Similarly, troops o...