PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 OPERATION HADIN KAI FOILS TERRORIST INFILTRATION, DISRUPTS LOGISTICS NETWORKS, ARRESTS COLLABORATORS The Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has recorded significant operational successes in its ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaign across the North-East. Through a combination of offensive operations, intelligence-led actions, and collaboration with local security stakeholders, troops successfully foiled a terrorist infiltration attempt and disrupted terrorist logistics and support networks, further degrading the operational capabilities of insurgent groups in the Theatre. In Borno State, troops responded swiftly to the sighting of terrorists advancing toward the North East Theatre Training School, Buni Yadi, at about 9:00 a.m. on 9 June 2026. Employing coordinated and precise fire missions, the troops neutralized the threat and denied the terrorists freedom of action. Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of two terrorist c...

 NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY  SCREENING TEST TO HOLD IN LAGOS ON JUNE 20, 2026 The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, has informed the general public, particularly prospective candidates, parents, guardians, school administrators, and other relevant stakeholders, that the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) will conduct its Admission Screening Test in Lagos State on Saturday, June 20, 2026. In preparation for the successful conduct of the exercise, a liaison team from the Nigerian Defence Academy is expected to arrive in Lagos on June 11, 2026, to undertake necessary consultations, coordination activities, and other preparatory arrangements with relevant government agencies and stakeholders. Prospective candidates are advised to adhere strictly to all guidelines and instructions issued by the Nigerian Defence Academy regarding registration, accreditation, examination procedures, and other requirements. Candidates are also encouraged to regul...

 A Florida deputy is under investigation for slapping a woman after she spit on him. This situation began at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9th, when  deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office were called to a Brooksville, Texaco Gas station. Once on scene, they were informed by employees that Iesha Field had been harassing customers and causing a scene outside of the business. Employees requested that Iesha be trespassed.  Deputies issued a formal trespass warning and ordered Iesha from the premises.  Iesha then walked across the street to a mobile home park where she continued her erratic antics. Iesha stripped to only her underwear and began yelling and acting belligerent. Her actions were disturbing residents, including a mother and her young children. The mother requested that Iesha be trespassed from her property also, and this is when things really got out of hand.  Despite repeated attempts to de-escalate the situation, Iesha became more ...

 Democracy Day: Good Governance Is a Collective Responsibility, Udeze Tells Nigerians By Chizoba Okeke The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, has called on Nigerians to recommit themselves to the ideals of democracy by promoting equity, inclusiveness, unity, and national development, while maintaining strict adherence to the rule of law. In his Democracy Day message, Udeze emphasized that the success of democracy depends not only on political structures and appointments but on the tangible benefits citizens derive from governance. "Democracy is strengthened not by the creation of political offices and appointments, but by positive results in services, programmes, and projects that meaningfully impact the lives of the people," he stated. The Speaker stressed that democratic governance is sustained through the collective efforts of citizens and leaders alike, noting that justice and fairness remain the pillars upon which enduring democracies are built....

 Kaduna South Chairman Distributes Employment Letters, Grants To Boost Youth Empowerment The Executive Chairman of Kaduna South Local Government, Hon. Rayyan Hussein, has distributed employment contract letters to 100 youths in the transportation sector as part of efforts to create jobs and expand economic opportunities within the local government area. Speaking during the event, Hussein also announced the disbursement of business support grants to 20 young entrepreneurs and the allocation of workshop spaces at Panteka Market to several youths to enable them establish and grow their businesses. According to the chairman, the initiatives are designed to strengthen local enterprises, encourage self-reliance, and stimulate economic growth across communities in Kaduna South. Hussein further disclosed that the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has approved the training of 200 youths from Kaduna South Local Government at the Kaduna State Polytechnic Vocational Training and Skills Devel...

 World Cup: Ghana's Thomas Partey refused entry to Canada Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part in his team's World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday after his visa application to Canada was refused, FIFA said on Friday. "FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana's Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government," FIFA said in a statement to Reuters. "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas."

 Borno Govt reintegrates 720 repentant terrorists after rehabilitation  The Borno State Government has reintegrated a total of 720 repentant insurgents who have completed their deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme back into society. The latest batch, described as low-risk and minor clients, is part of Batch 9 under the state’s rehabilitation initiative and was sworn in using the Holy Quran before being released to return to their respective communities across the state. The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), disclosed this on Friday, June 12, 2026 at an event held at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri to mark the completion of their rehabilitation process. He said the exercise represents another milestone in the state’s non-kinetic approach to counter-insurgency in the North-East, describing it as one of the most effective peacebuilding models globally. More photos below. 

 Mali's al Qaeda branch offers €2 million bounty for president's capture Mali's local al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has offered millions of euros for information on ‌the whereabouts of the president and top military officials, describing the government as an illegitimate entity. The insurgents' statement follows a similar offer made by the government for ⁠information leading to JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly, and other militant figures. JNIM offered €2 million for information leading to Assimi Goita, leader of the government in the ​capital, Bamako, ​who ⁠took power following coups in 2020 and 2021, Reuters reported. The notice also offered €1 ​million each for information about ​Colonel ⁠Lassina Diallo and General Malik Dicko. It said the reward would be paid to anyone ⁠offering ​information leading to their locations ​or anyone taking concrete action to "neutralise" them.

 “Elections are rigged in Nigeria because Nigerians want it to be rigged. I will do whatever is possible to protect votes come 2027 election, but it is now left for Nigerians to decide if their votes will count. Because if you vote and stay in your polling unit and insist your votes must count, it will be counted. But some Nigerians would rather vote and go home, then hours later go to night vigil to start praying, because they think they are the only ones God created. The problem of Nigeria is leadership”. -Mr. Peter Obi, NDC presidential candidate on his recent visit to Washington, D.C.

 NDC: Aisha Yesufu rejected House of Reps ticket – Dickson National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, says he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, offered Aisha Yesufu a House of Representatives ticket, but she turned it down. Dickson made this disclosure while speaking at the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja. This comes following the recent internal political wranglings within the party. Recall that Yesufu in a post on her verified X handle on Thursday said Dickson seems to be fighting a war no one is waging against him. “Now, talking about the FCT, do you know that Peter Obi and I offered Aisha Yesufu a House of Representatives ticket, but she turned it down? “House of Representatives that people are fighting for, she said she’s too big for it,” he said

 Sean Penn labeled 'biggest dirtbag in Hollywood' over Holocaust remarks Sean Penn has come under fire after making controversial remarks about selfies during a Tribeca Festival conversation with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. The Oscar-winning actor argued that fan photos are harmful, calling them “soul-suckers.”  But his comments took a shocking turn when he referenced a Holocaust survivor and a child with a disability as examples of situations where he would refuse a selfie.  The bizarre comparison quickly spread online, with critics blasting Penn as insensitive and labeling him “the biggest dirtbag in Hollywood.” The backlash added to Penn’s long history of polarizing behavior. Social media users condemned his choice of words, saying he could have expressed his dislike of selfies without invoking such extreme examples.  Penn explained that large gatherings and constant photo requests fuel his anxiety, which is why he skipped the Oscars this year despite winning for One B...

 Kate Middleton could break royal tradition by teaching Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to drive As Prince George nears his teenage years and prepares to begin studies at Eton College this fall, attention has turned to how the Prince and Princess of Wales may handle another milestone: learning to drive.  Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggested that Kate Middleton could take a hands-on role in teaching George, Charlotte, and Louis, rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to professional instructors.  He described Kate as calm and patient, qualities that would make her well-suited to guiding her children behind the wheel. This prediction aligns with the parenting style William and Kate have embraced, prioritizing involvement in their children’s daily lives and striving to give them as normal an upbringing as possible.  The couple is often seen doing school drop-offs and pickups themselves, and Harrold noted that while official driving ins...

 I Would Never Insult My Friends - Selena Gomez Clears Up Taylor Swift Comment Controversy,  Selena Gomez has responded after some social media users claimed she was taking a swipe at her close friend Taylor Swift. The singer and actress found herself at the center of online chatter after commenting "lol" under an Instagram post shared by MTV.  The post featured photos of Swift celebrating alongside actress Mariska Hargitay after the New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. One image showed Swift wrapping an arm around Hargitay while surrounded by fellow Knicks supporters. Another captured the pair cheering during the dramatic game. After receiving numerous messages about the comment, Gomez took to Instagram Stories to explain what she meant. “I woke up to so many texts,” she wrote. “I would never insult my friends, nor was it meant as an insult.” According to Gomez, her reaction was aimed at the first photo in ...

 Kenya holds memorial service for victims of Utumishi Girls Academy school fire Hundreds of mourners gathered on Friday in Kenya’s central town of Gilgil for a memorial service to honor the lives of 16 students who died in a fire at a girls school last month that police said was caused by arson. Authorities have arrested nine suspects. The remains of the girls, who were students at Utumishi Girls Academy, were placed in white coffins adorned with flowers and topped with their portraits. The coffins were lined up in front of their families, schoolmates, community members and local leaders, who called for justice, AP reported. The nine accused girls, who were students at the school, remain in police custody, with interrogations revealing that the May 28 blaze was started by lighting a mattress at the dormitory’s exit using a matchstick and paraffin. They are reported to have told investigators that they were protesting against changes to the examination calendar, a decision to charge...

 Mo Bimpe Shares Heartfelt Realities of Raising Triplets While Navigating Nollywood Career Nollywood’s beloved star, Adebimpe Oyebade-Adedimeji, widely known as Mo Bimpe, has pulled back the curtain on a new, exhilarating, and sometimes overwhelming chapter of her life. Having recently welcomed triplets with her equally celebrated husband, Lateef Adedimeji, the actress is offering fans an intimate look into the beautiful chaos of balancing a flourishing acting career with the demanding realities of new motherhood. The Profound Shift: Life Transformed by Triplets In a heartfelt reflection shared with her followers, Mo Bimpe confessed that becoming a mother to three bundles of joy simultaneously has profoundly reshaped her world. It’s a transformation she admits was beyond anything she could have imagined, bringing with it a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities. Initially, the sheer scale of caring for her children while maintaining her active presence in the fast-paced enterta...

 Uche Jombo Slams Bloggers for Leaking Photos of Late Alex Ekubo's Wife: 'He Kept Her Private for a Reason' Nollywood actress Uche Jombo has publicly criticized internet bloggers and media outlets for circulating leaked photos and videos of the late actor Alex Ekubo’s wife. The media leak occurred shortly after the late actor's recent service of songs, triggering strong reactions from colleagues and fans alike. A Deliberate Choice to Protect Her Privacy According to Jombo, the late actor had always made a conscious effort to keep his wife away from the relentless glare of the public eye. Despite facing years of intense media scrutiny throughout his career, Alex successfully shielded his partner's identity from the spotlight a boundary that his closest friends and associates always respected. Expressing her frustration on social media, Jombo pointed out the lengths to which the family went to maintain this privacy, noting that the widow even wore a face mask during t...

 Davido Silently Responds to Reno Omokri After Criticism Over Oyo Schoolchildren FIFA Tribute Nigerian music sensation Davido has once again proven that his platform is about more than just hit records. During his high-profile performance at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Afrobeats global icon used his massive stage to draw attention to a critical humanitarian crisis back home. However, his advocacy has sparked a heated online debate, drawing criticism from former presidential aide Reno Omokri. Taking the stage in front of thousands of global music fans, Davido wore a custom black jacket boldly emblazoned with the names of 39 abducted schoolchildren and seven teachers who were recently kidnapped from the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oyo State. The back of the garment carried a poignant plea: 'Bring Them Home,' while a white undershirt proudly displayed 'Nigeria.' Reno Omokri Questions the Strategy of Public Adv...

 Falz Ignites Lagos Protests: "They Don't Care About Us" — A Nation Demands Action on Insecurity and Hardship Nigeria's Democracy Day on June 12, 2026, transformed into a powerful platform for widespread national discontent, as citizens across the country took to the streets to demand urgent government intervention. Leading the charge in Lagos was the outspoken rapper, activist, and legal professional, Folarin Falana, famously known as Falz The Bahd Guy. Joined by his distinguished father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Falz stood shoulder-to-shoulder with scores of Nigerians, protesting the nation's spiraling insecurity and crippling economic hardship. These nationwide demonstrations, meticulously organized by various civil society organizations and labour unions, erupted in direct response to an alarming surge in killings and kidnappings. The recent, harrowing abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo state served as a painful, stark reminder of t...

 Celebrity Outcry: Nollywood's Susan Peters Demands Return of Stolen Phone Amidst Mass Thefts at Alexx Ekubo's Service of Songs A somber gathering intended to honor the life of the late Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo was marred by an unsettling wave of thefts, leaving attendees distraught. Among those affected was popular actress Susan Peters, who has taken to social media to express her shock and frustration after her expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max was stolen from her bag during the emotional service of songs held in Lagos. A Solemn Tribute Turns Sour The Monarch Event Centre in Lagos played host to the service of songs for Alexx Ekubo, who tragically passed away on May 11, 2026, at Evercare Hospital. The event drew a large crowd of family, friends, and colleagues from the entertainment industry, all dressed in white as a symbol of peace and remembrance. Notable personalities like Nathaniel Bassey, Mercy Chinwo, and Stan Nze were among those who gathered to pay their last respects t...

 Facebook, Instagram Experience Global Outage, Users Logged Out Meta-owned social media platforms Facebook and Instagram suffered a widespread outage on Friday, preventing millions of users worldwide from accessing their accounts. The disruption affected Facebook's website, mobile app, and Messenger service, with many users reporting that they were unexpectedly logged out. Attempts to sign back in resulted in error messages stating that an unexpected error had occurred. Visitors to Facebook's website were also greeted with a notice indicating that the company was working to fix the issue. As the outage unfolded, users flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm whether others were experiencing similar problems. While Facebook and Instagram were the hardest-hit platforms, WhatsApp appeared to remain largely functional despite sharing some infrastructure with Meta's other services. However, a number of users also reported difficulties accessing Instagram's web version. The...

 South African goalkeeper Ronwen William "Africans have always supported other African countries in every World Cup tournament but I can't figure out why our own case is different. Many Africans supported Mexico, not us, the South Africans.   We almost shed tears but truly this is sad. As Africans let's stand for each other, let's stand together "💔 No turning back my dear😭 #FIFAWorldCup2026

 New Hampshire Supreme Court overturns father’s murder conviction in death of missing 5-year-old Harmony Montgomery, orders retrial      The New Hampshire Supreme Court has overturned the second-degree murder conviction of Adam Montgomery in the death of his 5-year-old daughter, Harmony Montgomery, ruling that the charge should be retried separately from an assault case that was presented alongside it. Harmony's body has never been found, but investigators believe she was killed in 2019, nearly two years before she was reported missing. Montgomery was sentenced in 2024 to a minimum of 56 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, falsifying evidence, witness tampering, and assault. In a unanimous decision, the state's highest court found that combining the assault and murder charges in a single trial may have unfairly influenced jurors. The justices concluded there was a substantial risk that evidence related to an earlier assau...

 Trump nominates Jay Clayton for director of national intelligence amid pressure to replace Gabbard    President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to serve as director of national intelligence. The nomination comes after weeks of pressure from lawmakers demanding that the administration select a permanent replacement for former DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. The position is responsible for coordinating the work of the nation's 18 intelligence agencies. Trump's decision follows controversy surrounding his appointment of Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting DNI. Democrats objected to the move and threatened to block renewal of key foreign intelligence authorities unless a permanent nominee was named. In announcing the selection, Trump praised Clayton's legal credentials and urged the Sena...

 Phil Mickelson banned from San Diego golf club amid misconduct allegations Phil Mickelson has been removed from membership at a private golf club in the San Diego area following allegations that he made unwanted physical contact with a female employee earlier this year. The incident allegedly occurred at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where the six-time major champion has long practiced and played. According to reports, the woman rejected Mickelson's advances and reported the incident to club management. A representative for Mickelson said any misunderstanding surrounding the matter has been resolved and noted that the golfer continues to focus on a serious family health issue. The spokesperson added that Mickelson remains uncertain about when he will return to professional competition. Club officials reportedly launched an independent investigation after receiving the employee's complaint. Following the review, Mickelson was confronted by club leadership ...

 Hwang In-beom sparks South Korea's comeback over Czech Republic 2–1 in World Cup group stage clash    Hwang In-beom inspired a second-half comeback as South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2–1 in their World Cup group stage match on Thursday night. After a slow and uninspired opening 45 minutes that drew boos from the crowd, the Czech Republic struck first in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejci headed home following a long throw-in into the penalty area. South Korea responded in the 67th minute through Hwang, who beat two defenders with a clever feint before finishing to level the match. The midfielder then turned provider in the 80th minute, delivering a cross from the right wing that Oh Hyeon-gyu converted for the winning goal. The match, played at Guadalajara Stadium, was marked by large sections of empty seating despite an announced attendance of 44,985. South Korea’s players celebrated the final whistle with supporters gathered behind the goal, later posi...

Japan’s H3 rocket returns to flight with successful launch of new low-cost variant after earlier setbacks Japan’s H3 rocket has successfully returned to flight, marking an important milestone for the country’s next-generation space program with the debut of a new lower-cost configuration designed to improve competitiveness in the global launch market. The rocket lifted off Friday morning from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island, with its second stage reaching the intended orbit, according to Japan’s space agency during a live broadcast. Six small satellites built by universities and other organizations were also deployed and are believed to have separated successfully. The mission introduced the H3’s new “30 configuration,” which uses three liquid-fuel LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The design is intended to reduce launch costs and is one of several planned variants aimed at serving different customer requirements. The successful flight marks the ...

 British artist David Hockney, icon of modern art known for swimming pool paintings, dies at 88 British artist David Hockney, whose vivid swimming pool paintings and later iPad drawings helped define contemporary art, has died at the age of 88, his publicist said Friday. Hockney died at his home in London on Thursday, less than a month before his 89th birthday. No cause of death was released. Over a career spanning more than 70 years, he became one of Britain’s most influential and widely recognized artists, working across painting, collage, photography, printmaking, stage design and digital media. Born in Bradford in northern England, Hockney rose to prominence in the 1960s as part of the British pop art movement. His early work quickly set him apart for its bright colors, stylized forms and modern subjects, often reflecting everyday life and relationships in bold, simplified compositions. Much of his later artistic identity was shaped by his time in Southern California, where he ...

 Army recruiter pleads guilty to stealing identities of recruits in loan fraud scheme worth hundreds of thousands of dollars A New Jersey Army recruiter has admitted to stealing the identities of seven prospective recruits in a scheme that fraudulently generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans and credit card accounts. Former Sgt. 1st Class Jane Crosby, 35, pleaded guilty in federal court to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft after using personal information from would-be recruits to obtain roughly $266,000 in loans and credit lines, as well as to withdraw funds and deposit fraudulent checks. Authorities said the scheme took place between September and December 2023 while Crosby was assigned to a recruiting station in East Orange, New Jersey. During that time, she allegedly used sensitive documents provided by potential recruits, including passports, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards, to open financial accounts without their knowledge. Once the accounts w...