PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

FMINO PRESS RELEASE ETHICAL, BALANCED JOURNALISM ESSENTIAL TO NORTHERN NIGERIA'S FUTURE – INFORMATION MINISTER The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano on Monday, has called on media professionals in Northern Nigeria to uphold ethical, balanced and responsible journalism, saying the region's future will be shaped not only by development projects but also by the stories told about its people and its potential. "The future of Northern Nigeria will not be determined only by the quality of our roads, our farms or our industries. It will also be shaped by the quality of our ideas and the stories we tell about ourselves," the Minister said on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano. He said the media remains one of the most powerful forces for shaping public opinion, attracting investment, preserving culture, strengthening democracy an...

 Prince Harry no longer expected to stay at Buckingham Palace during UK visit after timing issue Prince Harry will not be staying at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the United Kingdom this week after arrangements were not confirmed in time, according to palace sources. The Duke of Sussex is due to arrive in London on Monday without Meghan, Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet. Buckingham Palace had initially offered accommodation to Harry as part of preparations for his visit, amid ongoing discussions over security arrangements for his family. According to sources, Harry did not accept the offer within the required timeframe. The delay meant officials were unable to complete the staffing and logistical arrangements needed to prepare a royal residence for his stay. Reports indicate that Harry initially declined the offer on Saturday before later attempting to accept it. By that point, palace officials said preparations could no longer be made. His communications team had briefed ...

 Folarin Balogun cleared to play in World Cup round of 16 after FIFA suspends red card ban against US striker U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the USMNT’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday after FIFA suspended his one-game red card ban. FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension would be placed on hold under a one-year probationary period, allowing Balogun to return to eligibility for the knockout-stage match in Seattle. Balogun was shown a red card in the second half of the United States’ match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week after a challenge involving an opponent’s foot. The decision led to his ejection and an automatic one-match suspension. At the time, FIFA stated that referees’ disciplinary rulings were final and not subject to appeal. Under the revised ruling, FIFA warned that if Balogun commits another similar offense during the probation period, the suspension would be enforced immediately, in addition to any further disciplinary a...

 A 4-year-old Indiana boy was found deceased after going missing from his home on July 4th. Corbin Merrill was last seen leaving a residence on the 2800 block of Montclair Drive on foot.  Corbin was officially reported missing at approximately 3 p.m. and an extensive multi-agency search was launched. Sadly, later on the same day authorities would announce that Corbin had been found deceased. The cause or manner of Corbin's passing have not been released at this point.  Authorities are continuing to investigate Corbin's disappearance and ultimate death.  They are asking anyone who may have seen Corbin prior to his death or have any information that could help the investigation to please call the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 1-317-327-6160 Our thoughts are with this family.

 Dr. Awwal Kamil Agono Emerges Overall Best Graduating Medical Student At Kaduna State University, Wins Nine Academic Awards Dr. Awwal Kamil Agono has emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Medical Student of the Kaduna State University College of Medicine, capping an outstanding academic journey marked by excellence, dedication, and exceptional performance. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, Dr. Agono received a total of nine prestigious awards during the institution's graduation ceremony. The honours include: - Overall Best Graduating Medical Student - Best in Pathology - Best in Internal Medicine - Best in Pediatrics - Best in Hematology - Best in Surgery - Best in Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Best in Clinical Pharmacology - Best in Clinical Studies The feat reflects years of discipline, resilience, and consistent academic excellence throughout his medical training, earning him widespread recognition among his peers and faculty.

 Kaduna: Gov. Uba Sani Pledges Fair Compensation Before Any Demolition Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reaffirmed that his administration will never demolish any property without first providing fair and adequate compensation to affected owners. The governor made the commitment while presenting compensation cheques to 122 households affected by the 15-kilometre Ring Road project stretching from Danbushiya Junction to Danhono 2 in Millennium City. Speaking at the event, Sani stressed that public interest should never be used as an excuse for injustice, noting that development must be carried out with fairness, compassion, and respect for the rights of citizens. He explained that although construction had commenced after the project's groundbreaking, it later became clear that several homes and structures were located within the project's designated right-of-way. According to him, the situation presented not only an engineering challenge but also a moral responsibility to bala...

 Deputies in Kentucky were forced to take the life of a fellow law enforcement officer after a domestic incident spiraled out of control. 37-year-old Dustin Zink was the K-9 officer for the Florence Police Department. Dustin was enjoying a few days off of work and was scheduled back on Wednesday. According to neighbors, he had told them he was taking his family swimming on Friday, July 3rd. That family day would take a dark turn that would lead to Dustin's ultimate death.  Deputies with Boone County Sheriff's Office were called to a domestic violence call with possible shots fired. Deputies raced to the home that sits on a cul-de-sac off of Thunder Drive at approximately 10 p.m. Once on scene, they encountered Dustin Zink, who was armed with a weapon. Dustin was threatening to harm himself and others. Deputies desperately attempted to talk Dustin down. However, Dustin ultimately began to discharge his weapon.  Four Deputies with Boone County returned fire striking Dustin ...

A suspicious man showed up to an Effingham, Illinois church, armed, and  looking for the pastor. After the authorities arrived, he left the church with critical injuries.  The events that would ultimately end with the suspect fighting for his life began today in Kinmundy, Illinois, before 9:00 a.m. (Sunday, July 5th). This morning, after he stole a vehicle in Kinmundy, he drove the stolen vehicle directly to St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham, Illinois. The armed man arrived at the church shortly after 9 a.m. and asked to speak with the pastor. Something was off and the church security did not ignore the red flag. A call to the Effingham Police Department was made. The call went out at 9:27 a.m. and not only Effingham Police but Effingham County Sheriff's Department responded to the church.   The vehicle was quickly determined to have been stolen from Kinmundy and authorities made their way into the church. Once inside, both deputies with the Sheriff's Departmen...

Embarrassing moment Lara Trump steps out in Independence Day dress with huge error Lara Trump unveiled her custom Independence Day dress on social media, designed by Cuban-born fashion creator Oscar Garcia-Lopez. The outfit, crafted in red, white, and blue panels with gold star embroidery, was meant to honor America’s 250th birthday.  While praised for its patriotic flair, some noted that the star detailing did not fully match the American flag. Despite this flaw, fans flooded the designer’s post with compliments, calling Lara “fashionable,” “patriotic,” and “stunning.” In recent weeks, Lara has frequently showcased outfits inspired by the American flag’s colors. Earlier this month, she reposted a Republican National Committee image featuring military planes flying over Capitol Hill and a Ferris Wheel built for Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair.  While many of her followers celebrated the post, critics accused her of grifting and mocked the event’s turnout. The mixed re...

 Barbara Eden says Elvis was used by Hollywood execs for money: 'They didn't think about his career' Barbara Eden, best remembered as the enchanting star of I Dream of Jeannie, also shared the screen with Elvis Presley in the 1960 Western Flaming Star. Unlike Presley’s usual musical comedies, this film was a dramatic departure, featuring him as a man of mixed heritage caught between cultures in West Texas.  Eden played his love interest and later reflected on how impressed she was with his acting ability, noting that he could have achieved far more in Hollywood had studios given him the chance. She lamented that his talent was often overshadowed by commercial interests focused on his singing career. Over the years, Eden has spoken warmly about Presley’s professionalism and kindness on set. In interviews, she described him as a gentleman who went out of his way to make her comfortable, even offering her a chair when she arrived.  She praised his performance in Flaming Star...

 Sharon Osbourne marks first wedding anniversary without Ozzy in heartbreaking post Sharon Osbourne marked her first wedding anniversary since the passing of her husband Ozzy with a heartfelt message on Instagram. Sharing a photo of the couple holding hands, she reflected on their 46 years of marriage, writing that while she misses his presence, their love endures beyond death.  Ozzy, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, died last July at 76 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, just days after performing a farewell concert in Birmingham titled Back to the Beginning. The couple, who married in Hawaii on July 4, 1982, built a family together with three children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. Sharon’s tribute comes amid reports of her own recent health scare, which forced her to miss the unveiling of a 20-foot statue honoring Ozzy at the Hellfest festival in France.  She expressed gratitude to the organizers and artist Philippe Pasqua for the tribute, even as she cont...

 Cindy Crawford and daughter Kaia Gerber coordinate in LBDs at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber turned heads at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden, dazzling guests with their coordinated black gowns and striking resemblance.  A celebrity hairstylist shared glimpses of their looks online, showing Crawford in a sleek one-shoulder dress paired with diamond jewelry, while Gerber opted for a body-hugging gown with a plunging neckline.  Their matching middle-part hairstyles and elegant black tie ensembles had fans marveling at the duo’s double dose of supermodel glamour. Crawford’s look was elevated by her caramel-highlighted hair styled with curtain bangs and subtle texture, complemented by a radiant makeup palette featuring smoky eyes, bronzed cheeks, and berry lips.  Gerber, meanwhile, embraced a softer aesthetic with golden waves and understated makeup in taupe and peach tones, fini...

 Cholera outbreak kills 30 people in Sudan's West Kordofan A Sudanese relief group reported 30 deaths from a cholera outbreak in West Kordofan state in western Sudan since June 20. In a statement, Dar Hamar Emergency Room said 800 people have also been infected with the disease during the same period. The organisation said the outbreak was recorded in Wad Banda and Al Nahud localities as well as neighbouring villages in the state.

 More than 1,000 Sudanese nationals voluntarily return home from Egypt A total of 1,174 Sudanese citizens voluntarily returned home from Egypt as part of Sudan's ongoing repatriation efforts for nationals wishing to return from abroad. A voluntary return committee organised 24 buses carrying the 1,174 Sudanese from Egypt to Sudan. The operation was sponsored by the General Secretariat of the Sudanese Zakat Chamber, a government body. Arrangements are also underway for the return of Sudanese nationals from Libya via the Salloum border crossing between Egypt and Libya, as well as for the return of 12 Sudanese university professors and their families. Priority is being given to sick and elderly citizens, who are returning to Sudan using various means of transportation, including air travel.

A Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has said that anybody above 70 years of age should not run for political office in Nigeria. Utomi said this in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday According him: “Impunity and disregard of decent order has become our way. When Yar’Adua was dying people lied and governed in his name. “They did the same with Buhari. They are doing so again. This is high treason. This is why I say nobody over 70 should run for office. I am 70 years old.” Recall that Utomi had called for renewed efforts to instill democratic values in young Nigerians. According to him, civic education is critical to sustaining democracy and promoting national development.

 Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed as false and baseless reports claiming he was offered N500 billion to run against Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Sunday through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described the allegation as a deliberate attempt to drag him into unnecessary political controversy and mislead the public. “The speculation is completely false, baseless and a deliberate attempt to drag him into needless political controversy,” Eze said. The media aide noted that the publication falsely claimed Jonathan had disclosed receiving the huge offer to challenge Obi and split votes in the South-South region. However, the report provided no credible details, such as when or where the alleged statement was made, the identity of those who supposedly made the offer, or any witnesses. “The story bore all the characteristics of fabricated news designed to mislead the public an...

 TRADERS BEG SOLUDO OVER COLLAPSED DRAINAGE THREATENING OVER 20 SHOPS AT ODERA, ARTHUR EZE ROAD MARKETS By Maureen Agbala Traders at Odera Market and the Old Timber/Arthur Eze Road Market in Awka have appealed to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene over a collapsed concrete drainage system that is causing severe flooding and putting more than 20 shops at risk of total collapse. The traders raised the alarm on Saturday, July 4, during the Anambra State statewide environmental sanitation exercise at the Odera Market, Awka. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Odera Market, Comrade Nnaemeka Nworah, said the drainage infrastructure, which has served the market for over a decade, has now fully given way, with dire consequences for surrounding shops. "This drainage has been existing for more than ten years and now all the drainages have collapsed and are affecting the shops, they are about to go down," he said. Nworah explained that floodwater from neighbouring...

 ‎Bishop Nwokolo Ordains 30 Priests, Charges Them to Remain Faithful to God's Calling ‎ ‎ ‎By Mokwugwo Ogochukwu ‎ ‎ ‎The Bishop on the Niger and Dean of All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha, Rt. Rev. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo (JP, FITH-PUA), on July 5 ordained 30 new priests during a solemn service at All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha. ‎ ‎Speaking during the retreat preceding the ordination, Ven. Emmanuel Ezeugo urged the newly ordained priests to remain steadfast in their divine calling by relying completely on God's grace and resisting the works of the flesh, principalities, and every form of darkness. ‎ ‎He stressed that the christian ministry demands unwavering faith, spiritual discipline, and total dependence on God. ‎"As deacons ordained into the priesthood today, you need God's grace to remain in Christ because the flesh will always seek to prevail. Let God be your daily guide," he said. ‎ ‎Ven. Ezeugo further charged the priests to preach the gospel faithfully in sea...

  Onitsha Market Leader Lauds Soludo's Sanitation Drive, Calls for Prompt Waste Evacuation ‎ ‎ ‎By Ebele Iyke Odili ‎ ‎ ‎The Chairman of Onitsha Main Market and Vice Chairman of Omagba Phase II, Onitsha, Mr. Chijioke Okpalaugo, has praised the Anambra State Government for the successful conduct of the mandatory environmental sanitation exercise held on July 4, describing the level of public participation as impressive. ‎ ‎ ‎Speaking after monitoring the exercise, Mr.  Okpalaugo said residents, traders and other stakeholders in Omagba Phase II turned out in large numbers to clean their surroundings and clear blocked drainage channels, demonstrating their commitment to a cleaner environment. ‎ ‎ ‎He commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for sustaining the environmental sanitation initiative, noting that it is particularly important during the rainy season when blocked drains often contribute to flooding. ‎ ‎ ‎According to him, regular desilting of gutte...

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE POLICE RECOVER STOLEN VECTRA OPEL, ARREST 3 SUSPECTS IN BAUCHI/GOMBE Detectives of the Bauchi State Police Command have recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested three suspects in connection with the theft. According to a situation report, on 29th June, 2026, the Command received a distress call from a good Samaritan reporting that an unknown person(s) had stolen a green Vectra Opel with registration number AH 232 AKK, belonging to one Mr.  Mu’azu, a resident of Katsinawa Village, Jos Road, Bauchi. Acting on the information, the DPO ‘E’ Division promptly mobilised his team and intercepted the said vehicle around Dorawan Dillalai. One suspect was arrested and the vehicle recovered. In a follow-up operation, detectives from the Area Command proceeded to Gombe State where they arrested two additional suspects: Abubakar Musa ‘m’, 46-years'old, and Usman Abubakar ‘m’, 30-years-old, who were allegedly negotiating to purchase the stolen vehicl...