PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Car full of fireworks explodes at an illegal patron saint parade in Mexico, killing teen and injuring 12.(photo). A car filled with fireworks exploded during an illegal religious parade in central Mexico, killing a teenage boy and injuring at least a dozen more, terrifying video captured. Locals were participating in a procession Thursday in the city of Cuautitlán Izcalli — 21 miles from Mexico City — as part of an annual patron saint festival honoring San Francisco de Asis. Adults and children are seen celebrating as confetti hovers in the air when the pyrotechnics loaded into the vehicle catch fire, the video shows. Bystanders then turn toward the vehicle when the blast suddenly goes off. The person filming is knocked off their feet, while a person is seen sobbing nearby, according to the horrifying video. Additional firework blasts are also heard in the background as paradegoers frantically scramble for search. Alejandro González, 15, was killed and 12 people were injured, acco...

 U.S and China reach deal to lower tariffs on $30 billion in goods as trade tensions ease The United States and China have reached an agreement to reduce tariffs on about $30 billion worth of what the Trump administration describes as non-sensitive goods, marking a potential shift in the trade tensions between the two countries. The agreement was reached as part of a broader trade package following a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Under the deal, China will reduce tariffs on certain agricultural products, seafood, wood products, cosmetics and medical devices. The United States will lower tariffs on products including small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and child car seats. The tariff reductions could eventually affect prices for American consumers by lowering the cost of some imported goods that have become more expensive during the trade dispute. The agreement also includes plans for China to purchase 10 million metric tons of U.S. ...

  Jerry Eze leads thousands in prayer at Man United’s Old Trafford Old Trafford, Manchester United’s 74,000-capacity stadium, became a house of worship on Saturday as Nigerian pastor Jerry Eze led the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference, drawing believers from across Britain and beyond. Hosted by Streams of Joy International, the conference brought together believers from across the United Kingdom and around the world for prayer, worship and fellowship. Admission to the event was free, though attendees were encouraged to register in advance as places were limited. Despite that, demand reportedly outstripped availability, with some social media users claiming the event was fully booked and turning to TikTok in the days leading up to the conference in search of spare tickets. The gathering featured several well-known gospel ministers alongside Eze, including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.

 OPERATION WHIRL STROKE RESCUED SIX KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN KATSINA-ALA Troops of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE have rescued six  Kidnapped victims around Gbise community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, reaffirming the Joint Task Force sustained commitment to protecting lives and denying criminal elements freedom of action within its Joint Operations Area. Troops on 25 September  2026 were conducting a patrol within the area when they received credible information regarding the presence of six released Kidnapped victims. Acting swiftly on the information, the troops immediately mobilised to the location and successfully evacuated the victims to a secure area for safety and further necessary action. The rescued victims were identified as Mr Gabriel Enujuba, aged 50; Mr Samson Magbo, aged 43; Mallam Alkasim Modu, aged 27; Mr Manzo Bello, aged 27; Mallam Sani Abdullahi, aged 25; and Mr Munza Yusuf, aged 25. During preliminary investigation with th...

  Police, DSS, ICPC Cleared Me of Creating Fake Agency — Gbajabiamila Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, says investigations by the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have cleared him of any wrongdoing over allegations surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). Gbajabiamila made the statement on Saturday, September 26, 2026, during the 2026 Gbaja Mega Empowerment programme in Lagos. He said the allegations against him were investigated and that the reports from the investigations are in the public domain. “At the end of all the investigations, the Nigerian Police, the DSS, the ICPC cleared me of any wrongdoing,” Gbajabiamila said.

 54-YEAR-OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED DEFILEMENT OF 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN YOLA SOUTH The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested one Garba Suleiman, 54, a primary school teacher and resident of Damare, Yola South LGA, for alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim's family at Divisional Police Headquarters, Yola South. Operatives swiftly swung into action and apprehended the suspect. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly lured the minor and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her. The victim has been taken to hospital for medical examination. The Commissioner of Police, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, fdc, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yola, for discreet investigation and prosecution. The CP condemns in strong terms all forms of Gender Based Violence and assures the public that justice will be served. He also urges parents and guardians to ...

 Woman’s dismembered remains found in garbage bags at Georgia apartment complex, suspect arrested The dismembered remains of a woman were found inside garbage bags in the trunk of a car at an apartment complex in Smyrna, Georgia, this week. Shanteria Mosley, 29, was discovered at Park Valley Apartments after police began searching for her in response to a missing person report. Mosley, who was known to family and friends as “KT,” worked as a DoorDash delivery driver. Authorities said one of the garbage bags had been pulled tightly enough to reveal the outline of a body part. Investigators waited for officials from the Cobb County medical examiner’s office to arrive before opening the bags and confirming they contained human remains. Kingston Bradley, 18, of Smyrna, was arrested and charged with malice murder and concealing the death of another person in connection with Mosley’s death. Police said Bradley lives with his father at the apartment complex where the vehicle was found. In...

 IGP DISU RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM ALMA MATER, ST. GREGORY’S COLLEGE The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, was today, 26th September 2026, honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association at a grand reception held in Lagos State. The IGP was honoured alongside the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso at the event, which celebrated distinguished old boys who have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields of national service and leadership. The award recognised the IGP’s distinguished career in public service, leadership and over three decades of service to the Nigeria Police Force, as well as his professional accomplishments since leaving St. Gregory’s College, where he completed his secondary education in 1985. The recognition highlighted the IGP’s journey through frontline policing, criminal investigation, intelligence operations, international peace...

 NCoS CONTAINS CHOLERA OUTBREAK AT KURMAWA- KANO CUSTODIAL CENTRE The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed that a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano has been contained. The outbreak was confirmed on 23rd September by the Service’s medical team and Kano State public health authorities. The Service says the first case was detected on 17th September, when an inmate presented with vomiting and diarrhoea and was immediately admitted and treated at the facility’s medical centre. Two people have died — one at the custodial centre and another at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital. The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, directed sustained medical intervention, monitoring and preventive measures in collaboration with the Kano State Government. The Service says no further deaths have been recorded since the outbreak was confirmed. A team of senior medical personnel from the Service Headquarters has also been directed to...

 Trump rejects latest Iranian proposal as US-Iran talks remain deadlocked President Trump said Saturday that he rejected Iran’s latest proposal presented during indirect negotiations between the two countries in New York this week. The announcement came as Qatar and other regional mediators continue efforts to restart negotiations between the United States and Iran, with major disagreements remaining over the issues that would need to be resolved. Iran has sought to make the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. naval blockade central to discussions, while the Trump administration is demanding concessions from Tehran on its nuclear program. “They have made a proposal, and I rejected it,” Trump said. Despite the rejection, a U.S. official said discussions between the two countries through mediators remain positive and constructive, including negotiations over nuclear issues. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held another round of indirect talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas ...

 White House removes CNN from Air Force One trip, replacing network with conservative outlet amid ongoing media access dispute CNN was excluded from traveling aboard Air Force One with President Donald Trump on Saturday, with the White House assigning the seat to Real America’s Voice for Trump’s trip to Knoxville, Tennessee. Trump is scheduled to attend a college football game between the University of Tennessee and the University of Texas during the midday visit. The decision came shortly after CNN journalists, along with reporters from MS NOW and Politico, returned to the White House grounds with television cameras after a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s ban on the three organizations. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly’s ruling addressed the media outlets’ access credentials for the White House grounds but did not specifically address assignments to the White House press pool or access to Air Force One. Attorneys representing the news organizations have arg...

 Senator Nkechi Nwaogu counters APC spokesman, Uche Aguoru ......before Dragging Senator Nwaogu, APC Should Put Its House in Order  The attention of the Senator Nkechi Nwaogu Media Team has been drawn to an infantile press statement by one Uche Aguoru, in which he claimed that Senator Nwaogu is still a member of the APC. That claim is not true. We find it curious that Aguoru is more concerned about Senator Nkechi Nwaogu than about the situation within his own party. Before the APC begins dragging Senator Nwaogu, perhaps it should first address the conduct of some of its own candidates who have publicly distanced themselves from the party’s governorship candidate and endorsed another candidate. That raises a simple question: who is really facing a crisis of party cohesion? Senator Nkechi Nwaogu PhD CON, the NDC Senatorial Candidate for Abia Central, remains a major political figure whose name continues to generate significant attention across the political space. Indeed, the co...

 Sexual Harassment: Appeal Court Affirms Ndifon’s Two-Year Jail Term .... orders fresh trial on second count The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has affirmed the conviction of Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, the erstwhile Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, for soliciting pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student. The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on Thursday, September 18, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which convicted Professor Ndifon on Count One of the charge and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine. The conviction arose from evidence before the trial court that Professor Ndifon, while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, solicited pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student through electronic communication. The offence in Count One was prosecuted under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (P...

 Akoo River Overflow Floods Nkalunta Ibere Community in Abia, Leaves Over 300 Homeless The Akoo River in Nkalunta Ibere village, Otu Uzo-Ibere, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State has overflowed its banks after a week of heavy rainfall, flooding homes and farms and destroying houses, livestock, poultry and churches. More than 300 people have been rendered homeless by the disaster. Residents said the river rose well above its normal level following persistent rains that pounded the community for seven days. The flood also swept reptiles, fish and other aquatic animals from the river onto surrounding land. Maxwell Otuonye, President-General of the Ibere Clan Development Union Federated, and Kalu Chukwuemeka Israel, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Assembly candidate for Ikwuano LGA, appealed for immediate assistance from the Abia State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). They said villagers were now exposed to hunger and the risk of di...

 ‘I regret sleeping with you’: Married man, ‘feminist’s messy affair goes viral An alleged affair between a gym instructor, Dennis Emmanuel, and a social media feminist, Folakemi Martins, has turned into a messy public dispute, with the two dragging each other online over allegations surrounding their failed relationship. The controversy started when Emmanuel, who claimed to be married, accused Martins, in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter), of harassment, stalking and attempts to damage his reputation and marriage. Emmanuel, who admitted to having a sexual relationship with Martins, also accused her of refusing to let go after he decided to end their affair. According to him, his relationship with Martins began on May 9, 2026, after he told her that he was married and was looking for a “side chic.” Emmanuel, who shared several screenshots of alleged conversations between him and Martins, claimed that she knew about his marriage and agreed to the arrangement. He said the troubl...

 Prince Harry goes skydiving for 102-year-old WWII veteran — leaving Meghan Markle worried Prince Harry fulfilled a promise to skydive with a 102-year-old veteran, and immediately phoned his worried wife, Meghan Markle, afterward to tell her he landed safely. The royal made the jump in Toronto on Friday to raise awareness and money for two Canadian military charities, True Love Patriot Foundation and Sunnybrook. He was also promoting the Invictus Games, which takes place in Birmingham in 2027. Last year, he met WWII veteran Ed Marshall, who told the Prince he had skydived on his 100th birthday. Harry was so moved by his derring-do that he promised Marshall he would skydive with him when he returned to Toronto. “I’m not in the business of letting people down, but you cannot let a 102-year-old veteran down,” he explained. He also gushed about Canada, sharing that, “I love Canada. My wife lived here for seven years; most people thought that she was Canadian. Look, Canada has a very sp...

 Dominican merengue singer’s wife murdered in home robbery after serving lemonade to twisted killers Hospitality turned into horror. Merengue singer Julián Oro Duro’s wife was murdered after she unwittingly served lemonade to her killers — one of whom confessed to the twisted killing on YouTube, authorities said. Kevin Germán, 23, told Apogeo TV that he and Lawrence “Chiquito” Liranzo, 18, were welcomed into the Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic home on Sunday by the singer’s wife, Zeneida Castillo. She had recognized Liranzo, an employee of the singer. Castillo, 60, initially offered them water before she changed her mind and prepared lemonade, Germán said. They chatted for about 40 minutes before Liranzo conked Castillo’s head with a flower vase. Castillo briefly moved while she was lying on the floor before Liranzo choked her. Germán, who claims he never touched Castillo, said Liranzo threatened to kill him if he tried to leave the home. Liranzo allegedly locked Castillo’s...

 Alleged FBI hack may have exposed sensitive medical records of thousands of agents An alleged cyberattack targeting FBI personnel records may have exposed highly sensitive medical information belonging to thousands of special agents, including blood and urine test results. Hackers reportedly provided journalists with samples of the allegedly stolen material, including medical examinations used to determine whether employees are fit for duty. The group behind the alleged breach, known as ShinyHunters, has not publicly released the full dataset. The group has claimed to have obtained information connected to FBI employees, including a list of roughly 5,000 alleged FBI officials. The full scope and authenticity of the information remain under investigation. The FBI has previously warned about ShinyHunters, describing it as a cybercriminal group involved in large-scale data breaches and extortion. The group has been associated with harassment tactics against victims and their families...

 Pennsylvania pediatric critical care doctor fatally stabbed in sleep during home invasion   A Pennsylvania pediatric critical care doctor was fatally stabbed in his sleep during a home invasion early Thursday morning. Police responded to a reported stabbing around 12:31 a.m. Sept. 24 at a home on Linden Avenue in Edgewood, a borough near Pittsburgh. Responding officers found two adults, a man and a woman, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Investigators determined the victims had been attacked while they were sleeping after someone entered the home. The man, identified as 46-year-old Idris Evans, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The woman was transported to a hospital and remains in critical condition. A police K9 unit later located a man suffering from lacerations to his hands near the scene. He was identified as 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway of Pittsburgh and was taken to a hospital for treatment. After investigators interviewed witnesses, Hemingway w...

 California man charged with murder after wife’s remains found hidden beneath home 20 years later A Southern California man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife nearly 20 years ago after her remains were discovered hidden beneath a home in Big Bear. Jeff Anthony Maiorca, 53, was arrested Monday after authorities identified human remains found in a crawlspace beneath a residence as those of his former wife, Jill Maiorca. Jill was reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007. Investigators now believe she was killed in November 2006, when she was 29 years old. The case was reopened in October 2020 after deputies responded to a report of a suspicious discovery in the crawlspace beneath a home. They found unidentified human remains concealed under the residence. An autopsy determined that the person had died as a result of homicide. In 2023, additional DNA analysis identified the remains as Jill Maiorca. Cold case homicide investigators continued working...

Two arrested and more than 500 kratom units seized in Oxford following deaths of two Ole Miss students Two people have been arrested, and more than 500 units of kratom were seized from an Oxford, Mississippi, store following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students who were found with the substance nearby. Metro Narcotics agents raided Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store on Heritage Drive in Oxford on Thursday. Investigators seized more than 500 units of kratom, along with THC cartridges, gummies and other suspected narcotics. Oxford has prohibited the possession, distribution and sale of kratom since 2019. Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18, were arrested and booked on various drug-related charges. The store’s owner, 40-year-old Amer Alowdi, was indicted in 2022 on allegations of narcotics trafficking. Authorities said he left the country before he could be prosecuted, and additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. The arrests came days a...

Jury awards $164 million to woman trafficked for sex as a child at Georgia Super 8 hotel A federal jury has awarded $164 million to a woman who was trafficked for sex as a teenager at a Super 8 hotel in Georgia, finding the hotel operator knew or should have known about the trafficking and financially benefited from rooms used by her traffickers. The verdict against Lincoln Bancorp LLC includes $44 million in compensatory damages and $120 million in punitive damages. Attorneys for the woman, identified in court documents as J.R. to protect her privacy, described the award as the largest sex trafficking verdict in U.S. history. J.R. was 15 when the trafficking began in 2020. Evidence presented during the three-day trial showed that traffickers repeatedly brought her to the hotel throughout 2020 and 2021, with some stays lasting weeks or months. J.R. testified that she was sold for sex between seven and 15 times a day and that she endured hundreds of assaults while she was 15 and 16 year...

 ATIKU CAMPAIGN COUNCIL SAYS,NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN IN CAMPAIGN COUNCIL COMPOSITIONS The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has said that additional appointments will be announced as the campaign continues to broaden its national structure. In a statement, the Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, explained that the recently released list represents an important stage in the organisation of the campaign, but not the final composition of the council. It added that Atiku Abubakar remains deeply conscious of the sacrifices made by those who have stood with him over the years and that loyalty is remembered, sacrifice respected, and friends are valued. To those who may feel disappointed that their names have not appeared yet, the council asked for patience and understanding, emphasizing that no one should believe that years of commitment and sacrifice have been forgotten. The campaign would draw on loyal party members, experienced leaders, professionals...

 OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA: TROOPS THWART TERRORIST ATTACK, RECOVER AK-47 RIFLE, ARREST SUSPECT  IN KADUNA Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), recorded significant successes in separate operations conducted between 23 and 24 September 2026, thwarting a terrorist attack, recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, and arresting a suspected criminal in Kaduna State. On 23 September 2026, troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence of terrorists movement through the bushes of Rijana, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, swiftly mobilised to the area, laid an ambush and engaged the terrorists on sighting. Following the engagement, troops conducted a follow-up exploitation of the general area, leading to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, one magazine carrier and one military jungle hat, among other items. In a separate operation on the same day, troops of Sector 1 conducted a ...

 TROOPS OF OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA ARREST TERRORIST LOGISTICS COURIERS, RESCUE 14 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN KATSINA STATE Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) arrested three terrorist logistics couriers and rescued 14 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. On 24 September 2026, troops of Sector 2 intercepted three suspects travelling on a motorcycle in Faskari Local Government Area. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were conveying the sum of ₦2.7 million, suspected to be ransom money, alongside three mobile phones, for onward transfer to a terrorist kingpin through intermediaries within the area. The suspects, and the recovered items are in military custody for further investigation. Similarly, on 25 September 2026, troops of Sector 2, acting on credible intelligence about the movement of terrorists in Faskari Local Government Area, established an ambush position and engaged...

  Ryker Lee, the 15-year-old who fled his home out of desperation, is safe. The teen recently fled his parent's home in Three Points, Arizona. He did this due to the living conditions he was forced to endure. It is reported that his parents kept him padlocked in a small room, in an RV. It is also reported that Ryker was malnourished and had no access to running water... or even a bathroom. Every single picture of Ryker provided to the public was heartbreaking. His eyes said more than words could ever say.  After Ryker fled home, his younger siblings were also saved from the situation.  Police were able to locate the 15-year-old after a community member called in a police tip. His parents are charged with 3 counts of chi/d @buse, and it is possible there will be more charges against them. Ryker is safe, and we are so thankful that he is okay.

Governments would be better if women were in charge – Obama Former United States President Barack Obama has said he believes governments around the world would perform better if women were put in charge for two years. Obama made the remarks during a conversation with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin at Salem State University in Massachusetts on Monday, with C-SPAN sharing a clip of his comments on Friday. The video has since circulated online, drawing renewed attention to the former president’s views on female leadership. The former president was discussing leadership and the need to give younger generations opportunities to take on positions of influence when he recalled a thought he had while serving in the White House. “Even when I was president, I sometimes fantasised about if you put women in charge of every government for like two years and then just kind of saw, all right, how are things going? “I have a strong belief that things would — they wouldn’t be perfect. But they’d be bet...

  Anambra Govt to Peter Obi: Governance is about people’s welfare, not savings The Anambra State government has told Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, that governance is about prioritising citizens’ welfare, and not saving in banks for interests while the people suffer. The state government also accused Peter Obi of concealing his administration’s debts in the handover notes he prepared while leaving office in 2014. AI in sports video 2AI in sports video 2 Recall that state government has repeatedly said Obi left $123.77 million debt while leaving office. Also, the government said, loans were obtained for projects, including malaria control, education, healthcare, erosion management, community development, and value chain development. However, Obi has denied the claim, noting that he left over $150 million in Anambra’s treasury and investments. “As at the time I left office, the dollar components of my savings invested in various bonds were over...

 FRSC Intensifies Ember Months Road Safety Campaign in Anambra ‎ ‎By Juliana Nwachukwu ‎ ‎The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has intensified its road safety campaign across major markets and motor parks in the state as part of measures to reduce road traffic crashes during the 2026 Ember Months. ‎ ‎The campaign, led by the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, took the advocacy team to Eke and Amawbia markets on Sept 23, where commercial drivers, transport operators, traders, passengers and other road users were sensitised on the importance of obeying traffic regulations and prioritising safety. ‎ ‎Asekhauno urged motorists to avoid speeding, dangerous overtaking, route violations, distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. ‎She also advised drivers to maintain lane discipline and exercise caution, particularly around busy markets and major roads, where the movement of vehicles and pedestrians could increa...

 “I didn’t give anyone consent to solicit funds on my behalf” — Internet personality Blessing CEO denies fundraising after son’s death Internet personality  Blessing CEO has denied authorising anyone to solicit funds on her behalf following the reported passing of her second son. Actress Doris Ogala shared the denial after speaking with Blessing CEO on the phone and said she wanted the public to disregard a video in which a woman was allegedly appealing for donations on Blessing’s behalf. According to Ogala, the woman claimed that ₦20 million was needed, with an additional ₦36 million, bringing the amount being requested to ₦56 million. During the phone conversation, Blessing denied knowing about the fundraising effort and said she did not send anyone to raise money for her. “No, I’m not aware of that. No, no, no, no, I didn’t,” she said when asked if she authorised anyone to solicit funds. Blessing also said she did not give anyone permission to announce the passing of her so...

 DR Congo army general among 13 dead in plane crash Thirteen people including three army officers were killed on Friday when a military plane crashed in Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said. The plane was travelling to the capital, Kinshasa, from the southwestern city of Kikwit when it experienced a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province, said Remy Saki Bokinda, the Kwango vice governor. "With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot," he said, AFP reported. The passengers included General Likulia Bakumi, the army's auditor general, as well as a major, a captain and other military personnel and civilians, Bokinda said. "All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot's lifeless body was found outside the aircraft," he said. Congo's aviation accident investigation authority is launching a probe of the crash, a government statement said.

 Paramilitary RSF fighters defect to Sudanese army after witnessing 'tragedies' A group of fighters affiliated with Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday defected and joined the Sudanese Armed Forces, state news agency SUNA reported. The force was led by Al-Tayeb Mohammed Ahmed, also known as Al-Tayeb Al-Wahido. Senior officials from the Sudanese army and the General Intelligence Service received the defecting force. Al-Wahido said in a press statement he had broken away from the RSF and joined the Sudanese army after witnessing “tragedies” within the paramilitary group’s ranks. He called on RSF members to join the army, “return to the homeland” and reconsider their positions, saying “there is no cause that justified the continuation of the fighting.”