PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

        Australia's second largest city, Melbourne, will go back into a strict lockdown to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections from spreading across the country. A total of five million residents in the metropolitan city will no longer be allowed to leave their homes unless it's for grocery shopping, caregiving, exercise or work starting from 11:59pm on Tuesday, July 7. This drastic action was announced as authorities declared that it's clear "we are on the cusp of our second wave". The measures are expected to remain in place for six weeks. They come as the state of Victoria saw another record rise in daily coronavirus cases, with 191 new infections recorded for Tuesday. The state reported its previous high of 127 new cases on Monday. Of the 191 new cases detected on Tuesday, 13 came from the nine public housing estates under a "hard lockdown". About 3,000 residents in the densely populated towers were suddenly put under a ...

      Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who repeatedly has expressed skepticism about the coronavirus, said Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19.  Brazil trails only the U.S. in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths. The South American country had more than 1.6 million total COVID-19 cases and upward of 65,000 deaths Tuesday, according to John's Hopkins University statistics.  The 65-year-old Bolsanaro has downplayed the risks posed by the coronavirus, once telling supporters that because of his history of athleticism, he would not worry if he became infected.His apparent disregard for the potential lethal effects of the virus has led him to challenge safeguard measures to prevent the spread of the virus, such as weakening laws requiring a face mask in public. "I'm, well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can't due to medical recommendations," a mask-wearing Bolsonaro told reporters who were close to him Tuesday...

     Gallant troops of Sector 3 OP LAFIYA DOLE neutralized and annihilated some Boko Haram Terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Mongonu at about 1100hrs, 7 July 2020. Details later. Pictures below.More photos below.

      President Muhammadu Buhari joins the All Progressives Congress (APC), government and people of Kwara State in mourning the passing of Alhaji Aminu Adisa Logun, Chief of Staff, Kwara State Government House, describing him as a dedicated public officer. President Buhari said: “I just received the sad and unfortunate news on death of Alhaji Logun, a successful industrialist and consummate public intellectual. He was a passionate member of our party, APC, who worked for its progress at state and national levels. “His death comes at a time his services were greatly needed by the party and government as part of our rebuilding efforts.’’ While condoling with the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, State Executive Council, and Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the President prayed that Allah will forgive the soul of the deceased, and reward his good deeds with paradise. He also prayed that...

     The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, has reacted to the harrowing footage of a Nigerian man crying and begging that he has only days to live as a dreaded Pakistani gang tortured him because his "brother" owes them... According to reports, the man's brother named Andrew used him as a collateral for a business with the group. However, as Andrew didn't show up to pay what he owes, the gang tortured the human collateral he left behind and filmed it to serve as a warning . In the video, the Nigerian man is seen begging his uncle to sell everything they have and pay a man called Nuruz otherwise he will be killed on July 10. Reacting to the harrowing video, NIDCOM said the Nigerian mission in Islamabad, Pakistan, has escalated the issue for investigation.

     Federal Government and Lagos State Government have appealed to motorists and Lagos residents to cooperate with government and appropriate agencies during the six months partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for maintenance work, which is expected to commence on July 24. Speaking during a press conference jointly addressed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Engr. Olukayode Popoola; Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde and Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, on Tuesday at Alausa in Ikeja, they assured Lagosians that necessary measures would be put in place to reduce gridlocks during partial closure of the bridge. Engr. Popoola said there would be diversion of traffic in two phases during the partial closure of the bridge between Friday July 24, 2020 and January 24, 2021. He said the Phase One of the diversion, which will last for three months for repairs of the Oworonsoki...

     “For all of us, today is an occasion to remember those who were so tragically lost and to stand with those who were left behind.” Today marks the 15th anniversary of the 7th July 2005 London bombings. The Prince of Wales joined online commemorations with survivors, bereaved families and responders of 7/7, who came together to observe the anniversary.