PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

Difficult Times Force Taxi Drivers to Go Door-to-Door Asking People If They Are Not Going to Town  South Africa's struggling taxi industry has reportedly been forced to adopt desperate new measures after a noticeable decline in passenger numbers, with taxi drivers now going door-to-door in residential areas asking residents whether they happen to be going to town. Residents across Gauteng reported waking up to persistent knocking on their gates this week, only to find taxi drivers standing outside holding destination boards and asking, "Morning boss, town? Rank? Bara? Anywhere? Even halfway?" According to industry insiders, the tactic was introduced after operators noticed that some of their regular passengers had either left the country or disappeared from their usual routes. "We can't just sit at the rank the whole day anymore," explained one driver while carrying a loudhailer and a portable card machine. "Business is slow. Nowadays if I see smoke com...

 King Charles overjoyed to see Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s kids in long-awaited reunion King Charles III is expected to spend time with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children, Archie and Lilibet, during the family’s upcoming visit to the United Kingdom. Reports suggest there is an agreement in place for the monarch to reunite with his grandchildren, marking their first trip back to the UK in several years.  Charles, said to be delighted by the opportunity, has extended an invitation for Harry and Meghan to stay at a royal residence, signaling a gesture of reconciliation. Security arrangements have been a major concern for Harry and Meghan since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, which led to the loss of their official protection in the UK.  Harry has petitioned the British government to provide security for his family, even offering to cover the costs himself, but his appeal was rejected in 2025. Despite these challenges, Harry is reportedly eager for his child...

 Man leaves wedding to get phone charger, dies in road accident in Albania A London architect has died following a road accident in Albania after leaving a wedding celebration briefly to get a phone charger. The man, identified as 28-year-old Daniel Rjabcevs, had travelled from the UK to attend a friend’s wedding on June 4, according to Kennedy News and Media. His brother, 34-year-old Vlad Merkulovs, said Daniel left the wedding venue on June 6 during the evening festivities in a rented Fiat and did not return. According to the family, concern grew after he had been away for several hours and could not be reached on his phone. Guests reportedly tried contacting him before authorities were informed. He was later found to have been involved in a serious road accident. His brother said the vehicle showed extensive damage after the crash. Daniel sustained multiple injuries, including fractures and head trauma. He was taken to hospital, where emergency surgery was carried out. Medical s...

"One of my church members told me to bring my passport one time that he wanted to help get a visa. A whole me, pastor, he deceived and scammed me. At that time, it was Dubai. He told me it was only my own he could do and that he couldn’t afford to do it for mummy, and I said no problem. He said he just wanted me to go there and spend three days so I could relax and enjoy myself. I was extremely happy. He requested for my passport, which I gave it to him, so I asked him when I would be departing. He said I would leave on Monday and get there on Tuesday. I called my brother and told him I’ll be flying tonight and he would be driving me to the airport. I said we would be leaving by 6 p.m. because my flight was for 3 a.m., so we could get there on time. We got to the airport, and I didn’t see him. I kept calling him till dawn, but he didn’t pick up. At some point, his number stopped going through. The fact that I didn’t travel was not even the issue, if not for the stress I went throu...

 Three-year-old boy critically injured after entering UK zoo crocodile enclosure; man arrested for attempted murder A three-year-old boy has sustained severe injuries after entering a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in the United Kingdom, prompting law enforcement to arrest a man on suspicion of attempted murder. Emergency services were dispatched to the Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo in Huntingdon on Thursday afternoon following reports of a toddler inside the predator habitat. The child was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical officials listed him in critical but stable condition. Following an initial investigation at the scene, a 30-year-old man from Norfolk was taken into custody under suspicion of attempted murder. Detectives currently believe that the suspect and the victim were strangers and had no prior relationship. Investigating officers are actively interviewing eyewitnesses who were visiting the zoo at the time of the incident to piece together the exact timel...

All My Children actor Paul Avery and wife die in New Jersey house fire Actor Paul Avery, best known for his 12-year role as the bartender Hughie on the soap opera "All My Children," died alongside his wife, Sheila Garry Avery, in a New Jersey house fire. He was 81 years old. Emergency responders arrived at the couple's Mohican Road home in Blairstown to find the structure entirely engulfed in flames. The couple was found unconscious inside the residence and passed away shortly thereafter. The Averys were long-time, highly respected members of the Blairstown community. Beyond his acting career, Paul Avery served as a local committeeman and co-founded a local news publication. In recent years, he dedicated much of his time to caring for his ailing wife. In addition to his decade-long run on "All My Children," Avery's television and film credits included appearances on "Three's Company," "Soap," "Tales from the Darkside," and a...

Jim Carrey in talks to return for How the Grinch Stole Christmas sequel More than a quarter-century after Jim Carrey first donned the green fur to bring Dr. Seuss's classic character to life on the big screen, a live-action sequel to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" has officially entered development. Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment are spearheading the follow-up to the 2000 holiday blockbuster. Studio executives are currently in negotiations with Carrey to reprise his legendary role as Whoville’s resident curmudgeon, while director Ron Howard is also slated to return to the director's chair. Though the project is in its early stages, the studios have enlisted screenwriters Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel to pen the script. The writing trio previously collaborated on the 2003 cinematic adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s “The Cat in the Hat.” The original film, which debuted in November 2000, was a massive commercial triumph, grossing $260 million domest...