At least 15 individuals lost their lives when a bridge partially collapsed in Shaanxi province, China, following severe flash floods. The incident occurred in Zhashui County, Shangluo city, on Friday evening, as confirmed by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Reports indicated that approximately 25 vehicles fell from the bridge due to the collapse, triggered by heavy rains and subsequent flooding. Rescue operations remain ongoing, with China’s national fire and rescue authority mobilizing a substantial effort. As of Sunday evening, 1,630 personnel, 205 vehicles, and 63 boats have been deployed to the site for search and rescue missions. The exact number…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Amidst the ongoing nationwide protests, President Bola Tinubu has announced plans to address the nation in a broadcast scheduled for Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00 am. The decision comes in response to the demonstrations across states, demanding immediate government action on critical issues. The announcement was made public by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesman, who stated the broadcast’s importance during a period of heightened tension. Ngelale urged all television, radio, and electronic media outlets to broadcast the address via the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). The protests, characterized…
Uganda has detected its first two cases of mpox (monkeypox), the health ministry said on Saturday, a day after the Africa Union allocated $10.4 million in funding to combat the outbreak. The cases were discovered in the western border district of Kasese, in the towns of Mpondwe and nearby Bwera, the director general of health services Henry Mwenda told AFP. “Our findings indicate the infections did not take place in Uganda but (came) from DRC,” he said of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Nine people were under medical surveillance following contact with the two confirmed cases, he…
Two students, Timothy Oluwabukola from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and Anthony Odemerho from Resign Regal Academy, have been formally charged in the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly orchestrating a hacking operation targeting MTN Nigeria Communication Plc. The charges, brought by the Police Special Fraud Unit, allege that the students illegally accessed MTN’s web-based platform known as the Application Programming Interface (API), resulting in the theft of airtime and data valued at N1.9 billion. According to the prosecution counsel, Justine Enang, the offenses were committed between January and April 2024 across locations in Lagos and Edo states. Enang stated…
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, Gen. Christopher Musa, has issued a stern warning amid escalating protests across the nation under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. In a press conference held in Abuja, Gen. Musa expressed concerns over the ongoing unrest, emphasizing that the military stands ready to intervene if the situation worsens beyond the capacity of the police. “We are supporting the police all through. We are just on standby. The police are doing a good job; they are handling the situation for now. Unless it breaches beyond what they can handle, then the military will…
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said late Friday he had agreed with Fox News to debate Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on September 4. “I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, but it was not immediately clear if Harris had agreed to the debate. AFP
Rescue operations are in full swing in Kerala’s Wayanad district after devastating landslides claimed over 150 lives following heavy monsoon rains. The landslides, triggered by incessant downpours, struck Mundakkai village and surrounding areas early Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction and trapping hundreds of residents. Emergency responders, battling treacherous conditions exacerbated by ongoing rainfall and infrastructure damage, continue their efforts to locate survivors. The Indian Air Force deployed helicopters despite challenging weather conditions, aiming to airlift stranded individuals and deliver essential supplies. “We are leaving no stone unturned in our rescue efforts,” affirmed A. K. Saseendran,…
Famine has been officially declared in the Zanzam refugee camp located near El Fasher, North Darfur, marking a dire turn in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict. The announcement, made by food security organizations, underscores the severe toll exacted on the population after 15 months of intense warfare. The United Nations-backed Famine Review Committee (FRC) confirmed the declaration, citing unprecedented conditions in the camp where nearly half a million people have sought shelter since the conflict escalated in April 2023. This declaration is only the third in 20 years of monitoring and the first in over seven years, serving as…
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has praised the people of the Niger Delta region for their peaceful conduct during nationwide protests, emphasizing the need to prevent unrest from escalating further. Led by Chief Edwin Clark, PANDEF acknowledged the efforts of ethnic youth leaders, community-based organizations, civil society groups, activists, ex-agitators, and youths for maintaining calm amidst recent demonstrations across the country. In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Ken Robinson, PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, the forum urged protesters in some states of the Niger Delta to cease their demonstrations to safeguard against potential infiltration by criminal elements. This…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has defended its decision to impose a $220 million penalty on WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated. The fine was issued following allegations of data privacy violations over an extended period. In a statement released on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the FCCPC said that the penalty was a crucial step towards ensuring fairness in Nigeria’s digital market. The commission rebutted claims by WhatsApp that the hefty fine could force it to exit the Nigerian market, dismissing such statements as a strategic maneuver to sway public opinion and influence regulatory…
Following a confrontation with tear gas at Berger roundabout, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters have regrouped at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, determined to press their demands for governmental accountability and reform. The incident occurred shortly after protesters and journalists were dispersed by security forces, prompting a relocation to the stadium where chants echoed defiance against intimidation tactics. A protester, voiced frustration over police actions, emphasizing their resolve amidst widespread economic hardship. “The police must justify why they are disrupting our peaceful protests,” Tari said. “With widespread hunger, we stand firm demanding that our voices be heard by the President.” …
Kamala Harris will be confirmed as the Democratic US presidential nominee in an electronic vote that started Thursday, replacing the fanfare of in-person balloting that usually kicks off the party’s national convention. Less than two weeks after Joe Biden ended his reelection bid, his 59-year-old vice president is in full control of the party, having emerged as the only Democrat in the running to challenge Republican Donald Trump in November. Just under 4,000 delegates — the grassroots activists and politicians allocated during the primary process — sent in signatures backing Harris to be on the ballot for the…