Africa
Somalia orders ban on Tiktok, Telegram
Somalia orders ban on Tiktok, Telegram
Somalia’s government announced Sunday a ban on social media platforms TikTok and Telegram and an online betting app, saying they were being used by “terrorists” to spread propaganda.
The move comes ahead of a much anticipated second phase of a military offensive against Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group that has been waging a bloody insurgency against the central government in Mogadishu for more than 15 years.
In a statement, the ministry of communications and technology ordered internet service providers to implement the ban by August 24 or face unspecified legal action.
READ ALSO:
-
World Mosquito Day: Declare state of emergency on malaria, Reps urge Tinubu
-
Wike: The New Sheriff in Town, by Eric Osagie
-
23 LGAs in three northern states battling kidnappers, cattle rustlers, terrorists
“In a bid to accelerate the war and elimination of the terrorists who have shed the blood of the Somali people, the minister of communication and technology instructs companies that provide internet services to suspend TikTok, Telegram and 1XBET betting applications, which terrorists and groups responsible for spreading immorality use to spread graphic clips, photos and mislead society.”
The army has been waging an offensive against the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab in central Somalia since August last year, joining forces with local clan militias in an operation backed by African Union troops and US air strikes.
Al-Shabaab fighters were driven from the capital Mogadishu in 2011 but still control swathes of countryside and continue to wage deadly strikes on civilian, political and military targets despite the government offensive.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to rid the troubled Horn of Africa country of the jihadists and is expected to announce shortly a second phase of the offensive against them in southern Somalia.
Somalia orders ban on Tiktok, Telegram
AFP
Africa
Father mourns 14-year-old daughter poisoned at school, says ‘I’ve failed you my baby’
Father mourns 14-year-old daughter poisoned at school, says ‘I’ve failed you my baby’
A father has mourned his 14-year-old daughter, Nomfundo Palesa Tyler Khumalo, who was allegedly poisoned at her school in South Africa.
It was gathered that the incident happened on 8 April 2024 and she passed away on 25 April.
Details surrounding the circumstances of her death remain unclear.
A murder case has been opened, and investigations are underway.
The family of Nomfundo is currently struggling to deal with the loss and seeking answers as to why and by whom she was targeted.
READ ALSO:
- Zamfara APC defends Mattawale, says protesters are rented crowd
- SERAP sues Wike, 36 govs over N5.9tn, $4.6bn loans
- Chelsea thrash West Ham to stay on track for Europe
Nomfundo’s father, Gift, on Sunday, May 5, wrote a heartfelt message on X to pay tribute to her.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think you would end up on this page I’ve failed you my baby , should’ve protected you better we even spoke about you being home schooled after you recover unfortunately.. I’m so sorry If Possible I’d easily give up my life for yours,” he wrote on Sunday, May 5.
In an earlier post, he wrote: “I wish the after life is kinder to souls as precious as yours , there is no boundry for my love to you my baby Not even Death itself Don’t forget to visit us in our dreams more exp your Mother It’s never goodbye when there an after life promised I’ll see you soon my child.”
Father mourns 14-year-old daughter poisoned at school, says ‘I’ve failed you my baby’
Africa
Floods kill over 200 in Kenya, cyclone approaches
Floods kill over 200 in Kenya, cyclone approaches
The death toll from flood-related accidents in Kenya has surpassed 200 since March, the interior ministry announced Friday as a storm approached the Tanzanian coast.
Torrential rains have lashed parts of East Africa, causing flooding and landslides that have wrecked crops, buried homes, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
According to a statement from Kenya’s interior ministry, 210 people have died “due to severe weather conditions,” with 22 deceased in the last 24 hours.
More than 165,000 people had been evacuated from their homes, with 90 others missing, increasing concerns that the toll may increase further.
Kenya and adjacent Tanzania, where at least 155 people have died in flooding, are bracing for Cyclone Hidaya, which will bring heavy rain, wind, and waves to their coastlines.
Tanzanian authorities warned Friday that Hidaya had “strengthened to the status of a full-fledged cyclone” around 3:00 a.m. local time (0000GMT), about 400 kilometres (248 miles) from the southeastern city of Mtwara.
READ ALSO:
- BREAKING: N70bn fraud: Matawalle can’t escape probe, says EFCC as protesters storm anti-graft office
- Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
- Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
“Cyclone Hidaya has continued to strengthen further, with wind speeds increasing to about 130 kilometres per hour,” they said in a weather bulletin.
Kenya’s interior ministry predicted that the storm would “bring strong winds and large ocean waves, with heavy rainfall,” and hit the shore on Sunday.
Since September last year, Burundi’s heavier-than-usual rains have killed at least 29 people, injured 175 others, and displaced tens of thousands, according to the United Nations.
The rains have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that is normally associated with increasing temperatures worldwide, resulting in drought in some regions of the world and torrential downpours in others.
More than 300 people were killed by rains and floods in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia late last year as the area struggled to recover from its worst drought in four decades.
Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean typically lasts from November to April and produces approximately a dozen cyclones every year.
Floods kill over 200 in Kenya, cyclone approaches
Africa
Man who has lived in America for over 13 years says he’s tired, wants to return home
Man who has lived in America for over 13 years says he’s tired, wants to return home
After 13 years of residing in the United States of America, a Kenyan man has expressed his strong desire to return to his homeland.
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly relocated to the US in 2011, initially serving in the military for four years before transitioning into corporate employment.
During his time in the US, he held various positions, including a deployment in Afghanistan, and was earning a substantial salary of $12,000 per month.
READ ALSO:
- May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
- El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
- Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
However, despite the financial security, he found himself grappling with a sense of unfulfillment, realizing that he was sacrificing his most valuable asset (time) for a pursuit that left him with little satisfaction.
In December of the previous year, he reportedly resigned from his corporate job and delve into entrepreneurship, seeking freedom and autonomy in his endeavors.
Man who has lived in America for over 13 years says he’s tired, wants to return home
DSS seals Plateau clinic over patient’s death
We’ve arrested seven suspected cultists, armed robbers in Anambra – Police
PDP: Sule Lamido blames court for mass resignation from party
-
International2 days agoUS students slam Biden’s comments on Gaza encampments
-
Entertainment11 hours agoNollywood veteran Shan George weeps as fraudster clears ₦3.6m from her account (VIDEO)
-
International12 hours agoGaza: Thousands rally for hostage deal as ceasefire talks continue
-
News2 days agoLagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
-
News2 days agoDon’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu
-
Sports12 hours agoRonaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda
-
News3 days agoGroup protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
-
International2 days agoUS congressman, wife charged with $600,000 bribe tied to Azerbaijan, Mexican bank