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Trump sues Twitter, Facebook, Google over ban

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Former United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had filed class action lawsuits against the leaders of Facebook, Twitter and Google after he was expelled from their platforms in January.

“The American people’s birthright of freedom must prevail against Big Tech and other forces that seek to destroy it,” Trump said at his private club in Bedminster, N.J. “Through this lawsuit we are standing up for American democracy, by standing up for free speech rights of every American.”

Trump said he planned to sue Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive officers of Twitter and Facebook, respectively, as well Sundar Pichai, who heads Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube.

The cases were filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida.

Trump said, “We are demanding an end to the shadow banning, a stop to the silencing, and a stop to the blacklisting, banishing, and canceling that you know so well.

“Our case will prove this censorship is unlawful, it’s unconstitutional, and it’s completely un-American.”

Trump’s political operation issued fundraising appeals almost immediately after the announcement, a sign that his team believe the effort will animate and excite members of his base.

Trump was permanently banned from Twitter and suspended indefinitely from Facebook and Instagram in response to posts he made surrounding the January 6 assault on the US Capitol led by supporters of his.

A long line of court rulings has held that such suspensions do not violate any First Amendment right, despite Trump’s claim to the contrary.

“There is no better evidence that big tech is out of control than the fact that they banned the sitting president of the United States earlier this year. A ban that continues to this day,” he said. “If they can do it to me, they can do it to anyone. And in fact, that is exactly what they are doing.”

The suits allege that the former president’s First Amendment rights were infringed by the companies’ actions and that they have exceeded their protections granted under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.

The lawsuit is being supported by the America First Policy Institute, a newly established nonprofit stocked with ideological allies and former Trump administration officials to advance the former president’s agenda after he left office.

Trump was accompanied by Brooke Rollins, AFPI’s president and CEO, and board chair Linda McMahon.

McMahon led the Small Business Administration under Trump and Rollins served as a top White House domestic policy adviser during his administration.

Trump has bitterly complained about losing his social media megaphone in the wake of the January 6 insurrection, arguing that his expulsion from those platforms was evidence of bias against conservative speech by the tech giants.

In June, Facebook announced that the earliest Trump would be allowed to regain access to his accounts would be 2023.

Trump has pursued several alternative avenues to get his message out as he remains a central force in GOP politics, including an abortive foray into blogging that lasted roughly a month. But he has not signed onto the Miller-backed Twitter competitor, called GETTR.

In response to a reporter’s question, Trump said he was unsure he would rejoin the social media platforms even if he was allowed back on in response to the lawsuits.

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I’m alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour 

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I’m alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour 

 

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he is alive, hale and hearty.

He stated this in reaction to rumours of his death being reportedly spread on some social media platforms.

He spoke in Osogbo, Osun State, during the inauguration of the Old-Garage/Oke-Fia Road reconstructed by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Obasanjo said those who wanted him dead were spreading the rumour of his death on the social media.

He said, “I heard the rumour that I was dead. I saw it on the social media. I quickly told my children and my relations that it was not true and that I’m alive.

“Those that want me dead, that is their wish, but God still keeps me alive.”

Obasanjo praised Adeleke for his performance in Osun and charged the governor to keep up the work.

Governor Adeleke assured the people of the state that his administration would complete all the ongoing projects.

“My dear people of Osun State, our administration has constructed over 120 kilometres of roads across the state.

“Two major flyovers are also progressing to completion at Osogbo while work is progressing at the Ile Ife Flyover and Ilesa dualisation.”

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

 

President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.

It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”

Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.

“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”

The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

 

A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.

The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.

He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.

This is  coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.

The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.

It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

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