BUSINESSLeave a comment

Meta stock plummets $200b post mark Zuckerberg announcement

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It was in such a shocking turn of events that Meta’s financial landscape was jarred to hit the rocks following an announcement made by none other than its very own Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg. The fallout was immediately visible, with the company’s shares going down like a ton of bricks, wiping close to $200 billion in market value. This created a financial storm after recently released financial results showed that costs were skyrocketing in comparison to revenues that analysts had expected to be achieved. Most of these costs were accounted for by Meta’s big investments in artificial intelligence (AI). It … Continue reading Meta stock plummets $200b post mark Zuckerberg announcement

TRAVEL and TOURISMLeave a comment

Namibia angered by tourists posing naked in dune safari

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The authorities in Namibia have condemned tourists who posed naked in one of the country’s top attractions- the Big Daddy dune in the Namib desert. Visitors told a local newspaper they were shocked by the behaviour and called for action against the tourists. The unnamed foreigners might be blacklisted from entering any of Namibia’s parks, a spokesperson from the tourism ministry told local media. Photos and a video have been widely shared, sparking sharp reactions. Kenneth Nependa, vice-chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, told the Namibian Sun news website that the behaviour risked attracting tourists “who think anything … Continue reading Namibia angered by tourists posing naked in dune safari

ARMED INSURGENCYLeave a comment

Burkina Faso army massacred 223 villagers in revenge attack – HRW

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More than 220 civilians, including at least 56 children, were massacred by Burkina Faso’s military in a single day this year, Human Rights Watch says. In the attacks on 25 February, the army killed 179 people in Soro village and 44 others in the nearby Nondin village, an HRW investigation found. HRW termed the mass killings “among the worst army abuse” incidents in the country in nearly a decade. Burkinabè authorities have not commented on the report. Last month, public prosecutor Aly Benjamin Coulibaly appealed for witnesses to identify the group behind the mass killings. He put the preliminary death toll at … Continue reading Burkina Faso army massacred 223 villagers in revenge attack – HRW

AFRICALeave a comment

108 inmates on the run in Nigeria after rain damaged prison fence

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More than 100 prisoners have escaped from a jail near Nigeria’s capital after heavy rain damaged part of the facility where they were housed, as well as the perimeter fence. According to the authorities, 118 inmates originally fled the Suleja Prison but 10 have been re-captured. A manhunt has been launched to find the others. The identity of the prisoners is unclear at this point but there are fears that some might be dangerous. However, a statement from the prison said they were working with other security agencies and that people should go about their normal activities without any fear. … Continue reading 108 inmates on the run in Nigeria after rain damaged prison fence

GOVERNMENTLeave a comment

Update: Spanish prosecutors ask judge to scrap case against Pedro Sánchez’s wife

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Public prosecutors in Madrid have called for a preliminary inquiry to be dismissed into Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, hours after he said he was suspending his duties to assess whether he would remain in office. In an appeal to the Madrid court, prosecutors said there was no evidence in the complaint against Begoña Gómez. The court began the case into claims by a right-wing anti-corruption group. But the group has since acknowledged the allegations could be false. The Spanish Prime Minister announced he was cancelling his agenda on Wednesday evening, in a dramatic online statement that said he needed … Continue reading Update: Spanish prosecutors ask judge to scrap case against Pedro Sánchez’s wife

GEO POLITICSLeave a comment

Europe risks dying and faces big decisions – Macron

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Europe must escape from its self-imposed naivety or face the risk of dying. That was the stark warning at the heart of a major speech on the EU by French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday in Paris. Over two hours in the historic auditorium of Sorbonne university, the French president said Europe must react fast if it is to survive in a changing world. “We need to be lucid, and recognise that our Europe is mortal. It can die. It all depends on the choices we make, and those choices need to be made now,” he said. Mr Macron’s speech was … Continue reading Europe risks dying and faces big decisions – Macron

SPORTSLeave a comment

Chicago Bears make Caleb Williams first pick in NFL Draft

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The Chicago Bears made Caleb Williams the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft as teams went quarterback crazy in Detroit. The 22-year-old, widely regarded as one of the most talented players to come out of college for years, was one of a record six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks. No defensive players were taken in the top 10 for the first time in NFL Draft history, as the night started with 14 straight offensive players being chosen. A record 250,000 fans packed out downtown Detroit for the first round of the draft, which continues with six further … Continue reading Chicago Bears make Caleb Williams first pick in NFL Draft

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALANDLeave a comment

Update: Australian actor Orpheus Pledger arrested after manhunt

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Orpheus Pledger Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has been arrested after a three-day police manhunt in Australia. Mr Pledger, 30, is facing four charges for allegedly assaulting a woman, authorities say. He had been granted bail on Monday to undergo a court-ordered medical assessment, on the strict condition that he return the following day. But when he failed to show up in court, police appealed for public information and issued an arrest warrant. The actor was detained in Melbourne on Thursday, Victoria Police said. They did not offer further details.  His manager, Craig McMahon, told the Sydney … Continue reading Update: Australian actor Orpheus Pledger arrested after manhunt

RACISM & HATE CRIMELeave a comment

New York man charged over spate of attacks on women

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting random women in New York City in a string of incidents described by police as hate crimes. Daquan Armstead, 31, is accused of striking women in the face, back and head during attacks in March and April. The seven women all reported they were attacked by an unknown individual. The attacks involve women ranging in age from their early 20s to 40s who all reported similar encounters with the man. There have been more than 90 unprovoked assaults on people in Manhattan, including 50 on women, so far this year, according … Continue reading New York man charged over spate of attacks on women

CRIMELeave a comment

Congressional Thief: Minnesota state senator denies theft after burglary arrest

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Nicole Mitchell in her police booking photo (left) and in her Facebook profile photo A Minnesota state senator has denied stealing after she was charged with first-degree burglary of her stepmother’s home. Nicole Mitchell was arrested in the early hours of Monday at a property in the city of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The Democrat said on Facebook she was retrieving some of her late father’s belongings. Ms Mitchell, 49, was allegedly wearing black clothing and a black hat when officers detained her. Officers also found she had a torch with a black sock over it, according to the criminal complaint. … Continue reading Congressional Thief: Minnesota state senator denies theft after burglary arrest

MIDDLE EASTLeave a comment

Iranian rapper sentenced to death, says lawyer

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Toomaj Salehi An Iranian rapper jailed for supporting anti-government protests has been sentenced to death, his lawyer has said. Toomaj Salehi in his songs supported protests in 2022 that erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in police custody after allegedly wearing an “improper” hijab. One of Mr Salehi’s lawyers, Amir Raesian, said the rapper would appeal against the issuing of a death sentence. Iranian authorities have not commented. Mr Salehi was first arrested in October 2022 after making public statements in support of protests and he was charged with numerous offences. He was sentenced in … Continue reading Iranian rapper sentenced to death, says lawyer

GEO POLITICSLeave a comment

Russia vetoes UN vote on stopping arms race in outer space

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Russia has vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council calling on all countries to prevent an arms race in outer space. The draft resolution, put forward by the US and Japan, sought to reaffirm a principle already set out in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The US has warned that Russia is believed to be developing a space-based, anti-satellite nuclear weapon. Russia said it was “firmly committed” to the existing treaty. The draft, put forward on Wednesday, called on “all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of … Continue reading Russia vetoes UN vote on stopping arms race in outer space