TEN million users signed up for Meta’s newly-launched Threads app in its first seven hours, the company’s chief Mark Zuckerberg says. He pitched the app as a “friendly” rival to Twitter, which was bought by Elon Musk in October. Experts say Threads could attract Twitter users unhappy with recent changes to the platform. Threads allows users to post up to 500 characters, and has many features similar to Twitter. Earlier, Mr Zuckerberg said keeping the platform “friendly… will ultimately be the key to its success”. But Mr Musk responded: “It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter,…
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THE Ministry of Defence has confirmed for the first time that UK Special Forces are at the centre of a war crimes inquiry. The MoD on Wednesday abandoned an effort to restrict any mention of Special Forces’ involvement in alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The MoD’s stance had been challenged by bereaved family members and by several media outlets, including the BBC. The inquiry follows years of reporting into alleged SAS unlawful killings. In a statement ahead of a hearing of the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The inquiry is now reaching the stage of…
A SUSPECTED nitrate oxide gas leak in South Africa has led to the deaths of 16 people, local officials say. The victims – including women and children – died from gas inhalation at an informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. Wednesday’s leak has been linked to illegal gold mining in the area. Nitrate oxide gas is often used by illegal gold miners – known locally as zama zamas – to extract gold from soil stolen from abandoned mine shafts. One of the gas cylinders was found leaking in Boksburg’s densely populated Angelo shanty town. The victims were found within…
THE Kenyan government says it’s delaying the reopening of its border with Somalia, after attacks on its soil attributed to the Islamist militant group al-Shabab. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said the phased reopening of border posts along the lengthy frontier would not go ahead as announced in May. He said the decision has been informed by the “recent incidents of threats and cases of insecurity in the frontier counties”. It comes as five civilians and eight police officers were killed in separate incidents near the border last month. The border was initially closed in 2011, because of attacks by al-Shabab,…
GOMBE State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON and Chairman, Nothern States Governors’ Forum, earlier today, paid a visit to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu in his office in Abuja. Accompanied by the Federal Commissioner at the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Malam Muhammad Kabir Usman Kukandaka, the Governor extended the goodwill, solidarity and best wishes of, not only the government and people of Gombe State, but the entire Northern Region. Governor Inuwa Yahaya commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Ribadu to man such a strategic position, especially at this critical time. He described his appointment…
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has listed 14 states and 31 communities that may witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding from July 4 – 8. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, Lagos Territorial Office. Farinloye urged relevant stakeholders within the states concerned to take precautionary measures to forestall the loss of lives and property. He listed the states and communities as: Plateau: Langtang, Shendam Kano: Sumaila, Tudun wada Sokoto: Shagari, Goronyo, Silame Delta: Okwe Kaduna: Kachia Akwa Ibom: Upenekang Adamawa: Mubi, Demsa, Song, Mayo-belwa, Jimeta, Yola Katsina: Katsina, Jibia,…
A PROSECUTOR in Brazil fined soccer star Neymar 16 million reais ($3.3 million) for building a lake at his mansion on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro without an environmental license, authorities said Monday. The town council in Mangaratiba issued four fines for “environmental violations in the construction of an artificial lake at the player’s mansion,” the council secretariat said in a statement. “The sanctions add up to more than 16 million reais,” the statement said, a sum set out by the prosecutor’s office in Mangaratiba, a tourist area around 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Rio where the Paris Saint-Germain…
ROBERTO Firmino has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli on a three-year deal after leaving Liverpool. The Brazil forward, 31, was a free agent after his Liverpool contract expired at the end of last season. Firmino scored 111 goals in 362 games for the Reds after joining from Hoffenheim in 2015. He is one of several big-name signings by Saudi clubs this summer and joins Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy at Al-Ahli after he left Chelsea last week. N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly have also left Chelsea for Saudi Arabia, with Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves and Marcelo Brozovic among the others…
A WHITE substance that sparked an emergency evacuation at the White House on Sunday night tested positive for cocaine. The substance was found in a work area at the secure building during a routine inspection, the US Secret Service said. The preliminary positive test was first reported by the Washington Post, citing fire and law enforcement sources. President Joe Biden and his family were away at the Camp David residence when the substance was found. The White House complex was closed as a precaution around 20:45 local time (01:45 BST) on Sunday after Secret Service officers found the white powder…
THE Taliban have ordered hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan to shut in the latest restriction faced by women. A Vice and Virtue Ministry spokesman told the BBC businesses had one month to comply, starting from 2 July when they were first informed of the move. Women’s freedoms have steadily shrunk since the Taliban seized power in 2021. They have barred teenage girls and women from classrooms, gyms and parks, and most recently even banned them from working for the United Nations. The Taliban have also decreed that women should be dressed in a way that only reveals their eyes,…
OVER the past decade growing numbers of women in Kenya have been opting to have fewer children, according to new data. But the government says Kenyans should not worry, since the country’s population will still continue to grow based on the findings from the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS). It shows that the fertility rate – meaning the number of children born – has declined from 3.9 children per woman in 2014 to 3.4 children in 2022. That means it’s highly likely that a woman aged between 15 and 49 in Kenya these days will opt to have three children…
THREE people have died and three others were injured in a bomb attack that targeted a civilian residence in Waberi district of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. A father, a son and a daughter from a family of six died in the attack while the mother and two other daughters were injured. The mortar attacks on Tuesday morning targeted several neighbourhoods in the city. The house that was hit by artillery was located near the security ministry’s offices. The al-Qaeda linked group al-Shabab said it carried out the attack adding that it targeted government buildings including the presidential palace. Mogadishu authorities have…
AMID the controversy trailing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result obtained by Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has insisted that her result is “patently fake.” On Sunday, Ejikeme was accused by JAMB of forging her 2023 UTME, a claim she has denied. However, in a statement on Tuesday, JAMB spokesman, Benjamin Fabian, said the body has withdrawn her result and consequently barred her from writing the examination for the next three years. “In the meantime, the management of the Board, after considering the weighty infraction committed by Ms Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, and in line…
FORMER England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been named manager of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The 43-year-old had said in June he had been invited over to the country to “look at a potential offer” but that he would not be taking it up. “Without a doubt, Gerrard’s presence will be an addition and a quantum leap to our league,” said Khalid Al-Dabal, the club’s chairman. Gerrard has signed a two-year contract with the Saudi club. Al-Ettifaq were seventh in the 16-team Saudi Pro League last season, finishing 35 points behind champions Al-Ittihad. Gerrard has been out of work…
NEWCASTLE United have signed AC Milan and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract, becoming Eddie Howe’s first signing of the summer as his side prepares for Champions League football. The reported £55m fee would make him the most expensive Italian footballer of all time. Tonali helped Milan win Serie A in 2021-22 and was part of the side which reached last season’s Champions League semi-finals. He was also a member of Italy’s squad at the Under-21 European Championships. Tonali told the club website: “I want to repay the trust on the pitch, giving it my…
IRAN has hanged at least 354 people in the first six months of 2023, a rights group said Monday, adding that the pace of executions was much higher than in 2022. Rights groups have accused Tehran of increasing the use of the death penalty to spread fear across society in the wake of the protest movement that erupted last September over the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating strict dress rules for women. Norway-based Iran Human Rights said the 354 people figure for the first six months up to June 30 was up 36 percent…
SAUDI Arabia on Monday put to death five people convicted of carrying out a deadly attack on a house of worship, state media said, the biggest group execution this year. The five men — four Saudis and one Egyptian national — were tried for an attack that killed five people and injured an untold number of others in the kingdom’s east, home to most Saudi oil and most members of its Shiite minority. An interior ministry statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency did not specify when the attack took place or what type of house of worship was…
SENEGAL’s President Macky Sall has ruled out seeking re-election in 2024, ending widespread speculation that he would run for a third term. “The 2019 term was my second and last term,” he said in a televised address. Rumours he would try to extend his grip on power have fuelled unrest several times since 2021, with dozens killed. The opposition had called for fresh protests if Mr Sall decided to run again – which most legal experts say would have violated the constitution. In his address late on Monday, Mr Sall, 61, said: “There has been much speculation and commentary on…
A GROUP of parents in The Gambia have begun legal action against the government, an Indian pharmaceutical company and a medicine importer followings the deaths of their children which have been linked to cough syrup manufactured in India. The 19 parents are seeking about $4.7m (£3.7m) in damages. A team of lawyers from the Gambia Bar Association and the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia are representing the parents. They want the health ministry and the medicines control agency to admit they failed in their duties to regulate the importation, distribution, and sale of medicines in the country. They are…
VENUS Williams insists she’s not ready to call time on her career, claiming on Saturday she is probably the only player able to keep competing until she’s 50. The 43-year-old American, a seven-time major winner, kicks off her 24th Wimbledon on Monday, 26 years after her debut at the All England Club. Brushing aside questions over whether she intends to follow younger sister Serena into retirement, Venus insists that even playing at 50 is not out of the question. “It’s never been done before so if there is anyone who could do it, it would be me,” said the five-time…