Category: Foreign News

By Abigail Philip David

Vivian Wilson, the 20-year-old transgender daughter of billionaire Elon Musk, has announced her plans to leave the United States following Donald Trump’s recent election victory. In a post shared on Threads, Wilson expressed her unease with the current political environment under Trump’s return to office, as reported by the UK’s *Daily Mail*.

“I don’t see my future in the United States,” Wilson wrote. “I’ve felt this way for some time, but yesterday confirmed it for me. Even if he’s only in office for four years, and even if anti-trans policies don’t come to pass, the people who voted for this aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”

Vivian, originally named Xavier Musk at birth in 2004, legally changed her name and gender in April 2022, also severing ties with her father by taking her mother’s maiden name, Wilson. Court filings at the time revealed her desire to distance herself from Musk entirely, stating, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.”

Musk, who has openly supported Trump and has fathered 12 children across three relationships, has previously spoken about his strained relationship with Vivian. He once referred to her as a “communist” and said she viewed wealth as inherently negative. Musk, 53, also claimed he was persuaded during COVID-19 into signing consent for puberty blockers, which he later regretted.

“I didn’t fully understand what was happening at the time; I was told Xavier might be at risk of suicide,” Musk said, adding that he felt “tricked” into signing the documents. Musk has voiced strong opposition to puberty blockers, calling them “sterilisation drugs,” and has condemned the promotion of gender dysphoria.

In response to Musk’s comments, Vivian said her father was largely absent during her upbringing and critical of her “femininity and queerness.” She shared, “He doesn’t know what I was like as a child because he simply wasn’t there. I was often harassed for my femininity and queerness, and I feel reduced to a stereotype. That says a lot about how he views queer people and children.”

By Abigail Philip David

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday a new push to ban children under 16 from social media, citing concerns that platforms like Facebook and TikTok are causing “real harm” to young people.

Under the proposal, tech companies would be required to enforce the age restriction, facing substantial fines if regulators find underage users accessing their platforms. Australia’s proposed age limit would be one of the strictest in the world aimed at protecting children online.

“This is for parents everywhere. Social media is causing harm to kids, and it’s time to act,” Albanese said outside parliament. The proposal will be reviewed by state and territory leaders this week, with plans to introduce it to parliament by late November. If passed, social media platforms will have a year to implement the necessary age verification measures.

“The responsibility will be on social media companies to prove they’re preventing access, not on parents or young users,” Albanese added, calling it a “world-leading” measure.

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, voiced willingness to comply with any new age restrictions but cautioned that Australia should carefully consider the execution of the ban. Meta’s Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, warned that poorly crafted laws could give a false sense of security without actually improving conditions for teens and parents.

DIGI, a tech industry body, also cautioned that restricting access could limit young people from accessing “mental health support,” with a spokesperson adding, “We don’t ban young people from swimming; instead, we teach them to swim safely.”

Social media platforms have faced increasing scrutiny for their roles in cyberbullying, spreading illegal content, and affecting users’ mental health. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland criticized companies like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for “falling short” in protecting young users, emphasizing that they would face financial penalties if they fail to comply. Rowland suggested that current fines, around US$600,000 (AU$1 million), may not be sufficient for companies with annual revenues in the billions.

Analysts, however, have raised concerns about the feasibility of enforcing such a ban. University of Melbourne researcher Toby Murray noted that current age verification methods are “unreliable and easy to bypass.”

Australia’s move follows similar efforts worldwide. Spain recently set a social media age limit at 16, while Florida has passed a law banning social media access for children under 14 starting in January. France’s 2023 laws require platforms to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for those under 15. Since 2021, China has restricted minors’ access to social media and limited online gaming time.

Australia has also introduced other tech regulations, such as a “combating misinformation” bill and a ban on non-consensual “deepfake” pornography, though efforts to regulate content on Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) have led to a lengthy legal battle, with Musk accusing the government of acting like “fascists.”

By Abigail Philip David

A Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after the plane’s captain, Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, tragically fell ill and died mid-flight. The incident occurred while the flight, designated TK204, was over Canadian airspace, prompting the co-pilot and second pilot to take control.

According to Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun, first aid efforts onboard were unsuccessful, leading the cockpit crew to make the decision to divert the flight to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Sadly, Captain Pehlivan passed away before the emergency landing.

The flight, an Airbus A350, landed safely at JFK about eight hours after departing Seattle, and arrangements were made to continue the passengers’ journey to Istanbul. Captain Pehlivan had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007, and had passed a routine health check in March without any issues.

The Turkish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (TATCA) paid tribute to the late captain, honoring his years of service to the aviation community and extending condolences to his family and colleagues.

Pilots over 40 must undergo medical examinations every six months to ensure they are fit for duty. This incident brings to mind a similar case in 2015 when an American Airlines pilot died mid-flight, also resulting in an emergency landing.

While advances in aviation technology are exploring the possibility of single-pilot operations during certain phases of flight, concerns have been raised by pilot associations about the potential safety risks this could pose, especially in cases of sudden pilot incapacitation.

By Abigail Philip David

Kenya’s parliament was scheduled to vote on Tuesday on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in a move that has revealed deep divisions within the ruling party. Gachagua, 59, faces multiple accusations including corruption, undermining the government, and promoting ethnically divisive politics.

At a press conference on Monday, Gachagua dismissed the allegations as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda,” claiming the charges were part of a plot to remove him from office. Gachagua, a businessman from Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, had survived past corruption scandals to become President William Ruto’s running mate in the fiercely contested August 2022 election.

However, recent tensions have emerged between Gachagua and President Ruto. Gachagua has complained of being sidelined by Ruto and has been accused of backing anti-government protests that erupted in June, driven by public discontent over tax increases. These protests, at times violent, have fueled political discord between the two leaders.

In addition, several MPs loyal to Gachagua were summoned by police last month, accused of financing the demonstrations. Despite these accusations, no formal charges have been brought against Gachagua, and no judicial inquiry has been initiated.

Lawmakers have listed 11 grounds for Gachagua’s impeachment, chief among them claims that he accumulated assets worth 5.2 billion shillings ($40 million) since the last election, far exceeding his annual salary of $93,000. Among the assets listed is Kenya’s famous Treetops Hotel, where Princess Elizabeth stayed when she became queen. Gachagua maintains that his wealth comes from legitimate business ventures and an inheritance from his late brother.

Gachagua warned that his impeachment would provoke unrest among his supporters.

The impeachment process began on October 1, with 291 members of parliament supporting the motion, surpassing the required 117 votes. For the motion to pass in the National Assembly on Tuesday, it needs the backing of two-thirds of the 349 members. If successful, the case would then move to the Senate for further deliberation.

If impeached, Gachagua would become the first deputy president in Kenya to be removed from office under the provisions of the 2010 constitution.

By Abigail Philip David

On Monday, Israel began commemorating the first anniversary of the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, which claimed 1,205 lives. Vigils were held at massacre sites, and rallies were organized to call for the return of hostages.

Ceremonies were planned across Israel and worldwide to mark the unprecedented attack launched by Palestinian militants from Gaza. The events began at 6:29 am, the exact time the attack started a year ago. President Isaac Herzog led a moment of silence at Kibbutz Reim, where 370 people were killed at the Nova music festival, the deadliest site of the attack.

Emotional scenes unfolded as families of those killed gathered at memorials. In Tel Aviv, rallies were held before dawn, with participants demanding the return of hostages, holding banners with their pictures.

On Sunday, tens of thousands participated in global events honoring the victims of the attack, while some voiced support for the Palestinian people after a year of conflict in Gaza.

The anniversary comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and battles Hezbollah in Lebanon. The situation remains tense, with ongoing strikes and fears of a broader regional conflict. On Monday, the Israeli army reported projectiles fired from Gaza just after the commemorations began, striking Hamas launch sites in response.

Since the attack, Israel has retaliated with massive strikes on Gaza, reducing large areas to rubble and displacing millions. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties reported.

Despite the devastation, Hamas called the October 7 attack “glorious” on Sunday, stating that Palestinians were “writing a new history with their resistance.” Hezbollah also pledged to continue its fight against Israel, referring to the country as a “cancerous” entity that must be eliminated.

Meanwhile, people in Gaza, exhausted by the violence and destruction, expressed a desire for peace. Displaced residents shared their suffering after a year of constant bombardment, displacement, and loss.

The conflict also threatens to spill into a larger regional war, with tensions between Israel and Iran intensifying after recent missile strikes and warnings from both sides.

Israel conducted a new wave of air strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon on Tuesday, following Monday’s deadly bombardment that claimed 492 lives, including 35 children. This marked the deadliest assault since the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli forces said they targeted approximately 1,600 Hezbollah sites, resulting in a “large number” of militant casualties. In response, Hezbollah launched missile attacks on Israeli military bases, escalating the already tense situation. Over 180 projectiles and a drone breached Israeli airspace, forcing citizens in Haifa to seek shelter. Israel reported that over 50 projectiles were fired into northern Israel within 10 minutes, most of which were intercepted.

Lebanese health officials stated that Monday’s strikes left 1,645 people wounded, with thousands of families fleeing their homes. Journalist Nazir Reda described the panic in Lebanon as unprecedented since the 2006 war, which resulted in significant casualties and devastation.

The current exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing for nearly a year, exacerbated by the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been increasingly involved in the conflict alongside other regional militants.

Israel’s ongoing operation, “Northern Arrows,” represents a shift in its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon. Global leaders, including the United Nations and the European Union, have expressed growing concern over the escalating violence, warning of the potential for a regional war.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has deployed additional US military personnel to the Middle East as a precautionary measure, though US officials have expressed opposition to an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon.

By Sale lawal

◇ Earlier in the week in the United States, the U.S Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for the action he took while he was president.

◇ In Astana, Kazakhstan the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) converged for the Organization’s 24th summit on July 3-4. Sixteen world leaders were present at the event with President Xi Jinping of China, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, the host President Kassym Tokayev among others in attendance.

◇ In the United Kingdom, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer emerged Prime Minister following the victory of his party at the polls that took place during the week. Labour Party secured more than 400 parliament’s seats to become victorious against the incumbent Conservatives led by Rishi Sunak.

◇ Hungarian Prime Minister, Victor Orban met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as part of his ‘peace mission’ tour that also took him to Kiev earlier to meet with the Ukrainian leader.

◇ In Kenya, following weeks of demonstration by the youth against the tax bill sent to the assembly, President Ruto after withdrawal of the bill, has also announced plans to reduce the cost of governance in the country.

◇ At the weekend, the coup hit nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced the formation of “Allince of Sahel States” at their inaugural meeting which took place in Niamey, Niger Republic. At the meeting, the trio also vowed not to return to ECOWAS regional block.

◇ In Abuja, Nigeria, President Tinubu, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS, hosted other Heads of State of member countries for the 65th ordinary Summit.

◇ In France, despite predictions of an outright majority, the Far-Right National Rally party led by Marie Le Pen has suffered a setback at the second round of snap parliamentary elections, finishing third due to centrist and leftist alliance. The Leftist New Popular Front (NFP) emerged first with the highest number of seats in the parliament while President Macron’s Renaissance Party secured second position to stop the National Rally party from forming government.

— Compiled by Lawal Sale (Global Affairs Analyst) in Abuja, Nigeria.

The bustling streets of New York City experienced an unusual disturbance on Friday as an earthquake shook the city, causing diplomats at the United Nations Security Council to feel the tremors in their chairs and briefly halting flight operations at several airports in the region.

Although no injuries were reported, and the city’s iconic skyline remained unscathed, the earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.8 according to the United States Geological Survey, left residents and officials startled.

Dominika Uniejewska, a store supervisor from Lebanon, New Jersey, described being woken up by the quake, saying, “I’ve never experienced such a strong earthquake. I did experience some before but it was nothing compared to that.”

In Brooklyn, buildings shook, and furniture rattled, while at the United Nations headquarters, a Security Council meeting was momentarily paused.

Flight operations at airports including New York’s La Guardia, Philadelphia, and Newark were temporarily suspended, with the Federal Aviation Administration assuring the public that air traffic would resume promptly.

Social media users from Philadelphia to New York reported feeling the earthquake, with some humorously posting images of toppled garden furniture accompanied by captions like “we will rebuild.”

While earthquakes are uncommon along the Atlantic Coast, the USGS noted that they are not unheard of, attributing them to the “passive-aggressive margin” between the Atlantic and North American plates.

US President Joe Biden was briefed on the earthquake, and the White House assured coordination with federal, state, and local officials as more information becomes available.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York urged residents to remain cautious of possible aftershocks, acknowledging that earthquakes are not something New Yorkers are accustomed to experiencing.