Author: Salako Temitope

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce is unfazed to vote on legislation requiring ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, to divest from the app within six months or face a potential ban in the United States. This move is in the U.S. government’s efforts to address national security concerns surrounding TikTok, which boasts of, approximately 170 million users in the country. Representative Mike Gallagher and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced the legislation in response to worries about Chinese ownership of TikTok. “TikTok could live on, and people could do whatever they want on it provided there is that separation,…

Swedish streaming giant, SPOTIFY, announced its decision to raise prices in France, due to a newly imposed tax that is believed will not achieve its intended objectives of music creation. Although French government’s move to levy a 1.2% tax on streaming companies’ revenue aims to support music creation, effective from this year onward. “While Spotify worked very hard to encourage the government to avoid adding this tax, unfortunately they decided to move forward.” Spotify stated, as it has proceeded with decision to adjust its pricing strategy in response. While expressing disappointment with the new tax, Spotify expressed its concern that;…

A growing movement of young women in China is embracing a future without marriage or children, presenting a challenge to the government. These women, like a 28-year-old feminist in Xian, express concerns about the sacrifices women traditionally make in marriage and the challenges of pursuing personal fulfillment in today’s society. President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have emphasized the importance of marriage and childbearing, but a rising number of educated women are choosing to remain single. China’s single population reached a record high in 2021, with many women expressing no intention to marry. While marriage is still considered…

Hidden cameras, some as tiny as the tip of a pen, pose a pervasive threat to travelers, lurking in motels, vacation rentals, and even cruise ships, often employed for sexual gratification or financial exploitation. A recent survey by property investment firm IPX1031 revealed that one in four travelers discovered illicitly concealed cameras in their vacation rentals in 2023, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding privacy and security in rental properties. Spring break travelers, typically college-aged and budget-conscious, gravitate towards affordable accommodations like Airbnbs and motels, where the risk of unwitting surveillance through hidden cameras is higher. According to cybersecurity expert Michael Balboni,…

European Union lawmakers have greenlit an extension granting Ukrainian food producers tariff-free entry to EU markets for an additional year, defying proposed amendments that could have tightened restrictions. The European Commission advocated for the continuation of duty and quota suspensions until June 2025, a proposal endorsed by the European Parliament’s trade committee with 26 votes in favor, 10 against, and one abstention. In response to protests from EU farmers, the proposal incorporates an “emergency brake” for certain products like poultry, eggs, and sugar. This mechanism would trigger tariffs if imports surpass average levels recorded in 2022 and 2023. Import duties…

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. swiftly passed an expansive anti-crime bill in response to concerns voiced by business leaders about a surge in violent crime within the city. The Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024, comprising over 100 measures to combat crime, such as toughening penalties for gun violence and addressing organized retail theft, secured approval from the D.C. Council in a 12-1 vote. Mayor Muriel Bowser lauded Councilmember Brooke Pinto and fellow members for their efforts in advancing the crime bill, emphasizing the importance of bolstering public safety and accountability. In her statement, Bowser underscored the community’s demand for…

Senegal’s long-awaited presidential election, originally scheduled for February 25 but postponed due to electoral process errors, will now take place on March 24, according to the government’s recent announcement. The decision comes after the country’s highest court deemed President Macky Sall’s attempt to delay the vote until after his term ends on April 2 unconstitutional, prompting a swift response from the administration. In response to the court’s ruling, President Sall dissolved the government and appointed Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba as the new Prime Minister, allowing the former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who is also the ruling coalition’s presidential candidate, to…

Dubai-based airline Emirates has thrown its weight behind a potential acquisition move by Boeing to take over Spirit AeroSystems, signaling a potential solution to Boeing’s ongoing industrial woes. The move comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny following factory audits triggered by a significant incident involving a dummy door on a nearly full 737 MAX 9 airliner in January. Emirates Airline President Tim Clark emphasized the urgency for Boeing to address its quality issues promptly, urging the full attention of its board and top management to avoid questions about its future viability. Boeing recently confirmed discussions regarding the acquisition of…

Spanish prosecutors are seeking legal action against Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, urging for a prison sentence of four years and nine months, alleging his failure to disclose earnings to the tax authorities. The allegations, totaling 1 million euros, revolve around Ancelotti’s purported omission of income from image rights in 2014 and 2015, according to statements released by prosecutors on Wednesday. The Madrid state prosecutor’s office has accused the 64-year-old Italian of orchestrating a complex network of shell companies to conceal his additional income. Amid mounting legal scrutiny, Ancelotti faces accusations of establishing a convoluted financial structure aimed at obscuring…

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, amid the nation’s turmoil, touched down in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, ending a period of uncertainty over his whereabouts since the recent surge in violence. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Henry’s leadership has faced intense scrutiny, particularly as armed gangs have plunged the country into near anarchy. However, Henry has remained conspicuously silent as he traveled across continents, leaving Haitians wondering about his next steps. The absence of Prime Minister Henry during a critical time of unrest has fueled speculation about his intentions and capabilities to address the crisis gripping Haiti.…