Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

A newly proposed bill in Nigeria mandates that anyone wishing to open or operate a bank account, as well as individuals in banking, insurance, and financial services, must provide a Tax Identification Number (TIN).  This initiative, introduced in the National Assembly, aims to boost tax compliance and improve revenue collection for all levels of government. Under the proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Assessment, Collection of, and Accounting for Revenue Accruing to the Federation, Federal, States, and Local Governments,” individuals involved in financial activities are required to be registered for tax purposes. Additionally, non-resident…

Russia has decided to block the popular chat platform Discord, adding it to a list of platforms already banned, such as Facebook and X, since its war with Ukraine began.  Ironically, the Russian military has been using Discord to coordinate communications, lacking its own secure messaging system. The move follows accusations that the platform was hosting extremist content, including harmful material involving children. Turkey has also restricted access to Discord due to its refusal to comply with government demands for user data.  Discord is currently looking into the reported outages in both countries.

Opera has launched a new AI-powered tool allowing users to manage their browser tabs through natural language commands.  Users can now group, pin, bookmark, or close tabs by typing specific requests, such as “Group all video tabs” or “Bookmark all currently open tabs.”  These commands are processed directly on the user’s device, ensuring data privacy. The feature, called Aria, can be activated by pressing Ctrl + / or Cmd + / or by right-clicking on a tab if there are more than five open.  It offers options for organizing tabs by site or category, like grouping shopping or closing YouTube…

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, has been allowed to resume its services in Brazil following a suspension by the Supreme Court.  The ban was lifted after the platform complied with court orders, including paying $5.1 million in fines and blocking several accounts accused of spreading misinformation related to Brazil’s 2022 presidential election. Additionally, X has now appointed a local representative to align with Brazilian regulations. The platform faced suspension after months of non-compliance, which included Musk closing X’s offices in Brazil and terminating local staff. This move led many users to switch to alternative platforms…

Fourteen U.S. attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming the platform harms children’s mental health and collects their data without consent.  The lawsuit highlights the growing concern over TikTok’s practices and its impact on young users. TikTok, owned by Chinese conglomerate ByteDance, has faced scrutiny from various authorities.  In addition to the recent lawsuit, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Justice Department have also sued the platform for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The suit alleged that TikTok collected data from users under 13 years old without obtaining parental consent. Further escalating the issue,…

Lagos State is grappling with a severe tuberculosis (TB) crisis, as announced by the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi.  In 2024 alone, 15,000 cases of TB have been diagnosed in the state, but alarmingly, there are an estimated 32,000 individuals living with the disease, leaving approximately 17,000 cases undiagnosed. Mr Abayomi said: “According to the statistics that we get from the Federal Government, there should be 32,000 Lagosians with tuberculosis that we need to diagnose. We’ve only been able to diagnose about 15,000 this year if we add up all our numbers. “Ladies, that means that there are 17,000 people…

Anambra State is set to launch a major measles vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing over 1.1 million children.  Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is coordinating the initiative to mitigate the impact of measles across the state. During a zonal meeting in Enugu organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund and the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Uju Onwuegbuzina, the State Health Educator at the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced the acquisition of 1,227,113 doses of the vaccine. The campaign is scheduled to run from October 12 to 18, 2024, covering all 330 wards in the state’s 21 local government…

A United Nations report reveals that organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia are increasingly leveraging the messaging app Telegram for various illegal activities.  This trend significantly alters the organized crime landscape, raising concerns among global authorities. The report comes in the wake of legal troubles for Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, who faced charges in France for allegedly allowing criminal activities on the platform under a newly enacted law.  The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) noted that hacked personal information, including credit card data and passwords, is openly traded on Telegram, where many channels operate with little oversight.…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has retracted a previous announcement concerning Starlink, the satellite internet service provider.  The NCC’s media department issued a statement clarifying that the prior communication was a mistake and urged media outlets to remove any related articles. “Kindly note that this press statement on Starlink was issued in error. It is hereby WITHDRAWN. If already published, kindly BRING DOWN,” the message, signed by the NCC’s Manager of Media Relations, Kunle Azeez, stated. Initially, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, indicated that the commission intended to impose penalties on Starlink for implementing a significant price…

Samsung Electronics has issued an apology, acknowledging challenges in its technological competitiveness during the ongoing global AI boom.  The company expects its third-quarter profits to reach 9.1 trillion won ($6.8 billion), marking a 274.5% increase from the previous year. However, this figure falls below market expectations. Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun of Samsung’s device solutions division expressed concerns about the company’s competitive edge and its future prospects. Despite these worries, management is committed to overcoming the crisis and transforming it into an opportunity for resurgence. Although profits have risen compared to the same period last year, they have declined by nearly…

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced the commencement of a Mpox vaccination exercise in response to the ongoing outbreak in Nigeria.  The initiative will begin in Bayelsa and Rivers states, with plans to expand to five additional states, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations amid rising case numbers. In support of Nigeria’s response to the outbreak, the United States Agency for International Development has donated 10,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine.  The deployment of these vaccines is scheduled for October 3 to 6, 2024, with a tentative implementation date set for October 8, 2024. A total of…

Elon Musk is gifting voters in swing states by offering $47 to those who sign a petition supporting Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming presidential election.  This initiative aims to bolster support for the America PAC, a group aligned with Trump that promotes freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. Musk’s campaign targets registered voters in critical states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, which are pivotal in determining the next U.S. president.  The petition seeks to gather data from potential supporters, encouraging them to vote early. While initial reports suggested Musk was contributing…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to take action against Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, for raising its subscription fees without the necessary approval.  The announcement comes after Starlink informed customers of a significant price hike, which increased the monthly subscription from N38,000 to N75,000—representing a 97% rise.  Additionally, the cost of the Starlink installation kit has also surged by 34%, now priced at N590,000, up from N440,000. According to Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the commission had not authorized this price adjustment. He expressed concern over Starlink’s unilateral decision to alter its subscription rates…

In response to rising theft and violence targeting delivery personnel, Uber Eats has launched several new safety features on its platform in South Africa.  These updates aim to create a safer environment for couriers and other road users. The platform has partnered with Aura, an emergency response service, to offer quick assistance in case of accidents. Delivery drivers can access medical and security help at the touch of a button.  The new safety toolkit includes features like audio recording, trip sharing with trusted contacts, and emergency alerts, similar to those available for Uber’s ride-hailing users. To address the high risk…

Spotify has announced a 40% increase in its Premium subscription price in Nigeria, effective from November 2024.  The monthly fee will rise from ₦900 to ₦1,300.  According to the company, the price hike is aimed at supporting further innovations in product offerings and features. Subscribers were notified about the change and given the option to cancel their subscriptions if they do not agree with the new pricing. In addition to the price increase, Spotify introduced a new feature called “Offline Backup.” This feature, available to Premium users, allows access to music offline without the need to download, provided certain criteria…

Workers under the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have initiated an indefinite nationwide strike.  The industrial action stems from unresolved issues regarding staff promotions, salaries, and overall welfare. Following multiple discussions with NAFDAC management, the union expressed dissatisfaction with the failure to reach favorable resolutions. The decision to strike was made after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 20, 2024. Starting October 7, 2024, employees across all NAFDAC offices have been instructed to halt their services, with the strike expected…

Public health experts have expressed concern over the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by Nigerians for medical advice and drug prescriptions, warning of the serious health risks associated with this trend.  They emphasized that while AI can be a helpful tool, it lacks the ability to fully understand the nuances of individual patient needs, medical history, allergies, and psychological factors—critical aspects of effective treatment. According to experts such as Dr. Bright Orji and Prof. Tanimola Akande, AI should complement rather than replace human doctors, who possess the clinical judgment necessary for accurate diagnoses and patient care. They cautioned that…

Ghana’s Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has unveiled the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) to tackle the increasing threat of cyberattacks.  This new policy aligns with the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda, focusing on securing digital infrastructure, building local capacity, and combatting cybercrime. The Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) recently highlighted the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures ahead of Ghana’s December 7 elections, citing potential cyber threats. The NCPS includes key recommendations such as infrastructure upgrades, regular security audits, and penetration testing to protect vital sectors. In a significant move, the Bank of Ghana launched the Financial…

The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially begun its vaccination campaign against mpox, launching operations in Goma, a city in the eastern part of the country.  This initiative comes as the DRC continues to grapple with a severe Mpox outbreak that has persisted for over a year. Initially set to commence last Wednesday, the launch faced a three-day delay due to logistical challenges related to vaccine distribution in the country, which suffers from significant infrastructure issues. The first doses were administered to healthcare workers, with plans to extend the vaccination effort to the general population starting Monday. Health officials have…

Many YouTube channels were recently banned due to a system error, falsely flagged for “Spam & Deceptive Practices.” The bans affected both content creators and YouTube Premium subscribers, disrupting access to services such as YouTube Music. In response, YouTube issued an apology and confirmed that it is working to restore the affected channels and subscriptions. However, the platform has not provided a detailed explanation for the cause or scope of the issue, leaving creators to speculate that it may be linked to system automation. Users expressed their frustration on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), reporting missing files and…

Google has rolled out its Gemini chatbot to select Gmail users on iOS, allowing them to interact with their emails through the app. This new feature, called Gmail Q&A, was first introduced on Android in August 2024 and is now available to Google One AI Premium subscribers and Google Workspace users with Gemini add-ons. Gmail Q&A enables users to ask questions about their emails, such as retrieving unread messages from specific senders or summarizing messages on a given topic. Currently, the chatbot can only access the inbox, but there are plans to extend its functionality to Google Drive. The Gemini…

Google has launched a pilot initiative in India aimed at blocking certain sideloaded apps, in a bid to address growing concerns about fraud and scams.  This new effort is part of Google Play Protect’s enhanced fraud protection, which targets apps that request sensitive permissions, such as SMS, notifications, and accessibility access. Sideloading, a process where apps are installed bypassing the official Google Play Store, has become a significant issue in India.  While Google introduced real-time app scanning last October, blocking most malicious apps, some, including predatory loan apps, still slipped through. In addition to India, Google implemented similar measures in…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted emergency use approval to the first diagnostic test for mpox (formerly monkeypox) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure. Manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., the Alinity m MPXV assay is expected to significantly enhance global diagnostic capacity, particularly in nations battling mpox outbreaks. This approval is timely, as more than 30,000 suspected cases have been reported across Africa in 2024, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Nigeria experiencing the highest case numbers. Despite the rising cases, Africa’s testing capacity remains limited. The Alinity m MPXV assay, a real-time PCR test,…

The U.S. Justice Department and Microsoft have successfully taken control of over 100 websites linked to Russian cybercriminal groups, allegedly involved in large-scale cyber fraud targeting American entities.  The group responsible, codenamed “Star Blizzard,” is said to have carried out attacks on over 30 civil society organizations, including journalists, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), from January 2023 to August 2024. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated that the Russian government was using these websites to steal sensitive information from Americans through fake email accounts. The coordinated effort by Microsoft and the Justice Department seeks to expose these criminal activities…

A young boy from the Western North Region has been confirmed as Ghana’s first Mpox case in 2024.  The boy, who exhibited symptoms such as a rash, fever, and body pains, has since been discharged from the hospital. Health officials are currently monitoring 25 individuals who were in contact with the boy. Additionally, 230 suspected Mpox cases are being investigated across the country. Since January 2024, over 34,297 Mpox cases and 860 deaths have been reported in Africa. The virus has two main subtypes: clade 1, prevalent in the Congo Basin and more deadly, and clade 2, common in West…

A new chapter in South Africa’s transport sector unfolded with the launch of the country’s first 15-seater electric taxi, the eKamva.  Spearheaded by a consortium led by GoMetro, this innovative minibus aims to revolutionize public transportation with eco-friendly technology and improved cost efficiency. To support the eKamva, “taxi-rank adjacent” charging stations will be developed, featuring fast-charging capability within 75 minutes and slow overnight charging over 10 hours.  Initial charging locations will be in Cape Town’s Century City and Stellenbosch, with expansion planned over the next year. The eKamva offers potential savings of 40% to 70% in operating costs, thanks to…

Google has announced the launch of several AI-powered features for Google Maps in India, aimed at enhancing the user experience.  These updates were revealed during the recent Google for India event. A key highlight is the introduction of AI-generated summaries for reviews, allowing users to quickly understand the most relevant feedback on places. This feature mirrors a similar service introduced in the U.S. earlier this year. In addition, users can now search for specific experiences, such as “unique picnic spots” or “themed birthday cakes.”  These results will prioritize images uploaded by businesses and users, creating a more visual experience. Google…

MultiChoice Kenya has announced a price hike for its DStv subscription services, with the new rates taking effect from November 1, 2024.  Subscribers will see an increase of up to KSh500, marking the fourth price adjustment in two years. The Premium package will now cost KSh11,000, up from KSh10,500, while Compact Plus will rise to KSh6,800 from KSh6,500. This move follows a similar price increase in Nigeria in April 2024, where MultiChoice raised DStv and GOtv prices by at least 25%, sparking legal challenges. By March 2024, MultiChoice reported a 13% drop in subscribers across key markets, including Kenya, Nigeria,…

Threads has introduced a set of new features, enhancing its connection to the fediverse and improving user experience. Users can now view who follows and likes their posts from other fediverse platforms such as Mastodon and Pixelfed.  By tapping on a post’s activity or follower list, they can see “fediverse followers” or “fediverse likes,” expanding the visibility of interactions from decentralized servers. Additionally, Threads has extended its post-editing window, allowing users to edit posts for up to 15 minutes, an improvement from the previous 5-minute limit.  The platform has been gradually integrating with the fediverse since March, now enabling users…

As of September 30, 2024, Rwanda has reported 27 confirmed cases and nine fatalities related to Marburg Virus Disease.  The Ministry of Health officially declared an outbreak on September 27, following the alarming rise in cases, primarily among healthcare workers.  In response to the outbreak, over 297 individuals who had contact with confirmed cases are currently under monitoring. The Rwandan government is actively working with health partners to implement preventive measures, including rigorous contact tracing and isolation of affected individuals for treatment.  Authorities are urging the public to prioritize hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, to curb the virus’s spread.…