Metro

Over 40 African migrants drown in Canary Islands ferry mishap

Published

11 months ago

June 23, 2023

No fewer than 40 African migrants, including women and children, reportedly drowned after their boat sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands, while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

Two international charity organisations, Walking Borders and Alarm Phone who both confirmed the boat mishap, said it was carrying around 60 people when it sank.

According to them, most of the victims who embarked on the journey were from Morocco, Mali, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Helena Maleno Garzon, the coordinator for Walking Borders, said that 39 people had drowned, including four women and a baby, while Alarm Phone said 35 people were missing, as both organisations say they are monitoring other migrant boats and have received calls from people on board or their relatives.

“The boat sank about 100 miles (160km) south-east of Gran Canaria on Wednesday night,” Ms Garzon said in a statement on Friday.

“It’s torture to have 60 people, including six women and a baby, waiting for more than 12 hours for a rescue in a flimsy inflatable boat that can sink,” she added.

Angel Victor Torres, leader of the Canary Islands region, described the incident as a “tragedy” and called on the European Union to establish a migration policy that “offers coordinated and supportive responses” to the issue of migration.

The new incident is coming barely a week after another migrant boat carrying hundreds of people sank off the Greek coast last week where at least 78 people were reported to have died.

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Metro

Disability rights group says Cyber Security Act protects politicians more than vulnerable citizens

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

In Kasama, the Disability Inclusion-Friendly Barn Development Foundation, dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, says the Cyber Security Act primarily benefits politicians rather than ordinary citizens, particularly those with disabilities.

Amos Chileshe, the Chief Executive Director of the organisation, conveyed these concerns in an interview with Zambia Monitor.

Chileshe emphasized the Foundation’s focus on child welfare, including screening and assessment programmes tailored to children with disabilities.

He highlighted the alarming prevalence of cyberbullying targeting this vulnerable demographic, often overlooked by mainstream media.

“Despite our efforts to provide counseling and support services,” Chileshe lamented, “many instances of cyberbullying against individuals with disabilities remain unaddressed, unlike cases involving public figures.”

He underscored the disparity in media coverage, noting the tendency to portray persons with disabilities negatively, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, perpetuating stigma and shame, particularly in rural areas.

Calling for the safeguarding of individuals with disabilities online, Chileshe urged authorities to take decisive action against cyberbullying, stating its detrimental impact on their well-being.

Regarding media freedoms, Chileshe advocated for unrestricted licensing of media outlets to ensure comprehensive nationwide coverage.

“Media freedom is essential for democracy, development, and human rights.

“When people are denied the freedom to express themselves, constructive criticism becomes impossible, hindering progress and accountability,” he said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigerian govt denies bribery allegation by Binance CEO

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian government has countered allegations by the CEO of cryptocurrency exchange giant, Binance, Richard Teng, that some government officials demanded a $150m bribe to settle the ongoing criminal charge filed against the firm.

In a publication carried by by the New York Times on Tuesday, Teng had alleged that unknown persons made the bribe demand to Binance officials shortly after they held a meeting with Nigerian lawmakers on January 8.

In the article, Teng accused the unidentified individuals of acting on behalf of government officials to demand $150m in cryptocurrency to resolve the tax evasion and money laundering case against the company and its officials.

Teng also claimed that the purported agent demanded “a significant payment in cryptocurrency to be paid in secret within 48 hours to make the issues go away.”

But in a statement on Wednesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as blackmail aimed at tarnishing the image of the country.

The Minister further dismissed the claims as “baseless and part of a wider attempt by Binance to evade accountability for alleged criminal activities.”

The minister noted that ongoing investigations against Binance in Nigeria centred on allegations of money laundering, terrorism financing, and illegal trading activities facilitated through its platform, stressing that it would not succumb to blackmail or coercion.

“This claim by Binance CEO lacks an iota of substance. It is nothing but a diversionary tactic and an attempted act of blackmail by a company desperate to obfuscate the grievous criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria,” Idris said.

“They lack any evidence and are merely a diversionary tactic employed by Binance to deflect attention from the serious charges it faces in the country.

“We would like to remind Binance that it will not clear its name in Nigeria by resorting to fictional claims and mudslinging media campaigns. The only way to resolve its issues will be by submitting itself to unobstructed investigation and judicial due process.

“The Nigerian government, therefore, pledged to address the legal issues surrounding Binance operations in the country.

“The government of Nigeria will continue to act within its laws and international norms and will not succumb to any form of blackmail from any entity, local or foreign,” the Minister added.