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Morocco marks independence to celebrate sovereignty ‘after more than 40 years of colonial rule’

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Morocco on Saturday marked its independence.

On the occasion, Google celebrated Morocco’s independence day anniversary with a special Doodle to commemorates the country’s long struggle to gain independence from French and Spanish colonial rule.

On the special occasion, the search engine giant paid tribute to the anniversary with a Doodle at the center of its homepage depicting the Moroccan flag, with an explanation that Morocco’s Independence Day marks the nation’s liberation from over four decades of colonial rule in 1956.

“Today’s annual Doodle celebrates Morocco Independence Day!” the search engine wrote.

“On this day in 1956, Morocco regained its sovereignty after more than 40 years of colonial rule. The nation’s journey to freedom was made possible through peaceful negotiations and diplomacy led by King Mohammad V.

“On Independence Day, Moroccans attend parades, flag-raising ceremonies, concerts, and firework shows. They wear traditional clothing like djellabas (decorated robes with pointed hoods) and kaftans (elegant, long-sleeved dresses) while waving the red and green national flag — like the one in today’s artwork.

“Moroccan cuisine also plays an important role in festivities. National dishes like couscous, tajine (braised chicken stew), and pastilla (savory chicken pie) are enjoyed by all.

“For dessert, people gorge on fried cookies made with sesame and honey called chebakia. Mint tea, which symbolizes hospitality and warmth, is also served throughout the country.

“Happy Independence Day, Morocco!”, it said.

Google’s celebration of Morocco’s Independence Day has become a yearly tradition when the search engine would change its logo and drape it in the national colors of the North African country.

Culture

Kenyan officials arrest four Tiktokers for filming robbery prank video outside police station

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Kenyan Police authorities have arrested four young Tiktokers for filming a robbery prank outside a police station in the Kilifi North Sub-county.

Local media reports that the four young people who were aiming for social media fame, were arrested after filming and publishing on Tiktok a fake robbery outside the police station.

“The four young people, one of whom is 17 years old, made a video titled ‘wezi mbele ya police station’ (robbery outside a police station), and posted it on the popular video platform. However, police didn’t take it lightly,” one report wrote.

“In the video, a seemingly drunk man exits the Administration Police (AP) canteen and gets robbed by two others on a motorcycle.

“The 18-year-old cameraman was among those arrested. Police identified them through CCTV footage at the AP canteen. The youths were arrested at their homes in Kilifi, with the oldest being 27 years old,” another report said.

The Kilifi North Sub-county Police Commander, Kenneth Maina, who confirmed the incident and arrest of the suspects, said investigations are still ongoing, and the suspects will face charges, including cybercrimes.

“The viral video of a daylight robbery at the Kilifi Administration Police canteen in Kilifi was not real but a prank by a group of youths creating content for their TikTok account,” Maina said.

Maina said they were pursuing another suspect who was still at large, adding that the youths revealed they only wanted to attract followers to their TikTok account.

“There were five youths and we managed to arrest four of them and the other one we have a crucial lead that will lead us to an arrest,” the Police Commander said.

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Culture

Ghanaian Supreme Court begins hearing in case challenging anti-LGBTQ+ bill

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The Ghanaian Supreme Court Thursday began hearing on a suit challenging the anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by parliament in February.

The suit filed by lawyer and journalist, Richard Dela Sky, seeks to challenge the controversial bill which prescribes a three-year jail term for people identified as gay and five to 10 years for LGBT advocates.

The lawsuit, which was filed in March, sought the court to prevent the parliament Speaker and Clerk from sending the bill to President Nana Akufo Addo, while also seeking that the president should not sign the bill into law.

A second case brought before the apex court by academic researcher, Dr Amanda Odoi, is challenging the constitutionality of the bill and was also heard by the court.

Presiding judge, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, however, expressed concern about the strong language used in some of the sworn statements.

“I think that the language is intemperate, a lot of the paragraphs contain language that is inappropriate, scandalous, so I want to give you directions,” Torkornoo said.

Local media reports that the tense events on day one of the hearing did not come as a surprise to many given the controversial nature of the bill, which has been condemned by Western donors and human rights groups.

“The hearing was presided over by the chief justice along with four other Supreme Court judges and broadcast live on television, because of the keen interest in the case among Ghanaians,” the report said.

“President Akufo Addo had said he would await the verdict of the Supreme Court before deciding whether or not to sign the bill into law and the case has been adjourned to 17 May,” the report said.

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