Changpeng Zhao, founder of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has been pardoned by US President Donald Trump. Zhao, also known as “CZ”, was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 after pleading guilty to violating US money laundering laws. Binance was ordered to pay $4.3bn (£3.4bn) after a US investigation found it helped users bypass sanctions. A White House official confirmed to the BBC Zhao has been pardoned, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Binance has been approached for comment. The exchange, which is registered in the Cayman Islands, remains the world’s most popular…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
US Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have criticised a move by Israel’s parliament towards annexation of the occupied West Bank. On Wednesday, far-right politicians in the Knesset took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill applying Israeli law in the territory, which the Palestinians claim as part of a hoped-for independent state. At the end of a trip to Israel, Vance branded it a “very stupid political stunt”. Rubio warned before flying to Israel that annexation would threaten President Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza. Israel’s prime minister called the…
At least 42 people have been killed in an oil tanker explosion in Nigeria’s central Niger state after the vehicle skidded off the road and crashed, spilling fuel, an aid worker has told the BBC. Another 52 people with varying degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment at a hospital, said Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of the Niger state emergency service. Villagers rushed to collect fuel from the overturned tanker which suddenly exploded, setting off a massive fire that engulfed them. Tanker explosions are a recurring tragedy in Nigeria, despite repeated warnings about the dangers of collecting spilled fuel. The…
South African authorities suspended eight pupils linked to a case of alleged bullying that has caused national outrage. A video showing a horrific assault at Milnerton high school in Cape Town last week has been widely shared on social media. Several boys are seen repeatedly hitting a fellow pupil with various objects, including a hockey stick, hose pipe and belt. According to reports, the boy was one of nine allegedly assaulted. Angry parents gathered outside the school on Wednesday in protest and were dispersed by police firing tear gas. They were joined by members of political parties who announced planned…
A senior official of Tanzania’s main opposition party has been arrested amid a crackdown on dissenting voices ahead of next week’s general election. John Heche, deputy chairperson of Chadema, was detained while attempting to attend the treason trial of party leader Tundu Lissu. In a statement, Chadema alleged that the government planned to “arrest senior party leaders and detain them until after the elections”, which will take place on 29 October. The government has not responded to this accusation. Chadema said Heche was apprehended as he arrived at the High Court in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. The party also…
Judges in Cameroon have dismissed calls for the partial or total cancellation of the heavily disputed presidential election, saying they will announce the result on Monday. Major cities in the country have been rocked by protests, with opposition supporters alleging that the 12 October poll was marred by irregularities, including ballot-stuffing. Judges on the Constitutional Council dismissed eight petitions, citing insufficient evidence of irregularities or a lack of jurisdiction to annul results. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner – a claim rejected by allies of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who is seeking another seven-year term. Biya…
In a world where unpredictability defines our daily lives, confidence is not just a trait it’s a skill that can be developed. Whether it’s in professional life, personal growth, or emergency response, the power of preparation can turn anxiety into assurance. For example, programs like First Aid Certification Edmonton are not just teaching medical techniques they’re reshaping how individuals respond under pressure. Training, no matter the field, does more than build knowledge; it transforms fear into focus and uncertainty into confidence. The Psychology of Readiness Uncertainty often triggers hesitation. We’ve all experienced moments where we freeze unsure what to do…
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs announced the appointment of Severine Luyali as the new Chief of Protocol in the State Department for Foreign Affairs. She takes over from Henry Wambuma, who has been redeployed to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador to Burundi. Luyali brings to the role a wealth of experience, having served in the Ministry for over 25 years. During her distinguished diplomatic career, she has held several key positions that have given her a deep understanding of institutional operations and international engagement. Known for her professionalism and extensive expertise in diplomatic protocol, Luyali is expected to bring…
Meta is cutting around 600 positions out of the several thousand roles in its Superintelligence Labs, the Facebook owner said on Wednesday as it looks to make its artificial intelligence unit more flexible and responsive. The job cuts will affect Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) unit, as well as teams focused on product-related AI and AI infrastructure, the company said. The newly formed TBD Lab, which comprises “a few dozen” researchers and engineers developing Meta’s next-generation foundation models, will not be affected. Axios first reported the job cuts announcement, citing a company memo. Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang said fewer…
Paul Ingrassia, the nominee of President Donald Trump to lead a key US federal watchdog agency, has dropped out after the emergence of a series of offensive text messages that he allegedly sent. Ingrassia, 30, said he was withdrawing his name to lead the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) “because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time”. Several Republican senators had warned they would vote against Ingrassia after Politico reported earlier this week that he had sent messages to a group chat in which he allegedly described himself as having a “Nazi streak”. A White House…
Elon Musk’s SpaceX says it has cut Starlink satellite communication links to more than 2,500 devices used by scam compounds in Myanmar. More than 30 compounds are believed to be operating along the Thai-Myanmar border, where people from around the world are trafficked and forced to work on scams generating tens of billions of dollars annually. Announcing the move, Lauren Dreyer, head of Starlink business operations, said the firm takes action on the rare occasion it identifies violations. The service’s termination follows Monday’s takeover of one of the largest compounds, KK Park, by the Myanmar military, as it retakes territory…
Tragedy struck a family after two people died on Wednesday following a grenade explosion at Karare area in Saku Constituency, Marsabit County. The victims, a father and his son died inside their house on Wednesday afternoon when the explosive went off, police said. Police said the two died while attempting to dismantle the grenade, which detonated and killed them instantly, also destroying part of their house. Police officers are working jointly with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to conduct further investigations into the incident. Marsabit County Police Commander Leonard Kimaiyo confirmed the incident and cautioned residents against tampering with suspicious…
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga sparked outrage after making controversial remarks seen as politicising and mocking the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Speaking in his native Kikuyu language at a burial ceremony in Nyeri, Kahiga suggested that Odinga’s death was God’s plan to get the Mt Kenya region back to enjoying State resources that had been diverted elsewhere. In the short video that has gone viral on social media, the Nyeri Governor claimed that the political arrangement between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga had shifted government development priorities toward the Nyanza region. He went on to suggest that…
The leaders of Madagascar’s Gen Z movement, whose protests helped topple President Andry Rajoelina, say they disapprove of the prime minister appointed by the country’s new ruler. Col Michael Randrianirina led a coup last week and was sworn in as head of state on Friday. On Monday, he named businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo as his prime minister. But in a statement on Facebook, Gen Z Mada said the appointment was made in a “non-transparent” manner and “without consultation”. Gen Z Mada added that the decision “runs contrary to the desired structural change” the movement was seeking. The leaders of Madagascar’s Gen…
As construction begins on President Donald Trump’s new, $250m (£187m) White House ballroom, mystery continues to swirl around the identities of the wealthy donors and corporations paying for it. Groundbreaking for the ornate 90,000 sq ft (8,360 sq m) project began on Monday, with excavators and construction workers tearing out portions of the East Wing. The US president has said that he personally will pay for significant portions of its construction, and suggested that some still anonymous donors would be willing to spend more than $20m to complete the project. The funding model has sparked concern among some legal experts,…