Ayoola Atitebi

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), according to multiple media reports. This system contains sensitive taxpayer information including Social Security numbers, addresses, property records, and salary details of millions of Americans. As of Sunday evening, DOGE had not yet gained access to the system, according to several news outlets including The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times, and the Washington Post. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields defended the effort, stating that direct access to the IRS database was necessary to identify "deeply entrenched" waste, fraud, and abuse in government. "DOGE will continue to shine a light on the fraud they uncover as the American people deserve to know what their government has been spending their hard-earned tax dollars on," Fields said. Democratic lawmakers have […]

A fatal bus crash on a mountain road in Bolivia has claimed the lives of more than 30 people, according to police reports. The vehicle fell almost 800 meters (2625 feet) into a ravine in the southwestern district of Yocalla. Fourteen people survived the crash with injuries, including four children, as confirmed by a local hospital official in a video statement. The accident occurred on the route connecting the cities of Potosí and Oruro. Police colonel Victor Benavides told AFP news agency that investigators believe excessive speed likely caused the crash, with the driver "unable" to maintain control of the bus. This incident appears to be Bolivia's deadliest road accident reported since 2024 so far. Local news outlet Unitel indicated that several survivors sustained serious injuries. Road safety remains a persistent concern in Bolivia, particularly in mountainous regions with hazardous […]

Title: "Passengers Escape Upside Down Plane After Dramatic Airport Crash" "Our plane crashed. It's upside down." These were John Nelson's words after his Delta Air Lines flight flipped while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Remarkably, all 80 people aboard the Minneapolis flight survived, according to the airport CEO. Eighteen passengers were injured, with three suffering serious injuries - a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s - though none were reported as critical. "Most people appear to be okay. We're all getting off," Nelson said in a Facebook video posted shortly after the crash. He later told CNN there was no warning before landing: "We skidded on our side, then flipped over on our back," noting "a big fire ball out the left side of the plane." Passengers found themselves suspended upside down in […]

Meta has unveiled plans for Project Waterworth, a 50,000km (31,000 mile) submarine cable system that will span the globe. Upon completion, it will stand as the world's longest underwater cable project, connecting the United States, India, South Africa, Brazil, and other regions. The technology corporation behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp continues to diversify beyond social media platforms, expanding into artificial intelligence (AI) and the infrastructure supporting these technologies. Meta stated that this new cable initiative will deliver "industry-leading connectivity" across five major continents while bolstering its AI endeavours. "This project will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions," Meta explained in a blog post. According to the company, the cable will utilize a 24 fiber-pair system—making it the longest cable with such high capacity to date. Submarine cables have grown increasingly […]

A comprehensive report released Wednesday by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reveals 2024 was the deadliest year for journalists since record-keeping began over three decades ago, with 124 media workers killed across 18 countries. The death toll surpassed the previous record from 2007, when 113 journalists died, largely due to the Iraq war. CPJ Chief Jodie Ginsberg emphasized that current conditions represent "the most dangerous time to be a journalist in CPJ's history." The Israeli military was responsible for 85 journalist deaths during the Gaza war, with Palestinians comprising 82 of these casualties. The CPJ criticized Israel for allegedly impeding investigations into these deaths, attempting to deflect responsibility onto the journalists themselves, and failing to hold military personnel accountable. Sudan and Pakistan shared the position of second deadliest countries for journalists, each recording six fatalities. The report highlighted a […]

A powerful explosion at a major department store in Taichung, Taiwan's second-largest city, has claimed four lives and left 24 people injured, according to official reports. The National Fire Agency reported that the blast occurred on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, located approximately 160km southwest of Taipei. The affected area was reportedly under construction and closed to the public at the time of the incident. Emergency response was substantial, with the local fire department deploying 56 vehicles and 136 personnel for search and rescue operations. Footage broadcast by TVBS Taiwan captured the moment of explosion, showing building cladding and debris propelled outward while clouds of dust erupted from the structure. Street-level photographs revealed debris scattered across surrounding areas. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, who experienced the blast's impact from the nearby city government building around 11:30am, […]

A devastating fire has consumed over half of Amsterdam Island, a remote French territory in the southern Indian Ocean, forcing the evacuation of 31 researchers. The blaze, discovered on January 15 by an atmospheric scientist, originated near the Pointe Bénédicte observatory. Despite containment efforts, strong winds and dry conditions helped the fire spread toward the Martin-de-Viviès research base. The researchers were evacuated by a fortuitously present lobster fishing vessel, the Austral. The fire has affected critical infrastructure, including solar panels, food supplies, and communication lines. The 54-square-kilometer island, which lacks rivers and experiences winds up to 40 km/h, saw the fire spread through its peat bog network. The island's unique biodiversity faces significant threat. It hosts the exclusive breeding ground for Amsterdam Albatross, 84% of the world's yellow-nosed albatross population, and various seal species. The location's pristine environment has made […]