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A truck carrying passengers crashes in northern Nigeria, killing at least 30 people

KANO, Nigeria (AP) — A truck carrying passengers crashed in northern Nigeria because of reckless driving, killing at least 30 people and injuring several others, authorities said Sunday.

The trailer was driving along a highway in Kwanar Barde town in Kano’s Gezawa local government area when it lost control, according to a statement from the Kano governor’s office.

Road accidents are frequent in Africa’s most populous country, in part due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws.

The truck involved in the latest accident was carrying some passengers and goods towards Gujungu town in Kano when it crashed early Sunday morning.

Those injured, many of them with serious injuries, are receiving medical care in different hospitals, according to the statement issued by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesman for Kano Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“The Governor described the incident as heartbreaking and a great loss not only to the affected families but to the entire people of Kano State,” the statement added.

Sunday’s accident renewed calls from officials urging adherence to traffic regulations and threatening severe punishment for offenders.

In December, British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was injured and his two close associates killed when their their driver hit a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which links Ogun state to Lagos. Officials said the driver was speeding, and charged him for dangerous driving.

Australian watchdog files legal action against Telegram, saying it failed to remove violent content

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s online safety watchdog has filed legal action against messaging app Telegram, saying the platform failed to remove extremist content including videos of white supremacist mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and the New Zealand city of Christchurch as well as Islamic State group beheadings. The United Arab Emirates-based app, which reports having 1 billion users worldwide, faces a fine of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars ($38 million) if convicted in the Australian Federal Court for “alleged failure to detect and remove pro-terror material,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Thursday. The civil action is a test of Australia's 2021 law requiring tech platforms to work to keep illegal and pro-terrorism material off their networks. Telegram denied the claims. “We reject these allegations and will contest them in court,” a spokesperson said in a written statement sent on Telegram.
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