Foreign
Teenage Mistakenly Shoots Self Dead While Filming Social Media Video
A 17-year-old aspiring rapper Rylo Huncho (real name Raleigh Freeman III) has died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred on May 15th while Huncho was filming a video on TikTok.
According to authorities in Suffolk, Virginia, Huncho died in his residence. Investigators believe the shooting was unintentional.
Disturbing details have emerged, with a video filmed by Huncho himself circulating online. The footage shows him rapping and displaying a handgun with a green laser sight.
The video reportedly takes a horrifying turn when Rylo Huncho points the gun at his head. A loud bang is heard, and the video feed becomes erratic before cutting out entirely.
The teen’s family has confirmed the cause of death as a “self-inflicted gun wound to the head” through a GoFundMe page established to support his grieving mother. As of Tuesday, the page has raised over $3,000 towards a $15,000 goal.
This tragedy has sparked a critical conversation about gun safety and the influence of social media. The pursuit of online clout, particularly among young people, can lead to dangerous behaviour with devastating consequences.
Experts have warned about the normalization of firearms on social media platforms. Risky stunts involving guns can be glamorized or seen as mere entertainment.
“These online trends often downplay the very real dangers of guns,” said Dr. Sarah Jones, a child psychologist specializing in social media’s impact on youth. “Young people may not fully comprehend the finality of gun violence, and the pressure to create viral content can cloud judgment.”
Rylo Huncho’s death serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility we all share in promoting gun safety and responsible online behaviour.
Mental health advocates are urging anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts to reach out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988.
Foreign
Israel’s Netanyahu to undergo prostate removal surgery
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to undergo prostate removal surgery on Sunday, his office said after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.
The procedure comes with Israel at war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip more than 14 months after the Palestinian militants carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 last year.
Netanyahu underwent a test at Hadassah Hospital on Wednesday, where he was “diagnosed with a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
“As a result, the prime minister will undergo prostate removal surgery tomorrow,” it said.
In March, he underwent a hernia surgery, while in July last year doctors implanted a pacemaker in Netanyahu after a medical scare.
Foreign
FEAR of Trump: Nigerian students, others advised to report before his inauguration
Universities in the United States have urged international students to resume before president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Trump is set to be sworn in on January 20.
The universities advised international students to return early from winter break amid promises of another travel ban by the incoming president.
Many international students were stranded abroad when Trump imposed a travel ban at the start of his first administration.
The president-elect has been vocal about his hardline immigration stance.
Some of the actions Trump has promised to take include a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries and the revocation of student visas of “radical anti-American and antisemitic foreigners”.
Foreign
France offering Nigeria funds to destabilize Niger Republic, neighbouring countries – General Tiani alleges
Niger Republic’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has alleged that France is providing financial support to Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State.
Tiani said the plan is purportedly to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries.
Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, made this known in a post on his X handle on Wednesday.
Makama said the Niger’s junta leader made the claim during a recent address, accusing France of meddling in the region and harboring ulterior motives.
“France has even offered to give money to Nigerian authorities to establish a base in Borno State, with the sole aim of destabilizing our countries.
“We have informed Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, of a massive conspiracy to destabilize Niger.
“The Gaba Forest, located on the border between Sokoto (Nigeria) and Niger, was chosen as a base by terrorists recruited by France and ISWAP.
“Unfortunately, it seems we have chosen our interlocutors badly, because it is their skills that have been exploited by France in an attempt to destabilize us on the Niger, Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso borders,” Makama quoted a statement purportedly made by General Tiani.
The security expert stated that the assertion marks the latest in a series of accusations directed at France by the Nigerien leader.
He said the development reflects the deteriorating relations between Niger and its former colonial power following the military coup in July 2023.
“Tiani’s administration has consistently accused France of interfering in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta,” Makama said.
In his analysis, the security expert
stated that General Tiani’s allegations appear to be grounded more in speculation than substantiated fact.
He said, “These allegations seem part of a broader narrative aimed at isolating Nigeria due to its strong ties with France.”
Makama argued that such continued, unfounded accusations against Nigeria pose a significant threat to diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“General Tiani’s accusations not only undermine these important initiatives but also risk fueling unnecessary tensions between nations that share a common goal of achieving stability and peace in the Sahel region,” he added.
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