Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO and founder of Binance, is facing a lawsuit in the United States alongside Binance itself, accusing the cryptocurrency exchange of “knowingly facilitated” transactions for Hamas and other U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) for years.The lawsuit, filed in a North Dakota federal court by over 300 victims and family members of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, alleges that the platform’s failures in compliance directly and materially contributed to the terrorist activities. Binance has stated it cannot comment on ongoing litigation but affirms its compliance with international sanctions laws.The complaint alleges that Binance and CZ systematically assisted Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran’s IRGC, and other FTOs to transfer and conceal hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars through the platform, enabling their terrorist activities.The lawsuit claims Binance intentionally structured its operations using offshore entities and weak customer verification to make it difficult to trace funds and identify FTO accounts. In November 2023, Binance pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions violations, agreeing to pay a $4.3 billion fine. CZ also pleaded guilty and resigned as CEO, serving a four-month prison sentence. This new lawsuit claims illicit transactions continued even after that settlement.CZ was recently granted a presidential pardon in October 2025, an act that itself sparked controversy due to his prior conviction for compliance failures.
Malaysia to ban users under 16 from social media accounts
Malaysia is set to implement a nationwide restriction next year that will prevent individuals under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts. This is a growing global movement by governments to enhance online protections for children and address concerns over mental health and exposure to harmful content.Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced the planned restriction, stating that the government is currently developing compliance systems that major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, will be required to adhere to.The initiative mirrors similar actions in other nations. Australia, for example, mandates social networks to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16 starting in December. The US has seen 24 states enact age-verification laws.For Malaysia, the primary concerns driving this policy are the impact of social media use on young people’s mental health, safety, and exposure to harmful content and online manipulation.
Nigerian launch campaign to ban Netflix over movie ‘The Herd’
A controversy has erupted in following the release of the Netflix movie “The Herd,” directed by Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong, leading to a viral campaign by some Nigerian calling for the immediate cancellation of Netflix services.The film, which depicts a kidnapping carried out by bandits often identified as Fulani herdsmen, has raised outrage among critics who accuse the movie of ethnic and religious profiling.The online campaign, launched primarily on X (formerly Twitter), urges users to delete the Netflix app and boycott the streaming giant. Critics argue that the movie dangerously stereotypes an entire ethnic group the Fulani).The controversy centers on a specific scene that allegedly shows Fulani herders crossing the road with cattle, only to suddenly pull out guns and abduct travelers.A prominent voice in the criticism is Bashir Ahmaad, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari. He acknowledged the surge of banditry but condemned the film for its broad strokes. The reason why some Arewa people are angry about The Herd movie is not because we are denying the reality of banditry, far from it. It is about the dangerous consequences of profiling an entire ethnic group and region that has already suffered immensely from years of insecurity – Ahmaad. Ahmaad argued that while some criminals are Fulani, the vast majority of herders are innocent victims of the crisis themselves. He warned that a film with an international platform like Netflix, which portrays a one-dimensional story, reinforces harmful stereotypes that fuel suspicion and resentment. He suggested that the Nigerian Film Corporation should have provided guidance to prevent such “damaging portrayals.”Despite the heavy criticism, many social media users and members of the Nigerian creative industry have rallied behind the film, arguing that its purpose is to reflect the uncomfortable truth of Nigeria’s current security challenges. I genuinely don’t understand why a certain group is angry that this movie reflects the current realities of Nigeria. You can’t accuse a movie of ‘misrepresentation’ when it mirrors events the whole country has witnessed – A social media user wrote However, social media commentator Daniel Regha criticized the film for going beyond accurate reflection, claiming it pushed negative stereotypes by portraying Hausas as bandits, Yorubas as accomplices, and Igbos as egoistic and naive. Regha rated the movie 2/10, due to his claimed numerous plot holes and technical errors.The film, released on Friday, November 17, 2025, has already generated over 30 million views, making it one of the most talked-about Nollywood releases of the year.
Kenya orders Uber and Bolt to hike fares by 50% after protests
It looks like the days of ultra-cheap rides might be coming to an end for passengers in Kenya, but for the drivers behind the wheel, relief is finally on the horizon. Following months of intense protests and negotiations, Kenyan transport authorities have ordered ride-hailing giants Uber and Bolt to immediately increase their fares by roughly 50 percent to match rising economic costs.The directive comes straight from the Ministry for Roads and Transport, compelling the tech companies to adopt pricing guidelines that were actually suggested by the Automobile Association of Kenya (AAK) way back in 2023. For a long time, these guidelines sat on the shelf due to a lack of clear regulations, but the government is now putting its foot down.Under the new pricing structure, the cost per kilometer is seeing a steep jump. For vehicles with small engines (1050cc), the kind most commonly used for these trips, the rate will rise from Sh22 to Sh33.1. That’s a 50.4 percent increase. Medium-engine cars aren’t left out either, with rates climbing from Sh26 to Sh36.8 per kilometer.This decision didn’t happen just like that. For years, Kenyan drivers have argued that high fuel prices and the hefty commissions taken by the apps left them with peanuts at the end of the day.Tensions boiled over in July 2024 when drivers took to the streets, demanding lower commissions and a minimum trip fare of 300 Kenyan Shillings. While Bolt offered a small 10 percent hike later that year, drivers dismissed it as barely scratching the surface of their expenses.Paul King’ori, the Director of Road and Railways Transport, issued a strict ultimatum to the companies; Uber and Bolt must adjust to the new AAK rates. The firms are given a seven-day window to respond with detailed procedures adopted to address the new increases Yahya Ahmed, Head of Licensing at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), clarified that this development was not made all of a sudden and that the guidelines had been sent to the companies a year ago but were never enforced.On the drivers’ side, the frustration has been palpable. Nicholas Ogolla, General Secretary of the Transport Workers Union of Kenya (TAWU), criticized the apps for treating drivers like employees without giving them the benefits. Drivers are called ‘independent contractors’, yet Uber and Bolt control every element of work: pricing, penalties, and deactivation. That is not independence; that is exploitation The clock is now ticking on the seven-day deadline. For the drivers, this order feels like a hard-fought victory after years of feeling ignored. However, they stressed that they aren’t celebrating just yet; they have threatened to return to the streets if the apps fail to implement the new prices within the week.
Zuldal Microfinance Bank declared illegal and unlicensed, by CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a warning regarding Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited, declaring it an illegal entity operating without a license.The regulator has advised all Nigerians to steer clear of the firm, which has reportedly been conducting business in major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.The apex bank, in a release on Wednesday made it clear that Zuldal has no regulatory approval to conduct banking business in the country. Despite marketing itself to the public, with reports even surfacing of a grand opening held at the National Women Centre in Abuja just last September, the firm is not recognized by the law.A quick check online reveals that the bank’s digital footprint is already going dark. Its website is currently inactive and password-protected, raising questions about its legitimacy.The CBN emphasized that operating without a license is a direct violation of the law. specifically citing Section 2(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, which mandates that no person or company can carry out banking business in Nigeria without a valid license issued by the CBN.The regulator warned the public that anyone doing business with the entity does so at their own peril; The said Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited is not a licensed Microfinance Bank and has no authorisation from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate or carry out any form of banking or microfinance business in Nigeria. The CBN remains committed to safeguarding the financial system and protecting members of the public from unlicensed and fraudulent institutions For now, Zuldal Microfinance Bank remains blacklisted, and citizens are urged to disregard any claims it makes about being a licensed operator.
Google launches Nano Banana Pro in Nigeria
Google is rolling out its most advanced image generation and editing tool yet, ‘Nano Banana Pro,’ a system built on the powerful reasoning capabilities of the Gemini 3 Pro model.Nano Banana Pro is designed to address key pain points that have long challenged AI image creation, offering users much greater control and accuracy than previous models.One of the most significant upgrades of the model is its ability to generate clear, readable text directly inside images, a major hurdle older AI system often stumbled over. This feature is a game-changer for Nigerian designers working on banners, social media ad mockups, and presentations where typography must be sharp and accurate.Nano Banana Pro can now generate visuals that are grounded in real-world facts. Because it is connected to Google’s search knowledge base, users can create highly accurate infographics, educational diagrams, recipes, or sports visuals that reflect up-to-date information, making it a powerful tool for students and journalists alike.Users can upload up to 14 reference photos in a single prompt to ensure characters, product shots, or brand aesthetics remain identical across multiple visuals.User can now adjust camera angles, change lighting conditions (shifting a scene from day to night), and modify focus using simple text prompts. Then, export final work in a high-resolution 2K or 4K, providing flexibility for everything from mobile production to professional print use.Google has integrated new verification tools, in order to maintain transparency. Every AI-generated image includes an invisible SynthID watermark. Users can upload any image to the Gemini app and ask a simple question to verify if it was created by Google’s AI.While free-tier users will still see a visible watermark, Ultra-tier subscribers will have the visible mark removed, allowing for a cleaner canvas for commercial and professional work, though the invisible digital watermark remains active for accountability.Nano Banana Pro is now rolling out globally. Nigerian users can access the advanced features through the Gemini app by selecting the “Thinking” model. Developers and businesses can integrate it through Google Ads, Slides, Vids, the Gemini API, and Vertex AI for scaled production.