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ENS Editor’s Spotlight

Snap records slowest revenue growth in over a yea...

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📉 Snap Records Slowest Revenue Growth in Over a Year Published: August 6, 2025 · ENS | Technology Updates Snap Inc. has reported its weakest quarterly performance in over a year, with total revenue growing just 8.7% year-on-year to $1.34 billion in Q2 2025. The slowdown is largely attributed to a glitch in its ad platform , which led to ads being served at below-market prices — significantly hurting revenue. The company stated that the issue has since been corrected, but the impact was clear in the quarterly earnings. Additional challenges included global ad market shifts, timing changes in Ramadan , and the end of a key U.S. tax exemption known as the de minimis rule . Quick Highlights: • Daily Active Users grew to 469 million (+9%) • Snapchat+ subscriptions rose to nearly 16 million (+42%) • Net loss widened to $263 million • Q3 revenue forecast: $1.48B – $1.51B Despite...
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Two Chinese nationals in California accused of illegally...

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Two Chinese Nationals in California Accused of Illegally Shipping Nvidia AI Chips to China U.S. authorities have charged two Chinese nationals based in California with illegally exporting advanced Nvidia AI chips to China — violating federal export controls. According to the Department of Justice, the suspects allegedly orchestrated a complex scheme involving shell companies and falsified shipping documents to send restricted high-performance GPUs to Chinese entities without proper licensing. The illegally shipped chips are believed to be top-tier Nvidia units used for AI research, supercomputing, and military applications, raising national security concerns. These exports allegedly bypassed U.S. regulations aimed at preventing critical technologies from reaching unauthorized foreign users. The suspects are expected to appear in federal court, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether they were...

Exposes Channel Smuggling Gang's Hidden Network

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UNDERCOVER REVEAL BBC Exposes Channel Smuggling Gang’s Hidden Network in France and UK ENS International Desk | August 6, 2025 An extensive undercover investigation by the BBC has revealed how a violent people-smuggling gang operates across northern France and the UK, exploiting migrants seeking to cross the English Channel in small boats. The investigation identified senior gang figures, violent methods and a sprawling smuggling network. ([turn0search8]) Inside access: A reporter, posing as a migrant, gained entry into a forest hideout where smuggling ringleaders operate. Secret filming followed money collection at platforms including Birmingham’s New Street Station, where associates collected cash in envelopes. ([turn0search8]) Network Structure & Key Figures The gang appears to be led by Iraqi-Kurdish figures—identified by the investigation as Jabal, Aram, and al-Millah—with others coordinating payments and transport. The operation ...

Makerere Student Sentenced to 2 Months Over...

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REPORT Makerere Student Sentenced to 2 Months Over Anti‑Museveni TikTok Clip ENS National Desk | Kampala | August 6, 2025 A sixth-year **Makerere University student**, **Elson Tumwine**, has been sentenced to **two months in prison** for sharing a TikTok video deemed offensive toward President Yoweri Museveni and Speaker Anita Among. Tumwine had previously disappeared while interning in Hoima before reappearing in court. Judge’s comment: Magistrate Tibayeta Edgar Tusiime noted that Tumwine had pleaded guilty promptly and asked for forgiveness—factors that prompted a lenient sentence. Offensive Communication Charges The video—posted in May—alleged that President Museveni had sincerely apologized only to Buganda while ignoring atrocities in the Teso region, including burning of trains and mass killings. The court found the remarks constituted “offensive communication” under Uganda’s amended Computer Misuse Act. Prosecutors argued the co...

Malawi & Zambia Tourists Face $15,000 Visa Bond

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ALERT Malawi & Zambia Tourists Face $15,000 Visa Bond in U.S. International Desk | August 6, 2025 The U.S. State Department has announced a new 12‑month pilot program requiring tourists and business visitors from **Malawi and Zambia** to post refundable bonds of **$5,000**, **$10,000**, or **$15,000** as a condition for B‑1 and B‑2 visa issuance. The program launches on **August 20, 2025**. 1 Officials explain: These bonds are designed to ensure travelers return home on time. The funds will be refunded if visa holders meet departure terms and avoid infractions. 2 đź—ş️ Why This Targets Malawi & Zambia A Department of Homeland Security report for 2023 showed Malawian visitors overstayed at a rate of **14.3%**, while Zambian visitors had an overstay rate of **10.45%**—placing both above the agency’s 10% threshold for bond requirements. 3 The bond amount assigned will depend on a consular officer’s risk assessment and mus...

Israel’s military offensive on Gaza

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LIVE UPDATE Israeli Attacks in Gaza Kill Over 80 as Starvation Deaths Mount ENS International Desk | August 5, 2025 Israel’s military offensive on Gaza has killed more than 80 Palestinians today , including aid seekers, as hunger continues to claim lives across the enclave. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that starvation has now killed at least 188 people , with 94 children among them. 1 Health officials: “Six additional people died of malnutrition in the last 24 hours, raising the total hunger‑related deaths to 188, including 94 children.” 2 🌍 Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Nearly all of Gaza is facing famine-like conditions. Aid agencies warn that only around 100 trucks enter daily—far below the 600–700 needed. Emergency medical care is collapsing under fuel shortages, looting, and destruction of infrastructure. 3 Thousands of Palestinians have been killed while seeking food—many shot at distribution points. Israel has def...

Uganda Grants State Burial for 'Mother of Parliament' Rhoda Kalema

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OFFICIAL MEMORIAL UPDATE Uganda Grants State Burial for 'Mother of Parliament' Rhoda Kalema By ENS National Desk | Kampala | August 5, 2025 The Government of Uganda has confirmed that **Lay Canon Rhoda Nakibuuka Nsibirwa Kalema**, affectionately known as the "Mother of Parliament," will receive an official burial ceremony on **Saturday, August 9**, in **Kiboga District**. Ms. Kalema passed away on **August 3 in Nairobi**, at the age of 96, after a legacy spanning decades of public service. 1 Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda announced the directive, stating: “President Museveni, in line with Article 99 of the Constitution, has directed that the late Rhoda Kalema be accorded an official burial.” 2 A Legacy Celebrated Kalema’s lifetime achievements included serving as one of the earliest female legislators in Uganda’s post-Amin government, Deputy Minister of Public Service (1989–1991), and a victorious b...

Standard Chartered CEO Bucks Trend: 4 Days in Office—and Trusts 'Adults' Thereafter

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Standard Chartered CEO Bucks Trend: 4 Days in Office—and Trusts 'Adults' Thereafter ENS Business | August 5, 2025 Bill Winters , CEO of Standard Chartered , has taken a stand in the global banking return-to-office debate—opting for a flexible hybrid policy rather than full mandates enforced by rivals like JPMorgan and HSBC. Speaking in July 2025 , Winters emphasized trust in his workforce: “We work with adults, and the adults can have an adult conversation with other adults … How other companies make that work? Everybody’s got their own recipe.” 1 Winters said: “Our MDs want to come to the office. They come to collaborate … but if they need flexibility, they can get it.” 2 đź§­ A Contrarian Approach While many major banks tighten policies—JPMorgan demanding five days, HSBC mandating four, Citi tracking attendance—the approach at Standard Chartered seems deliberately adult-centric. Winters himself aims to work in-of...

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