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US Senate Declines To Fast-Track TikTok Bill

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A bill that would force the sale of TikTok from its Chinese owners or see it banned in the United States will move cautiously in the US Senate, key lawmakers said, after it sailed through the House.

The bill’s whirlwind House passage on Wednesday, and its backing from US President Joe Biden, had raised alarm bells that the app, used by 170 million in the United States, could be shut down within months.

But hopes from TikTok’s foes that the Senate could also move quickly were dashed, with key senators saying they would put the proposed law through the usual legislative process, which can take months.

“These fields are evolving and changing so rapidly that you can do a lot of damage by moving too quickly or without the facts,” Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, told the Washington Post on Friday.

Passing major legislation is especially difficult in an election year, and backers of the bill have bitterly predicted that the House’s proposed law would die in the Senate.

“What we’re likely to see happen in the Senate is people will nickel-and-dime it, a death by a thousand cuts,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley told Axios.

“Nothing that Big Tech doesn’t want moves across the Senate floor,” he said.

Senate leaders who would be in charge of shepherding the proposed law through a complicated amendment process and bringing it to a vote have been noncommittal on the bill.

After the House vote, Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who chairs the Commerce Committee, said that she would “try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties.”

Republicans also expressed caution, and on Thursday former president Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to any ban of TikTok, asking his supporters to focus their anger on Facebook-owner Meta instead.

Trump’s position, which was surprisingly ignored by Republicans in Wednesday’s vote, is a reversal from his efforts as president to force TikTok away from ByteDance, its Chinese owner, efforts which were ultimately blocked by the courts.

Some Western governments have voiced concern about TikTok’s soaring popularity, alleging that the app’s ownership makes it subservient to Beijing — and could be used as a conduit to spread propaganda — claims TikTok and Beijing deny.

The White House has said Biden will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

AFP

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Tiwa Savage: “Usher is so lovely”

Tiwa Savage is widely known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic stage presence.

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Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has disclosed that American R&B star, Usher Raymond is a lovely personality.

Savage recently made this known during a chat with Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 during an intimate and entertaining session.

The self-acclaimed Africa’s number one bad girl reflected on her journey as one of Africa’s most influential music exports while opening up on being brought out by Usher as a surprise guest during his sold-out O2 Arena shows in London.

The ‘Somebody’s Son’ singer said, “That was the second time, the first was at Global Citizen in Ghana,” she shared.

“This one was extra special. I was so nervous, but Usher is just so lovely and professional.

”Tiwa Savage is widely known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic stage presence.

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R. Kelly serving 30 years prison sentence for sex trafficking

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American singer R. Kelly is currently serving a 30-year jail sentence in North Carolina for sex trafficking and racketeering.

According to report, Kelly, 58, was recently rushed to the hospital from prison after what his lawyer described as a near-deadly overdose.

His legal team has now filed an emergency request asking the court to release him temporarily from custody, saying his life is in danger.

Kelly, collapsed in his solitary confinement cell on June 13, just three days after being isolated.

His lawyer, Beau Brindley, claimed that the singer was given a dangerously high dose of medication on June 12, while still in solitary confinement.

The next day, he reportedly fainted and was taken to Duke University Hospital, where doctors said the medication could have killed him.

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Multichoice: BBNaija Season 9 Reunion Starts June 23

The programme would be aired on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms.

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The organiser of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show, Multichoice, has announced June 23, 2025, for the premiere of the season 9 edition reunion show titled ‘No Loose Guard’.

According to Multichoice, the reunion will bring new energy, drama, and excitement, as the 2024 housemates return with heightened emotions.

“Old beef, new energy, new drama. Your favourites are coming in hot. #BBNaijaReunion starts on June 23 at 10:00 p.m. Set your alarms,” the organiser said.

The programme would be aired on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms.

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