The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp, limiting citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files through mobile data.

This policy follows recent directives for telecommunications operators to control access to “inappropriate content.”

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The measure, however, has led to public frustration, with citizens now relying solely on WiFi for sharing photos, videos, and audio files.

The restrictions come in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).

Engonga, 54, is currently under investigation for fraud. During an unexpected search of his home and office, ANIF officials reportedly discovered a collection of more than 400 explicit videos involving Engonga and the wives of various prominent figures.

Among those reportedly involved are relatives of senior officials, including the wife of the Director General of Police, multiple government ministers’ spouses, and even family members of the President of Equatorial Guinea.

The leaked videos have caused a media uproar, with calls for transparency from the government.

Citizens are questioning whether the restrictions on WhatsApp multimedia sharing are part of an effort to prevent the spread of sensitive content related to the scandal.

So far, officials have not commented on the duration of these restrictions or whether they are linked to the ongoing investigation.

The local news platform Ahora EG has reported widespread frustration over the restrictions, quoting anonymous sources expressing concern about the impact on essential communication.

“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” one source asked. “This measure interferes with work and educational activities for thousands who rely on WhatsApp, and it feels more like a move to control than to facilitate communication.”

Critics have also questioned the transparency of the new restriction, with some speculating it may be linked to Vice President Teddy Nguema’s recent announcement of a plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.

This initiative, he said, is part of a broader government crackdown to reinforce public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.

As frustrations mount, Equatorial Guinea’s citizens are left awaiting clarity on the government’s intentions behind these measures.

With no official statements on how long the restrictions will remain in place, many continue to speculate whether these changes will be temporary or signal a new era of state control over digital communication.

Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.

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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.

Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.

In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.

Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”

Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.

Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.

In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.

However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.

Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”

This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.

As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.

Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”

Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.

Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.

Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.

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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.

Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.

Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath

Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.

Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.

In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.

First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.

The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.

Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.

A Country on High Alert

Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.

Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.

“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.

Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change

Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.

Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.

Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient

As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.

Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.

Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.