Day: January 2, 2025

Every evening, Ergus Katiaj uploads a video on TikTok reminding customers that his shop in Tirana delivers potato chips, cigarettes and alcohol through the night. His phone buzzes with orders that add about 1,000 euros to his monthly profit.

But Katiaj will soon have to find a new way to attract business. Albania’s government has imposed a year-long ban on the social media app that it says is aimed at reducing youth violence but which rights groups and business owners say threatens commerce and free speech ahead of May elections.

“It will have a huge impact on my business because most of the sales are through delivery thanks to TikTok’s free marketing,” Katiaj said as he made deliveries across the outskirts of the capital.

Albania's government has imposed a year-long ban on TikTok that it says is aimed at reducing youth violence, but which rights groups and business owners say threatens commerce and free speech ahead of May elections reut.rs/40eJt0z

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— Reuters (@reuters.com) 2 januari 2025 om 10:21

ℝ𝕖𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤

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Hospitals overrun, crematoriums strained, and citizens panicking—China grapples with a state of emergency as multiple respiratory viruses wreak havoc.

Nationwide Emergency Declared Amid Unprecedented Health Crisis

China has reportedly declared a state of emergency as a severe outbreak of multiple respiratory viruses, including Influenza A, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, overwhelms healthcare systems across the nation. The alarming situation has strained hospitals, exhausted medical staff, and pushed crematoriums beyond their capacity. ( Not Confirmed )

Officials allegedly announced the emergency after an alarming surge in cases that experts describe as unprecedented in scope. In densely populated cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, patients reportedly face hours-long waits for hospital beds, and many are forced to seek care in crowded hallways. Videos circulating on social media depict overflowing crematoriums, with reports of extended delays for funerary services.

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