JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The government of Mauritius on Friday banned access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 10 in which Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is seeking a second term in power.
The directive was announced by the national communications regulator, which said social media sites will be banned until Nov. 11, the day after the election.
The unprecedented social media ban follows a wiretapping scandal which rocked the country last month when recorded conversations of politicians, business people, and members of civil society were leaked on social media.
According to media freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, the recorded conversations of five well-known journalists were also published on social media.
The government of the Indian Ocean island country, which has a population of 1.2 million, has claimed that these leaks are a threat to national security and instructed the communications authority to suspend all access to social media.
“The ICT Authority wishes to inform the public that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that constitute a serious threat to national security and public safety, it has received directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to direct all Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024”, the Information and Communication Technology Authority said on Friday.
Network service provider EMTEL said on Friday it would comply with the directive and user experience will be “progressively disrupted”.
“EMTEL understands the inconvenience that this action shall cause to its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative other than to comply with ICTA directive”, it said.
Local media on Friday quoted a statement from the prime minister's office saying the suspension of social media was essential to protect national security and the country's integrity.
It said a crisis committee was meeting to contain “existing risks”.
FILE—Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)
TORONTO (AP) — Anthony Davis scored a season-high 38 points and had 12 rebounds, LeBron James had 27 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers never trailed in a 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Austin Reaves scored 20 points and D’Angelo Russell had 19 as the Lakers built a lead that the Raptors were unable to overcome.
Los Angeles led by as many as 26 in its fourth consecutive win over Toronto before the Raptors battled back in the second half.
RJ Barrett had a season-high 33 points and a career-high 12 assists, but Toronto lost its fourth straight. Gradey Dick scored a career-high 31 points and Jakob Poeltl had 19 points and 12 rebounds.
After scoring his first career basket in Wednesday’s loss at Cleveland, Lakers rookie Bronny James checked in for the final 7.6 seconds.
Lakers: Following back-to-back losses at Phoenix and Cleveland, Los Angeles won on the road for the first time this season.
Raptors: Rookie guard Ja’Kobe Walter made his season debut and completed a three-point play early in the second quarter for his first career points. He shot 1 for 8 and finished with five points in 20 minutes. Toronto’s first-round pick missed training camp and the start of the season with a sprained right shoulder.
Toronto cut the deficit to 104-98 in the fourth, but Max Christie made two free throws and Rui Hachimura connected on consecutive corner 3s to restore the Lakers’ double-digit edge.
Los Angeles tripled Toronto's free throw attempts, shooting 36 for 41 while the Raptors finished 11 for 13.
The Raptors will retire Vince Carter’s jersey in a halftime ceremony when they host Sacramento on Saturday night, and the Lakers visit Detroit on Monday night.
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Toronto Raptors' Davion Mitchell (45) drives as Los Angeles Lakers' Max Christie (12) defends during first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Ochai Agbaji (30) fouls Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) during second half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher (25) protects the ball from Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) shoots as Toronto Raptors' Jonathan Mogbo (2) defends during second half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Gradey Dick (1) shoots surrounded by Los Angeles Lakers' D'Angelo Russell (1), Max Christie (12) and Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett, right, scores as Los Angeles Lakers' Jaxson Hayes (11) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Jakob Poeltl, left, protects the ball from Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) fouls Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) drives past Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Jonathan Mogbo, left, battles for the ball with Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter (14) shoots between Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, and Dalton Knecht (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' Gradey Dick (1) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers' Max Christie (12) and Rui Hachimura (28) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) and Toronto Raptors' Ochai Agbaji (30) battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) protects the ball from Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) shoots between Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher (25) and Jamal Shead (right) during second half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
