Ecuador Grapples with Nationwide Power Outage Ecuador is currently experiencing a nationwide power outage, leaving millions of people without electricity, according to a statement from Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources, Fernando Santos. The outage began on Sunday evening at approximately 8:30 PM local time and affected all 24 provinces of the country. The cause of the outage is still under investigation, but Santos stated that preliminary assessments indicate that a fault in the national transmission system may be responsible. “We are working全力 to restore power as quickly as possible,” said Santos. “We understand the inconvenience this is causing and appreciate the patience of our citizens.” The outage has disrupted daily life for many Ecuadorians. Traffic lights are malfunctioning, businesses are closed, and hospitals are operating on backup generators. The Ecuadorian government has activated emergency response protocols and dispatched crews to assess the damage and begin repairs. The Ministry of Health has urged people with chronic conditions to seek medical attention if their electricity-dependent equipment is not functioning. The outage is expected to last for several hours, but authorities have not provided an estimated time for restoration. “We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact of this outage and restore power to all affected areas as soon as possible,” said Santos. “We will keep the public informed as more information becomes available.” In the meantime, Ecuadorian citizens are advised to conserve energy and avoid using heavy electrical appliances.Kenyan Man Sentenced to 11 Years in US for Fake Loan FraudKenyan Man Sentenced to 11 Years in US for Fake Loan Fraud By Brian Kimani Published on: June 19, 2024, 10:47 (EAT)

A Kenyan man, Paul Maucha, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison in the United States for his involvement in a fake loan fraud scheme, according to a statement from the United States Department of Justice.

Maucha, 59, is said to have operated a lending company called American Eagle Services Group Inc. (AESG) through which he promised loans to his clients if they first paid an advance.

However, the prosecution demonstrated in court that Maucha and his accomplice knew that their company did not have the capital to finance these loans at the time of executing the agreement.

They also revealed that Maucha and his accomplice split the advanced fees between themselves, leaving clients out as no refunds were issued.

Maucha was found guilty on February 1, 2024, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of engaging in monetary transactions.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations.

In the United States, persons involved in conspiracy and wire fraud can face a maximum sentence of 20 years for each count.

Ecuador’s Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources, Xavier Vera, announced that the country is experiencing a nationwide power outage due to a failure in the national electricity system. The outage began at approximately 1:00 AM local time and has affected all provinces in the country. Vera stated that the cause of the outage is still under investigation but that it is likely due to a fault in the transmission system. He said that crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible but that it could take several hours. In the meantime, Vera urged citizens to remain calm and to follow the instructions of local authorities. He also asked businesses and organizations to conserve energy by reducing their consumption. The power outage has caused significant disruptions to daily life in Ecuador. Traffic lights are not functioning, and many businesses and schools have been forced to close. The outage has also affected telecommunications services, and many people are unable to make phone calls or access the internet. The government has deployed emergency generators to critical facilities such as hospitals and police stations. However, many other areas of the country are still without power. Vera said that he expects power to be restored to most areas of the country by the end of the day. However, he warned that some areas may experience outages for longer periods of time.