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Facebook’s Instagram app will reportedly launch a new service in the coming weeks that copies the wildly popular features of the controversial TikTok app.
Instagram Reels which, like TikTok, allows users to make 15-second video clips set to music will make its global debut soon as TikTok faces growing scrutiny over its Chinese ownership from governments worldwide, NBC News reported.
The new Instagram feature, which also enables users’ videos to go viral on a “Top Reels” feed in the app’s Explore section, is currently available in France, Germany, Brazil and India.
The global launch will arrive just weeks after Instagram parent company Facebook killed Lasso, its own TikTok clone.
Instagram has found great success copying the features of Facebook’s rivals, including cribbing stories and face filters from Snapchat.
TikTok has been on the defensive in recent weeks as accusations that the data it collects could be shared with the Chinese government have grown.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier this month that the US is “certainly looking” at banning TikTok and other Chinese social media apps due to security concerns.
“I don’t want to get out in front of [President Trump], but it’s something we’re looking at,” Pompeo said. “We are taking this very seriously.”
US lawmakers have voiced national security concerns over the short-form video app’s handling of user data, saying they were worried about Chinese laws requiring domestic companies “to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Shares of Facebook were down 0.8 percent Thursday morning in pre-market trading, at $238.25.
The Police Command in Niger has confirmed the death of three persons in an accident that occurred along with Gurata village along Minna – Bida road, Bosso Local Government Area on Friday.
Mr. Adamu Usman, state’s Commissioner of Police said in Minna that nine other people sustained various degrees of injuries.
Usman said that the accident, which occurred at about 21:30 hours, involving an articulated vehicle loaded with rice and people, was heading to Lagos from Kano.
“Three persons died on the spot while nine others who sustained various degrees of injuries were evacuated to General Hospital, Minna for treatment.
” We have since commenced an investigation and warned truck drivers to desist from carrying people in the truck as such vehicles are not for passengers.
“Its a lone accident but the truck was filled with passengers, in addition to the rice it carries resulting in the accident,” Usman said.
An estimated 15.4 million cases of acute malnutrition in children under the ages of five are expected in West and Central Africa this year, the United Nations Children’s Funds, UNICEF, and the United Nations World Food Programme, WFP, have alerted.
The duo also warned that one-third of them would be down with its most severe form if adequate measures are not put in place now.
The new estimate, according to them represents a 20 per cent increase from earlier estimates, in January 2020.
The analysis contained in the combined impact of food insecurity and COVID-19 on acute malnutrition in 19 countries of the region, noted that “Conflict and armed violence have led to massive population displacements and drastically limited access to basic social services, leading child malnutrition to increase to unprecedented levels.
“The coronavirus disease is exacerbating fragile contexts in West and Central Africa, such as in the Sahel region across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, which were already stricken with food insecurity and malnutrition.
“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 4.5 million cases were anticipated to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2020, in these 6 countries. Today, with growing insecurity and COVID-19, that number has jumped to almost 5.4 million.,” the report noted.
Speaking on the report, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marie-Pierre Poirier, said: “Children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are at higher risk of COVID-19-related complications. Whereas, good nutrition for children, starting from their early days, protects them against illnesses and infections, and supports their recovery when they become ill.
“Ensuring the continuity of preventive and lifesaving health and nutrition services, building shock-responsive social protection systems, protecting livelihoods and supporting families’ access to water, hygiene and healthy food are critical for child survival and long-term development,” Poirier
Several factors threaten the nutritional status of children under five in West and Central Africa. These include household food insecurity, poor maternal nutrition, and infant feeding practices, conflicts and armed violence, population displacement, high levels of childhood illnesses, and water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, fragile health systems, poor access to clean water and sanitation, and chronic poverty.
The UN also added that COVID-19 pandemic containment measures have led to disruptions in food production and distribution, in health and humanitarian supply chains, as well as a slow-down of economic activities.
The pandemic has had indirect negative impacts on food systems, households’ income and food security, and the provision of treatment against malnutrition. This makes it more difficult for populations to maintain healthy diets, optimal infant, and young child feeding practices and hinders their access to essential nutrition services.
Speaking, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Chris Nikoi, said: “Thousands of families will be unable to provide their children with the nutritious food needed for their proper growth and development.
“We must work together to improve access to nutritious foods and ensure that there are strong preventive actions that protect children from falling into the vicious trap of malnutrition and sickness.”
WFP and UNICEF are working with governments and partners to ensure the continuation of essential services. Together, they deliver an integrated package of care focused on the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition and empower communities for the provision of basic services.
In northern Mali, for example, WFP and UNICEF are joining their efforts and resources to treat and prevent maternally and child malnutrition and reinforce good feeding practices. This includes the screening of children for malnutrition.
The screening is part of an initiative that promotes early detection of malnutrition in children by mothers and families, using a Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) screening tape. In addition, it allows for the referral of moderate and severe acute malnutrition cases to health facilities, supported by both agencies.
Prevention activities include sensitization sessions on infant and young child feeding practices, supported by UNICEF and complemented by the provision of vouchers to women to exchange for nutritious foods available in the market, facilitated by WFP.
Ifyou want to look elegant and feminine, try kimono fashion. It is no longer a special preserve of the Japanese; kimono has become a trend and everyone is
embracing it. This Japanese inspired robe has been given a contemporary look and comes in different styles, colours and patterns such as prints, fringes, embellishments, and varying lengths. It is versatile and can be with anything such as skirts, pants, gowns, skinny jeans, and shorts. Things like fitted dresses, tees, crop tops can go with it. It is not just for the casual look, you can style it with elegant combinations and dresses. To make it look stylish, accessories with heels, boots, and jewelry. It is a perfect piece for everyday life.
Plus–size model and fashion designer, Monalisa Stephen has revealed plans to enhance her boobs and butts.
In a recent chat with Inside Nollywood, the heavily endowed diva made the shocking revelation, saying, “I have embraced my body; especially my boobs, but I don’t see it as my unique selling point. I just feel like my boobs are a part of my body and I can’t cut them off. Basically for me, my lips and face are my selling points, especially my lips. I don’t have any regret about my body. People can think of anything. For now, I have not had any breast enhancement surgery. But in future, yes, I may have it because I love big boobs. I want bigger boobs.
“I love my body. I tell people to embrace themselves and be comfortable in their skin. I don’t see any reason why I should do any butt enlargement, mine is perfect for my shape and size. But you know, women and vanity, maybe later. But for now, no. I am not doing any butt enlargement.”
Sharing her recent embarrassing moment with Inside Nollywood, the Abia State-born model recalls, “Few weeks ago, I was at the market and some guys were making jest of me, calling me crazy. They kept shouting and making fun of my breasts. It was embarrassing because they created a scene. I didn’t like the outcome.”
Actressand comedian, Steph Isuma aka Calabar Chic, has narrated her rape experience, revealing how she had to battle depression after the terrible ordeal.
Speaking with Inside Nollywood, the Cross River State-born entertainer said she was moved to share her story so as to inspire other rape victims to open up. However, she rejected the insinuation that being a rape victim would scare men away from her.
In her words: “It was a burden I had carried for so many years. I was depressed for years of my life. But I survived it. At a point, I tried committing suicide but I survived it. I’m actually creating awareness for people to know the effect of this thing called rape. Another reason why I put it out there was to encourage victims that they are not alone, that indeed the people they look up to also go through stuff. We also encourage others to speak out because if we don’t speak out, these things would continue. We would have to change the rape culture in Nigeria; reduce rape apologies, stop shunning victims when they speak up for themselves so that rape issues can reduce.”
On whether being a rape victim would limit her chances of marriage, Isuma said: “I don’t believe being a rape victim would limit my chances of getting married. Although, the society we live in is one that sees rape victims who speak out about their experiences in bad light. They begin to bash, accuse and ask questions. That’s the rape culture we need to put an end to. People that view victims as stained, irritated are the ones that believe one won’t get married as a rape victim, but I don’t care. If I am going to get married I would when I want to and when I feel I have healed. But I don’t think I’m going to miss my chances of getting married because I had to speak the truth. The man that I would marry should know what I have been through. If I can’t open up and tell the person I am going to spend the rest of my life with, the things that had happened to me, then there is no need going into the marriage.”
Wondering if she habours any regret going public with her rape story, Steph Isuma said pouring her heart out on social media was her best decision ever. “No, not for one day. I felt it was one of the best things I have done in my life. After I went public with my story, I got lots of messages from people. I read about people’s stories and how they had been molested as children, how they had been raped and sexually assaulted by family members. Some were molested by people they trusted, even strangers. I came to understand that these people carry this burden in their heart, with no one to talk to. So, when I spoke about mine, they felt the connection. They talked to me about it, I encouraged them the way I could. I never regretted going public, never!”
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Professor Charles Egbu, from Anambra State, on his appointment as Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari felicitated with the academic, who is the first black person appointed helmsman of a ranked university in the UK, urging him to continue to proudly hold the flag of Nigeria aloft in all his endeavours in the elevated position.
“With wide experience as Pro-Chancellor at the University of East London, Dean of the School of Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University, and stints at University of Salford, University College London, Glasgow Caledonian University, Leeds Beckett University, among others, I have no doubt that you will acquit yourself creditably once again in this new assignment,” he said.
President Buhari added that Professor Egbu, a foremost Quantity Surveyor with 12 books and over 350 publications to his credit, is a worthy example of an industrious Nigerian, whom the younger generation should adopt as a role model. He urged the new VC, who assumed office in November, to build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessors at the university, where he is equally an alumnus.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa had earlier congratulated Professor Egbu on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, East London, United Kingdom.
