Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made history, becoming the first athlete to surpass 1 billion followers across X, Instagram, and other social media platforms.
In a celebratory post on X, the global football icon expressed his gratitude to his fans, highlighting the significance of this milestone.
“We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers!” Ronaldo wrote, emphasizing that the achievement represents more than just a number but a “testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.”
Reflecting on his journey, the Portuguese superstar acknowledged his roots, from the streets of Madeira to the world’s grandest stages, stating that his motivation has always been for his family and his loyal supporters.
“I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1 billion of us stand together.”
Ronaldo expressed appreciation for the unwavering support he has received from his fans throughout his career, during both the highs and the lows.
“This journey is our journey, and together, we’ve shown that there are no limits to what we can achieve,” he noted.
He concluded by promising more memorable moments ahead, saying, “The best is yet to come, and we’ll keep pushing, winning, and making history together.”
We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number – it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.
From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1… pic.twitter.com/kZKo803rJo
Francisca Owumi, the first runner-up of the inaugural Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) season in 2006, has passed away.
Her family shared the news on her Instagram with a brief but touching tribute: “A daughter and sister. May her soul rest in peace, Amen.”
Owumi, who gained fame for her vibrant dance performances and engaging personality during the show, succumbed to a short illness.
Following her reality TV appearance, she followed her love for music, releasing two singles, and also worked as a writer for a Ghana-based international magazine.
Owumi competed alongside notable figures such as current BBNaija hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Katung Aduwak, and Gideon Okeke.
Crossdresser Bobrisky has made a remarkable return to Instagram, posting a collection of dazzling new photos just days after his release from incarceration.
Referred to as the “Mummy of Lagos,” Bobrisky was released from prison on August 4, 2024, following a four-month sentence.
Although he was sentenced to six months for Naira abuse, he was spotted enjoying a boat cruise with friends soon after his release.
A few days later, Bobrisky shared photos on his Instagram, featuring himself in lingerie and embellished with “angelic” wings.
He captioned the post with “she’s back” and added a fire emoji.
The images swiftly attracted numerous comments from fans thrilled to see his return.
Nigerian actor and self-styled pastor Yul Edochie has stirred debate on social media with his recent advice to his followers.
Edochie suggested that people should spend their savings rather than saving them for the future.
He encouraged his Instagram followers to enjoy their money and also share it with those in need, arguing that death is inevitable and they will end up leaving their savings behind if they don’t use them.
The reaction to Edochie’s advice has been mixed.
While some people support his perspective on living in the moment and generosity, others criticize his advice as imprudent and risky.
Expanding on his views, Edochie stressed that life is not as serious as many perceive it to be, and that everyone will eventually face death.
He urged people to relish their lives and be generous with their wealth instead of clinging to it.
“We’re all going to die eventually. Life isn’t as serious as we often make it. Spend your money, enjoy it, and share it with others. Otherwise, you’ll end up leaving it all behind anyway,” he said.
Nasty Blaq has just announced some exciting news: he’s expecting a baby! He took to Instagram to share this joyful moment with his followers, posting heartwarming maternity shoot photos with his partner, Esther James.
In his announcement, Nasty Blaq spoke fondly of their relationship, calling it “enchanting” and reflecting on their shared experiences with affection.
He expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter in their lives, emphasizing how special it feels to embark on this journey of parenthood together.
“From our very first laugh to the love that has grown between us, every step of our journey has been truly magical. Now, as we prepare to welcome our little one, it feels like a beautiful dream. Here’s to the new adventures and the joy that lies ahead!”
“When she did that, I felt like I had to defend myself because this girl keeps doing that. I know bullies, and one thing I know for sure is that Efia Odo can never bully me. I am the last person she can ever think of doing that to. If we are all going to be honest, this person has come at a lot of people. You can tell naturally that the person is disrespectful,” she told the host, MzGee.
“Many times, this person has bullied me, but most people do not understand what I’m talking about. All my life, I have been bullied because I was the darkest person in my class, so I used to get bullied a lot. So I know bullies and I know how they start their stuff,” Sister Afia said.
A recent social media post by comedian Funny Face has stirred a strong reaction online.
He took to Instagram to share a one-sided conversation he had with his ex-wife Vanessa, pleading to see their four children.
In the post, he expressed his heartfelt desire to reconnect with his daughters and hoped for their well-being.
This incident is just one among many in the ongoing feud between Funny Face and his ex-wife, which has led to various controversies including a recent accident, legal battles, and the loss of ambassadorial deals.
Their public dispute has drawn significant scrutiny, with many expressing concern for Vanessa amidst the turbulent situation.
Ghanaian Hiplife star SkewFaze is beaming with pride as his eldest daughter has been accepted into the US Army.
Taking to Instagram, SkewFaze shared his excitement and immense joy over his daughter’s achievement.
In a viral post, the ‘Gbalagazaa’ hitmaker is seen with his daughter and wife, sharing their blissful family moment with the world.
“By the Grace of God, our 1st daughter has successfully signed and joined THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and at this point, I can’t even begin to tell you how super proud I am as a father. Everything is working according to God’s plan,” he wrote on Instagram.
The heartwarming post has garnered a wave of congratulatory messages and well wishes from fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Celebrity seer Bright Ndibunwa, known as Bright the Seer for her accurate predictions, recently gained attention for her prophetic warning about a tragic boat capsize.
In a video shared on her Instagram page, she foresaw the incident that claimed the lives of four actors, including Pope Junior.
Bright urged Nollywood actors, including Chioma Akpotha, Omoni Oboli, Ufuoma McDermott, and Uche Jombo, to pray fervently for their safety, emphasising the need for increased vigilance despite their existing prayers.
Her prophecy stirred mixed reactions among netizens.
Renowned “The Little Mermaid” star Halle Bailey shed light on her decision to keep her recent pregnancy and the birth of her son, Halo, away from the public eye.
The actress, honored at the event, spoke passionately about the challenges of navigating the intense spotlight that comes with being a Black woman in the entertainment industry.
Bailey, who welcomed her son with boyfriend DDG, expressed the profound joy of becoming a mother, surpassing even the transformative impact of her role in “The Little Mermaid” on her career.
Sharing the news in January on Instagram, she welcomed her son by writing, “We are Black women in entertainment, and although we signed up for the challenges of the spotlight, in this current climate, that spotlight burns brighter, hotter, and uninterrupted, whereas the scrutiny of its magnification leaves no concealment,” Bailey said, according to People.
During her speech, Bailey delved into the complexities of fame and the heightened scrutiny faced by Black women in the entertainment industry.
She emphasised the need to protect her family’s privacy in the face of an increasingly magnified and uninterrupted spotlight.
“Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that,” Bailey declared.
She concluded by asserting her autonomy over her personal life, asserting firmly, “With the state of the world and the place it is in with men trying to force their will on our bodies, no one on social media, and for damn sure, no one on the planet, was going to tell me what to do with my body or what to share with the world.”
Halle Bailey’s touching revelations on balancing motherhood and fame have sparked a meaningful conversation about the challenges faced by women in the industry and the importance of personal boundaries.
Renowned Nigerian actress Stephanie Okereke has once again captivated her fans and followers on Instagram with a series of breathtaking photos showcasing her stunning new look.
The actress, celebrated for her talent and beauty, left fans blushing as she shared snapshots of her radiant and chic appearance.
In the latest photos, Stephanie Okereke graced the social media platform dressed in an elegant mauve-coloured outfit that perfectly complemented her curvaceous figure.
The actress effortlessly exuded sophistication and charm, radiating classy vibes that instantly garnered widespread admiration.
Meta has resolved a “technical issue” that caused Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram to experience downtime. Users worldwide were unable to access these platforms for around two hours on Tuesday, encountering error messages and difficulties refreshing their feeds.
Meta has apologized for the inconvenience and stated that it resolved the problem as quickly as possible. The outages affected multiple countries, according to tracking website Downdetector.
Facebook, with three billion active monthly users, and Instagram, expected to reach 1.4 billion users worldwide later this year, are among the world’s most popular platforms owned by Meta. Threads, Meta’s rival to Twitter launched in 2023, also experienced outages. However, WhatsApp, another Meta-owned platform, was unaffected.
The largest outage Meta faced was in 2021, when founder Mark Zuckerberg apologized for the disruption caused by Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram services being down for almost six hours.
Users nationwide are left frustrated as Instagram and Facebook, both owned by Meta, have experienced a widespread service disruption late on Tuesday.
The outage prompted users to turn to alternative platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustrations and share memes. Meta has not issued any official communication regarding the outage.
When Facebook and Instagram are down, weddings are paused, vows unspoken. Babies gaze uncomprehendingly at parents, eyes seeking a camera. Plates of food congeal, their images uncaptured. The sun hesitates in its descent, uncertain whether it's awesome or not. Calamity.
— paul bassett davies (@thewritertype) March 5, 2024
Renowned Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw shared the heartbreaking news of her mother’s passing.
The talented star took to her Instagram account to reveal that her mother departed on March 1, 2024.
With a heavy heart, Kate Henshaw addressed her friends and fans, expressing the profound sorrow she felt.
In her emotional post, she wrote, “Dear friends and fans, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear mother on March 1, 2024.”
The actress, known for her vibrant performances in the Nigerian film industry, reached out to her supporters, acknowledging the solace that prayers can provide during such trying times.
She appealed, “Your prayers mean the world to me during this difficult time.”
Henshaw also urged her followers to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers, recognizing the importance of collective support during moments of grief.
Her touching message continued, “Please keep my family in your thoughts.”
The post concluded with a heartfelt farewell to her mother, as Henshaw wrote, “Rest in peace mummy.”
Fans and fellow celebrities have flooded the comments section with messages of condolences, expressing their sympathy and offering words of support to the grieving actress.
The Nollywood community stands united in extending their thoughts and prayers to Kate Henshaw and her family during this challenging period.
The news of the passing of Kate Henshaw’s mother has stirred an outpouring of love and support on social media, reflecting the deep impact the actress has had on her audience and the close-knit Nollywood community.
Prominent Ghanaian actor and film producer, Eddie Nartey, recently took to his Instagram to deliver a powerful message, urging men to refrain from having sex with any woman.
In his candid post, Nartey emphasised the potential negative consequences that can arise from engaging with certain women, cautioning that such encounters may bring misfortunes into men’s lives.
Regardless of a woman’s physical appeal, Nartey urged men to exercise self-control and avoid promiscuity.
“ Do not chase anything in skirts, some of them come with bad luck, don’t have sex with any woman you see,” Eddie Nartey stated.
He particularly advised married individuals to remain faithful to their spouses, highlighting the severe pain and hardship that infidelity can bring into one’s life.
Nartey concluded his message by emphasizing that men won’t face dire consequences if they choose to close their proverbial zips, urging them to consider the long-term benefits of such restraint.
A 28-year-old Instagram influencer, Ajmal Shereef from Aluva in Kerala, tragically died by suicide after sharing an obituary post for himself on his Instagram page.
His body was discovered hanging in his house around 6:30 PM on Friday. Ajmal was experiencing depression due to his inability to secure a satisfactory job, as conveyed by his family.
His Instagram page featured a post with his photo and the caption ‘RIP Ajmal Shereef 1995-2003’. Ajmal had been grappling with deep depression following his unsuccessful job search in Dubai.
Meta has made announcements on Monday, of its plans to introduce subscription options for an advertisement-free experience on Facebook and Instagram, marking the first time such offerings will be made available to users in Europe.
This development underscores the influence of regulatory pressures on major tech companies, compelling them to adapt their core products.
Starting next month, users can opt for monthly subscription plans priced at 9.99 euros ($10.58) for web users, while iOS and Android users will have the option to subscribe for 12.99 euros per month.
The European Union’s regulations present challenges to Meta’s capacity to personalize ads for users without their explicit consent, potentially impacting a significant revenue source for the company.
As the most widely used social media network globally, Meta has been under increased antitrust scrutiny within the EU. In July, it suffered a setback in its battle against a German data restriction order, as Europe’s top court upheld the German antitrust watchdog’s authority to investigate privacy violations.
By offering users a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and a paid ad-free subscription, Meta aims to encourage users to opt for the former. This strategy enables Meta to comply with regulations without significantly affecting its advertising business.
Earlier this year, Meta faced a 390 million euro fine from Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner and was instructed not to rely on the so-called “contract” as a legal basis for delivering targeted ads based on users’ online activities. Subsequently, the company expressed its intention to seek user consent in the EU before enabling businesses to target ads, in response to evolving regulatory requirements in the region.
The actress and singer says she has never really been concerned about numbers, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming.
Selena spoke at a music conference about health, organized by Universal Music Group and Thrive Global. Her comments were later reported in The Hollywood Reporter.
Selena has 429 million people who follow her on Instagram. This is more than Taylor Swift, who has 272 million followers, and Kylie Jenner, who used to have the most followers with 399 million.
The 31-year-old woman says that her fans have contacted her to talk about their own difficulties and explain how her music has supported them during tough moments. She is happy to be able to assist others, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming.
“I care about others, and I believe that’s what helps me stay balanced, to be honest,” she stated.
I sometimes act without thinking much about my feelings and when I talk to young people, women who are getting divorced, or women going through chemotherapy. I know that it’s not only about me, and I understand that.
“I will always hold it dear to me. ” It is a big responsibility, but a very important one. It’s a little frightening.
‘A very heavy burden was removed’
Selena has become famous for talking about mental health since her documentary came out.
My Mind and Me is a TV show made by Apple TV. It tells the story of Selena and how she copes with the effects of being famous as a child, her kidney transplant in 2017, and a very public breakup with Justin Bieber.
“I shared things that I have kept to myself for many years,” she said to Sir Lucian Grainge and Arianna Huffington, who were hosting the event on Tuesday, while talking about the documentary.
It’s really difficult for me to see. I’ll never see it again, but I’m really happy and satisfied with it.
She said that at first, she really didn’t like the documentary.
“I wasn’t sure if it would put my life at risk,” she said.
And then as soon as it was let go… I didn’t have any other options then. And I felt better. I felt much better and relieved. Tanvi thinks there are good and bad things about having many people follow you on social media.
Tanvi Shah makes videos or writes posts for people to see online. She understands how Selena feels about the stress of having a lot of followers on social media.
“It can have both good and bad effects – what you say, what you do, what you talk about, and what you wear can all have a big influence,” she explains to BBC Newsbeat.
I believe that we often forget the influence our actions have on those who watch or listen to us.
Although it is good, discussing things that can have a very positive effect can also be frightening and overwhelming.
Sometimes you might feel nervous about saying something that could be considered incorrect, or when you discuss topics that people may disagree on.
And I think I have a big job to change people’s thinking in a good way, but sometimes there is no definite answer if it’s about things that can be seen differently by different people.
Sharon Gaffka used to be on Love Island and has around 350,000 people following her on Instagram. She thinks it’s great to have a lot of followers on social media because it has helped her start a career in a new and freeing way.
However, she explains that she feels a strong sense of duty because many of her viewers are young women.
She says that when you are between the ages of 13 and 25, everything you do as an influencer can either make someone upset or make people think differently about themselves.
And it’s a really frightening ability to possess. I don’t have nearly as many people following me as Selena Gomez. I feel a certain way, so I can’t even imagine how she feels.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram following has now exceeded 600 million, marking him as the inaugural individual to achieve this remarkable count on the social media platform.
Renowned as one of the most prominent celebrities in the realm of social media, Ronaldo accomplished the milestone of 500 million Instagram followers in November 2022.
Astoundingly, he has surged to 600 million in less than a year, securing his position as the first to accomplish such a feat.
According to a report from Benzinga, his recent engagements on Instagram have attracted a staggering 150 million new followers since May alone.
In the ongoing social media rivalry between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is undoubtedly in the lead.
Messi, the Argentine football icon, holds the second spot with 482 million Instagram followers, followed by Selena Gomez in third place with 427 million.
The esteemed Portuguese football legend aspires to lead Al-Nassr to victory, with the Saudi Pro League scheduled to commence on August 14.
Prior to that, his immediate focus is on the Arab Club Champions Cup, where he is set to compete in the final against Al-Hilal on August 12.
Nollywood sensation, Ini Edo has been capturing the hearts of her fans and followers with her recent vacation, spent in the company of her adorable daughter, Light.
The beloved actress took to her Instagram account to offer glimpses of their stylish vacation, igniting the hearts of fans who couldn’t get enough of the endearing moments shared between the mother-daughter pair.
Beyond her exceptional performances on the big screen, Ini Edo has demonstrated her dedication to her most treasured role – that of a devoted mother.
A series of captivating photos showcased the actress and her daughter immersed in exploration of picturesque locations, fully embracing each other’s company.
Dressed in coordinated all-black designer outfits, their warm smiles radiate love and affection, a testament to the strong bond they share.
In a heartwarming caption, Ini Edo expressed, “Every second with you is love,” encapsulating the beautiful sentiment of their vacation together.
Actor Jamie Foxx, 55, has issued an apology for a deleted Instagram post that garnered accusations of antisemitism.
The post in question stated, “They killed this dude name Jesus… what do you think they’ll do to you???! #fakefriends #fakelove”.
Several social media users interpreted Foxx’s words as echoing an antisemitic notion that Jewish individuals collectively bear responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a belief that was officially refuted by the Roman Catholic Church in 1965.
Foxx addressed the criticism in a subsequent Instagram post on Saturday, expressing remorse: “I want to apologize to the Jewish community and everyone who was offended by my post. I now know my choice of words have caused offense and I’m sorry. That was never my intent.”
The Ray star further clarified his intention: “To clarify, I was betrayed by a fake friend and that’s what I meant with ‘they,’ not anything more.”
Notably, Jennifer Aniston faced backlash for appearing to “like” Foxx’s initial post prior to its removal.
The Friends actor responded with a statement on her Instagram, asserting her disapproval of any form of antisemitism.
Romelu Lukaku has turned to iconic rapper DMX to express his anger about the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Despite expectations of his departure from Chelsea, the striker has not secured a move yet, as Inter’s interest has waned, and talks with Juventus have not yet led to a finalized deal.
The player’s frustration seems evident, and he is finding inspiration from the late and legendary DMX.
Romelu Lukaku, the striker from Chelsea, updated his Instagram biography with lyrics from DMX’s song “How’s It Goin’ Down,” sharing the message: “Respect is not expected but it’s given ’cause it’s real. Being neglected’s the norm, expect it, the deal.”
Following his loan spell at Inter last season, the Serie A club had hoped to secure Lukaku on a permanent basis.
However, it has been reported that the 30-year-old stopped responding to their phone calls.
Simultaneously, he initiated talks with Juventus for a potential transfer, causing displeasure and outrage among fans of both Inter and Juventus.
Lukaku has utilized social media in the past to respond to criticism, as evidenced by a cryptic message he posted on Instagram last week.
“Real Housewives” stars Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky have responded to rumors about their marriage by denying any claims of divorce.
The couple, who have been married for 27 years, issued a statement in response to a report by People stating that they are separated but still living together.
“In regards to the news that came out about us today… Any claims regarding divorcing are untrue,” the couple wrote in an Instagram post. “However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously.”
Umansky took to social media to share their statement, which further clarified, “We want to make it clear that there has been no wrongdoing on anyone’s part.”
Umansky took to social media to share their statement, which further clarified, “We want to make it clear that there has been no wrongdoing on anyone’s part.”
Their marriage has been a significant part of their narrative on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” where Umansky, a real estate broker, and two of their daughters have also appeared.
Additionally, Richards is the sister of Kim Richards and Kathy Hilton, both of whom have had roles on “The Real Housewives” franchise. The couple’s personal and professional lives have been intertwined with their television appearances.
Phil Foden’s son, Ronnie, is on the verge of internet fame even at a young age, having gathered one million Instagram followers in less than 24 hours.
Ronnie gained attention for his charming dance moves and posing for photos during the UEFA Champions League final celebrations.
Meanwhile, Phil Foden, who plays for Manchester City, came on as a substitute for the injured Kevin De Bruyne in the first half and played a crucial role in securing a 1-0 victory against Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul
The triumph was Man City’s first in the prestigious competition and helped complete a historic cup treble – the second for manager, Pep Guardiola.
Ronnie Foden followed by millions
Foden and his partner, Rebecca Cooke manage the Instagram account, which was likely opened after fans asked for more of their son’s cute antics.
ESPN FC spotted the followers count and reported it surpassed 1 million in less than 24 hours. He follows 64 people and has prominent followers like Chelsea star, Mason Mount.
According to Mirror UK, four-year-old Ronnie was given the nickname El Wey by some Spanish Man City fans after the final in Istanbul. The nickname is translated as ‘the dude’.
Sports Brief reported that Ronnie shared a cute moment with Rico Lewis after the final and was so immersed that he asked the academy graduate to send the video to his dad.
Lewis and El Wey were spotted dancing beside a car, with the 18-year-old filming the scene and the clip becoming one of the moments that introduced the child to the internet.
Foden scores a millennium goal
Sports Brief also reported that Foden scored Man City’s 1,000th goal underPep Guardiola’s reign with the third score in the 3-0 win over West Ham United.
He was a worthy scorer, with the 22-year-old’s rise to the first team orchestrated by the Spanish boss, who helped him transition fully into a senior team star.
The 31-year-old footballer took to Instagram to express remorse for cheating on his pregnant girlfriend, with whom he is expecting a baby in May.
However, according to Sportskeeda, Neymar’s admission of infidelity has had a negative impact on his social media following.
The report suggests that the footballer has lost approximately 80,000 followers on Instagram, with fans expressing anger and disappointment over his actions.
The Brazilian’s apology post, which was read over 10.7 million times, sparked outrage after it was revealed he had cheated on his pregnant partner with proof of receipts.
Neymar is currently out injured after undergoing surgery to repair his ankle following a horrific injury in February while in action for PSG in a league game.
PSG’s Neymar facing $1m fine
Meanwhile,Neymar faces the threat of a $1 million fine after seeing the construction of his Brazilian mansion brought to a halt for environmental damage by the Brazilian authorities, Goal reports.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is looking to build a lavish home for his family in the region, but work has been shut down due to several environmental violations while making the property.
Neymar has been accused of moving fresh water sources, stones and rocks with diverted waterway and beach sand without a permit.
Neymar publicly expresses remorse
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Neymar Junior has publicly apologised to his girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi, after reportedly admitting to cheating while they were in a committed relationship.
Despite their previous separation in 2020, the couple appeared to have reconciled this year, as evidenced by affectionate photos hinting at their reunion.
Their bond has been severely strained due to Neymar’s alleged infidelity, despite expecting their first child together later this year.
Following the passage of a contentious online news bill in the Canadian parliament, Meta has announced its intention to implement news restrictions on its platforms exclusively for Canadian users.
The bill mandates that major platforms must provide compensation to news publishers for the content shared on their sites.
Both Meta and Google have already conducted trials by limiting news access to certain Canadian users.
This move echoes a similar action taken by Facebook in 2021 when Australian users were blocked from sharing or accessing news content in response to a comparable law.
Known as Canada’s Online News Act, the legislation was approved by the senate on Thursday.
It establishes regulations that require platforms like Meta and Google to engage in commercial negotiations and financially compensate news organizations for the utilization of their content.
Meta has called the law “fundamentally flawed legislation that ignores the realities of how our platforms work”.
On Thursday, it said news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada – before the bill takes effect.
“A legislative framework that compels us to pay for links or content that we do not post, and which are not the reason the vast majority of people use our platforms, is neither sustainable nor workable,” a Meta spokesperson told Reuters.
The company said the changes to news would not have an impact on other services for Canadian users.
Google called the bill “unworkable” in its current form and said it was seeking to work with the government to find a “path forward”.
The federal government says the online news bill is necessary “to enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news market” and to allow struggling news organisations to “secure fair compensation” for news and links shared on the platforms.
An analysis of the bill by an independent parliament budget watchdog estimated news businesses could receive about C$329m ($250m; £196m) per year from digital platforms.
Earlier this month, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez told Reuters the tests being run by the tech platforms were “unacceptable” and a “threat”.
In Australia, Facebook restored news content to its users after talks with the government led to amendments.
On Thursday, Mr Rodriguez’s office said he had met both Google and Facebook this week and planned further discussions – but the government would move forward with the bill’s implementation.
“If the government can’t stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?” he said in a statement.
Media industry groups hailed the bill’s passage as a step towards market fairness.
“Real journalism, created by real journalists, continues to be demanded by Canadians and is vital to our democracy, but it costs real money,” said Paul Deegan, president and chief executive officer of News Media Canada, a media industry group, said in a statement
The Online News Act is expected to take effect in Canada in six months.
Alphonso Davies, a defender for Bayern Munich, claims that theGhana Football Association (GFA) contacted him about playing for Ghana but that it was too late.
The left-back, who was born in Ghana to Liberian parents, was qualified to represent both Ghana and Liberia, but chose to represent Canada after earning Canadian citizenship in June 2017.
Despite playing football for a while, Davies said he was never considered because he ‘wasn’t a big name’ and it took a big transfer move for Ghana to act.
According to him, there was an attempt from the Ghana FA to play for the national team at some point but the timing of the approach was too late for him to reconsider his decision with the contact coming on Instagram.
“Ghana never reached out and also my mum was like, no [to the idea of me playing for Ghana],” he said when quizzed whether was an option to play for the country of his birth.
“I was playing like not even like the academy they never like said [anything about wanting me] I wasn’t a big name. When the news came out that I was going to Bayern, then I got a message from the Ghana federation.
Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies reveals an official from the GFA texted him via Instagram to play for Ghana after his move to Bayern was confirmed.
“I think it was someone on the federation he texted me on Instagram because he didn’t have my number or email. But it was too late, at that time I had already got my citizenship and already made it to [represent] Canada.”
Davies made his first debut for the Canadian national team in June 2017 becoming the youngest player to play for the senior team.
The 22-year-old has 13 goals in 39 appearances for Canada since making his debut.
Mother of Davido’s eldest child,Sophia Momodu, has disclosed that raising a child alone wasn’t her initial plan.
The mother of one made this known during a recent chat with followers on Instagram. According to her, raising a child alone was her greatest fear, but sadly, that is her current situation.
“My worst fear has happened to me, so I don’t think anything scares me in life anymore. I never wanted to raise a child alone, and i am doing it now., so what the f*ck is going to happen to me again? What could possibly happen to me other than my worst fear happening to me?”
This is coming days Sophia revealed her intention to change her daughter’s surname, stating that she has been playing the role of mom and dad to their daughter, Imade.
As fashionchanges, these celebs always keep us in the loop by posing in the newest looks on their social media platforms.
It depends on many factors and most importantly the person rocking the dress.
Celebrities have a whole team of helpers to get them ready for their big nights but for us normal people, we have to get our inspiration from the celebrities themselves. In the absence of our personal stylists, we look to our favourite stars to give us much-needed outfit inspo.
This is another exciting week onInstagramand of course, we were delighted and thrilled to gaze at some exceptional pictures.
Anita Akuffo
Anita has the kente inspiration for a modern-day bride.
Fella Makafui
How do rock a jumpsuit? Fella Makafui shows us how to in this amazingly well-fitted jumpsuit.
Naa Ashorkor
Naa Ashorkor is dishing out glow and glam. This black and mauve combo fit is stunning.
depends on many factors and most importantly the person rocking the dress.
Celebrities have a whole team of helpers to get them ready for their big nights but for us normal people, we have to get our inspiration from the celebrities themselves. In the absence of our personal stylists, we look to our favourite stars to give us much-needed outfit inspo.
Black Sherif
This is stylish Black Sherif. And this photo could never miss this list. Black Sherif
Empress Gifty
This blue gown is sexy and we were gobbling it all up.
Berla Mundi
If we are feeling kente, Berla Mundi in this nude outfit certainly would cheer us up.
Victoria Lebene
Come through Lebene. Mr Nkansah is an obvious delight in this white fit.
Camido
Camido deserves a trend for this fit and his BET Awards nominations.
Cookietee
Corporate fashion is an everyday thing and Cookitee has all the inspiration.
Serwaa Amihere
Every time she posts a picture, we are in awe of her beauty and she makes our list.
Reacting to the trailer of ‘Teropi Secxxion’; a content she recently produced and posted online that was cut short by Instagram, Bimbo revealed she was sick and tired of the recurrence.
“Instagram I’m sick and tired of you always cutting my videos short. You’re frustrating my life!!!!…” Bimbo said, while reposting the trailer.
The nominations list, which was released last Sunday, ahead of the 9th edition of the prestigious event to be held later this year, had Bimbo Ademoye got nominated for the best actress in a comedy (movie/TV series), for her role in the movie, Selina and the best actress in a drama, (movie/TV series), for her role in the movie, Anikulapo.
While a third wrote: “We need him permanently, we need to have a big squad with quality.”
However, some fans noted the reason behind the number of posts could be related to United’s PR and marketing departments.
One fan argued: “Tbf the club definitely makes our players do this – look how suddenly two or three of our players have made TikTok accounts at the same time.”
A second user commented: “Man United have a PR team that handles Social Media for players. Bayern seem like they don’t.
“I am pretty sure it has been mentioned that a lot of United players have contractual obligations in their contracts regarding social media as well.”
“I mean, probably has a clause in his contract stating he has to post x-amount of posts for engagement/global branding,” added a third.
On the subject of a permanent deal for Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst, Erik ten Hag was coy.
He said: “I think it is much too quick [to decide]. [It is] much too soon to talk about that.
“First, we are in this season and that is where the focus has to be.
With more than a billion users, Instagram is no longer just a social media platform. It has become a tool for businesses, influencers, and celebrities to make a living. Celebrities are able to use their followings on the platform to promote their own products, sponsored content, and other advertisements. These posts help increase their personal income exponentially. With all this in mind, have you ever wondered which celebrities make the most from Instagram?
A study carried out by Hopper HQ, gathered data to see how much different celebrities earn from their Instagram posts. The study showed that celebrities, such as Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner, are among the top earners on the app.
Not only did the study show who makes the most, but it also gave insight into how much they charge. Celebrities with over two million followers charge over $1 million dollars per post, while celebrities with up to 100,00 followers charge anywhere from just under $50,000 to almost $100,000 per post.
With all these numbers in mind, it’s no wonder that celebrities are flocking to Instagram as an extra source of income.
Check out which celebrities make the most money off of Instagram and how much they charge per post below.
Through social media comments and boos during halftime, fans expressed their opinions.
One of the players who has drawn the most criticism is Marc Cucurella, who has struggled to find his form despite reuniting with Graham Potter, the manager who helped make him famous during their time together at Brighton & Hove Albion.
After sharing some positive news, the Spanish left-back took the much-needed precaution of locking his Instagram comments section.
Cucurella announces wife’s third pregnancy
The 24-year-old is a father of two and announced he is expecting a third child with his wife, Claudia Rodriguez, according to his post on Instagram. The Barcelona academy graduate limited the comments section on the photo sharing platform to avoid unnecessary comments from angry fans.
Fans slammed Cucurella’s lewd training
Sports Brief also reported on Chelsea fans berating Cucurella for improper gym techniques following a post on social media.
The incident in question happened at the gym of James Ralph, a personal trainer who also works with Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah. The defender tied a weight around his waist and swung it like a pendulum, but fans were displeased he found things funny despite his form.
Cucurella steps up personal improvement The defender is yet to settle down in London since his £63 million move from Brighton in the summer and at some point, lost his place to makeshift left-back and academy graduate, Lewis Hall.
Cucurella has since dedicated more time to his personal training.As reported by Sports Brief, he worked on ball control skills by attempting to control the ball shot at him from a dispensing machine. He controlled all the balls leading to applause from his trainer but ended it by showing off his playful side, controlling the ball with his backside.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is testing a subscription service which will allow users to pay to get a blue tick verification.
Meta Verified will cost $11.99 (£9.96) a month on web, or $14.99 for iPhone users, Mark Zuckerberg announced on Instagram Sunday.
It will be available in Australia and New Zealand this week.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta chief executive, said the move will improve security and authenticity on the social media apps.
The move comes after Elon Musk, owner of Twitter, implemented the premium Twitter Blue subscription in November 2022.
Meta’s paid subscription service is not yet available for businesses, but any individual can pay for verification.
Badges – or “blue ticks”- have been used as verification tools for high-profile accounts to signify their authenticity.
The subscription would give paying users a blue badge, increased visibility of their posts, protection from impersonators and easier access to customer service, Meta said in a post on their website.
According to a post Mark Zuckerberg made on Instagram on Sunday, Meta is developing a subscription service that would let users of Instagram and Facebook pay to become verified.
“Meta Verified” will start at $11.99 a month on the web or $14.99 a month on iOS, and the company will begin releasing it in Australia and New Zealand this week and “more countries soon.”
Further benefits of the service include increased defense against impersonator accounts and easy access to customer service.
Customers who desire the blue badge must present a government ID that matches their profile name and photo in order to prevent false accounts. Moreover, users must be older than 18 to qualify.
“This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services,” Zuckerberg wrote in an Instagram broadcast channel.
In a statement, Meta clarified there will be no changes to accounts that are already verified. Verification was previously for users who are “authentic and notable.”
“We are evolving the meaning of the blue badge to focus on authenticity so we can expand verification access to more people,” a Meta spokesperson said. “We will display follower count in more places so people can distinguish which accounts are notable public figures among accounts that share the same name.”
Meta joins other platforms, like Discord, Reddit and YouTube, who have their own subscription-based models.
Twitter relaunched its own verification subscription service, Twitter Blue, in December, after an onset of fake “verified” accounts forced it to pull the feature. The check mark options now have different colors to differentiate between accounts: gold checks for companies, gray checks for government entities and other organizations, and blue checks for individuals, whether or not they are celebrities.
Twitter Blue costs $11 a month for iOS and Android subscribers, part of owner Elon Musk’s attempt to raise its subscriptions business after buying the platform for $44 billion.
A Psychology Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Ernest Dankwa, has bemoaned the negative impact of social media, expecially Instagram on the youth.
According to the UG don, social media posts set unrealistic expectations, create feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
In an interview with Andy Asante Okyere on Radio Univers, he revealed that some people are overly sentimental and affected by what others say, as a result, if such a person posts a photo on Instagram and someone purposefully comments negatively on the photo, it results in suicidal thoughts for the person.
“If you read about world suicide research, scholars have published that social media platform like Instagram is one of the most dangerous for suicidal cases,” the psychologist said.
“Because Instagram is a picture-sharing site. So is about body image, there are people who are enticed by what people say about them. So, when such a person posts a picture and receives a negative comment, maybe, not once or twice, it then results in suicidal thoughts. That’s called cyberbullying. Such cases are worst in the developed countries because a lot of the youth have committed suicide based on what people probably told them on social media,” he said.
He added, “not only social media allows for self-expression. It is also linked to high rates of bullying, anxiety, despair, and FOMO in young people.”
Donald Trump will be allowed back on to Facebook and Instagram, after Meta announced it would be ending its two-year suspension of his accounts.
The suspension will end “in the coming weeks”, the social media giant said.
In a statement, Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, said the public “should be able to hear what their politicians are saying”.
The then-US president was indefinitely suspended from Facebook and Instagram after the Capitol riot in 2021.
The firm had taken action following Mr Trump’s “praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol”, Mr Clegg said.
“The suspension was an extraordinary decision taken in extraordinary circumstances,” he added.
He said a review found that Mr Trump’s accounts no longer represented a serious risk to public safety.
But because of Mr Trump’s past “violations” he would now face heightened penalties for repeat offences.
Republicans have been pressing for Mr Trump to be allowed back on Facebook as he prepares to run for the presidency again next year.
Mr Trump posted on his own social media company, Truth Social, in response on Wednesday, saying that Facebook had “lost Billions” after banning “your favorite President, me”.
“Such a thing should never again happen to a sitting President, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution!” he wrote.
Donald Trump now has a decision to make.
Truth Social, a social media platform he set up in 2021, has vastly fewer users than Facebook.
Facebook has three billion users.
Truth Social may have as many as five million accounts – though it’s likely it has far fewer active users.
However, Mr Trump has an exclusivity agreement with Truth Social – that means he is legally required to post first on the platform – six hours before any other platform.
It means if he posts on Facebook or Twitter – there is a chance he could get sued.
Analysts also warn that if Mr Trump were to stop using Truth Social, or post content elsewhere, the platform would struggle to survive.
He could simply ignore that exclusivity agreement – and start posting content straight away.
However, that could open him up to legal problems.
What is also possible is that he simply waits until June, when the agreement times out.
Or, he could take the decision never to go back to platforms that he has criticised consistently.
However, if he is going to have a tilt at the White House, being on Facebook – the world’s biggest social media platform – would make a lot of sense.
Whatever happens next, the ball is firmly in Mr Trump’s court now.
If he does decide to come back, though, he will have to follow Meta’s rules. The company has left the door open for another suspension if he flouts them.
It means Mr Tump will have to hold his tongue (to a certain extent) on Facebook, in a way that he doesn’t currently have to on Truth Social.
News of Mr Trump’s re-instatement was quickly criticised by Democrats and some activist organisations who expressed concern that the former president could again use the platform to repeat false claims that he won the 2020 election.
“Trump incited an insurrection,” California Democratic Representative Adam Schiff wrote on Twitter. “Giving him back access to a social media platform to spread his lies and demagoguery is dangerous.”
Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, a civil rights organisation, told the Associated Press that he sees the move as a “grave mistake” that is a “a prime example of putting profits above people’s safety”.
“It’s quite astonishing that one can spew hatred, fuel conspiracies, and incite a violent insurrection at our nation’s Capitol building, and Mark Zuckerberg still believes that is not enough to remove someone from his platforms,” he said.
Twitter had also banned the former president following the 6 January 2021 US Capitol riot, saying he had broken its rules on the glorification of violence.
But in November, Twitter’s owner Elon Musk said Mr Trump’s account ban had been lifted, after running a poll in which users narrowly backed the move.
Mr Trump has not yet returned to Twitter, having earlier said: “I don’t see any reason for it.”
Actress Moesha Bodoung has confirmed that during her mental crisis, she burnt a huge amount of money.
Moesha for several weeks was rumoured to have gone crazy after becoming aware of the source of the power of one of her “clients”.
The actress who had made a name for herself on Instagram suddenly “gave herself to Christ” and began an evangelism drive to win souls for Christ.
She is said to have been engaged in a number of things during the said period including denouncing her past life and encouraging young ladies not to take that route.
In an interview with Deloris Frimpong Manso, Moesha Bodoung indicated that she burnt money during the period.
She said “this night that I was going out and I really didn’t understand what happened but all of a sudden I heard a voice that told me to go and burn my money”.
When questioned how much she burnt, the socialite said “I don’t know how much. It happened all of a sudden”.
Pete Davidson and New York Giants legend Eli Manning have collaborated and created a joint Instagramaccount.
It appears the unlikely pair launched the account pete_eli10 on Wednesday.
“Hello Instagram, I have decided to come back, but only with the GOAT,” 29-year-old Davidson said in their first post, below, before showing Eli as he lies next to him.
“What’s up? Your bed is so comfortable,” Manning, 41, responded.
Pete gave the two-time Super Bowl champion a tour of his apartment in the latest episode of the Eli Manning Show—viewable here—and showed off his room featuring every piece of Eli memorabilia imaginable. Among Davidson’s most prized possessions was a photo of Manning with former Giants teammate Shaun O’Hara and “random kids” at a Dunkin’ location.
“Those are my kids,” Manning informed Davidson, to which he jokingly responded, “Those are your kids? I should do research.”
Pete then suggested he and Eli create a joint Instagram account, which leads us to where we are now. The account has already racked up over 55,000 followers.
All of the posts seem to be taken during their time together in Davidson’s “douchey” apartment where they played Madden, tried on clothes from his closet, and hung out with the comedian’s live-in best friend, actor Simon Rex.
Davidson returned to Instagram earlier this year, but stuck around for about a week before deleting the account. According to People, Pete previously left social media in 2018 over his mental health.
Fella Makafui as of November 11, 2022, had deleted every photo from her Instagram account following a cryptic post she shared on Twitter two days prior.
It is unclear why she cleared her photos but the decision has fueled speculations.
Although it is early to say her November 8, 2022, post where she talks about wanting to make a drastic decision was a reason for this, many still want to grasp what is happening in her camp and that of her husband, Medikal.
A day after her post on Twitter, her significant other, Medikal, likewise confused netizens with an assertion he made about marriage.
In the rapper’s post shared on blogger, Nkonkonsa’s page on Instagram, he said spouses ought to appreciate, be humble and accommodating to their husbands.
“Wives should be respectful, submissive, appreciative and stress-free,” the rapper said.
Medikal and Fella Makafui married on March 7th, 2020, and they have a daughter called Island Frimpong. At the wedding ceremony, the bride collapsed while dancing with her husband in the full glare of family and friends but later said it was a prank.
“I’m an actress, I mean I have been pranking him so I was like let me see if he was going to get scared today. I love you so much,” she said.
Her claim divided opinions with some chastising her for spewing lies while others argued that it was unwise for a bride to pull a stunt if her narrative was anything to go by.
Instagram’s issues come less than a week after another Meta platform, WhatsApp, experienced a significant outage.
Instagram has stated that it is investigating why thousands of users’ accounts were suddenly suspended.
Users from all over the world have taken to other social media platforms to inquire as to why they have been locked out of their accounts, after receiving a message stating, “We suspended your account on October 31, 2022.”
“We’re aware that some of you are having issues accessing your Instagram account,” Instagram said.
“We’re looking into it and apologize for the inconvenience.”
Tens of thousands of people have logged problems, according to the website Down Detector.
The Verge reports that millions of people seem to have been affected, with follower counts dropping on some of the platform’s biggest accounts.
Those affected are told they have 30 days to disagree with their suspension.
Why are accounts being suspended?
Users are being presented with three reasons why their account has been suspended.
• The account does not meet Instagram’s community guidelines
• The account cannot be confirmed
• It is not visible right now and cannot be used
People first began reporting issues at around lunchtime on Monday.
“Did anyone else’s Instagram just get suspended for no reason?” tweeted one affected user.
“And now Instagram won’t even bother to let you appeal it just gives you an error?”
Another said: “Anyone else facing this issue on Instagram? Or is my account really suspended?”
Instagram’s troubles come less than a week after another Meta platform, WhatsApp, suffered a major outage.
Tens of thousandsof people reported being unable to send and receive messages last Tuesday morning.
When asked why his company is focused on experimental bets, Zuckerberg said: “It would be a mistake for us to not focus on any of these areas that will be fundamentally important to our future.”
Facebook’s parent company is metaverse under pressure to focus less on the metaverse – as investors say it is an experimental bet causing “supersized and terrifying losses”.
The tech giant changed its name to Meta last year under plans to build a virtual world that would be used by millions of people.
But Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse has been beset by technical problems, with user numbers far below the targets set by executives.
The latest figures show Reality Labs, the division building the metaverse, lost £3.16bn between July and September, compared with £2.27bn in the same period a year earlier.
Investors rushed to dump Meta’s stock after the company warned that losses linked to the metaverse “will grow significantly” next year.
When asked why his company is focused on experimental bets, Zuckerberg said: “It would be a mistake for us to not focus on any of these areas that will be fundamentally important to our future.”
But analysts have said that the metaverse “feels like one big gamble” – especially given the current economic crisis – and fear the road ahead will be “long and painful”.
The virtual reality headsets required to get the best experience in Meta’s virtual world are pricy. One costs £1,300 – putting it out of the reach of many consumers.
Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight said: “People are not rushing out of their seats to buy a VR headset or even watch 360-degree videos … The new device still feels like an expensive toy.”
Earlier this week, a fund that invests in Meta called on the company to cut its yearly investment in the metaverse from $10 billion to $5 billion.
Altimeter Capital’s CEO, Brad Gerstner, warned: “Meta has drifted into the land of excess – too many people, too many ideas, too little urgency.
“This lack of focus and fitness is obscured when growth is easy but deadly when growth slows and technology changes.”
Meanwhile, Insider Intelligence analyst Debra Aho Williamson has warned that Meta needs to turn its business around – focusing less on the metaverse and more on fixing its core business.
“As Facebook Inc, was a revolutionary company that changed the way people communicate and the way marketers interact with consumers. Today it’s no longer that innovative groundbreaker.”
Meta – which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – has other clouds on the horizon as it battles falling advertising sales and stiff competition from TikTok.
Revenue in the third quarter fell for a second consecutive time to £23.83bn.
Meta’s share price is in danger of falling to its lowest level in six years – and the stock has plunged by 61.6% since the year began.
Steve Lacy had to deal with some disrespectful concertgoers at his Give You the World Tour.
Performing in New Orleans on Monday night, the “Bad Habit” artist was hit with an object. Video shows Lacy then asking a fan in the front row to hand him a disposable camera—likely what he was struck with—and proceeded to smash it.
The 24-year-old ultimately stopped the show, telling fans, “Yo, don’t throw no shit on my fucking stage, please!”
In a statement on Instagram, Lacy addressed the situation, writing, “Shoutout to the people not throwing disposable cameras at me and just coming to catch a vibe and connect. I had a really good time in Nola last night. i hate that the beauty of the connection i have with so many people in the crowd gets lost when something negative happens.”
He continued, “i don’t believe i owe anyone an apology—maybe i could’ve reacted better? sure. always. I’m a student of life. but i’m a real person with real feelings and real reactions. i’m not a product or a robot. i am human. i will continue to give my all at these shows. please come with respect for urself and others please thank you love u.”
He got support in the comments from fellow artists including Chloe Bailey, Kali Uchis, Moses Sumney, Zack Fox, and Oberhofer.
Earlier this month, Steve Lacy scored his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Bad Habit,” a single from his second studio album Gemini Rights.
The song garnered 20.4 million streams, 40.3 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 2,000 downloads sold during the Sept. 23-29 tracking week.
Some of the ads include descriptions of sexual violence, paired with images of battered women and photos of male fitness influencers, which were used without permission.
Apps backed by ByteDance and Tencent have been running hundreds of ads on Facebook and Instagram containing sexually explicit content, descriptions of graphic violence, and content promoting acts of self-harm.
The ads, which violate Meta’s policies, contain excerpts from erotic web novels featuring young adult fantasy themes like werewolves and vampires, often paired with short videos and images that appear to be taken from influencers, movies, and TV shows. With descriptions of sexual assault and images of distressed women and girls next to muscular men, these ads push users to download apps where they can pay to read stories by the chapter.
One ad, teasing a story about a “night of terror” where a teen girl will be “mated” to a “creature,” featured a shirtless photo of Brazilian football star Neymar mashed up with a stock image of a beaten woman. A representative for Neymar told Forbes the image was used without permission.
The ad was for iReader, an app into which TikTok’s parent company ByteDance invested $170 million in 2020. As of Saturday morning, 83 other live ads for iReader featured a story chapter titled “His Personal Cum Bucket” and a graphic description of sexual violence. Multiple requests for comment sent to numerous iReader representatives went unanswered.
Ads for the Mytopia app, which is owned by ByteDance, contained similarly troubling content. Three ads for the app included a text description of a teen girl being molested by her step-brother, and three other ads contained a romanticized account of a teen girl cutting herself. After being contacted by Forbes, ByteDance paused Mytopia’s ad campaign, and ByteDance spokesperson Billy Kenny said that the ads “do not match our values.”
Ads paired excerpts of violent erotica with images of distressed women and girls and muscular men, which were sometimes used without permission. Note: some images may be disturbing.
On Wednesday, an app called Webnovel, which is owned by Tencent subsidiary China Literature, began running ads featuring sexually explicit comics that implied incest between a mother and her son. China Literature stopped the ad campaign when contacted for comment by Forbes. In a statement, spokesperson Maggie Zhou said: “We can confirm these ads were posted by third-party agencies without informing China Literature and in violation of our content policies.”
ByteDance (which owns TikTok) and Tencent (which owns WeChat and some of the most popular videogames in the world) have long struggled to show that their products do not expose people to content promoting sex, abuse, or self-harm. But while the Chinese tech giants have invested heavily in removing this kind of content from TikTok and WeChat, they have at the same time paid for erotic web novel businesses to create it and promote it to Meta users through ads.
Meta, for its part, has appeared largely incapable of halting this flood of violent fantasy erotica ads that violate its rules. The company’s Ad Library reveals that while Meta has detected and removed dozens of these ads, advertisers have just put more up. Moreover, Meta’s detection appears weak and haphazard, with weeks-old ads still live featuring text that obviously violates its rules. Before Forbes contacted Meta about the ads, searches of the Ad Library for phrases like “his cock” and “rape me” returned hundreds of results, nearly all of them ads for web novel apps. (Disclosure: in a past life, I held policy positions at Facebook and Spotify.)
Ads paired excerpts of violent erotica with images of distressed women and girls and muscular men, which were sometimes used without permission. Note: some images may be disturbing.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said the company had removed dozens of ads from web novel companies before it was approached by Forbes, and that it has removed nearly 200 ads and pages since being presented with our findings. Still, five new renditions of the “cum bucket” ad began running last night from a page that Forbes had flagged to Meta, and a quick search of the Ad Library returns hundreds of similar results.
Apps like Webnovel, Mytopia, and iReader have boomed during the pandemic. The apps first became popular in China, where ByteDance’s Tomato Novel app has been downloaded more than 60 million times. But they have recently become popular in the U.S., too. iReader was downloaded 1.5 million times in 2021, and Webnovel was downloaded more than 2 million times in 2022, according to Sensor Tower. Although Chinese apps dominate the sector, domestic apps offer similar wares: Amazon’s Kindle Vella features identical themes and even some of the same stories featured on other apps. It does not appear to advertise on Facebook or Instagram.
Earlier this year, the Rest of the World reported that the profit margin for China-based web novels is often very high, with companies making as much as 10 times as much as they pay authors for each story. But that profit margin may depend in significant part on ads: In 2021, Protocol reported that 42.7% of China-based web novels were introduced to overseas readers through advertising.
This market also extends beyond just apps backed by Tencent and ByteDance. Last week, Forbes identified more than 1,000 ads running from more than 100 Facebook pages representing China-based web novel apps. Some of the ads stayed within bounds, offering largely standard romance novel fare, but others violated Meta’s policies barring explicit sexual content.
One ad running on Thursday morning promoted an app called MoboReader and described a scene in which a woman’s husband tries to kill her by hitting her with a car, and then another man subsequently rapes her. Moboreader did not respond to a request for comment.
A text excerpt used in at least 32 other ads on Thursday included a graphic, romanticized description of a teen girl engaging in self-mutilation after being abused. The ads were for Supernovel, an app whose Terms of Service claim it is owned by Cloudary Holdings, a subsidiary of Tencent. When asked about the app, Tencent and Cloudary denied any relationship to it.
In 2019, the China-based blog TechNode reported that a ByteDance web novel app popular with domestic Chinese audiences was shut down for three months by the Chinese government for distributing “lowbrow and sexually suggestive content.” But as the web novel industry has grown, ByteDance and Tencent have deepened their investments in it.
In December 2019, ByteDance acquired a majority stake in MyMind Culture, the parent company behind several Chinese-language novel apps. In July 2020, it bought a 10% stake in Beijing Dingtian Culture Entertainment, which runs similar apps, including SweetRead and DmRead. Later that year, ByteDance paid $170 million for 11% of the China-based e-book company Zhangyue, which makes the iReader app, as well as ForNovel, Novelink, Favoread and Noveltells. In 2021, it launched Mytopia, which, like iReader, is targeted to foreign audiences.
Billy Kenny, the ByteDance spokesperson, said that ByteDance (which invested in Zhangyue through its acquisition arm, Quantum Jump) “doesn’t have any involvement in the product and business strategy of Zhangyue’s global businesses.” Zhangyue, however, told shareholders in April: “Mr. Zhang Chao, head of ByteDance’s novel business department, is a director of the company. The company and Byte have cooperated in various aspects such as content copyright and advertising cooperation.” Kenny did not answer follow-up questions about the nature of this cooperation.
Tencent owns the conglomerate China Literature, which controls the flagship English-language Webnovel app through a company called Cloudary Holdings. Terms of service for a cluster of other apps running ads on Facebook, including iNovel, eReader, SuperNovel, PopNovel, Mobooks and MyNovel, list Cloudary Holdings as their operator; however, Maggie Zhou, a spokesperson for China Literature, told Forbes that the entities are not owned or operated by China Literature or Cloudary.
Ads for various apps also used clips from major movies, including Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics.
Many of these ads also appear to rip content from influencers, television shows, and movies. In addition to its Neymar ad, Zhangyue has also featured images of other celebrities, including Kylie Jenner and fitness influencer Chadoy Leon. Leon, whose image was stitched together with photos of frightened women, told Forbes he had never heard of iReader. “Whoever is using my pictures is using them without my permission,” he said. Jenner’s rep declined to comment on the record.
Ads for Zhangyue apps, as well as iNovel, Supernovel, and others, also used content from major movies, including those from the Twilight movies, Star Wars, DC Comics, and Marvel Studios. A representative from Warner Brothers (which owns DC Comics) said its content had been used without permission; Disney (which owns Marvel and Star Wars) and Summit Entertainment (which owns Twilight) did not respond to a request for comment.
Many of the Facebook pages running these ads also bore signs of ban evasion, suggesting the companies are intentionally avoiding takedowns by Meta. Some apps used intentional misspellings for words that might lead to flags. One ad for iReader described a character by the “visible V running down to his gen.ita1s.” Other iReader-owned pages, including those promoting Noveltells and Novelink, added a letter to profane terms, including bitcch and whoree.
Novel apps have also spread their ads out across numerous pages — a tactic often used by networks trying to ensure that one or two takedowns will not cripple an entire campaign. Ads promoting an app called Noveland have been placed from pages labeled Noveland1 through Noveland8, as well as pages with title variations like Noveland App and Noveland Romance Story. Pages called Noveland11, Noveland12, and Noveland13 were created earlier this month, but are not running ads at this time. Requests for comment sent to Noveland were not answered.
Other ads have come from pages with more colorful names: Some ads promoting iReader were placed from werewolf-themed pages with names like Alpha King, Gamma Fire, and Ugly Mate, as well as pages with nonsense names like Genius Babies and Llj-Hhh. A Philippines-based app called Pinky Novel has been running ads from a page called Kz Car Tint & Accesories [sic], and an app called AhaNovel, has been running ads from a page titled “Raped by Mr. CEO.” (Pinky Novel and Aha Novel did not respond to requests for comment.)
Despite Forbes reporting the page to Meta on Wednesday morning, at the time of this writing, “Raped by Mr. CEO” is still live on the platform today.
No longer live, though, is a page Facebook published in 2021, highlighting Webnovel as a “success story” in advertiser partnerships. Stone did not respond to a question about whether Meta still considers Webnovel a model for other advertisers today.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
In order to resolve allegations made by the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a post on Kim Kardashian’s Instagram account, she has agreed to pay $1.26 million (£1.12 million).
According to the SEC, the reality TV actress did not declare she received $250,000 (£220,000) for endorsing a bitcoin asset on her feed.
The commission said the post was touting EMAX tokens, the asset security being offered by EthereumMax, and she was paid by EthereumMax, through an intermediary, but did not reveal the payment.
In June last year, Kardashianposted to her 331 million followers writing: “ARE YOU INTO CRYPTO??? THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE BUT SHARING WHAT MY FRIENDS JUST TOLD ME ABOUT THE ETHEREUM MAX TOKEN.”
Her Instagram post contained a link to the EthereumMax website, which provided instructions for potential investors to purchase EMAX tokens.
Under US law, people who tout a certain stock or crypto security need to reveal not only that they are getting paid, but also the amount, the source, and the nature of those payments, SEC chair Gary Gensler said.
He also said the Kardashian case was “a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean that those investment products are right for all investors”.
Lawyers for Kardashian released a statement saying she was pleased to have resolved the matter.
“Kardashian fully cooperated with the SEC from the very beginning and she remains willing to do whatever she can to assist the SEC in this matter,” the statement read.
“She wanted to get this matter behind her to avoid a protracted dispute. The agreement she reached with the SEC allows her to do that so that she can move forward with her many different business pursuits.”
Failing to disclose payment for promoting securities is a violation of federal law. The $1.26m (£1.12m) she paid includes her fee for the promotion, the interest and the $1m penalty.
The reality TV star isn’t the only celebrity to have been charged by the SEC over crypto promotions.
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr and music producer DJ Khaled were both charged in 2018 for allegedly not disclosing payments they received for promoting crypto coins.
The opportunity to render social media secure must not “slip away,” according to the coroner in the inquest into Molly Russell’s death, who also expressed worries about platforms.
At a previous hearing, Andrew Walker told North London Coroner’s Courtthat social media had brought risk to children into their homes and that the risk should be “kept away from children completely”.
Mr Walker outlined a range of concerns about platforms, which were: a lack of separation of children and adults on social media; age verification and the type of content available and recommended by algorithms to children; insufficient parental oversight for under-18s.
He told the court he would prepare a reportaimed at preventing future deaths after he delivers his conclusion in the inquest on Friday.
Hadis Najafi took to the streetsof Karaj last week in protest at Iran’s hijab mandate and was shot dead. She was not openly outspoken about women’s liberation but enjoyed sharing her life with her followers on social media.
She was not an activist or openly outspoken online about women’s liberation, but she was still gunned down in her home city campaigning for her right to live and dress how she wanted.
Hadis Najafi, 23, took to the streets of Karaj last week to speak out against Iran’s strict hijab mandateand was shot dead.
Her death has fuelled further anger in a country already reckoning with the strict rule of the so-called morality police.
Part of Iran’s Generation Z, Hadis was a young woman who grew up in the age of the internet and social media.
Like Zoomers everywhere, these digital natives are connected to the rest of the world in a way their parents could never have imagined.
Hopes for a better future
An avid user of TikTok and Instagram, Hadis enjoyed sharing her life with her followers on social media.
She was not openly outspoken about women’s liberation, but she posted videos on her TikTok account dancing to the latest viral trend, including to pop music and Iranian singers.
Her social media would not have looked out of place anywhere in the world. Smiling and pouting at the camera, she danced around her room in bright clothing.
She worked as a cashier at a restaurant and loved sharing fashion on her Instagram, styling her hair both with and without her hijab – but only in the safety of her home or other private places.
Hijabs are mandatory in public for all women in Iran, regardless of religion or nationality.
A close friend described her as “always happy and energetic”.
But then violence erupted after another young woman, Mahsa Amini, 22, died in police custody on 16 September. She had been detained, allegedly, for wearing her hijab too loosely.
Outcry over her death has boiled over into some of the biggest protests in the country for years and the anger of a generation of women who had grown used to freedom online poured out on to the streets.
Women removed their head coverings and burnt them as others recorded the scenes on mobile phones, uploading them to social media where they have been shared worldwide.
To make it difficult for protesters, the authorities have restricted internet access in several provinces, according to internet blockage observatory NetBlocks.
Sky News spoke to one of Hadis’s close friends on Instagram and asked if she had been scared when she set off on 21 September.
#حدیث_نجفی در آخرین پیامی که قبل از رفتن به اعتراضها (چهارشنبه ۳۰ شهریور) برای دوستانش فرستاد، میگوید:
«خیلی دوست دارم الان که دارم میرم آخرش وقتی چند سال گذشت خوشحال باشم رفتم تظاهرات و همه چی عوض شده…»#مهسا_امینی#Mahsa_Aminipic.twitter.com/oORoUyTpNW
“Several nurses… told her family to run, because Hadis had been at the protests so they might also be targeted if the police came,” her friend said.
“The husband of one of Hadis’s sisters works for the Basij [an Iranian paramilitary volunteer militia], so they let him go into the mortuary to do the formal identification. Only him.
“They didn’t let her family see her.”
After two days, the family agreed with authorities not to have a public funeral: “What I tell you now comes from her family,” Hadis’s friend said.
“On Friday morning they let her crying mother and sisters see her face, to make sure they were burying the right person. There wasn’t a real funeral because of the agreement.
“After she was buried, her sisters Afsoon and Shirin decided to publish her photos and tell people she was shot. The authorities didn’t want people to say she was shot, they were told to say she’d died in a car crash, or a brain injury, that she’d died a natural death.”
Masked forces shoot directly at protesters
Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, has vowed to investigate Ms Amini’s death but said that the authorities would not tolerate any threats to public security.
He said protesters should be “dealt with decisively” and the subsequent crackdown by authorities has been swift, brutal, and violent.
On 21 September, the footage was first shared online of masked men shooting directly and from close range at protesters on Eram Boulevard, where her friend said Hadis was last seen alive.
The location of this clip was verified by Sky News by cross-referencing the car dealership in the background with images of the street shared on Google Maps.
Although Hadis is not in this clip it indicates it is not the only time Iranian police have been accused of using excessive force on protesters.
And Hadis is not the only woman to have been killed. The names of at least four other women alleged to have died in the protests have gone viral in the past week.
The Ghanaian singer and actress announced on Instagram she will make a cameo appearance in a Spanish movie directed by award-winning Spanish director Paco Leon and distributed by Netflix.
Titled ‘Rainbow’, the feature film is a coming-of-age story of a teenager with extraordinary musical talent who leaves home with her dog after an argument with her father. A modern-day adaptation of the American musical Wizard of Oz, the film will incorporate music, dance, fashion, plastic arts, and other aspects of contemporary culture.
The Ghanaian-Romanian actress born Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu did not reveal her role in the movie. However, she disclosed she was recommended by her friend, Lapili, a Spanish musician.
Captioning her post, she wrote; Last year I ‘cameod’ in an amazing Netflix Spain movie created by @pacoleon #Rainbow #RainbowPeli We shot our scene over 12 hours at the outskirts of Madrid, Spain in the blazing hot summer (my favorite time of the year). Thanks to my superstar friend @lapili_ for recommending me! Being a part was so much fun. It’s out on @netflixes on 30 September 2022!
The actress has been making waves in the movie industry for a while now after she made her debut in 2015 with her first movie been feature film titled 14: 32 which premiered in Ghana at the National Theatre on September 3, 2015.
Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu was born in Ghana to an Ashanti father and a Romanian mother.
She is a television show host, model, musician, academic and graphic artist.
She is the sister of popular hiplife musician Wanlov the Kubolor who starred in the film Coz Ov Moni.
Owusu-Bonsu attended Christ the King International School, then Wesley Girls’ High School.
Owusu-Bonsu graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Publishing Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology followed by a Master’s Degree in Book/Journal Publishing from the University of the Arts London.
