Facebook is Launching a Tik Tok competitor, Reels

Posted on July 18, 2020

By Dylan Byers

Facebook will launch Instagram Reels, its answer to TikTok, in the United States and more than 50 other countries in a matter of weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.

The global launch, which has been in the works for over a year, comes as TikTok is facing scrutiny from Washington over its handling of user data and amid larger tensions between the United States and China.

Like TikTok, Instagram Reels lets users make and share 15-second video clips set to a vast catalog of music. Like TikTok, users can also borrow and remix audio from other people’s videos. And, like TikTok, users can see their clips go viral in a “Featured Reels” section of the most popular videos.

Facebook first launched Reels in Brazil last November and expanded it to France and Germany last month. It launched in India last week — just days after India banned TikTok and more than 50 other Chinese apps citing privacy and security concerns.

Facebook will launch Reels in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico and roughly 50 other countries. Users will be able to access Reels through a new icon at the bottom of their screen in Instagram and post Reels to Instagram Stories.

The new service may give Facebook, which has nearly 3 billion users across its services, the chance to stem the rapid rise of a rival service. Facebook has sought to counter rivals by mimicking their services before, including with Instagram stories, which imitated a similar feature from Snapchat.

“We are in a place where we have to be willing to acknowledge when someone did something awesome and try to learn from it,” Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, said in an interview this year when asked about Snapchat.

At the same time, TikTok has become so wildly popular, especially among teenagers, that it may be too late to check its rise without government action. The service now has more than 30 million active users in the U.S., and has captured the cultural zeitgeist.

reprinted with permission from NBC News

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Gigi Hadid Says She’s Kept Pregnancy Low Key Because the BLM and Covid are More Important

Posted on July 17, 2020

During her first official baby bump reveal this week, model GiGi Hadid said that she’s kept her pregnancy private because it is”not the most important thing going on in the world” among topics like the coronavirus and subsequently the Black Lives Movement.

[Editor’s note: it was quite a revealing share becuase back in April, we blogged about how the general public had become less interestED in celebrity news because the Covid-19 pandemic]

In an Instagram Live share on Wednesday, July 15th, the first-time mom-to-be replied to fans who wanted to know why she had not discussed or posted about her pregnancy before.

“That’s a reason that I felt that it’s not really something that I need to share apart from with my family and friends. Obviously a lot of people have lost lives due to [the] coronavirus that was in the beginning of quarantine and still happening,” Gigi said in the video. “And then we moved obviously into the reemergence of the BLM [Black Lives Matter] movement, and I thought that our presence on social media should be used for that.”

By the end of the brief but very transparent video share, Hadid opened up and lifted the top of her Holiday the Label pajama top to reveal her baby bump. [by the way the $245 PJs are sold out!]

“There’s my belly y’all,”  she commented in response to some fans who earlier accused her during a Live Instagram with V-Magazine  that she was hiding her pregnancy with her flowing tops.

“Like it’s there, it’s just from the front it’s different,” she laughed.

The model also used the occasion of her first reveal this week to plug her ‘Gigi Journal Part II’ which features 32 exclusive pieces of art and writing from around the world that Hadid handpicked from over 20,000 submissions. The selected works make up the visual and written pieces inside, though Hadid painted the Journal’s cover art printed in two special types of ink—solar-activated and glow-in-the-dark.

 

“The 64-page, limited-edition hardbound book channels a multitude of current issues—including but not limited to global public health crises and black Americans’ ongoing struggle for equality,” the sales page on V-magazine reads about the $55 journal. “V hopes that the Journal’s diverse content, from creative writing to miniature sculpture to protest art, will not only encapsulate our current moment, but also help to initiate change. With Gigi as Guest Editor and Creative Director, this breakthrough special edition is a labor of love and a true keepsake.”

A percentage of proceeds to be split among four organizations: Black Lives Matter, the NAACP, the ACLU, and Campaign Zero. Hadid will match the proceeds with a personal donation.

 

She ended the video by revealing that she has been journaling about the pregnancy, taking photos and plans to share the journey later with her fans.

“I just am not rushed to do it, and I feel like right now I just want to experience it, and I write in my journal a lot,” she said. “and I just don’t want to worry about waking up everyday during my pregnancy and like worry about having to like look cute or post something.”

Hadid’s mom Yolanda Hadid revealed during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon  in April that she is expecting a granddaughter and that her daughter’s due date is in September, adding that the “silver lining” of the coronavirus is that she and her loved ones are “able to be home and be together and really experience it day by day.”

YOU CAN’T GET GIGI’S PJ’s THAT ARE SOLD OUT BUT CHECK OUT THESE OTHERS:

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Tragic Week For Celebrity Moms: Naya Rivera, Kelly Preston, Lisa Marie Presley’s Son Ben

Posted on July 14, 2020

It has been a tragic week with deaths of celebrity women covered in the past or their relatives.

Yesterday, it was revealed that authorities recovered the body of Glee alum Naya Rivera who had apparently gotten swept in an undercurrent while swimming with her son Josey at Lake Pichu in California last week.  The 4-year old was found sleeping on the boat that his mom rented for their daytime excursion. When discovered, he told police that he and his mom went swimming but she didn’t come up.  Aftera a few days search, search and rescue crew knew where to look for Rivera after sharing that she 33-year old former child star had shared a photo of Josey posing in front of a particular cove in the lake.

Rivera was an experienced boater. The death may be ruled accidental drowning, despite earlier speculation that she might had committed suicide.

The day before this news, actress Kelly Preston was confirmed by her husband actor John Travolta. She succumbed to her two year battle with breast cancer. Preston was mom to three, incuding her son Jett who preceded her in death when he passed away at age 16, back in 2009. She later gave birth to son Benjamin at age 47, who now survives his mom along with his older sister Ella.

Photo by Copetti/Photofab/Shutterstock

Benjamin Keough, the grandson of Elvis Presley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on July 12, TMZ reported. His mother, Lisa Marie Presley‘s, rep Roger Widynowski said the singer is “completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated.”

“She adored that boy. He was the love of her life,” the statement continued.

 

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Pregnant Ghanaian UK YouTube Star Nicole Thea has Died, Aged 24

Posted on July 13, 2020

The YouTube community is mourning the loss of  popular lifestyle vlogger, dancer and makeup guru Nicole Thea who apparently died during child birth.

The charasmatic sensation was expecting her first child, a baby boy, with her boyfriend Global Boga who is also a dancer and is often featured in her videos.  Although she was just 8 months along, it appeared from reports that she was set to deliver this past Saturday, July 11 but did not survive labor and delivery.

She was 24 years old.

Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news on her Instagram, also revealing that Nicole’s unborn son, who she and Boga had planned to name Reign, had also passed away.

“To all Nicole’s friends and supporters it is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Nicole and her son she and Boga named Reign sadly passed away on Saturday morning,” a statement read on Sunday.

 

Nicole Thea had about 77,000 subscribers on YouTube and another 153,000 on Instagram.

From E!:

The family explained that Nicole had “pre-schedule a few YouTube videos” to upload on her channel before her death, and with Boga’s blessing, he “made the decision to allow them to be aired.”

The most recent video was posted about three hours ago and titled, “GOT IN A BATH FULL OF MILK! *BTS PREGNANCY SHOOT.”

The 14-minute footage shows Nicole excitedly getting ready to do a milk bath, while also showing her followers insight into the process. She also showcased special moments from her maternity photo shoot. continue reading

Editor’s Note: While there has not been any official news about the circumstances of Nicole Thea and her son’s death, this is a great time to bring awareness once again to the fact that Black Women in the US and the UK have disporportionate high levels and rates of Maternal Mortality and more needs to be done to reverse this terrible trend!

When Nicole Thea shared the news of her pregnancy, she relayed that the baby was a “miracle” which perhaps hints to pre-existing condition or challenge that cropped back up. Per the

“We can’t hide this any longer, secrets out.. GOD gave us the biggest blessing yet. I’m finally creating a beautiful little human inside of me,” her Instagram caption read. “Can’t believe this bubba will be half of me and half of the loml. Honestly, @global_boga has been the best support EVER and GOD made no mistakes making him the father.”

She added, “We are already obsessed with you our little miracle baby. Thank you for choosing us to be your parents and best friends.”

Along with the post mortem Baby Milk bath video, her channel also recently featured her and Boga applying a Baby Belly Cast to commemorate the pregnancy:

She shared her entire pregnancy journal with her viewers and also recently posted video after her second trimester about the worst part of her pregnancy at that point:

 

Nicole Thea was often featured dancing with her boyfriend on YouTube Videos. Here is a fave:

RIP Nicole and Baby Reign. 

 

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The 5 Stylish Bags Every Fashionable Mom Has In Her Closet

Posted on July 10, 2020

Bellyitch Rewind

A fashionista is known for her effortless style and impeccable taste.

That applies not only to her choice of clothing but also to her accessories, and nothing makes a statement more than a fabulous bag. Moministas and Preginistas will not let go of their style just because they are moms and moms-to-be.

They just adjust and get a bigger bag!

I searched my partners at Shopstyle and identified what I think are the 5 bag (or types of bags) that every Mominista must own.

Here they are, in no particular order of gawgeousness:

The Everyday Bag

I like this Madewell’s cowhide tote because of its earthy color and the fact that it is also versatile and would complement any outfit. It’s made of pebbled leather. and is spacious inside so it would fit all of your stuff and more!

GET THE BAG

The Weekender

A sports duffle is great to use to throw in any item for a quick weekend getaway or girls night away. I love them beause they are expandable, easy to clean and look gret.

GET THE BAG

The Travel Tote



If you want a durable bag that will stand the test of time and is also an iconic luxury bag, then the Louis Vuitton Monogram Cabas Piano Tote is your bag. It is spacious, and has well stitched straps which can withstand the weight of your mini laptop, changing pad, a few diapers, your wallet and more.

GET THE BAG

The Earth Friendy Bag

Every person, man, woman and chilld, should be thinking about being good earth citizens and doing as little damage to the planet for the next generation of humans. A woman who is concerned for her planet and can should consider having in her closet a bag  that is made of sustainable, ethicially sourced materials and ideally, from labor paid an earnest livable wage. This Second Eco Bag is simple and does the trick.

GET THE BAG

The Glam Bag

When you’re going to a more formal occasion, such as a reception or a fancy event, you want to go more upscale with your tote.

Sometimes a clutch just isn’t large enough so you can get a tote that can also fit on a red carpet.

GET THE BAG

There you have it.  Do you own one or more of these totes? Are you an official mominista?

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Usain Bolt Introduces the World to Newborn Daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt

Posted on July 9, 2020

Congrats to Jamaican Olympic legend Usain Bolt who became a father back in May but recently shared a photo this past Tuesday with the name of his daughter: Olympia Lightning Bolt.

Little Olympia was born to mom Kasi Bennett in May, according to a tweet sent that month by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Baby’s name is an ode to the Olympics which made Bolt famous and also his last name is a natural reason to give her that particular unconventional middle name. Oh the pressure to be fast is on for that little girl! lol

Bolt also used the day to wish his girlfriend a Happy Birthday.

“I want to wish my gf @kasi__b a happy birthday,” he captioned a tweet with professional newborn photos. “I get to spend ur special day with u. I want nothing but happiness for u & will continue to doing my best keeping a smile on ur face. We have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt”

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13 Free Reources to Beat Summer Brain Drain and Keep Your Child Ahead of the Class

Posted on July 9, 2020

It might be tempting to lie around, post videos to TikTok or watch Netflix all day. Instead high schoolers should use this time to learn a new skill, take an interesting course or prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Here are 13 free resources for high school students to get ahead while school is out.

1. Khan Academy

Khan Academy offers daily schedules for students ages 4-18. The free website also has courses in math, physics, U.S. history, grammar, economics and biology. High school sophomores and juniors can also find free SAT practice questions and tests. Even though the upcoming SAT administrations have been canceled or postponed, students still might want to prepare for this important exam.

2. edX

Even though your classes and extracurricular activities have been canceled, it doesn’t mean you should stop learning. EdX is an online platform that offers more than 2,500 courses online for free. Taking an online course is a great way to boost your resume and prove to colleges you can handle challenging material. Take this time to learn a new skill or explore a possible major from institutions like MIT, Harvard, University of California-Berkeley and more.

3. Coursera

Coursera is another e-learning platform that allows you to be taught by professors from Ivy League schools and other elite schools like the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford and Duke. All the courses are available for free, and topics available include C++, marketing, engineering and psychology. By taking these advanced courses, you can explore a possible major choice when you go to college.

4. Quill

Quill is offering its services for free to anyone affected by school closures. The interactive writing site is perfect for anyone who wants to brush up on their craft before writing their college admissions essays. On Quill, you can gain editing skills by proofreading passages, practicing grammar skills through short activities and advancing your writing.

5. Duolingo

The cognitive benefits of learning another language are undeniable. Studies have shown that being bilingual can benefit memory, problem-solving abilities and even intelligence. Duolingo is a free app that high school students should take advantage of now. Some schools offer limited foreign language options, but through Duolingo, students can learn Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Hindi, Russian and many more. If you want, you can even learn fictional languages like Klingon and High Valyrian.

6. Codecademy

While you might not be thinking about the job market just yet, coding is one of the most valuable skills that you can pick up. Codecademy is offering Pro scholarships to students affected by school closures. On the free site, you can choose what to learn, including building websites to analyze data. You’ll learn by doing and can start writing code within a few minutes of joining the site.

continue reading

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6 Ways to Stay Healthy During Summer Travel In the COVID Era

Posted on July 8, 2020

By Durisan

Summer is here, which normally means it’s time to take a vacation! In the age of the Coronavirus Pandemic, many plans are being changed or curtailed. No matter where you’re going, if you’re not prepared, a potentially amazing holiday can turn out to be the worst.

Here are our summer health tips to make sure everything goes smoothly and as safely as possible.

1 Wash your hands regularly

It might seem obvious, but this is your best and easiest way to stay healthy while you’re traveling. Regular handwashing can help prevent COVID-19 transmission as well as more routine illnesses like diarrhea and respiratory infections. Washing up can also help you avoid bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which can cause major gastrointestinal issues (or even something worse). You’ll also remove germs left from a sneeze or other factors that can cause colds and other illnesses that can ruin your trip.

And consider the health and habits of the people around you. Take antibacterial wipes to deal with germy surfaces, such as a gas pump, door handles, or hotel room surfaces.

2 Eat and drink in moderation

There’s no shame in indulging when you’re on vacation, but try to keep a balance between occasional splurges and nutritious food. For example, if you’re planning a big dinner, try eating light vegetables during the day.

Also, try to eat vegetables at least once daily while traveling. Dark, leafy greens are especially a good choice: They can improve your mood and energy.

To further protect your health, try to eat outdoors whenever possible and avoid smaller, older restaurants. Getting to-go orders is a smart alternative as well and provide the opportunity for a fun family picnic.

3 Stay hydrated

It can be challenging to drink enough water when you’re busy enjoying the summer and sightseeing. However, dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue and even serious health problems.

Here are some useful tips:

  • Bring an empty bottle to the airport and fill it at the terminal.
  • Keep a bottle of water with you everywhere you go — and make sure you bring extra water for any children traveling with you.
  • Download an app to track your water intake and get notifications.

4 Get enough sleep

Vacation is a time for both play and rest. If you get less than six hours of sleep per night, even for just a week, you’re more likely to get a common cold than people who sleep more. If your body is thrown off from jet-lag, try taking a melatonin pill on the first night or two in your new environment. This will prepare your body to relax at your new bedtime.

5 Get some exercise

Even if you need a relaxing vacation where rest is the only thing you’ve planned, try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Exercising on vacation can help you recover from any stiffness from sleeping in a new bed, and it improves your overall energy level. Consider exercising outdoors and avoiding enclosed gyms and studios. 

6 Use your sunscreen

Days spent at the pool or the beach mean more exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and apply it every couple of hours or when you’re sweaty and/or wet. This will reduce your risk for skin cancer. Hats are great extra protection for you and your kids.

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Track Star Caster Semanya Confirms Wife’s Pregnancy, Baby’s Birth and 1st Birthday

Posted on July 6, 2020

After dropping hints for weeks, it appeared that South African track and field star Caster Semenya and her wife had just announced they were expecting a baby with a maternity photo shoot.

Violet Raseboya took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a photo of her growing baby bump.

However, earlier today, Semanya posted a photo of a baby in tiny Nikes with the caption #1 which leaves one to believe they had this baby last year and are celebrating his or her birthday today or the baby in the photo is representative of that being the first child. Who knows.

Perhaps to celebrate the pregnancy last year, Raseboya posted a stunning black and white photo of herself glowing in a sheer blouse revealing her growing belly and captioning the post made last Wednesday,  “unconditional love” with a pregnant woman emoji. The same day, Semanya posted a photo of the two of their bottom halves holding a pair of baby tennis shoes.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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A post shared by Caster Semenya (@castersemenya800m) on

It was the latest in a series that also included another photo from that announcement shoot with the shoes on the floor that posted a pregnancy announcement on June 3rd.

View this post on Instagram

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A post shared by Ledile Violet (@ledile_violet_s) on

Semanya posted a couple of pregancy announcements in June

View this post on Instagram

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A post shared by Caster Semenya (@castersemenya800m) on

View this post on Instagram

⭐?⭐ ? @koketsomogapilj

A post shared by Caster Semenya (@castersemenya800m) on

View this post on Instagram

⭐?⭐

A post shared by Caster Semenya (@castersemenya800m) on

The couple have been married since 2015.

Semenya was assigned the female gender at birth and was raised as a girl and identifies as a woman, though she has XY chromosones and exceptionally high levels of testosterone which made her her subject of numerous testing and challenges to her wins after she won the 2009 World champtionships.

She withdrew from professional compeitiotn altogether until 2010 when the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) welcomed her back eventually instituted new rules in 2019 that prevent women such as Semenya from participating in 400m, 800m, and 1500m events unless they take medication to lower their testosterone levels.

Despite the challenges, it looks like she and her wife have been ignoring the naysayers and living their best lives!

View this post on Instagram

Cheers to life ladies ?

A post shared by Ledile Violet (@ledile_violet_s) on

 

hat tip

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7 Playlists for Your 4th of July CookOut

Posted on July 4, 2020

Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash

A lot of folks are staying home or close to home today because of the COVID restrictions. If you’re one of said families and you are looking for music or playlists to jam to while you enjoy a backyard, frontyard, driveway or balcolny cookout, here is a compilation of various music by genre:

Dance

Oldies 80s, 90s and 2000s

Trap

Mine is a mix of Soca, Reggaeton, Popmusic and rap

Country

Pop Rock



Modern R&B, Hip Hop

My personal faves that make me think of America:

 

 

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