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Meta Introduces Monetization for Nigerian and Ghanaian Content Creators on Facebook
Social media giant Meta has announced that content creators from Nigeria and Ghana can now earn money on Facebook, starting Monday, July 1, 2024, with the introduction of two monetization features.
The features, In-Stream Ads on Facebook and Facebook Ads on Reels, will allow creators to earn money by producing original videos and engaging with their community. “Available from today, eligible Creators in Nigeria and Ghana will be able to earn money for their video and reels content, with support in over 30 languages globally,” Meta stated.
To use these features, creators must comply with Facebook’s Partner Monetisation Policies and Content Monetisation Policies, and be at least 18 years old. Additionally, for in-stream ads, creators must have a minimum of 5,000 followers.
In-stream Ads can appear before, during, or after on-demand videos, whether it’s pre-recorded content or a recording of a previous live stream. Types of In-stream Ads include Pre-roll Ads (before a video starts), Mid-roll Ads (during videos), Image Ads (beneath the content), and Post-roll Ads (at the end of videos).
Ads on Facebook Reels will integrate into original Reels, allowing creators to get paid based on the performance of their content while entertaining fans.
Moon Baz, Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta, commented, “Every day, we’re inspired by the incredible African creators who use Facebook to tell their stories, connect with others, and bring people together. This expansion will empower eligible creators in the vibrant creative industry across Nigeria and Ghana to earn money, while setting the bar high for creativity across the world and making Meta’s family of apps the one-stop-shop for all creators.”
News
Tornadoes Leave Six Dead, Including 12-Year-Old Boy, as Powerful Storms Strike Michigan and Oklahoma
At least six people have lost their lives and more than a dozen others have been injured after destructive tornadoes tore through parts of the United States, striking the states of Michigan and Oklahoma during a wave of severe storms.
Officials confirmed that four people died in southern Michigan, including a 12-year-old boy, while two others were killed in Oklahoma on Friday. Emergency crews are continuing rescue and recovery operations as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction left behind by the powerful storms.
The violent weather uprooted trees, knocked down power lines, damaged buildings and tore roofs from homes across affected communities.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the dangerous weather system may persist into the weekend. Forecasters said thunderstorms and possible flash flooding could affect areas stretching from the Great Plains down to Texas.
In Michigan, the Branch County Sheriff’s Department reported that three people were killed and 12 others were injured near Union City after a tornado swept through the area on Friday. Authorities also warned residents to expect road closures and power outages through the weekend as recovery efforts continue.
Roughly 50 miles (80 km) away in Cass County, officials confirmed another fatality and several injuries following storm damage.
Authorities said the tornado caused extensive destruction across the county.
“Multiple large structures — including homes and pole barns — sustained damage ranging from major structural impacts to complete destruction,” officials said in a statement.
Hundreds of residents were also left without electricity after the storm passed through the area.
Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach announced on Saturday that a 12-year-old boy, Silas Anderson, died from weather-related injuries in Edwardsburg.
“Silas was surrounded by family at the time of his passing,” the sheriff’s office said in a message shared on social media.
Emergency management teams said search and recovery efforts are ongoing as responders continue combing through damaged neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, emergency officials reported that a tornado carved a path of destruction roughly four miles (6.4 km) long through Okmulgee County, located about 30 miles (48 km) south of Tulsa.
County emergency manager Jeff Moore said crews are working urgently to clear debris and restore access to affected areas.
“We’re just getting everywhere as fast as we can, clearing roads as fast we can,” Moore said.
Authorities confirmed that two people were killed in Beggs, according to the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office.
In response to the devastation, Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma, declared a state of emergency for several counties, including Alfalfa, Creek, Grant, Major, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner.
News
Explosion at U.S. Embassy in Oslo May Have Been Terrorism, Norwegian Police Say
An overnight explosion at the United States embassy in Oslo may have been an act of terrorism, according to police in Norway.
The blast occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the embassy of the United States, causing minor damage to the building but leaving no injuries reported.
Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, said authorities were considering terrorism as one possible explanation.
“One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism, but we are not completely locked into it,” Larsen told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.
He later added that investigators must remain open to other possible causes behind the explosion.
Police said “large resources” were dispatched to the area around the embassy at about 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT). Officers are now investigating the incident while maintaining close contact with U.S. diplomats.
Michael Dellemyr, who is leading the police response, said the explosion occurred near the public entrance to the embassy building, located in the Morgedalsvegen district about 7km (4 miles) outside Oslo’s city centre.
Authorities have searched the surrounding area and issued an appeal for information from anyone who may have seen or heard anything connected to the blast.
Images circulating on social media appear to show shattered glass in the snow outside the entrance to the consular section of the building, cracks in a glass door and dark marks on the tiled floor.
Norwegian officials condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the protection of diplomatic missions remains a priority for Norway, stressing that “the security of diplomatic missions is very important to us.”
News
Lebanon Says Nearly 400 Killed in Israeli Strikes as U.S. Warns Iranians to Stay Indoors
Lebanon’s health authorities say the death toll from Israeli strikes has risen sharply to 394 people as the regional conflict involving Israel, Iran and their allies intensifies.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said the dead include 83 children and 42 women. Nine rescue workers have also been killed since Lebanon became involved in the ongoing confrontation linked to the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran.
The updated figure marks a significant increase from Saturday, when the health ministry reported 294 deaths.
Iran has also reported heavy casualties. The country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on Friday that 1,332 civilians have been killed in Iran since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes.
In Israel, emergency service Magen David Adom said 10 people have died since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran. Israel’s health ministry added that 1,929 people have been injured and evacuated to hospitals since 28 February, although some of the wounded have been unable to receive treatment due to continued missile attacks.
The conflict has also spread to other parts of the region. The United States Department of Defense confirmed that six U.S. soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone strike on an American military base in Kuwait last Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, the UAE Ministry of Defence reported four deaths linked to the escalating hostilities.
Authorities in Kuwait said two military personnel and two border guards were killed, while the country’s health ministry reported that a young girl died after being struck by falling shrapnel.
In Bahrain, the Bahrain Ministry of Interior said a worker was killed last week after being hit by falling debris during the attacks.
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