Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced its intention to implement new technology capable of detecting and labeling images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools developed by other companies. This technology, which is still under development, will be deployed on Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The initiative aims to expand Meta’s existing practice of labelling AI-generated images produced by its own systems. According to senior executive Sir Nick Clegg, Meta hopes this move will create momentum within the industry to address the issue of AI-generated fakery. In a blog post authored by Sir Nick Clegg, Meta indicated…
Author: Editor Francis
In preparation for the annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled for Saturday, February 10th, 2024, the Lagos State Government has released a traffic advisory detailing temporary route closures to facilitate the event. From 5:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, motorists are advised that the following routes will be inaccessible: A. Funsho Williams Avenue from Stadium, Surulere B. Ikorodu Road to Anthony C. Gbagada to Third Mainland Bridge D. Third Mainland Bridge (Inbound and Outbound) E. Dolphin Road to Alfred Rewane Road F. Falomo Roundabout to Bourdillon Road G. Lekki Bridge to Freedom Way H. Akin-Adesola to Ahmadu Bello…
In response to the recent directive issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), have announced the suspension of dollar transfers to Nigerian recipients. Effective immediately, IMTOs will only facilitate transactions in naira. The CBN’s directive, communicated in a document published on January 31, restricts IMTOs to solely handling inbound transfers, aiming to liberalise the foreign exchange market and enhance transparency. This move comes amid efforts to address the currency’s volatility and clear forex backlogs amounting to approximately $7 billion. Under the revised guidelines, IMTOs are now defined as entities approved by the CBN to…
Finnair, Finland’s leading airline, has announced a new measure to enhance flight safety by introducing voluntary passenger and carry-on baggage weighing before takeoff. The initiative aims to ensure that the airline adheres to set maximum weight limits for safe aircraft operation. In a statement released on Friday, Finnair explained that the weigh-ins are optional and anonymous, emphasizing their role in updating weight averages last calculated in 2018. The airline stressed the importance of accurately estimating passenger and cargo weight to maintain aircraft balance and flight stability, as mandated by aviation regulations requiring weight average updates every five years. Satu Munnukka,…
In a bid to tackle the ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, declared that the apex bank will cease providing Ways and Means advances to the Federal Government until previous loans are fully repaid. Cardoso emphasised that this decision is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the economic downturn plaguing the country. He made this announcement during a meeting with the Senate Committees on Finance, Appropriations, Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, alongside the economic team. The move comes amidst concerns over the free fall of the Naira…
In a press conference held on Thursday in Abuja, the Arewa Initiative for Defence and Promotion of Democracy, representing amalgamated pro-democracy groups from the 19 Northern states, voiced their stance against recent protests staged in Kano and Minna. Led by Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, the alliance urged Nigerians to disregard what they termed as “sponsored protests” and instead support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in addressing the country’s economic challenges. The chairperson, Prof Ma’aji, attributed the current harsh economic conditions to a legacy of issues inherited by President Tinubu from the previous administration. He emphasized that it is premature to critique…
On the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on February 6, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) emphasised the importance of ongoing education and advocacy to combat this harmful practice. In a report released by UNICEF, it highlighted the crucial role of educating girls and women about the negative implications of FGM. The report revealed that daughters of educated women were less likely to undergo FGM compared to those whose mothers were uneducated. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), FGM encompasses all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external…
In a joint effort to bolster food security in Zambia, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Ireland’s Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, have announced an expanded development cooperation partnership between the two nations. The initiative builds upon the successful collaboration in Malawi, where joint efforts supported smallholder farmers. Now, the United States and Ireland aim to replicate this success in Zambia, focusing on enhancing food systems and implementing innovative strategies to alleviate poverty and malnutrition. A key aspect of the partnership involves leveraging private investments to elevate…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have firmly rejected the continuation of the court trial of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The decision comes in the wake of the group standing by the ruling of the Appeal Court in Abuja, dated October 13, 2022, which acquitted Kanu of all charges levelled against him by the Federal Government. Kanu has been held in detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), since 2021, following his arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria. The Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, allowed his trial on terrorism charges filed by the Federal Government,…
In a bid to bolster Morocco’s ambitious digital infrastructure endeavours, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is set to host a high-profile delegation of Moroccan government officials and industry leaders. Scheduled for February 10-21, the delegation’s visit will encompass key tech hubs in Austin, TX, and Silicon Valley, CA. The 15-member delegation will engage in a series of meetings and site visits aimed at exploring cutting-edge solutions in areas such as e-government services, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Additionally, they will liaise with state and local authorities to glean insights into best practices for deploying these technologies. Against…
In response to a surge in cases involving sextortion, blackmail, and cybercrimes, the Nigeria Police has issued a cautionary advisory to the public regarding the use of dating applications. At a recent briefing held in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ademuyiwa Adejobi, emphasised the need for heightened vigilance among users of these platforms. Adejobi highlighted the escalating instances of cybercrime across Nigeria, underscoring the necessity for caution when engaging with dating apps. He stressed the importance of discretion in virtual interactions, particularly in light of recent incidents involving sextortion, cyberbullying, character defamation, and blackmail. Drawing attention to a specific…
In a significant stride towards advancing locally led development initiatives, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and CEO Peter Laugharn of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation have sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today. The MOU serves as a pivotal framework for collaboration between USAID and the Hilton Foundation, aiming to harness their respective strengths in championing locally led efforts across various domains. This partnership will focus on areas of mutual interest, including early childhood development, youth empowerment, disaster response and humanitarian aid, safe water systems, and engagement with faith-based and community organisations. Both…