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Celebrities find love in Instagram DMs as dating app fatigue sets in

Celebrities find love in Instagram DMs as dating app fatigue sets in

NZ Herald13-06-2025
As the official start to the US summer approaches, many singles are on the hunt for a romantic partner to spend the season with. Some may be on the prowl at parties or swiping through dating apps, others may be shooting their shot on Instagram.
For celebrities in particular,
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Meta users say paying for Verified support has been useless in the face of mass bans
Meta users say paying for Verified support has been useless in the face of mass bans

TechCrunch

time21 minutes ago

  • TechCrunch

Meta users say paying for Verified support has been useless in the face of mass bans

When Meta launched its paid verification service, Meta Verified, in 2023, the tech giant promised users and businesses alike that part of the offering would include direct access to customer support. However, amid a mass ban wave affecting Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as Facebook Groups, some Meta Verified paying subscribers say they're receiving little to no help from Meta's customer service reps, even when they're facing their most serious crisis yet: a mistakenly suspended account. In emails to TechCrunch and in posts elsewhere on social media, users have shared their interactions with Meta Verified support reps, who they claim have been dismissive and unhelpful. These account bans, which some speculate have been triggered by AI systems, have been affecting users for weeks and months. A petition begging Meta to resolve the issues has reached north of 25,500 signatures and continues growing. On Reddit, users have been organizing to offer each other tips on how to proceed or support. Many are even threatening legal action. While tens of thousands may be affected by these bans, that's a small drop in the bucket for Meta, which counts its user base in the billions. Still, for those whose business or personal brand has suddenly disappeared from Facebook or Instagram, the losses are significant. Others who have simply lost access to years' worth of uploaded photos and interactions with friends are similarly devastated. To date, Meta has only publicly acknowledged the ban affecting Facebook Groups, saying last week that it was fixing the 'technical error' that led to the suspensions. On an Instagram help page, there's also a brief mention of the problem. Meta has not confirmed whether AI, malware, or some other issue has led to the bans. Screenshot Instead, on its Instagram Help page, Meta only notes that it's aware 'that some of you are having issues accessing your Instagram account. We're looking into it and apologize for the inconvenience.' For users who have now lost access to their accounts for extended periods, despite appeals, these are more than inconveniences. 'I opened around 5-6 tickets on my Verified account. The agents were dismissive and even closed the chat,' one Meta user, Manya Khurana, told TechCrunch. 'I have had the account since 2017 and never had an issue. They suspended me, saying I did not follow community guidelines, which is false. I had almost 12,000 followers and was going to launch my small business on it to have income, but I have not been able to start it. My career has been affected. … This has been heartbreaking.' Image Credits:screenshot of Meta Verified chat, via Manya Khurana In other emails with TechCrunch, users describe having unproductive conversations with reps who seem unable to resolve issues with the erroneous bans. 'Back in April, I got my Instagram account … falsely disabled for 'creating accounts while suspended' when I never even made any account, nor have I ever been suspended before. This was a false ban because I have never done anything to break [Meta's] Community Guidelines,' shared an Instagram user, Nikolas Alvarez, in an email with TechCrunch. 'On April 3, I purchased Meta Verified via Facebook, and it has been three months, and still just going back and forth with these workers.' @andymstone Even your Instagram support has confirmed that there is a BAN WAVE going on my Instagram account @officialyourboyabdul has been suspended for over a month my business and reputation are hurt — official_YourboyAbdul (@OYourboyabdul) June 28, 2025 These complaints are only representative of the concerns we've heard about, both directly from users and from their posts across social media. In Reddit threads, users describe Meta Verified reps as 'extremely unhelpful,' 'giving out canned responses,' offering 'no help,' and describe waiting hours for responses, and more. Some noted that when they signed up for Meta Verified to get help, they were put on a waitlist instead of gaining access. According to at least one user, a Meta rep said the company was overwhelmed with a malware issue and was overloaded with support tickets. We cannot confirm this, and Meta hasn't provided insight. However, there is some evidence that some users have been regaining access to their accounts, weeks or months after their original suspensions. Reached for comment, Meta Communications Director Andy Stone again declined to share a statement or an update on the ongoing problem, leaving users in the dark.

Dunnes Stores fans set to go wild over ‘comfy' new knit set from €15 – and it makes perfect airport look
Dunnes Stores fans set to go wild over ‘comfy' new knit set from €15 – and it makes perfect airport look

The Irish Sun

time21 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Dunnes Stores fans set to go wild over ‘comfy' new knit set from €15 – and it makes perfect airport look

A COMFY new knit set has landed in Dunnes Stores - and it makes a perfect airport look. Available in three colours, the top and trousers are set to fly off the shelves. Advertisement 4 The new knit set is perfect for travel Credit: 4 All items can be mixed and matched Credit: Made from 70 per cent viscose and 30 per cent nylon, the The High Waisted Co-Ord Knit Trousers are lightweight and have an elastic waistband. The retailer said: 'Crafted from a lightly brushed knit fabric, these trousers are cut to a high waist with covered elastication and a wide leg silhouette. A comfortable choice for day-to-day wear.' Retailing at €15, these bargain trousers are ideal for all seasons. Advertisement Read more in Fabulous And the comfy pants range in sizes XS to XXL. Style the trousers with the matching Short-Sleeved V-Neck Co-Ord Knit Top, also €15. Dunnes Stores designers said the top is easy to move in. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Latest They said: 'Crafted from a soft, lightly brushed knit fabric, this longline top features a flattering v-neckline and a high-low hemline that creates movement.' The Dunnes Stores slash prices on designer holiday range The casual knit tops come in sizes XS to XXL. All items are available in stores across the country and also on th website. Advertisement Meanwhile, an Irish fashion fan revealed some must-have Nicola, who posts on Instagram under @ The style lover revealed the striking Savida Arti Denim Poplin Midi Dress for just €40. Nicola said: 'Day or night Dunnes Stores have you covered.' Advertisement It features a fitted bodice, spaghetti straps and a full midi skirt. The retailer said: 'Designed with a contemporary edge, this dress from Savida features a denim, corset-style bodice, and is finished with a lightweight poplin skirt that falls to a midi length. 'It is a unique piece that can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion.' The pretty midi dress comes in sizes XXS to XXL. Advertisement Next up is the Carolyn Donnelly The Edit Optical Kaftan Dress on sale from €60 and now just €30. It's described as an open back kaftan with pockets, a high-low hemline and an all-over optical print. THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit. Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland's first 'shopping frenzy'. During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne's 'Better Value' bargains. Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 - starting with apples and oranges. The retailer said: "Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town. "Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong. "Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas." The retailer's first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960. They added: "In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed. "Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England." Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people. 4 Shoppers can choose from three styles Credit: 4 The cute set is available in Dunnes Stores Credit: Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin Advertisement

Nelly Attacks Kamala Harris Supporters After Fans Blast Him For Trump Inauguration Support
Nelly Attacks Kamala Harris Supporters After Fans Blast Him For Trump Inauguration Support

Black America Web

time32 minutes ago

  • Black America Web

Nelly Attacks Kamala Harris Supporters After Fans Blast Him For Trump Inauguration Support

Nelly and his wife Ashanti are promoting a new unscripted reality television series aimed at peeling back the layers of the pair's relationships and musical careers, along with the requisite press runs. Some fans online have yet to forgive Nelly for appearing onstage during President Donald Trump's inauguration celebration, prompting the St. Louis star to call out supporters of former Vice President Kamala Harris and more. The Shade Room shared a clip of Nelly sitting with Hot 97's Ebro Darden doing promo with Ashanti for the pair's Peacock series, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together. The clip shows the 'Hot In Herre' artist discussing how he has never endorsed any presidential candidate and pushing back against the assertion that he's a supporter of Trump after the performance. As it often happens with The Shade Room, fans began hurling barbs in Nelly's direction, which got his attention via a lengthy response in where he defends his actions, blasts Kamala Harris, criticized her intteracial marriage, and stood up for Snoop Dogg, who also caught the ire of fans for assumed support of President Trump. From The Shade Room: ''ll put whatever up me and snoop do more in the community and have been doing for over 20 + years against any of you that are just on here talking trash and have no stats to back up what you mean to the community .. from the black families that we employ to the black children that we help every day and all year through our nonprofits, whether we're sending kids to schools on scholarships to HBCU or helping young black boys in la 'gang central ' with his junior football programs which many players have went on to go to the NFL and live their dreams, .. and on top of that we are 'Black Men' married to beautiful Black women with black children .. should be inspiring to most but that some of y'all have a problem with because the 'prosecutor who has probably locked up more black men that we've helped woman of color with the white husband and white kids Did not win the election.. again I reiterate, I did not campaign for anyone. I do not tell people who to vote for. I respect and love our country from top to bottom good and bad… and I am very aware that it's a lot of things in this country that we need to work on the right is too far right and the left is too far left. .. I'm a military baby with a grand uncle who is a Tuskegee airmen and red tail that was very prideful for his country I told you it's my respect for the office meaning any president that calls upon Nelly it would be a honor.. nothing to do with money. Nothing to do with race but if you wanna make it about race, then let's goooooooooooooo I find it very interesting. That's so many of you would dump on the two black men that's married to black women that has black children because the '' woman of color with the white husband and white kids. Didn't win..!! Naturally, Nelly has been getting blasted on the popular Instagram site and across social media for his stance. We've got those reactions below. — Photo: Getty Nelly Attacks Kamala Harris Supporters After Fans Blast Him For Trump Inauguration Support was originally published on 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

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