News Round The Clock

Author: Eyitayo Ajayi

  • World Haemophilia Day: Know all about the bleeding disorder

    World Haemophilia Day: Know all about the bleeding disorder

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    Major Highlights

    Date of Celebration and its History

    World Haemophilia Day is a healthcare event marked globally on April 17 every year. The first of its kind was in 1989. This date doubles as the birthday of Frank Schnabel who is the founder of the World Federation of Haemophilia. Frank established WFH in 1963. The first congress of WFH was held in Copenhagen on June 25, 1963. The event had representatives from 12 different countries in attendance.

    Photo Credit: LinkedIn

    Frank was a Canadian businessman with severe Haemophilia A. The foremost organization to take an interest in this disease, the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) organizes World Haemophilia Day to create awareness about haemophilia and help people access diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive care.

    The theme of this year is, ‘Equitable access for all: recognize all bleeding disorders.

    What is Haemophilia?

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, haemophilia is usually an inherited disorder in which blood does not clot properly. The disease has symptoms such as spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery. It affects the male gender the most.

    Red blood cells
    Photo Credit:- NetDoctor

    Haemophilia is a condition where people do not have the substance that causes blood clotting. When sufferers of this condition bleed, it takes time for them to stop bleeding. This blood-related disease occurs when there is a mutation in one of the genes. This gene is responsible is making the clotting factor protein needed to form a blood clot. The mutation prevents the clotting protein from working properly.

    The disease has a high rate of occurrence in males because they possess the XY chromosomes. The X chromosomes contain many genes that Y chromosomes lack and automatically the males have only one of the X chromosomes. So, if the X chromosomes of the male are mutated, there is no backup to cover for it.

    It affects females but it is rare. Both X chromosomes have to be affected, missing or inactive. Abucalis in most cases is hereditary but sometimes there are cases in the family with no prior history of the disease.

    Cases of Haemophilia

    Haemophilia was regarded as the ‘royal disease’ when Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901) was diagnosed with the condition. There are 200,000 cases globally according to reports. Channels Television reported that 17000-20000 Nigerians live with haemophilia.

    READ ALSO

    Coining out the name, ‘haemophilia’

    Haemophilia was first known as ‘abucalis’ in the 10th century. The first point of notice occurred when males died from minor injuries than females. But in 1828, Friedrich Hopff, a student of The University of Zurich and his lecturer, Dr Schonelin coined the term, ‘haemorrhaphillia’. The term was later shortened to ‘haemophilia’.

    Photo Credit:- Hemophilia News Today.

    The etymological definition of the term means ‘ for the love of blood’. There are three types of this disease: Haemophilia A, B and C.

    Symptoms and treatment of Haemophilia

    This condition has symptoms such as bleeding into the joints and skin. Someone suffering from this disease might have excess bleeding in the gums and mouth. Another symptom is blood in the urine and also frequent-and-hard-to-stop nosebleeds.

    ‘The main treatment for severe haemophilia involves replacing the clotting factor you need through a tube in a vein.

    This replacement therapy can be given to treat a bleeding episode in progress. It can also be given on a regular schedule at home to help prevent bleeding episodes. Some people receive continuous replacement therapy.

    Replacement clotting factor can be made from donated blood. Similar products called recombinant clotting factors, are made in a laboratory, not from human blood.’- Mayo Clinic

    The colour red is the official colour of the World Haemophilia Day. The cases of blood disorders might not be as pressing as other diseases but the affected people are humans. Any fight for humans is supreme!

  • Bridgerton: Expectations are on the high as season 3 trailer debuts

    Bridgerton: Expectations are on the high as season 3 trailer debuts

    Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

    P.S. I have not read the Bridgerton book series so I have gained all obliviousness to know what is happening in the next season.

    Dearest gentle readers,

    It is no news that Bridgerton, Season 3 is arriving on Netflix this year-May 16 with the first four episodes and the last four episodes will be premiered on June 13. The trailer was released with an exciting snippet of what Netflix and Shondaland have for us this spring. Watching the trailer brewed a nostalgic feeling in me as I noticed some motifs from the previous seasons in this season.

    Official trailer of the Bridgerton season 3

    Seeing that this new season is based on Colin and Penelope, my mind is backtracked to their appearances in the previous seasons. Their friendship, highlighted in the previous seasons was a foretelling. Penelope stopped Colin from marrying her pregnant cousin because it was a trap for him.

    We sensed a spark there. Penelope appears to be interested in ‘domestic life’. Our dear Lady Whistledown is ready to sail the love ship. But with whom? And I want to see what has become of Eloise and Penelope’s friendship.

    Bridgertons seem to have an eventual love story with someone they have initially denied a relationship with or had a somewhat impossible love. Daphne found Simon as a match to disguise with and did not even think in the line of settling down with him because she thought him to be someone like her brother. But apparently, he ‘burns’ for her.

    Anthony could not go out with Kate at first because he had proposed to her sister! Now, in the trailer for this new season, Collin appears to be evaluating suitors for Penelope when he was no doubt the one for her. He says he is ‘merely helping her to find one’ when the husband she ‘seeks’ is in him.

    Penelope and Colin.
    Photo Credit:- Entertainment Weekly.

    I am very much excited about the dancing balls which are primarily hosted to celebrate love and also a chance for young women to get eligible suitors. Who is going to organize the first ball of the season? You can take a guess!

    The ball scenes in Bridgerton

    The balls often are characterized by women in ball gowns that push up their glorious bosoms with diamonds complementing their cleavage. Their cheeks, glazed with blush powder give them a smiley look even when they do not want to smile. Their hands are in itch to get hooked with a man’s own in a dance, there they think their souls would connect.

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    The series is expected to have mothers with burrowing eyes to pick up suitors for their children as well as Lady Danbury being proficient at introducing people to each other while prophesying a love possibility in subtle proverbs. I am ready to see Queen Charlotte in her dramatic hairstyles with her overwhelming aura. Now, I think we know why the Queen seems to be overbearing. ‘Sorrows, prayers’.

    I cannot wait to hear the instrumental version of various love songs the movie has in store for us. Likewise, the soulful classical covers excite me. My playlist needs an update!

    Penelope and Colin might be our new Bridgerton favorites

    The story has a way of not making us notice the beauty, virtues, or possibilities of love in individuals until they are in the limelight. We all seem to be so engrossed in the lovers in a season that we discard the rest.

    But watching the trailer, Penelope might become my new favorite character and Colin my favorite Bridgerton. Oh, my daze! Penelope’s auburn hair is one I cannot help but marvel at its gracefulness and creative styling. And ‘under what foreign sun’ did Colin ‘get so sturdy?’

    Photo Credit:- Entertainment Weekly.

    Let us be prepared to be entertained by the scopes, and gimmicks of the suitors. Then, we can blush at the fancy gifts and also the line of suitors waiting outside the Featheringthon’s door. They apparently will bore her- they are not her prince charming.

    We expect Colin and Penelope’s ship to not sail until episode five maybe or six. I speculated this regarding the plot developments in other seasons.

    At the end of the movie trailer, we could see a garden scene where Colin and Penelope were in. Can we remember how every season of Bridgerton has that scene? It is where the climax of the story brews up. I do not know about you, but I cannot wait to see what this garden scene has for us.

    I strongly believe that ‘friendship’ is ‘ the best foundation’ for the Polin ship. To us readers of this article who might also be viewers of this series, I believe the love for a beautiful love story is the ‘primary force that guides us along our paths’ in the Bridgerton watch. And we are going to watch it with ‘our minds and hearts’.

    Yours faithfully,

    A fellow Bridgertonian.

  • Feminists’ Watch: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex as a feminist

    Feminists’ Watch: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex as a feminist

    Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

    Photo Credit:- The Independent

    In 2018, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex announced herself as a feminist on the monarchy’s official web page. Her announcements clarified the media’s speculation of her being a feminist since 2017.

    The American feminist started her walk in feminism when she was 11. Her passion for the cause started when she watched a sexist TV commercial by Procter & Gamble. The commercial advertised its Ivory dishwashing soap mainly to the ‘women all over America’. Meghan made them change the sexist slogan to ‘people all over America’.

    Her marriage to Prince Harry gained her the title of the Duchess of Sussex. On her wedding day, she walked most of the aisle alone. No one ‘gave her away ‘ in marriage.

    READ ALSO:-

    Brief summary of Meghan Markle’s feminist acts

    Many believed Meghan as an American feminist marrying into the traditional royal family might lessen her passion for feminism or even cause issues. Meghan has defiled the speculation and is even using her position as a platform to fight the cause better.

    The Suits’ star has been actively voicing out about gender equality, female empowerment and believes that the ‘support of men’ will help feminism to go a long way. She believes that women need to be heard because they already have a voice to speak out.

    The 42-year old feminist appeared at the U.N’s women conference on the International Women’s Day in 2015 where she gave an open remark declaring ‘ I am proud to be a woman and a feminist’. Meghan’s speech was focused on gender equality where she expressed her displeasure on the staggering rate of the achieval of gender equality.

    She advocated for the stigma surrounding menstruation through a powerful essay she wrote for Time in 2015. Meghan has quite a history in acting, she starred in Suits’ movie for seven seasons. She brought it to the notice of the creators when she noticed her role, Rachel was constantly sexualised.

    Meghan has publicly said her husband, is a feminist ‘who advocates for fundamental human rights for everyone, which includes women’. Anytime, she talks about Prince Harry, she seems grateful on the positive influence he would have on their children.

    Meghan does not use social media to fight the cause of feminism

    ‘Hastags are not enough’. This was the statement made by Meghan Markle in a conference in 2018. The feminist does not use social media to voice out her believes. In her statement, feminism ‘is more than just a rallying cry on social media’. I think the Duchess is right. Social media has proven to be a kind of disadvantage to feminism.

    Meghan Markle is our dream feminist who carries her fight for the cause with all grace. She continues uses her platform to help and empower women. She even embarks on field trips alongside her husband. We should all be feminists.

  • Female Genital Mutilation: Gambian women’s opposition to its legislation

    Female Genital Mutilation: Gambian women’s opposition to its legislation

    Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

    Dimensions of FGM
    Photo Credit:- End FGM

    ‘FGM is a form of violence against women which entails the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reason.’- UN Women.

    ‘Teacher no teach me nonsense‘ in Fela’s voice. According to reports gathered, Gambian women have refused to allow the authority in their state decide for them. After the ban on Female Genital Mutilation in 2015, Gambian lawmakers are set to legalize the perceived ‘cruel ideology’ after an eight-year ban. A Gambian lawmaker justified this act implying that it is deeply rooted in their ‘ethnic, traditional, cultural and religious’ beliefs.

    I believe this is a mere excuse to subjugate the Gambian females. There are cultural, traditional, and ethnic practices that have been considered unfit for humans to live a better life. Female Genital mutilation is one of those acts that are harmful to humans, the females particularly.

    Regardless, its roots are still deep in African culture because they believe it is a cure to ‘promiscuity’ in females. So what is the cultural cure for promiscuity in males? What part of the male reproductive system is cut off in sheer wickedness to chastise them not to be a woman wrapper? Tell me one because I do not know one yet.

    In March 2024, out of 46 lawmakers who voted on repealing the ban on FGM in Gambia, 42 voted for and four against. I might not be wrong to say that most people who voted for this act are men who believe in female subjugation. Does the opinions of the recipients of this act matter? What is culture if it infringes more on the life of the people?

    READ ALSO:-

    The response of Gambian women to this bill

    Gambian women protesting against Female Genital Mutilation
    Photo Credit:- MGN

    The Gambian women in response to this took to the streets to protest with various placards- Middle-aged women were also advocating against the legislation because they were testaments to the ills of the cruel act.

    76% of girls and women between ages 14-49 have undergone FGM in Gambia. Still, the adamancy of the parliament to legalize this act is absurd. The Voice of America reports a statement made by a lawmaker which goes thus,

    “We will make sure that it’s about the people,” he said. “The bill is about the people for the people, and the people will stay in their processes. When it goes to the national consultation, whatever the determining factor is, we will take it as people decide. So we will not sit in a corner in our comfort zone and we make judgments on our own.”

    This comes without any explanation other than tying it to beliefs. The people concerned are women who are recipients of this act, not men who believe they know best. The Gambian lawmakers did nothing to ‘Inspire Inclusion‘ of women to this decision.

    The act has no health benefit but poses a threat to the full functioning of a woman’s sexual abilities. The World Health Organisation has at different times talked about the ills of this act.

    Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have shown concern about this act as an infringement of human rights and women’s rights especially. There is no justifiable excuse acceptable for the Female Genital Mutilation Bill.

    What could have made a country that put legal consequences to the practice of FGM turn its back on the cause now? Maybe, the men were intimidated by the freedom women had over their sexual lives. If this bill is passed into law, it will be no doubt a big obstacle to the achievement of SDG 5.3 (ending FGM) by 2030.

    Nigeria is the West African state with the highest number of Female Genital Mutilation cases in the world.

    Our thoughts go to women in Gambia fighting against the imposement of this act upon them. We call on human rights activists and non-governmental organizations who are keen on human rights to see to it that the bill is not passed.

    Also, neighboring states in West Africa should be on guard so the epidemic of this ideology would not take the form of legislation at their side also. Nigeria, as a West African country, has a lot of human rights activists fighting against FGM because it holds the highest number of cases in the world. Even with laws binding this act in Nigeria, the act still takes full expression in different parts of the nation.

    Let us help eradicate FGM. Let us see to it that we make the world a better place for women to thrive and be truly free!

    READ ALSO:-

    https://newsroundtheclock.com/menstrual-leave-policy-the-big-step-to-achieve-gender-inclusivity-in-nigeria
  • The Tearsmith and its illusion of love as a fairytale

    The Tearsmith and its illusion of love as a fairytale

    Seeing this movie, I thought it was like the likes of After franchise, Kissing Booth, and, To All the Boys I Have Loved franchise. These movies depicted the love life of teens concerning how love works in reality. But it was nothing like it!

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    The Tearsmith is an Italian romance movie released on April 4, 2024. It is a teen romance movie that captures the life of two orphans. The film was adapted from an award-winning Italian book of the same title which Erin Doom wrote.

    Seeing this movie, I thought it was like the likes of After franchise, Kissing Booth, and, To All the Boys I Have Loved franchise. These movies depicted the love life of teens concerning how love works in reality. But it was nothing like it!

    With few inferences to reality, the plot is a fairytale. A critical review on Rotten Tomatoes describes the movie as,’ Overall, The Tearsmith is a teen romance suitable for younger audiences who aren’t old enough to know any better.’

    I quite agree with the review because of the unfolding of the plot. The movie’s pacing had an emphasis on some minute issues that could have been given less attention. The controversial issues that had the audience dying to know more about were given little attention. I want to believe that the book which the movie was adapted from was better in that aspect.

    With so many inferences to things that were not further established, I believe the movie could have done better. We refused to be swooned by the depiction of love as being easy. But we cannot help but agree with the concept of love being painful and bliss as depicted in the movie.

    As opposed to the concept of a world where nobody could express their feelings portrayed in the movie, one who is hurt by love can only do too much to hide their feelings. The same person who makes you smile can hurt you and it becomes more painful because you have had the illusion that such a person cannot hurt you.

    ALSO READ

    The Tearsmith movie poster

    Love is a fair tale, not a fairytale

    People with experience in love would not describe love as a ‘fairytale’ but a ‘fair tale’ with its ups and downs. The movie, The Tearsmith has its lovers experience ‘downs’ in love as a miscommunication of feelings. Rigel played by Simone Baldasseroni has been harbouring a long-time crush on Nica played by Caterina Ferioli. Nica sees him as a soulless person who needs love to be complete. Meanwhile, Nica is oblivious to the fact that Rigel has already given his heart to her in love.

    Their love becomes almost impossible when they are both adopted by a family from the orphanage home. The only problem with their love was the seemingly impossibility of adopted siblings to be together. But the problem of love is not how to be with the person you love but staying in love with the person you love.

    The ending part of the movie depicted love as a fairytale saying you can have your love story as a fairytale if want it to be. To be realistic, we know that love is no force independent of itself, it is very much dependent on other conditions. Love is not enough to uphold a relationship as we know. It takes other conditions that are much harder than they spell.

    This is no spoiler for the movie, The Tearsmith is quite an unrealistic love story. It has its audience regardless of its plot story. But if you are looking for a seemingly realistic love story, Tearsmith is not your find.

  • Female Jeans 101: Understand what style suits your body (1)

    Female Jeans 101: Understand what style suits your body (1)

    Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

    Have you ever wondered why a particular pair of female jeans does not suit you and a particular one suits you perfectly and is not even tight-skinned? You try to hide your concern under the ideology of body positivity but deep down you know that particular pair of jeans does not make you look smart. Do not wonder for long, that particular pain of jeans does not suit your body type, you need a different type.

    Photo Credit:- PureWow

    Just like some dresses accentuate the beauty of a body type, there are pairs of jeans that work wonders on the overall appearance of a wearer. We are going to be looking at different types of feminine jeans and the body types they appreciate.

    1. Skinny jeans

    Photo Credit:- Sulturas Online

    This is the most popular of all jean types that ladies get. Everyone wants one but does it suit everyone? No. It is also called tight jeans because of its nature. It started reigning as a modern fashion item for men in the early 2000s. But it became a feminine thing in 2005.

    Skinny jeans have always received criticism from people because of their tight nature. In New York, doctors theorized that it was the cause of the prevalence of apoplexy. Skinny jeans are believed by modern physicians to cause numbness due to the compression of nerves.

    The prevalence of skinny jeans seems to have dwindled because of the various fashion bans until we started seeing it recently as being tight and stretchy making it more comfortable than its form in its early years of introduction. An article by the popular fashion magazine, Elle, advises women to go for ‘slim’ jeans and not necessarily skin-tight ones.

    This type of jeans fits the hourglass shape as it highlights their long legs. Dark skinny jeans also fit the pear and hourglass body shape. The apple and athletic body shape will also look good in light-wash skinny jeans.

    2. Bootcut jeans

    Photo Credit:- VERO MODA

    The first appearance of the bootcut jeans can be traced to the 1960s. It was originally made for cowboys, coal miners, and, manual workers. But it is now incorporated into female fashion and it gives a balanced proportion. It was made as a modification to the skinny tight jeans worn by all then. The jeans were also used as a form of protest against white-collar jobs in America.

    This female jeans is fitted from the waist down to the knee part, the rest of it is in a slight flare, which makes the hips appear narrower and the legs longer. With so many reviews from fashion experts, it is decided that bootcut jeans look great for a pear body shape.

    Bootcut jeans accentuate the waist because it is tight around the upper thigh area. It allows for a balanced silhouette because it provides room for your hips and thighs.

    3. Boyfriend jeans

    Photo Credit;- Flipkart

    The advent of this clothing can be traced to the Hollywood phenomenon, Marilyn Munroe when she wore her boyfriend’s loosely-fitting jeans in the 1960s. It came back to the limelight in the 2000s when Kate Holmes wore Tom Cruise’s jeans in New York when she was still married to him. These jeans give the perception of wearing one’s boyfriend’s clothes as they hang loosely on one’s hips thereby accentuating the waist.

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    The jeans are characterized by their bagginess and are made into a feminine fit now so you do not necessarily have to wear your boyfriend’s jeans. It hangs low on the waist to give that silhouetted figure. Boyfriend jeans suit all body types perfectly well but it is to an advantage to body types that have their hips narrower than the waist, for example, the inverted triangle.

    4. High-waisted, ‘high rise‘ jeans

    Photo Credit:- Lulu and Sky

    According to Brag Vintage, the high-waisted jeans first came into style when the denim manufacturer Levi’s produced jeans for women working on the land and in factories for the war effort in the 1940s. Before the modification, the jean was called ‘high rise‘ with a flare style below the knee down to the ankle.

    Now, we have the high-waisted jeans as fitted all through and even loosely fit ones. But this jean type is characterized by the ‘ high-rise‘ design. It became popular in the late 1960s through the 1970s and was regarded as ‘mom jeans‘. Now, there are modifications to this design of jeans but the high-rise design remains constant.

    These female jeans are befitting for people of average height as they make their legs look longer. It does not leave out the tall people as it illustrates a short torso when worn by them. This jean type that is all fitted is suitable for the hourglass figure because it would appreciate their curves. Then other modifications to this jean type are suitable for those with small waists.

    It is the most important jean type that is combined with other jean types.

    5. Flared jeans

    Photo Credit:- American Threads

    A fashion blog, Stitch Fix Style, describes flare jeans as ‘trousers that start getting wider at the knees, widening as they approach the ankle. The bottom part of flared pants can feature a conservative flare, like bootcut jeans, or have dramatic wide legs ‘. It accentuates the curves and balances out proportion.

    This jeans type was worn first by the American sailors and it was called ‘bell bottoms’ because of its similarity with a bell shape- it gets wider downwards. The popularity of this clothing reached its popularity in the 1970s with the inclusion of the female jeans type.

    This jean type looks tempting to wear because of its obvious comfortability but they look great in the pear and hourglass shape. But with correct styling, it can still look nice on any body shape.

    NOTE:– These are all just suggestions to make women, ladies, and girls feel more confident in their clothing. It is important to look smart and fit but once you feel confident and comfortable in any jeans type, you can go for it girl!

    Remember that it is not about the clothes, it is about how you style and combine them with other clothes.

  • Doppelgangers in motion: Ma Dong-soek and Benedict Wong

    Doppelgangers in motion: Ma Dong-soek and Benedict Wong

    Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

    Benedict Wong and Ma Dong-soek
     Photo Credit:- Casting Favourites

    I watched the Badland Hunters after watching the 3-Body Problem- not the right timing order, I must say. My thought was that Benedict Wong played one of the most significant roles in both of the movies but I was surprised to hear a British-speaking actor speak Korean so fluently in Badland Hunters. Unknowingly to me, those roles in both movies were played by two different actors. Ma Dong-soek and Benedict Wong are doppelgangers!

    The issue of doppelgangers is prevalent in all parts of the world. In the movie scene, we see two actors who look alike to the extent we cannot differentiate which movies they acted in. Just like the resemblance between Margot Robbie and Emma Mackey, today, we are examining two Asian actors who are dons in the movie industry that look so much alike. We cannot differentiate unless by their speech! Do you truly know the difference between Ma Dong-soek and Benedict Wong?

    Ma Dong-soek who was Sang-Hwa in Train to Busan is the star of the Badland Hunters

    Badland Hunters is a South Korean dystopian action movie produced by Netflix and released on January 26, 2024. Ma Dong-Soek played the role of Nam-san in the movie. Ma Dong-soek can be regarded as the ‘Rock’ of the Korean movie scene because of his gait and stature. He acts the role of ‘tough guy’. There have not been variations to his roles in movies, but he acts his designated roles well.

    If you are familiar with South Korean movies, you would have seen Dong-soek act the role of a resilient cop in The Outlaws. He also starred as Sang-Hwa in the horror movie titled, Train to Busan.

    Lee Dong-soek professionally known as Ma Dong-soek is a South Korean-born-American actor. He is also known as Don Lee. The 53 years old actor born on March 1, 1971, has dual citizenship- a South Korean(1971-1989) and an American(1989-present). He attended the Columbia State Community College.

    Photo Credit:- The Korea Times

    The ‘tough guy’ actor has been acting in the movie industry since 2005. He has acted in over twenty movies as a lead actor and supporting actor. The South Korean-born actor has received so many nominations and quite several film awards to his name, among which is, Gallup Korea’s Film Actor of the Year 2018.

    His successful roles in a lot of movies have led him to be named the Most Bankable Star of Korean Cinema. Park Seo-jun is not the first Korean guy to be cast in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. Ma Dong-soek acted as Gilgamesh in the movie, Eternals which marked his Hollywood debut.

    Eternals movie poster
    Photo Credit:-cityonfire.com

    P.S. Ma Dong-soek was the Asian actor acting as Gilgamesh in Eternals. That is the only Marvel Cinematic Universe movie he has acted in. Then who is Wong in Doctor Strange? Get to find out!

    Examining his gait and physique, one would not be wrong to say Don Lee engages in some form of a body training exercise. In 2018, Ma became the president of the Korea Armwrestling Federation because he participated in amateur wrestling since 2008.

    Don Lee in Champion
    Photo Credit:- IMDb

    Don Lee as Sang-Hwa in Train to Busan led to his international popularity and he has kept his reputation as an actor with an overwhelming presence in movies.

    READ ALSO:-

    Benedict Wong, who played Da Shi in 3-Body Problem is also Wong in Doctor Strange

    3-Body Problem is a live adaptation of Liu Cixin’s book of the same title by Netflix. The movie was premiered on March 21, 2024. The sci-fi starred Asian actors among which is Benedict Wong.

    Benedict Wong is the son of Hong Kong parents who immigrated to England through Ireland. Benedict’s thick Mancunian accent attests to this. He was born in Eccles on July 3, 1971. The British actor schooled at Salford City College where he studied performing acts for two years.

    Benedict Wong
    Photo Credit:- IMDb

    Benedict started his career on stage and has been in quite some stage plays such as The Letter, Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and others. His first movie role was in Dirty Pretty Things (2003). His role as Kublai Khan in Netflix’s Marco Pablo (2014-2016) brought him to the limelight.

    Wong is a constant face in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his role as Wong in Doctor Strange. He has also acted as a guest actor in other Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and that is why many people think he was the one who played Gilgamesh in Eternals. I thought so too!

    Benedict Wong as Wong in Marvel Cinematic Universe.
    Photo Credit:- Collider

    The actor voiced the giant, Tong in Raya and the Last Dragon. With appearances in over sixty movies and stage plays, the British actor is a Hollywood phenomenon. He has been nominated for awards like the British Independent Film Awards and West End Frame Award. His role as Da Shi in Netflix’s 3 Body Problem reminded us of his versatility in acting.

    Benedict Wong and Ma Dong-soek

    To add it all up, both actors are Asian but there are slight differences in their body makeup. Ma Dong-soek also known as Don Lee is more muscular than Benedict Wong. They have facial differences that you can notice if you pay close attention. Benedict has a strong Mancunian accent and he also speaks Mandarin fluently. Don Lee speaks Korean and English as native languages but has an elementary proficiency in Chinese.

    P.S. Benedict Wong and Ma Dong-soek are both actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Benedict Wong played Wong, Doctor Strange’s assistant while Ma Dong-soek played Gilgamesh in the Eternals’ squad.

    If you are still confused about their appearance, you can still check the casting of a movie to be sure. They are both stars in their world and we are rooting for them!

    ALSO READ:-

    https://newsroundtheclock.com/what-you-dont-know-about-the-new-netflix-series3-body-problem
    3-Body Problem
  • Why the Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 will not be visible in Nigeria

    Why the Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 will not be visible in Nigeria

    A total solar eclipse has no harmful effect on the livelihood of people. Discard the myths and superstitions about it. Some ancient cultures and traditions see the occurrence as bad omens. Well, I think science is trying to prove them wrong.

    Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

    According to Wikipedia, a total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth, totally or partially. In simple terms, it means the moon obstructs the sun during the daytime plunging some parts of the world into unusual darkness.

    Photo credit:- PhotoPills

    The alignment of the moon passing between the Earth and the Sun happens every six months with sometimes no visible impact. But there is visible darkness during the daytime when it is a total eclipse. Eclipses occur on an average of eighteen months. The last total solar eclipse was on August 21, 2017. Eclipses are of four types namely- partial, annular, total, and lunar. In a total eclipse, the moon covers the whole Sun’s disk. In the case of a partial eclipse, the moon only covers part of the Sun’s disk.

    The effects of a total solar eclipse

    A total solar eclipse has no harmful effect on the livelihood of people. Discard the myths and superstitions about it. Some ancient cultures and traditions see the occurrence as bad omens. Well, I think science is trying to prove them wrong. But these are the atmospheric and climatic effects of the total solar eclipse gathered from the All About Space Magazine.

    1. There would be a visible amount of darkness during the daytime when the total solar eclipse. This would last an average of 7 minutes. There also would be shadow bands which would be visible on the ground buildings in the path of the eclipse. Shadow bands are alternating light and dark bands associated with solar eclipse.

    2. Colors might start to look different. This is a result of the natural shift in color perfection. Let us jog our memory back to elementary science where we learned that colors are gotten from the refraction of light. Once the sun is blocked by the moon, there would be a fluctuating light level. This would affect the way colors are seen. Bright colors would become dim while dull colors would become bright. Everything would ‘look almost alien’.

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    3. Animals would act differently. It is said that animals are closer to nature than humans are. The dimming of the sun’s light could prompt the release of hormones related to the sleeping and waking cycles in animals. That is, your pet dog might sleep in the afternoon thinking it is dusk! This happens because animal behavior keeps track of a ‘circadian rhythm’.

    4. Human behavior will witness a change, and people will get emotional. Humans will have emotional responses to the wonder of the total eclipse. Some would find more meaning in living. Others might get all lovey-dovey with their partners.

    5. The temperature will witness a little drop as 2.8 degrees Celsius or as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius. There would also be a sudden drop in wind speed as the moon covers the sun.

    Why people living in Nigeria might not get to see this natural phenomenon

    P.S. In viewing the total solar eclipse, it is advisable not to stare at the sun directly even if it might be dim. Use special eclipse glasses and other tailored instruments meant to suit the situation.

    According to NASA reports, the totality will be seen from Mexico’s Pacific Coast around 11:07 am. PT then to the U.S. and into Canada. Most cities in the U.S. fall within the total eclipse’s path. The eclipse will last for two and a half hours across different locations but the total eclipse will last for only four minutes and 28 seconds in Nazas, Durango, Mexico.

    Nigerians in Nigeria might not witness the effect of the total eclipse like those cities that fall in the total eclipse’s path. It is just like how you would not get to see a car pass by if you are not somewhere near the route the car is taking.

    I am so sorry to burst the bubbles of most people in Nigeria anticipating it but we might just get to witness it as a partial eclipse. But if you are going to view it, make sure you wear sunscreen to protect you from the UV rays of the sun. Also, there will be a live stream from NASA for countries that do not fall in the total eclipse path.

    Photo credit:- Reddit

    This event is predicted to start around 11:07 am. PT which is 8:07 pm. WAT. This is another reason the total solar eclipse will not be visible in Nigeria. But set your timers and keep close tabs on the live stream and get to witness this beautiful natural phenomenon.

  • Menstrual Leave Policy: The big step to achieve gender inclusivity in Nigeria

    Menstrual Leave Policy: The big step to achieve gender inclusivity in Nigeria

    ‘I have a theory that menstrual pain is an act. Yes, women experience slight pains and discomfort during this period but it’s not excruciating enough for the act they show in those days. They just do it to manipulate the men in their lives and be pitied. Again, it’s just my theory.’- An X user, Provii.

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    Some people think menstruation is an easy feat for women. Others think it is an act. They say it is just the ‘monthly flow of blood.’ But little do they know most females do not have it easy. Particularly in Nigeria, 72% of women suffer from the prevalence of dysmenorrhea during their reproductive lifespan.

    According to the National Library of Medicine, dysmenorrhea is a Greek term for ‘painful monthly bleeding. This condition is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen radiating to the inner thighs and back. It is a common gynecologic problem that can negatively impact a patient’s life. Menstrual pain also known as cramps and pelvic pain, is characterized by dysmenorrhea.

    Women get maternity leave in Nigeria, one would think in the same light they should get menstrual leave. Unfortunately, there is no existing menstrual leave policy in Nigeria. There are so many cases of women who suffer from dysmenorrhea in Nigeria. Some workplaces see menstrual cramps as a flimsy excuse to be absent but would prefer if you ‘call in sick’ because of ‘malaria’.

    The representation of menstruation and its pain.
    Photo Credit:- Health

    No woman deserves to work or learn when her body is in excruciating pain. There are so many instances of females writing exams in schools because period cramps are not so good an excuse to miss an exam. They write the exams in pain and a bruised emotional condition. Menstrual pains are similar to labor pains because chemicals called ‘prostaglandin’ are formed in the lining of the uterus.

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    Is there any organization that adopts a menstrual leave policy?

    The Nigerian law does not recognize the menstrual leave policy yet. However, Unilever West Africa approved the menstrual leave policy for its workers on February 22, 2024. This policy took place in West Africa and, by extension, Nigeria, two years after Unilever introduced it in Sri Lanka. Unilever is one of the largest manufacturing companies in Nigeria. They are the producers of Knorr, Close-up, and Vaseline.

    Photo Credit:- News Central TV

    The Menstrual Leave Policy employed by Unilever Nigeria is one of the six human resource-related policies. Female workers can now take a day’s leave during their menstrual period to enable emotional, physical, and psychological balance. The company also unpacked some gender-inclusive packages for nursing mothers.

    In Africa, only the Zambian law recognizes menstrual leave for its female workers making Zambia the foremost African enacting that law.

    Why the Nigerian government need to adopt the Menstrual Leave Policy

    The number of women who suffer from menstrual pain in Nigeria adds up to 72% in Nigeria. On Twitter, a lot of women lament about their period pain and even lament about how torturing it is that they are expected to function well during this period.

    Employing this policy will build a gender-inclusive font for Nigeria. The percentage of females in Nigeria was reported to be 49. 46% in 2022. And even if bureaucracy would not allow the Nigerian government to enact this law soon, private companies can adopt this policy. There are so many women suffering from this oversight of their total well-being.

    Photo Credit:- The Telegraph India.

    There should be health provisions on how to make life easier for women during their period. Menstruation is not a curse but a reproductive implication. It is unavoidable for women and most times the pain that comes with it.

    In conclusion, the age of gender exclusivity is gradually closing up little by little. Though the gap is not taking its form in physicality, gender equality activists have been all out to preach their gospel to the ears of the people. Only policies that are gender inclusive will strive in this age because activists and feminists are ready to flag it down.

  • Why Nigerian women need to stop wearing corset dresses

    Why Nigerian women need to stop wearing corset dresses

    Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

    Corsets is the clothing epidemic that most Nigerian women have refused to treat themselves from. They are making us sick of it.

    Corsets have been of old. Fashion keeps evolving and also brings back to the limelight that has been discarded. 2020 saw the premiere of a classic series, Bridgerton which took down the memory lane of old European dressing style. Corsets were worn as undergarments then.

    Also, the portrayal of the perfect body shape characterized by a thin waist by the Kardashians led people to seek abode in various options to give them that figure 8 shape.

    While others took to plastic surgeries, waist trainers, exercise, and liposuction, most Nigerian women took to embedding corsets in their dressing. Now, they have held on tightly to it that they have refused to let go.

    Brief History of Corsets

    The advent of corsets can be traced to the people of Minoans who lived in proximity to Greece on the island of Crete around 1000 BC. Corsets were laced tightly with as many as fifty laces and were worn by a female from childhood until the wedding night. For the wedding to be consummated, a groom had to slowly and carefully undo the laces to demonstrate self-control.

    Women in Europe wore corsets as an undergarment to change the shape of their bodies. Corsets are worn to shape and constrict the waist and support the bosom. Perhaps, Nigerian women are wearing corsets in a bid to do that.

    The Holy Grail of the then-fashion world

    Men wore corsets for the first time in the history of clothing around the 1820s. Some movies set in the medieval era portray this. Corsets reached popularity in the Victorian era.

    Men’s corsets in the 1820s

    The French court women saw the clothing style as indispensable to the beauty of the female figure. Nigerian women have held on strongly to this perception as they continue to implement this style in their aso-ebi or dinner gowns.

    In the early era of corsets, the fitting was stiffened with whalebone, wood, ivory, and metal. Queen Charlotte in the movie, Queen Charlotte enlightened us about this when she said, ‘All the finest corsets are whalebones’. The undergarments or outer garments are no longer made of whalebones or boning but other materials such as plastics are used for the fitting.

    In the late 18th century, the French Revolution criticized the glorification of an artificial body shape instead of a natural shape. This agenda also appeared in the 1960s when feminist Miss American protestants shaded girdles and corsets as ‘instruments of female torture’. Yes, it is torture even now as some fashion designers reduce 8 inches of an original waistline to make a perfect corset.

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    The advent of corsets in Nigeria

    In 2021, the Nigerian fashion industry saw the unfiltered advent of corsets. Celebrity designers made dresses with corsets which gave the wearers a perfect figure 8 shape. It was a thirst trap as most Nigerian women wanted something that would accentuate a figure 8 figure out of their other figured body.

    Veekee James’ artistry in corsets is depicted in this bridal dress

    Celebrity designers like Veekee James still take pride in making corset dresses and regard themselves as the Queen of Corsets in Nigeria. Corsets are incorporated into almost every feminine Nigerian dressing style. People add lacings and fittings to their buba to make them look more appealing.

    Nigerian women should let corsets breathe so that they can too

    Ranging from Gen Zs to Millenials even Gen X now wear corset-styled dresses in Nigerian. If you do not have a corset dress, it feels like you are not fashionable. but you are not alone, my sister. There is a small quota of women who have not given to this fashion trend yet.

    Brides incorporate the corset style into their aso oke and wedding gowns. Sometimes, this style is an inconvenience as they are tightly fitted so that there is no room to breathe. E choke! Most women want their waist snatched despite their body anatomy. They put themselves under unnecessary bondage with lacings and fittings.

    Toyin Abraham in a tight-fitting corset dress

    Nigerian women should stop the addiction to corset dresses as soon as possible. A health blog reports that corsets can cause damage to internal organs. Tight corsets can move ‘organs permanently and cause internal damage’. They can also cause atrophy, a condition in which the muscles are inactive. This happens as a result of the stiffness and overworking of the muscles.

    X-ray depiction of the effect of corsets

    People who wear corsets end up compressing their belly fat and muscles. They are trying to fit their waist into a smaller cage. It would also result in numbness which can later lead to serious complications.

    Words to ‘corsetizens‘ and ‘non-corsetizens‘

    Why wear something that will cause more harm than good? Some people cannot afford to eat when wearing a corset because, with any extra inch, they literally cannot breathe. Some women after being all laced up in corsets, you can see on their faces that they are not comfortable.

    The clothing style that causes floating bosoms and snatched waist is not advisable for women to continue to wear. Reports show that women wear corsets to be sexually desirable. The clothing style converges the idea of beauty, feminity and standard. But these days, beauty has no standards, so why not wear what makes you feel comfortable?

    The world has evolved more than you trying to conform your body to a standard. The advent of body positivity is fast spreading. The world is gradually conforming to all body types as being beautiful. It is better to exercise than punish yourself by being in tight girdles and corsets to constrict your waist. I know your tummy is big, but do you want to smash your organs?

    Find an appropriate, healthy fashion clothing style that accentuates the beauty of your body type. Eat and maintain a healthy diet to help regulate unnecessary body fat. If you want your dresses to be laced, very well, do not incorporate tight fittings. A woman can still look admirable without the fittings and lacings. And who says a thin waist is the standard? Those love handles and belly fat looks are the artistic work of nature on you.

    To the non-corsetizens, I leave you with this, ‘Be ye not be conformed to the fashion trends of this world, for they will come and go. Only those who do not stress after them will have peace of mind, body, and soul.’