Author: Robin S. Washington

Bandcamp, the popular online independent music platform, is undergoing significant changes. The platform recently announced that it has laid off 16% of its staff and has been sold from Epic Games to Songtradr, a company specializing in music licensing, sonic branding, social media, and compliance management. The acquisition of Bandcamp by Epic Games occurred 18 months ago. It’s worth noting that Epic Games is owned 40% by Tencent, a company that also holds minority stakes in Spotify, Warner Records, and Universal Records. Interestingly, one year after the acquisition by Epic Games, Bandcamp workers launched a union campaign. The workers voted…

Title: Netflix Officially Ends DVD-by-Mail Service After 23 Years In a major step toward an all-digital future, Netflix has officially bid farewell to its iconic DVD-by-mail service, marking the end of an era that began in 1998. The move comes as streaming continues to dominate the entertainment landscape, leaving physical media behind. Earlier this year, Netflix made an announcement confirming the closure of its DVD distribution centers, indicating the steady decline in demand for DVD rentals. As more viewers embrace the convenience and variety offered by streaming platforms, the appeal of receiving DVDs in the mail has dwindled. The news…

Title: WHO Recommends Updated Influenza Vaccines for 2024-25 Flu Season The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its recommendations for the influenza viruses to be targeted in vaccines for the upcoming year. In the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, some changes have been made to the composition of the recommended vaccines. One significant update is the removal of the influenza B/Yamagata lineage from the recommended vaccines. This decision stems from the fact that no instances of this strain have been detected since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts believe that the decreased flu infections resulting from Covid-19…

Noelia Voigt of Utah was crowned the new Miss USA at the 2023 pageant held in Reno, Nevada. The 23-year-old beat out 50 other state titleholders to win the prestigious crown. The pageant, which took place at the Grand Sierra Resort, was broadcast live on the CW Network. Among the judges for this year’s Miss USA were Vivica A. Fox, Luann de Lesseps, and Patrick Starrr. The pageant aimed to offer a modern and progressive approach to its 70-year-old tradition. Voigt, in her victory speech, promised to be a “bilingual Venezuelan-American” brand ambassador and connect with diverse communities across the…

Ubisoft Reportedly Developing Far Cry 7 with a Fresh Twist, Codenamed “Project Blackbird” The highly anticipated Far Cry franchise is about to get an exciting addition, as Ubisoft is reportedly working on Far Cry 7, according to trusted gaming source, Insider Gaming. Codenamed “Project Blackbird,” the game promises a thrilling and “non-linear” story that will captivate fans worldwide. In Far Cry 7, players will assume the role of a courageous individual tasked with rescuing their kidnapped wealthy family from a notorious group known as the Sons of Truth. This underground organization is known for their nefarious activities, and it’s up…

Title: Former Nazi Officer Honored in Canada Faces Extradition Request from Poland Poland has formally requested the extradition of Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old former Nazi officer who was recently honored by the Canadian government. Education Minister Przemyslaw Czarnek made the request following Hunka’s recognition as a “hero” in Canada’s House of Commons, sparking outrage and calls for further investigation. Hunka served in the First Ukrainian Division, commonly known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, during World War II. This division, formed by Heinrich Himmler, has been declared a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal. Numerous allegations of war crimes and…

Title: Microsoft’s Failed Attempt to Dethrone Google as iPhone’s Default Search Engine In a recent twist to the ongoing antitrust trial against Google, a Microsoft executive dropped a bombshell by revealing that Bing was once considered a bargaining chip for Apple. For years, Microsoft has been relentlessly trying to snatch the coveted title of the default search engine on iPhones from Google’s grasp, but Apple has remained steadfast in its loyalty to the tech giant. During the antitrust trial, it became apparent that Apple had never seriously contemplated abandoning its long-standing partnership with Google. Despite Microsoft’s best efforts, Google continues…

Title: Denver Broncos Suffer Humiliating Loss to Miami Dolphins, Coach Payton Vows to Make Changes In a shocking turn of events, the Denver Broncos faced a devastating defeat against the Miami Dolphins, resulting in a lopsided score of 70-20. The loss dropped the Broncos’ record to a disappointing 0-3 for the season. After head coach Sean Payton’s arrival in Denver, the team had high hopes for a successful season. Unfortunately, Payton’s tenure has started on a rocky note, with the Broncos struggling on both offense and defense. The defense, led by coordinator Vance Joseph, has been ranked as the worst…

Title: Third Arrest Made in Connection with NYC Day Care Drug Operation that Led to Child’s Death Subtitle: Alleged drug distributor apprehended as investigation reveals shocking details New York City – A significant development has emerged in the harrowing case of a drug operation being run out of a day care facility, resulting in the tragic death of a 1-year-old boy and the hospitalization of three other children. Authorities announced the arrest of a third individual, identified as Renny Antonio Parra Paredes, who has been charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics. The arrests are directly linked to the death of…

France to Withdraw Military Presence in Niger Following Coup President Emmanuel Macron of France has announced that the country will be ending its military presence in Niger and will recall its ambassador in response to the recent coup that saw the removal of Niger’s democratically elected president. This decision comes as a blow to France’s policy in Africa, as it has also had to withdraw troops from Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years due to similar coups. The junta in Niger views France’s withdrawal as a step towards the country’s sovereignty and has declared that imperialist and neo-colonialist forces…