politics Archives

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

The best PS5 game is coming to PC sooner than expected

The PC port of Stellar Blade is set to launch on June 11, available through the Epic Games Store and Steam. It will feature support for DLSS 4 and FSR 3, ultrawide monitor compatibility, higher resolution textures, and an unlocked frame rate. The PC version will also include a new boss fight with the cyber warrior Mann and 25 new costumes for the protagonist, Eve, along with additional content from the console version like a photo mode and the Nier Automata DLC. The developer, Shift Up, expects the PC version to outperform the PS5 version due to the larger market share of PC gaming in the AAA sector. The PS5 version has received upgrades, including enhanced image quality through the PSSR upscaler.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Waltz used Signal-like app at White House day before ouster as national security advisor

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was seen using a modified version of the messaging app Signal during a Cabinet meeting, despite President Donald Trump's prior discouragement of its use after the "Signalgate" controversy. A photograph showed Waltz with the app active and conversations involving at least six officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicating ongoing discussions. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed that Signal is an approved application for government use, and the modified version appeared to be associated with TeleMessage, a company that provides archiving services for messaging applications. This adaptation raises concerns about the integrity of Signal's end-to-end encryption due to potential external storage of messages, which could compromise privacy. TeleMessage has ties to military intelligence and was recently acquired by Smarsh. The use of Signal by Trump administration officials has been controversial in the past, particularly regarding military discussions that inadvertently involved a journalist.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Utah-based director of ‘A Minecraft Movie’ addresses Sundance Film Festival’s big move

“A Minecraft Movie” is approaching a billion in global box office sales. Director Jared Hess expressed gratitude to fans for their support and creativity. He hinted at a possible sequel due to the film's success. The Sundance Film Festival will relocate from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, marking the end of a 40-year relationship with Park City. A poll showed that 56% of Utah residents are disappointed by this decision. Park City Mayor Nann Worel and Utah Governor Spencer Cox both expressed their disappointment, while the Utah Film Commission Director mentioned potential future opportunities for the state's film community.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

Oblivion Remastered hit 4 million players in less than a week, with a big chunk of them buying the game on Steam

Bethesda has announced that over four million players have engaged with the remaster of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. The remaster has achieved nearly 200,000 concurrent players on Steam, ranking it at the top of Steam's best-sellers list and second on the SteamDB best-selling tracker. The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) National Committee has called for a boycott of Xbox products due to Microsoft's provision of cloud and AI services to the Israeli military.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

Wrong signal: Donald Trump shoots the messaging app instead of the messmaker

Maher became the non-executive chair at Web Summit after leaving her CEO position last year to lead NPR. She also chairs the Signal Foundation, known for its encrypted messaging service, which was used by Trump administration members during military planning in Yemen, leading to criticism from Trump supporters due to her previous comments about Trump and her advocacy for restricting free speech. Meanwhile, Gordon Hardie, CEO of O-I Glass, received a total compensation package of €1.46 million last year, which included a base salary of €682,322, stock awards, and additional benefits. The University of Limerick recently ceased posting on X due to declining engagement and concerns over content, though it remains open to reconsidering its stance. Peter Vandermeersch, CEO of Mediahuis Ireland, is writing a book titled “Ierland. Guinness, God en Google,” which will explore various aspects of Irish life and culture.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Signal controversy: Why the secure messaging app is all over the news

Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging application that distinguishes itself from competitors like Messenger and WhatsApp through its open-source technology and the use of the Signal protocol for encryption. It encrypts messages before they leave the sender's device, ensuring that only the intended recipient can read them. However, its security is tied to the user's device, and vulnerabilities such as weak passwords and unprotected devices can compromise message integrity. Despite its strong encryption, Signal may not meet the stringent security protocols required for sensitive government communications, particularly due to its message deletion feature and the lack of support for record-keeping. The app is considered secure for everyday users, but may not be suitable for high-stakes governmental communication. The rise in cyber threats underscores the need for secure communication channels, leading organizations to consider encrypted messaging solutions like Signal, while also evaluating alternatives within the encrypted messaging landscape.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Atlantic journalist says top Trump officials inadvertently included him in Signal group chat discussing war plans. The messaging app, explained.

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, revealed that he was added to a Signal messaging app group chat containing senior Trump administration officials discussing U.S. airstrike plans against Houthi rebels in Yemen prior to the execution of the strikes on March 15. The group included figures such as national security adviser Michael Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance. Goldberg expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of using Signal for such discussions, noting that government policy prohibits employees from discussing classified information on messaging apps unless it's forwarded to an official account. The incident has prompted congressional Democrats to call for an investigation, labeling it an "outrageous national security breach."

TrendTechie

March 13, 2025

В Словении в авиакатастрофе погиб соучредитель торрент-трекера The Pirate Bay Карл Лундстрем

Karl Lundström, co-founder of The Pirate Bay, died in a plane crash in Slovenia while piloting his Mooney M20 aircraft from Zagreb to Zurich. The crash occurred when the aircraft collided with a wooden structure on a mountainside, and adverse weather conditions delayed the recovery of his body until the following day. Lundström was 64 years old at the time of the incident. He played a significant role in establishing The Pirate Bay in 2003, which became one of the largest file-sharing platforms. In 2012, he was convicted of copyright infringement, serving four months in prison. Lundström was also involved in Swedish politics since the 1990s, including participation in the "Alternative for Sweden" movement.

TrendTechie

March 12, 2025

Спонсор The Pirate Bay Карл Лундстрём погиб в авиакатастрофе

Karl Lundström, a notable entrepreneur and early supporter of The Pirate Bay, died in a plane crash in the Slovenian mountains while piloting his Mooney M-20 aircraft from Zagreb to Zurich. He was flying solo at the time of the accident, which involved the aircraft crashing into a cottage on Velika Planina mountain. Lundström was a key financial backer of The Pirate Bay and played a significant role in its early operations. He was charged with aiding and abetting copyright infringement and received a reduced prison sentence along with a fine of 32 million Swedish kronor. Lundström was involved in politics, initially supporting the Progress Party before joining Alternative for Sweden in 2018, where he served as district leader. He was also an heir to the Swedish bread manufacturer Wasabröd.

Winsage

March 8, 2025

Microsoft Copilot on Windows Begins To Roll Out New Features and Improvements to Windows Insiders

Microsoft is updating its Copilot application from a web-based interface to a native version for Windows, nearly a year after its initial launch. The new version features a refined user interface with a side panel for easier conversation initiation and chat history review. Members of the Windows Insider Programme, which allows early access to new features, can test and provide feedback on updates. The updated Copilot app is being distributed via the Microsoft Store and is expected to reach all Windows 11 PCs soon. The update, version 1.25023.101.0 and higher, is being rolled out gradually across Insider Channels. Users can access the app using the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut or the Copilot Key on compatible PCs.