Omegle Officially Shuts Down After 14 Years

Nov 9 2023

Omegle, the once-popular free video chat site known for randomly connecting strangers, has announced its shutdown after 14 years in operation.

Founder Leif K-Brooks cited financial and psychological strain, attributing it to ongoing controversies and misuse of the platform. He expressed concern for his well-being and stated that the stress was unsustainable.

K-Brooks acknowledged the challenges posed by a subset of malicious users, affirming the efforts of the moderation team and the assistance of artificial intelligence in upholding the platform’s integrity.

Despite welcoming constructive feedback, he lamented recent attacks on the site, deeming them unhelpful.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Omegle experienced a surge in popularity as people sought virtual social interactions.

However, this increase also correlated with a rise in child luring and sextortion cases, with the site allegedly being a central tool. Legal action was taken against Omegle in 2021 for a case involving an 11-year-old paired with an older individual, leading to alleged sex crimes. Similar incidents occurred in Australia that same year.

Additionally, Omegle faced criticism for permitting racism, abuse and other harmful content on its platform. These issues, coupled with the aforementioned controversies, ultimately contributed to the decision to shut down the site.

#MaltaDaily

Cheap Flights Could Increase Due To New ‘Drip Pricing’ UK Law

Nov 8 2023

Air fares could increase as ‘drip pricing’ is set to be banned as part of a set of new measures introduced to ‘protect consumers’.

This was announced by King Charles, who introduced a new consumer bill in a Tuesday speech, aiming to prohibit practices which add charges to basic advertised prices.

Drip-pricing, a practice wherein firms only advertise part of a product’s price upfront only to reveal other charges later, is a common practice among airline operators.

By limiting it, median air fares could potentially increase by £80 when one adds the hidden costs of things such as as luggage and seat bookings.

Experts have warned that this new legislation is unfair on airlines, with the ‘cheap fares advertised available to passengers without needing to pay any extra costs.’

This could impact some of the cheapest basic flights by, say, RyanAir and easyJet. What do you make of this?

#MaltaDaily

Legend Of Zelda Getting Live-Action Movie

Nov 8 2023

Nintendo and Sony Pictures are teaming up to create a live-action film based on the beloved video game series, The Legend of Zelda.

Renowned video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, known for the Spider-Man trilogy, will co-produce, with Wes Ball of The Maze Runner set to direct.

While details about the cast and plot remain undisclosed, Miyamoto revealed on Nintendo’s Japanese account that the project is in development, with Nintendo actively involved in production.

The Legend of Zelda franchise, second only to Super Mario in Nintendo’s success, has sold approximately 150 million copies since its debut in 1986.

The latest release, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, sold 10 million copies in three days upon its May 2023 launch, becoming the fastest-selling Zelda game to date. Its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, holds the title of best-selling game in the series, with an estimated 30 million copies sold worldwide.

This venture into filmmaking coincides with a resurgence of success for video game adaptations. The Super Mario Bros Movie, released earlier in the year, became one of the highest-grossing animated films ever, earning over $1 billion at the box office.

Other adaptations, like Sonic the Hedgehog and Detective Pikachu, have also seen significant box office success, prompting Nintendo’s return to the film industry. Avi Arad, an experienced producer known for his work on Spider-Man films and the Uncharted adaptation, will spearhead the project. This marks the first live-action attempt at a Zelda film, following a 1989 animated TV series and a rumoured Netflix series that never materialised.

#MaltaDaily

Animal Welfare Gozo Manager Drops Out: ‘No Idea What Will Happen Now’

Nov 8 2023

Roderick Cordina, head of the government’s animal welfare branch in Gozo, has taken a leave of absence due to staffing issues, prompting concerns from animal activists.

The Gozo SPCA highlighted that the majority of animals brought to their shelter came from Animal Welfare Gozo (AWG), which offered 24/7 emergency services for injured strays.

‘We have no idea what will happen now’, Gozo SPCA wrote on social media in an official statement.

However, due to understaffing, the service has been intermittently unavailable over the past month, leaving uncertainty about the future.

Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina confirmed Cordina’s leave of absence and expressed dismay over the situation, emphasising the challenge of finding dedicated individuals in the animal welfare sector.

Bezzina called for greater investment in human capital to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Supporters expressed frustration with the government’s perceived lack of prioritization for animal welfare. They praised Cordina for his dedicated efforts, but noted that he faced challenges due to insufficient resources and support.

#MaltaDaily