The convenience of streaming platforms has declined, prompting a resurgence of digital piracy as viewers grapple with rising subscription costs and fragmented content access. Many individuals are returning to illegal streaming methods as they seek reliable and comprehensive access to movies and shows, reminiscent of the pre-streaming era.
Perfume's electrifying performance will be reimagined in 3D at the Osaka Kansai Expo, utilizing NTT's cutting-edge "spatial information transmission" technology to transport viewers to the heart of the action. This innovative showcase marks a significant leap forward in live entertainment, echoing the spirit of technological advancement showcased at the 1970 Osaka Expo.
The animated film Ne Zha 2's immense popularity has fueled a surge in unauthorized merchandise, raising concerns over copyright protection. The Supreme People's Procuratorate has warned that producing or selling such products without proper authorization is illegal and urged consumers to avoid purchasing them.
Authorities in China have detained over 40 individuals for film piracy during the Spring Festival, removing millions of infringing web links and cracking down on unauthorized commercial use of popular characters. The campaign aims to protect intellectual property and promote the healthy development of the film industry.
Yang Kening, a former senior political advisor in Sichuan province, was sentenced to 16 years in prison and fined 4 million yuan for bribery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The court found that Yang used his positions to seek profits for others and accumulated over 72.23 million yuan in illicit gains, while also illegally acquiring and storing firearms and ammunition.
The European Union has issued guidance to promote inclusive language, suggesting alternatives for terms that may be considered gendered or biased. Some critics have deemed the guidance as overly "woke" and have suggested following the example of JD Vance, who has spoken out against what he perceives as excessive political correctness.
Iceland, a major supermarket chain with 900 stores across the UK, will close its Derbion Shopping Centre branch in Derby and relocate it to nearby London Road. The closure has been met with mixed reactions from locals, with some expressing disappointment at the loss of a convenient shopping option in the city center.
A 44-year-old U.S. citizen, Scott Andrew Smith, was arrested in Kanagawa Prefecture on suspicion of theft and assault after allegedly stealing a snack and assaulting a store clerk. Authorities suspect that Smith, who entered Japan on vacation and decided to remain, may be a U.S. military deserter linked to Camp Fuji.
Asahi Shuzo Co., a historic sake producer established in 1770, will rename itself Dassai Inc. in June to leverage its famous Dassai brand and expand its international reach. The company aims to generate 100 billion yen in annual sales, with a strong emphasis on top-tier junmai daiginjo sake, and has already achieved significant domestic and global sales figures.
Li Xiangang, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People's Congress, has been charged with bribe-taking and embezzlement. Prosecutors allege that Li abused his positions in Heilongjiang to secure benefits for others in exchange for an extremely large amount of bribes.
Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe were defeated in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships after losing a hard-fought match. The pair, who had previously advanced to the semifinals at the Australian Open, could not overcome a resilient Czech-Kazakh pairing in a match that hinged on a decisive tiebreak.
Muhammad Asghar, a food delivery worker in Pakistan, is struggling to make ends meet due to the country's frequent internet disruptions, which cause him to miss orders and lose income. Pakistan's slow internet speeds are a major problem for many people who rely on the internet for work and communication.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued travel warnings for various countries, including advice against "all travel" to 10 countries and "all but essential travel" to entire countries or specific areas within multiple countries. These warnings are in place due to security concerns, health hazards, and legal inconsistencies with the UK.
A major outage of Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) on Saturday left tens of thousands of gamers unable to access online services, stores, and multimedia apps, sparking frustration among users who took to social media to express their disappointment.
A research vessel exploring the Pacific Ocean has discovered a massive underwater ruin of unknown origin, with divers reporting strange vibrations and whispers during their investigation. The discovery has left archaeologists baffled and raises questions about the origins and purpose of the structure.
Amanda Todd's mother, Carol, is urging MPs to end the filibuster on Bill C-63, which would force tech companies to take down online child-abuse material. She has been waiting for 12 years for legislation to tackle the exploitation of children online and is frustrated that the bill may not become law before the election.
Miyagi Prefectural Police arrested three individuals associated with a Tokyo-based "spoiler" website for allegedly violating the Copyright Law by transcribing lines from popular anime and movies and posting them online with screenshots. This marks the first arrest of spoiler site operators in Japan.
In a major victory for the entertainment industry, an international anti-piracy coalition led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has shut down Fmovies, a large illegal streaming operation based in Vietnam. The operation also resulted in the arrest of two Vietnamese men and the shutdown of video hosting provider Vidsrc.to and its affiliated sites.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched search operations across multiple cities in connection with Magicwin, seizing significant cash and digital assets related to unauthorized streaming of cricket matches. The investigation revolves around allegations of illegal broadcasting linked to ongoing betting activities, leading to substantial financial losses for the legitimate broadcaster.
Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom is set to be extradited from New Zealand to the U.S. to face serious criminal charges related to the now-defunct file-sharing service Megaupload, amidst over a decade of legal struggles. New Zealand Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith signed the extradition order, enabling U.S.
