UMG and Spotify announce ‘next era of streaming’ with new deal
The two companies are renewing their contract together, having first signed up for a partnership in 2015. In a press release they said the new deal would focus on ‘growth, innovation and the advancement of artists’ and songwriters’ success.’ Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify have renewed their partnership,...
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What Reddit vs X says about internet groupthink
Multiple subreddits are banning X links in protest of Elon Musk’s salute at the presidential inauguration. The implosion of ideological groupthink online highlights the fascinating potential of digital community. Elon Musk was one of a number of tech-giants who took center stage at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. The X...
Is AI widening the UK’s regional pay divide?
A new report by Center for Cities reveals workers in London will earn more by August 2025 than those in Northern cities will make in a year. The Center for Cities has revealed the regional pay divide across the UK is more of a chasm than a gap. According...
Is Quora on death’s doorstep?
The platform once deemed a barometer for quality responses to user queries has lost its way. AI is largely responsible – in more ways than one. Have you ever heard of ‘Dead Internet Theory?’ It subscribes to the idea that both bots and content created by algorithms will soon overtake the...
Why are we still obsessed with protein?
High-protein recipes have dominated food trends for the past ten years, and thanks to social media their popularity persists. But do we really need to eat so much protein? And if the answer is no, why do these diets have such a hold on us? Protein’s reputation as the ultimate...
TikTok may be back but influencers are not
How far will content creators go for fame and money? Ahead of the short-lived TikTok ban, audiences found out with the "one more secret" trend. Credibility on social media has always been a hot topic. While some people trust that the influencers they follow maintain their integrity despite their fame, there...
Opinion – Life online is losing its appeal
As we review the digital habits of the last few years and question what they might look like going forward, several factors point to a future in which we aren’t quite so wrapped up in the virtual world. Isn’t it strange to recall a time when social media didn’t exist? For the past decade, we’ve watched as platform after platform has materialised, some cementing themselves at the heart of our digital...
Are NASA’s Boeing astronauts safe?
Amidst tabloid speculations of the declining health of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, NASA has stepped in to rebut the claims and reassure the public about the good health of the astronauts. 2024 was proven unfruitful for Boeing amidst multiple safety concerns about its planes and ongoing lawsuits. In current news, its nightmares have also gone beyond our atmosphere with the company facing delays in the return of astronauts Suni...
Does practicing gratitude make you more generous?
It’s long been theorised that giving thanks can cultivate a stronger desire to be giving. Now, there’s neuroscience to back this up, with recent research revealing a link between a grateful brain and an altruistic one. If you’re into mindfulness, then you’ll know how transformative it can be to practice gratitude. Actually, even if you’re not into all that self-reflection stuff, I’m sure that at one point or another you’ve noticed...
Apple sued by Democratic Republic of Congo for illegal mining
The DRC’s lawyers have stated that tech giant Apple has knowingly sourced minerals from conflict zones in East Africa while publicly painting itself as sustainable and ethical. The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed lawsuits in both Paris and Brussels claiming that tech-giant Apple purchased illegal ‘blood minerals’ from its conflict zones for use in its product lines. Filed against the Apple European subsidiaries, the lawsuit states that the company...
