AFP – Agence France Presse

YouTube on Monday announced that streaming star PewDiePie will make the Google-owned video platform his exclusive online stage.

PewDiePie, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, has 104 million subscribers at YouTube, where his videos have racked up more than 25 billion views.

No details were disclosed regarding any financial incentives involved in his decision to go exclusive at Google-owned YouTube, which competes with rival platforms such as Amazon-owned Twitch and Microsoft Mixer.

“YouTube has been my home for over a decade now and live streaming on the platform feels like a natural fit as I continue to look for new ways to create content and interact with fans worldwide,” Kjellberg said in a release.

Kjellberg created a YouTube channel in 2010 and began uploading videos of “Minecraft” and “Amnesia” game play, according to the service.

His channel has evolved to include a range of comedy and reaction videos as well as popular videos about topics catching fire on various online platforms.

In August 2013, Kjellberg became the most-subscribed YouTube channel in the world in 2013, and six years later became the first individual YouTube creator to reach 100 million subscribers.

Kjellberg is going exclusive at YouTube as online gaming and video streaming has surged overall as people staying home due to the deadly pandemic turn to the internet for entertainment.

“YouTube is where the world comes together to connect and during these unprecedented times,” said head of gaming Ryan Wyatt.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue to grow our roster of creators who are making our platform their exclusive live streaming home.”

The list of gaming-related content stars exclusive at YouTube include CouRage, Lachlan, LazarBeam, Muselk, Typical Gamer, and Valkyrae.

YouTube touts being the largest global gaming platform with more than 200 million gamers a day watching more than 50 billion hours of game play annually.

The 30-year-old Swede has stepped into controversy over the years.

In September 2017, he apologized for using a racial slur in an expletive-laden rant against an opponent during a live-streamed computer game.

Before that, he was shunned by YouTube and Disney over videos containing anti-Semitic insults or Nazi references.

In 2016, he was temporarily blocked from Twitter after joking he had joined the Islamic State group.

Kjellberg last year said he was “sickened” after hearing that the gunman behind a New Zealand mosque massacre had promoted his videos before opening fire.

gc/rlThis story was produced by AFP. For more information go to AFP.com.
© Agence France-Presse

https://www.barrons.com/news/game-world-star-pewdiepie-signs-exclusive-deal-with-youtube-01588618806?refsec=afp-news

By Eddie Makuch and Chloi Rad

The Valorant closed beta has been active for weeks now, but there are still plenty of people who haven’t gotten their beta key yet. Record-breaking Twitch viewership numbers would suggest that the beta, which requires you to watch Twitch streams to get access to, is still in very high demand. If you’re still waiting for your Valorant beta key, make sure you’re following the instructions below properly to maximize your chances of getting in. Valorant has finally launched its ranked competitive mode after Riot mentioned it in its update 0.49 patch notes, so now is a good time to try to get in–you can learn more about how Valorant’s ranked system works in our guide.

How To Get A Valorant Beta Key From Twitch Stream Drops

To get a Valorant beta key, you will need a Riot account, but you also need to sign up for Twitch. You must also be located in one of the regions listed later in this section. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to become eligible for a Valorant beta invite.

Now Playing: How To Get Good At Valorant Without Playing It

1. Register for a Riot account
2. Sign up for Twitch
3. Link your Riot and Twitch accounts and make sure drops are enabled
4. Watch Valorant streams on Twitch

During the second week of beta, Riot expanded which streams can actually drop beta invites. Originally, only Twitch streamers specially selected by Riot to drop invites could do so, meaning you could only watch specific streams to get access. But now all Twitch streamers with access to the closed beta are able to drop beta invites for their viewers, as long as they are streaming Valorant. This doesn’t increase the number of invites going out, but it does widen your options for getting into the beta. It should be harder to game the system than it was initially, as, well, as Twitch updated its guidelines to prevent people from running VOD 24/7 sessions to farm the keys.

This initial beta will be limited to players in the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia, Turkey, and CIS countries. More regions could be supported later, but Riot said this is “pending developments with the current COVID-19 pandemic.” You can find more information in the announcement post on Valorant’s official website.

How Long Do I Need To Watch Valorant Streams To Get A Beta Key?

According to Riot, you need to watch roughly 2 hours of Valorant streams in order to be eligible for a closed beta invite. A higher “weight” is given to viewers with more hours of Valorant streams clocked, which means your chances of getting an invite should be increased, but–as Riot states–“it’s still not guaranteed.” Riot has also provided more details about how closed beta entitlements work on a technical level to address some fans’ concerns. It’s also begun the process of manually rewarding “the most engaged Valorant stream viewers” with beta invites, as a thank you to fans.

Will Watching More Valorant Streams Increase My Chances Of Getting A Drop?

Riot has clarified how closed beta entitlements for Valorant work, as many people have been watching Twitch streams with no sign of an invite. You can read more about it in Riot’s blog post, but according to Riot, Valorant beta invites work differently than regular drops on Twitch. Among the points they’ve clarified, Riot states that a certain percentage of people who are eligible for an invite are given Valorant closed beta access “throughout the day and night,” except during server outages, when invites are paused. The selection is always random, and while watching more hours of Valorant streams will increase your chances of getting an invite, there is no guarantee you’ll get one.

According to Riot, you don’t need to have Twitch running to receive a drop. Once you’ve met the viewing requirement of 2 hours or more, you will be eligible for an invite during Riot’s next “wave of entitlements.”

Valorant Beta Updates And Patch Notes

Valorant has received steady and consistent updates in its still relatively fresh beta stage. One of its earliest updates nerfed Raze and Sage and its latest patch, update 0.49, added competitive mode and ranked matchmaking–they aren’t live yet, but they will be “in the near future.” Omen also got some gameplay adjustments and a redesign, alongside Breach.

Read full patch notes for several Valorant beta updates below.

• Valorant beta update 0.47+ full patch notes
• Valorant beta update 0.49 full patch notes

Valorant Beta Minimum And Recommended System Specs

To see if your PC can even run Valorant, check out the minimum and recommended Valorant system requirements.

Will Valorant Closed Beta Progress Carry Over To The Final Game?

According to Riot, progress you make in the closed beta for Valorant will not carry over to the final game, as its “current gameplay state may very well change come launch.” While gameplay progress won’t be saved, you will retain all Valorant Points you purchase during the closed beta, plus a 20% bonus as a thank you from Riot, when the game launches.

How Long Is The Valorant Beta?

According to Riot, the Valorant closed beta will be “short,” but it’s willing to reconsider based on player feedback. On beta launch day, Valorant broke a Twitch record for single-day viewership numbers, so it is certainly popular, with a large volume of players trying to access the beta even weeks later.

When Does Valorant Launch?

Riot Games hopes to launch Valorant in “Summer 2020,” but has not given a more specific release date.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-to-get-your-valorant-beta-key-from-twitch-stre/1100-6475366/

By Janine Puhak

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It’s the first Monday in May, and Instagram users are changing from their pajamas into homemade fashion statements, and it’s all in honor of the would-have-been Met Gala, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Though Vogue’s annual event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has been delayed as the COVID-19 outbreak sweeps the globe, fans are paying tribute to the biggest night in fashion by dressing up at home.

PEOPLE ARE TURNING PAPER BAGS INTO CHIC DRESSES DURING LOCKDOWN

In an epic salute to the star-studded soiree, Instagrammers are participating in the #MetGalaChallenge by showing off homespun spins on some of the most famous celebrity looks seen on the gala’s red carpet in recent years.

Fashion-forward participants are bringing the heat with look-alike homages to unforgettable ensembles worn by Lady Gaga, Emily Ratajkowski, Rihanna, Zendaya, Celine Dion, Janelle Monae and more. Even Mindy Kaling jumped in on the craze, recreating Jared Leto’s look from the 2019 bash — complete with mannequin head.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Better yet, Vogue and actor Billy Porter will select a number of favorite #MetGalaChallenge looks to highlight on the fashion mag’s Instagram page, as well as the Met Museum’s on May 4, Vogue said.

The 2020 gala theme was supposed to be “About Time: Fashion and Duration,” and chaired by actresses Meryl Streep and Emma Stone, “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, under the tutelage of longtime Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Fox News’ Jessica Napoli and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/instagram-users-famous-fashion-looks-met-gala-challenge

Emily Dixon Marie Claire

From Marie Claire

• Jennifer Lopez posted a series of gorgeous photos Sunday, in which she quite literally jumps for joy.
• In the caption, she shared a message of gratitude with her followers.
• “I make it a habit to say three things I’m grateful for as soon as I open my eyes and then at night when I’m lying in bed I list three good things out loud that happened that day,” Lopez wrote.

Either Jennifer Lopez took her latest Instagram photos on a trampoline, or gravity has simply given up on J.Lo after observing her absolute disregard for the laws of physics in her Hustlers pole performance. Lopez shared a series of gorgeous, joyful photos on Sunday, captioning the post with a message of gratitude.

“In this time, when it’s so easy to get down and think of all the things going wrong and what we don’t have and don’t know the answers to… I make it a habit to say three things I’m grateful for as soon as I open my eyes and then at night when I’m lying in bed I list three good things out loud that happened that day,” Lopez wrote.

“Could be anything… and I try to change them so they are not the same everyday. Stay positive and stay safe,” she continued. “Love you and miss you all… together we will soon be.”

Speaking to Elle in March, Lopez shared how she and her family are spending quarantine. “This is such a difficult time for everybody. There are so many people who are sick. We just want to contain it and work from home,” she said. “Even my kids are working from home and they’re 12! They’ve got virtual school now, and we’re all home together, which I’m really happy about. To me, there’s no greater luxury than getting to spend real time with my kids.”

“This situation, if we’re lucky enough to be healthy—and if you are, be grateful—but if you’re healthy and home, it’s a real reset button for so many of us,” she continued. “To be honest, for me, working from home is reading scripts, developing new projects, even working out and learning new dance routines. Because now, you can use the time to prepare. At some point, hopefully soon, we’re going to bounce back. We always bounce back.”

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

https://money.yahoo.com/jennifer-lopez-jumped-joy-instagram-114600147.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHKV7QST7lktnZDxozkWbiuYahs-qINlSLrB73iwONEe6qiGLHIRFzMSXWDmTSikDatVSEQhjHM6CuPuivZE71vCtv_b6X45Aa6irSxLQ-RmKHa6lQx7xB56o0H-yQxmlMkgJZ_rknrYcX1yTe4OukbR_hg8qngIuWW5AYJbSbEE

Villagers missing their monthly market took it online with live pub tours, bouquet demonstrations and tips on cutting your own hair.

Ruddington Village Market, in Nottinghamshire, broadcast 10-minute demonstrations from nine businesses live on Instagram on Saturday.

Organiser Mark Pinks said the feedback had been “phenomenal” and he was planning another.

Business owner Cheryl Stretton said she was “proud of the village we live in”.

Ms Stretton, who runs Ruddy Fine Distillery, added the villagers were “amazing people” to support the “fabulous” event.

The market was hosted by Mr Pinks, who invited traders to join him on Instagram live for the slots between 12:00 and 14:30 BST.

“We were thinking what can we do to help market stalls and shops struggling with limited trading ability,” he said.

“A pub which moved to takeaway showed us the beer cellar and behind the bar, and a cafe deli demonstrated how to make scotch eggs.

“The audience got to see some of the friendly traders that we miss so much.”

Mr Pinks, who is part of the Ruddington Village Centre Partnership which organises the markets, added as it was a “great success” plans were under way to “do it again if the lockdown remains” on 6 June.

Alex Preston, owner of The Bottle Top in Ruddington which sells food, craft beer and spirits, said: “A lot of people are missing the market, and obviously it is affecting trade.

“It is about keeping the local economy going, supporting traders, and getting supplies out to local people.”

Jen Walker, who runs The Split Screen Coffee Company, said she “enjoyed taking part and loved watching everyone else”.

She demonstrated how to make coffee and did barista-style art during the virtual market.

Mr Pinks added it was a “great way” to promote independent businesses and their products, many of which were trading online or over the phone.

He said it was “interesting to see how things worked virtually” and for businesses not able to trade, it was about helping them “keep on the radar”.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-52504349

Footballer Norma Palafox he did it again and lit the social networks by sharing a Photography where he shows his side more sensual; the hot postcard caused the euphoria of Internet users who follow the beautiful and talented step by step athlete.

Norma Palafox, originally from Sonora, became a trend in social networks after sharing a image in which it appearsposing in an open field, having in the background an incredible sunset; the player of the equipment feminine of Chivas He appears in the foreground in a white outfit and wearing glasses.

Lto Postcard caused the millions of Internet users who follow her to overflow with praise for the sonorense, whom they consider an excellent athlete, in addition to a beautiful soccer player who maintains a successful professional career. The Photography has already obtained more than 250 thousand “likes” and it has been shared hundreds of times.

Users congratulate her
for his successful match

Among the hundreds of comments and reactions of the users, many followers wished him success in its race sporty and showed her admiration.

Norma Palafox, like many soccer players in the leagues manly and feminine of soccer, They’re in quarantine, and waiting to know will happen with the Closing 2020. Since although rumors have been handled about a possible cancellation of the tournament, yetno final decision on this matter has been released.

https://www.en24.news/en/2020/05/norma-palafox-posts-her-sexy-photo-on-instagram

By Daniel Kucher

Selena Gomez is a fan of her own song, “Boyfriend”. Proof is, the young woman has fun on this piece on Instagram!

Selena Gomez is more active than ever on social networks. The young woman is having fun on her latest single on Instagram!

Selena Gomez’s Boyfriend music video has spilled a lot of ink. Indeed, in the latter, the young woman takes control over her romantic dates.

Armed with a magic flask, the young woman therefore transforms her suitors into toads and lock them in cages. Just that !

After a beautiful love story with Justin Bieber and a romance with The Weeknd, Selena Gomez does not hesitate to address the theme of romantic relationships. Single, the young woman is far from being a heart to take.

As she confided on Instagram, the young woman wants to live for her. After having suffered for a long time from what the tabloids said about her, the pretty brunette wants to go ahead. “I want to be clear: having a boyfriend is far from my priorities,” she said.

SELENA GOMEZ HAPPENS ON BOYFRIEND ON INSTAGRAM
On social networks, Selena Gomez therefore continues to promote her latest song, Boyfriend. The latter is from the reissue of his latest opus, Rare.

A few hours ago, the pretty brunette was dancing to the song. All with a filter on which the young woman has a toad above her head.

The short video urges internet users to order their single. And this is not the first time that the young woman dances on her single.

A few weeks ago, Selena took over TikTok to dance to the song. “I like all of your TikToks on Boyfriend,” she also commented. I think of you and send you a lot of love. ”

For a long time Queen of Instagram, the young woman, dethroned by Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande is therefore getting back on track! Will it be able to catch up on the flagship social network?

by HALEY LYNDES

If you’re at home with the wanderlust bug, let us give you a little something to dream about. TikTok users who’ve converted their vehicles to homes are sharing their #vanlife travels, and if you’re anything like me, your mood will go up six notches just watching their adventures. The videos, which average thousands of views, feature people who’ve opted for a life on the road, and they sure do make it look lavish. From van makeovers to their daily routines and the great scenery in between, you’ll rethink your entire way of living after seeing the way these nomads do it. If you’ve ever thought about exploring the world on wheels, now’s your chance to learn. Simply check out #vanlife on TikTok, and see our favorite videos from the hashtag ahead.

https://www.popsugar.com/home/tiktok-van-life-videos-47433996

By Eric Stann

Games can often extract sensitive information about a person, such as their first job, their first car, or their mother’s maiden name.

Oversharing on social media threatens your online security, warns Dan Lin.

“We cannot go out and socialize during this pandemic, so people are turning to social media to share what is going on with their lives,” says Lin, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and director of the I-Privacy Laboratory at the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri. “But it can be risky.”

Before a person decides to play along with the latest social media challenge, or post a picture of their family home, Lin says to consider the following three things:

Games Are No Joke

Online games that challenge people to answer a few questions about themselves, or post an image, seem innocent enough. But these games can often extract sensitive information about a person, such as their first job, their first car, or their mother’s maiden name—all of which can give hackers answers to commonly used security questions used on other websites such as online banking.

Lin notes two recent challenges as opportunities for hackers to steal a person’s information. Recently, social media users were posting their senior photos as a way to support the Class of 2020. But hackers can use those photos to gain the name of a person’s high school and graduation year.

Additionally, social media users were sharing photos of their mothers for Mother’s Day. But those images could put a person’s mother at risk by revealing identifiable information and provide clues as to whether the mother lives alone.

“If you want to celebrate with your mother, talking to her is better than sharing her picture with strangers,” Lin says.

Beware of What You Share

Images you take with digital cameras contain metadata that can provide information about the photo, such as where and when it was taken. While many social media platforms automatically remove that information when a photo is posted online, Lin warns that publishing images without first deleting the metadata can provide hackers with information a person did not intend to share, such as the GPS location of the place that the photo was taken.

She suggests removing metadata by opening the photo file and deleting this information, or using existing metadata removal software.

Lin says people also should be aware of what is present in the background of their photos. She suggests avoiding posting images that show a house number, vehicle, or unique decorative household items that can help hackers locate a person. It can also reveal personal information that a person may not want to have shared in the public realm.

Check Your Privacy Settings

While privacy settings from social media providers have improved over the last several years, it’s still easy for hackers to bypass that security, Lin says. Even if a person has blocked someone from seeing their information, another user connected with that person can save their information and pass it along to people outside of their connections—sometimes without their knowledge.

Therefore, Lin says if a person does not want something to be publicly seen by everyone, including strangers, it’s best not to share it at all.

Can AI boost social media security?

Lin is currently doing research on how artificial intelligence can help social media providers offer more advanced levels of privacy.

One strategy involves predicting what type of photo people are posting and alert the user to how other people may use that image. For instance, if someone wants to share an image with a select group of friends, the system could warn the user that friends of those friends could still view their photo, including people they intentionally excluded from the group.

A second strategy would allow social media channels to automatically recommend privacy protections for a particular image based on the type of photo and past user behavior. A family photo, for instance, could come with automatic privacy settings blocking others from sharing or downloading it. However, a funny picture of a pet might come with fewer security recommendations.

A more advanced method involves facial replacement in group photos. Rather than blurring out someone’s face in a photo of a class or public setting, which draws the attention of a hacker, this method allows social media providers to replace a person’s likeness with a synthetic facial image based on the person’s privacy needs obtained from his or her past behavior. The change would be subtle enough that those looking at the photo would not be able to tell it had been altered, Lin says.

Ultimately, Lin says it’s up to social media companies to determine whether to implement new security strategies. Until then, people should be cautious about what they choose to post on social media. Anything posted online never fully disappears—even if you delete it immediately.

This article was originally published in Futurity. It has been republished under the Attribution 4.0 International license.

https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2020/05/those-facebook-challenges-can-expose-you-hackers/165070/

By Mark Moore

President Trump on Sunday ripped former President George W. Bush for urging Americans to dismiss partisanship during the coronavirus pandemic, questioning where the Republican was during the impeachment “hoax.”

In a three-minute video released on the Twitter account of The George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, the former commander-in-chief reminded Americans “how small our differences are in the face of this shared threat.”

“@PeteHegseth ‘Oh bye the way, I appreciate the message from former President Bush, but where was he during Impeachment calling for putting partisanship aside,” Trump tweeted, citing comments from the “Fox & Friends” host.

“He was nowhere to be found in speaking up against the greatest Hoax in American history!”

Trump added.

The Democratic-controlled House last December voted to impeach Trump over a phone call to the Ukrainian president seeking an investigation into Joe Biden, a political rival.

Trump was acquitted in the GOP-controlled Senate in January.

https://nypost.com/2020/05/03/trump-blasts-bush-for-not-speaking-out-against-impeachment-hoax/