Latest news with #StarWarsJedi
Buzz Feed
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Make Some Random Choices And I'll Tell You Which Universe You Belong In!
This post has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can create a post or quiz. Try making your own! · Every wonder which universe you belong in? Are you a Star Wars Jedi or still waiting for your letter from Hogwarts? Take this quiz to find out!
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Star Wars pop-up library opens at Changi Airport
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Located on the second level of Terminal 3, the library offers fans over 2,000 books and 380 unique titles revolving around Star Wars. SINGAPORE - Visitors at Changi Airport can now travel to a galaxy far, far away – via a Star Wars-themed pop-up library. Located on the second level of Terminal 3, the library offers fans of the popular movie and television franchise over 2,000 books and 380 unique titles revolving around the science fiction universe created by George Lucas. Iconic Star Wars backdrops projected on digital screens encourage fans to take selfies. Patrons can also take a personality quiz to discover which Star Wars Jedi they are, or participate in a trivia challenge for bragging rights over the depth of their Star Wars knowledge. Launched on Aug 6 by the National Library Board (NLB) in collaboration with Disney and Changi Airport Group, the Star Wars pop-up library will run till Jan 24, 2026, from 10am to 10pm daily. The Star Wars pop-up library will run till Jan 24, 2026, from 10am to 10pm daily. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Adding to the sci-fi vibe, the library features NLB's first automated book retrieval system: After a visitor selects a book at a touch-screen kiosk, a robotic arm would locate and transport it to the collection point. The books can be returned at the same location or any NLB library islandwide. Marketing manager Dave Png, 35, was among the first visitors at the pop-up library when it opened. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Recent rail disruptions disappointing and 'we can and will do better': Jeffrey Siow Singapore 'It's either my life or the dog's': NSF rescues lost dog which was hit by car in Bedok Singapore Migrant workers who saved driver from sinkhole get SCDF awards, mobile data and goodie bags Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore COE premiums rise in all categories except motorcycles; Cat B at $123,498, highest since Dec 2023 Singapore 19 drivers nabbed over illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across border with Malaysia World A 'Huawei moment' looms as US gears up to sell AI-in-a-box to South-east Asia Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen A Star Wars fan with a collection of about five lightsabers, he said he had never seen so many Star Wars books in one place. 'It's a good concept since Star Wars books may not be as well-known as the movies,' he said. 'Now Star Wars fans can find out more from the books as well.' Mr Kazuki Ishii, a 39-year-old tourist from Osaka, Japan, was also wowed by the library. 'I'm so surprised and excited. The robot which helped to retrieve the book adds to the fun experience,' said the primary school teacher who has been a Star Wars fan for over 20 years. Mr Kazuki Ishii and Ms Natsumi Ishii, both tourists from Osaka, at the Star Wars pop-up library on Aug 6. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Bringing discovery to the public The Star Wars pop-up library is one way NLB is enhancing the experience of reading, learning and discovery, as it turns 30 in 2025 on Sept 1. As part of its anniversary celebrations, NLB kicked off a series of events in June with The Book Bugs: Unearthing Memories exhibition, which features all 425 Book Bugscards at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) until Aug 17. The Book Bugs programme, which has seen five editions since its launch in 2016, aims to inculcate a reading habit among the younger ones. NLB also recently launched eight library pop-up nodes from the National Library Building to Orchard Road. Each node features 90 titles in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil that were selected by 30 Singaporean personalities such as performing artist Ebi Shankara, violinist Chloe Chua and writer-comedian Haryani Othman. Besides pop-up libraries, other NLB nodes can be found at offices, parks, and food and beverage outlets. The Presidential Pop-up Library at Plaza Singapura's Outdoor Plaza showcases recommended reads by and on past and present presidents of Singapore. It started on July 12 and runs till Sept 2. Since 2021, NLB has set up library nodes to bring content and services to public spaces like MRT stations, bus interchanges, shopping malls, and parks to encourage spontaneous reading and discovery. It launched its first pop-up library – a manga library at City Square Mall – in 2023. Speaking to The Straits Times, NLB chief executive officer Ng Cher Pong said: 'As we start a new chapter, we will add to our regular library and archives services, new experiences in reading, learning and discovery for our patrons. And many of the experiences we have or will launch will be omni-channel in nature.' Besides enhancing experiences, NLB's libraries and archives of the future must enable discovery, he said. 'People come to discover new and unexpected things,' he said. 'Many of these finds are serendipitous. We will better develop browsing as a service to enhance one of the key appeals of our physical spaces.' Besides enhancing experiences, NLB's libraries and archives of the future must enable discovery, said NLB chief executive officer Ng Cher Pong. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG In 2024, NLB recorded 20.8 million visits to its libraries , 2.86 million participants in library programmes, 38.8 million loans (both physical and digital), and 41.8 million user touchpoints through its expanding network of nodes. While 'the physical library has traditionally been a place where people come to use the space and borrow books', increasingly it needs to be about experiences that will draw people in', said Mr Ng. Some of these experiences will integrate the physical with the digital; others will use technology to expand libraries' offerings. NLB's digital offerings include ChatBook, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) feature that interacts with users as they ask questions about a book; and StoryGen, an AI-powered tool that transforms text into multimedia stories. Another digital experience is Glue: Curiocity, which connects Singapore's historical narratives and hidden gems on an interactive platform. Users can explore lesser-known heritage sites, stories, and local lore anchored to specific locations such as the former Jurong drive-in cinema and World Trade Centre at Harbourfront, encouraging discovery beyond traditional landmarks. Curiocity will be available as part of the ticketed segment of the SG60 Heart&Soul Experience , which runs at Orchard Library from Aug 26 to Dec 31, 2025. Beyond NLB30 NLB's physical spaces will not be neglected, even as it pursues digital innovations. It will be expanding its Rare Collections Gallery at the National Library with a $2.3 million donation from the Tan Cheng Lock Trust. The space will quadruple in size, growing from its current 32 sq m to approximately 140 sq m by the end of 2027, to allow for a richer display of Singapore's rare and precious collections. Some libraries will be rejuvenated. The Bukit Batok Library will be twice its original size of around 1,300 sq m when it reopens in the first half of 2026 with new design and programme concepts. The Queenstown and Ang Mo Kio libraries are also slated for revamps. In the works is a special exhibition in late 2026 featuring artefacts related to the four great classical Chinese novels – Journey To The West, Water Margin, Romance Of The Three Kingdoms, and Dream Of The Red Chamber. This is a collaboration with the National Library of China, which will loaning the artefacts. The exhibition, to be held at the National Library in Victoria Street, will showcase early editions of the classics and related materials from the 17th to 19th century, including woodblock prints, texts with scholarly commentary in the tradition of Chinese literature and historiography, and opera scripts. Mr Ng said: 'While we've always championed information literacy in schools, we've started thinking bigger, aiming to build an informed society instead of just informed library users.'
Engadget
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
EA cancels Black Panther game and closes studio developing it
EA is cancelling its Black Panther game and closing the studio creating it, Cliffhanger Games, as part of a larger round of layoffs at the company, IGN reports. The third-person action-adventure game was originally announced in July 2023 as one of several Marvel projects being developed at EA studios. IGN writes that a smaller number of people are being laid off than the previous round of cuts that impacted Titanfall developer Respawn, but EA is still eliminating roles outside of Cliffhanger, including people on the publisher's "mobile and central teams." EA is reportedly telling staff that the layoffs are a way to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities." As of right now, those "opportunities" include an Iron Man game in development at EA Motive, the next Star Wars Jedi game from Respawn, and new entries in a few key franchises, like The Sims, Battlefield, Skate and Apex Legends. Beyond that, the company has EA Sports and the next Mass Effect game, though Bioware has gone through multiple rounds of layoffs since 2023, so there's uncertainty there, too. In a similar way to how it approached Bioware's restructuring, IGN reports that EA is trying to find roles for at least some Cliffhanger Games staff in other parts of the company. Engadget has contacted EA for comment and will update this article if we hear back. EA growing disinterest in licensed games as been public since at least February 2024, when CEO Andrew Wilson announced that the company was "moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry." The company recently announced a new strategy game using the Star Wars license — Star Wars Zero Company — but that seems more like an outlier than the norm. EA's Black Panther game wasn't the only project featuring the character — Amy Hennig's Marvel 19943: Rise of Hydra hasn't been cancelled yet — but it does seems strange the company gave up so easily. Black Panther made over $1.3 billion during its original run in theaters. It seems entirely possible the same audience that enjoyed the movie would show up for a new game featuring their favorite Marvel character.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Trump's White House creates own media universe
Trump caused controversy after his Truth Social account posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal garb on Friday, less than a week after attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. — Reuters WASHINGTON: From influencer-only briefings to memes of Donald Trump as the pope and a Star Wars Jedi master, the White House is creating its own alternate media reality. Since Trump's return to the US presidency in January, his team has given right-wing "new media" an increasingly prominent place as it steps up its war on the traditional press. But now the White House is going a step further, effectively creating its own government-run media operation to stoke up Trump's loyal base. Last week Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held three alternative briefings reserved for a hand-picked group of partisan outlets. These "new media" sessions exist in a parallel universe from the traditional White House briefings, and are held in a special auditorium across the road that reporters cannot access freely. "I absolutely agree with the premise of your question – which I usually don't when I take questions at a podium," Leavitt told right-wing activist Jack Posobiec at a briefing on April 30. Another question came from Dom Lucre, a proponent of the QAnon right-wing conspiracy theory. "Is there any possibility for names such as Barack Hussein Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton to ever just possibly get investigated?" Lucre asked Leavitt. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on its strategy. 'Echo chamber' Former reality TV star Trump and his team have had a strong social media game since his first presidency from 2017-2021. Then during his 2024 election campaign he reached out to podcasters and influencers, inspired partly by his 19-year-old son Barron. But the new approach is taking that campaign strategy and putting it at the heart of the US government's communications operation. News outlet Axios underscored the new strategy, saying that now "Trump's White House is the hottest right-wing media outlet." That risked creating an "echo chamber," said Sonia Gipson Rankin, a law professor at the University of New Mexico. Rankin said Trump's unique use of social media, AI images and "direct appeals through partisan influencers" had "created a space of alternate versions of events where governance is not tethered to reality." "In a second term, the concern is that this echo chamber could become even more insulated," she told AFP. Last week also saw the launch of the "White House Wire" – a website designed to look like the low-tech "Drudge Report" but with links to favourable stories and the administration's social media. "Give a middle finger to the fake news and check out WH Wire!!!!" Trump's son Don Jr said on X with a link. It came as the White House reduces access for several mainstream news wires – most notably The Associated Press, following a clash over its refusal to call the Gulf of Mexico by Trump's designated name, the "Gulf of America." The White House has also taken control of deciding which outlets are in the "press pool" that covers some presidential events in close quarters like the Oval Office or Air Force One. Light saber The White House is meanwhile leaning more and more on provocative memes to fire up Trump's supporters and "own the libs" – gaining attention by angering his "liberal" and left-wing opponents. Trump caused controversy after his Truth Social account posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal garb on Friday, less than a week after attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. But while Trump insisted that he hadn't posted the meme himself, he also said that his wife Melania thought it was "cute" and rejected any criticism. "They can't take a joke," Trump told reporters on Monday when asked about the pope image. Then on Sunday the White House's official account posted an image of a muscle-bound Trump wielding a light saber to mark "May the Fourth" day – when Star Wars fans celebrate in a riff on the movie's catchphrase "May The Force be with you." "You're not the Rebellion – you're the Empire," the post said, attacking Trump's left-wing rivals and comparing them to evil imperial forces of Darth Vader and others. There was just one problem, US media said. Trump's light saber was red – and in the Star Wars universe that suggests he is aligned with the Dark Side of The Force. – AFP
American Military News
02-05-2025
- Business
- American Military News
Electronic Arts lays off hundreds of workers in latest round of cuts
Electronic Arts, the global video game company, is slashing its workforce again. The company, based in Redwood City, Calif., has eliminated several hundred positions, including about 100 jobs at Respawn, a video game development studio based in Los Angeles. 'As part of our continued focus on our long-term strategic priorities, we've made select changes within our organization that more effectively aligns teams and allocates resources in service of driving future growth,' said Justin Higgs, a spokesman for Electronic Arts, in a statement. The company, which has a large office in Marina del Rey, is helping employees explore new roles internally and providing support to affected workers, he added. Bloomberg first reported the cuts, saying they affected between 300 and 400 people, citing a person familiar with the cuts. The layoffs are the latest to hit Electronic Arts, which had about 13,700 employees as of March 2024. The company in 2024 said it would cut about 5% of its workforce after announcing a similar cut a year earlier. Electronic Arts has offices in California but also has workers across Europe and Asia. Respawn, the studio behind popular games 'Apex Legends' and 'Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order,' has a big presence in Los Angeles but also opened studios in Canada and Wisconsin. Respawn canceled the development of a 'Titanfall' game that wasn't close to being released, Bloomberg reported. The Titanfall franchise includes a series of first-person shooter games. The company said in a statement this week on social media that it 'made the decision to step away from two early-stage incubation projects and make some targeted team adjustments across Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi.' 'These decisions are not easy, and we are deeply grateful to every teammate affected,' Respawn said in the statement. ___ © 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
