EU Chief Calls On Netflix CEO To Keep Internet Bandwidth Clear During Coronavirus Crisis

The Eurovision Song Contest has made the decision not to allow any Russian contestants to take part in this year's Song Contest.The world has watched in horror as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine this week, with explosions heard across major cities. And just hours after saying Russia was still able to enter, European Broadcasting Union has followed a recommendation by the Eurovision Song Contest's governing body to disallow the entry of any Russian acts during this year's competition, set to be held in Turin, Italy, in May.

Olly Murs has been forced to cancel his upcoming summer tour after undergoing emergency knee surgery he informed fans on Friday.The 37 year old was taken to hospital to treat his joint following a terrifying accident onstage back in August that caused a fragment of bone to wedge into the back of the knee. In photos Olly posted of himself in hospital, he is seen resting on a hospital bed beside his laptop showing a snap of him and girlfriend Amelia Tank, and standing holding onto crutches with his knee bandaged up whilst awaiting his operation.

Amanda Bynes, 35, filed court documents at California’s Ventura County Superior Court on Wednesday, February 23 to end her years-long conservatorship, according to Page Six. The former child star, 35, is reportedly seeking to dissolve both the conservatorship of her person and estate, which have been run by her mother Lynn since 2013. Per California law, Amanda also had to submit a capacity declaration, which includes records of her mental state from a physician, psychologist or religious healing practitioner. Her court hearing is reportedly set for March 22.

As Russia continues its conflict in Ukraine, the military assault has already resulted in a shocking number of deaths.

Jadon Sancho has insisted Manchester United are good enough to win this season’s Champions League.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has displaced a high number of families while leaving many Ukrainians without a home.

A hamper is packed with so many gorgeous products at Hampers.com, that you would struggle to be honest to find ones that wouldn't make the women in your life smile.

Portsmouth’s CEO Andrew Cullen is keen to bring goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu back to Fratton Park next season.

A flash drug dealer with a penchant for designer clothes has been jailed for a decade.

Chesney Brown has grown up in front of Coronation Street fans' eyes.

Queen Elizabeth is still dealing with her COVID-19 symptoms.

Not many franchises have been rebooted more often than the Texas Chainsaw Massacre - and its timeline is more fractured than my jaw would be if I stepped into the ring with Tyson Fury.

Disney has set the release date for “Haunted Mansion,” its new film starring Tiffany Haddish based on the popular Disneyland and Disney World attraaction, to hit theaters in little over a year. “Haunted Mansion” will now open in theaters on March 10, 2023.

A tourism boss has hailed Paisley’s cultural renaissance as the town prepares to host a major UK event.

Chloe Cherry, one of the breakout stars of Euphoria season two, is at Milan Fashion Week!

Universal Pictures will release “Renfield,” a monster movie centered around Dracula’s sidekick on April 14, 2023, the studio announced on Friday.The film stars Nicholas Hoult (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “X-Men” franchise) as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula, who will be played by Oscar winner Nicolas Cage.The official synopsis is as follows: Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there’s a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness.  If only he can figure out how to end his codependency. Chris McKay (“The Tomorrow War,” “The Lego Batman Movie”) is directing and producing.Ryan Ridley (Fox’s “Ghosted,” Cartoon Network’s “Rick & Morty”) wrote the script, based on an original story outline from “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible” creator Robert Kirkman.“Renfield” also stars Awkwafina (“The Farewell,” Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings”), Ben Schwartz (“Sonic,” “The Afterparty”) and Adrian Martinez (“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Focus”).In Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula,” Renfield was a patient in an insane asylum who ate vermin to absorb their life force — and whom Count Dracula used to enter the asylum and attack Jonathan Harker’s school mistress fiancée Mina.The film will be produced by Skybound Entertainment’s film team, including Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst.

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Ballroom buddies! While many of the Dancing With the Stars professionals are used to sharing their dancing talents on television, some of their closest companions are waiting for them in the wings — their pets.

Gemma Atkinson is a doting mum to daughter Mia, two, but she also loves her two pet dogs, Norman and Ollie.SEE: 15 intimate celebrity Valentine's Day photos that belong in a fairytaleOllie recently had to be taken to the vets, but on Friday she was delighted as she was able to welcome the pooch back home, even if he was a little tired out from the experience! Alongside a spaced-out photo of Ollie relaxing on the couch, Gemma thanked fans for their supportive messages after she shared with them the visit to the vets.WATCH: Gemma Atkinson shares worries about her pet dogs"Thanks about all your messages about Ollie… he had a good first night," she wrote. "His tummy is all shaved from his sonogram so he looks like he's had a bad hair cut.MORE: Gemma Atkinson sparks fan reaction as she reveals unexpected pregnancy questionSEE: Gemma Atkinson causes a stir in thigh-high slit dress - and Gorka Marquez has the best reaction"He managed to eat a little without bringing it back up! He's very much still 'out of it' and has been sleeping lots (which vet[s] said he would) he's been out in the garden too."She added: "Back at the vets Tues[day] for next check up.

Taking “Bloody Valentine” to another level. Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox have already started planning their wedding — but the groom-to-be has a very specific vision that’s hard to make a reality.

By Joe Utichi

By Joe Utichi

By Joe Utichi

By Joe Utichi

Google's YouTube said Friday that it has agreed to reduce its streaming quality in Europe, including the U.K., to standard definition for the next month to help avoid internet congestion amid the coronavirus pandemic. The move, in response to a request from EU Internal Market and Services Commissioner Thierry Breton, comes a day after Netflix unveiled a similar initiative.High definition streams require more online bandwidth, potentially causing broadband congestion during peak times.

Google's YouTube said Friday that it has agreed to reduce its streaming quality in Europe, including the U.K., to standard definition for the next month to help avoid internet congestion amid the coronavirus pandemic.

YouTube will limit streaming in European countries to standard-definition video by default, following a similar move by Netflix to curtail bandwidth usage across the continent amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus has yet another unforeseen impact. The European Union recently urged Netflix and other streaming platforms to only allow video streaming in standard definition — rather than high definition — to relieve some of the bandwidth strain during times of unprecedented usage as people are increasingly quarantined due to the spread of COVID-19.

Netflix has agreed to temporarily reduce video quality of its streaming service in Europe, reducing bit rates for the next 30 days at the behest of the European Union in order to ease the load on internet networks in the region.

Amid concerns that there could be a surge in online traffic driven by people forced to stay home amid the coronavirus crisis, a high-ranking member of the European Union has called on Netflix to do its part. EU Internal Market and Services Commissioner Thierry Breton has asked the streaming giant to limit streaming of its films and TV series to standard definition, not high definition, or HD, streams, which require more online bandwidth, at peak times.

Binge-watching might have to be in SD

A top European Union official called on Netflix and other streaming-video services to reduce video quality to standard-definition format — forgoing HD for now — so that internet networks don’t get overloaded during the COVID-19 pandemic.