News
“It’s China and the West” – Does China care about diplomatic boycotts?
As multiple countries across the world follow the United States’ move to boycott China’s 2022 Beijing Olympics, is China really phased by the action?
Canada and the UK are the latest to join a growing list of countries including the United States, Australia and New Zealand in not sending government officials to the games next year.
Most nations, besides New Zealand have cited China’s human rights abuses as the reason for their boycott, as tensions between western nations and the communist nation continue to escalate at rapid speed.
Canada is the most recent to join the boycott, with government officials stating that they are continuously disappointed that China has failed to act on its human rights record.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would not be sending an official delegation to the games, which will be held from February 4 to 20 in the Chinese capital.
Does China really care?
China has responded to the diplomatic action, but insist they ‘aren’t phased’ – instead the Chinese government says they’ll responsive action to those that continue to boycott.
China’s foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters that the United States is attempting to interfere with the Games “out of ideological prejudice and based on lies and rumours.”
The spokesperson said China would respond with “resolute countermeasures,” with no further information on what those measures will be.
Mr Zhao then went on to tell the United States to “stop politicizing sports” and to stop, in his words, undermining the Olympics. He continued, saying, “otherwise it will undermine the dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in a series of important areas and international issues.
The comments from China come as Australia’s Prime Minister stated that his country will be making a stance against China, but reiterated that players from Oz will still compete.
“China and the West”
Speaking to ticker NEWS, the Australia Institute’s Ebony Bennett says the situation has now become about China vs the West.
“It isn’t a good look for China”
“China has responded aggressively rejecting that all these assertions that there is human rights abuses in China to begin with”
Australia has been mocked by China over its decision to follow the United States and announce a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Chinese newspaper The Global Times shared two cartoons on their website, depicting what it described as Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s “lack of an independent policy” and “acting as a henchman” of the US.
The first image shared to Twitter showed a kangaroo holding a balloon emblazoned with the US flag floating in the sky.
The account shared a post from Sydney Morning Herald on the news of the boycotting, captioning it “No.1 Us lackey,” alongside hand clapping emojis.
Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.
Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.
#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply
The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.
The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.
Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.
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News
Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production
Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.
Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.
Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.
Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.
The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.
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