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Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau blasts Twitter

Published

1 year ago

April 18, 2023

ticker NEWS

Justin Trudeau blasts Twitter and opposition leader as public broadcaster is labeled ‘government-funded’

Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau had some strong words to say about Twitter today.

The social media giant has moved to label the country’s public broadcaster as 69 per cent “government-funded”.

Trudeau is accusing his main political rival of enlisting the help of tech executives in an attempt to get the network defunded.

Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre reached out to Elon Musk last week to label the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as “government-funded”.

When Musk agreed, the broadcaster said it will be “pausing” activities on the social network.

Soon after this, the account’s label was changed to “69 per cent Government-funded Media.”

Musk says this is because the “Canadian Broadcasting Corp says they’re “less than 70% government-funded”, so [he] corrected the label”.

But the CBC says its journalism is “impartial and independent” and “to suggest otherwise is untrue. That is why we are pausing activities on Twitter.”

Poilievre has praised the decision, tweeting “now people know that it is Trudeau propaganda, not news.”

Trudeau has also responded, and the PM isn’t happy.

“Attacking this Canadian institution, attacking the culture and local content that is so important to so many Canadians, really indicates the values and the approach that Mr Poilievre is putting forward,” Trudeau told reporters on Monday.

“In order to attack this institution that is important for many, many Canadians, he runs to American billionaires, the tech giants that they continue to defend.” #trending #featured

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Streaming service shift and the award season snubs

Published

3 months ago

January 24, 2024

Mike Loder

Netflix Introduces Changes to Subscription Model, Academy Award Nominations Spark Cinematic Buzz, and the Doomsday Clock Continues its Ominous Ticking.

Netflix is set to discontinue its ad-free Basic subscription in select countries, commencing with Canada and the UK in Q2 2024.

This strategic shift introduces a significant price increase for the baseline entry, signalling potential adjustments to Netflix’s global pricing structure.

Simultaneously, the 96th edition of the Academy Award nominations has stirred cinematic debates, with the prevailing question being whether the upcoming season will be dominated by “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer.” These contrasting narratives set the stage for a fierce competition, highlighting the diverse and compelling offerings in this year’s film industry.

Beyond the realm of entertainment, the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of the likelihood of a human-made global catastrophe, continues its ominous countdown.

Maintained since 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the clock serves as a metaphor for threats arising from unchecked scientific and technological advances. As global tensions, environmental challenges, and technological risks persist, the ticking of the Doomsday Clock serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address multifaceted threats to humanity.

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Adidas faces potential $320M Yeezy shoe write-off post-Kanye split

Published

5 months ago

November 9, 2023

ticker NEWS

Adidas is contemplating a significant financial blow as it considers writing off $320 million worth of Yeezy shoes following its separation from music and fashion icon Kanye West.

The sportswear giant’s decision to sever ties with West’s Yeezy brand has left a mountain of unsold merchandise, threatening to dent the company’s balance sheet.

The partnership between Adidas and Kanye West, which began in 2013, had been immensely successful, with Yeezy shoes becoming a highly sought-after fashion statement.

However, recent controversies and disagreements between West and Adidas prompted the sportswear company to distance itself from the celebrity designer.

The massive inventory of Yeezy shoes now presents a dilemma for Adidas, as it grapples with finding a solution to deal with the surplus stock. A $320 million write-off could significantly impact the company’s financial performance in the short term.

Adidas is currently exploring various options, including discounting, donating, or repurposing the unsold inventory to mitigate the financial hit.

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Warner Bros discovery warns of Hollywood’s ‘real risk’ post-strikes’

Published

5 months ago

November 9, 2023

ticker NEWS

Warner Bros Discovery, has issued a stark warning regarding the ‘real risk’ that Hollywood faces in the aftermath of the recent strikes that have taken a considerable toll on the industry’s financial health.

The strikes, which disrupted film and television production for several weeks, resulted in substantial financial losses for studios, production companies, and countless industry professionals.

Warner Bros Discovery emphasised the necessity for a resilient and adaptable approach to navigate the ongoing challenges and uncertainties facing the film and television sector.

The conglomerate stressed the importance of implementing measures to mitigate such risks in the future, which include fostering better labour relations and contingency planning to safeguard against potential disruptions.

The message underlined the need for the industry to adapt to the evolving landscape of content creation and distribution, particularly in the digital era.

This warning from Warner Bros Discovery highlights the need for the entertainment industry to recognise the ever-changing dynamics and economic challenges, and the importance of preparedness to maintain its prominent position in the global market.