Business
Justin Trudeau Naïve to Think Pulling Facebook Ads Will Hurt Zuckerberg
The Government of Canada will stop buying ads on Facebook and Instagram, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez stated on Wednesday, as a fight with tech titans over a new media compensation law Bill C-18 heated up.
The Online News Act, passed by parliament last month, forces digital behemoths such as Google and Meta to enter into commercial agreements to reimburse Canadian news sources when readers view stories via their products, or face binding arbitration.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, declared shortly after the bill’s passage that it will take steps to ban Canadian news for users on its services in the nation.
On Wednesday, Rodriguez called the acts “unreasonable” and “irresponsible.”
“This is why the government of Canada is suspending its advertising on Facebook and Instagram today,” he added, estimating the cost to Facebook and Instagram at roughly Can$10 million (US$7.5 million) each year.
Google has also stated that it will take similar steps to defy the legislation.
The two dominant online advertising corporations have been accused of syphoning money away from established news organisations while utilising their material for free.
“American billionaires who want to undermine our democracy will not intimidate Canadians,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding that his government would not back down from its decision.
Since 2008, more than 450 Canadian media outlets have closed their doors, according to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
According to an October 2022 study by Canada’s parliamentary budget inspector, the Online News Act will result in Canadian newspapers receiving approximately Can$330 million per year from digital platforms.
Canada’s measure builds on Australia’s New Media Bargaining Code, a world first that required Google and Meta to pay for journalistic material on their platforms. California lawmakers are attempting to pass a similar measure.
At the end of 2021, AFP inked a five-year “neighbouring rights” arrangement with Google under which the internet giant will pay for content from the news agency. It also entered into two business agreements with the platform.
Facebook’s Zuckerberg and Sandberg ignore Canadian subpoena
Despite getting summonses from the Canadian government, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg did not attend a hearing in Ottawa in 2019.
Instead, Facebook brought two representatives from its public policy team to the hearing, which was part of an international committee meeting to examine Silicon Valley’s impact on privacy and democracy.
Multiple politicians noted that Zuckerberg’s absence contrasted what he said in an op-ed in March, when he said he was “looking forward to discussing them [online issues] with lawmakers around the world.”
The committee’s chair, Bob Zimmer MP, chastised Facebook officials for failing to appear.
“Shame on Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg for not showing up today,” he stated at the meeting’s conclusion.
The Canadian Parliament issued formal inquiries to both Zuckerberg and Sandberg earlier this month. Both Zuckerberg and Sandberg have testified in front of the US Congress on the matter.
Zimmer stated Monday night that Facebook had not informed the committee of the attendance of its two most senior officials. He claimed that committee members learnt of Zuckerberg and Sandberg’s refusal to testify from CNN.
According to a Facebook representative, the firm informed the committee that Kevin Chan, its head of public policy for Facebook Canada, and Neil Potts, its director of public policy, would attend the meeting. The corporation, according to the spokeswoman, has been in constant contact with the committee.
Google and Twitter also sent representatives to address the committee, although the committee does not appear to have summoned the top executives of those businesses.
The gathering, the second of its kind, was scheduled to draw lawmakers from at least ten countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia. The committee’s initial meeting last year in London resulted in the revelation of confidential internal Facebook papers.
“We represent about 450 million people collectively, which is a larger population group than the United States,” Zimmer, whose committee is organising the worldwide summit, told CNN.
Zimmer summoned both Facebook executives earlier this month. He stated that the corporation has submitted replacement names of people who would go in their stead, but that he would like to hear directly from the social network’s top two executives.
He believes their presence is significant because “knowing the structure of Facebook and how it is micro-managed right from the top, any change on the platform is done through Mr. Zuckerberg or Ms. Sandberg.”
“It’s not that difficult to hop on a plane and make time to listen to legislators and answer their questions,” he told CNN.
Zimmer stated that the decision to hold them in contempt would be voted on by the entire Parliament.
“Nobody is going to come with handcuffs and arrest them,” he added, “but being held in contempt by an entire country would not serve any platform well.”
“Ultimately, this is a decision for Parliament — we’re not in a position to speculate,” a Facebook (FB) spokeswoman said earlier Monday. We share the Committee’s desire to protect people and hold firms like ours accountable. Right now, we’re focused on having a meaningful conversation with the committee and looking forward to answering their questions.”
“We look forward to answering their questions, and we remain committed to working with world leaders, governments, and industry experts to address these complex issues,” said a spokeswoman.
Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.
Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.
Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.
Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.
Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.
Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.
Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.
The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.
The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.
The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.
They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.
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An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.
The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.
According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.
The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.
It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.
Amazon Strike at 10 Locations
Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.
The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.
The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.
Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.
Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.
Stalled Contract Negotiations
Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.
However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.
Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.
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(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.
The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.
The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.
Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.
The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.
Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.
Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.
“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.
“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.
The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.
The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.
Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.
Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.
Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.
In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.
The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.
In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.
“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”
The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.
SOURCE: NPR
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