Business
Elon Musk Changes Twitter Logo to Shiba Inu Causing Dogecoin to Jump 30 Percent
Dogecoin cryptocurrency increased by over 30% on Monday after Twitter CEO Elon Musk changed the blue bird on his company’s website with a Shiba Inu, the digital coin’s logo.
On Friday, lawyers for Twitter and Musk asked a federal court to dismiss a $258 billion lawsuit from 2022 that accused Musk of manipulating the price of Dogecoin and driving it up by more than 36,000%.
Musk posted a meme about the change to his 133.5 million Twitter followers after changing the Twitter logo to a Shiba Inu image. The dog showed only for some Twitter users, including those on the company’s website. Twitter did not reply to a comment request.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 3, 2023
Musk has been promoting Dogecoin for several years. He regularly tweets about the token, created as a joke in 2013, creating predictable volatility each time. Dogecoin is the eighth-most valued cryptocurrency, with a market cap of more than $13 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.com.
In a court filing Friday, Musk’s lawyers characterized his public statements about the coin as “innocuous and frequently silly tweets.”
However, Musk’s public support for the coin extends beyond social media comments. Tesla and SpaceX are two of Musk’s other businesses.
Two of Musk’s other companies, Tesla and the Boring Company, are named in the lawsuit.
Tesla announced in December 2021 that it would take Dogecoin for some merchandise. Musk stated on Twitter then that Tesla would “see how it goes.”
Following that post, the price of Dogecoin increased by more than 20%. When Musk declared on Twitter in January 2022 that Dogecoin payments were now available, the cryptocurrency rose by up to 15%.
Tesla does have digital assets, including bitcoin, on its books, and it still takes Dogecoin as payment for some merchandise.
“We have not sold any of our Dogecoin,” Elon Musk said last year during an earnings conference. “We have it still.”
Musk has stated that he directly owns Dogecoin.
In a recent tweet, Musk wrote “Dogecoin” in response to a picture of himself next to News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch.
What’s Elon Musk’s name doing in the source code for Twitter’s algorithm?
Meanwhile, Elon Musk describes it as “weird” that his name was discovered in Twitter’s algorithm source code alongside designations such as “Democrat” or “Republican.”
Elon Musk responded to questions about the platform’s source code being released on GitHub on Friday.
During a Twitter Spaces event, two users pointed out that Musk’s name had been coded into Twitter’s recommendation algorithm, which explicitly labeled whether Musk had authored a tweet.
“I think it’s strange,” Musk said. “By the way, this is the first time I’ve heard of it.”
A branch of Twitter’s algorithm revealed that the platform not only recognized whether Musk wrote a tweet but also labeled tweets based on whether the user was a “Democrat,” “Republican,” or “power user.” The code segment has since been removed from GitHub.
“What’s going on, guys?” Musk asked Twitter engineers in the conversation.
During the meeting, Brian Wichers, a senior engineering manager at Twitter, stated that the specific categories were added to the algorithm about ten years ago and are “not overly important in how it’s used throughout the code base.”
Another Twitter engineer on the call clarified that the code is only used for monitoring and to “make sure we don’t bias toward one group versus another,” not for “special treatment.”
Musk stated that the code was an example of something the business should eliminate immediately.
“It definitely shouldn’t be dividing people into Republicans and Democrats. That makes no sense,” Musk said. “That’s why I prefaced this that there will be a ton of stupid, embarrassing things,” he added.
On Friday, Twitter published the code determining which tweets appear in a user’s For You timeline. Musk has been saying for months that he will increase transparency by open-sourcing the code of the social media site. On Twitter on Friday, the billionaire stated that the release reflected “most of the recommendation algorithm” and that the remainder would be released in the future.
Musk has previously criticized Twitter’s code and stated during his Twitter Spaces appearance that the business will change its code based on recommendations from outside engineers on GitHub.
Twitter explained how the algorithm determines which tweets to feature in a blog entry explaining the choice to release the code. According to the company, it has a three-step process that gathers the best tweets from “different recommendation sources,” ranks them using a “machine learning model,” and filters out blocked tweets, inappropriate tweets, or posts the user has already seen.
It’s not the first time that questions have been raised about Musk’s material being promoted on Twitter. Platformer reported in February that the billionaire had fired a Twitter engineer after the employee told him his popularity was dwindling on the site and had assigned engineers to investigate why his tweets were receiving fewer views after his tweet during Super Bowl Sunday received less engagement than President Joe Biden’s. According to the publication, Twitter engineers briefly gave Musk’s tweets an “artificial boost”.
Musk appeared to recognize his increased exposure on the site at the time, posting a meme about his tweets, and later stated that the company would be making additional changes to the algorithm.
Platformer revealed last month that Musk was not the only user benefiting from an artificial boost. According to the publication, Twitter has an internal Twitter list of 35 users established to monitor how algorithm changes affected the site’s most popular users but have since evolved into a list of people who receive preferential treatment on the platform.
With over 133 million followers, Musk is the most followed Twitter user.
Business
Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists
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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Business
Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout
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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Business
Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.
(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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