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8 episodes with James Murdoch
2 episodes with James Murdoch
2 episodes with James Murdoch
3 episodes with James Murdoch
3 episodes with James Murdoch
3 episodes with James Murdoch
3 episodes with James Murdoch
The real-life succession battle over the Murdoch media empire worth billions resulted in one of the biggest family feuds playing out in court and destroyed the relationship between Rupert Murdoch and his son James. Earlier this year James Murdoch gave a rare interview in the Atlantic sharing his side of the story, where he called his father a “misogynist” and described Fox News as a “menace” to US democracy. In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks why James spoke out against his family, how Donald Trump was involved and if their feud is anything like HBO’s hit series Succession. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who is Lachlan Murdoch and how will he build on his father's legacy? Emily Bell reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Story of the Week (DR):Lachlan Murdoch Secures Control of Fox and News Corp, Ending Succession FightLachlan Murdoch is confirmed as Rupert Murdoch's successor, gaining control over the family's media empire (which includes Fox Corporation and News Corp). Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch, and James Murdoch—three of Rupert's older children—will each receive about US$1.1 billion. They will sell their holdings in Fox and News Corp and give up beneficial/trust rights in those companies.Apart from full siblings Elisabeth and James Murdoch, Lachlan has three half-siblings, an elder half-sister Prudence, and two younger sisters by his father's third marriage, Grace and Chloe. A new family trust will be set up benefiting Lachlan and Rupert's younger daughters, Grace and Chloe. That trust will hold controlling voting shares in Fox and News Corp. The three older siblings will no longer be beneficiaries in the trust(s) connected to Fox and News Corp. They also give up any voting rights held via those trusts. Rupert Murdoch, despite handing over the control structure, retains a role as Chairman Emeritus. The new trust arrangement secures Lachlan's control over the companies through 2050. One of Rupert Murdoch's concerns was the possibility that the more moderate siblings (Prudence, Elisabeth, James) could shift the political or editorial leanings of Fox/News Corp after he's gone. The new structure is designed to prevent that.Senators Call for Hearings About JPMorgan's Ties to Jeffrey EpsteinDemocrats want CEO Jamie Dimon to testify about keeping Epstein as a client until 2013Epstein had dozens of accounts at JPMorgan's private bank and communicated often with bank executives, connecting them to his wealthy contacts, ties The Wall Street Journal first reported in 2023 to be deeper than understood. Epstein was a JPMorgan client before and after he was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008 and forced to register as a sex offender.Trump Epstein letter and drawing from ‘birthday book' releasedEric Trump removed from the ALT5 board of directors after discussion with the Nasdaq Stock Market LLCTrump's second son, Eric Trump, was removed from the ALT5 board of directors. According to the SEC filing, the change was made after discussion with the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, therefore, the change was in order to comply with Nasdaq's listing rules.It is still unclear which of the Nasdaq rules caused Eric Trump to be removed. The closest reason would be the rule that requires a majority of board members at listed companies to be independent. However, if Trump didn't qualify as independent, other members would have also been removed, which was not the case.after discussion with The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC … and in order to comply with Nasdaq's listing rules.” He is now a board observer: While he was originally announced as a full board member, Eric Trump has been reassigned to observer status — meaning he can attend meetings but doesn't have voting power.Larry Ellison's $100 billion day reminds us why David Ellison could buy ParamountLarry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, recently saw his net worth jump by around US$100 billion in a single day due to a spike in Oracle's stock.Larry's wealth was a key factor enabling his son, David Ellison, to acquire Paramount.David Ellison's position is less pressured because his father's vast wealth gives him a kind of “cushion” — meaning that even if some deals don't go well, he can withstand the backlash more than many media owners could.Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. DiscoveryThe majority of the planned bid for Warner will be made up of cashA Key to Larry Ellison's Wealth Creation: Years of Oracle Stock BuybacksOracle has used aggressive stock buybacks over the past 15 years as a major lever to boost shareholder value—and especially to amplify Larry Ellison's personal wealth. Oracle has aggressively repurchased its own shares over roughly the last 15 years — reducing its outstanding share count by nearly 45%. Because Larry Ellison held roughly the same number of shares, his ownership percentage rose from ~23% to around 41% without buying more stock.This buyback strategy significantly boosted the value of Ellison's stake — Barron's estimates that without the buybacks, his stake might have been worth only $215 billion instead of the current ~$387 billion.Ellison didn't need to purchase additional Oracle shares to increase the value of his investment—he benefited from the shrinking pool of shares and the company's rising valuation.Vanguard Tries To Get Investors Interested In Proxy Voting MMVanguard's trying to get millions of its fund investors involved in big corporate decisions—but so far, most people are still tuning out. That's left folks wondering who really holds sway at America's largest companies.Vanguard's campaign faces a classic case of 'rational apathy', where most index fund investors skip shareholder votes because it feels like a hassle with little impact on their own wallets.Even though Vanguard's Voting Choice program doubled participation to 82,000 people and tripled the dollar value voted to $9 billion, that's tiny compared to the company's 50 million investors and $11 trillion in assets.Studies from Duke, Florida, and Columbia universities show just how overwhelming the sheer number of ballot measures can be—making most people pick broad voting policies, like mainstream or anti-ESG, instead of poring over each decision.While reformers hope wider voting can democratize the system, the early results point the other way: individuals often skip votes or side with management, letting company leaders keep their grip. In fact, last year's Tesla shareholder votes would have failed if Vanguard's index funds had voted like individuals.Financial Services Committee Examines the Shareholder Proposal Process and Proxy Advisory FirmsOn the Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank on Annual Proxy Statements: “Together, these two laws [Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank] have driven up costs, increased the length and complexity of proxy statements, expanded the disclosure and oversight process, and fundamentally changed much of the shareholder access to the proxy system,” said Chairman Hill.French Hill: founder, Chair, and CEO of Delta Trust & Banking Corporation from 1999 until 2014. A ninth-generation Arkansan, Hill is a direct descendent of slave plantation owner Creed Taylor who was among the wealthiest 1% of Americans in 1860.On the Cost of Unnecessary and Irrelevant Shareholder Proposals: “Under this flawed system, companies are too often forced to waste valuable time and resources fighting proposals that are irrelevant to the company's bottom line, hurting investors and workers alike,” said Capital Markets Subcommittee Chair Ann Wagner (MO-02)."Allowing a small group of left-wing activists to hijack the proxy proposal process to push social, environmental, DEI, or political objectives totally unrelated to the core business of a company does not advance the cause of capitalism. It undermines capitalism. It corrupts capitalism because it results in the misallocation of resources of the company. It undermines the profitability of the company. It hurts the shareholders,” stated Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chair Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06).Barr believes that abortion should be illegal, including in cases of rape and incestBarr, who's now running for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat, made it clear that he and Musk are joined at the hip. A few days after the “town hall” Barr released a photo of himself standing beside a shiny new Tesla, with a big smile, a thumbs-up, and the caption “Elon Musk sure knows what he's doing!”On How Proxy Advisory Firms Can Deter Businesses from Joining Public Markets: “For many small and medium private companies considering an IPO, the decision often comes down to whether the benefits of accessing public markets outweigh the risk of compliance. But as we have seen in recent years, the shareholder proposal process can be dominated by a small group of activist investors advancing niche political agendas that have little to do with long term value creation. At the same time, proxy advisory firms wield outsized influence over voting outcomes, and [are] operating with limited transparency and potential conflicts of interest. So together, these dynamics can create an uncertainty and additional cost that make public markets less attractive,” declared House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams (TX-25).Williams was listed as the 22nd wealthiest member of Congress in 2018. Williams inherited the family's automobile dealership from his father, who founded the business in 1939.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams's Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Weatherford, Texas, received a loan of between $1 million and $2 million as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP);[28][29] the loan was later forgivenGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Boone Electric Co-op members can cast drive-thru votes for directorsDR: New Mexico will be the first state to make child care free DR MMThe program, which will start in November and is expected to save families $12,000 per child annually, is available to all residents regardless of income. Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamMM: Vanguard Finds ESG Voting Policy by Far the Most Popular Choice for Younger InvestorsAssholiest of the Week (MM):Asshole Speed Round! You rate the level of asshole for each, and the top scorers are assholes of the week:Paul Atkins 6SEC chief threatens ban on European accounting rules over sustainabilityThe US is thinking about banning IFRS, used everywhere else, because they don't like the data other countries want to use for investingWe already have feet, miles, and pounds, why not just have our own way to measure things that literally no one else uses?Sam Altman 7‘I haven't had a good night of sleep since ChatGPT launched': Sam Altman admits the weight of AI keeps him up at nightOMG, SHUT UP.Journalists who don't understand dual class shares 5Oracle CEO, one of the world's richest self-made women, just got $412 million richer in 6 hoursCharlie Scharf 10Wells Fargo CEO says Trump is entitled to be vocal about the FedScharf, also on the MSFT board for the enigma of successJamie Dimon 8Jamie Dimon says economy is ‘weakening' but he can't make sense of all the different data: ‘Maybe, one day, AI will fix that problem'JPMorgan processed over $1B for Jeffrey Epstein despite internal concerns over sex offender status: reportReverse justifying Zuck's feckless suckups 10Meta CFO explains CEO Mark Zuckerberg's $600 billion White House pledgeSusan LiBros 10The gender pay gap is getting wider, reversing progressThe pay gap is now back to where it was in 2017, when the burgeoning #MeToo movement drew wide attention to sex discrimination.Everything Charlie Kirk 10There are two things happening simultaneously that are probable root causes in political assassinations today:Hopelessness - Elon Musk is proposing to pay himself 68% of ALL THE WEALTH of the BOTTOM 50% OF US HOUSEHOLDS. If this pay package passes, he will have as much worth as ONE QUARTER of EVERYONE UNDER 40 - 166 million people in the US. We're convinced because he bought a car company and built some rockets using US subsidies he's singular. Combine that with the fact that he's one of 4 billionaire white men who control social media, which tells us EVERY DAY our life sucks and the reason is “the other side” and capitalism support is at a long term low, and people feel there are NO OTHER OPTIONS but to assassinate someone.Men - more than 99% of political violence is committed by men. Out of nearly 10,000 global public companies, 93% are lead by men. 73% of all country level parliamentary seats are male. You know who doesn't shoot people, engage in constant chest thumping, gun toting nationalism? Women. Step aside boys - investors, your opportunity is now, you get to vote on directors. Do some due diligence.Headliniest of the WeekDR: Hot mic catches Zuckerberg admitting his $600 bn vow to Trump was a guess: “Sorry, I wasn't ready… I wasn't sure what number you wanted to go with.”MM: Uber sued by DOJ for alleged discrimination against disabled riders - isn't this, like, SUPER WOKE?Who Won the Week?DR: Every Ellison everMM: Larry Ellison's facial hair - he can finally afford a razorPredictionsDR: David Ellison buys Lachlan's two younger half-sisters (from Rupert's third marriage), Grace and Chloe, and then immediately trades them for 30% ownership in the Winklevoss twins cryptocurrency-exchange company Gemini Space Station MM: THIS time, we won't get thoughts and prayers - we'll get ideological purges!
Lachlan Murdoch has finally secured his place as his father Rupert's successor, following a long sibling battle for control over one of the highest-profile media groups in the world. Under the deal, some of Rupert's other children – James Murdoch, Elisabeth Murdoch and Prudence MacLeod – will sell their personal holdings in Fox and News Corp, with each expected to receive about $1.1bn (£810m). A new family trust will be created to benefit Lachlan and his younger siblings, Grace and Chloe Murdoch. Joining Niall Paterson to unravel the dispute – thought to have been one of the inspirations for the TV series Succession – are Paddy Manning, author of The Successor: The High-Stakes Life Of Lachlan Murdoch and our business correspondent, Paul Kelso. Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill
Rupert Murdoch's children have reached a settlement in the legal dispute over control of the right-wing media mogul's companies, with son Lachlan set to take over. The new deal establishes a trust to replace the Murdoch Family Trust that had included all the siblings and half-siblings. Under the agreement, Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch will receive cash based on equity sales and cease to have holdings in any of the media companies. Author and journalist Paddy Manning says a lot of these shares will be sold to the public instead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rupert Murdoch's children have reached a settlement in the legal dispute over control of the right-wing media mogul's companies, with son Lachlan set to take over. The new deal establishes a trust to replace the Murdoch Family Trust that had included all the siblings and half-siblings. Under the agreement, Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch will receive cash based on equity sales and cease to have holdings in any of the media companies. Author and journalist Paddy Manning says a lot of these shares will be sold to the public instead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brooke spoke in May with McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about the remarkable, extensive interviews he conducted with members of the Murdoch family — particularly James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn. (Rupert and his eldest son, Lachlan, declined to participate). Hear about the infighting and sibling rivalry, and how the HBO show “Succession” influenced the family's fight over the future of their own media empire. On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.
To mark his first hundred days in office, President Trump signed three executive orders related to immigration. On this week's On the Media, the powerful database that can help I.C.E. track down and deport people. Plus, the dramatic fight for power over Rupert Murdoch's media empire.[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone talks with Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media, about how a surveillance company is supplying ICE with a powerful database to identify and deport people with minor infractions or certain characteristics.[20:57] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Jason Leopold, a senior investigative reporter at Bloomberg and writer of the newsletter “FOIA Files,” about the Trump administration's attacks on Freedom of Information Act offices at the CDC and FDA, and what they mean for the future of government transparency.[31:50] Brooke talks with McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about the remarkable, extensive interviews he conducted with members of the Murdoch family — particularly James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn. (Rupert and his eldest son, Lachlan, declined to participate.) Plus, how the HBO show “Succession” influenced the family's fight over the future of their own media empire.Further reading:Inside a Powerful Database ICE Uses to Identify and Deport People, by Jason KoeblerTrump Filed a FOIA Request. We FOIAed His FOIA, by Jason LeopoldGrowing Up Murdoch: James Murdoch on mind games, sibling rivalry, and the war for the family media empire, by McKay Coppins On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a challenge to Louisiana’s voting maps. A group of “non-African American” voters argue the state illegally relied on race to create the new districts. James Murdoch reveals the real-life “Succession” drama roiling his family in an exclusive interview with The Atlantic. At stake: Who controls Fox News? Frontman Jim James talks about handing over creative control of My Morning Jacket’s 10th studio album. He also shares his personal success with EMDR therapy.
IntroductionLIVE from a bottomless pit of CEO pay, it's a Business Pants Friday Show here at March 21st Studios, featuring AnalystHole Matt Moscardi. On today's weekly wrap up: Nelson Peltz hates woke ice cream, Self-hating Cybertrucks, and anti-ESG manbabies Our show today is being sponsored by Free Float Analytics, the only platform measuring board power, connections, and performance for FREE.Story of the Week (DR):‘Incompetent:' Jamie Dimon unloads on proxy advisor ISSJamie Dimon said Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) should be “gone and dead and done with”, as he also launched an attack on those who pay for their services.In an interview with Semafor at Blackrock's retirement summit, Mr Dimon said: “Anyone who gives them money – shame on you.”Unilever hit ‘new levels of oppressiveness,' Ben & Jerry's claims as its CEO was sacked over social activismIce cream maker Ben & Jerry's has accused its parent company of firing its CEO David Stever over his support of the brand's progressive politics.On Tuesday, the Vermont-based brand filed an amended complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that Unilever “has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry's personnel, including CEO David Stever, should they fail to comply with Unilever's efforts to silence the Social Mission.”Ben & Jerry's said Unilever informed its board on March 3 that it was removing and replacing Ben & Jerry's CEO David Stever. Ben & Jerry's said that violated its merger agreement with Unilever, which states that any decisions regarding a CEO's removal must come after a consultation with an advisory committee from Ben & Jerry's board.“empowered to protect and defend Ben & Jerry's brand equity and integrity”White man David Stever, 4 women of color (one who is the chair), and two black men. In Vermont? Are they trolling us?!?! I guess it can be done. Unilever board member Nelson Peltz is still trying to find a white actor for Black PantherUnilever has not publicly disclosed a reason for Stever's firingThe ice cream company has a unique corporate structure that was meant to protect its activist mission, even after its 2000 sale to Unilever:Independent Board of Directors: Unlike most Unilever-owned brands, Ben & Jerry's has an independent board specifically tasked with preserving the company's social mission.Merger Agreement Protections: The 2000 acquisition agreement required consultation with the board for key leadership decisions, including hiring or firing the CEO.Social Mission Oversight: The board exists to prevent the dilution of the company's activist identity—something that appears to be under increasing pressure.Ben & Jerry's Founders Say They Stand Behind Ousted CEOBoeing Sued for Wrongful Death by Family of WhistleblowerBoeing pushed John Barnett, who was a quality manager at Boeing for nearly three decades, to his death by harassing and intimidating him after he raised safety concerns about the company's plant building the 787 Dreamliner in Charleston, South Carolina, a wrongful death lawsuit filed in federal court in the state alleges. His family claim in their suit that Boeing responded by carrying out a “campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit and humiliate him until he would either give up or be discredited”.In the evening of March 8th last year, Barnett left the law offices of Boeing's outside counsel in Charleston after testifying for two days in the OSHA case. Barnett was giving his account of how Boeing violated its own policies and procedures, and FAA rules, during his seven years as a quality inspector at the North Charleston plant that assembles the 787 Dreamliner. He'd delayed a trip back to his home in Louisiana to finish his deposition the next day, a Saturday. Videos cited in the police report show Barnett leaving the hotel around 8:30 PM, and getting in his Clemson orange, Dodge truck. When Barnett failed to show by the 10 AM starting time for his final round of testimony, Turkewitz called the Holiday Inn to conduct a “welfare check.”Note: “America come together or die!!! Pray that the motherfk…ers who destroyed my life pay!!! I pray that Boeing pays!!! Bury me face down so that Boeing and their lying ass leaders can kiss my ass. I can't do this any longer!!! F-k Boeing!!!'Business has been neglected': Longtime Tesla investor demands Elon Musk resign as CEO MMElon Musk Says He Has No Idea What He Did to Make Everybody So Mad at Him"It's really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left.""My companies make great products that people love and I've never physically hurt anyone.”“So why the hate and violence against me?”"I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats, were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet they're burning down cars, they're firebombing dealerships, they're firing bullets into dealerships, they're smashing up Teslas," Musk said. "Tesla is a peaceful company. We've never done anything harmful.""I've never done anything harmful."“Because I am a deadly threat to the woke mind parasite and the humans it controls."Tesla just recalled basically all the Cybertrucks ever sold in AmericaTesla workers in Germany say they don't have time to use the bathroomTesla workers at a German factory say working conditions don't allow them enough time for drinking or bathroom breaks.Over 3,000 workers at a Tesla gigafactory near Berlin have signed a petition asking for more breaks and an end to intimidation from management, according to a statement from German metalworker's union IG Metall.A Huge Amount of Money Is Missing From TeslaEven the company's financials are now sprouting some glaring questions. As the Financial Times reports, a whopping $1.4 billion appears to have vanished in thin air. The enormous hole arises when examining the carmaker's capital expenditures and how those compare to the reported rise of the value of its assets.According to Tesla's cashflow statements, the firm spent $6.3 billion on "purchases of property and equipment excluding finance leases, net of sales" in the second half of 2024. However, its balance sheet claims the gross value of property, plant, and equipment rose by only $4.9 billion — leaving an eyebrow-raising $1.4 billion discrepancy.Musk Set to Receive Top-Secret Briefing on U.S. War Plans for ChinaMusk Tells Tesla Workers: Don't Sell Your SharesTesla board members, executive sell off over $100 million of stock in recent weeksTogether, four top officers at the company have offloaded over $100 million in shares since early February.Last week, longtime Musk ally James Murdoch became the latest to do so, exercising a stock option and selling shares worth approximately $13 million, according to an SEC filing.Elon Musk's brother, Kimbal Musk, who also sits on the board, unloaded 75,000 shares worth approximately $27 million last month, according to a filing.The chairman of the board, Robyn Denholm, has offloaded more than $75 million dollars worth of shares in two transactions in the past five weeks, federal filings show.Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Chobani CEO: Why we're now giving all workers at least 12 weeks of parental leaveDR: JD Vance rips globalization, calling cheap labor a 'drug'MM: Tesla Cybertruck deliveries are on hold as trims are flying off the 'bulletproof' truck DRThey recalled ALL of them - imagine if Mary Barra put out a car at GM that, 1 year after releasing, they had to recall ALL of them? What would you do investors? Assholiest of the Week (MM):WahWah, our CEO: Tesla warns White House over tariffs in unsigned letter: ‘It's a polite way to say that the bipolar tariff regime is screwing over Tesla'Wah, China: OpenAI slams DeepSeek, warning the US government that China is catching up fastWah, customers: Tesla owners are trading in their EVs at record levels, Edmunds says, Tesla springs last-minute public all hands on staffers, confusion ensues, Tesla Cybertrucks are getting roasted on TikTok—one prank at a timeWah, investors: Baillie Gifford slashes Tesla stake as investor calls on Musk to step down, $1.4bn is a lot to fall through the cracks, even for Tesla, A Huge Amount of Money Is Missing From TeslaWah, privacy: Dad demands OpenAI delete ChatGPT's false claim that he murdered his kidsWah, I'm back in middle school: Elon Musk says he's shocked at the level of Tesla hate and vandalism happening: 'I've never done anything harmful'Stefan Padfield DR"It is not surprising that our proposal received low support, given the concerns we have about bias and conflicts of interest infecting the votes and recommendations of the Big 5 asset managers and proxy advisors, as well as the company's management," Padfield said."The issues raised by our proposals remain relevant to Disney's bottom line, and we arguably saw an indication of this in the fact that neither ESG nor DEI were mentioned once, directly or indirectly, in Iger's opening remarks -- suggesting the company is slowly distancing itself from the leftist radicalism embodied in those agendas," Padfield said.Fact check: ESG and DEI were not mentioned in Iger's remarks in 2024. They were not mentioned in 2023. Congrats on paying attention to whatever's in front of your face.Shareholders rejected your proposal because it was asinine and no one caresYour group, NCPPR, gets an AVERAGE of 1% everywhere… but did you notice that NLPC, your sister group in anti white person crime, got a solid 11% in favor at Apple for it's very real proposal on the dangers of AI? And Bowyer, got a 10% in favor at Apple for a report on child sex abuse software and got 1% here at Disney?Maybe the problem is you write overtly racist, stupid fucking shareholder proposals and you shout shut your fat mouth?Have we reached the CEO pay tipping point?Surge in incentive pay lifts HanesBrands' 2024 CEO compensation to $12.9 millionBig companies backtrack on climate goals in bosses' payStarbucks Must End Its Greed'—Bernie Sanders Calls Out Starbucks CEO For Getting $96 Million For 4 Months Of WorkKlarna's CEO got an 862% pay rise ahead of its IPOWe hate TREES now? TREES?Is planting trees 'DEI'? Trump administration cuts nationwide tree-planting effortHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Top workplace psychologist Adam Grant says offering employees better pay packages is the smartest move for the ‘long term'DR: Mom of child dead from measles: “Don't do the shots,” my other 4 kids were fineDR: Prince Harry's friends are blaming Meghan Markle for making him ‘too woke'MM: Donald Trump's favorite musical explained as he demands 'non-woke' theaterLike 89% of Broadway is gay, no?MM: Wait, whaaaa? British Gas: Centrica CEO's pay slashed in half at FTSE 100 giantWho Won the Week?DR: Sonya Mishra, author of new study: How does society perceive power-seeking women differently from status-seeking women?The study found that desiring status is seen as more congruent with feminine stereotypes compared to desiring power, and that women who desire status are less likely to incur backlash compared to women who desire power.MM: This video: Tesla Fans Furious at Video of Tesla Crashing Into Wall Painted Like RoadMark Rober tested autopilots for Lexus and Tesla… and Tesla ran over a dummy kid over and overAs Electrek points out, Autopilot has a well-documented tendency to disengage right before a crash. Regulators have previously found that the advanced driver assistance software shuts off a fraction of a second before making impact.It's a highly questionable approach that has raised concerns over Tesla trying to evade guilt by automatically turning off any possibly incriminating driver assistance features before a crash.PredictionsDR: Bowyer Research and Robbie Starbuck blame female CEOs in the S&P 500 for reducing the overall percentage of male CEOs in the S&P 500MM: Bowyer Research and Robbie Starbuck blame all the women running the big 5 - Larry Fink, Ron O'Hanley, Salim Ramji, Gary Retelny, and Bob Mann - for the failure of their shareholder proposals and demand a report from each requesting an analysis of the risk of having so many woke women running the big 5
Nightlife looks at a significant development in the Murdoch story: James Murdoch breaking his rule of not speaking to the media. James and his wife Katherine were interviewed over a year by Atlantic reporter McKay Coppins, who joined Philip Clark.
Last year, one of the world’s most powerful families converged in a Nevada court room to fight over the future of their empire. Rupert Murdoch was attempting to change a decades-old family trust in order to install his chosen son, Lachlan, as heir apparent when he dies. Exactly what happened in that court room was a tightly guarded secret. But then, in a rare interview with The Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins, James Murdoch gave his account of the case and how it tore his family apart. Today, Coppins tells us why James spoke out to reveal the bitter details of the battle over the Murdoch empire. This is part one in a two part interview. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Staff writer at The Atlantic, McKay Coppins Photo: Ron Galella / GettySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the cardinal Murdoch family rules is never speak about the family outside the family. So, when journalist McKay Coppins got in touch with James Murdoch last year, he really wasn’t expecting a reply. But Coppins was curious – what would happen to the Murdoch empire when Rupert died? And what it would mean for his youngest son, James, who was seemingly an outcast from the family? What he didn’t yet know was there was a secret high stakes legal battle going on – and James was ready to talk. This is part two in a two part interview. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Staff writer at The Atlantic, McKay Coppins Photo: Ron Galella / GettySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
IntroductionLIVE from your ESG and DEI Teeth Bleaching Kit, it's a Business Pants Friday Show here at February 21st Studios, featuring AnalystHole Matt Moscardi. On today's weekly wrap up: Canada still cares, Rupert Murdoch knows how to text, the illusion of meritocracy, and an important new announcement from YouTubeOur show today is being sponsored by Free Float Analytics, the only platform measuring board power, connections, and performance for FREE.Story of the Week (DR):ESG Week MMBlackRock and Vanguard halt meetings with companies after SEC cracks down on ESGBlackRock resumes stewardship talks after reviewing new ESG guidanceProxy vote support for ESG drops to record low in 2024Clarification: ShareAction analyzed how 70 of the world's largest asset managers voted on 279 ESG shareholder resolutions during the 2024 proxy voting season:In 2024, only four (1.4%) out of the 279 resolutions we assessed received majority support, less than half of the percentage that gained a majority vote in 2023 (3%), and far lower than the 21% which passed in 2021.This is reflected in an ongoing downward trend in the average percentage support that these resolutions received, which was 20.6% in 2024 compared to 40% in 2021.Vanguard, the world's second largest asset manager, performed the worst of all the managers we assessed, voting in favour of 0% of shareholder proposals.Top 26 all in Europe1 GenAM (Italy) 982 BNP Paribas Asset Management (France) 973 PGGM Investments (Netherlands) 9728 Federated Hermes (top in US) 80BlackRock at #67 with a score of 5; Vanguard to out of 70 with a 0.Tesla Targeted With Worldwide Protests, Vandalism Tesla showrooms are being hit by a wave of anti-DOGE protestsSheryl Crow says goodbye to her Tesla and donates to NPR: 'You have to decide who you are willing to align with'Sign That Says “We Hate Him Too” Appears in Window of Tesla DealershipEconomist Warns That Elon Musk Is About to Cause a "Deep, Deep Recession"Jesse Rothstein, DOL's chief economist at the start of the Obama administration: "This is going to be very, very bad."James Murdoch lays bare his relationship with ‘misogynist' father amid succession fight in rare interviewThe interview, published in the Atlantic, reveals James Murdoch, now 52, regarded his father, now 93, as a “misogynist” and described Fox News as a “menace” to US democracy.A series of “withering questions” put to James by Rupert's lawyer in a nearly five-hour session at a Manhattan law office. According to the Atlantic, the questions included:“Have you ever done anything successful on your own?”“Why were you too busy to say ‘Happy birthday' to your father when he turned 90?”“Does it strike you that, in your account, everything that goes wrong is always somebody else's fault?”The lawyer also referred to James and his sisters as “white, privileged, multibillionaire trust-fund babies”.James realised Rupert, who was seated silently, was texting the questions to the lawyer. “How fucking twisted is that?” he asks Coppins.UnitedHealth's rough stretch continues, with buyouts, a reported DOJ probe and a 23% drop in three monthsUnitedHealthcare is in hot water again as the insurance giant grapples with a reported government investigation of its Medicare billing practices, pursues employee buyouts and potential layoffs and faces sharp criticism from billionaire Bill Ackman.It extends a tumultuous period for its parent company, UnitedHealth Group, marked by the killing of a top executive, a costly cyberattack against its subsidiary and high medical costs.The Department of Justice has launched a civil fraud investigation in recent months into UnitedHealth's billing practices for its Medicare Advantage plansThe probe specifically examines whether diagnoses were routinely made to trigger extra payments in those plans, including at physician groups the insurer ownsGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Canadian banks must reveal diversity of board, top managers under new rulesCanadian banks and other national institutions have to disclose information about the diversity of their boards of directors and top management under new rules published on Saturday, in sharp contrast with the U.S. Trump administration which is ending such practices.Federally regulated financial institutions must also disclose policies to increase diversity while sending out notices of annual meetings to shareholders."Investors lack transparent and standardized information on the representation of women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities in senior leadership positions … Diversity is fundamental to creating a thriving and successful financial sector that reflects Canadian values."DR: DEI is good for our business, Coca-Cola saysIn an annual filing, the company said its business could be adversely affected if it was "unable to attract or retain specialized talent or top talent with diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds."DR: REVERSAL: Trump rescinds DOT approval for NYC congestion toll, condemns city to pollutionDR: REVERSAL: Amazon workers reject union in vote at North Carolina warehouseOf the 3,276 ballots cast, there were 2,447 votes opposing the union and 829 in favor, according to the National Labor Relations Board.CAUSE was founded in 2022 by RDU1 employees Mary Hill and Rev. Ryan Brown to voice concerns about the company's response to the Covid pandemic, which they viewed as inadequate. The group sought to organize RDU1 to boost wages and secure longer breaks.Starting pay at RDU1 is $18.50 an hour. CAUSE has pushed to negotiate for wages of $30 an hour.Unions have enjoyed increasing support across the country, with 67% of Americans saying they approve of labor unions, according to Gallup.North Carolina had the lowest union membership rate in the country last year, with only 2.4% of workers in the state represented, according to the BLS.MM: NASA Has Some Good News About The Asteroid That Could Hit EarthMM: Finally, a future lawsuit against return to office mandates is here: Afternoon Naps Boost Your Problem-Solving, Study Finds110 minute nap!!MM: What's in that drink? Starbucks becomes less Instagrammable. MM DRAssholiest of the Week (MM):Meritocracy, the new buzzword DRExxon Swaps 'Diversity' for 'Meritocracy' in Report to InvestorsAccording to our data, ONE of Exxon's TWELVE directors meets relatively unimpeachable “merit” measures: advanced knowledge of the industry, network power, economic interest in the company, performance (earnings and TSR) at any company board they sit on, and CEO or leadership positions in the past.The ONE member that hits three of the five is Kaisa Hietala, who was a dissent director put there by Engine No 1 in an activist voteHere's why merit's missing: 7 of 12 directors are white menThere are no people of color anywhere except the two twofers - the woman born in Egypt who lived in Texas her whole life and was part of Trump 1.0, and the black guy on three other boards?Our data shows on average black women have more merit on paper than any other cohortNew plan: companies need to announce “increased meritocracy targets” - increasing the number of employees, executives, and directors meet meritocracy requirements by 2050The result will be: 100% of every company is black womenYou're welcomeIt's your job, assholeBoeing CEO praises Elon Musk for helping with the delayed Air Force One delivery: 'He's a brilliant guy'Your literal job is to build that thing for a client - imagine if we developed sucky director data, then said we hired ISS to build it because, “they're better at it!”Investors - you elected this board, this fool, and it's your money - is your job as owner the company to keep on a board and management team that needs help to do its basic job?Just a reminder: Ohio AG sued Boeing's board for safety failures - they can't keep their planes safe, they can't build new planes, they can't figure out how to deal with their employees… and the lowest vote against wasn't for prior CEO Dave Calhoun, it was for the guy who chaired the safety committee… for one year!Ohio voted FOR THEM ALLWhat it was always aboutThe worst version of fuck, marry, kill… fuck anyone with a vagina since you're a middle school boy, marry money, and kill… peopleAn Influencer Says She Had Elon Musk's Baby and the Drama Is Pretty Spectacular, Even by His StandardsElon Musk has a problem with X's Community Notes when he disapproves of the resultsElon Musk Is Flagrantly Gutting an Agency in Charge of Regulating TeslaTesla recalls more than 375,000 vehicles due to power steering issueHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Zuckerberg's New Metaverse Ad Is So Bad That the People Who Created It Must Be Secretly Trying to Embarrass HimMM: YouTube picked a new shade of red for its logo because the old red was too red - because the old color, hex code #FF1B1B was super loud and diverse, they made it a less diverse woke red, hex code #EB2F3BWho Won the Week?DR: NYC pollutionMM: Investor Relations Teams: BlackRock and Vanguard halt meetings with companies after SEC cracks down on ESG. BlackRock resumes stewardship talks after reviewing new ESG guidance. Not said but implied: “don't worry, we totally can't actually do stuff now, we're just talking here”PredictionsDR: Robbie Starbuck sues Coca-Cola because color of Coke is “too DEI”MM: Apple, prior to their upcoming meeting, sues Inspire Investing and Wayne Franzten, who copy pasted a shareholder proposal submitted by Bowyer Research, the company propped up by ISS, to Deere for a meeting in the same week. The lawsuit is on the grounds that Wayne Franzten doesn't exist (the only search result for his name is the Apple proposal, not even in voter records or political donation or real estate records can I find him - and this is his ONLY shareholder proposal in our database EVER), and on the grounds that a religious investor cannot sue on the grounds of financial materiality since Jesus said, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” | Mark 10:24b-25 and “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” | Luke 12:13-15, which means churches are anti-shareholder value.
A very public sibling feud sent Mia down a rabbit hole — and we needed to unpack it. From empire control to public fallouts, we dive into the dramatic Murdoch family saga that's playing out in public. Plus, we explore a growing trend — sibling therapy. With family relationships becoming increasingly complex, should more siblings be heading to the therapist's couch together? Also, we have our recommendations for your weekend. Something a bit sexy, something a bit controversial and the book Amelia Lester can’t stop talking about. And... our best and worst of the week. From an embarrassing moment, one of us thinks she’s beautiful and the jeans that transformed a wardrobe. Support independent women's media Get your tickets to the Mamamia Out Loud Live 2025 All or Nothing Tour Presented By Nivea Cellular What To Listen To Next: Listen to our latest episode: The Fingering Renaissance Listen: The 'Apple Cider Vinegar' Debrief We All Needed Listen: The Belle Gibson Fallout & Armie's 'D*ckhead Defence' Listen: The Exact Age A "Hot Mess" Is No Longer Cute Listen: The Great Attention Thief Listen: The Bully, The Mum & The Aftermath Of A Viral Video Listen: A Very Honest Review Of Nicole Kidman's 'Baby Girl' Listen: The True Story Of A Liar: Belle Gibson & Apple Cider Vinegar Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts The End Bits: Sign up to the Mamamia Out Loud Newsletter for all our recommendations and behind-the-scenes content in one place. ENTER SUBSCRIBER GIVEAWAYS: Use code MMOLCRUISE for 20% off a yearly subscription. Recommendations: Mia wants you to listen to Mamamia's spicy new podcast Butter Jessie wants you to watch The Apprentice on Stan Amelia wants you to read Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed, by Maureen Callahan What To Read: Read: Everything you need to know about the Mamamia Out Loud ALL OR NOTHING TOUR coming May 2025 Read: GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamiaoutloud CREDITS: Hosts: Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens & Amelia Lester Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Emeline Gazilas Audio Producer: Leah Porges Video Producer: Josh Green Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alex Smith drops in to discuss bringing the final series of Big Boys to Channel 4, and what's coming next for Rough Cut and the wider TV market as London prepares for its first Mip London.Jim Waterson's also here to celebrate the success of London Centric, his Substack newsroom for local journalism. With thousands paying for access, we'll ask why wouldn't journalists turn their back on legacy media?Also on the programme: we find out why James Murdoch has been a little indiscreet, preview the first ever MIP London... and, in the Media Quiz, we look at some unbroadcastable media moments.That's all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://www.themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Deadline's MIPcom London previewJames Murdoch rare interview delivers the goodsBBC stops music radio streams internationallyNews and current affairs magazine ABCs 2024BBC begins £6.8m tender process for BBCS formatsSeries of new Irish digital radio stations with ‘existing & new content offerings' set to be launched in coming weeksBBC asked to remove Gaza documentary over narrator's father's ties to HamasTrump jokes cut from BAFTA broadcastGuardian signs licensing deal with ChatGPT owner OpenAIBauer Media launches Bridget Jones Radio pop-up station Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As a family in control of one of the most powerful media empires in the world, there has long been a fascination with the Murdochs. But, as Rupert Murdoch's younger son, James Murdoch, speaks out about the family feuds and secret pacts – the dramatic fall out is even more sordid than a Succession script... Staff Writer with The Atlantic McKay Coppins published his in-depth piece which saw him spend time with James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn as the couple revealed their regrets and just how estranged the relationship is with his father and brother…He joins Seán to discuss.
As a family in control of one of the most powerful media empires in the world, there has long been a fascination with the Murdochs. But, as Rupert Murdoch's younger son, James Murdoch, speaks out about the family feuds and secret pacts – the dramatic fall out is even more sordid than a Succession script... Staff Writer with The Atlantic McKay Coppins published his in-depth piece which saw him spend time with James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn as the couple revealed their regrets and just how estranged the relationship is with his father and brother…He joins Seán to discuss.
Linnea Rönnqvist och Alice Dadgostar ger oss det senaste kring gnisslet mellan Europa och USA. Alice berättar om det blixtinkallade mötet i Paris där Emanuel Macron samlade Europas ledare för att hitta en gemensam strategi.Linnea pratar om huruvida Europa ska skaffa sig en egen armé eller förlita sig på ett allt svagare Nato.Alice berättar att Lars Trädgårdh har snävat av kriterierna för den kulturkanon han har tagit fram och ger exempel på reaktioner det fått. Hon pratar också om James Murdoch, son till mediamogulen Rupert Murdoch, som ovanligt nog medverkat i en intervju. Dessutom: Han blir Dumbledore, fågelholkar ska vårstädas och höga böter för rallyspelare som svor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
IntroductionLIVE from your ESG-powered Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender, it's a Business Pants Friday Show here at December 13th Studios, featuring AnalystHole Matt Moscardi. On today's weekly wrap up: Ongoing NEO murder stuff, Rupert Murdoch fails to screw over 75% of his children, God eats McDonald's, and hot sauce is going wokeOur show today is being sponsored by Free Float Analytics, the only platform measuring board power, connections, and performance for FREE.Story of the Week (DR):NEO shooter, continued MMUnitedHealth Group CEO addresses Brian Thompson death, says healthcare system is 'flawed'“a brilliant, kind man who was working to make health care better for everyone”No proof of that, of course“When a colleague proposed a new idea to Brian, he would always ask, “Would you want this for your own family?” If not, end of discussion.”Also, really?“His dad spent more than 40 years unloading trucks at grain elevators. B.T., as we knew him, worked farm jobs as a kid and fished at a gravel pit with his brother.“See, he's one of youFoxbusiness and foxnews is referring to Luigi as “ivy league graduate Luigi Mangione”“The ideas he advocated were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate — and more human. That's Brian's legacy, one that we will carry forward by continuing our work to make the health system work better for everyone.”His other legacy is TSC of $30M over past 3 years and roughly $40M in equity“we also are struggling to make sense of this unconscionable act and the vitriol that has been directed at our colleagues who have been barraged by threats. No employees — be they the people who answer customer calls or nurses who visit patients in their homes — should have to fear for their and their loved ones' safety.”Amazing deflection because people are clearly angry at the… EXECUTIVESBut maybe he DOES understand the vitriol:“We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people's frustrations with it.”“Clearly, we are not there yet. We understand and share the desire to build a health care system that works better for everyone.”“Health care is both intensely personal and very complicated, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood. We share some of the responsibility for that.”“No one would design a system like the one we have. … Our mission is to help make it work better.”It's true, that's basically their hollow mission statement. And I suppose massive profit helps with that goal?UnitedHealth Group annual gross profit for 2023 was $90.958B, a 14.24% increase from 2022.UnitedHealth Group annual gross profit for 2022 was $79.617B, a 14.31% increase from 2021.UnitedHealth Group annual gross profit for 2021 was $69.652B, a 3.96% increase from 2020.There's also this part of their mission statement: “We dedicate ourselves to this every day for our members by being there for what matters in moments big and small — from their earliest days, to their working years and through retirement.”Which doesn't exactly gel with: UnitedHealthcare's claim denial rate is 32%, which is higher than the industry average of around 17%UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect arrested; charged with murderLuigi Mangione wasn't a UnitedHealthcare member, may have targeted company because of size and influence: NYPDUnitedHealth Group CEO says slain exec Brian Thompson was ‘one of the good guys' in leaked memo to 400,000 employeesFormer Aetna CEO says he'd eliminate employer-sponsored insurance to fix the U.S. healthcare industry in wake of UnitedHealthcare shootingUnitedHealthcare CEO's death is being mocked on LinkedIn—a move that could hurt careers, says HR expertRupert Murdoch Fails in Bid to Change Family Trust A Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch's legal attempt to alter his family trust so that his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, will control the family's media and business empire when he diesBarring a successful appeal, the decision ensures Murdoch's media empire will be left equally to his four oldest children, who are not all ideologically aligned with the conservative views of Rupert and Lachlan.Notably, James Murdoch — once considered a contender to take over the family business — resigned from the board of News Corp. in 2020, citing disagreements over editorial content published by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.U.S. appeals court tosses Nasdaq diversity rules for company boardsThe conservative-majority New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Securities and Exchange Commission did not have the power to approve the rule that required companies to ensure women and minority directors were on their boards or provide an explanation of why this was not the case.It was implemented after George Floyd's killing pushed companies to address racial inequality and move toward diversity, equity and inclusion.CEO Buddy System: Deloitte survey: CEO optimism ‘is as high as we've ever seen'Trump's inaugural fund receives $1 million donation from Mark Zuckerberg's MetaOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fundJeff Bezos' Amazon Plans to Donate $1 Million to Trump's InaugurationElon Musk Gloats as Trump Announces Billionaires Will Be Exempt From Normal Environmental RulesOn Tuesday, president-elect Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post that any "person or company" investing $1 billion or more in the US would "receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental [sic] approvals."Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: California bill would require mental health warning labels on social media California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pushing for social media companies to be required to post mental health warnings on their sites.DR: Paris is replacing 60,000 parking spaces with trees MMMM: Stanley recalls 2.6M travel mugs due to potential burn hazard from faulty lidsAssholiest of the Week (MM):Andrew Witty DRUnitedHealth Group C.E.O.: The Health Care System Is Flawed. Let's Fix It.We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people's frustrations with it. No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did. It's a patchwork built over decades. Our mission is to help make it work better. Clearly, we are not there yet. We understand and share the desire to build a health care system that works better for everyone. That is the purpose of our organization.Health care is both intensely personal and very complicated, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood. We share some of the responsibility for that.While the health system is not perfect, every corner of it is filled with people who try to do their best for those they serve.Brian was one of those people. The ideas he advocated were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate — and more human.Meanwhile…How UnitedHealthcare and other insurers use AI to deny claimsLeaked video shows UnitedHealth CEO defending practices that prevent ‘unnecessary' careAccording to ValuePenguin, a site that helps users compare insurance plans' costs, UnitedHealth's 32% claims denial rate was twice the industry average. Congress Introduces Bills to Break Up UnitedHealth Groupsponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), Dual class investorsNon profits have figured something out capital markets haven't - you can't make dual class non profits: Rupert Murdoch Fails in Bid to Change Family TrustAt one point in his 96-page opinion, Mr. Gorman characterizes the plan to change the trust as a “carefully crafted charade” to “permanently cement Lachlan Murdoch's executive roles” inside the empire “regardless of the impacts such control would have over the companies or the beneficiaries” of the family trust.In a statement, James, Elisabeth and Prudence said: “We welcome Commissioner Gorman's decision and hope that we can move beyond this litigation to focus on strengthening and rebuilding relationships among all family members.”The initial trust arrangement was meant to be binding, the product of an agreement Mr. Murdoch negotiated with his second wife, Anna — the mother of Lachlan, Elisabeth and James — who was concerned that he would bequeath an equal share of control and equity to the young children he had with Ms. Deng. AND YET… we tolerate dual class dictatorships in capital markets in perpetuity?“Carefully crafted charade[s]” designed to keep a company's control private but siphon money from markets anywayOhioSB6The board, in accordance with its fiduciary duties described under this section, shall make investment decisions with the sole purpose of maximizing the return on its investments. The board shall not make an investment decision with the primary purpose of influencing any social or environmental policy or attempting to influence the governance of any corporation.That's literally the ONLY thing you get as an owner of stock - the ability to vote, which in and of itself is influence over governance of a corporation So no Ohio pension funds CANNOT VOTE AGAINST MANAGEMENT! EVER! BY LAW! NO MATTER WHAT!Small businessThe normies feel good… … and lose every timeHeadliniest of the WeekDR: How McDonald's was involved in almost every major news story this past yearCustomers' boycotts topple McDonald's Q1 salesIn October 2023, the McDonald's Israel franchise made headlines for giving away free meals to IDF soldiers involved in the escalating Israel-Hamas War—resulting in a massive boycott by pro-Palestinian protestors in the Middle East. Inflation plagues consumers and McDonald's prices soarMcDonald's faced another backlash this year over its $18 Big Macs, leaving many price-conscious customers questioning whether it was still worth the cost. Faced with inflation and the high cost of living, customers just weren't having it.In order to counteract the bad publicity it was receiving, McDonald's rolled out a $5 meal deal which seemed to win over at least some customers and gave the stock a boost as Americans came back for the more affordable burgers.McDonald's Quarter Pounders linked to an E. coli crisisIn a year with more than 300 food recalls, none seemed as well publicized, or as lamented, as the McDonald's Quarter Pounder recall in October. The fast-food chain's stock price plummeted after it became the center of a full-on E. coli outbreak, linked to onions on its Quarter Pounders. In the end, a significant number of people were affected across 14 states: 104 people became sick, 34 were hospitalized, and one person died.Trump serves fries at McDonald's on the campaign trailMcDonald's also played a role in the 2024 presidential campaign, when then-Republican nominee Donald Trump tried his hand at operating the fry machine at one of the fast-food giant's Pennsylvania locations and held a press conference at the drive-thru window. The visit was largely seen as a way to counter, without evidence, stories of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris's having worked at McDonald's one summer while in college.RFK Jr brutally mocked over ‘MAHA' hypocrisy as he enjoys McDonald's ‘really bad' meal with TrumpLuigi Mangione is arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald'sWhen law enforcement officials first arrested Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, many people were surprised that Mangione, who had alluded police for five days, was found at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.MM: BuzzFeed survives by selling 'Hot Ones' to George Soros MMVivek Ramaswamy, winner of the Paul & Daisy Soros scholarship, still owns a 9% stake in the A shares of the dual class companyWho Won the Week?DR: Two winners:Directors who resign in protest: James Murdoch — once considered a contender to take over the family business — resigned from the board of News Corp. in 2020, citing disagreements over editorial content published by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.CEOs who take over companies from founders while the founder stays as Executive Chair: Oracle CEO Safra Catz Plans to Sell Over $1 Billion of StockMM: Billionaires who need permitsPredictionsDR: The next McDonald's headline: Shareholders Sue OpenAI's ChatGPT after the Chatbot Coaxed a Troubled Chief Revenue Officer to Eat 850 Quarter Pounders during Last Month's Nor'easterMM:
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Shownotes and Transcript Dr. Andy Wakefield joins Hearts of Oak to discuss his transition from mainstream physician to medical industry whistle-blower, sharing with us his findings on the MMR vaccine's link to autism. He talks about facing backlash, making films like "Vaxxed" and the recently released "Protocol 7" to address vaccine safety and pharmaceutical fraud. Despite challenges like losing his license, Andy stresses the importance of revealing the truth to the public. He highlights the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry's negligence towards patient safety, legal protections shielding companies from vaccine injury liability, and the need for public involvement in spreading awareness and demanding accountability. PROTOCOL 7 - An Andy Wakefield Film WEBSITE protocol7.movie X/TWITTER x.com/P7Movie INSTAGRAM instagram.com/protocol7movie Andy Wakefield has been likened to the Dreyfus of his generation -- a doctor falsely accused of scientific and medical misconduct, whose discoveries opened up entirely new perceptions of childhood autism, the gut-brain link, and vaccine safety. As an ‘insider,' the price for his discoveries and his refusal to walk away from the issues they raised, was swift and brutal, with loss of job, career, reputation, honours, colleagues, and country. And yet he enjoys a huge and growing support from around the world. Wakefield's stance made him a trusted place for whistle-blowers -- from government and industry to confess and ‘download.' He has extraordinary stories to share. Wakefield is now an award-winning filmmaker. Despite elaborate attempts at censorship, his documentary VAXXED: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe – the revelations of a vaccine scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- changed the public mindset on the truth about vaccine safety. Wakefield's is a story that starts with professional trust in the instincts of mothers, choice and consequences, a quest for truth, and perseverance against overwhelming odds. Andy has long pursued the scientific link between childhood vaccines, intestinal inflammation, & neurological injury in children. Dr. Wakefield is the co-founder of the Autism Media Channel & the founder of 7th Chakra Films. He is the director of his first major narrative feature, the recently released #Protocol7, co-written with Terry Rossio (Aladdin, Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fast and Furious, Godzilla vs. King Kong). Connect with Andy... WEBSITE 7thchakrafilms.com INSTAGRAM instagram.com/andrewjwakefield X/TWITTER x.com/DrAndyWakefield Interview recorded 25.6.24 Connect with Hearts of Oak... X/TWITTER x.com/HeartsofOakUK WEBSITE heartsofoak.org/ PODCASTS heartsofoak.podbean.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA heartsofoak.org/connect/ SHOP heartsofoak.org/shop/ Transcript (Hearts of Oak) I am delighted to have Dr. Andrew Wakefield with us today. Andrew, thank you so much for joining us today. (Dr Andy Wakefield) Peter, my pleasure. Great to be here. Great to have you. And your name will be well known, certainly to many Brits. And I live through what you faced just as a Brit consuming news. And we'll get into all of that. People can follow you @DrAndyWakefield on Twitter. And we're going to talk about your latest film, Protocol7.Movie. All the links will be in the description. So we will get to that. But I encourage people to not only look at your Twitter feed, but also look at the website for the film, which is literally just out. But you're the award-winning filmmaker of Vaxxed and many other films. And of course, the latest one just came out. Doctor, if I can bring us back a little bit, because you had a certain time where your name was massively out there and that was simply asking questions. I think a lot of us have woken up to maybe big pharma, have woken up to vaccines and their role over the last four years. And you were much earlier than many people in the public. But that Lancet MMR autism, and I think your Wikipedia probably says fraud more than any other Wikipedia I've ever read. But you talked about that link between MMR, mumps, measles and rubella vaccine and autism. Maybe you could just go back and let us know your background, your medical background, and then what led up to you putting that out and maybe give us an insight into the chaos that ensued? Certainly, Peter. I was an entirely mainstream physician. I graduated at St. Mary's Hospital in London, part of the University of London, one of six generations of doctors in my family to have graduated there. And I ran a research team in gastroenterology at the Royal Free Hospital in North London and our principal interests were Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis inflammatory bowel disease, and in 1995 parents started contacting me and saying my child was perfectly fine they had an MMR vaccine in many cases and they regressed rapidly into autism, had seizures, lost speech, and language interaction with their siblings. And ultimately they were diagnosed with autism, well I know I knew nothing about autism. It was so rare when I was at medical school we weren't taught about it and I said you must have got the wrong number,. They said the reason we're contacting you is my child has intractable bowel problems, failure to thrive, they're in pain, I know they're in pain even though they've lost the ability to communicate. And the doctors and nurses that I've spoken to about this have said that's just part of autism, get over it, put them in a home, move on have another child. It's an extraordinary situation and so we investigated these children I put together a very eminent team of physicians. Who investigated these children and confirmed that the parents were right the children had I had an inflammatory bowel disease, and that's now been confirmed in multiple studies worldwide. When we treated that bowel disease, then not only did the gastrointestinal symptoms improve, but the autism improved. We didn't cure it, but the children, for example, started using words they hadn't used for five years. It was quite extraordinary. And so as academics, we said that didn't happen, and we did it 183 times, and it happened pretty much every time. So, we then began to believe that there was something really very, very interesting. So, when the parents said my child regressed after a vaccine, we had a professional and moral obligation to take that very seriously. But that really flew in the face of government policy and pharmaceutical industry profiteering. And that was really the beginning of the end of my career. The dean, Harry Zuckerman, took me aside and said, if you continue this vaccine safety research, it will not be good for your career. In that, at least he was correct. And when you offend government policymaking and the bottom line for the pharmaceutical industry, really, there's no price you will not pay. And people are now familiar with that. In the context of COVID, it's happened to many, many eminent doctors and scientists. But at the time, this was was a novelty, the cancel culture was a novelty, the ability of the system to destroy your career if you stepped out of line was something really quite new. And... So, I moved to America, set up a centre there for here in Austin, Texas for autism. They eventually destroyed my career there. And so I thought, well, how can I continue to help this population? And I'd been fascinated by filmmaking for a long time, screenwriting for a long time. And what had happened, Peter, is that over the years, because of the position I'd taken, And people had come to me from the Department of Health in the UK or from regulatory agencies such as the CDC in the US or the industry, the vaccine manufacturers, and said, we've done a terrible thing. Here is the evidence. We've committed fraud. And so I became a repository, if you like, for whistle-blowers. And this story, the latest story, Protocol 7, I mean, my films have been made about these whistle-blowers, some of them. And the latest story, Protocol 7, is one such whistle-blower, who came to me many years ago and presented to me the compelling story that ultimately we've turned into a major narrative feature film. Well, we'll get into that, but the role of media, I mean, you had BBC Channel 4 with hit pieces against you and I'm sure many others. What was that like? Because you said you were kind of mainstream. I remember that time as well, whenever I was mainstream, probably six years ago. So, it was a little bit later due. And you believe these institutions are positive. They're about actually reporting the news. And then you realize, actually, they're not. What was that like whenever you had all these media outlets suddenly make you a target of their reporting? Well, I think it really, part of it was Rupert Murdoch, his son, James Murdoch, was put onto the board of GlaxoSmithKline, Europe's biggest manufacturer of MMR, with the objective as a non-executive director of protecting that company's interests in the media, certainly the Murdoch media. And his target was me and they came after me in the biggest way and in the wake of that you know channel 4 as you say and others followed suit. It was very tricky. It was very difficult, because you didn't get to put the other side of it everything was heavily edited and it was just a relentless attack they were determined utterly determined that I committed fraud never committed scientific fraud in my life. But you can destroy the career of a physician or scientist in five minutes, literally five minutes. All you need is the headline and that's it. And then you spend the rest of your life trying to. Get back your reputation if ever. And I abandoned that idea because it was, the issue wasn't about me. It was about something far more important. And as soon as I, you know, I stopped worrying about what the media might say about me and simply got on with the job of doing what I could to help these children, then a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I just didn't worry about that anymore. Say what they like. I've got a job to do while I still have time on this planet. And that was to advocate on behalf of these children and try and move the needle on the real pandemic, which is of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. I mean, it's in the media in the UK every day. We're talking about one in just over 20 children in Northern Ireland, in Scotland, in the UK. And this is an extraordinary level of a permanent serious neurological condition. When I was at medical school, it was one in 10,000. So what has happened? Just to bring your listeners up to date, your viewers up to date. The CDC performed a study at my behest. I told them, I said, look, I think that age of exposure is a major factor. The younger you are when you get the MMR, the greater the risk. It's not simply you get the MMR, you get autism. That's not it. There's got to be a co-factor associated with it. And age of exposure is one, I believe. Now, everybody is now familiar that the outcome from a viral infection, for example, COVID, is age-related. The older you are with COVID, the greater the risk. So everybody gets that now. And I said this to them. I said, I think that younger of age, your exposure is a major risk. Why? Because with natural measles, if you get it under one, you're at greater risk of a severe outcome than you are if you're over one. There is an age-related risk. So, they went away, they tested that hypothesis, and they confirmed that it was absolutely true. And they spent the next 14 years covering up, destroying the data, destroying the documents and changing the results to say that MMR vaccine was safe. And it was only when William Thompson, the senior scientist at the CDC who had designed the study, collected the data and analysed the data, had written the paper, came to me, came to a colleague of mine who came to me and said, we have done this terrible thing. I can no longer live with it. Here is the truth. And that was the basis of the film Vaxxed. And it wasn't my opinion. It wasn't my producer's opinion. This was the senior scientist from the CDC responsible for the study confessing to this fraud. What happened? Nothing. No one was held accountable. Absolutely appalling. These people, these five scientists at the CDC and their superiors had. Committed fraud and put millions of children at risk of serious permanent neurological disease and done so wilfully, knowing that there was a risk. And so I was appalled. And beyond that, I thought my filmmaking is going to expose people. It's going to actually hold people accountable for what they've done. Your study was, it was a small study, wasn't it? I think it was what like a dozen or 16. You're simply saying there does seem to be a link and it's surprising it could have been surprised, one time it should have been surprising, that actually a doctor who raises a concern that should surely be looked at and checked over instead of attacking but it wasn't a massive. You were simply saying these this is the pattern that I'm seeing in the small number of patients that I'm looking at in this study. That's absolutely right. The way in which human disease syndromes are described is usually in a handful of patients who present with... It's such a consistent pattern of signs and symptoms of clinical measures that they merit reporting in their own right. And that's exactly what this was. It couldn't test any hypothesis. It couldn't come to any conclusions other than more research was needed. It actually said this study does not confirm an association between the vaccine. It doesn't. It couldn't do. It is merely reporting the parent's story. And it was a very sober paper. But of course, the media blew it up to claim that I had said MMR vaccine causes autism. No, I didn't. However, I would say that now in light of the CDC study, I would most certainly. And it's their behaviour. It's their need to commit the fraud and hide the data that is the most compelling evidence that there is this clear link. They know there's a link, and rather than do something responsible about it they have put the children at continued risk. In fact they've expanded the vaccine program dramatically, so they've put even more children at risk in my opinion. No, completely and where many of us maybe may not have been anti-vaxxers five years ago we sure as hell are now so it's changed completely, but can I just ask you; you were up against the UK General Medical Council. They're the ones that allow you to practice. They're a judge and jury. It was like a few years investigation. Then in 2010, they decided that you were no longer acceptable. They struck you off. Tell us about that, because I've talked to doctors recently during the COVID chaos who have fought for their right to continue to practice as doctors and they've struggled. You were doing this 14 years ago. What was that experience at the General Medical Council? It was difficult. It was really difficult because there needn't have been a hearing. They'd made up their minds before we even walked through the door. The General Medical Council were under threat from the government of having their powers taken away and the government dictating policy such as right to practice and medical sort of ethics. And they therefore were under scrutiny from the government. They had to deliver on a decision, and they did. Now, the reason I can say that is that their decision was contrived and indeed made up their minds before they even come to the hearing is that when it came for the first time before a proper judiciary, before the UK's sort of senior courts, if you like. The judge was appalled by the GMC's behaviour. He said, and this is in the trial of John Walker Smith, my colleague's appeal against the decision to strike him off, he said, this must never happen again. It was really a political tool to destroy dissent. Now, I appealed as well as John Walker Smith, but I was told by my lawyers that it would cost me half a million pounds to pursue that appeal. I didn't have half a million pounds. I didn't have anything. So, the law belongs to those who can afford it. And that's a fact, whether you live in America or whether you live in the UK. Justice belongs to those who can pay for it. And so there was no opportunity for me to have my case heard on its merits it was simply thrown out. What we did do though when Brian Dear a journalist published in the British medical journal now claiming that I had committed fraud which is absolute nonsense. We sought to sue him and the British Medical Journal in the state of Texas. Now, that's where I lived. That's where my reputation was damaged. And that's where there was legal precedent that allowed us to sue them. Because the BMJ is a journal, sells its wares, its journal, to Texas medical schools. It profits from Texas medical schools. And there is a long-arm statute in Texas that allows us to sue them for defamation. Why would you, it costs about $3 million to sue someone for defamation. Why would you even think of doing that in a situation where all of the evidence is going to be laid bare for the public to scrutinize? Why would you do that if you committed fraud? You wouldn't do it. There was no fraud and therefore we had an extremely strong case and they knew it. They absolutely knew it and and they did everything they could to get out of it. Ultimately, the judge, the appeal court judges here ruled that we did not have jurisdiction. That went in the face of all of the legal precedent. We did not have jurisdiction. Indeed, the BMJ lawyers invoked Texas law in an attack on us. I mean, it was extraordinary that we weren't allowed to sue them here in Texas. This was a political decision from the highest level. They did not want this case to go forward. They They knew we were going to prevail, we were going to win, and that would have undermined their entire sort of years and years and years attacking me and others for suggesting that MMR vaccine might not be safe. And so we were denied the opportunity to have the case heard on its merits, and that's where it remains. Tell us about Vaxxed in 2016 from cover-up to catastrophe. And that talks about the CDC and others destroying evidence to show that there could be a link between MMR and autism. That's something which I think many of us over the last four years would probably accept that sounds plausible, definitely that makes sense, because of what we've seen with big pharma and the collusion with media and governments. But this, you put this out prior to that happening probably in a world where maybe people may not accept that as much because there was more were trusting institutions. But tell us about that film and the authorities wanting to destroy any evidence which would show there was a link. Yes, that was a fascinating film because, as I say, it was an insider from the CDC who was intimately involved in the study that looked at age of exposure to MMR and autism. And it clearly showed that the younger you were when when you've got the vaccine, the greater the risk of autism. And that was in... All children, boys in particular, and black boys above all. For some reason, black children seem to be highly susceptible to this adverse vaccine reaction. Now, we don't know the reason for that. Further follow-up studies should have been done. Now, when the CDC found this association, they had some clear options that would have been there available to them in the interests of the the American public. They could have said, right, we can delay. Let's suggest delaying this vaccine until it's safer. And we have done a bigger, better study to confirm it or refute it. That's what they should have done, to give parents the information, to give them the option. But they didn't. They trashed all of the documents. They trashed the data. They altered the results. And they, for 14 years deceived the public, doctors, the government, everybody, and so it was a very powerful story and we made the documentary it got into the Tribeca film festival which for us was one of the sort of preeminent film festivals and then it was withdrawn, it was censored. And I think that occurred because one of the sponsors of the film was involved in money management on Wall Street involving the pharmaceutical companies and also perhaps a sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival. And so, you know, this is what I hear, whether it's true or not, that remains to be seen. But we were censored. This is the first time this had ever happened at Tribeca Film Festival. And it was a bad few days. And then De Niro went on the television on the what's called Good Morning America and the Today Show, the big national shows and said, we should never have done that. We should have played this film, everybody should have seen it and made up their own minds. And suddenly there was an explosion of interest in this film that people had been banned from seeing. And every attempt by the media to cover it up or De Niro's partner, Jane Rosenthal, to shut him down during interviews failed. He was very angry, very angry. And it had the impact of spreading the news of this film worldwide. And so what we saw at that point, which should have pre-empted COVID, was a major shift in people's perception. They came to the movie theatre, they watched the movie, and they said, wow. There is something, there's a problem here. And then, of course, we had the COVID experience and the extraordinary mishandling and misconduct and lies and deception, about the disease, its origins, and the vaccines, so-called vaccine. And public trust in the public health authorities has never been at such a low. And it will never recover and the point peter is this is that they only have themselves to blame. That is the truth. It's no good then coming after me, or after you, or people who bring them the message or come from the clinic and saying this is what I see in these children. They only have themselves to blame for their arrogance and their stupidity. Now, 2016 it was about that specific link MMR and autism 2019 you widened it in vax 2and to look at actually side effects, vaccine harms, across a range. And certainly the issue does not seem to just be one vaccine, there seems to be a range and we've seen that, and I know any parent will have had this conversation thought, any parent that actually is aware of conversations happening, and they will maybe have questioned the rush to jab children. I will touch on the amount of jabs children now get, which is quite concerning, the rise of jabs. But 2019, yeah, you widen it away from just MMR and concerns of side effects to this seems to be in many vaccinations. Was that received differently or do you still have the the same uphill struggle. Now, that film was not mine. It was made by Brian Burrows and Polly Tommy. And I was interviewed for that film, but it wasn't my movie. But what happened, it was based upon a series of interviews. After Vaxxed, we went off across the country, principally Polly Tommy, interviewing thousands of parents about their experience. And it emerged that other vaccines were involved as well. And I'd come to this via a different route. I came over to America to testify before Congress on the vaccine autism issue. And there I became aware that the mercury in vaccines was a problem. I wasn't aware of it before, that aluminium in vaccines was a problem. And so it became clear that it is very likely that it's the actual toxic load that a child is presented with at a very early stage, rather than just being one vaccine or another. Now, we'll never be able to discern the truth of that. We know which vaccines are involved, which are more important or less important. And this comes to a point you've made, is that they have so many vaccines now that how do you even begin to untangle the complexity, the permutations of how was it this vaccine or this one and this one together or these three or these 15? We just don't know. And I think there's almost been a deliberate attempt to expand the program without doing the appropriate safety research in order to make it virtually impossible possible to target any specific vaccine. So, I think that my sort of current thinking on it, and had we been allowed to conclude our research without it being sabotaged, is that it is related to the toxic load. And there is a study that has literally just come out from Brian Hooker. Scientist with an affected child, that shows that there is an exponential increase in severe adverse reactions like autism with increasing load of vaccines. The more you're given at one time, the greater the risk of an adverse reaction. This dose response effect is very plausible and is very strong evidence of causation. So, the field is highly complex. I'm quite certain that the sheer volume of vaccines that are given to children is way in excess of being safe. I mean, way in excess. And it has never been subjected to any formal clinical trial. You know, is it safe to give multiple vaccines at the same time? Hasn't been done. Well, yeah let me poke, because the issue is supposedly we have had a vaccine that's tested over a 10-year period or whatever and then it's decided safe, but the amount of vaccines that children are given; there is absolutely no way you could do any long-term study on that number of combinations of vaccines. So, it's completely into the unknown. It is. Now and here's the dilemma lemma is that when you take a pharmaceutical agent in the United States, for example. Then it goes through years, literally sort of 10, 15 years of clinical trials, randomized control clinical trials using a placebo, an inert placebo, before it's deemed to be safe. And yet with vaccines, that doesn't apply. They're classified as biologics, and the bar is set very much lower for safety. And so for the childhood vaccines, there has never been a proper long-term placebo-controlled randomized trial of safety. And therefore, it is deceptive, entirely deceptive to say that these vaccines are safe. They're not because they've never been subjected to the appropriate safety studies. And people need to know that. People need to realize that. It just has not been done. And it's now, you know, it's too late to close the gate. The horse has bolted. The vaccine safety studies are very difficult to do now, certainly prospectively. Well, one thing I just, before I get into Protocol 7, one thing I realized traveling the States so much over the last couple of years is that you turn on a TV, so different from Britain, and you see an advert for medication and it tells you how wonderful this medication is. And then half the advert is telling you the possible side effects and usually ends up with death. And you're thinking, that's the last thing I want to have. But that's a world away, and that's just kind of pushed through and accepted that actually the side effect could be much worse than the disease or the issue that it's trying to address. And you think, I sit and watch some of those adverts when I'm over in the States and think, how do we get to this situation where death is seemingly better than a headache? It is bizarre and this direct consumer advertising that happens in America and the other the only other place it happens is New Zealand. We don't, you know it doesn't happen in the UK, but it it's it's there's something more insidious about it, and that is the fact that the nightly news networks here way in excess of 70% of their income comes from the pharmaceutical industry advertising. They could not sustain their operation, a news operation, in the absence of that pharmaceutical industry sponsorship. And so, the industry controls the narrative the industry controls the editorial the headline they're not going to publish something and this happened to me I was interviewing with a girl called Cheryl Ackerson outstanding journalist who was at the the time at CBS. And she said, Andy, when we have finished editing this sequence about vaccines and autism, I will get a call within, you know, in 15 minutes, I'll get a call from the money men on the top story, a top floor saying, you will not play this segment because our sponsors have said they'll pull their money. Well, she was wrong. It was five minutes later. It came five minutes later. And that's the way they operate, I'm afraid. So there is, over and above advertising their drugs, there is something far more sinister about the control, the influence that these drug companies have over American mainstream media. Fortunately, in the UK, that direct-to-consumer advertising does not exist. So I want to jump on, which fits perfectly into Protocol 7, which seems to be about someone, a lawyer, small town, sees issues with Big Pharma, with the industry and wants to challenge. And it is a David and Goliath, something I guess, as you alluded to, we're all up against with Big Pharma. But tell us about this film, which is a story about a whistle-blower, but also going up against Big Pharma. This is based on a true story whistle-blower who came to me many years ago at a meeting in Chicago and revealed this fraud within Merck in respect of its mumps vaccine. And it's really a story more about the behaviour, how the industry behaves when confronted with a threat to its profiteering and its monopolistic sort of control of a vaccine in a country like America. And it's against sort of set against the love and devotion the um intuition of a mother who happens to be a lawyer who fights who battles against the power of the industry. And I'm not going to spoil the end for anyone but I urge people to see this film. It is it's now won 27 film awards it's only just really come out. It's got some wonderful reviews. Very, very high scores on rotten tomatoes and IMDb, so the key to the success of this film is its dissemination is people watching it and we're planning our UK release our European release as well right now So when it comes, please support it. Please get your friends and family to it. Merck realized in the 90s that the Mumps vaccine wasn't working and they took, many, many steps to cover that up and to essentially defraud the American public, the medical profession and others. And that's what the story is about. And it's based upon documents, actual documents obtained from that company that confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt what happened. It's important in the context of safety. And you may say, why is it? The film really is about, or Merck's fraud, was about the efficacy, the protectiveness of the vaccine. It wasn't working as well as they said it was working. And that made it dangerous. Why? Because mumps in children is a trivial condition. That's acknowledged by the CDC. Mumps in post-pubertal adults is not trivial. You risk suffering testicular inflammation and sterility or or ovarian inflammation, brain inflammation. And so a vaccine that doesn't work or only works for a limited amount of time will make you susceptible to mumps again when you're past puberty, when you're in that at-risk period. And so a vaccine that doesn't work makes it a dangerous vaccine. It makes mumps a more dangerous disease. And this is a very important thing to understand within the context of mumps. Merck certainly knew about it and continued to defraud the public despite that. So yeah, it's a very, very important film over and above the issue of mumps. It's about how the industry responds to threats that really sort of compromise its ability to earn revenue, make profits, and maintain a monopoly. Because I think people often forget, and maybe have woken up during the COVID tyranny, that these institutions, they exist to make money for their shareholders. They don't really exist to make a product which makes you better. Their primary aim is the share price for shareholders, just like any company. And if they make a product that actually helps you, then to me, that's a bonus. Is that too cynical a view of the industry? No, it's absolutely true. And they wouldn't deny that. They would say, we're here as a business to make money. We're here as a business to serve our shareholders, our stockholders, first and foremost. That's not ambiguous at all. They would admit to that. The problem comes when everything's fine and they're making good drugs and they're benefiting people. That's fine. It's how the industry responds when something goes wrong. And for example, with Merck and Vioxx, the drug that, you know, was notoriously unsafe. But, you know, they knew at the time of licensing that there were problems. It was causing strokes and heart attacks. It was estimated, I think, that many hundreds or thousands of people suffered as a consequence of that drug. In the litigation in Australia, where Merck were, really, their heads were on the block about this. They uncovered some, in discovery, they uncovered documents which were an exchange between Merck employees about what to do about doctors who criticized their drug. And they said, we may have to seek them out and destroy them where they live. This is not conspiracy theory. This is company policy. There you have these guys saying, we may have to seek them out and destroy them where they live. Okay, so these are the kind of people with whom you're dealing. Tell us, because we hear that these companies are beyond the legal sphere. They have protections and safeguards within countries, and it doesn't matter what side effects that the drug causes, they have this legal protection. I mean, is that the case, or is there a way of actually using the legal system to actually go after these companies? Or is it a slap on the wrist? Sometimes they pay out money to different governments and they say: oops Well there there is and it's interesting the national childhood vaccine injury act in this country in America in 1986 took away liability financial liability from the drug companies for death and injury caused by childhood vaccines on the recommended schedule. Now, that was a gold mine for the industry because they had mandatory markets. Kids had effectively to get vaccinated to go to school and no liability. All they could do was make a profit. But the legal system does work sometimes. And in the context of COVID and the so-called COVID vaccine. There's just been a ruling, I think, by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that has said COVID vaccine is not a vaccine. It doesn't protect against disease and it doesn't stop transmission. Ergo, it is not a vaccine. Now, once it's not a vaccine, by ruling of the court, it's not covered by the indemnity. It's not covered by the government protecting the industry. Suddenly, they're on their own. And that really raises some very interesting legal possibilities that is for litigation in this country. So, we'll see what happens. But there will be every effort by the government to side with the pharmaceutical industry to prevent them being sued, I'm quite sure, because that's what happened. But let's hope that the judges see it differently. I just want to end off on people's response to you because you were maligned, attacked. The media tried to discredit you. You then moved to the US. You lost your medical license. But these films you're putting out, they tell a compelling story. Tell us about how you feel these films have woken people up, maybe in a way that back whenever this happened to you 25 years ago, the opening was not there for the same ability to win people over. The opening does seem to be here now, maybe because of COVID, maybe people are more aware, maybe because of alternative media. But tell us about the message you're putting out in these films and kind of the response you're getting. Thing well really the films are made in a way that they're entirely up to the protocol seven, these were entirely factual documentary films and so vax for example if there'd been any word of a lie, if we'd got something wrong, we would have we've accused these scientists at the CDC of the worst sort of humanitarian crime. Their job was to protect these children they did completely the opposite. The hypocrisy goes way beyond what we've seen before and so if there had been a problem. We would have been sued to the moon and back again and there wasn't and they why because they know that it's true. And that's a very powerful thing and the same comes now with protocol 7 even though it's a narrative feature film. If there was something in that film that was defamatory of Merck, then they would come after us. They may well do because they're big and rich and powerful, certainly far more powerful than we are. But that's not a reason. Not to get the story out. My commitment is, my duty is to the public, not to Merck or to the government or indeed to the whistle-blower, but to the public who are being harmed. And so never make a decision based in fear. This is something I've learned over the years. If the story has merit, if it's honest, if it's true, if it has integrity, then you get it out there and, you know, let the cards fall where they may. Yeah completely. I want to ask you about funding, because it's everything costs money. It is actually, it takes a lot of work not only finance but expertise and research to put anything like this out and you know you're going up against an industry that will attack you in any opening any any chink in your armour. Was it difficult to actually raise funding to put these films together? Initially, it was. You know, this is my fifth film, and initially it was difficult, because people said, well, you're a physician. You know, what are you doing making films? Now they say, they're much more inclined to say, you've proven you can do it. Get on and make the next one. It's not easy, particularly in the current climate, I mean, Hollywood itself is in the doldrums; filmmaking, but the people still want meaningful films they want films that count films like Sound of Freedom and others that they really mean something that are worth going to the movie theatres to watch. And so that's the kind of film that we're making and hopefully we'll be able to continue to do it. I just can ask you about the last last thing about those who want to be part of what's happening, supporting the film as it comes out. I mean, how do they play a part? They can go, obviously, to the website, protocol7.movie, make sure and follow that, and they can follow your Twitter. But if they want to say, actually, I believe this message, it's so true, I have friends, family, actually suffering side effects, not only MMR, but across the board, and I want to make sure this message gets out. How can they play a part in doing that? One thing they can do, I mean, if they're immensely rich, they can fund the next film. If they're not, then they can help. People can help by going to the website and clicking on Pay It Forward. And this is a way of, we saw it with Sound of Freedom. It was very successful, a way of providing tickets for people who might not otherwise be able to afford a ticket to go and watch the movie, or for people who might not be inclined otherwise to go. In other words if there if there is an incentive to get a free ticket they may go and then be persuaded. And so it's a way of helping other people to access the film. When they might not otherwise be able to or be inclined to do that so pay it forward is a very useful device. And of course on the website you can pass on the trailer and make sure people watch that and get ready for it. Please do. Now, the success of the film comes down to the public. And that means, you know, your listeners, your viewers. So, we're very, very grateful for any help in that respect. And Sound of Freedom did that to a degree we hadn't seen before. And I encourage the viewers and listeners to do the same for Protocol 7. Dr. Andrew Wakefield, it is an honour to have you on and someone who I read all the stuff. In the late 90s and probably believed a lot of it that uh how times change and it's great to have you on and thank you for what you're doing on getting the message out on the link between the pharmaceutical industry and side effects. Well thank you so much. My pleasure thank you for having me on.
This Day in Legal History: Miranda RightsOn June 13, 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, fundamentally transforming the criminal justice system. The Court held that suspects must be informed of their rights prior to police interrogation, a decision aimed at protecting the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. This ruling introduced what is now known as "Miranda rights," which include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the warning that anything said can be used in court. The case arose from Ernesto Miranda's conviction based on a confession obtained without these warnings, which the Court deemed unconstitutional. Chief Justice Earl Warren emphasized the necessity of procedural safeguards to ensure suspects' awareness of their rights. This decision has since become a cornerstone of American legal procedure, significantly influencing law enforcement practices nationwide. The Miranda warning aims to prevent coercion and ensure fair treatment, highlighting the importance of individual rights within the justice system.Today, Tesla shareholders are voting to approve Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package and relocate the company's legal home to Texas. Musk announced on social media that the pay package and relocation were passing by wide margins. Approval of this substantial pay deal could alleviate investor concerns about Musk's future at Tesla and support the company's efforts to reverse a court decision that voided the pay package. However, the decision may still face challenges in the Delaware court, where a judge previously ruled that Tesla's board was too influenced by Musk. Despite the shareholder vote, legal experts, such as UC Berkeley's Adam Badawi, are uncertain if the court will uphold it.Tesla's stock rose significantly in premarket trading following the announcement. The final voting results will be disclosed at a shareholder meeting in Texas. Major proxy firms had advised against the pay package, but a mix of institutional and retail investor votes helped secure its passage. Shareholders also voted on relocating Tesla's legal headquarters and re-electing board members Kimbal Musk and James Murdoch. This vote is seen as a test of confidence in Musk's leadership amid Tesla's recent challenges, including a significant drop in stock value since 2021 and concerns about Musk's commitments across his multiple ventures.Musk says Tesla shareholders voting yes for his $56 billion pay package | ReutersDisney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have resolved their dispute with a deal allowing Disney to develop the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando for the next 15 years. The feud began in 2022 when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek criticized a state law limiting discussions of sexuality and gender issues in schools, known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. The new agreement, made with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, commits Disney to spending at least $8 billion over a decade and $17 billion over 10 to 20 years on the resort. This investment will include expanding affordable housing, ensuring 50% of the spending benefits Florida businesses, and potentially building a fifth theme park, retail and office spaces, and 14,000 additional hotel rooms. Disney President Jeff Vahle highlighted that the agreement facilitates significant investments in the resort. This deal follows a settlement in March to end a lawsuit over control of the special district encompassing Walt Disney World.Disney, Florida's DeSantis end spat with deal on 15-year expansion plan | ReutersThe U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) use of in-house judges for adjudicating enforcement actions. This decision could have significant consequences for other federal agencies that employ similar systems. The SEC employs administrative law judges who handle cases referred by the agency's commissioners. These judges conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and make initial decisions on sanctions, which are then reviewed by the commissioners. This process is generally faster and more specialized than federal court proceedings.The challenge originates from George Jarkesy, a hedge fund manager fined by the SEC in 2013 for securities fraud. Jarkesy contested the SEC's in-house system, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2022 that these proceedings violate the Seventh Amendment's right to a jury trial. This ruling has prompted the Supreme Court to review the case.During a November hearing, the Supreme Court's conservative justices expressed doubts about the legality of the SEC's in-house system, particularly its exclusion of jury trials for fraud charges. Chief Justice John Roberts questioned the constitutionality of depriving individuals of a jury trial based on the government's decision.If the Supreme Court decides to limit or abolish the SEC's in-house courts, it could affect not only the SEC but also other federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Labor Department, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. These agencies might face slower enforcement actions, increased resource demands, and challenges in targeting misconduct without the use of in-house tribunals.Explainer: What is the US SEC's in-house court under Supreme Court review? | ReutersFirst, some very brief background. Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that shields government officials, including law enforcement, from liability for civil damages unless they violated a clearly established statutory or constitutional right. It is intended to protect officials from lawsuits over actions taken in their official capacity, provided their conduct does not violate clearly established laws.Recently, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals told the Ohio Attorney General (AG) to stop blocking a ballot initiative aimed at ending qualified immunity. This initiative arose from widespread public dissatisfaction with various forms of immunity that often protect government employees from lawsuits. Ohio residents have been trying to place a measure on the ballot to eliminate these immunities. However, the Ohio AG, David Yost, has repeatedly refused to certify the proposed amendment, preventing it from advancing.We'll have to see what Ohio decides, but this development could pave the way for similar initiatives in other states. If Ohio successfully places the measure on the ballot and it gains voter approval, it may inspire activists and lawmakers in other jurisdictions to pursue comparable reforms. The outcome in Ohio could set a precedent and generate momentum for a broader movement to reassess and potentially limit qualified immunity across the United States.Sixth Circuit Tells Ohio AG To Stop Blocking Ballot Initiative Calling For End Of Qualified Immunity | Techdirt This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
This Day in Legal History: The Incorporation of the City of New AmsterdamOn this day in legal history, February 2nd marks a significant moment with the incorporation of the City of New Amsterdam in 1653 by the Dutch Republic. This historic event laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most influential cities in the world. Situated on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, New Amsterdam served as a pivotal trading and administrative center of the Dutch colony of New Netherland. Its strategic location played a crucial role in the burgeoning trade network between the New World and Europe.However, the city's Dutch identity was not to last. In 1664, following the British conquest, New Amsterdam underwent a profound transformation, symbolized by its renaming to New York in honor of the Duke of York. This change marked a significant shift not just in governance but in the cultural and legal fabric of the city. The British takeover introduced English legal practices and administrative structures, which would influence the development of New York and, by extension, the emerging United States.Today, as we reflect on the incorporation of New Amsterdam, we recognize it as a moment of convergence between Dutch and English legal traditions that would shape the character of New York City. The legacy of this transformation is still evident in the city's diverse cultural tapestry, its role as a global economic powerhouse, and its legal system, which continues to influence international law and commerce. The story of New Amsterdam's incorporation and its subsequent renaming to New York serves as a reminder of the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of legal and urban history.Proskauer, a prominent Big Law firm, has successfully reached a confidential settlement with its former chief operating officer, Jonathan O'Brien, concluding a legal battle over allegations of trade secret theft. This dispute centered on O'Brien's accused misappropriation of sensitive electronic files detailing the firm's finances, business strategies, and billing rates. Proskauer initiated the lawsuit following O'Brien's sudden resignation in December 2022, amid claims he intended to utilize these files for a prospective position at competing firm Paul Hastings—a move that ultimately did not transpire. O'Brien has contested these accusations, arguing his actions were merely to facilitate work related to his departure while on vacation in a remote location. The settlement, detailed in a court submission, seeks a permanent injunction preventing O'Brien from retaining or employing the disputed confidential materials. Despite the resolution, representatives for both parties have yet to publicly comment on the matter. Before this legal fray, O'Brien, a UK national non-lawyer, had contributed five years of service as Proskauer's COO.Proskauer Reaches Settlement with Ex-COO in Trade Secrets RowThe verdict in the $370 million civil fraud case against former U.S. President Donald Trump, overseen by Justice Arthur Engoron, is now expected to be delivered in early to mid-February, following a three-month trial last year. Initially, Justice Engoron aimed to conclude by the end of January, but this timeline has been extended. The lawsuit, filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses Trump and his family businesses of inflating his net worth by up to $3.6 billion annually over ten years to obtain favorable loan conditions. Trump has rebutted these claims, denouncing the lawsuit as a politically motivated attack by James, a Democrat.If found liable, Trump could face significant consequences, including monetary penalties and a permanent ban from the New York real estate sector, significantly impacting his business operations within the state. This legal battle unfolds as Trump campaigns for the Republican nomination to run against President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. Engoron had previously determined in September that Trump committed fraud, leading to an order to partially dissolve his business empire, a decision Trump is appealing. The final arguments were made on January 11, with Trump criticizing Engoron directly in court for alleged bias, prompting a call for decorum from the judge.Trump civil fraud verdict now expected by mid-February | ReutersActivist investors at Tesla are poised to leverage a recent Delaware court ruling against CEO Elon Musk's $56 billion stock compensation package to push for corporate governance reforms. The court's decision, which criticized Tesla's board for its deference to Musk, has emboldened these investors, who have struggled in the past to secure significant changes at shareholder meetings. They argue that the ruling could sway major index funds and investors to support their resolutions, such as altering the voting threshold for corporate changes to a simple majority. Tesla has not yet scheduled its annual shareholder meeting, typically held in May, where only a few directors, including Musk's brother Kimbal and James Murdoch, are up for re-election. Both directors previously faced opposition from proxy advisers over concerns related to executive compensation, and activist investors expect advisory firms like ISS and Glass Lewis to bolster their case against Tesla's board this year. Additionally, a new shareholder resolution proposes annual re-elections for all directors, challenging the current staggered board system. With Musk holding a significant voting stake, critics will need support from major mutual fund holders to effect change. The Delaware judge's scathing review of the board's negotiation process for Musk's compensation plan may also prompt Tesla's top investors to reconsider their stance on governance issues.Tesla activist investors to seize on Elon Musk pay ruling | ReutersTexas Supreme Court Justice John Devine has been notably absent from more than half of the court's oral arguments since the current term began in September, opting instead to campaign for re-election. Despite the critical nature of the cases being heard, including those concerning Texas' abortion ban and laws regarding medical treatment for transgender children, Devine has missed 28 of the 50 argued cases. His absence from these proceedings, while not violating the state's elections code, has sparked debate about his ability to fulfill his judicial responsibilities. Devine, who is running for a third term and faces a primary challenge, defends his campaign activities as part of his duties, asserting that he remains informed by reviewing case briefs and watching archived video of the proceedings he misses. However, this approach prevents him from directly questioning lawyers during arguments, potentially impacting his grasp of complex legal issues. Critics, including his primary opponent Justice Brian Walker, argue that Devine's priorities may not align with the judicial code of conduct, which emphasizes the precedence of judicial duties over other activities. Despite the controversy, Devine's campaign has been financially successful, raising significant funds and outpacing his opponent in the lead-up to the primary. This situation underscores the tension between the demands of electoral politics and the expectations of judicial office, highlighting the unique challenges faced by elected judges in balancing these roles.Justice Misses Half of Texas Supreme Court Arguments to CampaignThis week's closing music features the vibrant Allegro from Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, a masterpiece that has captivated audiences and performers alike with its lyrical beauty and innovative structure. It was Mendelssohn's final concerto before his untimely death due to illness at the age of 38. Born on February 3, 1809, in Hamburg, Germany, Mendelssohn was a musical prodigy who made significant contributions to the Romantic era, both as a composer and conductor. This weekend marks the anniversary of his birth, and if he were alive today, Mendelssohn would be celebrating his 215th birthday. His Violin Concerto, premiered in 1845, stands as one of the most important and beloved works in the violin repertoire, admired for its emotional depth and technical brilliance. Mendelssohn's ability to blend classical forms with the expressive power of the Romantic era is exemplified in this concerto, particularly in the seamless flow from the first movement into the second, a departure from traditional concerto form that was innovative at the time. This recording, a testament to Mendelssohn's enduring legacy, is made available through the generosity of the University of Chicago Orchestra and under a Creative Commons license, allowing us to appreciate and share the genius of Mendelssohn's compositions. As we listen to the Allegro from his Violin Concerto, we highlight not only Mendelssohn's contribution to music but also the spirit of innovation and expression that defines the Romantic era. If you're looking for more Mendelssohn, and who among us is not, I highly recommend the performance by Ray Chen, available on YouTube and linked in the shownotes. Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
On this day in legal history, September 21, 1981, the United States Senate approved the nomination by President Reagan of Sandra Day O'Connor to the United States Supreme Court–making her the first female Supreme Court justice. O'Connor, who often leaned conservative, used her political experience from her time in the Arizona state Senate to shape her judicial views. She was known for filing concurring opinions that aimed to limit the scope of majority rulings. She faced opposition from the time of her nomination from anti-abortion and religious groups. During her tenure, O'Connor was known for her pragmatic approach and often served as the swing vote in contentious cases. Initially aligning closely with conservative Chief Justice William Rehnquist, her voting record later became more moderate as the Court's composition shifted. She played a pivotal role in key decisions, including those related to abortion rights, affirmative action, and campaign finance.She was involved in landmark cases such as Grutter v. Bollinger, which upheld the constitutionality of race-based admissions to universities, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which preserved the core constitutional precept of Roe v. Wade. O'Connor retired in 2006 but left a lasting impact on American jurisprudence, particularly in her nuanced approach to complex legal issues.O'Connor also had a brief stint in acting, appearing as Queen Isabel in a 1996 Shakespeare Theatre production of Henry V. In a landmark decision, she cast the deciding vote in the 2000 Bush v. Gore case, which ended the Florida vote recount and paved the way for George W. Bush's presidency. She later expressed reservations about the court's involvement in the case.In another historic moment, O'Connor became the first woman to preside over an oral argument in the Supreme Court during the case of Kelo v. City of New London on February 22, 2005. Later that year, at the age of 75, she announced her plans to retire from the bench. Following her retirement, she took on the ceremonial role of the 23rd chancellor of William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, a position first held by George Washington. Her groundbreaking career remains a significant chapter in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court.The Federal Circuit's active judges have suspended 96-year-old Judge Pauline Newman for one year for failing to undergo medical testing as part of a disability and misconduct investigation. Initiated by Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore, the probe began after Newman allegedly had a cardiac incident and raised questions about her productivity. The investigation is notable for its public nature, a rarity in judicial disability investigations. Legal scholars suggest that such probes may become more frequent as the average age of federal judges has risen to 69.Newman has contested the investigation, framing it as bullying and arguing that it was motivated by her frequent dissents in favor of stronger patent rights. The council stated that Newman's non-compliance with medical tests hampers their ability to assess her fitness for duty. A special committee had recommended the suspension, citing Newman's consistent refusal to cooperate.Newman's lawyer, Greg Dolin, criticized the investigation's procedures and called the renewable suspension "unlawful" under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act. Newman plans to appeal the council's order and has also filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement. She submitted two medical reports affirming her mental fitness, which the council dismissed as inadequate.The case has drawn public attention, contrasting sharply with Newman's recent accolades at a legal conference. Affidavits from court staff depict her as struggling with memory loss and paranoia, adding another layer of complexity to this unprecedented judicial probe.Embattled 96-Year-Old Judge Suspended in Disability Probe (2)A high-stakes antitrust lawsuit has been filed against the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by around 1,200 former fighters, including Nate "Rock" Quarry. The suit alleges that UFC confines athletes to perpetual contracts and pays them far less than they would earn in a competitive market. The case has been fast-tracked for trial next spring and is closely watched as it could set a precedent for athletes in various sports to fight for better pay using antitrust law.The UFC, owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, generated a record revenue of $1.14 billion last year and reaches over 900 million households globally. Fighters are required to sign exclusive deals, often including four fights per year. However, the UFC allegedly withholds the last fight in a contract until the fighter agrees to renew, effectively trapping them in a cycle of successive contracts.The fighters argue that the UFC is a "monopsony," a sole buyer in a market, and accuse it of abusing this power. Monopsony cases are rare but have gained attention under the Biden administration. While there are other combat sports promotions, the plaintiffs argue that UFC controls the majority of fighters in nearly all weight classes and has also bought or shut down its rivals.The class action status of the lawsuit increases the risk for UFC, as it could be compelled to pay up to $4.8 billion in treble damages. The case could also encourage athletes in other industries to file similar suits. UFC has petitioned to appeal the class certification, arguing that the court erroneously certified the class.The case also highlights the financial struggles of fighters, who are independent contractors paid per bout. While top fighters can earn millions, most fighters have to fund their own training and equipment, leaving them with little net income. The case aims not just for compensation but also to bring about a change in the sport, offering fighters better terms and ending the cycle of perpetual contracts.UFC Fighters Test Antitrust Law to Escape ‘Perpetual' ContractsThe U.S. federal judiciary has enough funds to operate for at least two weeks if the government shuts down due to a lapse in funding. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts stated that court fees and other available funds could be used to continue hearing cases. Some case deadlines may be rescheduled if federal agency attorneys are not working during the shutdown. If the funds do run out, the judiciary would operate on a limited basis, retaining only the staff necessary for mission-critical work.Current government funding is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, putting pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal on a short-term funding bill. Infighting among House Republicans and disagreements between the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate have jeopardized the passage of appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024. House Republicans have proposed allocating $8.7 billion to the federal judiciary for the next fiscal year, while Senate Democrats have proposed $8.56 billion. Both fall short of the judiciary's request for $9.1 billion.Judge Lavenski Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit expressed that a potential government shutdown is a "consistent matter of concern" and that plans are being considered to keep the judiciary operational. The judiciary, which employs nearly 30,000 people, almost ran out of money during the last government shutdown in 2018. The Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system, used for electronic filing of documents, remained operational during the previous shutdown. The U.S. Supreme Court, which opens its new term on October 2, has used non-appropriated funds in the past to continue short-term operations.Judiciary Has Funds for Two Weeks if Government Shuts Down (1)A legal team that successfully sued Tesla's board of directors for allegedly overpaying themselves is now seeking $229 million in legal fees, amounting to $10,690 an hour. The request was made in a filing in Delaware's Court of Chancery on September 8. If approved, this would be one of the largest fee awards ever resulting from a shareholder lawsuit against a board. The case took several years to build and focused on the compensation paid to Tesla's directors from 2017 to 2020.The 12 director defendants, including James Murdoch and Larry Ellison, had agreed to return $735 million in compensation and forego another potential $184 million. They also agreed to overhaul the board's compensation determination process. The settlement money will be paid to Tesla and indirectly benefit shareholders, making this a derivative lawsuit.The law firms involved in the case estimate the total settlement value at $919 million and are seeking 25% of that sum as their fee. They are also requesting about $1 million in expenses. Partners and staff from the law firms involved have billed thousands of hours on the case.Courts typically review fee requests by balancing the need to reward risk and effort against the risk of a disproportionate windfall that could undermine public confidence in the legal system. David Paige, founder of Legal Fee Advisors, described the fee request as "extraordinary" compared to typical hourly rates for corporate attorneys, which can go up to $2,000.Tesla's directors have not yet objected to the fee request but are expected to do so, according to court filings. A hearing to approve the settlement and the legal fees is scheduled for October 13, and Tesla shareholders have until Friday to file any objections.In 2012, Delaware courts approved an hourly rate that worked out to $35,000 in a Southern Copper shareholder lawsuit, setting a precedent that the outcome achieved should be the focus, not the hourly rate.Lawyers who sued Tesla board for excess pay want $10,000 an hour | ReutersA recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that a majority of Americans, including both Democrats and Republicans, support the ongoing strikes in the auto industry and Hollywood. The poll found that 58% of Americans back the United Auto Workers union's strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis for better pay and benefits. In the entertainment industry, 60% support the strikes by screenwriters and actors for better pay and protections. Among Democrats, the support is especially strong, with 72% backing the auto workers strike and 79% supporting the Hollywood strike. Interestingly, a significant number of Republicans also expressed support for the strikes, despite the party's traditional pro-business stance. The poll reflects a broader trend of increased union activism in the U.S., with 2023 on track to become the busiest year for strikes since 2019.Americans broadly support auto, Hollywood strikes -Reuters/Ipsos pollA U.S. authors' trade group, including renowned writers like John Grisham and George R.R. Martin, has filed a class-action lawsuit against OpenAI. The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of unlawfully training its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, on copyrighted works from these authors. The Authors Guild, which filed the suit, is also concerned that the training data may have been sourced from illegal online book repositories. OpenAI has defended its actions by claiming that the use of internet-scraped training data falls under "fair use" according to U.S. copyright law. The lawsuit is part of a broader legal landscape where AI companies are facing challenges over the data used to train their systems.John Grisham, other top US authors sue OpenAI over copyrights | Reuters Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
In the Covid summer of 2020, the art world was jolted by a very different kind of drama when reports surfaced that MCH Group, the Swiss corporation best known as the parent company of Art Basel, had entered talks to sell a significant equity stake to Lupa Systems, the private investment company founded by none other than James Murdoch. For listeners who haven't spent years devouring media-sector or political gossip, James Murdoch is the fourth of six children of billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, now most infamous for presiding over the hard-right coverage beamed out through Fox News in the U.S. and various overseas properties via his News Corp conglomerate. The proximity of the Murdoch family to Art Basel initially sent some people in the art world into hysterics. One conspiracy theory even held that James was acting as a front for his father, who would take control of the planet's best known, most prestigious art fair and… well, it was never quite clear what he would do, or why he would care, but obviously something dastardly and irreparable was about to happen, and we should all prepare for the worst. Yet people interested in digging soon found out that James Murdoch is very much his own man with his own resources. Although he spent decades in the family business, including prominent roles in some of its satellite TV and entertainment companies, he cut his final tie to the empire when he resigned from the board of News Corp in July 2020. He has been a public critic of Donald Trump as far back as 2017, and through Quadrivium, the foundation James and his wife Kathryn started in 2014, he has funneled substantial philanthropic resources into counteracting climate change, promoting evidence-based solutions in science and health, expanding voting rights, and pushing back against online extremism.He's also a mogul in his own right. When Disney paid a knee-buckling $71.3 billion in 2019 to acquire nearly all of the Murdochs' entertainment assets, James received a reported $2.2 billion from the deal. He launched Lupa Systems shortly after, with sources claiming at the time that he would invest up to $1 billion of his wealth through the company. By fall of 2020, MCH Group's shareholders had approved the deal to make Lupa Systems the company's new “anchor shareholder,” with the option to buy up to 49 percent of its shares. But in the time since, we've heard relatively little from James Murdoch himself about how MCH Group and Art Basel fits alongside the other ventures in Lupa's portfolio, including media properties like the Tribeca Festival, advanced technology startups, and sustainability projects Ahead of the 2023 edition of Art Basel in Basel, however, Artnet News Art Business Editor, Tim Schneider, managed to sit down with James at Lupa Systems New York offices to hear his thinking firsthand.
In the Covid summer of 2020, the art world was jolted by a very different kind of drama when reports surfaced that MCH Group, the Swiss corporation best known as the parent company of Art Basel, had entered talks to sell a significant equity stake to Lupa Systems, the private investment company founded by none other than James Murdoch. For listeners who haven't spent years devouring media-sector or political gossip, James Murdoch is the fourth of six children of billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, now most infamous for presiding over the hard-right coverage beamed out through Fox News in the U.S. and various overseas properties via his News Corp conglomerate. The proximity of the Murdoch family to Art Basel initially sent some people in the art world into hysterics. One conspiracy theory even held that James was acting as a front for his father, who would take control of the planet's best known, most prestigious art fair and… well, it was never quite clear what he would do, or why he would care, but obviously something dastardly and irreparable was about to happen, and we should all prepare for the worst. Yet people interested in digging soon found out that James Murdoch is very much his own man with his own resources. Although he spent decades in the family business, including prominent roles in some of its satellite TV and entertainment companies, he cut his final tie to the empire when he resigned from the board of News Corp in July 2020. He has been a public critic of Donald Trump as far back as 2017, and through Quadrivium, the foundation James and his wife Kathryn started in 2014, he has funneled substantial philanthropic resources into counteracting climate change, promoting evidence-based solutions in science and health, expanding voting rights, and pushing back against online extremism.He's also a mogul in his own right. When Disney paid a knee-buckling $71.3 billion in 2019 to acquire nearly all of the Murdochs' entertainment assets, James received a reported $2.2 billion from the deal. He launched Lupa Systems shortly after, with sources claiming at the time that he would invest up to $1 billion of his wealth through the company. By fall of 2020, MCH Group's shareholders had approved the deal to make Lupa Systems the company's new “anchor shareholder,” with the option to buy up to 49 percent of its shares. But in the time since, we've heard relatively little from James Murdoch himself about how MCH Group and Art Basel fits alongside the other ventures in Lupa's portfolio, including media properties like the Tribeca Festival, advanced technology startups, and sustainability projects Ahead of the 2023 edition of Art Basel in Basel, however, Artnet News Art Business Editor, Tim Schneider, managed to sit down with James at Lupa Systems New York offices to hear his thinking firsthand.
Who will take over Rupert Murdoch's media empire after he dies, and why does it matter?
Elon Musk kan een hoop vragen over zijn opvolging als CEO van Tesla verwachten, tijdens de aandeelhoudersvergadering van dat bedrijf vandaag. Afgelopen week gaf Musk nog aan dat Linda Yaccarino hem zal opvolgen als CEO bij Twitter. De rijkste man ter wereld zei daarmee al ook meer tijd te krijgen voor zijn taken bij Tesla. Toch blijven er bij aandeelhouders zorgen dat zijn aandacht te versplinterd blijft, met ook bedrijven als SpaceX, Neuralink en een nieuwe AI-startup onder Musks hoede. Zo willen diverse aandeelhouders een stemming om een "Key-Person Risk" onderzoek te krijgen, om er zo achter de komen hoe erg Tesla afhankelijk is van Musks leiderschap. Voor zijn opvolgen zijn un de loop der tijd zijn ook wel wat namen voorbijgekomen, zoals die van bestuurder James Murdoch, CFO Zach Kirkhorn en CTO JB Straubel. Ook zal er gestemd worden over Straubels aanstelling in de Raad van Bestuur bij Tesla. Verder in deze Tech Update: De CEO van het bedrijf achter ChatGPT heeft een interessant idee voor regelgeving van AI See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we dive into various intriguing topics, including the upcoming FOX trial involving Rupert Murdoch and his son James, who face a credibility problem as they prepare to testify. We also discuss Murdoch's connections to intelligence circles and his involvement in Project Democracy during the Reagan years, as well as the possible rivalry and cooperation between Murdoch and Robert Maxwell in the takeover of British Fleet Street newspapers. We examine the disturbing trend of mass shootings in the US and the potential factors influencing these violent acts, raising questions about whether the GOP and foreign intelligence services are involved. Additionally, we delve into the Israeli spyware industry, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, and the urgent need for a national task force to investigate and identify potential causes of gun violence. We also analyze leaked documents about the war in Ukraine, Egypt's potential involvement in supplying Russia with missiles, the mistranslation and misinterpretation of French President Emmanuel Macron's statements on China and geopolitics, and the importance of accurate translations in diplomatic matters. Finally, we touch on the role of the ATF and the NRA in preventing research and investigations into gun crime and its effects on public health, and we explore the connections between Roy Cohn, Roger Stone, and Richard Nixon in the 1970s. • Don't miss out – join us on Patreon for exclusive content like Spy Murdoch and get the inside track on our work - plus, you'll help fund Narativ. Access is a click away: patreon.com/narativ Episode Keywords: FOX Trial, Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch, Project Democracy, Robert Maxwell, Fleet Street, Mass Shootings, GOP, Israeli Spyware, Second Amendment Preservation Act, National Task Force, Gun Violence, ATF, NRA, War in Ukraine, Leaked Documents, Egypt, Emmanuel Macron, Diplomatic Translations, Roy Cohn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, we dive into various intriguing topics, including the upcoming FOX trial involving Rupert Murdoch and his son James, who face a credibility problem as they prepare to testify. We also discuss Murdoch's connections to intelligence circles and his involvement in Project Democracy during the Reagan years, as well as the possible rivalry and cooperation between Murdoch and Robert Maxwell in the takeover of British Fleet Street newspapers. We examine the disturbing trend of mass shootings in the US and the potential factors influencing these violent acts, raising questions about whether the GOP and foreign intelligence services are involved. Additionally, we delve into the Israeli spyware industry, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, and the urgent need for a national task force to investigate and identify potential causes of gun violence. We also analyze leaked documents about the war in Ukraine, Egypt's potential involvement in supplying Russia with missiles, the mistranslation and misinterpretation of French President Emmanuel Macron's statements on China and geopolitics, and the importance of accurate translations in diplomatic matters. Finally, we touch on the role of the ATF and the NRA in preventing research and investigations into gun crime and its effects on public health, and we explore the connections between Roy Cohn, Roger Stone, and Richard Nixon in the 1970s. • Don't miss out – join us on Patreon for exclusive content like Spy Murdoch and get the inside track on our work - plus, you'll help fund Narativ. Access is a click away: patreon.com/narativ Episode Keywords: FOX Trial, Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch, Project Democracy, Robert Maxwell, Fleet Street, Mass Shootings, GOP, Israeli Spyware, Second Amendment Preservation Act, National Task Force, Gun Violence, ATF, NRA, War in Ukraine, Leaked Documents, Egypt, Emmanuel Macron, Diplomatic Translations, Roy Cohn
Heather Hartnett is the founding partner of Human Ventures. The firm is a startup studio and a venture firm investing in wellness and digital health. It is backed by renowned investors, including Ray Dalio of Bridgewater, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, and James Murdoch. As the CEO of Human Ventures, she has created one of New York's premier startup studios and early-stage venture funds. Since launching under Heather's leadership, Human Ventures has invested in and co-built more than 65 companies, with key investments including Reserve (acquired), Current, TheSkimm, Tiny Organics, and Tia Health. Those companies have grown to more than $7.5 billion in enterprise value and have raised over $500 million in additional capital from notable later-stage investors.As one of The 50 Most Influential Women in America by Hearst Digital Media Publications, Heather is a frequent speaker at TechCrunch Disrupt and a regular contributor to Forbes, where she covers various venture capital topics.Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcastTwitter of Guest (Heather Hartnett): @HeatherHartnettLearn more about Human Ventures here: https://human.vc/
Luck favors the heroin addict that refuses to give up! Just ask Disney. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I'm Stephen's sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today's episode, a word from our sponsor, which is... Well, it's us, but we're highlighting ads we've written and produced for our clients. So here's one of those. [Colair Cooling & Heating Ad] Dave Young: Vice Media. So we've all seen Facebook articles and things that are shared from vice.com. Stephen Semple: Right. Yeah. Dave Young: And I'm assuming that this is a bigger thing than just that. Stephen Semple: It is. It is. Today they do over a billion dollars in sales, is what's estimated. They're a private company, so it's hard to know exactly. And they have 3,000 employees and 35 offices around the world. So they're a big deal. And they remain privately-owned. They're owned by Shane Smith, one of the founders. Disney, A&E, George Sorrows, James Murdoch, and TPG Capital. Disney is a surprising one, especially when you look at the type of content. And wait till you hear the story behind this. It's crazy. This one is crazy. So it was founded by Suroosh Alvi, Shane Smith and Gavin McInnes in 1994, right? This is when it started. This is sort of right at the beginning days of a lot of the online things going on. And today they're considered the largest independent youth media company in the world, is kind of how they build themselves. But as I said, it's a crazy story, especially when you consider this media company started in 1994, and when we think from 1994 today, how many media companies have died? The big growth in that time has been YouTube. YouTube went from nothing to... YouTube has 2.6 billion active users and there's 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute. This is the backdrop. So with this backdrop, it's amazing that they were able to create this media company. And as I said, story's nuts. And there's a Canadian tie-in. So I kind of like it. Suroosh, who's the main driver behind it, was born in Toronto and his parents were from Pakistan, and they're academics. But they moved around a fair bit and he did his high school in the United States. And growing up with Pakistani parents, to be respected in the community, you needed to do medicine or engineering. So he was very much the black sheep, because what he ended up doing when he went to school was a BA. He was the outlier there. And he went to University of Montreal and he got a degree in philosophy, McGill University of Montreal. And when he finished, not only did he finish with a degree, but he also finished as a full-blown heroin addict. He blamed the city. He said this has to do with the influence of Montreal and university and whatnot, so he moved around. And finally what he decided to do is, he went to Eastern Europe and he moved into this little tiny town in the middle of nowhere because he said, "If I go there, I can beat the heroin addiction." And basically what he discovered- Dave Young: Wow. Stephen Semple: ... was even in a little small town in the middle of Eastern Europe, you can still get strung out. You can still find it. Dave Young: You can still find it. Stephen Semple: So he returns to Toronto, he goes into grad school, takes psychology, drops out. Back to Montreal and he decides to do rehab. And at this time, he's living a double life. No one knew his problem. His family was this very conservative Muslim family. And when he finally shared with them about his addiction, it was really bad. It really hurt the family. And his mental state was not good. He went to rehab twice. In early '94, he's on a waiting list to get into another treatment center and life's not great.
It's Monday, October 10th, A.D. 2022. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. By Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) Muslims with machetes kill 14 Congolese citizens On Saturday, October 1, Muslim militants belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces, an ISIS-affiliated extremist group operating in parts of Uganda and the Congo, killed 14 civilians in a surprise attack. The bloodshed took place in the volatile eastern region of Ituri, in Kymata village. The attackers killed fourteen people with machetes, injured two more, and are suspected to have kidnapped two children. Following the murders, the militants set fire to the village, destroying the homes and livelihoods of its residents. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the 40th worst country in the world for the persecution of Christians. President Biden warned of nuclear Armageddon Last Thursday night, according to Politico.com, at a private fundraiser in the home of James Murdoch, President Joe Biden told donors, “First time since the Cuban Missile Crisis, we have a direct threat of the use [of a] nuclear weapon if, in fact, things continue down the path they are going. I'm trying to figure out what is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's off ramp,” referencing the war with Ukraine which is going poorly. Later in the evening, ABC News reports that Biden said, “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since [President John F.] Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. [Putin is] not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons because his military is, you might say, significantly underperforming. I don't think there's any such thing as the ability to easily [use] a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.” Mike Pompeo called Biden's Armageddon remarks “reckless” Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who served under Donald Trump, called out Biden for his Armageddon comments following Russia's potential nuclear threat to the U.S. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Pompeo called Biden's remarks “reckless.” POMPEO: “Oh, my goodness. First of all, those comments were reckless. (laughs) Even more importantly, they demonstrate maybe one of the greatest foreign policy failures of the last decades, which was the failure to deter Vladimir Putin in the same way that the Trump administration did for four years.” Pompeo criticized Biden's lack of awareness, saying big news like that should not have been said randomly while speaking at a fundraiser event. “When you hear the President talking about Armageddon as a random thought, just a musing at a fundraiser, that is a terrible risk to the American people. If he truly believes that, he ought to be out talking to us in a serious way. More importantly, he should be doing all the things that are necessary to deter Vladimir Putin.” Pompeo pointed to the history of how America responds to a nuclear threat. POMPEO: “We've been here before, not only in October of ‘62, we've been here other times as well. And America has always pushed back against our adversaries by showing enormous resolve, executing quiet diplomacy in the same way that we did during our time in office, making very clear to Vladimir Putin that the cost of him using a nuclear weapon will bring the force of not only United States and Europe, but of the whole world against Vladimir Putin. We ought to be doing that. I hope that they're doing this quietly.” Hershel Walker accused of paying for abortion The Daily Beast, a left-wing website, dropped a bomb on the senatorial candidacy of Hershel Walker. The Republican, a former NFL football player, is challenging Democrat Senator Raphael Warnock, the incumbent in the Georgia race. CBS Congressional Correspondent Nicole Killion summarized the allegation made by The Daily Beast. KILLION: “New reporting from The Daily Beast, which has not been independently confirmed by CBS News, claims he encouraged a woman he was dating in 2009 to get an abortion and helped pay for it. The woman, whose identity was not published, provided The Daily Beast with a receipt for the procedure, a get well card, and an image of a $700 check allegedly signed by Walker.” Appearing on Fox News a week ago Monday, Walker denied that he had paid for an abortion. WALKER: “It is a flat-out lie. I can tell you right now, I never asked anyone to get an abortion. I never paid for an abortion. They think they can threaten me. They think they can scare me. Right now, all they've done is energize me more, that I'm going to fight and win this seat for the great people of Georgia.” According to USA Today, the relationship between Walker and the woman allegedly ended after she refused to get a second abortion, and is now raising their 10-year-old son. On July 20th of this year, just hours before a federal court allowed Georgia to enact its Heartbeat bill, which protects babies in the womb from abortion when a heartbeat can be detected at six weeks gestation, Walker said this to 11 Alive TV. WALKER: “There's not a national ban on abortion right now, and I think that's a problem. Right now, I'm for life.” Walker has indicated he would support a national 15-week ban on abortion. The Bible verses of In-N-Out And finally, In-N-Out is not just America's best fast-food burger, it's also an unashamed purveyor of the Good News, reports The Christian Post. Since the 1990s, the California-based chain has printed Bible verses on the packaging for several of its food items, including John 3:16 on In-N-Out's soda cups: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Lynsi Snyder, owner and president of In-N-Out Burger, told The Christian Post in a 2019 interview that it was her uncle, Rich Snyder, who first came up with the idea during the 1980s when he was president of the company. “It was my uncle Rich who put the Bible verses on the cups and wrappers in the early ‘90s, just before he passed away,” Snyder said. “He had just accepted the Lord and wanted to put that little touch of his faith on our brand.” And, when it's time for dessert, you'll find the sweet surprise of Proverbs 3:5 on the In-N-Out shake cups. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Monday, October 10th, in the year of our Lord 2022, just two days past my beloved bride Amy's birthday. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Today's podcast is the third of four in our “What the World Watches” audio series recorded at Singapore's APOS conference, for paid subscribers only. You can listen to earlier conversations with Formula 1's Director of Media Rights and Content Creation Ian Holmes here, and Warner Bros. Discovery International President Gerhard Zeiler here. Amazon Prime leads in Japan; Netflix in South Korea; Disney+ in India. Nowhere is the growth opportunity (some might say only opportunity) for American streamers as significant as it is in Asia. But it's not as simple as ordering up more Squid Game. Consigliere to many an entertainment C-suite exec, Vivek Couto, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Media Partners Asia, recently hosted regional players including Amazon's VP, Prime Video International Kelly Day, Netflix's Vice President, Content APAC (ex-India) Minyoung Kim and Uday Shankar, investor with James Murdoch in Viacom18, at the APOS conference in Singapore. From there, he joined hosts Janice Min and The Wakeup's Sean McNulty to discuss what will determine who wins (and how) the most important front of the streaming wars. Among the topics: * The immense scale of opportunity vs. the U.S. and Europe (9:22)* Current misassumptions about the quantity of local content necessary to win (multiple mentions)* Who has first-mover advantage where* Regional players — and potential acquisition targets for American players (multiple mentions)* Sports rights as loss leaders in the region — including cricket (33:14)* The region's wide disparity in ARPU (average revenue per user) (10:58)* Potential for imminent streaming consolidation in the Asian market (43:43) * How Warner Bros. has “one of the best libraries to monetize in…the world” (17:57)A transcript of the conversation is available here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theankler.com/subscribe
As an addendum to Season One, here are six more stories of 19th C. Philadelphia theater. We discuss Alexander Reinagle, Joseph Jefferson III, James Murdoch, Matilda Heron, John McCullough - as well as two stagehands at the Walnut Street Theater you likely never heard of before, but may never forget!To see images and more information about today's subjects, see the blog post on our podcast's web page: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/back-to-the-19th-century/If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast.comOr, follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastTo become a Patreon Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastFor the music and recordings featured in today's episode (all found easily on YouTube)Alexander Reinagle"Six Scots Tunes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meY6-Hkolxc "Baroque Americain" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyu811rSB5U"Philadelphia Sonata #1" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImEhQvsukJM"Federal March" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3I067IuWA8"Philadelphia Sonata #2" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3I067IuWA8"I Have a Silent Sorrow Here" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngVW6rKaWCcJoseph Jefferson"Jefferson and Liberty" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAOurpDRyPw&list=PLfw18z0BT49LCohEMD3kBcYcMm7LZgUN8"Jump Jim Crow" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wg1vGucbs"Rip Van Winkle" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwiBdrOtGmAJames E. Murdoch"Philadelphia Fireman's Cotillion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aw_JDlvXwc"Sospiri del Mio Cor" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1TbAwZv1R8&list=PLfw18z0BT49LCohEMD3kBcYcMm7LZgUN8&index=15Matilda Heron"Traditional Irish Music" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdxGhKbdjxUChopin, Sonata #3 - Op.58, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cy3dmqrn3c&list=PLsiUDYPNEqx2yytIAxpTOrxWtKfByxg2zJohn McCulloughTchaikovsky, Music for Hamlet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2le05k-6ls"The Ravings of John McCullough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoCNprlhvmoSaint-Saëns, Danse Macabre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhSupport the show
SatoriXR, a tech startup in Chennai that offers 3D and augmented reality technologies for engineering design and manufacturing, has won Grameen Foundation India's first Tech4Inclusion challenge. And entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala's UpGrad has doubled its private valuation in new funding round, ET reports. Notes: SatoriXR, a tech startup in Chennai that offers 3D and augmented reality technologies for engineering design and manufacturing, has won Grameen Foundation India's first Tech4Inclusion challenge, the foundation said in a LinkedIn post yesterday. With a grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Grameen conceptualised the Technology for Growth and Inclusion Challenge and announced it in August last year. Competitors were invited to work in the Augmented Reality and Machine Learning space to design a mobile application for educating rural customers and banking agents. SatoriXR, founded by Mahesh Ramamurthy in 2018, built the prototype for a gamified AR learning application, to facilitate financial literacy and inclusion on its eponymous SatoriXR platform. The company will now be awarded the contract to build the full-scale application for Grameen, which will then be used by its banking correspondent partners. SatoriXR was picked from among three finalists. The other two were Deeploop Technologies and MuCrest Technologies. Clari, a Silicon Valley company that makes a revenue tracking software platform for businesses, has acquired India's Wingman, a conversational AI provider for sales teams, the companies said in a press release yesterday. Clari didn't reveal the terms of the deal, but the entire team of Wingman, including its three founders, is expected to join the US company, according to the press release. The acquisition of Wingman gives Clari's revenue collaboration and governance platform the ability to analyse customer and employee conversations, extract valuable AI-based insights, and reliably predict all revenue outcomes. Wingman goes beyond the limits of similar conversation intelligence tools by helping revenue-critical teams act in the moment when it matters, the companies said in the release. Wingman, a Y Combinator portfolio company, was founded in 2018 by Shruti Kapoor, Muralidharan Venkatasubramanian and Srikar Yekollu. The company had raised $2.3 million in 2019 from investors including early-stage deep tech VC firm Speciale Invest. UpGrad Education, founded by Ronnie Screwvala, has raised $225 million in funding from investors including billionaire James Murdoch's Lupa Systems and US testing and assessment provider Educational Testing Service, Economic Times reports. Theme music courtesy Free Music & Sounds: https://soundcloud.com/freemusicandsounds
Google has agreed to pay $118 million to settle a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit with around 15,500 women, according to a statement from the law firms representing the women. Meanwhile, The UK's competition regulator wants to investigate how Apple and Google use their mobile phone dominance to kill competition. And an ed-tech company's co-founder wants to blacklist teachers if they seek better prospects, ET reports. Notes: Google has agreed to pay $118 million to settle a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit with around 15,500 women, according to a press release on June 10, from the law firms representing the women who took Google to court four years ago. The lawsuit first emerged in 2017 after three women filed a complaint accusing the company of underpaying female workers in violation of California's Equal Pay Act, citing a wage gap of around $17,000, according to The Verge. The complaint also alleged Google locks women into lower career tracks, leading to less pay and lower bonuses when compared with their male counterparts. The plaintiffs won class-action status last year. The UK's competition regulator wants to investigate how Apple and Google might be using their dominance of the mobile phone market to kill competition, ramping up global antitrust scrutiny of the largest US technology companies, Wall Street Journal reports. Britain's Competition and Markets Authority said on Friday that it intends to initiate market investigations into how the companies control web browsers for mobile devices, as well as complaints that Apple restricts cloud gaming on its devices. Under UK rules, market investigations can lead to binding orders to change practices, but no fines. Shares of DocuSign plunged 24 percent on Friday after the e-signature software maker posted fiscal first-quarter earnings that fell short of analysts' estimates, CNBC reports. DocuSign's adjusted earnings per share of 38 cents missed analysts expectations of 46 cents, according to CNBC. That pushed shares down even though DocuSign's revenue for the quarter, at $588.7 million, beat analysts estimates of $581.8 million. Brajesh Maheshwari, co-founder and director of test preparation coaching provider Allen Career Institute has threatened teachers working with the company with ‘blacklisting,' if they move to rival offline coaching platforms set up by ed-tech startups, in a video statement released by him, Economic Times reports. Among Allen Career Institute's biggest investors is Bodhi Tree, formed by Lupa Systems founder and CEO James Murdoch and Uday Shankar, the former head of Star TV and Disney India. Bodhi Tree announced an investment of $600 million in Allen Institute in May, according to ET. Theme music courtesy Free Music & Sounds: https://soundcloud.com/freemusicandsounds
This week's guest on Here Comes Pod is one of the UK's most experienced TV executives, Dawn Airey. We covered a lot of ground - her start in the business at ITV, her move to C4, Greg Dyke's cunning plan to entice her over to C5 and the joy of launching the channel, life at Sky under Tony Ball and James Murdoch, and returning to C4 as a board member and interim chair. Enjoy!
April 25Title – James Murdoch firm leads $2 bn funding in Ambani media armDescription – In this episode, find out about HUL becoming Rs 50,000 crore turnover company, also find why Bajaj Auto saw a drop in Q4 resultsBusiness Term of the Day: Poison Pill
Welcome to the latest Unmade podcast. Today's edition features another extract from the audio edition of my book, Media Unmade, which is published by Hardie Grant and available online and in book stores.In today's chapter, I explore the dramatic evolution of News Corp in Australia and around the world during the last decade.I analyse the insights offered by News Corp Australia's executive chairman Michael Miller when I interviewed him on stage in 2018. It came at a point that the company was recognising that in television and in news, it was building subscription products for narrowly targeted, polarised audiences. That included Sky News Australia, which the company took full control of in 2016 and began moving towards opinionated, mostly right-leaning commentary under new boss Paul Whittaker.Globally, sister organisation 21st Century Fox failed in a 2014 bid to take over Time Warner with proprietor Rupert Murdoch later taking the decision to sell most of the company's assets to Disney instead.The aftermath of the 2019 Disney deal saw Lachlan Murdoch become the boss of the new Fox Corporation, parent company of cable giant Fox News in the US, setting him up as the likely successor to his father. That looked even more likely when James Murdoch walked out in 2020.If you enjoy hearing the podcast, please do give it a five star rating on whichever podcasting app you use. That helps other people find it, and gives me some much needed validation.Audio production on Media Unmade comes courtesy of Abe's Audio, the people to talk to about voiceovers and sound design for corporate videos, digital content, commercials and podcasts.As ever, I welcome your thoughts to letters@unmade.media.Time to let you go about your Friday. Have a great day.Toodlepip…Tim BurrowesUnmade This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unmade.media/subscribe
James Murdoch, Uday Shankar return to India with $1.5 billion from QIA James Murdoch and Uday Shankar have launched a new company called Bodhi Tree, with $1.5 billion from Qatar Investment Authority, to focus on opportunities in India and Southeast Asia. Bodhi Tree would be “designed to invest in media and consumer technology opportunities in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on India,” Murdoch and Shankar said in a statement, according to the LA Times. James, the younger son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was previously making investments through his firm Lupa Systems, which also he had started with Shankar. Shankar built Star India for 21st Century Fox, the Murdoch family's media conglomerate that was acquired by Disney in a deal that was completed in 2019. Climate tech gets more funding in India Climate tech businesses received $7 billion in equity funding in 2021, a 4X increase over the $1.87 billion in equity funding raised by all climate tech sectors in 2020, according to the ‘State of Climate Finance in India' report, released by Unitus Capital on Feb 8. The bulk of the climate financing still goes towards renewables, with electric vehicles a distant second. Later stage rounds skew the funding that has gone into climate tech—the 25 Series C and beyond deals tracked by the impact investment firm constituted 86 percent of the $7 billion in funding. In early-stage financing, funding interest is expanding into other areas of climate innovation. Renewables were responsible for only 12 percent of the 182 deals Unitus tracked in 2021. Electric mobility was the largest segment with 68 deals. Agri and F&B sectors saw 52 deals spread across the value chain, although agri-tech needs more focus at the farm level, according to Unitus. Starlink loses 40 satellites to a geomagnetic storm Starlink has lost 40 satellites that were meant to be part of its low-earth orbit constellation to a geomagnetic storm, the company said in a statement on Feb. 8. These satellites were part of the 49 launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Up to 40 of the satellites will reenter or already have reentered the Earth's atmosphere, the company said. The de-orbiting satellites pose no collision risk with other satellites and will burn up in the atmosphere, so no orbital debris is created and no satellite parts will hit the ground. Xpressbees raises $300 million, becomes a unicorn Xpressbees, a third-party logistics services provider, has raised $300 million in Series F funding, led by private equity funds Blackstone Growth, TPG Growth and ChrysCapital. Existing investors, Investcorp and Norwest Venture Partners, also participated. With this round, the total amount of funds raised by Xpressbees exceeds $500 million. The Pune-based company will use the money to expand operations, invest in product development and hire more people. The latest investment makes the six-year-old startup a unicorn, co-founder and CEO Amitava Saha told Forbes India in an interview. Theme music courtesy Free Music & Sounds: https://soundcloud.com/freemusicandsounds
Rupert's oldest son Lachlan may have won the Murdoch family succession battle when he became CEO of the Fox Corporation. But that's not where the Murdoch drama ends. On this brand new episode, New York Times assistant editor Ed Lee joins Aricia and Brooke to unpack some big news from James Murdoch. Later, culture writer Hunter Harris gives an update on the new season of HBO's Succession. Harris flew to Tuscany to interview the cast and crew while they shot the final episodes of season three.Read Ed Lee's reporting on the Murdochs:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/business/media/james-murdoch-resigns-news-corp.htmlCheck out Hunter Harris's Vulture article about her time in Italy with the cast of Succession:https://www.vulture.com/article/succession-season-three.htmlIndeed- Get started with a $75 credit to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/RICH!Each & Every- Listeners get 30% your first purchase of Each & Every at eachandevery.com/RICH, and use the promo code: RICH!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chad Melchert is one of Canada's most pre-eminent live and session drummers who is also an acclaimed drum teacher. This native Canadian calls Edmonton (Morinville), Alberta, home but despite his Canadian residence Melchert has toured all over the world and played with artists from all types genres including Gord Bamford, Brett Kissel, Adam Gregory, Aaron Goodvin, Duane Steele, Hemingway Corner, Gil Grand, Jake Mathews, Dallas Smith, Beverley Mahood, Michelle Wright, Bobby Wills, Mikaila Cooper, Corb Lund, Charlie Major, Tyler Connoly (Theory Of A Deadman), Rose Maddox (Grand Ole Opry legend), Jean Shepard (Grand Ole Opry legend), Ian Tyson, FOXX Worthee, Drew Gregory, Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine, Chad Brownlee, Aaron Pritchett, Lindsay Ell, Patricia Conroy, Tenille Alee, Lindi Ortega, Charlie James, Shawn Oates, The Lovelocks, Eric Ethridge, Jeremy Dallas, Chris Henderson, Trinity Bradshaw, Michela Sheedy, Katie Love Hess, Amber Bauer, Amber Stoby, Hastie and The Alibi, Freedom's Note, Thin Line Sid, Jordan Lee,, The Dungarees, James Murdoch, Deon Blyan, Jay Sparrow, Mike Nash, Dan Davidson, Codie Prevost, Alex Runions, Craig Moritz, and Joal Kamps, to name a few. Melchert has also earned repeated recognition as the CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association) Drummer Of The Year (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and, 2019) and in fact, Melchert was the first drummer to enter the CCMA Hall Of Honor. Melchert endorses, Gretsch drums, Canopus Snares, Remo Drum Heads, Beier Drums Snares, Paiste Cymbals, Porter & Davies Monitoring System, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Protection Racket Cases and, Rhythm Tech Percussion. In this episode, Chad talks about: Maintaining and growing his home studio Home studio hacks Playing a supportive role in a studio environment Supporting Canadian artists Being “studio ready”
Plus... Inside The AP's meeting with Israeli officials; James Murdoch versus his father Rupert; new hope for missing journalist Austin Tice? Sam Feist, Oliver Darcy, Amanda Carpenter, Ruth Eglash, Ian Phillips, Stephen Engelberg and Mike Holtzman join Brian Stelter. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
This bonus podcast episode contains Brian Stelter's entire interview with former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. They discuss the international influence of Rupert Murdoch's media empire; the impact of Murdoch's climate denialism; the growing family divide between brothers Lachlan and James Murdoch; Fox's "imitators in the right wing media ecosystem;" and more. Turnbull says Rupert "has to take responsibility for what he has done." To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
What might the economic and social upheavals of 2020 mean for climate policy in Australia? For this Fifth Estate conversation, host Sally Warhaft brings together Judith Brett and Marian Wilkinson – two writers who have undertaken in-depth research into the resource economy and Australian climate scepticism. Brett's recent Quarterly Essay, 'The Coal Curse', traces the history of Australia's resource dependence and its impact on our political culture. Wilkinson's book, The Carbon Club, explores the loose but powerful alliance of Australian media, mining and political figures whose scepticism has hindered meaningful climate policy development for decades. There are signs, though, that the stalemate might be starting to shift. Amid widespread criticism during the bushfires earlier this year, Scott Morrison began to soften his climate rhetoric, speaking of ‘adaptation' and ‘resilience'. James Murdoch spoke out against News Corp's climate scepticism in January and, more recently, dramatically resigned from the board. Will the seismic impacts of Covid-19 set us back into our entrenched economic habits, or could 2020 mark a turning point? #TWCFifthEstateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plus... Many Fox viewers changed the channel during John Lewis funeral; pandemic disinformation is wasting precious time; how the AP is prepping to cover 'election week' in 2020; 'Election Meltdown' author on Trump's threat to democracy; why was Homeland Security collecting 'intel' on journalists?; James Murdoch breaks with family's media empire; how news outlets can empower voters in 2020. Susan Glasser, Erin Geiger Smith, Richard Hasen, Sally Buzbee, TJ Ducklo and Errol Louis join Brian Stelter. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
Matthew Anderson is the CMO of Roku one of the most popular manufacturers of streaming set top boxes and Smart TV operating systems. Matthew has been the CMO of Roku since 2013 and has overseen the growth of Roku by creating a purpose-driven software for streaming content and a platform for advertisers to reach consumers. In this conversation, Matthew talks about how his hopscotch career path helped him shape his leadership, how he views what the consumers want to create the best product for everybody, and the advice James Murdoch gave him to help his outlook on the media landscape. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Labour MP Tom Watson compared James Murdoch with "a Mafia boss" while questioning him about phone hacking this week. He has led the charge in Parliament against News International, and has been forensically campaigning on phone hacking for years. While many of his Labour colleagues regard him as a hero for his role in taking on the Murdoch empire, Watson wasn't always so popular. A close ally of Gordon Brown, he called for Tony Blair to resign in 2006, although he denied Brown conspired with him to bring down the Prime Minister.Edward Stourton profiles the pioneer blogger and populist campaigner, who is unafraid to take on powerful figures in and out of politics.Producer Bill Law.
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