Latest news with #JohnNewman
Mint
17-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
What is Big Tech trying to hide?
Big Tech is acting like it has something to hide. And that's not helping tech titans argue, in either the courts of law or public opinion, against the idea they have become too big for their own good. If anything, they're helping dig their own graves. is the latest to face possible sanctions over allegations it improperly withheld tens of thousands of business records—including some unflattering to founder Jeff Bezos—in defending against an action by the Federal Trade Commission. At Google, a federal judge in San Francisco has ruled the company didn't properly save evidence in a case brought by Epic Games, and its behavior has become a yoke as the Justice Department seeks to break up the search giant after winning two landmark antitrust cases. A different federal judge recently referred the behavior of Apple to the Justice Department, in part because of alleged efforts to hide documents from legal scrutiny. Such skulduggery gives new credence to complaints by rivals and regulators that these companies are often leaning into obfuscation as one of the tactics used to protect their kingdoms. In addition, their actions in court seemingly confirm what their many critics contend: that Big Tech needs to be reined in. Apple, Google and Amazon have all argued in their individual legal battles that they have done nothing wrong. In Amazon's instance, a judge hasn't even ruled on the matter, and the FTC's accusation comes on the heels of Apple's rebuke. Legal staff carting documents for the 2021 trial in Epic Games' suit against Apple over its app store. Each company is accused of being overly aggressive in holding back internal documents under special legal standing—known as privilege—that should have, in fact, been turned over to the government or lawyers suing on behalf of Epic. The videogame company has been fighting separate multiyear battles against Apple and Google over its desire to load its app on smartphones outside the tech giants' 30% commission. 'The lawyers are the people who are supposed to be saying no when something crosses a line, and they aren't even failing that duty—they are actively encouraging this stuff," said John Newman, a law professor at the University of Miami and a former FTC deputy director. 'That just seems to have created, or at least contributed to, a culture of what—if they weren't our crown jewel tech companies—I think we would call a culture of lawlessness." Maybe it isn't surprising the companies can't help themselves in pushing the limits. It is, after all, what has made them so successful as disrupters turned conquerors. In their minds, they are the underdogs, whether they are facing the rise of AI, China or the next Big Thing lurking beyond the horizon. in addition, these companies' lawyers are fighting to protect the geese that lay their clients' golden eggs. They are trying to shield executives who live in an always-on digital chat and email culture from hurting themselves—and the companies. An unartful, or too truthful, missive can easily become a plaintiff's next smoking gun. Or maybe it's simply sloppiness in a complex legal process that can involve millions of records handed over through third-party contractors. Still, that doesn't make it right. Megan Gray chalks up abuse of legal privilege to 'rich privilege." She is an antitrust lawyer who once worked for the FTC and Google's rival DuckDuckGo. She suggests some lawyers might not feel vulnerable for overstepping, especially when the ramifications of getting caught can seem inconsequential. 'Lawyers, especially at these large companies, make so much money—I mean it's just mind-boggling—and when you are making that much money, the worst possible consequences are that you get disbarred," she said. In Apple's case, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote late last month that about half of the tens of thousands of documents the company claimed were privileged were later downgraded in the midst of extra scrutiny. She concluded it resulted in delay for the legal proceedings and 'that delay equaled profits" for the iPhone maker. (For its part, Apple disagrees and plans to appeal.) In a recent filing, the FTC made its case for seeking sanctions against Amazon for what it called 'systematic abuse of privilege." It noted that after some probing, the company withdrew 92% of its claims and produced about 70,000 documents that it had previously held back. (A company spokesman responded: 'We are working hard to ensure the FTC has all of the documents well in advance of trial." He added that Amazon is currently litigating how to handle having inadvertently turned over privileged information in another case. 'Mistakes happen in both directions when you are dealing with complex productions of millions of documents on compressed time frames," the spokesman said.) The FTC's case contends that Amazon knowingly duped millions of customers into unwittingly enrolling in its Prime service. Documents the FTC pointed to as being improperly withheld include notes from a December 2020 meeting between executives reminiscing about when customers used to have to call to cancel subscriptions. In reference to that practice, one of the executives recalled how Bezos 'used to be chief dark arts officer." Boxes of documents were brought to federal court in Alexandria, Va., in September as Google faced its second major antitrust trial in less than a year. During Epic's trial against Google in late 2023, the search giant was taken to task by U.S. District Judge James Donato not just over improper privilege claims but also steps taken to not retain internal chat messages that should have been saved. In a rare move, Alphabet's top lawyer, Kent Walker, a longtime corporate attorney and former assistant U.S. attorney, was called to testify. Walker told the judge, outside the jury's presence, that he believed the company took its obligations to preserve and produce information in litigation seriously. The judge didn't agree, later calling his old law-school classmate's testimony evasive and 'materially inconsistent" with other witnesses. 'All of this presents the most serious and disturbing evidence I have ever seen in my decade on the bench with respect to a party intentionally suppressing potentially relevant evidence in litigation," the judge said. 'I have just never seen anything this egregious." To take such heat, I can only imagine how embarrassing those messages must have been. Write to Tim Higgins at
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge singer's VE Day 80 performance sparks confusion amongst viewers
Viewers who tuned in for the BBC VE Day 80 concert were left baffled after singer John Newman took to the stage to perform in front of veterans and the Royal Family A huge singer sparked confusion amongst viewers during the VE Day 80 concert on Thursday. Hitmaker John Newman, known for tracks including Love Me Again, Come and Get It and Blame joined the line-up alongside Calum Scott, Tom Walker, Fleur East, Keala Settle and The Darkness. The singer took to the stage at London's Horseguards Parade for a special concert to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe, when the Germans surrendered after their brutal attacks across the continent, marking the end of the Second World War in 1945. The event on Thursday night was the finale of the dozens to mark the historic event. Famous faces from across the entertainment industry, including Strictly Come Dancing stars and soap actors, joined forces for the remarkable event, which was attended by veterans, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, Sophie, Countess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sir Keir Stamer and his wife, Lady Victoria. While John has recently taken a hiatus from music, with his last studio album being released ten years ago, many viewers were left baffled following his performance. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer said: "WTF was that John Newman on VE80?" "What a row from John Newman," said a second. Meanwhile, a third went on to ask: "Watching the VE 80 celebrations on tv, who is John Newman?" But one fan was left baffled by the decision to have John and The Darkness on the bill for the event. However, some viewers went on to praise John's performance. One fan said: "That was certainly interesting by John Newman, I did actually like the slightly different version of the song." "Wasn't expecting to like this concert but am really enjoying it. Yes, even John Newman #VEDay80," said a second. A third viewer typed: "Kings speech followed by John Newman, not the bingo card I had in mind but flip its brilliant." During the concert, there were also special words from Dame Joan Collins, Dame Mary Berry, Dame Sheila Hancock while Brian Cox also read out Sir Winston Churchill's monumental wartime speech. At the start of the broadcast, Roman Kemp was backstage as he chatted about the show and introduced Zoe Ball. She teased that she would be arriving with special 'props' and said she was excited to be hosting such a special concert. "The atmosphere has been so joyous. I am telling everyone at home, you will cry tonight. The veterans will be telling their story. It means the world - it's utterly terrifying," Zoe said of her hosting role. The Prince and Princess of Wales were the first to arrive, where they greeted veterans who had joined them in the Royal Box. A fanfare was then played as King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived, where they spoke with veterans and evacuees. Zoe then arrived on a sidecar with a Union Jack helmet, as she addressed the crowds. "Good evening and welcome to the VE Day 80. I am thrilled to be with you all here. Together, we can remember a very special day. We have transformed Horse Guards Parade into a special concert venue," she said, "Glorious sea of red, white and blue."
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC viewers are all saying the same thing as John Newman takes to the stage during the VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration
John Newman's performance in the BBC 's VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration has been blasted by viewers. The singer, 34, joined a star-studded lineup who took to the stage to pay tribute to the nation's war heroes with a special concert at London's Horseguards Parade. The concert, which took place at London's Horseguards Parade, is the last of many events this week to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which was the day the Second World War finally came to an end in Europe in 1945. John, best known for his hit song Love Me Again in 2013 before he took a hiatus from music in 2020, showed off his vocal skills during the performance, but viewers were left unimpressed. Posts on X included: 'Oh God. John Newman is... painful. What on earth is this?! Never thought I'd say this but get The Darkness back on quick 'Who the hell told John Newman he could sing, premium nasal mumbling that. Can't make one word out. The singer joined a star-studded lineup who took to the stage to pay tribute to the nation's war heroes with a special concert at London's Horseguards Parade 'The Audience listening to John Newman; What a row from John Newman, that's not singing 'Watching the VE Day 80 celebrations on TV, who the hell is John Newman? That was probably the worst performance I have ever seen. Totally inaudible; 'John Newman being taken over by the spirit of Kenneth Williams to celebrate VE Day; 'What in the First Response Nasal Spray has happened to John Newman; 'John Newman sounds like my dog when he yawns.' John's performance came hot on the heels of rock band The Darkness, a signing which also sparked confusion from some viewers. While many fans were quick to praise the band and lead Justin Hawkins for their energetic performance, others shared their confusion at the decision to sign them, considering the audience in attendance. Taking to X, fans noted that many veterans may prefer some of the older songs in the show, quipping they 'didn't know' The Darkness had such a large following in war heroes. This was a sentiment that appeared to be echoed by Queen Camilla, as the camera caught her covering her ears, while she chatted to 107-year-old World War Two bomber pilot Harry Richardson. Elsewhere, Their Majesties, King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, smiled as they made an appearance for an evening of music, along with Prince Edward, 61, and his wife Sophie, 60. The mother-of-three stunned in an all-white ensemble, rewearing an effortlessly elegant Cream Tailored Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress by Self-Portrait. The artists featured include include the cast of World War II musical Operation Mincemeat, West End legend Samantha Barks - offering her powerful rendition of We'll Meet Again - Fleur East, Calum Scott, John Newman, Toploader and Tom Walker. Elsewhere, Brian Cox - celebrated for his role in Succession - delivered a moving re-enactment of Winston Churchill's iconic wartime speech. On May 8, 1945 the nation celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day with church bells ringing out across the country and people gathering to revel in the end of hostilities, with crowds gathering outside Buckingham Palace calling for King George VI. e until August 15 that year.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Grasse River Boatworks Brothers blazed a path in canoe innovation
May 4—CANTON — The story of Grasse River Boatworks begins with an older brother, Gene Newman, convincing his younger brother, John Newman, to join him in a canoe race. "He needed a partner before the Canton race. He put me in the other end of the boat, maybe a week before (the race). And here we are," John said one recent afternoon, sitting in a crowded temperature-controlled room (84°F) mostly filled with a mold in which a carbon fiber canoe was curing. In a weathered barn nestled on a generations-old family farm near Canton, the Newman brothers have quietly transformed a lifelong passion for paddling into a precision craft, hand-building sought-after racing and touring canoes. Using cutting-edge carbon fiber technology and techniques honed over five decades, the brothers produce between 25 and 30 custom canoes annually in an unassuming workshop. Each canoe is carefully crafted from raw materials into a finished product that often commands a six-month waiting list. The story of Newman Canoes is deeply intertwined with the family's heritage. For generations, the land sustained them through agriculture. However, in the late 1960s, a new pursuit began to take root. Gene and John Newman became serious about racing and found themselves increasingly frustrated by the lack of competitive tandem racing canoes available on the market. "Back at that time, you couldn't really buy a production tandem racing canoe, and it was all tandem racing at that point, C1 racing wasn't even a dream," John said. "So, you either had to build it yourself or buy it from somebody who had built it." Armed with plans from the Minnesota Canoe Association, the brothers embarked on their first build after recognizing the limitations of existing designs. Their inaugural race took place in Canton, where they initially competed in the recreational class. The allure of professional prize money soon propelled them into the higher ranks, and by 1970, they were building and racing in the professional class. Their early creations were wood strip canoes, a testament to traditional craftsmanship. But the brothers were always looking for an edge. They experimented with designs, constantly refining their techniques. This pursuit of innovation led them to embrace the then-nascent technology of carbon fiber. In 1988 or 1989 (the exact date is lost to time), they began the transition, a bold move that positioned them at the forefront of canoe construction. By 1990, their first carbon fiber composite canoe made its debut at the USCA Nationals, one of only three such boats in existence. The manufacturing process at Grass River Boatworks remains a hands-on affair. Each canoe begins with meticulous design and prototype development. The brothers utilize advanced carbon fiber construction techniques, carefully layering the material to achieve optimal strength and weight. "Once the mold is all prepped and ready to go, we come in and lay in a full layer of carbon fiber," Gene said. "We wet that out with epoxy that sits overnight, then the next day we put in a second layer, which is just a backer layer of a different material. It's a composite combining two or more different materials to come up with a final product with materials that complement each other, so that the final product is much stronger, much stiffer and lighter than any of the individual materials on their own." Customers have a wide array of custom outfitting options, ensuring each boat is tailored to their specific needs and preferences, whether for competitive racing or leisurely touring on the region's pristine waterways. Newman Canoes has primarily relied on word-of-mouth marketing within the close-knit canoe racing community. Their presence at races and the performance of their boats have spoken volumes. This organic growth has cultivated a loyal customer base, resulting in a consistent waiting list for their custom creations. The Newmans list 20 boats on the model list. There are four little boats, six touring boats and four professional-level racing boats. The price list ranges from approximately $2,000 to $6,000. Each model is meticulously designed. The development of the Newman Pro C-1 is described on the Grasse River Boatworks web page: " The Newman Pro C-1 is the result of five years' development following these concepts. After six prototypes and hundreds of hours of on-water testing, the result is a competition canoe that is faster, smoother handling and more efficient to paddle, in addition to being more economical to build and own. The efficiency and simplicity of the design reduces production costs for a most affordable, light and tough carbon-fiber boat that demonstrates unmatched speed and handling." Now, a new chapter is unfolding for the family business. Max E. Eaton, of Wilmington, and a graduate of St. Lawrence University, is purchasing the company and will move the canoe production side to Wilmington. After a career as a children's book author and illustrator, Eaton, a long-time recreational paddler who rediscovered his passion while paddling with his young children, is eager to keep the business moving forward. Eaton's journey into the GRB business began with a personal need for a solo boat. Contacting the Newmans, he came to the workshop, tried a canoe, and ultimately purchased a classic stock C1 racing model, sparking an interest in racing himself. Eaton is currently building a new shop in nearby Wilmington, navigating the permitting process to have the commercial building operational by early summer. The transition will be gradual, with Eaton eventually assuming control of canoe production. Gene and John will continue their expertise in crafting paddles at the original farm location, while Natalie Newman, Gene's daughter, will continue to handle repairs and refinishing work. "The thing that people don't understand, and I didn't until I worked here, is that they really make every single bit of this boat. It's just bolts of cloth, resin and aluminum tubes that come in here. And this gets made," Eaton said, pointing to a canoe in the repair shop. "The seat, the pedestal. It isn't like we get our seats from that guy or this company. Everything is made here; it's really incredible." Visitors to the upcoming Canton Canoe Weekend are sure to find plenty of GRB canoes in nearly every division of the race. The weathered barn on the family farm may soon have a new counterpart. Still, the dedication to quality and the meticulous hand-building process that define GRB Canoes will undoubtedly remain the same.
