Latest news with #March2027
Globe and Mail
11 hours ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
CRTC delays to 911 system upgrades put victims of intimate partner violence at risk, advocates say
The two-year deadline extension for Canada's upgraded 911 emergency response system is sounding alarm bells among advocates who warn that it is increasing safety risks for individuals experiencing violence at home. They say the next generation of Canada's 911 system, known as NG9-1-1, which would allow users to text emergency services rather than call, would offer an additional layer of discretion they believe is crucial for those experiencing intimate partner violence. Police-reported data show that women are overrepresented among victims of this crime. Intimate partner violence is also known as spousal or domestic violence. In 2019, 80 per cent of people who had experienced intimate partner violence did not report it to the police, according to a 2019 statistical profile on family violence by the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics, which is a division of Statistics Canada. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) had set the deadline for all service providers to implement the NG9-1-1 network for March of this year. But in February, the CRTC announced it would extend the deadline by two years - until March 31, 2027. Once the new network is implemented, existing 911 systems will be disconnected. CRTC delays implementation of next-generation 911 service for two years But advocates say the extension is putting women who are subject to intimate partner violence at greater risk. They say it would be safer for individuals in precarious situations to reach out for emergency services via text than having to make a phone call. This is not the first time the CRTC has bumped the deadline. The regulator had already extended the implementation deadline from June 30, 2023 to March 4, 2025. But the origin of NG9-1-1 dates even further back to 2001 when the National Emergency Number Association first laid out its expectations for the new emergency telecommunication system. Mike Wood, a long-time advocate for the 911 reform, said texting 911 instead of calling the service would remove some of the barriers for those reaching out for help when experiencing intimate partner violence. 'If somebody is in a violent situation and they can't speak — like they're in the room with someone — the ability to text 911 could save their life,' Mr. Wood said. In his most recent effort to get the ball rolling on 911 reform, Mr. Wood is meeting with Ontario government officials on Thursday to discuss the implementation of Canada's new 911 system. In addition to reaching 911 services via text, the NG9-1-1 network would allow users to send videos of an accident or provide necessary medical information. According to the CRTC's website, the upgrade would create a faster, safer and more informed emergency response. When asked why the deadline was extended, CRTC spokesperson Megan MacLean explained that first responders and telecommunications providers across the country warned of potential 911 service interruptions because some jurisdictions could not transition in time between the two networks. Ms. MacLean said the regulator heard concerns from several stakeholders regarding the deadline, including the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada. 'These groups were concerned that Canadians in areas that have not transitioned to NG9-1-1 could lose access to 911 services,' Ms. MacLean said in a statement. 'Given that this would cause an unacceptable risk to public safety, the deadline for the transition to NG9-1-1 was extended to March 2027.' Despite the extension, some Ontario cities such as Mississauga, Brampton and Toronto are implementing the NG9-1-1 system ahead of the deadline. The Toronto Police Service (TPS) implemented the first phase of NG9-1-1 in July of last year to help assist dispatchers discern authentic 911 calls from misdials. The service is set to launch the second phase of NG9-1-1 this year. But there is no timeline for real-time texting and live emergency video call features to be added to the system, according to the TPS website. Ms. MacLean said 911 call centres and telecommunications services providers 'may transition to NG9-1-1 as soon as they are ready.' However, the lack of urgency has increased concerns among experts who argue the option to text is useful for those in precarious situations while reaching out for help. 'Texting would allow a person to be a lot more discreet,' said Suzy Dunn, professor in law and technology at Dalhousie's Schulich School of Law. 'When their partner knows that they've called the police or they're reaching out for help, sometimes that can escalate violence.' Ms. Dunn's research focuses on the way people communicate through technology when they're in situations like intimate partner violence. Despite the lack of research in effectiveness of being able to text 911, Ms. Dunn said just having the option to text would be beneficial to women. 'Someone could pop into the bathroom and make a 911 text. It's a lot more difficult to pop into the bathroom and make a 911 call when your partner could hear you talking on the phone,' Ms. Dunn said. The issue is even more acute in rural and remote communities where emergency services are scarce. Stephanie Melnyk, research and community outreach representative at Rise Women's Legal Centre, said its dangerous for women and gender-diverse people managing their safety 'on a moment-to-moment basis' to pick up the phone and call 911. Mr. Wood, the 911 reform advocate, says it all comes down to lived experiences. He says that's why the general population does not realize the delay is an issue for this group. 'Until they have that lived experience, a lot of people don't know that you just can't text 911.'
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Crunch time for Airbnb, short-term rentals
A two-year ban policed by the tax office is set to hit Airbnb and the short-term rental market hard, an industry operator warns. The ban which began on April 1 this year and runs through to March 31, 2027 is overseen partly by the Australian Taxation Office, with all foreign property buyers now unable to buy established dwellings in Australia 'with limited exceptions'. The ATO said 'this includes temporary residents purchasing an established dwelling for use as a principal place of residence' which covers the likes of international students and contract workers, but operators fear the fallout will hit the holiday market hardest. Big bank's huge rates call amid property confidence spike But short-term rental property management firm Bodhitree Group managing director Seiko Ma warned the foreign investor ban will stunt availability of short-term rental accommodation in Australia for holidaygoers most. She said foreign property buyers often bought homes for rental purposes, including Airbnb, which could see those numbers fall over the next two years. 'If fewer properties are available for short-term rental, it would be a significant loss for both the industry and the tourists who benefit from these unique lodging options,' she said. 'In my experience, local property owners tend to have different priorities compared to foreign investors. They are generally less likely to offer their properties for short-term rental.' 'Instead, they may choose to live in the property themselves or rent it out long-term. These factors could affect the flexibility, pricing, and availability of STR properties for tourists.' Artist builds Aus first aircrete dome home 'Tourists — whether travelling for work or leisure — will have fewer Airbnb options to choose from in certain cities or regions.' 'As a result, many may have no choice but to turn to traditional accommodation options like hotels or holiday apartments.' Ms Ma said the rise of Airbnb and other short-term rentals had a 'profoundly positive impact on the tourism industry'. 'Not only do they provide affordable, flexible options for both business and leisure travellers, many cleaners, gardeners and tradies have the opportunity to work close to home.' 'Tourists staying in Airbnb accommodations tend to spend money in different ways than hotel guests. They often cook their own meals, shop at local supermarkets, and visit cafes and other neighbourhood businesses.' 'Additionally, they are more likely to explore areas beyond traditional tourist hotspots, which leads to a broader distribution of tourism spending across the local community.' According to the ATO, during the two-year ban period it was possible for foreign investors to buy established property only if they would demolish it to build at least 20 additional dwellings on the land within 4 years from the date of approval. 'We generally approve applications to buy and develop an established dwelling it if significantly increases Australia's housing stock. This applies to development proposals to: retain an established dwelling; demolish an established dwelling, or redevelop vacant land that previously had a dwelling on it.' But it said different rules applied to applications made from April 1 2025, where the established property being bought had to be vacant at settlement and no part of it was to be occupied until the new dwellings were complete. When buying or selling residential land, foreign investors must also notify the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, and may also need to pay additional taxes like a foreign investor surcharge duty and land tax depending on location and property type.
Gizmodo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Godzilla x Kong is Going Supernova, What Could It Mean?
Almost a full year after it was teased, we recently learned the third Godzilla x Kong movie is subtitled Supernova, and it's coming March 2027. As fans wonder what'll bring the two Titans together once more, some think the title could be mean the MonsterVerse is introducing interstellar threats. After all, both Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire took the characters underground to the Hollow Earth, so the next place left to go, in theory, would be up into the stars. One of the first candidates that comes to mind is SpaceGodzilla. Like the name implies, it's an evil clone of the King of the Monsters who first appeared in 1994's Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Created by Godzilla's genetic material merging with a crystalline organism in space, then absorbed by a black hole and subsequently spat out by a white hole, the cosmic-themed variant attacked Godzilla and Little Godzilla using its power to create and control crystals. The monster was subsequently defeated by Godzilla's red heat ray attack, and since then, it's mostly appeared in non-movie media more than the films themselves. On screen, it last showed up as a toy in 2004's Godzilla: Final Wars, but its most recent overall appearance was in the 2021 gacha game Godzilla Battle Line and anniversary toys for the franchise's 40th birthday. Suffice to say, it's not an A-tier baddie, but the potential Godzilla x Kong connection comes from the name of its special attack, Corona Beam—or Void Invader, the retitled name bestowed upon it from a 2020 Magic: The Gathering expansion. The Beam has been likened to the cosmic explosion, and the Supernova logo seems to support this theory. Alternatively, there's Gigan, first introduced in 1972's Godzilla vs. Gigan. This monster is an alien converted into a cyborg by the Nebulans, aliens looking to use it to decimate Earth and prepare the planet for their eventual subjugation. Godzilla and Anguirus defeated Gigan, who came back in 1973's Godzilla vs. Megalon as a support monster to that film's titular villain, then in 2004's Godzilla: Final Wars, where he was awakened by the alien Xiliens and upgraded to help destroy the Earth. It lost in both returning appearances, and in Final Wars' case, it decapitated itself with its own weapon before a flaming Mothra finished it off for good. Unlike SpaceGodzilla, it's had a more consistent multimedia appearance: along with being playable in GigaBash, it's shown up in the Godzilla vs. Megalon web video from 2023 and the short anime series Chibi Godzilla Raids Again. If Supernova's actually introducing another Godzilla-related enemy, it'd continue a trend first established with MechaGodzilla in vs. Kong. Despite the King's mechanical nemesis being that film's final baddie, both it and New Empire have largely focused on Kong to flesh out his corner of the world, and Godzilla's been more of a special guest star stomping around during the first and last acts. Now that Kong has an ape tribe, a surrogate son, and a new weapon to his name, he's well established enough to cede ground over to Godzilla, whose last substantial mythology and character development was back in 2019's King of the Monsters. If these two are a package deal now, the MonsterVerse writers will have to give them both material to work with, and any fans watching would tell you it's only fair Godzilla get the spotlight now. Whichever evil monster ends up being the primary baddie, we'll be there for Godzilla x Kong: Supernova on March 26, 2027, and we'll have more news on it as information comes out.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Godzilla X Kong Sequel Finally Has An Official Title, And I've Got Two Theories About What it Might Mean
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It's so hard to keep my mind totally focused on the 2025 movie schedule when big ticket thrills also lie beyond this calendar year. As there are plenty of movies I'm looking forward to in the months to come, my love of the MonsterVerse has now been rewarded yet again, as new details on the next film have been released. Not only do we now know the official title is now Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, the other details presented have me forming some theories that are too good not to share. I'd like to take this time to provide a friendly reminder to all of you MonsterVerse fans that March 26, 2027 is when the follow up to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be smashing into theaters! But now we have a name to put to the next Titan title match! As that news landed with a rather neat video celebrating the start of production, this short, but intriguing synopsis was provided to stoke the fires a bit further: The next entry will feature several new human characters alongside the beloved and iconic Titans Godzilla and Kong as they face off against a cataclysmic world-ending threat. While my colleague/fellow MonsterVerse stan Adam Holmes has shared concerns about Godzilla x Kong: Supernova's human news, I think it could mean something rather positive. Clearly whatever's coming for the necks of Human and Titan alike is going to be so big, it's going to need our combined forces to beat back into the darkness. That presumption alone has aided me in forming two theories on where this mysterious rock 'em sock 'em adventure could be going. What do you think of when you hear the word 'supernova?' If you're like me, your mind automatically turns to the subject of space. That's the most likely case, as the literal definition of the word in the Oxford Dictionary is this: A star that suddenly increases greatly in brightness because of a catastrophic explosion that ejects most of its mass. To me, that choice in subtitle for the latest Godzilla x Kong entry feels like a deliberate clue that we'll be seeing more monsters from another world showing up in our world. After all, supernovas can create black holes - a mechanic that some of the best sci-fi movies have used to travel back and forth between points in space and time. Max: Plans start from $9.99 a monthFor as little as $9.99 a month with ads, or the option of premium ad-free tiers, you can enjoy the beauty that is Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire through a Max subscription. If you're new to the MonsterVerse, you may want to run back to Kong: Skull Island, and start the journey. But if you're just looking to see some Titan smashing action, this is still a good Deal That line of thought isn't an alien concept, no pun intended, as it's part of the origin story given to King Ghidorah, a.k.a. 'Monster Zero,' in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. As this phenomenon has also been employed to travel to other universes, it feeds into another theory. This one has some solid basis in an adjacent franchise's lore, which seems destined to connect to the MonsterVerse. You should have seen this coming, readers. After Legendary's Pacific Rim prequel series announcement left the door open for more cinematic entries in that particular canon, I mentally restarted the campaign to make the kaijus and the Titans kiss… with their fists! I don't think it's too much of a stretch, seeing as Pacific Rim 3's proposed plotline was said to have 'married the two universes' in its ending. Also, Godzilla x Kong's MechaGodzilla plot thread seemed to allow the humans in that universe to develop a crude analog to the Drift Technology that allows Jaegers to work. Throw in a convenient plot device, like say Godzilla x Kong: Supernova's subtitle friendly distortion of time and space, and you've got a way to make it happen, cap'n! Godzilla and King Kong have already fought each other, as well as joined forces to protect our species from the threat of the Hollow Earth. Seeing as these two Titans are going full buddy cop in this next installment, I'd say space is the place that threat should come from. Which means that the next logical step is crossing the void between universes, and making us fans happy. We'll see what happens when Godzilla x Kong: Supernova hits theaters on March 26, 2027. But in the meantime, perhaps we'll get some further fuel for the fire from Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 - which will presumably land at some point between now and the next MonsterVerse picture's debut. Also, for those of you who want to report recent Titan activity in your corner of the world, don't forget to call (240)-MONARCH (666-2724). Your tip could save the lives of an entire continent or maybe even cancel the apocalypse.
Geek Tyrant
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
GODZILLA X KONG: SUPERNOVA Set to Erupt in 2027 and Production Begins on Monsterverse Sequel — GeekTyrant
The next chapter in Legendary's Monsterverse is officially on the way, and it now has a title, a release date, and a promo video. The studio has announced that the sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be titled Godzilla x Kong: Supernova , and it's locked in for a theatrical release on March 26, 2027. Production is now underway with director Grant Sputore ( I Am Mother ) at the helm, stepping in to bring the franchise into its next destructive phase. This new installment follows up on The New Empire , which became the Monsterverse's highest-grossing film to date. Supernova is going to expand both the Titan mythology and the human ensemble. Legendary teases that the film will feature 'several new human characters alongside Titans Godzilla and Kong, as they face off against a cataclysmic world-ending threat.' The returning cast includes Dan Stevens, reprising his fan-favorite role as Trapper Beasley (the chainsaw-wielding veterinarian), and he's joined by Kaitlyn Dever, Jack O'Connell, Delroy Lindo, Matthew Modine, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Sam Neill. The script is written by Dave Callaham, best known for writing Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , and that likely means we're in for big spectacle and hopeully some solid character development. Since launching with Godzilla in 2014, the Monsterverse has grown into a multi-platform juggernaut with Kong: Skull Island , Godzilla: King of the Monsters , the animated Skull Island on Netflix, and Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters . Across all titles, the franchise has raked in over $2.5 billion at the global box office. Legendary released a short promo video confirming the title and production kickoff, no major reveals yet, but it's something to get hardcore fans pumped up. Are you ready for the next round of monster madness?
