Latest news with #Millar
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Making It Easy To Get The Best Deal For Your Power
The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) will be making it easier for consumers to get the best deal for their power. The Authority has published a 'Consumer Mobility Roadmap' of upcoming proposed changes to simplify information and improve access to products and services to benefit consumers. The proposals signalled in the Consumer Mobility Roadmap will: make it easier for consumers to understand their power bills make it easier to compare power plans and providers, find better deals and switch increase choice and competition support innovators to bring new products and services to market enable a digital system to be built to serve people reshape the power system for a more decentralised and people-centric future. "This is not about consumers doing more - it's about creating a system that serves consumers better," Authority General Manager Retail and Consumer Andrew Millar says. "The changes we're proposing will build on our work to support a more competitive electricity market through the Energy Competition Task Force." Over the coming year the Authority will be engaging with the sector on the proposals, all designed to give consumers access to better information and more choice. "These changes include a new comparison and switching website and proposals to improve access to consumption data, set standards for power bills, and enable consumers to have more than one power retailer," Millar says. Currently, information on power bills varies across retailers and information on power use and power products is hard to access and inconsistent. "Our research indicates that 38% of consumers haven't changed providers in over five years and one in three lack confidence in understanding their power bill," Millar says. "We need to address the barriers for consumers, including confusing pricing structures that make it difficult for people to compare offers and understand whether they are getting the best deal. We also need to unlock access to data as this is crucial for innovation and competition." "We'll be inviting market participants to contribute their insights and perspectives to our policy work," says Millar. "We are committed to updating the electricity market rules to ensure New Zealanders get the choice and value they deserve."
UPI
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
'Wednesday' renewed for Season 3
1 of 6 | "Wednesday" has been renewed for Season 3. Photo courtesy of Netflix July 23 (UPI) -- Netflix has announced Wednesday will return to the streamer for Season 3. The news arrived Tuesday, just weeks ahead of Season 2, Part 1's arrival Aug. 6. Season 2, Part 2 will follow Sept. 3. "(Co-creator and co-showrunner) Miles (Millar) and I have been doing this long enough to know that shows like this don't come along every day," co-creator and co-showrunner Alfred Gough told Netflix's Tudum. "It's such an alchemy of writing, directing, acting, crew, streamer, studio and fans. We remain grateful and excited to continue this journey and tell these stories with all of our partners." He said the third chapter of the series will continue to excavate the characters and Nevermore Academy. "We will be seeing more Addams Family members and learning more family secrets in Season 3," Millar told Tudum. Season 2 will see Catherine Zeta-Jones' Morticia, Luis Guzman's Gomez and Issac Ordonez's Pugsley getting more time onscreen, Netflix said. Netflix also released a poster Tuesday that shows Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) holding a crystal ball with the number 3 in the center. "Season 2 awakens in two weeks. Season 3 is the next omen -- already in motion, already inevitable," a caption reads. Season 2 Part 1 arrives Aug. 6. Part 2 premieres Sept. 3. Jenna Ortega's career: 15 images of the Hollywood star Jenna Ortega attends the premiere of "Pete's Dragon" in Los Angeles on August 8, 2016. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Elle
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
'Wednesday' Has Been Renewed for Season 3—Before Season 2 Even Premieres
Jenna Ortega's life as Wednesday Addams isn't over yet. Netflix's hit series Wednesday has secured an early renewal for season 3—two weeks ahead of the season 2 premiere on August 6. Here's everything we know so far. Yes! On July 23, Netflix announced that Wednesday has been renewed for a third season. In a statement, showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar spoke about the renewal. 'It's been a dark delight to watch Wednesday cast her spell over audiences across the globe—one deadpan quip at a time,' they said. 'We're beyond thrilled she'll be returning to stalk the halls of Nevermore in Season 3.' Netflix's Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, echoed those sentiments. 'The undeniable impact of Wednesday resonated immediately with fans worldwide, driving it to the top of our charts as our most popular English language TV show, and sparking cultural trends,' she said in a statement. 'We are so proud of Al Gough, Miles Millar, Tim Burton, Jenna Ortega, and the entire Wednesday cast and crew for everything they've accomplished. On the heels of its highly anticipated season two return, we are thrilled to renew the iconic series for a third and to deliver more of what the fans love.' Gough and Millar gave a little teaser for what fans can expect from the forthcoming third season. 'Our goal for Season 3 is the same as it is for every season: to make it the best season of Wednesday we possibly can,' Gough told Tudum. 'We want to continue digging deeper into our characters while expanding the world of Nevermore and Wednesday.' 'We will be seeing more Addams Family members and learning more family secrets in Season 3,' Millar added. In a statement, Gough and Millar elaborated on some other expected themes. 'This time, [Wednesday] will unearth more of the school's sinister secrets—and descend even deeper into the Addams family crypt,' they shared. 'Or, as Wednesday would say: 'Nothing brings a family together like a good exhumation.'' But if you're looking for specific plot details or casting announcements, you'll have to wait a bit longer. 'Sure [I could tell you],' said Millar, 'but then I'd have to bury you in a shallow grave.' Possibly! According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Wednesday team is discussing the possibility of a spinoff. 'It's something we're definitely noodling,' Gough said. 'There are other characters we can look at.' Bajaria agreed: 'There's a lot to explore in the Addams Family,' she said. This story will be updated.
Sky News AU
22-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Not a long-term strategy': Meghan Markle's As Ever company slammed by industry experts in scathing review
The jaw-dropping extent of Meghan Markle's business woes have been laid bare after an industry expert gave a withering verdict of the ex-working royal's fledging lifestyle brand. The Duchess of Sussex has spent the last two years working on a lifestyle brand and has earmarked plans to sell a range of products include homewares, cooking utensils, make-up and even pet food. Markle originally called the venture American Riviera Orchard and soft launched a line of strawberry jams before scrapping the ARO moniker and re-launching as 'As Ever' in February. The former working royal has since sold limited runs of a variety of conserves as well as a line of wines through the As Ever website. Industry insider Phillip Millar and Californian marketing executive Camille Moore, who have advised top brands such as Dior and Mercedes-Benz, recently examined Markle's business acumen to date. 'I feel like she's doing such a brutal or good job, depending on how you're looking at it, of getting this like free PR and then absolutely s****** the bed,' Ms Moore said while speaking on The Art of the Brand podcast. Mr Millar agreed, suggesting As Ever was merely a way of 'maximising the value from her fame that came from Suits and being a part of the Royal Family'. "They're just milking that for everything they can,' he said. 'You can make short-term money from it, but it's not a long-term strategy.' The experts also took aim at Markle's boasts about 'selling out' her jams and wines on her website without disclosing how many units she produced. 'Confectionery scarcity doesn't matter,' Mr Millar said. The harsh feedback comes after Markle reportedly drew the ire of Buckingham Palace after posting a note reading "With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex" to promote her brand on social media. The move appeared to directly contravene the Sussexes' commitment not to use the HRH in commercial or public settings after stepping back as working royals in 2020.
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Sick senior priest jailed for sexually abusing Scots schoolboy more than 40 years ago
Read on for the judge's sentencing comments MONSTER NAILED Sick senior priest jailed for sexually abusing Scots schoolboy more than 40 years ago Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SHAMED Catholic priest who rose to one of the Church's highest ranks has been jailed for five years after admitting he repeatedly abused a teenage boy more than 40 years ago. Thomas Millar, 71, was once made a Monsignor — an honorary title reserved for those held in high esteem. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Millar appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court Credit: Alamy But behind the collar, the trusted priest was hiding a dark secret, preying on a schoolboy between 1981 and 1984 while serving in parishes across Lanarkshire. The abuse only came to light in 2021, when the victim bravely told his wife what had happened. She later sent Millar a text confronting him Sick Miller then made a chilling confession to his bishop, telling him: 'It is true.' Millar, of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, appeared at the High Court in Kilmarnock, where he appeared from custody. Sentencing him Judge Lady Hood told Miller he would be jailed for five years, banned from contacting the victim indefinitely and placed him on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The court heard the abuse began after the boy, then in his mid-teens, had finished a game of badminton at a sports centre in Baillieston, Glasgow. Prosecutor Michael Macintosh told an earlier hearing: 'He was shocked and did not know how to react. He did not disclose what had happened, but knew that it had been wrong.' Millar later attacked the teen while he was sleeping in the priest's parish house. A further five or six assaults took place on church property. Suspect Jamal Andell is hauled in by cops after trafficking a child across county lines The court heard Millar gained access to the boy by telling his mum he 'needed assistance'. The abuse continued in Millar's car, including at spots near Strathclyde Park. In one shocking incident, the boy had been caught drinking at a school disco. His mum took him to Millar, hoping the priest would 'offer him some guidance'. Instead, he was molested again. Mr Macintosh told the court: 'The (victim) did not want any of these incidences of sexual contact to happen, but that he did not know how to tell him to stop.' He said the abuse became so frequent that it felt 'like the norm' to the terrified youngster. 'He reports that he felt afraid that his parents would be ashamed of him if they were to know what was happening,' Mr Macintosh added. The final assault happened in Millar's private living room. Afterwards, the priest drove the distressed boy home. The victim warned him not to contact him again — or he would report what had happened. But it wasn't until October 2021 that he confided in his wife. She later challenged Millar by text, and the priest quickly confessed to Church officials. Mr Macintosh said: 'Millar contacted his bishop (that month) and advised him that he had 'bad news'. He told the bishop about the text message and he stated: 'It's true'.' The victim first reached out to the Catholic Church, but didn't go to police until late 2023. Millar was finally arrested in February 2024 and has since resigned in disgrace.
