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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
If Tories aren't careful, old yellow dog could learn new NDP tricks in rural byelection
Opinion If the stars align just so, they might end up calling this the 'Miracle of Spruce Woods.' Speculation has run rampant that Premier Wab Kinew has delayed calling a byelection in Spruce Woods to give the NDP a chance to steal a seat from the Progressive Conservatives. At first blush, it seems like an enormous long shot. Spruce Woods — vacated in March when MLA Grant Jackson resigned to run for the federal Conservatives in April's election — is located squarely in the heart of what PC supporters lovingly refer to as 'yellow dog' country. The term was reportedly first coined in the 1960s by a Tory who claimed the party could run a yellow dog in most western and southern Manitoba rural ridings and win. So entrenched are the PCs in some of these ridings that the NDP and Liberals rarely put up much of a fight. The Tories may still win the byelection — which, by law, must be held no later than Sept. 16 — but they will have to do it in the face of a stiffer-than-usual challenge from the governing NDP. Kinew's party is already feeling pretty unbeatable following the historic June 2024 byelection win in Tuxedo, the seat abandoned by former premier Heather Stefanson after after she led the PCs to a resounding defeat at the ballot box in October 2023. Now, NDP sources confirmed that Kinew and his strategists believe Spruce Woods could also be winnable, largely because of a series of forces and events that could conspire to weaken the PC brand. First off, there is the riding itself. The current version of Spruce Woods was formed out of parts of Minnedosa, Turtle Mountain and Arthur Virden — all yellow-dog ridings. But in a 2018 electoral boundaries redistribution, it also picked up polls from Brandon, which is more fertile ground for New Democrats. Then, there is the rising tide of far-right populism that has saturated some parts of southern and western Manitoba. The PCs were so concerned about the growing support for libertarian independents and fringe parties that they ventured way out on the far right of their policy spectrum in the 2023 general election. The Tories pinned their dim re-election hopes on pledges to stand firm against any search of the Prairie Green landfill to find the remains of Indigenous victims of a serial killer, and the vague pledge to support the mantra of 'parental rights' that was embraced by anti-LGBTTQ+ activists. While those policies could not stop the NDP in its march to a majority, some Tory strategists believe they helped retain seats in yellow-dog country. PC Leader Obby Khan has disowned both campaign planks, and while that may be good for the party's future fortunes in Winnipeg, it could have the opposite effect outside the Perimeter Highway. There are also issues to consider around the rather-ambiguous process that resulted in Khan's leadership victory. Under a new system that awarded points to a candidate based on the number of party members who actually voted in the leadership race, he prevailed over populist Wally Daudrich, who won the raw vote by 53 votes. The results suggested Daudrich had tapped into the far-right sensibilities of voters, some traditional PC voters and others who are farther right than the Manitoba Tories have been willing to go. Will Daudrich supporters show up to vote for a candidate running for a party led by Khan, the leader who many rural residents believe won on a technicality? Maybe, but maybe not. The business of byelections is much different than general elections. Campaigns get significantly less media attention and far fewer people show up to vote; in most byelections, total turnout is half or less than it would be in a general election. That means an upstart party, particularly one that is motivated and has the cash to conduct a blitz of the riding, needs fewer gross votes to win. Finally, there are questions surrounding the Tories' capacity to campaign in Spruce Woods. They are currently cash-poor, having spent heavily on a failed election effort. Parties that lose elections typically find it hard to raise money, and Manitoba's PCs are no different. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. It does not help that Khan has kept a decidedly low profile since the legislature rose for the summer. Party sources confirmed he has been immersed in pressing internal PC business and unable to get out to press the flesh with Manitobans. Khan is dealing with the need to hire a new party CEO, the impending sale of longtime PC Winnipeg headquarters at 23 Kennedy St. and finding a new generation of senior staff to support him in the months and years ahead. The Tories are understandably frustrated that Kinew has not yet called the byelection. However, the PCs need to move quickly to unknot their knickers so that they can get down to the business of bringing their 'A' game to Spruce Woods. Under current conditions, if they pause — even for a moment — to take voters in this riding for granted, this yellow dog could find a new owner. Dan LettColumnist Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan. Dan's columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The Free Press' editing team reviews Dan's columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Popular TV feature on Xbox is shut down in blow for 28 million gamers – what it means for your purchases
Scroll down to see what it means for you GAME OVER Popular TV feature on Xbox is shut down in blow for 28 million gamers – what it means for your purchases Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR TV feature on Xbox has been shut down in a blow for 28 million gamers. Microsoft has suddenly shut its movies and TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Microsoft has suddenly shut its movies and TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs Credit: Shutterstock Editorial You can no longer purchase new movies and TV shows from the Microsoft store on Xbox or Windows. But you will still be able to access previously purchased content on your devices. Microsoft said: "Downloads will continue to be available on Windows and in HD max resolution." You'll have to continue using the Movies & TV app on Windows or Xbox to play the content you own, rather than accessing it from another service. Microsoft isn't offering a refund for purchases either. Ever since Microsoft shut down its Groove Music service in 2017, this change has been nervously anticipated by Xbox and Windows users. The company had originally launched a movies and TV storefront with Zune Marketplace in 2006. It was then replaced by Xbox Video in 2021 and then morphed into the Movies & TV app and store in 2015. A decade later and its gone. Microsoft is now leaving it up to Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV and other streaming services to cater for movies and TV content on Windows and Xbox. Microsoft finally reveals its brand new handheld console They will continue to provide support for any issues with previously purchased content. Users will be hoping the company keeps its servers online for years to come yet. The Sun also reported last month how millions of Xbox owners have been left with a bad taste in their mouths after the latest console update bombarded them with ads. While the new updates fix some long-standing issues, the Xbox user experience has also been impacted. In the update, Microsoft had finally fixed the heavily complained-about bug where video game box art and thumbnails were stretched or distorted on the home screen, following a previous update in July 2024. What first felt like an exciting change for the retro console, has left some gamers disgruntled. Elsewhere, Microsoft is also set to replace the iconic blue screen of death after 40 years of filling people with dread. In a bittersweet announcement, the tech giant said it is "streamlining the unexpected restart experience". "This change is part of a larger continued effort to reduce disruption in the event of an unexpected restart," David Weston, Microsoft's Vice President of Enterprise and OS Security revealed. A part of that is slashing the downtime during the worrying unexpected restart to about two seconds for most people. The blue screen of death will be replaced by a simpler black screen of death instead.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Microsoft Shuts Down Movies and TV Store, Keeps Access for Existing Buyers
In an unexpected move, Microsoft has closed its Movies and TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, cutting off any new purchases of films or shows through its platform. While you won't be able to buy fresh content anymore, Microsoft says you can still access whatever you've already purchased. 'Downloads will continue to be available on Windows and in HD max resolution,' says Microsoft. However, there's a catch — you'll need to keep using the Movies & TV app on your Xbox or Windows device to watch your library, unless your films are part of the Movies Anywhere program in the US. Also, Microsoft has confirmed that it won't be offering refunds for any existing purchases. This move doesn't come as a complete shock to loyal users. Many have wondered about the store's future ever since Microsoft discontinued Groove Music in 2017. The journey of Microsoft's video storefront began in 2006 with the Zune Video Marketplace, evolved into Xbox Video in 2012, and eventually became the Movies & TV app and store in 2015. Now, nearly a decade later, it's officially winding down.
Engadget
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Microsoft unceremoniously kills off the Xbox Movies & TV store
Microsoft has rather abruptly closed down its Movies & TV app, which is accessible on Xbox and Windows PCs via the Microsoft Store. This allowed people to rent or buy movies or TV shows natively through their console or computer's storefront, but in a newly updated support page Microsoft said the service has ended. "Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox" the statement reads. "However, you can continue to access your purchased content in the Movies & TV app on Xbox or Windows device." Microsoft added that downloaded movies and shows will remain in your account and continue to play in their maximum supported resolution, but there's no way of moving your purchased content to another service. However, you can sign up for Movies Anywhere, a service that lets you register movies that you purchased on different storefronts and sync them to other ones so you aren't locked into one platform. According to the Microsoft support page, it's still possible to do this with your Movies & TV purchases if you're in the US. You can also continue to install other third-party video streaming and purchasing apps on both the Xbox and Windows stores, including Prime Video and Apple TV, and right now nothing is changing with those. The company does not offer refunds on previous purchases. Microsoft Movies & TV was first introduced as Xbox Video in 2012, which replaced the Zune Video Marketplace it had been operating since 2006. It was Microsoft's answer to the likes of Apple's iTunes Store and Amazon's various on-demand offerings. Microsoft also made a concerted effort to position the ill-fated Xbox One, which first launched in 2013, as an all-in-one multimedia box, but today's closure of the Movies & TV app is yet another sign that it has now completely moved on from that era. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Microsoft shut its movies store 19 years after its launch
Microsoft has reportedly closed its Movies and TV store on both Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, effective today (July 18). According to a report, users can no longer purchase new movies or TV shows but they can access previously bought content for playback on their devices. The Verge reports that Microsoft confirmed that downloads will continue to be available on Windows, in up to HD resolution. However, users must continue to use the dedicated Movies & TV app on Windows or Xbox to play the content they own. Notably, the only exception for accessing content on other services is for purchases made in the US that are part of the Movies Anywhere platform. Microsoft is not offering refunds for past purchases. The company has also stated it will continue to provide support for any playback issues with previously purchased content. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo Microsoft launched movies and TV store back in 2006 The latest move marks the end of Microsoft's digital video retail effort that began with the Zune Video Marketplace in 2006. That service then evolved into Xbox Video in 2012, transforming into the Movies & TV app and store in 2015. The Verge claims that the closure of Microsoft's movie and TV storefront wasn't entirely unexpected by Xbox and Windows users, especially after the company shut down its Groove Music service in 2017. Meanwhile, YouTube has gained market share in terms of watch time of TV in the US. A recent Nielsen report claimed that YouTube and Netflix together captured 20% of all US television viewing time in May. However, the Google-owned service logged more market share – 12.5% – compared to Netflix's 7.5%. Their closest streaming rival, Disney, with its combined services Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+), accounted for 5% of TV time during the same period. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
