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CNN
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Denmark plans to thwart deepfakers by giving everyone copyright over their own features
The Danish government is planning to tackle the issue of AI-generated deepfakes by granting citizens property rights over their likeness and voice. The proposed legislation would mean that people who find that their features have been used to create a deepfake would have the right to ask the platforms that host the content to take it down, Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt told CNN on Friday. Engel-Schmidt believes that 'technology has outpaced legislation' and the proposed law would help to protect artists, public figures and ordinary people from digital identity theft, which he said is now possible with just a few clicks thanks to the power of generative AI. 'I think we should not accept a situation where human beings can be run through, if you would have it, a digital copy machine and misused for all sorts of purposes,' he said. He cited the example of musical artists who have discovered songs online purporting to be theirs, but which have in fact been made using AI clones of their voice. One such case involves Canadian singer Celine Dion, who in March warned fans about AI-generated content featuring her voice and likeness that was circulating online. And in April 2024, more than 200 artists, including Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, J Balvin, Ja Rule, Jon Bon Jovi, the Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry and Miranda Lambert, signed an open letter speaking out against AI-related threats in the music industry. Engel-Schmidt says he has secured cross-party support for the bill, and he believes it will be passed this fall. Once the legislation is passed, Engel-Schmidt believes a second step would be to introduce more legislation that could impose fines on companies that do not comply with requests to remove content featuring an AI-generated deepfake. 'We are champions of freedom of speech, we would like everyone to be heard, but we also believe that human beings have the right to say yes and no to them being used by generative AI,' he said. As for whether he has discussed the proposed legislation with tech companies, Engel-Schmidt said: 'Not yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I think it's in their interest as well to make AI work for humanity, not against, you know, artists, popular figures and ordinary people.' Athina Karatzogianni, a professor of technology and society at the University of Leicester, England, told CNN that the Danish proposal is one of hundreds of policy initiatives around the world looking to reduce the possible harms associated with the misuse of generative AI. 'Deepfakes can have both individual and social impact, because they can both harm individual rights and also (have) sociopolitical impacts, because they undermine the values that are fundamental to a democracy, such as equality and transparency,' said Karatzogianni.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MOLIY Wanted to Be ‘Heard in the Club' — So She Made ‘Shake It to the Max' & Got Everyone From J-Hope to Davido Dancing
MOLIY was working at a Victoria's Secret in Orlando, Fla. after dropping out of college at 19 when her back started hurting from all the restocking. One day, 'they were calling me in for work. I just muted my phone and never went back,' she tells Billboard with a chuckle. She moved back home to Accra, Ghana soon after and decided to pursue music full time after her friends connected her to local creatives, and she constantly found herself in the studio. MOLIY grew up around all kinds of music: Her mother owned a restaurant/bar called The Gomeries right next to their house that played Céline Dion, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston all night long. Meanwhile at the crib, MOLIY listened to Rihanna, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott and Keri Hilson as well as Ghanaian acts like Eazzy, Itz Tiffany, Sister Deborah and MzBel. Her eclectic music taste, paired with the rise of Nigeria's subcultural alté scene that has also influenced some Ghanaian artists, 'opened my mind to thinking even though I may not sound like the ideal Ghanaian artist, I could create a space for myself,' she says. 'That just kept me going.' More from Billboard Moliy's Reaction to 'Shake It To The Max (FLY)' Hitting the Hot 100 & More | BET Awards 2025 Here's How to Enter Submissions for AIM's 2025 Independent Music Awards Sabrina Carpenter Says She's Considered Banning Phones at Her Concerts Months after dropping her introspective, Afro-fusion debut EP Wondergirl, MOLIY garnered buzz in 2020 when she appeared on fellow Ghanaian artist Amaarae's Afropop bop 'Sad Girlz Luv Money.' The remix, featuring Kali Uchis, reached No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year, and it hit No. 28 on Rhythmic Airplay. Then at the end of last year – after months of teasing it with a now-viral dance of her whining her waist while covering her face with her hands – MOLIY released 'Shake It To The Max (FLY),' an Afro-dancehall club banger that's bound to make any listener 'bend your back,' 'bend your knees' and buss it down once the bass-bumping production and scratching hits. Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng – the latter of whom assisted another African darling, Tyla, on last year's 'Jump' – enhanced the dancehall vibes when they hopped on the remix. And Davido, Victoria Monét, Ciara, J-Hope, Spice and many more have been shaking it to the max all over the internet. With the help of the remix, 'Shake It To The Max' has spent six weeks (and counting) at No. 1 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs and is in the top 10 of the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US. Four years after her feature on 'Sad Girlz Luv Money,' MOLIY has returned to the Hot 100, as 'Shake It to the Max' has reached No. 55 (chart dated June 21), and she's back at radio with the song reaching No. 18 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. 'Shake It to the Max' has registered 47 million official on-demand U.S. streams and 289.3 million official on-demand global streams (through June 12), according to Luminate. Billboard spoke with June's African Rookie of the Month about reflecting on the success of 'Sad Girlz Luv Money,' creating a more 'upbeat and energetic' vibe with 'Shake It to the Max,' officially meeting Vybz Kartel after performing with him at his first U.S. show in 20 years, and anticipating the remix with him and Stefflon Don. How did your upbringing impact the music you listen to and the music you make? Although we have our own local music heavy on rotation, we're also very in touch with worldwide music. There's a lot of music that tends to cross over especially from major acts, like Céline Dion, MJ, Whitney Houston, Chris Brown. I went to an international high school, so [I was] around students from different cultures who would play stuff. I was lucky enough to have heard lots of different styles that I was drawn to, like hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, Afrobeats, highlife, hiplife. And what kind of music do you listen to now? I'm listening to Brazilian funk, Caribbean music, soca, EDM-infused Caribbean music as well like Major Lazer. I'm trying to create a sound that's in that realm, so that's all I listen to right now. While you were in Florida, you started studying business administration in college but eventually dropped out. What made you decide to move back to Ghana? My brother and sister were able to figure out [work and school] a lot better. I don't know why I didn't feel like it was working. I don't think I was making friends that much, and the whole job thing was not what I expected when I was moving to the U.S. There's a certain fantasy of how people assume leaving Ghana and going to live outside is. For more fortunate people with heavy bank accounts, it's probably easier to adjust. But when you're trying to hustle and figure it out by yourself, and you're young, it's difficult. I gave up. I wasn't down for that, so I went back to my mom. I'm like, 'Mom, I'm home!' [Laughs.] How did you transition into making music full time in Ghana? It started with me listening to YouTube beats and trying to write music. I would pour myself a glass of wine in the middle of the night and just be vibing, freestyling melodies and writing. I was also observing the music industry in Ghana and Africa, especially in Nigeria, because Nigeria has this whole scene of alternative music, and people were coming out with some crazy sounds — sounds you wouldn't expect to hear from an African. It opened my mind to thinking even though I may not sound like the ideal Ghanaian artist, I could create a space for myself. That just kept me going. What kind of sounds and styles does your music encompass? How would you describe your music in your own words? It's very worldwide. I sing in English even though I could try to tap into some of the Ghanaian dialects like Twi. Sometimes people ask me, 'Why don't you make music in this language?' That's because I feel English is the most universal language. My sound is worldwide, but it's Afro-fusion because you can hear it in my accent, in my wordplay and even in some of things I speak about. It's very influenced by hip-hop, dancehall and a lot of the music I grew up listening to. I remember early stages of being obsessed with music. The first stage was pop, which is Michael. And then the second stage was hip-hop. Oh my God, did I love Eminem! I would just listen to an entire song, especially 'Mockingbird,' and write down all the lyrics and try to sing it in the same way. Then after hip-hop, I graduated to dancehall. From dancehall is when I started listening to Afrobeats because at that stage, the sound was growing globally. I was being introduced to Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy. I went through all these stages of loving these genres so much that now [my music] is a combination. Prior to the success of 'Shake It to the Max (FLY),' you debuted on the Hot 100 in 2021 with the Kali Uchis remix of Amaarae's 'Sad Girlz Luv Money.' Four years later, what does the success of that song mean to you and your career? When that happened, it made me a big believer in what I was doing. You can have success at home, but once it's crossing over to the U.S. and the rest of the world, it grew my faith a lot more. It's a reassuring feeling because I'm living in my purpose when I'm making my music. When something like that happens, it's a big pat on the shoulder like, 'OK, babes, you're on the right track. Keep going.' Outside of 'Sad Girlz Luv Money,' you appear on another song on Amaarae's album: 'Feel a Way,' alongside your sister Mellissa. You and Mellissa are also both featured on Boj's in 2022. Were those merely coincidences, or did you two purposefully hop on those songs together? Most of the time, we're together. When I'm going into a session, I need her moral support. At the time, I felt like I would be more comfortable if she was there. She's also super creative and talented, so if I needed help, she could tap in. Boj requested the both of us to pull up. But with Amaarae, she came with me to support me, but while she was there, she's like, 'Wait, I have this idea.' And then Amaarae is like, 'Well, do it.' [Laughs.] That's how that happened. At the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards, Stonebwoy when he won best reggae/dancehall song of the year, saying that he 'respected' how you've been 'taking [dancehall] where nobody expected it to go within a very short while.' Why have you gravitated toward dancehall so much? I wouldn't say my initial decision was to just make dancehall music. I knew I wanted to make something that was upbeat and energetic, something people could dance to. Most of my previous music people would say is chill, sexy and vibey. I would hear comments like, 'I love to hear your music when I'm taking a drive' or 'I love to hear your music when I'm in my room chilling with my girl.' But I want to be heard in different places. I want to be heard in the club. I want to be heard at the festivals. When I met [producers Silent Addy and Disco Neil], it was a combination of me knowing I wanted to create a certain vibe and knowing that these guys make dancehall, we merged these two ideas and went from there. Prior to 'Shake It to the Max,' was featured on your 2022 EP Is there any relationship between the two songs? No, not at all. [Laughs.] It's so funny because when I was teasing 'Shake It to the Max' and it wasn't out yet, I could see the streaming numbers for that song going up because people thought they were searching for it and they were gonna find it there. Take me back through the making of 'Shake It to the Max.' I was in Orlando and I was speaking to this producer Tejiri, he worked with Tems on 'Wait For U.' I found him on Instagram and I'm like, 'Hey, let's work.' We were trying to find ways to make it happen. I went to LA specifically to work with him, and then the second time, he was like, 'I'm coming to Miami and I'm going to be working with a whole bunch of different people. You should pull up.' So we linked up. I met a couple different producers: Mr. NaisGai (he works with Rauw Alejandro), Silent Addy and Disco Neil. Tejiri was trying to work on something with them for their artists' projects. At the time, we were thinking, 'OK, MOLIY is here, maybe we can create something for her to collab on the projects, or we could just make some records.' Some of the work we did was a collaboration between Tejiri and Silent Addy and Disco Neil. A year later, we had had three separate sessions together. The last session was in August, and we created three or four songs. The last one was 'Shake It to the Max.' Earlier in 2024, I hadn't dropped any music by myself. [My manager Therese Jones and I] were trying to figure out how we can take things to the next level for me. She was like, 'You know what, MOLIY? Why don't you tease some music?' I teased about three or four songs in one Instagram post. When I added 'Shake It to the Max,' I was like, 'Hmm, this song is actually a vibe.' After that post, I wouldn't say anyone particularly screamed out, 'Oh my God, we love that one!' I just kept doing videos to this one song on TikTok and that's when I started trying to be creative with what I do and how I'm posting it. Why were Shenseea and Skillibeng the right artists for the remix? In my opinion, they're the top of the top of the top, top, top of the top in Jamaica. I genuinely love each of their music, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I would not change anything with how that remix happened. They loved the song. The original song was No. 1 in Jamaica, and it was great leverage to make them feel like it was a good idea. I didn't make it happen, however. It was Silent Addy and Disco Neil. The producers made the conversations happen. Since that remix has blown up, you've released more with other artists like Major Lazer, Gladdest and Kalash and Maureen. What inspired that strategy? With the Kalash and Maureen one, that was also the producers. They're very hands-on with how these remixes came about. Even with Major Lazer, it was them as well. They have relationships with these people already [because of] the dancehall industry. The first time I came across Gladdest was [when] she was doing the dance challenge in the middle of NYC. The next time I came across her, she did a freestyle to it on her TikTok. It was [getting] a lot of positive reactions. The same way I was posting practically every day to promote the 'Shake It to the Max' remix, she was posting every day to promote her freestyle. She was super passionate about it, and there was no way we were not going to put out the record with her as well. What I love most about all of this is the people that we've worked with genuinely wanted to be part of the moment. They're supported it, they've promoted it, and it feels so organic and amazing. When can fans expect the Stefflon Don and Vybz Kartel remix? I honestly don't know. I want it to come out. She wants it to come out. Vybz is also excited for it to come out. We're working on it with our teams. There were some [Vybz] verses going around TikTok. I remember people asking me, 'Why are you not putting out the Vybz version?' I'm like, 'Guys, it's not official.' Some DJ probably put one of his old verses on the song and it was making rounds on TikTok. And then Steff comes along and was like, 'Babe, I got Vybz.' [Laughs.] It's really dope, and I'm excited for it to come out. Vybz brought you out as one of his special guests during his one of his two in April. How did the opportunity come about? Considering dancehall is a crucial element in your music's DNA, what was it like to share the stage with the King of Dancehall himself? It's insane. Everything happens so fast, you don't get a moment to soak it all in. But every moment of that was super exciting. Prior to being on stage, I actually hadn't met him yet. So afterwards, I got to meet him, and he was just so nice and so cool. The aura was there. Gamma made that happen. They spoke to him about it, and they also got Skilli and Shen to pull up. Would you say that's the biggest 'pinch me' moment of your career so far, or does another moment come to mind? It's definitely one of the first 'pinch me' moments during this entire process. No, the first one would be hearing Shen and Skilli on the song officially. People were dropping freestyles, and they posted their verses as freestyles. But me knowing that the song is actually coming out with them was the first 'pinch me' moment because I wouldn't have wanted anyone else for the first remix. The second would be this Billboard Hot 100 second moment. When you're an artist and people see you doing something great, it's like, 'Wow, amazing! But can you do it again?' Throughout this process, there are so many highs and lows and so many moments I've had to remind myself to be positive and be hopeful. It's crazy to see when something amazing does happen. It's not all for nothing. Who would you love to collaborate with this year? Me and Drake would be fire. Me and Wizkid would be fire. Doja Cat would be amazing. I also really like Ice Spice. That would be so, so, so cute. Cash Cobain would be dope. What's next for MOLIY in 2025? There should be a project, I wouldn't say an album, but there should be a project coming out. I would hope it would be more like I'm dropping singles and then at the end of it, there ends up being a project. I'm also on the road right now. We're doing MOLIY on the road and I have so many shows lined up, just trying to spread the gospel of 'Shake It to the Max.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘I see you, Eiffel you': Police car blares Titanic song while cruising flood-hit Parisian street
Two people, including a child, died in a violent storm that lashed France on June 25. PHOTO: AFP 'I see you, Eiffel you': Police car blares Titanic song while cruising flood-hit Parisian street A French policeman cruised along a flooded Parisian street on June 26 with, appropriately enough, Celine Dion's iconic song from the movie Titanic – My Heart Will Go On – on full blast. A clip on TikTok shows the police cruiser moving through a street in Paris in ankle-deep floodwaters playing My Heart Will Go On at full volume through its mounted bullhorns. And, no, it did not hit a rock. The video has been 'liked' close to 500,000 times on the TikTok page of social media trends aggregator Brut, and reposted by several news outlets. My Heart Will Go On is the song most associated with the 1997 movie Titanic, which grossed over US$2.2 billion (S$2.8 billion) worldwide. It plays in the pivotal scene when the two lead characters, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, stood at the bow of the Titanic, with their arms outstretched and DiCaprio shouting: 'I'm the King of the World!' The real Titanic sank shortly after it hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912 in the North Atlantic Ocean . 'Clearly, the cops were channelling the doomed ship itself, slowly rolling through the Paris floodwaters like the Titanic in the North Atlantic… all to break the ice and lift spirits,' said the entertainment site TMZ. 'This wasn't some subtle moment either,' it added. 'That 'Titanic' tune was blaring loud and proud, sending a clear message: When life floods your streets, throw on Celine and keep on cruisin'.' Nearly all who saw the clip found it funny. 'It's nice to see the French still have a sense of humour,' said a Reddit user . 'Savage,' commented another Reddit user. 'So unserious, I love it,' said a TikTok user. There were the inevitable Titanic references. 'Come back, come back,' said one on TikTok, referring to a plea for rescue from the character played by Winslet in the closing minutes of the movie. 'Every night in my dreams, I see you, Eiffel you,' said a TikTok user . Another said: 'Did they yell out over the speaker: Helloooo! Is anyone alive out there??? Can anybody hear me????' There were the subtly sexy takes. 'Draw me like one of your French cops,' said one. And there was the near universal opinion that this was exactly the kind of humour France needed after a particularly harrowing day. 'That's the right mood to face that situation,' said a commenter on TikTok. Another said: 'I'm loving how unserious the world is now. This is heartwarming.' Two people, including a child, died in a violent storm that lashed France on June 25. The violent downpour injured 17 others, one seriously. In southern France, a falling tree killed a 12-year-old boy, while a man on a quad bike died after crashing into a tree that had been brought down by the storm. In Paris, the sky turned an eerie yellow hue as lightning flashed above the city and fierce winds sent Parisians rushing for cover. The storms followed a sweltering heatwave with temperatures passing 35 deg C. It brought gusts of wind exceeding 100kmh, which damaged property. Nearly 100,000 homes were still left without electricity on June 26, mainly in central France. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
If only we set the terms of the user agreements
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to IMPORTANT NOTICE Due to the sheer volume of email and text messages I am now experiencing involving robotic appointment reminders, demands for up-front booking deposits and customer service feedback requests, I have been forced to implement the following Personal User Agreement. By interacting with me ('The User') you agree to be bound by the following non-negotiable terms and conditions under which I will now engage with modern life. Restaurants: Reservations are subject to mutual obligation. Should 'The User' arrive on time and be seated at an appropriate table (See Exceptions Clause 17c: 'Table Next To Dunnies' and 17d: 'Table Subject To Cold Draughts Or Within Vicinity of Arguing Couples'), the following penalties will apply: A 50 per cent reduction in the final bill for meals delayed or delivered cold by a waiter with a nose ring, three-day stubble and fake European accent; A 20 per cent reduction if table wobbles like a drunken sailor; A Pretentiousness Surcharge of $50 for "special experience" dishes involving smoke, foam or soil; In the event of overall unsatisfactory service, 'The User' reserves the right to pay in Monopoly money. Public Transport: Should passengers be pressed together like vacuum-packed meat slices, 'The User' shall activate the Overcrowding Compensation Clause (19F), entitling them to the driver's seat and half-price travel for the following month. Furthermore: Should 'The User' be subjected to a fellow passenger's loud phone calls, body odour, TikTok videos or tuna and egg sandwiches, the Passenger Etiquette Clause (15c) will be enforced, allowing 'The User' to forcibly eject said offender at the next stop without threat of legal action. Platform announcements made in a rare 16th century Hindi dialect uttered at 300 words per minute on a static-filled PA system will automatically trigger a free coffee voucher at any station kiosk. Customer service hotlines: All interactions will now include a Mutual Holding Penalty Agreement, wherein every minute spent by 'The User' on hold shall trigger a 5 per cent reduction in said User's future bills. Furthermore, subjecting 'The User' to repetitive instrumental versions of Hotel California or any Celine Dion songs will require a Mental Health Payment Bonus to 'The User', who reserves the right to lodge an emotional damages claim. Doctors/Dentists/Chiropractors: 'The User' agrees to receive constant reminder messages about upcoming appointments requiring a Y/N reply. In return for agreeing to pay the stated fee for missing or running late for said appointment, the following shall apply: Should the medical practitioner not see 'The User' within 15 minutes of the agreed appointment, forcing 'The User' to sit on an uncomfortable chair reading tattered copies of The Australian Women's Weekly circa 1980, or next to a tantrum-throwing toddler eating their boogers, a 25 per cent reduction in fee payment will apply. A further 10 per cent discount will be awarded to 'The User' for a medical practitioner's illegible handwriting, or any diagnosis involving the words "just take some Panadol and rest up". Tradespeople and Delivery Drivers: From 1 July, 'The User' will charge a $30 per hour holding fee for time wasted while waiting for any tradesperson or courier promising to arrive between "7am and four billion years' time when the sun expands into a red giant, engulfing the inner planets". Airlines: Luggage lost or arriving at the wrong destination will entitle 'The User' to wear the pilot's uniform until baggage is returned. As well, in-flight meal services consisting of a soggy sandwich or half-frozen pie will require the offending airline to deliver an Uber Eats meal of 'The User's' choice to the plane as it taxis along the tarmac following arrival. Family and Friends Group Chats: 'The User' may abruptly withdraw from any digital discussion thread should group messages include: A photograph of a three-year-old niece's fingerpainting described by its parents as "genius"; Poorly-lit and incompetently framed photographs of evening meals; The acronym 'LOL' used without intended irony; Failure to use the bare minimum of punctuation. Please Note: Over-use of emojis and exclamation marks will require the offending sender to attend compulsory Emotional Moderation Training sessions. Please be advised that following any interaction with 'The User' you will be required to answer a lengthy survey about your experience that, under the terms of his Privacy Policy, will be ignored. The above terms and conditions are effective immediately and subject to change depending on 'The User's' whims and blood sugar levels. Thank you for your time. Have a nice day. HAVE YOUR SAY: What's the longest time you've spent on hold? Do you ignore or reply to the endless requests for customer feedback? How do you negotiate the increasing demands of the digital world? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - A failed attempt to import frogs, insect-infested fresh fruit and vegetables has been hailed by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as a big win for border police. The illegal, insect-infested food smuggled from Thailand sought to circumvent Australia's biosecurity laws and flood Sydney's black market. - Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the ABC's failed legal defence of its decision to fire a radio host, Antoinette Lattouf, for her views on Gaza. - The jurors tasked with deciding whether Erin Patterson deliberately poisoned her estranged husband's family with a beef Wellington meal will begin deliberations next week. THEY SAID IT: "It used to cost money to disclose and distribute information. In the digital age it costs money not to." - Heather Brooke YOU SAID IT: Some applauded, many tut-tutted. This was the US president, after all. But most understood how letting rip with an F-bomb can ease pain and frustration. And in Trump's case, it appeared to stop a war. "I find profanities wonderful - an effective way to convey what I'm feeling AND get the pious and sanctimonious clutching at their pearls," writes Henry. "To quote Stephen Fry, people who take offense at things are inevitably looking for something to complain about." Neil from Cootamundra writes: "My mother would berate me as a teenager if I swore with the statement: 'Swearing displays to all that you have a poor grip on the English language!' That was just over 50 years ago, and I still swear, mainly at myself, today. Our language is forever changing with words being added that I would have been scolded for using a few decades ago. But in the end, language is the tool of communication and if swearing emphasises the point to get the message across then our language is doing its job!" "Swearing is actually, in some cases, a mild anaesthetic," writes Graeme. "As so many, such words, are part of the everyday lingo, I have no problem with their use. I have not heard Mr Trump's utterance, but in context could have been very effective in not beating around the bush, cutting through the shit. This does not make up for the wrecking ball Mr Trump is." Maggie writes: "If you doubt that former US presidents swore, go back to the Nixon tapes of the early 1970s. In a long career in one company, I was always careful with my language - until I was really cranky. Then everyone, including the big boss, jumped to attention." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to IMPORTANT NOTICE Due to the sheer volume of email and text messages I am now experiencing involving robotic appointment reminders, demands for up-front booking deposits and customer service feedback requests, I have been forced to implement the following Personal User Agreement. By interacting with me ('The User') you agree to be bound by the following non-negotiable terms and conditions under which I will now engage with modern life. Restaurants: Reservations are subject to mutual obligation. Should 'The User' arrive on time and be seated at an appropriate table (See Exceptions Clause 17c: 'Table Next To Dunnies' and 17d: 'Table Subject To Cold Draughts Or Within Vicinity of Arguing Couples'), the following penalties will apply: A 50 per cent reduction in the final bill for meals delayed or delivered cold by a waiter with a nose ring, three-day stubble and fake European accent; A 20 per cent reduction if table wobbles like a drunken sailor; A Pretentiousness Surcharge of $50 for "special experience" dishes involving smoke, foam or soil; In the event of overall unsatisfactory service, 'The User' reserves the right to pay in Monopoly money. Public Transport: Should passengers be pressed together like vacuum-packed meat slices, 'The User' shall activate the Overcrowding Compensation Clause (19F), entitling them to the driver's seat and half-price travel for the following month. Furthermore: Should 'The User' be subjected to a fellow passenger's loud phone calls, body odour, TikTok videos or tuna and egg sandwiches, the Passenger Etiquette Clause (15c) will be enforced, allowing 'The User' to forcibly eject said offender at the next stop without threat of legal action. Platform announcements made in a rare 16th century Hindi dialect uttered at 300 words per minute on a static-filled PA system will automatically trigger a free coffee voucher at any station kiosk. Customer service hotlines: All interactions will now include a Mutual Holding Penalty Agreement, wherein every minute spent by 'The User' on hold shall trigger a 5 per cent reduction in said User's future bills. Furthermore, subjecting 'The User' to repetitive instrumental versions of Hotel California or any Celine Dion songs will require a Mental Health Payment Bonus to 'The User', who reserves the right to lodge an emotional damages claim. Doctors/Dentists/Chiropractors: 'The User' agrees to receive constant reminder messages about upcoming appointments requiring a Y/N reply. In return for agreeing to pay the stated fee for missing or running late for said appointment, the following shall apply: Should the medical practitioner not see 'The User' within 15 minutes of the agreed appointment, forcing 'The User' to sit on an uncomfortable chair reading tattered copies of The Australian Women's Weekly circa 1980, or next to a tantrum-throwing toddler eating their boogers, a 25 per cent reduction in fee payment will apply. A further 10 per cent discount will be awarded to 'The User' for a medical practitioner's illegible handwriting, or any diagnosis involving the words "just take some Panadol and rest up". Tradespeople and Delivery Drivers: From 1 July, 'The User' will charge a $30 per hour holding fee for time wasted while waiting for any tradesperson or courier promising to arrive between "7am and four billion years' time when the sun expands into a red giant, engulfing the inner planets". Airlines: Luggage lost or arriving at the wrong destination will entitle 'The User' to wear the pilot's uniform until baggage is returned. As well, in-flight meal services consisting of a soggy sandwich or half-frozen pie will require the offending airline to deliver an Uber Eats meal of 'The User's' choice to the plane as it taxis along the tarmac following arrival. Family and Friends Group Chats: 'The User' may abruptly withdraw from any digital discussion thread should group messages include: A photograph of a three-year-old niece's fingerpainting described by its parents as "genius"; Poorly-lit and incompetently framed photographs of evening meals; The acronym 'LOL' used without intended irony; Failure to use the bare minimum of punctuation. Please Note: Over-use of emojis and exclamation marks will require the offending sender to attend compulsory Emotional Moderation Training sessions. Please be advised that following any interaction with 'The User' you will be required to answer a lengthy survey about your experience that, under the terms of his Privacy Policy, will be ignored. The above terms and conditions are effective immediately and subject to change depending on 'The User's' whims and blood sugar levels. Thank you for your time. Have a nice day. HAVE YOUR SAY: What's the longest time you've spent on hold? Do you ignore or reply to the endless requests for customer feedback? How do you negotiate the increasing demands of the digital world? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - A failed attempt to import frogs, insect-infested fresh fruit and vegetables has been hailed by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as a big win for border police. The illegal, insect-infested food smuggled from Thailand sought to circumvent Australia's biosecurity laws and flood Sydney's black market. - Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the ABC's failed legal defence of its decision to fire a radio host, Antoinette Lattouf, for her views on Gaza. - The jurors tasked with deciding whether Erin Patterson deliberately poisoned her estranged husband's family with a beef Wellington meal will begin deliberations next week. THEY SAID IT: "It used to cost money to disclose and distribute information. In the digital age it costs money not to." - Heather Brooke YOU SAID IT: Some applauded, many tut-tutted. This was the US president, after all. But most understood how letting rip with an F-bomb can ease pain and frustration. And in Trump's case, it appeared to stop a war. "I find profanities wonderful - an effective way to convey what I'm feeling AND get the pious and sanctimonious clutching at their pearls," writes Henry. "To quote Stephen Fry, people who take offense at things are inevitably looking for something to complain about." Neil from Cootamundra writes: "My mother would berate me as a teenager if I swore with the statement: 'Swearing displays to all that you have a poor grip on the English language!' That was just over 50 years ago, and I still swear, mainly at myself, today. Our language is forever changing with words being added that I would have been scolded for using a few decades ago. But in the end, language is the tool of communication and if swearing emphasises the point to get the message across then our language is doing its job!" "Swearing is actually, in some cases, a mild anaesthetic," writes Graeme. "As so many, such words, are part of the everyday lingo, I have no problem with their use. I have not heard Mr Trump's utterance, but in context could have been very effective in not beating around the bush, cutting through the shit. This does not make up for the wrecking ball Mr Trump is." Maggie writes: "If you doubt that former US presidents swore, go back to the Nixon tapes of the early 1970s. In a long career in one company, I was always careful with my language - until I was really cranky. Then everyone, including the big boss, jumped to attention." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to IMPORTANT NOTICE Due to the sheer volume of email and text messages I am now experiencing involving robotic appointment reminders, demands for up-front booking deposits and customer service feedback requests, I have been forced to implement the following Personal User Agreement. By interacting with me ('The User') you agree to be bound by the following non-negotiable terms and conditions under which I will now engage with modern life. Restaurants: Reservations are subject to mutual obligation. Should 'The User' arrive on time and be seated at an appropriate table (See Exceptions Clause 17c: 'Table Next To Dunnies' and 17d: 'Table Subject To Cold Draughts Or Within Vicinity of Arguing Couples'), the following penalties will apply: A 50 per cent reduction in the final bill for meals delayed or delivered cold by a waiter with a nose ring, three-day stubble and fake European accent; A 20 per cent reduction if table wobbles like a drunken sailor; A Pretentiousness Surcharge of $50 for "special experience" dishes involving smoke, foam or soil; In the event of overall unsatisfactory service, 'The User' reserves the right to pay in Monopoly money. Public Transport: Should passengers be pressed together like vacuum-packed meat slices, 'The User' shall activate the Overcrowding Compensation Clause (19F), entitling them to the driver's seat and half-price travel for the following month. Furthermore: Should 'The User' be subjected to a fellow passenger's loud phone calls, body odour, TikTok videos or tuna and egg sandwiches, the Passenger Etiquette Clause (15c) will be enforced, allowing 'The User' to forcibly eject said offender at the next stop without threat of legal action. Platform announcements made in a rare 16th century Hindi dialect uttered at 300 words per minute on a static-filled PA system will automatically trigger a free coffee voucher at any station kiosk. Customer service hotlines: All interactions will now include a Mutual Holding Penalty Agreement, wherein every minute spent by 'The User' on hold shall trigger a 5 per cent reduction in said User's future bills. Furthermore, subjecting 'The User' to repetitive instrumental versions of Hotel California or any Celine Dion songs will require a Mental Health Payment Bonus to 'The User', who reserves the right to lodge an emotional damages claim. Doctors/Dentists/Chiropractors: 'The User' agrees to receive constant reminder messages about upcoming appointments requiring a Y/N reply. In return for agreeing to pay the stated fee for missing or running late for said appointment, the following shall apply: Should the medical practitioner not see 'The User' within 15 minutes of the agreed appointment, forcing 'The User' to sit on an uncomfortable chair reading tattered copies of The Australian Women's Weekly circa 1980, or next to a tantrum-throwing toddler eating their boogers, a 25 per cent reduction in fee payment will apply. A further 10 per cent discount will be awarded to 'The User' for a medical practitioner's illegible handwriting, or any diagnosis involving the words "just take some Panadol and rest up". Tradespeople and Delivery Drivers: From 1 July, 'The User' will charge a $30 per hour holding fee for time wasted while waiting for any tradesperson or courier promising to arrive between "7am and four billion years' time when the sun expands into a red giant, engulfing the inner planets". Airlines: Luggage lost or arriving at the wrong destination will entitle 'The User' to wear the pilot's uniform until baggage is returned. As well, in-flight meal services consisting of a soggy sandwich or half-frozen pie will require the offending airline to deliver an Uber Eats meal of 'The User's' choice to the plane as it taxis along the tarmac following arrival. Family and Friends Group Chats: 'The User' may abruptly withdraw from any digital discussion thread should group messages include: A photograph of a three-year-old niece's fingerpainting described by its parents as "genius"; Poorly-lit and incompetently framed photographs of evening meals; The acronym 'LOL' used without intended irony; Failure to use the bare minimum of punctuation. Please Note: Over-use of emojis and exclamation marks will require the offending sender to attend compulsory Emotional Moderation Training sessions. Please be advised that following any interaction with 'The User' you will be required to answer a lengthy survey about your experience that, under the terms of his Privacy Policy, will be ignored. The above terms and conditions are effective immediately and subject to change depending on 'The User's' whims and blood sugar levels. Thank you for your time. Have a nice day. HAVE YOUR SAY: What's the longest time you've spent on hold? Do you ignore or reply to the endless requests for customer feedback? How do you negotiate the increasing demands of the digital world? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - A failed attempt to import frogs, insect-infested fresh fruit and vegetables has been hailed by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as a big win for border police. The illegal, insect-infested food smuggled from Thailand sought to circumvent Australia's biosecurity laws and flood Sydney's black market. - Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the ABC's failed legal defence of its decision to fire a radio host, Antoinette Lattouf, for her views on Gaza. - The jurors tasked with deciding whether Erin Patterson deliberately poisoned her estranged husband's family with a beef Wellington meal will begin deliberations next week. THEY SAID IT: "It used to cost money to disclose and distribute information. In the digital age it costs money not to." - Heather Brooke YOU SAID IT: Some applauded, many tut-tutted. This was the US president, after all. But most understood how letting rip with an F-bomb can ease pain and frustration. And in Trump's case, it appeared to stop a war. "I find profanities wonderful - an effective way to convey what I'm feeling AND get the pious and sanctimonious clutching at their pearls," writes Henry. "To quote Stephen Fry, people who take offense at things are inevitably looking for something to complain about." Neil from Cootamundra writes: "My mother would berate me as a teenager if I swore with the statement: 'Swearing displays to all that you have a poor grip on the English language!' That was just over 50 years ago, and I still swear, mainly at myself, today. Our language is forever changing with words being added that I would have been scolded for using a few decades ago. But in the end, language is the tool of communication and if swearing emphasises the point to get the message across then our language is doing its job!" "Swearing is actually, in some cases, a mild anaesthetic," writes Graeme. "As so many, such words, are part of the everyday lingo, I have no problem with their use. I have not heard Mr Trump's utterance, but in context could have been very effective in not beating around the bush, cutting through the shit. This does not make up for the wrecking ball Mr Trump is." Maggie writes: "If you doubt that former US presidents swore, go back to the Nixon tapes of the early 1970s. In a long career in one company, I was always careful with my language - until I was really cranky. Then everyone, including the big boss, jumped to attention." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to IMPORTANT NOTICE Due to the sheer volume of email and text messages I am now experiencing involving robotic appointment reminders, demands for up-front booking deposits and customer service feedback requests, I have been forced to implement the following Personal User Agreement. By interacting with me ('The User') you agree to be bound by the following non-negotiable terms and conditions under which I will now engage with modern life. Restaurants: Reservations are subject to mutual obligation. Should 'The User' arrive on time and be seated at an appropriate table (See Exceptions Clause 17c: 'Table Next To Dunnies' and 17d: 'Table Subject To Cold Draughts Or Within Vicinity of Arguing Couples'), the following penalties will apply: A 50 per cent reduction in the final bill for meals delayed or delivered cold by a waiter with a nose ring, three-day stubble and fake European accent; A 20 per cent reduction if table wobbles like a drunken sailor; A Pretentiousness Surcharge of $50 for "special experience" dishes involving smoke, foam or soil; In the event of overall unsatisfactory service, 'The User' reserves the right to pay in Monopoly money. Public Transport: Should passengers be pressed together like vacuum-packed meat slices, 'The User' shall activate the Overcrowding Compensation Clause (19F), entitling them to the driver's seat and half-price travel for the following month. Furthermore: Should 'The User' be subjected to a fellow passenger's loud phone calls, body odour, TikTok videos or tuna and egg sandwiches, the Passenger Etiquette Clause (15c) will be enforced, allowing 'The User' to forcibly eject said offender at the next stop without threat of legal action. Platform announcements made in a rare 16th century Hindi dialect uttered at 300 words per minute on a static-filled PA system will automatically trigger a free coffee voucher at any station kiosk. Customer service hotlines: All interactions will now include a Mutual Holding Penalty Agreement, wherein every minute spent by 'The User' on hold shall trigger a 5 per cent reduction in said User's future bills. Furthermore, subjecting 'The User' to repetitive instrumental versions of Hotel California or any Celine Dion songs will require a Mental Health Payment Bonus to 'The User', who reserves the right to lodge an emotional damages claim. Doctors/Dentists/Chiropractors: 'The User' agrees to receive constant reminder messages about upcoming appointments requiring a Y/N reply. In return for agreeing to pay the stated fee for missing or running late for said appointment, the following shall apply: Should the medical practitioner not see 'The User' within 15 minutes of the agreed appointment, forcing 'The User' to sit on an uncomfortable chair reading tattered copies of The Australian Women's Weekly circa 1980, or next to a tantrum-throwing toddler eating their boogers, a 25 per cent reduction in fee payment will apply. A further 10 per cent discount will be awarded to 'The User' for a medical practitioner's illegible handwriting, or any diagnosis involving the words "just take some Panadol and rest up". Tradespeople and Delivery Drivers: From 1 July, 'The User' will charge a $30 per hour holding fee for time wasted while waiting for any tradesperson or courier promising to arrive between "7am and four billion years' time when the sun expands into a red giant, engulfing the inner planets". Airlines: Luggage lost or arriving at the wrong destination will entitle 'The User' to wear the pilot's uniform until baggage is returned. As well, in-flight meal services consisting of a soggy sandwich or half-frozen pie will require the offending airline to deliver an Uber Eats meal of 'The User's' choice to the plane as it taxis along the tarmac following arrival. Family and Friends Group Chats: 'The User' may abruptly withdraw from any digital discussion thread should group messages include: A photograph of a three-year-old niece's fingerpainting described by its parents as "genius"; Poorly-lit and incompetently framed photographs of evening meals; The acronym 'LOL' used without intended irony; Failure to use the bare minimum of punctuation. Please Note: Over-use of emojis and exclamation marks will require the offending sender to attend compulsory Emotional Moderation Training sessions. Please be advised that following any interaction with 'The User' you will be required to answer a lengthy survey about your experience that, under the terms of his Privacy Policy, will be ignored. The above terms and conditions are effective immediately and subject to change depending on 'The User's' whims and blood sugar levels. Thank you for your time. Have a nice day. HAVE YOUR SAY: What's the longest time you've spent on hold? Do you ignore or reply to the endless requests for customer feedback? How do you negotiate the increasing demands of the digital world? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - A failed attempt to import frogs, insect-infested fresh fruit and vegetables has been hailed by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as a big win for border police. The illegal, insect-infested food smuggled from Thailand sought to circumvent Australia's biosecurity laws and flood Sydney's black market. - Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the ABC's failed legal defence of its decision to fire a radio host, Antoinette Lattouf, for her views on Gaza. - The jurors tasked with deciding whether Erin Patterson deliberately poisoned her estranged husband's family with a beef Wellington meal will begin deliberations next week. THEY SAID IT: "It used to cost money to disclose and distribute information. In the digital age it costs money not to." - Heather Brooke YOU SAID IT: Some applauded, many tut-tutted. This was the US president, after all. But most understood how letting rip with an F-bomb can ease pain and frustration. And in Trump's case, it appeared to stop a war. "I find profanities wonderful - an effective way to convey what I'm feeling AND get the pious and sanctimonious clutching at their pearls," writes Henry. "To quote Stephen Fry, people who take offense at things are inevitably looking for something to complain about." Neil from Cootamundra writes: "My mother would berate me as a teenager if I swore with the statement: 'Swearing displays to all that you have a poor grip on the English language!' That was just over 50 years ago, and I still swear, mainly at myself, today. Our language is forever changing with words being added that I would have been scolded for using a few decades ago. But in the end, language is the tool of communication and if swearing emphasises the point to get the message across then our language is doing its job!" "Swearing is actually, in some cases, a mild anaesthetic," writes Graeme. "As so many, such words, are part of the everyday lingo, I have no problem with their use. I have not heard Mr Trump's utterance, but in context could have been very effective in not beating around the bush, cutting through the shit. This does not make up for the wrecking ball Mr Trump is." Maggie writes: "If you doubt that former US presidents swore, go back to the Nixon tapes of the early 1970s. In a long career in one company, I was always careful with my language - until I was really cranky. Then everyone, including the big boss, jumped to attention."
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Located within the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa - QUÉBEC-BASED SCÉNO PLUS DESIGNS THE NEW HARD ROCK LIVE OTTAWA THEATRE
MONTREAL, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ - Internationally acclaimed Québec firm Scéno Plus, renowned for designing iconic performance venues — from The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for Celine Dion to Dolby Live in Las Vegas, as well as Montreal's Théâtre d'Aujourd'hui, Usine C, and Salle Pierre-Mercure — proudly unveils its latest achievement: the Hard Rock LIVE Ottawa theatre. This brand-new multipurpose entertainment venue, located inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, will officially open its doors on July 3, 2025, with a premiere concert by Canadian composer and pianist David Foster and his wife, American singer Katharine McPhee, performing her greatest hits. The opening of Hard Rock LIVE Ottawa is a key component of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, the first destination of its kind in Canada. A true gem within the Hard Rock brand, this unique complex is set to redefine entertainment and hospitality offerings in the nation's capital. With its contemporary design and signature rock'n'roll spirit, the property features 150 guest rooms, a fully modernized casino adjacent to a horse racing track, and — at the heart of it all — the Hard Rock LIVE Ottawa, with a capacity of 1,900 seated or 2,200 standing. "This project marks our eighth collaboration with Hard Rock International — a relationship built on mutual trust and a successful track record. The venue was designed to accommodate a wide variety of event formats in an enveloping and inspiring setting. With its exceptional acoustics, stage flexibility, and captivating ambiance, it promises both audiences and performers a truly memorable experience worthy of the Hard Rock legacy," says Olivier Berthiaume-Bergé, President and CEO of Scéno Plus. A modular theatre designed for all types of events Hard Rock LIVE Ottawa stands out for its exceptional versatility. The venue features telescopic seating with retractable seats, enabling a 17,000-square-foot open floor area, easily adaptable for concerts, galas, conferences, sports matches, poker tournaments, trade shows, and much more. The theatre's visual experience lives up to the Hard Rock name, blending boldness and elegance in its interior design. Vibrant red seats add energy to the general admission area, while the gold-toned VIP section offers select guests unparalleled proximity to the stage.
