Spotify attacks Apple's 'outrageous' 27% commission
Spotify has launched an outspoken attack on new transaction fees of up to 27% being levied by Apple in the US.
On Wednesday, Apple announced it would permit app developers to sell products in places other than its store - but only if they still paid commission.
Spotify said that was "outrageous" and accused Apple of "stopping at nothing" to protect its profits. It is urging the British government to prevent similar fees being levied in the UK.
Apple has been approached for comment.
The firm introduced the fees in the US as a result of a long-running legal battle with Fortnite developer Epic Games.
The court found in favor of Apple on multiple issues, but it fell foul of law by not allowing app developers to tell people about other ways of paying, including through links that bypass Apple's own App Store payment system.
Apple charges the biggest developers a 30% fee to use this system, though smaller developers pay around 15%, and 85% of developers don't pay a fee at all.
As a result of the ruling, Apple has introduced a new set of rules in the US that will allow people to subscribe to services without using its system, but it will charge developers up to a 27% commission to do so.
According to court documents filed by the firm, it said the commission charge was compliant with the court ruling, adding that App Store developers benefit from Apple's services.
"All App Store developers - including those who place buttons or links with calls to action in their apps - benefit from (among other things) Apple's platform integrity," it said in the filings.
It also listed other benefits developers receive, including: "marketing and external advertising, and a safe environment for users to download and purchase apps and in-app content."
Spotify has reacted with fury, saying the policy "flies in the face" of the US court's attempt to enable greater competition.
"Once again, Apple has demonstrated that they will stop at nothing to protect the profits they exact on the backs of developers and consumers under their app store monopoly," it said in a statement.
Spotify has a history of attacking Apple over its fees. In October 2023 it accused it of having an "insane" level of control over the internet.
Now, it says the UK government should intervene.
"The UK's Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer Bill must put an end to this false posturing, which is essentially a recreation of Apple's fees.
"We strongly urge UK lawmakers to pass the bill swiftly to prevent Apple from implementing similar fees, which will help create a more competitive and innovative tech industry for UK consumers and businesses."
The Government put forward its digital markets bill last year aimed at curbing the power of the tech giants.
The bill would empower authorities to "consider targeted measures" regarding app store transactions to maintain open and competitive digital markets, a spokesperson for the Government told the BBC.
However, the spokesperson declined to say if authorities would intervene in Apple's case after the bill passes.
"It is not for us to comment on specific cases," the person said.
Source-BBC
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS
GENERAL SITUATION: HIGH-PRESSURE RIDGE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT MODERATE TO FRESH BREEZES AND FAIR WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY BECOMING MOSTLY FAIR AND BREEZY TONIGHT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS TONIGHT
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 77°F 25°C
SUNSET: 5:27 PM
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 12:59 PM (2.3 FT)
NEXT LOW TIDE: 07:15 PM (0.7 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: A RIDGING PATTERN WILL PERSIST ACROSS THE AREA AND SUPPORT BREEZY CONDITIONS AND MODERATE SEAS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS THROUGH FRIDAY.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY. FAIR AND MILD AT NIGHT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SUNRISE: 06:29 AM
SUNSET: 05:28 PM
HIGH TIDE: 01:43 AM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 08:12 AM (1.0 FT)
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND A BIT BREEZY. MOSTLY FAIR AND MILD AT NIGHT
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SUNRISE: 06:29 AM
SUNSET: 05:29 PM
HIGH TIDE: 02:48 AM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 09:25 AM (1.0 FT)
FORCASTER: H.HAMILTON
Premier says threat from governor was set to align with trial of former premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley believes that an announcement by Governor John Rankin to seek additional powers over this British Overseas territory was strategically planned to align with the trial of former premier Andrew Fahie, which is set to get underway shortly in the United States.
According to Wheatley who was speaking on a local radio show, the move could be described as a psychological tool.
“Andrew Fahie’s trial is set to start somewhere around now. I don’t take these things for granted in terms of how they plan these things,” Wheatley said.
He also hinted at a possible trend for outgoing governors to make a major decision when departing the territory.
“The only thing I can come up with is that they have a particular method of doing things and some of it may be psychological. For instance, when Augustus Jaspert was leaving, he [announced the COI]. It’s almost as if they don’t have to deal with the consequences of their decisions and you can’t really hold somebody else accountable for those decisions,” the Premier added.
Fahie was arrested on drug trafficking charges in 2022 and shortly afterward, the Commissioner of Inquiry (COI), which was already underway in the BVI, delivered its final report to the governor and ordered the suspension of the territory’s constitution.
Local leaders eventually succeeded in stopping the UK from suspending the constitution but many, including the late Carvin Malone, maintained that the COI results were pre-planned to align with the capture of Fahie.
Outgoing Governor Rankin has denied these allegations, saying he knew nothing about the arrest of the former premier.
Source-CMC
Pakistan launches strikes into Iran
Pakistan has launched retaliatory missile strikes into Iran, reportedly killing seven people, after Iran carried out strikes in Pakistan late on Tuesday.
Pakistan said its strikes had hit "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province.
Three women and four children were killed, Iran state TV said.
The reciprocal air strikes come as tensions in the Middle East are high with several overlapping crises.
Israel is fighting the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza and exchanging fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria are targeting US forces, and the US and UK have struck the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have been attacking shipping.
Pakistan and Iran have long accused each other of harboring militant groups that carry out attacks from regions along their shared border.
On Thursday, Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed its strikes, which Iranian media said took place around the city of Saravan.
Pakistan said it had acted in light of "credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities" and said several "terrorists" were killed.
It added that it "fully respects" Iran's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" but its action on Thursday was "a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats".
Pakistan had fiercely condemned Iran's strike on Tuesday, which struck an area of Pakistan's Balochistan province near the Iranian border and which Islamabad said killed two children.
Iran insisted its strikes were aimed only at Jaish al-Adl, an ethnic Baloch Sunni Muslim group that has carried out attacks inside Iran, and not Pakistan's citizens.
Earlier in the week Iran also attacked targets in Iraq and Syria - it said it had hit Islamic State and Israel's Mossad spy agency, both of whom it said had been involved in a bomb attack in the Iranian city of Kerman earlier this month which killed 84 people.
Analysts said Pakistan's response was not surprising and matched Iran's in being presented as a specific attack on insurgents,
"Pakistan's retaliation does raise the risk of escalation but it also provides an opportunity to step back from the brink. In effect, the two sides are even now," said Michael Kugelman, the South Asia director at the Wilson Centre.
"Islamabad had a strong incentive to try to restore deterrence, especially with Iran on the offensive around the wider region deploying direct strikes and proxies to hit out at threats and rivals. In effect, if Pakistan had held back, it would have faced the risk of additional strikes."
China, a strong ally of both nations, has called for both sides to show restraint and avoid an escalation.
Analysts say Iran's strikes this week were also driven by the current turbulent dynamics in the Middle East.
Source-BBC
WT20 cricket venue to host matches in New York unveiled
Organizers of the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup unveiled on Wednesday an ambitious plan to construct a 34,000-seat modular stadium in the state of New York to stage eight matches in this year’s tournament, including the epic battle between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on June 9.
The sport’s governing body said the project started this week in Eisenhower Park, Nassau County, 30 miles east of Manhattan, with work on the playing surface and the outfield to be followed by the erection of seating and temporary facilities scheduled to start next month.
“We are excited to be unveiling the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024,” ICC chief executive officer, Geoff Allardice said in a news release.
“It is an incredibly important milestone in the lead-up to the biggest ICC event ever, with work commencing on the stadium, which will be able to accommodate 34 000 cricket fans.
“We are partnering with world-class suppliers to deliver the modular stadium to ensure that players and fans can enjoy an unforgettable experience across the eight matches in New York in June this year.”
Concerns had been raised around the world after American cricket correspondent Peter Della Penna shared a video and a few images of the park in its present state and questioned if organizers could meet the deadlines.
According to the news release, the stadium is scheduled to be completed within three months and will have capacity for fans across premium and general admission seating, as well as VIP and hospitality suites, including a party deck and cabanas, to host the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever.
“Though a world first for cricket, modular stadiums are used regularly in other sports, including Formula 1, golf, and the Olympic Games providing fans with every facility they would expect at a global sporting event,” the ICC news release noted.
The stadium has been designed by Populous, a world-class sports and entertainment venue architecture firm, that has designed some of the world’s most iconic stadia, including Yankee Stadium in New York; the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, India; and English Premier League venue, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The news release added that Populous is the architect of record for both the New York Yankees and New York Mets, while Arena Event Services will bring expertise from other global sporting events and will provide and install the stadium infrastructure, and the United States-based international sports procurement firm, The Parker Company will project manage the build.
The news release stated that sustainability was also an important feature of the project with the grandstands used for the Formula 1 Grand Prix last year in Las Vegas being repurposed for the venue.
The pitch, which is a drop-in square of the type used around the world, including at the Adelaide Oval in Australia and Eden Park in New Zealand, is currently being curated in the American state of Florida and will be transported by road in early May to the venue, the news release stated.
The development of the pitches is being undertaken by Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions, led by renowned Adelaide Oval head curator Damian Hough, while the outfield is being delivered by the LandTek Group, a United States-based sports turf expert firm, which has worked with the Yankees and the Mets, as well as Inter Miami CF on their stadium and training fields.
The tournament will be co-hosted by the Caribbean and the United States from June 1 to 29, and it will be the largest with 20 international teams playing 55 matches across nine host venues.
It is the first time the United States will host matches at a T20 World Cup, with 16 first-round matches split between the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in the city of Dallas in the state of Texas, and the Broward County Regional Stadium in Lauderhill in Florida.
The Caribbean, the hosts 14 years ago, will be staging the tournament for the second time and will stage matches at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua, Kensington Oval in Barbados, National Cricket Stadium in Guyana, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St Vincent, and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
Cricket West Indies are the official host of the event, with an entity T20 World Cup Inc. established to administer local delivery within the United States while working in partnership with Major League Cricket to support the growth of the sport in the North American country.
Source-CMC
Government Dental Services - Dentist to visit South Caicos
The General Public is hereby informed, that the Government Dentist will be visiting the Island of South Caicos on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024
ALL persons requiring Dental treatment should visit the South Caicos Primary Health Clinic, during normal working hours.
Due to the flight schedule clinic will commence at 10:30 am
For more information, please Contact the Dental Clinic in South Caicos on Telephone – 232-3216 or 946-3711.
The 75th annual Emmy Award winners
The 75th annual Emmy Awards was hosted by Anthony Anderson, and aired Monday, January 15, on Fox.
Here's the complete list of winners:
Drama Series
Succession
Comedy Series
The Bear
Limited Series
Beef
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Sarah Snook, Succession
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Steven Yeun, Beef
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Ali Wong, Beef
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Niecy Nash-Betts, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Writing for a Drama Series
Jesse Armstrong, Succession
Writing for a Comedy Series
Christopher Storer, The Bear
Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Lee Sung Jin, Beef
Directing for a Comedy Series
Christopher Storer, The Bear
Directing for a Drama Series
Mark Mylod, Succession
Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Lee Sung Jin, Beef
Reality-Competition Program
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Scripted Variety Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Variety Talk Series
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Variety Special (Live)
Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
New Updates from PPID
The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development has informed RTC news that a substantial amount of money for major capital improvements in Grand Turk will be commencing shortly.
Over 8 million dollars has been allocated in capital projects for the nation's capital over the next 12 months.
Currently under construction is the West Road and Pond Street bridge work at an estimated value of $636,000
Projects to commence in the next few weeks consist of:
Upgrading and repairing drainage as well as other site works at the HJ Robinson High School for $1.4 million
Remediation works for the ponds, under the ponds and bridges project totaling $2.11 million, and major road works totaling $4 million dollars
Hon. Jamell Robinson will explain more on RTC this Monday at 6:30 pm on Expressions.
TCI Weather
GENERAL SITUATION: HIGH-PRESSURE RIDGING CONTINUES TO SUPPORT PLEASANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY AND A BIT BREEZY BECOMING FAIR AND BREEZY TONIGHT.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS TONIGHT
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS NEARSHORE; 3 TO 5 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84°F
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 77°F
SUNSET: 05:26 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 05:35 PM (0.7 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 11:38 PM (2.6 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: THE HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD ACROSS THE AREA AND WILL SUPPORT FRESH WINDS AND MODERATE TO ROUGH SEAS NEAR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY BECOMING MOSTLY FAIR AND BREEZY AT NIGHT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SUNRISE: 06:29 AM
SUNSET: 05:27 PM
LOW TIDE: 05:54 AM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 12:03 PM (2.6 FT)
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND A BIT BREEZY. MOSTLY FAIR AND BREEZY AT NIGHT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS AT NIGHT.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SUNRISE: 06:29 AM
SUNSET: 05:27 PM
HIGH TIDE: 12:39 AM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 07:00 AM (0.7 FT)
FORECASTER: H. HAMILTON
IDB governors to meet in Dominican Republic
Development challenges and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), ranging from tackling climate change to ensuring equitable and sustainable growth, and reducing poverty and inequality will be among the issues discussed when the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and IDB Invest hold its annual board of governors meeting in the Dominican Republic in March.
The IDB said that the March 6-10 board meetings are the top decision-making bodies, comprising finance and economy ministers and other leading officials from the LAC.
“The Governors will discuss ways the IDB Group, as the region’s leading source of development financing, knowledge and research, can increase its support for Latin America and the Caribbean amid rising social demands, restricted fiscal space to meet those demands, and the need to increase financing to transition to green economies. ”
It said some of the key issues that the governors will address include the new IDB Group Institutional Strategy; the capital increase proposal for IDB Invest, as well as a new business model that would expand its development impact through the private sector.
New funding for IDB Lab, the bank’s innovation laboratory, to evolve its business model on private sector solutions for poor and vulnerable populations to one of multisource funding wil also be discussed.
The IDB said that other activities include a meeting with members of civil society from member countries and thematic seminars on development topics, including investments and results in education, the energy transition in the region, agricultural innovation and food security.
The annual meetings will also feature a business investment forum and the IDB said that .
It will release its annual macroeconomic assessment report for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Source-CMC