HT News

Twitter’s Revenue Down By 40% Reports Platformer Reporter

Twitter has been losing its revenue since its takeover by billionaire Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO has employed many ways to make the micro-blogging website a fruitful business but he needs some more time to set the house in order.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Twitter’s revenue falls by 40% according to independent reports

Who Reported Twitter’s Falling Revenue?

The report is a tweet from a Platformer reporter’s Twitter account. It claims that the micro-blogging site has been losing its revenue faster and that the revenue has been down by 40% just a week before the billionaire owner’s first giant interest payment on the company is due at the end of January. The tweet was published on Tuesday.

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Ukraine Beats Russia In Australian Open And Gets Its Flag Banned As Well

Taking cognizance of a complaint by the Ukraine ambassador to Australia, Tennis Australia banned the flags of Russia and Belarus at the ongoing Australian Open. Russian and Belarus players were already playing under a neutral flag but the audiences were allowed to bring the flags. But now there is a total ban on Russian and Belarus flags.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tennis Australia bans Russian and Belarus flags onsite at the tournament
• Earlier fans were allowed to bring the flags but couldn’t display
• On Monday, a Russian flag was sighted by the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia

What Action Did The Ukrainian Ambassador Demand On Sighting A Russian Flag In The Australian Open?

Russian and Belarus tennis players competed under a neutral flag but fans were allowed to bring them with the condition that the flags won’t be used for disruption. But on Monday, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko called on Tennis Australia and demanded strict action against Russia and Belarus after seeing the red, white, and blue stripes of Russia at an ongoing match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on day one.

He demanded Tennis Australia enforce its ‘neutral flat policy’ with immediate effect. Last week he urged Tennis Australia to ban Russia and Belarus entirely. Belarus is – the latter for supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While Tennis Australia didn’t bar Russia and Belarus from the tournament, it barred their flags onsite.

Why Tennis Australia Didn’t Bar Russia And Belarus From The Tournament?

Last year Wimbledon barred Russian and Belarusian players but it stripped the tournament of its ranking points by tennis’s governing bodies.

What Happened To The Russia And Ukraine Match?

Ukrainian player Baindl won the match 7-5, 6-7, (8/10), … Read the rest

The US Begins Expanded Combat Training For Ukrainian Forces On German Soils

The US is providing expanded combat training to about 500 Ukrainian soldiers in Germany. The training started on Sunday and will continue for the next five to eight weeks. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the US wanted Ukrainian troops to fight the Russians and get back their land.

HIGHLIGHTS

• About 500 Ukrainian soldiers are taking expanded combat training in advanced weapons
• The objective of the training is to equip the Ukrainian forces with all incoming weapons and equipment

What Is Expanded Combat Training Of Ukrainian Forces?

The Ukrainian soldiers began their training on a full set of weapons and equipment in Grafenwoehr, Germany on Sunday. They will hone their skills including movement and coordination with their companies – and battalion-size units in battle. The training involves combined artillery, armor, and ground forces.

What Is The Objective Of The Training?

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is visiting the Grafenwoehr on Monday to see the Ukrainian forces being trained on advanced weapons. He said that the objective of the training was to equip the Ukrainian forces to counter any surge in Russian attacks and to get back the territory captured by Russia in the 11-month-old battle.

Milley said that the training was important, especially when the new weapons, artillery, tanks, and other vehicles were heading to Ukraine. He said that the training would help Ukrainian forces to use all incoming weapons and equipment. He said that the new forces would be ready to combat before the spring rains show up.

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Tesla Reducing The Prices Of Its Bestselling EV Models

Buy Tesla’s Bestselling EV Cars At 20% Less Price In The US And Europe

Tesla will reduce the price of its best-selling electric vehicle (EV) models in the coming days. The electric car maker said that the prices of its cars would be dropped up to 20% in the US and Europe.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tesla announced a price cut of up to 20% on its best-selling EV models for the US and Europe
• The price cut is announced amid the tough competition Tesla is facing in the growing EV market

Why Is Tesla Reducing The Prices Of Its Bestselling EV Models?

Tesla started a price war with rivals, especially GM and Ford to retain its market share in the EV market. The price cut was announced on Friday and it had its impact on Tesla shares which fell as much as 4.5% in early trading on Friday. Though some were recovered later in the day. But overall Tesla’s shares have plummeted for more than a year.

What Do Experts Say About Tesla’s Price Cut?

The Wall Street Journal said in a report that the discount made that possible for buyers of Tesla’s US-built Model Y to take advantage of a tax credit in the US by bringing the price of the car below a $55,000 cap.

But Analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities has a different opinion on Tesla. He said that that was no secret that demand for Tesla was starting to see some cracks in the global slowdown for 2023.

Dan Ives called the price cut the “right move” and “a clear shot across the bow at European automakers and US stalwarts (GM and Ford) that Tesla was not going to play nice in the sandbox.

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Investors Pushed Apple Inc. To Cut The Pay Package Of CEO Tim Cook To Over 40%

Apple Inc. has accepted the request of its Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to cut his compensation by more than 40% in 2023. He took this step after the company drew criticism from investor forums that Cook’s stock would continue to vest post-retirement.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tim Cook’s compensation is reduced from $99.4 million to $49 million on his request and demand of investor forums
• Apple Inc. was under criticism from investor forums for rewarding Tim Cook with more stocks

How Much Compensation Was Tim Cook Drawing?

In 2021, Tim Cook’s total pay package was $98.7 million. But Apple Inc. raised his compensation to $99.4 million in 2022. It includes $3 million in base salary, about $83 million in stock awards, and a bonus.

Mr Cook will draw a package of $49 million including the $3 million salary and $6 million bonus, as well as an equity award value of $40 million. His equity award value in 2022 was $75 million. But how much Cook draws as compensation would base on the company’s stock performance.

The 62-year-old CEO has pledged to give away his wealth to charitable causes.

The percentage of stock units awarded to Cook and tied to Apple’s performance would increase to 75% in 2023 from 50%, as well as in future years, said Apple Inc. in a regulatory filing Thursday.

The company said that his latest compensation was based on “balanced shareholder feedback, Apple’s exceptional performance, and a recommendation from Mr. Cook. The iPhone maker also plans to “position Mr. Cook’s annual target compensation between the 80th and 90th percentiles relative to their primary peer group for future years.

Why Were Investor Forums Criticizing Mr Cook’s Compensation?

Institutional Shareholder Services complained that … Read the rest

US And Japan Issued A Joint Statement In Defense Cooperation Amid Threat From China

The US and Japan shared concerns about increasingly assertive China in a joint statement and announced stepped-up security cooperation on Wednesday. The joint statement came after one month after the US endorsing a major military build-up announced by Japan.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The US will introduce a Marine Littoral Regiment in Tokyo to increase the military capabilities of Japan
• The two sides have also agreed to extend their defense treaty to cover space

What Was The Joint Statement About?

Encouraged by the American endorsement of its announcement of a major military build-up, Japan sent its foreign and defense ministers to Washington to meet their American counterparts and issue a joint statement.

It said that given “a severely contested environment,” the forward posture of U.S. forces in Japan should be upgraded “by positioning more versatile, resilient, and mobile forces with increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, anti-ship, and transportation capabilities.”

According to the statement, the ministers discussed a vision of a modernized Alliance postured to prevail in a new era of strategic competition.

After the meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a joint news conference said that the US agreed that the PRC was the greatest shared strategic challenge that the US and its allies and partners face referring to the People’s Republic of China. The two countries also agreed to cover space under the terms of their common defense treaty, said Blinken.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the US would introduce a Marine Littoral Regiment in Japan to improve significant capabilities, including anti-ship missiles.

There will be a meeting between Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Thursday at the Pentagon ahead of a scheduled meeting between US President Joe Biden … Read the rest

Golden Moments Of The RRR Team From Golden Globe Awards

Winning a Golden Globe for the Best Original Song was a golden moment for the RRR team. And team including director SS Rajamouli, Jr NTR, and Ram Charan is awaiting another historical moment in the Golden Globes 2023 red carpet event in Los Angeles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• RRR is also nominated for the Best Non-English Film for this year’s Golden Globe awards
• The team RRR has arrived in Los Angeles for the Golden Globe awards function
• The movie features on a list of 301 films eligible for several Oscar category awards

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ram Charan (@alwaysramcharan)

How Hopeful Team RRR Of Winning Another Golden Globe Award?

RRR has already won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, Naatu Naatu that had gone viral soon after its release. Also, the movie is considered for the Best Non-English Film and the entire team RRR is hopeful of winning the award. They have already shared a picture from the award site.

Do you know Naatu??

Los Angeles is witnessing it now!! 💥💥🌋🌋 #RRRMovie @ChineseTheatres pic.twitter.com/gYsV5ufWZH
— RRR Movie (@RRRMovie) January 10, 2023

The picture of both the lead stars – Jr NTR and Ram Charan – with their better halves – Lakshmi Pranathi (Jr NTR’s wife) and Upasana Kamineni (Ram’s wife) is going viral on the Internet. Also, director SS Rajamouli is seen standing with his wife Rama Rajamouli in traditional ensembles. The winner of the Best Non-English Language Film category is awaited.

The famous Chinese Theater of Los Angeles where the movie was screened ahead of the award function witnessed a audience dancing to the tune of the song Naatu Naatu. A viral video from the same theater shows Jr NTR and Ram Charan … Read the rest

It’s going to be the most amazing interview ever: Kate Winslet To A Young Reporter

Kate Winslet blessed a young reporter, Martha, with her star power when the latter approached her for an interview during the ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ promotion and told her that it was her first interview. Ms Winslet encouraged Martha to do well.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kate Winslet’s encouragement to a young reporter is winning hearts
• Ms Winslet is playing Ronal in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’
• ‘Avatar’ sequel has crossed the 1 billion USD in global box office collection

What Happened During The Interview?

Martha wanted to interview the Oscar-winning star Ms Winslet for the German TV network ZDF during a promotional event for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. The young reporter approached the dynamic star and politely disclosed to the star that she was interviewing for the first time. And what happened afterward was simply unbelievable.

Variety reported that Ms Winslet paused the interview and leaned closer to Martha to say some words of encouragement. Ms Winslet said “Ok, well guess what? When we do this interview, it’s going to be the most amazing interview ever. And do you know why? Because we’ve decided that it’s going to be. So, we’ve decided right now, me and you, that this is going to be a really fantastic interview.”

“You can ask me anything that you want, and you don’t have to be scared. Everything is going to be amazing. Ok? You’ve got this. Ok, let’s do it!” added Ms Winslet.

How Is the Internet Reacting To Ms Winslet’s Gesture?

The Oscar-winning star is winning hearts with her friendly gesture to a young reporter. “The most adorable thing you have seen today” tweeted one and “She is the best,” wrote another.

The new Avatar sequel has now become a … Read the rest

Kylie Jenner And Travis Scott Separated For The Second Time For This Reason

The Kylie Cosmetics founder Kylie Jenner has separated from her rapper husband Travis Scott for the second time. They were reunited in February 2020 but separated over Christmas last December. They share two children – a daughter Stormi and a nearly one-year-old son.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kylie and Travis were supposed to spend the Christmas holidays together
• Kylie spent her holidays in Aspen with her family and friends
• Before separation, Kylie supported Travis during his Miami performance last December

What Is The Reason Behind Their Separation?

US Weekly reported the separation of 25-year-old Kylie Jenner and 31-year-old rapper Travis Scott. The magazine quoted a person close to the couple as saying that they were supposed to spend holidays together but Kylie went to Aspen to be with her family and friends up there. The person further said that that had happened so many times before. There were known to be on again and off again, but always remained friends and great co-parents. The reality star went to Aspen with her kids but without the rapper.

On January 1, Kylie shared a video on her Instagram story featuring her daughter Stormi but with the caption “We are on a serious adventure right now.” But Elle magazine shows a different view of their relationship. It said that Kylie look very affectionate to Travis during his December 2022 performance in Miami.

How Did Their Relationship Start?

The world came to know about their relationship in February 2018 when they welcomed their daughter Stormi Webster after a year of publicly dating. But they separated soon. In 2020, they again came together after the reality star was found attending the rapper’s concerts. In February 2022, they welcomed their son but separated over Christmas the … Read the rest

Novak Djokovic Preparing For The Semifinal

The Combined ATP-WTA Event Will See Novak Djokovic Playing Daniil Medvedev On Saturday

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev both entered the semifinal round of the combined ATP-WTA event. They will play the semifinal match on Saturday. While Medvedev was the runner-up last year in the Australian Open, Djokovic missed the tournament for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Novak Djokovic beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 at the Adelaide International on Friday
• Medvedev defeated fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-3 on Friday
• Djokovic has defeated Medvedev in Australia in 2021

How Is Novak Djokovic Preparing For The Semifinal?

The 21-time Grand Slam winner missed the Australian Open last year because he wasn’t vaccinated for COVID-19. He praised his Canadian opponent saying that early Denis was a better player. Denis was dictating, said Djokovic after improving to 8-0 against Denis. He also said that he had to improve his serve and groove on the court.

After winning the Friday match, the 35-year-old Serb Djokovic said that he didn’t think there would be too many short points on Saturday unless they both serve well. He further said that one had to be ready to go the distance physically, mentally, and game-wise while playing Medvedev.

How Is Daniil Medvedev Preparing For The Semifinal?

Medvedev finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open last year and lost the final to Djokovic in 2021. the 2021 US Open champion Medvedev has lost the Australian finals twice.

He said about the Friday match that he played well last year and he was playing well in the present tournament. He further said that one had to be at his best for seven matches to win a slam or be in the final.

He seemed hopeful about the Saturday match when he said that he managed to do … Read the rest