Dumfries and Galloway Ukrainian community "terrified" over threat of Russian invasion

Editors Note: In Hollie McKay’s latest special report for Deadline, the veteran foreign affairs correspondent and Only Cry for the Living: Memos from Inside the ISIS Battlefield author is in eastern Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin’s forces loom just over the border as Russia threatens a possible invasion.

Broadcast and cable networks have news teams in place in Ukraine as attention focuses on the possibility of an invasion, perhaps as soon as this week.

Plans have been unveiled that could see Dumfries and Galloway cash in on the staycation boom.

The problem of “urban menace” seagulls is too big for Dumfries and Galloway Council to solve, a councillor has insisted.

Every day 18 people in poverty seek an emergency crisis grant in Dumfries and Galloway, it has been revealed.

Every school in Dumfries and Galloway will finally have fast internet connections by next week to allow for digital learning in the classroom.

A police search of a hire van stopped on the M74 near Wamphray led to the discovery of 324,000 illicit cigarettes worth £95,000 in lost duty and taxes.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorSpotify CEO Daniel Ek, under fire from critics inside and outside the company over its partnership with Joe Rogan, said in a memo to employees that was “deeply sorry” for how the controversy over the podcast host has affected them.But in the wake of the company removing 70 past episodes of his podcast and Rogan’s use of the N-word on his show, Ek signaled that Spotify does not plan to end its deal to distribute “The Joe Rogan Experience.”“I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer… canceling voices is a slippery slope,” he wrote in the memo Sunday, which was obtained by Variety.Ek said he is “committing to an incremental investment of $100 million for the licensing, development, and marketing of music (artists and songwriters) and audio content from historically marginalized groups.” “If we believe in having an open platform as a core value of the company, then we must also believe in elevating all types of creators, including those from underrepresented communities and a diversity of backgrounds,” the CEO wrote.Rogan has been a controversial figure ever since Spotify inked its exclusive deal with him in 2020, his hosting of right-wing personalities on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The latest controversy over coronavirus misinformation on Rogan’s podcast has gone beyond the low-boil level that has previously accompanied outrage over comments on his podcast. That was led by Neil Young, who demanded Spotify pull his songs or drop Rogan, and has been followed by a few other artists and creators.According to Ek, Spotify has had conversations “with Joe and his team about some of the content in his show, including his history of using some racially insensitive language.

Spotify users have cancelled their subscriptions since the controversy around Joe Rogan’s podcast broke out.In January, hundreds of scientists and medical professionals asked Spotify to address COVID-19 misinformation on its platform, sparked by comments made on The Joe Rogan Experience. The 270-plus members of the science and medical community signed an open letter, which called Rogan’s actions “not only objectionable and offensive but also medically and culturally dangerous”.Following the publishing of that letter, Neil Young demanded his music be “immediately” removed from the platform, with many high-profile artists like Joni Mitchell, David Crosby and Graham Nash following suit.Now, as Variety reports, a consumer poll from Forrester Research has found that 19 per cent of the streaming service’s customers have since cancelled their subscriptions, or plan to in the near future.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorHow big of a liability vs. an asset will Joe Rogan prove to be for Spotify? A new survey sheds some light on which way the wind might blow given the spate of #DeleteSpotify and #CancelSpotify hashtags that blew up on social media in recent days — although similar past customer backlashes have resulted in minimal damage.About 19% of Spotify users said they have already canceled their service — or plan to — over the Rogan uproar, according to a Feb.

wrote in a “Déjà Vu” statement.“While we always value alternate points of view, knowingly spreading disinformation during this global pandemic has deadly consequences. Until real action is taken to show that a concern for humanity must be balanced with commerce, we don’t want our music—or the music we made together—to be on the same platform.”Young started the trend when he pulled his solo catalog from the streaming service last week in protest of “fake information about vaccines” being spread on the popular “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Joni Michell, a contemporary of the 60s supergroup, followed suit on the heels of Young’s announcement and Nash joined the chorus of musicians requesting to flee the service on Tuesday, calling on Spotify to be “responsible and accountable” for its content.The band’s request applies to music the band released both with and without sometimes-member Young, as well as solo releases from Crosby and Stills, according to a press release.Crosby tweeted last month that removing his catalog might be difficult because he sold his recorded music and publishing rights. Music from CSNY, CSN and Crosby, Nash and Stills was still on Spotify as of Thursday night.Rogan, who has a $100 million deal with the streaming service, addressed accusations on Sunday that his show promoted unsanctioned COVID-19 treatments and claimed that vaccinations were harmful to some.“I’m not trying to promote misinformation.

India.Arie is leaving Spotify, citing their exclusive hosting of Joe Rogan’s podcast and his “language around race” as the reason she pulled her music.In an announcement on her Instagram last night (January 31), she shared the details behind her decision to leave the streaming giant – following on from Neil Young’s exit due to Rogan spreading “misinformation” about COVID-19.“I have decided to pull my music and podcast from Spotify,” she shared. “Neil Young opened a door that I must walkthrough.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorSpotify’s market capitalization fell about $2.1 billion over a three-day span this week, coming after folk rocker Neil Young yanked his songs from the audio-streaming giant to protest Joe Rogan’s misinformation-spreading podcast.Shares of Spotify fell 6% from Jan. 26-28.

Video: Joe Rogan continues to ignore covid science even as he reads it out loud (The Independent)Fight Club trailerDakota Johnson and Chris Martin make an appearance at Sundance Film Festival 2022Video released of police using force and Taser on NBA player Jaxson Hayes during arrestFBI: Brian Laundrie Admitted To Killing Gabby Petito In Notebook'No further danger': German police speaks on Heidelberg university shootingMerrill Lynch executive arrested after racist smoothie shop tiradeGermany: Lone gunman dead after mass shooting at universitySupporters display 'Trump 2024' signs ahead of Florida rallyMusician describes trip on cruise ship diverted to Bahamas to avoid US arrest warrantSophie Turner and Joe Jonas appear to marry in surprise Vegas ceremonyCOVID issues in the cruise industryPrince Harry could return to UK for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum JubileeSupreme Court Judtice Clarence Thomas criticised for conflict of interestVirginia parent threatens school board with armed response over mask mandateOmicron: Are we turning a corner?Officials using cinnamon buns to lure bear that attacked Daytona Beach manYoung reportedly requested his content be removed from Spotify due to its hosting of the Joe Rogan podcast, which has been known to air vaccine-sceptical views. Mitchell said online that she stood “in solidarity” with Young and the medical communities against “irresponsible people” who were spreading lies on the platform and “costing people their lives”.

A day after Neil Young’s music left Spotify, the “Heart of Gold” singer is showing nothing but love for Jeff Bezos’ Amazon Music.

The controversial dismantling of headstones could go ahead in 16 more cemeteries across Dumfries and Galloway – despite a huge outcry from upset relatives.