Johnny Depp's Director Walks Back Scary Claim, Says She Was Misunderstood

'The Fall Guy' Criticized Over Joke Involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard | THR News Video

'The Fall Guy' is already facing criticism over a distasteful joke in the film. The David Leitch-directed action-comedy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt came under fire before its even opened in theaters over a joke about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Hannah Waddingham's character, Gail Meyer, at one point makes a reference to Depp and Heard's turbulent relationship.

McDonald's Posts Disappointing Q1 Results Amid Ongoing Boycotts

McDonald's Posts , Disappointing Q1 Results , Amid Ongoing Boycotts. 'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker- than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. . 'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker- than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. . According to McDonald's, higher sales in the United States helped the fast-food giant overcome weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted. According to McDonald's, higher sales in the United States helped the fast-food giant overcome weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted. The company saw same-store sales rise by 1.9% worldwide between January and March, below the Wall Street forecast of 2.1%. Increased menu pricing and delivery demand saw same-store sales in the U.S. increase by 2.5%. In international markets, sales fell by 0.2% for the first time since 2020. Despite this, McDonald's said the company's revenue increased 5% to reach $6.17 billion, while net income went up 7% to $1.93 billion, in-line with Wall Street estimates. 'The Independent' reports that Muslim-majority markets like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East have been boycotting McDonald's for months. The boycotts started after a McDonald's franchise in Israel announced in October that it would provide free meals for Israeli troops amid the ongoing war in Gaza. In the months since then, the company has tried to limit the fallout by taking over all 225 McDonald's in the country with the purchase of Alyonal Limited, its Israeli franchise. Our hearts remain with the communities and families impacted by the war in the Middle East. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'. Our hearts remain with the communities and families impacted by the war in the Middle East. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'

Negotiations on Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution Reach Critical Phase

Negotiations on Global Treaty , to End Plastic Pollution , Reach Critical Phase . 'The Independent' reports that negotiators from around the world have met to discuss what could become a global treaty meant to end plastic pollution. . The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution has begun agreeing on treaty language at their fourth of five scheduled plastics summits. The most ambitious and contentious idea revolves around limiting how much plastic can be manufactured globally. As most plastics are made from fossil fuels and chemicals, oil and gas exporters have strongly objected to the limitations, along with plastic-producing countries and companies. According to Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson with the International Council of Chemical Associations, the treaty also focuses on recycling and reuse. . We want to see the treaty completed. We want to work with the governments on implementing it. The private sector has a role to play, Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson with the International Council of Chemical Associations, via 'The Independent'. 'The Independent' reports that the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty provided scientific evidence on plastic pollution at the negotiations. I heard yesterday that there’s no data on microplastics, which is verifiably false: 21,000 publications on micro and nanoplastics have been published, Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden's University of Gothenburg who co-leads the coalition, via 'The Independent'. Ecuador's chief negotiator, Walter Schuldt stressed that countries present at the negotiation share a common vision of moving forward in the treaty process. Because at the end of the day, we’re talking about the survival of the future of life, not only of human life but all sorts of life on this planet, Walter Schuldt, Ecuador's chief negotiator, via 'The Independent'

Google Fires More Staffers Following Protests Over $1.2 Billion Israel Deal

Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal. Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal. 'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least 20 more workers following protests over the company supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war. 'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least 20 more workers following protests over the company supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war. A group representing the fired workers said the total number of staff terminated for protesting is now over 50. . Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around 'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. . Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around 'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. . The $1.2 billion contract includes cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. . The $1.2 billion contract includes cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. . Last week, workers held sit-in protests at Google's offices in both New York and Sunnyvale, California. The protests were organized by the group No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers were fired following the initial sit-in. . According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired "over 20" more workers, “including non-participating bystanders during last week’s protests.”. Google’s aims are clear: the corporation is attempting to quash dissent, silence its workers, and reassert its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'. In its attempts to do so, Google has decided to unceremoniously, and without due process, upend the livelihoods of over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'. In its attempts to do so, Google has decided to unceremoniously, and without due process, upend the livelihoods of over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'. Google has disputed the group's claims, stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment was terminated was personally and definitively involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”

Upcoming Lyrid Meteor Shower May Be Hard to See

Upcoming , Lyrid Meteor Shower , May Be Hard to See. 'The Independent' reports that skywatchers looking to catch the Lyrid meteor shower may be foiled by the moon. . This year's peak activity occurs on April 21 and 22, with up to 20 meteors expected per hour. . Potential viewing should last through April 29. . However, the American Meteor Society warns that strong moonlight may interfere with viewing. . Every year, multiple meteor showers occur and don't require special equipment to see them. . For the most part, meteor showers originate from debris left behind by comets, like the Lyrids, which come from the comet Thatcher. . As these space rocks enter the Earth's atmosphere, air resistance makes them extremely hot, which causes the air around them to glow. This glow leaves a fiery trail behind the meteor, which can be observed from the ground as a "shooting star.". Look to the northeast and just keep staring at the same spot in the sky. It's always impressive when you see these things, Don Pollacco, University of Warwick astronomer, via 'The Independent'. The Lyrids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, while the upcoming Eta Aquarids meteor shower can best be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.

Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion Investment in Leading UAE Technology Firm

Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm. Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm. 'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. . 'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. . The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join technology holding company G42's board of directors. The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join technology holding company G42's board of directors. The UAE's national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the current chairman of G42's board of directors. . In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft said the deal “was developed in close consultation with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”. In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft said the deal “was developed in close consultation with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”. G42, which runs data centers in the Middle East and elsewhere, has built the world's leading Arabic-language AI model, Jais. . According to Microsoft, G42 will move its AI applications and services over to the U.S. tech giant's cloud computing platform. . According to Microsoft, G42 will move its AI applications and services over to the U.S. tech giant's cloud computing platform. . The deal will also look to bring digital infrastructure to regions that G42 has already established a presence, including the Middle East and Africa. 'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that the company was closely tied to the Chinese government. 'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that the company was closely tied to the Chinese government. Prior to Microsoft's investment, the company reportedly faced allegations of spying for its connection to a mobile phone app identified as spyware. The tech company also faced accusations that it gathered genetic material from U.S. users for the Chinese government. . The tech company also faced accusations that it gathered genetic material from U.S. users for the Chinese government.