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Restricted from Twitter, Instagram; Kanye to buy conservative social network Parler
The rapper formerly known as Kanye West is offering to buy right-wing friendly social network Parler shortly after getting locked out of Twitter and Instagram for antisemitic posts.
The acquisition of Parler would give West, legally known as Ye, control of a social media platform and a new outlet for his opinions with no gatekeeper. The question is, who will listen?
Even among the new breed of largely right-wing, far-right and libertarian social apps that purport to support free speech by having looser rules and moderation, Parler’s user base is tiny — and with competition only increasing for the relatively small swath of mostly older people who want to discuss politics online, there is no clear roadmap to growing it beyond a niche platform chasing crumbs left by mainstream social media.
If Tesla CEO Elon Musk goes through with his planned purchase of Twitter, things may get even more complicated for Parler. That's because Musk has already made it clear he would like to loosen Twitter's rules and content-moderation efforts, including reinstating the account of former President Donald Trump. If the libertarian and far-right users who left Twitter — either because they felt it was constricting to their political views or because they were kicked off — return, sites like Parler, Gab and Trump's Truth Social could end up losing users.
Parlement Technologies, which owns Parler, and West said Monday the acquisition should be completed in the fourth quarter, but the price and other details were not disclosed. Parlement Technologies said the agreement includes the use of private cloud services via Parlement’s private cloud and data center infrastructure.
Parler restructured its business last month to form Parlement Technologies, which it said aims to become the “world’s premier free speech technology infrastructure and platform." This means that rather than running a single platform such as Parler, the company wants to provide services to other niche sites that are often deemed too extreme for mainstream tech companies to support. A Parlement spokesperson said the deal with West was not yet in the works when the company was restructured and the two transactions are separate.
Ye was blocked from posting on Twitter and Instagram a week ago over antisemitic posts that the social networks said violated their policies. In one post on Twitter, Ye said he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” according to internet archive records, making an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.
Ye has also suggested slavery was a choice and called the COVID-19 vaccine the “mark of the beast.” Earlier this month, he was criticized for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt to his collection at Paris Fashion Week.
“In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” Ye said in a prepared statement.
Parler has struggled amid competition from other conservative-friendly platforms like Truth Social, which are tiny as well compared with mainstream social media sites. Parler had an average of 725,000 monthly active users in the U.S. for the first half of this year, according to Data.ai, which tracks mobile app usage. That's down from 5.2 million in the first half of 2021. Overall, including people outside the U.S., Parler still failed to reach the 1 million mark in the first half of this year.
Truth Social, meanwhile, had 2.4 million monthly users during the same period, despite launching just in February and only on Apple devices, according to Data.ai. The market research firm said another right-leaning platform, Gettr, which launched in July 2021, is ahead of both Parler and Truth Social with about 3.8 million monthly active users.
None of them come close to Twitter, which reported that it had a daily average of about 237.8 million active users during its most recent quarter. Many of the right-wing platforms emerged from opposition to the content-moderation restrictions at mainstream services such as Twitter and Facebook, but they have failed to attract users in large numbers.
Part of that reason may be that most people don't actually want to discuss politics online. According to the Pew Research Center, one-third of tweets sent in the U.S. are political in nature, but these are mainly sent my a small subset of mostly older people. While Americans ages 50 and older make up 24% of the U.S. adult Twitter population, they produce nearly 80% of all political tweets, according to Pew. This is the audience Ye's Parler would have to be courting if the rapper is serious about growing Parler's user base.
Parler launched in August 2018 but it didn’t start picking up steam until 2020. It was kicked offline in January 2021 over its ties to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol earlier that month. A month after the attack, Parler announced a relaunch. It returned to Google Play last month.
“This deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech," Parlement Technologies CEO George Farmer, who is married to conservative activist Candace Owens, said in a prepared statement.
Curtain closes on 40th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan
The 40th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan came to an end at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's (BSA) National Theater Hall auditorium in Dhaka Sunday.
The three-day flagship event of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad (JRSP) featured several programmes this year, celebrating the return of the in-person edition to the capital for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eminent academician and researcher Professor Syed Manjurul Islam joined the closing ceremony as the chief guest.
"As an ardent admirer of Rabindranath, I have studied his majestic literary creations, especially his music. And I was also fortunate to explore his exclusive artworks at the Shantiniketan in Kolkata, India. He visited many East Bengal townships and got a close-up look at the people's everyday lives – this experience ultimately showed up in his writing."
"It is impossible to explore and practice all of Rabindranath's talents in one lifetime, and that is why we need arrangements like this convention."
Ekushey Padak winner recitation artist Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay hosted the ceremony, and National Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad Executive President Atiur Rahman presided over it.
‘Ei Somoy’: 7 bands including Meghdol perform for Dhaka music lovers
Music lovers in Dhaka turned out at the series premiere of ‘Ei Somoy’, an exclusive series of concerts, at the Liberation War Museum auditorium on Friday (October 14, 2022).
‘Chapter One’ of this series had seven popular bands perform live – Meghdol, Avash, Shonar Bangla Circus, Shohojia, Shohortoli, Bangla Five and Apekkhik – captivating the packed auditorium from 3 pm till 10 pm.
Organised by Acoustica and powered by Metal Freak T-Shirt, the concert began with the performances of Apekkhik.
The autumnal afternoon was then greeted by Bangla Five, enthralling the fans with their popular tracks including “Left Right.” Sohortoli performed their fan-favourites after Bangla Five. Shohojia came up next with their popular tracks “Chhoto Pakhi,” “Ma,” “Jadukor” and more.
Read: Kabir Suman 'to go ahead with concerts in Dhaka'
Fans enjoyed the songs by Shonar Bangla Circus next, known for their unique line-up and majestic theatrical performances. Vocalist Probar Ripon delivered one after another hit of the band, including “Ondho Deyal,” “Ami Valobashi Tomake,” “Mrittu Utpadon Karkhana” and more, alongside the captivating instrumental performances of his bandmates.
Avash with Tanzir Tuhin was up next, covering a couple of popular tracks including “Prithibita Naki Chhoto Hotey Hotey” by the Indian Bangla band Moheener Ghoraguli, alongside originals including “Avash” and “Nishchup Adhar.”
Meghdol, the showstopper band of the night, then took the stage and had the crowd singing along to “Esho Amar Shohore,” “Kichhu Bishad Hok Pakhi,” “Nirban,” and ended the show with their latest track “E Hawa” from their upcoming album ‘Aluminum er Dana.’
“We did this arrangement with some psychedelic bands for the first chapter, and in coming days, new bands will be added to this event,” said Saikot Biswas Tutul, coordinator of the concert. Beyond the capital, ‘Ei Somoy’ will move forward in different parts of the country, he added.
Japanese instrumentalists woo audience at envoy's residence
Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki hosted a performance by a group of traditional Japanese music instrumentalists at his residence on Friday.
The Embassy of Japan invited the troupe “AUN J Classic Orchestra” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Nasrul Hamid, graced the occasion.
Bangladesh's renowned cultural personalities were fascinated by the beautiful tunes of Japanese songs.
The Embassy of Japan will organize a concert by AUN J Classic Orchestra for a bigger audience to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ties on Saturday at 6 pm. Attendance will be on an invite-only basis, but anyone can watch the livestream of the show via the embassy's Facebook page.
Kabir Suman 'to go ahead with concerts in Dhaka'
Internationally acclaimed Bengal singer-lyricist-composer Kabir Suman is all set to go ahead with his concerts in Dhaka as scheduled -- but the venue has changed.
The three concerts will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), auditorium instead of Bangladesh National Museum on October 15, 18 and 21.
This is because Kabir Suman has not been given the permission to hold the concerts at Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh, Mir Arif Billah of event management firm Peephole, told UNB on Friday.
“I am just saying that Kabir Suman will sing at IEB. Permission is almost done. I will reveal the details later," he added.
Read: No DMP permission for Kabir Suman concert at National Museum
On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that it did not give permission for the Kabir Suman concert, as Bangladesh National Museum is a key point installation.
DMP commissioner MD Shafiqul Islam said, "We did not give permission for the concert at Bangladesh National Museum, as the venue is a key point installation. But if the organisers seek permission to hold the event elsewhere, we will consider it.”
The concerts are set to mark the 30-year anniversary of Kabir Suman’s popular album 'Tomake Chai'.
No DMP permission for Kabir Suman concert at National Museum
Internationally acclaimed West Bengal singer-lyricist-composer Kabir Suman is scheduled to perform for fans in Dhaka with three concerts — from Saturday — at the National Museum.
On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that it did not give permission for the Kabir Suman concert, as National Museum is a key point installation (KPI).
DMP Commissioner MD Shafiqul Islam confirmed the matter to UNB, saying, "We did not give permission for the concert at Bangladesh National Museum, as the venue is a key point installation.
The three-day event is being organised by event management company Peephole, which disclosed the details of the event at a press conference at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Wednesday.
Peephole executives Fuad Bin Omar and Mir Arif Billah revealed the arrangement of the concert at the press conference. They, however, did not mention whether they secured permission from DMP or not.
Read: Leading Indian singer Kabir Suman hospitalised
Tickets for the Kabir Suman concert on October 15 and 21 were sold out within 72 hours and tickets for October 18 were nearing being stocked out, the organisers said at the press conference.
They also informed that there will be virtual tickets for Sumon fans at home and abroad.
UNB tried to reach Omar and Billah for comments, but they were unreachable till the time of filing this report.
The concerts were set to mark the 30-year anniversary of Kabir Suman’s popular album “Tomake Chai”.
Actor Masum Aziz on life support
Actor Masum Aziz has been put on life support at a private hospital in the city.
He was admitted to Square Hospital with cardiac problem on October 3 and put on life support as his condition deteriorated on Thursday morning, said Sommilito Sangskritik Jote President Golam Quddus.
He also sought blessings for the actor’s quick recovery.
Masum Aziz has been suffering from heart related ailments for a long time.
Aziz has earned fame through acting on stage, in television dramas and cinemas. He joined the group theater while studying in university.
He acted in his first TV drama in 1985. He has so far acted in more than 400 plays in his long career.
Kanye West’s Instagram, Twitter accounts restricted over anti-Jewish posts
Kanye West’s Twitter and Instagram accounts have been locked because of anti-Jewish posts by the rapper, now known legally as Ye.
Spokespersons for Twitter and Instagram parent Meta said Sunday that Ye posted messages that violated their policies.
In a tweet sent late Saturday, Ye said he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” according to internet archive records. That’s an apparent reference to the U.S. military readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.
In the same tweet, which was removed by Twitter, he said: “You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Earlier this month, Ye had been criticized for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt to his collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs posted a video on Instagram saying he didn’t support the shirt, and urged people not to buy it.
On Instagram, Ye posted a screenshot of a text conversation with Diddy and suggested he was controlled by Jewish people, according to media reports.
Under their policies, the two social networks prohibit the posting of offensive language. Ye’s Twitter account is still active but he can’t post until the suspension ends, after an unspecified period.
Meta, which owns Facebook as well as Instagram, at times will place restrictions on accounts that it deems repeatedly break its rules. The sanctions may include temporary restrictions on posting, commenting or sending direct messages.
Ye had returned to Twitter on Saturday following a nearly two-year hiatus, reportedly after Instagram locked his account.
Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who last week renewed his $44 billion offer to buy Twitter following a monthslong legal battle with the company, greeted Ye’s return to the platform before his suspension by tweeting, “Welcome back to Twitter, my friend.”
Musk has said he would remake Twitter into a free speech haven and relax restrictions, although it’s impossible to know precisely how he would run the influential network if he were to take over.
Eminent painter Samarjit Roy Chowdhury passes away
Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, one of the most prominent Bangladeshi artists and art educators, passed away at 2:40 pm in a city hospital on Sunday. The Ekushey Padak-winning painter (85) was suffering from multiple health issues, according to his family.Confirming the matter, Dhaka University fine arts faculty dean Nisar Hossain told the media that the revered artist was admitted to the hospital with heart complications and later suffered from pneumonia.According to Chowdhury’s son Surojit Roy Chowdhury, the art maestro was admitted to Labaid Hospital in the capital on September 5. After a week of treatment, the family took him home on September 12; however, he was readmitted to the hospital on September 15 due to complications.News of his departure created a shadow of grief among the artist community in the country.The artist's body will be placed at DU's fine arts faculty on Monday at 10 am, where his admirers can pay their respects.
Read: Eminent painter Syed Jahangir’s second death anniversary on Tuesday
Born in 1937 in Cumilla, Chowdhury graduated in Graphic Design from the Government Art Institute (presently Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University) in 1960. He received direct tutelage from legendary art maestros of the nation including Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, Anwarul Huq, Mohammed Kibria and Safiuddin AhmedHe joined the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art in 1960 and served there for 43 years before retiring as a Professor in 2003. He also taught there as a supernumerary professor since 2014.Up until 2010, he also served as the dean for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology.In 2014, he received the Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, for his meaningful contribution to the country’s art sphere.
South Korean army appears to want to conscript BTS members
South Korea’s military appears to want to conscript members of the K-pop supergroup BTS for mandatory military duties, as the public remains sharply divided over whether they should be given exemptions.
Lee Ki Sik, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, told lawmakers on Friday that it’s “desirable” for BTS members to fulfill their military duties to ensure fairness in the country’s military service.
Earlier this week, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup made almost identical comments about BTS at a parliamentary committee meeting, and Culture Minister Park Bo Gyoon said his ministry would soon finalize its position on the issue.
Whether the band’s seven members must serve in the army is one of the hottest issues in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces possible enlistment early next year after turning 30 in December.
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to perform 18-21 months of military service. But the law provides special exemptions for athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers who have won top prizes in certain competitions that enhance national prestige.
Without a revision of the law, the government can take steps to grant special exemptions. But past exemptions for people who performed well in non-designated competitions triggered serious debate about the fairness of the system.
Read: 3 members of K-pop sensation BTS diagnosed with COVID-19
Since the draft forces young men to suspend their professional careers or studies, the dodging of military duties or creation of exemptions is a highly sensitive issue.
In one recent survey, about 61% of respondents supported exemptions for entertainers such as BTS, while in another, about 54% said BTS members should serve in the military.
Several amendments of the conscription law that would pave the way for BTS members to be exempted have been introduced in the National Assembly, but haven’t been voted on with lawmakers sharply divided on the matter.
Lee, the defense minister, earlier said he had ordered officials to consider conducting a public survey to help determine whether to grant exemptions to BTS. But the Defense Ministry later said it would not carry out such a survey.
In August, Lee said if BTS members join the military, they would likely be allowed to continue practicing and to join other non-serving BTS members in overseas group tours.
People who are exempted from the draft are released from the military after three weeks of basic training. They are also required to perform 544 hours of volunteer work and continue serving in their professional fields for 34 months.