The Know Daily - Wednesday 3 May 2023

_{Read in 5m 24s ∙ Listening to Roy Ayers}

Air New Zealand is set to bring bunk beds to the skies - along with complimentary eye masks and ear plugs. From September, economy class passengers will get the option to add a four-hour snooze slot to their package. While there’ll undoubtedly be competition for “Skynest” spots, this initiative might make “business class envy… a thing of the past”, said Time Out.

 🪧 Crackdown on protests ahead of coronation

Tough new laws to combat protests have been fast-tracked ahead of expected demonstrations during King Charles’s coronation weekend.

What’s the story?
The Public Order Act received royal assent yesterday, but the powers created under the act to deal with protestors had not been expected to come into force until next month.

However, official warning letters have already been issued to anti-monarchists planning peaceful protests around the coronation, The Guardian has reported. In a letter to the campaign group Republic, the Home Office said that the new powers had been brought forward to prevent “disruption at major sporting and cultural events”.

What powers are we talking about?
The letters list the creation of a number of new criminal offences under the government’s highly controversial Public Order Bill - for example, blocking roads, airports and railways could lead to a year behind bars. Police will be able to stop and search protestors if they’re suspected of setting out to cause chaos.

What has the response been?
Lawyers have reportedly told Republic that the timing of the letter - days ahead of planned protests - could be viewed as intimidatory. “We are currently waiting for assurances from police [that] nothing has changed,” said Graham Smith, the campaign group’s chief executive.

Freedom of speech campaigners have expressed broader concerns that the new measures could restrict peaceful and legitimate protests. Former shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti pointed out that “suspicionless stop and search is notorious for racial disparity”.

What does the government say?
The Home Office has insisted that the timing of the letters is coincidental, while a source told The Guardian that the letter to Republic was meant to inform, not intimidate. In a statement on Tuesday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the bill would give “police and courts the tools they need” to stop the “chaos” caused by “eco-warriors”.

Further protest laws are expected to come into force in the coming months.

✍️ Hollywood on strike

Thousands of Hollywood screenwriters have walked out for the first time in 15 years, in a dispute over fair pay in the streaming era.

Tell me more.
Over 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike from midnight on Tuesday after last-minute talks broke down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group which represents most major studios and streaming services.

What does the strike involve?
98% of members voted “yes” to industrial action - and those taking part are banned from writing, pitching or negotiating with the 350+ TV and film companies in the AMPTP. WGA members must also picket at assigned locations unless they have a “valid medical excuse”, personal issue or emergency, The Guardian has reported.

And why are writers walking out?
In short, they’re asking for higher pay and a greater share of the profits from the modern streaming boom. Unlike with ordinary TV, writers are only paid a set amount for a streamed show - even if it proves to be a runaway success.

Other key demands include a minimum number of writers per show, a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment per season, and a ban on the use of AI bots to write or rewrite material.

Is this the first action of its kind?
No. In 2007, writers went on strike for 100 days, costing an estimated $2.1bn to the California economy. The action also had an “immediate and now-infamous impact” on US TV and film, said The Guardian, with some seasons ending up far shorter than normal.

What’s likely to happen this time?
Late-night live chat shows are set to go dark, as WGA writers are responsible for scripting the up-to-the-minute commentary and jokes.

And while the latest seasons of dramas and comedies are expected to air as normal, the WGA has warned that autumn premieres of new shows could be impacted if the dispute isn’t resolved soon.

🌿 Medicinal cannabis: A study of 358 adults with cancer found that medicinal cannabis is “a safe and effective complementary treatment for pain relief in patients”. The treatment was legalised in the UK in 2018, but the government is being urged to fund more research.

📰 World Press Freedom Index: The annual survey has revealed that media freedom is “in dire health” in a record number of countries (31) - up from 21 just two years ago. The report cited the rise of disinformation and the threat of AI as factors impacting journalism worldwide.

🇸🇩 Sudan latest: The government has announced that the final UK rescue flights will leave today and there will be “no further British evacuation flights” from the conflict-ravaged country. So far, around 2,341 people have been evacuated on 28 UK flights.

🥣 Yoghurt recall: Müller has recalled six Cadbury desserts, including Flake and Dairy Milk Buttons, over listeria concerns. The manufacturer described it as a precautionary measure.

🗳️ Viral voting: A Minnesota lawmaker went viral on social media after briefly appearing shirtless while voting during a legislative session which was being live streamed on YouTube.

Trivia answer: B) Boris Johnson - unsurprisingly, the police weren’t fooled.

You currently have 0 referrals, only 1 away from receiving a shoutout in our newsletter!.

We’ll reward you with things like a £30 HURR gift card, free Grubby recipe kits, CRU Kafe coffee and merch. As a tiny team with a big mission, we’re so grateful when readers spread the word about us.

How did you find today's email?
😍 Loved it 😕 Could be better

Daily emails too much for you? Switch to our weekly Friday edition.Tu