Rupert Murdoch's Succession Battle Begins in US Court

Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff

V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business.

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Image Source : Charlotte Edwards

Media Mogul Faces Legal Dispute with Eldest Children Over Control of £14.9bn Family Trust

A high stakes court battle over the future of Rupert Murdoch's media empire and the control of a £14.9bn family trust begins in the US on Monday. The case centers on who will inherit the most significant voting shares and the power to control News Corp and Fox News once the 93 year old media tycoon passes away.

The legal showdown pits Mr. Murdoch against three of his eldest children Prudence, Elisabeth, and James who stand opposed to Lachlan, their brother and current heir apparent. It has been reported that Mr. Murdoch sought to modify the family trust, initially established in 1999, to ensure that Lachlan could take over without "interference" from his siblings.

The Murdoch family's power struggle has often been compared to the drama depicted in the popular TV series Succession, though the family has consistently declined to comment on these parallels.

In addition to his four eldest children, Mr. Murdoch also has two younger daughters, Grace and Chloe, from his marriage to Wendi Deng. However, under the terms of the trust, Grace and Chloe have no voting rights.

Mr. Murdoch’s media empire, which he started building in the 1960s, spans the globe, with holdings that include major publications such as The Times and The Sun in the UK, and the Wall Street Journal in the US. His other company, Fox Corporation, operates Fox News, a network with considerable political influence.

The Murdoch family’s intricate succession plans were supposed to have been largely settled in 1999 with the establishment of the Murdoch Family Trust. The trust, which controls the family’s stake in News Corp and Fox News, grants eight votes. Currently, Mr. Murdoch controls four of those votes, with each of his four eldest children holding one vote apiece.

The trust agreement stipulates that upon Mr. Murdoch's death, his voting power would be evenly distributed among his eldest children. However, tensions have risen over differences in political views and management of the empire. These differences have reportedly caused a rift within the family, with Prudence, Elisabeth, and James allegedly banding together to challenge Lachlan, who shares his father’s right-wing political leanings.

Lachlan, who was appointed as the head of Fox and News Corp, has been groomed for leadership for years, while James, Elisabeth, and Prudence have expressed opposition to the family’s direction under Lachlan’s leadership.

The private court proceedings are taking place at the Washoe County Courthouse in Reno, Nevada, with media access barred from the trial. Testimony is expected from Rupert Murdoch and the four children involved in the trust dispute. The case, first reported by The New York Times after sealed court documents were obtained, could conclude with a settlement or drag on for months if an appeal is filed.

Rupert Murdoch’s complicated family history includes six children from three different marriages. His eldest daughter, Prudence, was born during his first marriage to Patricia Booker. His next three children Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James were born to Anna Mann, his second wife. Grace and Chloe are from his third marriage to Wendi Deng. Mr. Murdoch’s fourth marriage to model Jerry Hall ended in divorce in 2022. He recently married Elena Zhukova in June 2023.

As the court battle unfolds, it could have significant implications for the future control of one of the world’s most influential media empires.

Bowen: Israel's tactical supremacy, but Hezbollah will not be dissuaded

Deepshikha maan, Jadetimes Staff

D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel Gaza war

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Image Source : EPA

Israeli Tactical Success

Israel has scored a notable tactical triumph in its recent operation, reminiscent of a high stakes thriller. Undoubtedly, this triumph inflicts a significant setback on Hezbollah, resulting in widespread humiliation and increased uncertainty for the organization. Probably, it will have a detrimental impact on their morale.

Key Strategic Risks Faced by Israel

Despite the achievements, Israel has significant strategic difficulties. Although the operation causes Hiszbollah humiliation, it does not dissuade them from engaging in future activities. Furthermore, this does not effectively advance Israel's overarching objective of halting Hezbollah's attacks and facilitating the return of more than 60,000 Israelis residing along the northern border, who have been displaced for nearly a year.

An Analysis of the Weapon and Its Constraints

Israel utilized a daring and exceptionally efficient weapon in this military campaign. Nevertheless, according to investigations by Al Monitor, a highly respected Middle Eastern magazine, Israel was unable to utilize it according to its initial intentions. The original approach was to follow the assault with a sequence of formidable attacks while Hezbollah was still recuperating. The initial action, referred to as the "pager attack," was launched with the aim of initiating a more extensive escalation, potentially resulting in an invasion of southern Lebanon.

 Obligated to Take Early Action

Yet, the same reports indicate that Hezbollah had become wary, compelling Israel to carry out the attack ahead of schedule. While Israel successfully demonstrated its ability to penetrate Hezbollah's communications and inflict a defeating blow, the operation did not contribute to the advancement of peace in the region. Indeed, it propelled it towards a full scale conflict.

Larger Regional Ramifications

Presently, the outcome of de-escalation in the Middle East mostly depends on the circumstances in Gaza. The ongoing fighting in that region, together with the unresolved tensions with Lebanon, attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthis, and other regional problems, continues to require attention. The United States ambassador to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, has been exerting considerable effort for several months to seek a diplomatic resolution, indirectly involving the Lebanese government, Hezbollah, and Israel. Nevertheless, there are rumors indicating that Israel failed to notify the United States about its intentions for this assault until the final moments, therefore potentially complicating diplomatic endeavors.

Challenges in the Gaza Strip and Internal Pressures

Two primary impediments are still hindering the advancement towards a ceasefire in Gaza. Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas, proposes that Israel should withdraw entirely from Gaza and free Palestinian captives in return for the remaining Israeli hostages. Secondly, there is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has firmly asserted that Israel will attain a comprehensive triumph over Hamas.

Netanyahu is under internal pressure from families of captives who hope to negotiate an agreement to repatriate their loved ones. Nevertheless, his far right coalition partners have issued a warning of potential government collapse if he makes concessions on this matter.

Analysis of Israeli Self-Defense and Civilian Casualties

Israel and its allies justify the latest measures implemented against Hezbollah as valid acts of self defense. Nevertheless, concerns have been expressed over the number of civilian casualties. Closed circuit television (CCTV) video captured a pager firing in a bustling marketplace, and reports from Lebanon indicate that a small girl perished when her father's pager exploded. While Hezbollah has been deeply affected by the attack, it is anticipated to swiftly rebound and explore other means of communication, particularly in a tiny nation such as Lebanon where messages may be personally delivered.

The Region on the Breaking Point

The current aftermath of the attack is causing significant distress for both Hezbollah and its partner, Iran, whose envoy to Beirut sustained injuries. Nevertheless, the whole region is currently on the brink of a large-scale conflict. Unchecked, these escalations have the potential to devolve into catastrophe.

TikTok Faces Legal Battle as US Considers Ban Over National Security Concerns

Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes Staff

D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political Blogs.

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Image Source : Reuters

TikTok, the popular video sharing platform, is under scrutiny in the US as it battles a law that could force it to sell its American operations or face a ban. The app, which boasts 170 million US users, is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, and many lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties are pushing for its sale, citing national security concerns. They fear that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to share user data, compromising sensitive information of millions of Americans.

Despite TikTok's insistence that it would never share foreign user data with Beijing, the US government remains cautious. In April 2023, President Joe Biden signed a bill that grants ByteDance nine months to find a non Chinese buyer for TikTok, with a possible three month extension. If a sale doesn't occur, the app could face a shutdown by January 2025, just after the next US presidential election.

This is not the first time TikTok has faced potential banning. Former President Donald Trump attempted to block the app in 2020, but his efforts failed in court. Interestingly, Trump, now a 2024 presidential candidate, has expressed opposition to the new legislation, arguing that banning TikTok could unfairly benefit rival platforms like Facebook.

How a Ban Could Impact Creators and Users

A ban on TikTok would significantly affect its vast creator community. Many users, such as Tiffany Yu, a disability advocate from Los Angeles, rely on the platform to promote their work. TikTok has become a vital outlet for many, with its unique algorithm offering wide reach and engagement. In response to the looming threat, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has voiced his opposition to the law, calling it an "unconstitutional ban" and assuring users that the company will continue to fight for their rights.

TikTok has urged its users to contact their political representatives and push back against the bill. However, this effort has had mixed results, with some lawmakers doubling down on their concerns after receiving a surge of calls from confused users. Additionally, Beijing has made it clear that it opposes the sale of TikTok, making the situation even more complicated for ByteDance.

While TikTok’s legal fight in Washington is set to be a lengthy process, the potential ban has already sent ripples through the global landscape. Several countries, including India, Iran, and the UK, have implemented bans or restrictions on the app due to security concerns. As the debate continues, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, and the app’s creators are left wondering how they will navigate a possible ban that could reshape the social media landscape.