Latest news with #Eyre
Global News
6 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Ex-military chief welcomes defence boost amid growing ‘chaos' around world
Canada's former chief of the defence staff says he's glad to see a renewed urgency in Ottawa to boost defence spending given the ever-increasing global threat environment, which he describes as 'unpredictable' and even 'crazy.' Retired general Wayne Eyre, in his first interview since leaving the top military post last year, says the 'sheer number of conflicts and wars around the world' has made the need for Canada to invest in its national defence ever more critical. 'The rules-based international order that for so long provided the guardrails against large-scale international conflict — those have been eroded, and what's emerging we don't know yet, but it is much more dangerous and this transition period is rife for miscalculation,' he told Mercedes Stephenson in the interview, which aired Sunday on The West Block. 'We have chaos reigning around the world. It's crazy out there.' Story continues below advertisement Eyre made the comments shortly after Israel launched strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and killed Iranian military commanders in an attack late last week. Iran soon retaliated by striking the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv. That conflict is unfolding amid Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza, while Russia continues to ignore international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. Fighting is also raging in other parts of the Middle East and Africa. Eyre said he remains most concerned about the alignment between Russia and China, both of which have sought to gain entry into the Arctic. He said the 'disregard for sovereignty' and the proliferation of nuclear technologies by hostile actors are threats that 'we need to be very worried about.' 2:07 How will Canada meet its defence spending targets? Eyre was replaced as leader of the Canadian Armed Forces by Gen. Jennie Carignan, who stood next to Prime Minister Mark Carney last week as he announced the federal government will invest over $9 billion in defence this fiscal year. Story continues below advertisement Carney said the investment will ensure Canada meets NATO's defence spending target of at least two per cent of GDP — a goal Carney had previously said wouldn't be met until 2030. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Defending the country is the top role of a government. Everything else is secondary,' Eyre said. 'The realization of that, given the increasingly dangerous world that we're in, that was excellent to see.' The new defence spending plan will focus immediately on boosting pay and benefits for Canadian military members, as well as the restoration of bases and existing equipment. Eyre, who warned while serving as chief of the defence staff about Canada's military readiness, said focusing on people and infrastructure was particularly important to restore that capability. 'You can buy all the nice, new, shiny equipment you want, but if you don't have the people, the infrastructure, the components of readiness that go into making a capability work, it's useless,' he said. He added that 'it's going to take some time' to restore that readiness, however, 'because we have had decades of hollowing out of the Canadian military, and you can't just fix that overnight.' 'What we need, and I am detecting it, is a sense of urgency to get us ready to face this increasingly dangerous world.' Story continues below advertisement Carignan has said her top priority is boosting recruitment to the armed forces. Nearly 7,000 people joined Canada's military over the last year, the government said last week, exceeding recruitment goals and marking a 10-year high in enrolment. 2:08 Carney vows to meet 2% NATO defence target this fiscal year Canada will face further pressure to ratchet up its defence spending at this month's NATO summit, where allies will be asked to agree to a new target of 3.5 per cent of GDP with an additional 1.5 per cent on broader security-related investments, for a total of five per cent. U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed NATO members to boost defence spending to five per cent and take on more burden-sharing for the military alliance. Eyre said the entire federal government and all political parties must remain committed to ensuring Canada's renewed defence investments are sustained into the future, as well as educating Canadians on why they are needed. Story continues below advertisement 'We've got to be in this for the long run,' he said. 'We can't just be doing it because our allies berate us. We have to be doing it for the right reason, and that's to defend Canada against some very, very real threats.' Ottawa also says the procurement of new equipment will prioritize Canadian defence manufacturers as well as partners in Europe in a bid to diversify away from reliance on the United States. 0:27 Canada should no longer send 75% of defence capital spending to the U.S., Carney says In an interview that also aired Sunday on The West Block, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said talks with the U.S. on securing a new security and economic partnership include the recent defence investments. Yet he stressed that any co-operation with the Americans is contingent on removing tariffs on the Canadian economy. Story continues below advertisement 'Our obvious desire is to work on that partnership with the Americans,' he said. 'At the same time, as they're hammering our automobile, steel and aluminium sectors, those border tariffs (related to issues of) fentanyl and illegal migration — which has, thank God, been massively, massively reduced if not resolved — why would those tariffs and the threat of those tariffs still remain in place?' Eyre said a 'mesh' between investments in U.S., European and Asia-Pacific defence partnerships is in Canada's national security interest given the unpredictability in Washington. 'Alliances are predicated on certainty, and if there is uncertainty, that raises the question as to how reliable an ally is,' he said. 'In my belief, we need to hedge. We need to have a diverse group of allies, partners and friends … because we just don't know what the future is going to bring.'
Fashion Network
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Asda names new chief customer officer, drops second Gym Locker collection after initial sellout
Supermarkets giant Asda has this week named Rachel Eyre as its new chief customer officer. She joins from rival Morrisons, where she was previously chief customer and marketing officer, responsible for the retailer's customer service, brand, marketing, digital and PR activities. She'll join on completion of her notice period, succeeding David Hills. Before taking up her post at Morrisons in 2021, Eyre held a number of senior marketing and commercial roles with another supermarket chain, Sainsbury's, and banking giant Barclays. Allan Leighton, Asda's executive chairman, called her 'an experienced leader with a strong track record in grocery retail… She will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the customer voice is our driving purpose and demonstrating how Rollback and Asda Price are delivering good, honest value to them'. Part of her aim will be to continue re-establishing Asda 'as the lowest-priced full service supermarket in the country'. Eyre's arrival coincides with a key period for the retailer as it fights back against a trend of falling sales. As well as reintroducing its Rollback price strategy, the company continues to invest in its George clothing and home offer and George remains a key focus for its comeback drive. Only this week it followed up the 'sellout' launch of its Gym Locker fitness range at the start of the year with a second drop for SS25. Available in sizes XS to XXL, the latest collection is designed for workouts in the warmer months. It comprises block colour creams, pale blues and soft grey muted leopard prints with pieces that are designed to be worn both in and outside of the gym. Starting from just £7, the range includes accessories, comfort fit tops, oversized hoodies, and includes four styles of sculpted leggings and shorts. And less than a fortnight ago, the retailer revealed that it's testing a new George standalone concept store which, 'if successful, will replace its Asda Living brand portfolio across the UK'. It also unveiled Yasmin Le Bon as the face of its new George fashion collection for SS25.
Fashion Network
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Asda names new chief customer officer, drops second Gym Locker collection after initial sellout
Supermarkets giant Asda has this week named Rachel Eyre as its new chief customer officer. She joins from rival Morrisons, where she was previously chief customer and marketing officer, responsible for the retailer's customer service, brand, marketing, digital and PR activities. She'll join on completion of her notice period, succeeding David Hills. Before taking up her post at Morrisons in 2021, Eyre held a number of senior marketing and commercial roles with another supermarket chain, Sainsbury's, and banking giant Barclays. Allan Leighton, Asda's executive chairman, called her 'an experienced leader with a strong track record in grocery retail… She will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the customer voice is our driving purpose and demonstrating how Rollback and Asda Price are delivering good, honest value to them'. Part of her aim will be to continue re-establishing Asda 'as the lowest-priced full service supermarket in the country'. Eyre's arrival coincides with a key period for the retailer as it fights back against a trend of falling sales. As well as reintroducing its Rollback price strategy, the company continues to invest in its George clothing and home offer and George remains a key focus for its comeback drive. Only this week it followed up the 'sellout' launch of its Gym Locker fitness range at the start of the year with a second drop for SS25. Available in sizes XS to XXL, the latest collection is designed for workouts in the warmer months. It comprises block colour creams, pale blues and soft grey muted leopard prints with pieces that are designed to be worn both in and outside of the gym. Starting from just £7, the range includes accessories, comfort fit tops, oversized hoodies, and includes four styles of sculpted leggings and shorts. And less than a fortnight ago, the retailer revealed that it's testing a new George standalone concept store which, 'if successful, will replace its Asda Living brand portfolio across the UK'. It also unveiled Yasmin Le Bon as the face of its new George fashion collection for SS25.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
London Marathon: Woman inspired to run by 100-year-old nan
A woman has said she was inspired to run the London Marathon by her 100-year-old Eyre, who lives in Bristol, will be raising money for Blind Veterans UK when she takes part in the event on charity supported her grandmother, Joan Tanton, when she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, which caused loss of vision."Grandma turned 100 last year and the momentous milestone felt like the right time to give something back to the charity which has been there for her since she lost her sight," she said. Ms Tanton served with the British Army Broadcasting Service in Italy during World War Two, sending messages in Morse code to the UK, which were decoded at Bletchley her diagnosis, Blind Veterans UK has offered her a support worker and equipment to help her use an audio book player and London Marathon will be Ms Eyre's first long-distance run. "I've always wanted to do a marathon, I'm super active and enjoy lots of sports but I'm not a long-distance runner so this is going to be a challenge for me."I really wanted to do something special for grandma and this seems like the right thing to do," she Tanton was presented with a long service award from the Royal British Legion (RBL) last year in the week of her 100th was awarded the accolade for her work as branch president of the RBL in Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire.
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kent's cinemas hope for a Bridget Jones Valentine's boost
Independent cinemas are hoping for a bumper Valentine's weekend with the release of the new Bridget Jones movie as the industry continues to struggle with cost of living pressures. While it is hoped the film - which opens in the UK on Friday - will do good business at the box office, some cinema owners and operators have said this is not the of living pressures, the coronavirus pandemic and the changing streaming landscape have left many smaller venues fearing for their Eyre from the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks has a simple message: "If you don't use your local independent cinema, you'll lose it." The above factors have forced some venues to change tact to stay afloat. Corinna Downing, co-owner of the Palace Cinema in Broadstairs, said the venue would operate on a part-time basis from April. "We just couldn't afford to stay open with energy costs and the cost of living crisis," she Downing said it was "beyond our control" as fewer films were being released "which is why cinemas are showing classic blockbusters to get by".The 111 seat-venue often only fills about 30% of seats per showing, Mrs Downing explained. However, there is a buzz around the latest instalment of screenwriter Helen Fielding's Taylor, general manager at The Kino in Hawkhurst, said showing Bridget Jones - Mad About the Boy would "put us on the map, bring in lots of revenue and get people talking about where they saw it and how good it was".Efforts are being made to make the experience as "accessible as possible" through mother-and-baby showings and screenings for school groups. Louis Boswell, who also works at The Kino, said: "Huge films like this can encourage new faces to come through our doors and visit again another time." Jo Holmes, manager of the Carlton Cinema, said there was a "pyjamas and ugly Christmas jumpers" dress code at the Westgate venue for the film."Life is hard enough, so she turns up at job interviews [and] the school gates in her PJs. It's very refreshing," she Holmes believes big releases like Bridget Jones represent an opportunity for independent venues - one she hopes to capitalise on with themed events such as "Crafternoons", where people crochet or knit while watching the with the Stag Theatre still 15-20% short of pre-pandemic levels, Mr Eyre hopes this latest release will help."This weekend will certainly be big for us, it's one of the biggest films and we're hopeful it will help tickets sales," he said. Times like these emphasise the value of independent cinema, something which Mr Eyre hopes resonates.
