Tag Archives: London

25Jul/23

Actors are really worried about the use of AI by movie studios – they may have a point

July 25, 2023FilmsAmazon, Applications of artificial intelligence, Artificial intelligence, Audio deepfake, Brian Cox, Computer graphics, Creative Commons, Deep learning, Deepfake, disney, Dominic Lees, Duncan Crabtree, Extra, Fran Drescher, Gal Gadot, Generative artificial intelligence, Hugh Jackman, Identity theft, Ireland, Liam Budd, London, Manchester, Mathilde Pavis, Netflix, Ryan Reynolds, SAG-AFTRA, SAG-AFTRA strike, Scarlett Johansson, Synthetic media, Tim Burton, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

Dominic Lees, University of Reading

Film and television actors in the US came out on strike on July 14, causing Hollywood productions to shut down. The action has also had an impact on US films shooting in the UK: director Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2 has “paused” and the production of Deadpool 3, filming at Pinewood Studios with stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has been stood down.

The dispute is about remuneration for actors, very few of whom enjoy the high income of Hollywood stars. But an additional argument between the union, SAG-AFTRA, and film producers is about the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Actors are fearful of the impact of AI on their careers.

Continue reading →

06Jul/23

World’s oldest profession: still fighting

July 6, 2023SocialAnti-social behaviour order, Claire Finch, Dawson Claire Finch, Decriminalization of sex work, Diana Johnson, English Collective of Prostitutes, Gemma, Human sexuality, Human trafficking, Jack the Ripper, Juno Mac, Lauren Crosby Medlicott, Lenuta Haidemac, London, Migrant sex work, Molly Smith, Niki Adams, Prostitution, Prostitution in the United Kingdom, Prostitution law, Sex and the law, Sex industry, Thomson Reuters Foundation, United Kingdomadmin

By Lauren Crosby Medlicott | Freelance Journalist

The policies:

Street Offences Act 1959, Section 1.

The Crime and Disorder Act, 1998.

Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 53.

Modern Slavery Act 2015

The Impact:

Criminalised for kerb crawling and working together, British sex workers feel they are fighting a desperate battle with the law to provide for themselves and their families. Continue reading →

27Jun/23

The Pride in London parade

June 27, 2023Human InterestLGBT culture in London, LGBT pride, London, Manchester Pride, Pride, Pride in London, Pride parade, Pride Toronto, Straight ally, Taiwan Prideadmin

June 27, 2023 /Lifestyle/ — The Pride in London parade will take place on Saturday, July 1, 2023. It will start at noon at Hyde Park Corner and end at Whitehall Place. The parade is expected to attract over 1.5 million spectators. Even small acts of support can make a big difference. By showing your support for the LGBTQ+ community, you can help to create a more inclusive and accepting world.

Here are some things you need to know if you plan to attend the parade: Continue reading →

26Jun/23

UK Choir Libera to Tour U.S.

June 26, 2023MusicD.C., Japan, Libera, London, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, United States, Washington, Washington, D.C.admin

The internationally known Libera choir from London will be touring the United States this summer, going coast-to-coast performing in Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The group recently toured of Korea and will be touring Japan in the fall. Continue reading

23Jun/23

Glastonbury weekend guide survival kit

June 23, 2023MusicAfrican music, African popular music, Afrobeats, Amazon, eBay, Glastonbury, Glastonbury Festival, London, Music, Music genres, Nigeria, United Kingdomadmin

23 June 2023 /Opinion/ – As a black African Londoner, I am incredibly excited to see Afrobeats headlining Glastonbury this year. It is a genre that has its roots in my community, and it is amazing to see it reach such a mainstream audience.

Afrobeats is a genre of music that originated in Nigeria in the early 1990s. It is a fusion of West African sounds, such as highlife and fuji, with American genres, such as hip hop and R&B. Afrobeats has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it is now one of the most popular genres of music in Africa. Continue reading →

12Jun/23

London is a leader in climate tech, here is why

June 12, 2023InnovationArticles, Informa, London, Natural environment, Nature, Sustainability, Sustainable architecture, Sustainable building, Sustainable design, Sustainable development, Sustainable urban planning, United Kingdomadmin

June 12, 2023 /Technology/ — London Tech Week (LTW) is a global celebration of tech, uniting the most innovative thinkers and talent of tomorrow in a week-long festival. Showcasing how tech is transforming business and society, LTW drives thought provoking conversations around innovation, diversity and transformation, providing a platform for the tech ecosystem to come together to drive change.

LTW was founded in 2014 by Informa, a global events company, and London & Partners, the official promotional agency for London. The first LTW took place in September 2014 and featured over 100 events across the city. Since then, LTW has grown to become Europe’s largest festival of technology, attracting over 40,000 visitors from over 100 countries. Continue reading →

08Jun/23

The relationship between West Ham FC and Richmond AFC.

June 8, 2023Food and DrinkEastEnders, Eddie Moon, Fiction, London, Mick Carter, Pub, Pub names, Richmond, Richmond, London, Rupert, Rupert of, Rupert of the, Rupert of the Rhine, Stratford, Surrey, Ted Lasso, Ted Lasso Ted Lasso, The Queen Victoria, United Kingdom, Vic, Walford, West Ham United F.C., West Ham United F.C. supportersadmin

June 8, 2023 /Lifestyle/ — Here’s how you can best explain the relationship between West Ham FC, the Queen Vic pub, Richmond AFC, and Ted Lasso Prince’s Head pub to tourists: Continue reading →

07Jun/23

The Queen Vic pub in the BBC soap opera EastEnders is a popular meeting place for Westham FC fans

June 7, 2023Food and DrinkBobby Moore, British culture, Chas Dave, Cockney, Culture in London, East End of London, Eastend, English language in England, Eric Bristow, George Formby, Henry Cooper, Jellied eels, London, London Eastend, Rhyming slang, Ronnie Barkeradmin

June 7, 2023 /Lifestyle/ — London East End Cockney culture is a rich and vibrant expression of London’s working-class heritage. It is a culture that celebrates humour, resilience, creativity and community. It is a culture that has its own distinctive voice, style and taste.

Some of the key elements of Cockney culture include: Continue reading →

05Jun/23

Universal basic income trial in UK

June 5, 2023FinanceArticles, Basic income, Basic income in India, Canada, Economy, Finland, Income distribution, Kenya, London, Market socialism, Social security, Ubi, United Kingdomadmin

June 5, 2023 /Finance/ — There is a universal basic income (UBI) trial being conducted in the UK. The trial is being led by the Welsh Government and is being funded by the UK government. The trial began in September 2021 and will run for three years.

The trial started in September 2021, and it is scheduled to run for three years. The trial is being conducted in two parts: Continue reading →

05Jun/23

Voices of Preston’s Windrush generation – when I first arrived, I said: ‘Really? I thought there were no slums in this place!’

June 5, 2023SocialAlan Rice, Albums, Australia, Avenham, Barbados, Belfast, Bermuda, Bridgette Toussaint, Canada, Cherry McDonald, Clinton Smith, Creative Commons, David Coke, Dominica, Frank, Gladstone Afflick Preston, Greenidge, House Slippers, Ireland, Jack Hepworth, Jalgos, Jamaica, Joe, Kevin, Lancashire, London, Ribbleton Lane, Rome, Sylius Toussaint, The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor, United Kingdom, United States, Vincent Skerrittadmin

Alan Rice, University of Central Lancashire and Jack Hepworth, University of Oxford

From the earliest arrivals of what would become Preston’s “Windrush generation”, the status of the Caribbean diaspora was hotly contested in this post-industrial Lancashire town, as elsewhere. Discrimination and prejudice dogged the daily lives of people from the Caribbean who made their home here.

Continue reading →