Tag Archives: United States

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.

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18Jul/23

Kamala Harris grew up in Kamwala Town, Lusaka in Zambia

July 18, 2023EconomyCanada, Hakainde Hichilema, Harris family, In Zambia, India, Kamala, Kamala Harris, Lusaka, Maya, Mike Pence, Montreal, Monze, OAKLAND, P. V. Gopalan, Shyamala Gopalan, United States, Zambiaadmin

July 17, 2023 /Politics/ — Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, and Hakainde Hichilema was born in Monze, Zambia. However, they have both visited Zambia and have expressed an interest in the country. In March 2023, Kamala Harris visited Zambia as part of a tour of Africa. She met with President Hichilema and other officials to discuss issues of democracy, governance, and economic development. Hakainde Hichilema has also visited the United States on several occasions. In 2019, he met with then-Vice President Mike Pence to discuss trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Continue reading →

18Jul/23

Penalties, passes, and a touch of politics: the Women’s World Cup is about to kick off

July 18, 2023FootballAmir Nasr Azadani, Auckland, Australia, Brisbane, China, Creative Commons, David Rowe, FIFA, Gianni Infantino, Harry Kane, Ireland, Mahsa Amini, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, OneLove, Qatar, Russia, Sam Kerr, Saudi Arabia, Sepp Blatter, Sydney, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zurichadmin

David Rowe, Western Sydney University

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off this Thursday night, the first football world cup hosted by Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand opens the tournament by taking on Norway in Auckland, while Australia’s Matildas will play Ireland in front of an anticipated 80,000 fans at a sold out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

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10Jul/23

China’s gallium and germanium controls: what they mean and what could happen next

July 10, 2023PoliticsBeijing, Canada, Chemical elements, China, Creative Commons, Gallium, Gavin D. J. Harper, Germanium, Germany, Integrated circuit, Japan, Light-emitting diode, Mark Agnor, Metalloids, Netherlands, Russia, Semiconductor, Semiconductor device, Semiconductor devices, Silicon–germanium, Solar cell, Transistor, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

Gavin D. J. Harper, University of Birmingham

From August, China is to restrict exports of gallium and germanium, two critical elements for making semiconductor chips. With China dominating the supply of both elements, exporters will now need special licences to get them out of the country. The move has the potential to harm a range of western tech manufacturers that use these elements to make their products.

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07Jul/23

Why is the mining of Sugilite controversial in Zambia?

July 7, 2023EnvironmentCyclosilicates, Gemstone, Gemstones, Japan, Ken-ichi Sugi, Li, Mining, Russia, Silicate mineral, South Africa, Sugilite, United States, Zambiaadmin

July 7, 2023 /Environment/ — Sugilite is a relatively rare cyclosilicate mineral with a complex chemical formula of KNa₂(Fe, Mn, Al)₂Li₃Si₁₂O₃₀. It is typically found in shades of pink to purple, but can also be colorless, pale pink, or reddish violet. Sugilite crystals are rarely found and the form is usually massive. It has a hexagonal crystal system and a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5.

Sugilite is named after the Japanese petrologist Ken-ichi Sugi (1901-1948). It was first discovered in 1944 in the Iwagi island in the Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Since then, it has also been found in other countries, including South Africa, Russia, and the United States. Continue reading →

07Jul/23

How holidaying in developing countries affects local inequality

July 7, 2023TravelAlex, Alexander Tziamalis, Barbados, Creative Commons, Distribution of wealth, Dominican Republic, Economic growth, Economic inequality, Effects of economic inequality, Egalitarianism, Gross domestic product, Income distribution, Income inequality in the United States, India, Poverty, Redistribution of income and wealth, Tanzania, Tourism, United Kingdom, United States, Yuan Wangadmin

A few years ago, one of us (Alex) went for a vacation to the Dominican Republic. The motivation was similar to millions of other tourists every year: escape the daily routine, enjoy the sun and beaches, and gather some strength to face another cold winter.

Unfortunately, a few things weren’t very conducive to a happy break. The staff at the mammoth hotel were making as little as US$1 (£0.79) for a 12-hour shift. Worse, most of them lived in a shanty town nearby. They had no sewers and no reliable electricity.

The hotel also exploited its power over local farmers to procure food exceedingly cheaply. Schools were overcrowded and many children dropped out to work in businesses like these hotels and farms, perpetuating the cycle.

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05Jul/23

Why we removed life long links

July 5, 2023SocialCultural racism, Institutional racism, Racism, Racism Explained to My Daughter, Sam Mbale, Sam Mbale Search, southern poverty, United Statesadmin

July 5, 2023 /World/ — Racism is not just focused on youth, but it is true that young people are more likely to experience overt racism than adults. There are a few reasons for this. Continue reading →

05Jul/23

Racism has pitched the black youth against white authority.

July 5, 2023SocialAbuse, Discrimination, Injustice, Majority–minority relations, Oppression, Racism, Racism in the United States, Social privilege, southern poverty, United Statesadmin

July 4, 2023 /World/ — Racism has a long and ugly history in the United States, and it has had a profound impact on the relationship between black youth and white authority figures. For centuries, black people have been subjected to discrimination, violence, and oppression at the hands of white people. This history of racism has created a deep distrust and resentment among many black youth, who see white authority figures as symbols of oppression. Continue reading →

04Jul/23

Madonna is not Tumbuka

July 4, 2023Human InterestAnjimile Oponyo, Chief Magodi, David Banda, Elliot, Esther, James Chifundo, Joseph, Liphupa, Madonna, Madonna Tumbuka, Malawi, Mchinji, Mercy James, Mozambique, Nkhata Bay District, Patricia Kambani, Philanthropy and activism of Madonna, United States, Yohane Banda, Zambiaadmin

No, Madonna is not Tumbuka from Malawi. Tumbuka is a Bantu ethnic group that is primarily found in Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. Madonna is from the United States.

Madonna adopted two children from Malawi: David Banda and Mercy James. David Banda is from the Tumbuka ethnic group. His birth parents are Yohane Banda and Patricia Kambani. They are from the village of Liphupa in the Nkhata Bay District of Malawi. Madonna adopted David in 2006. Continue reading →

30Jun/23

I’m one of the UK’s official climate change advisers – our new report says the country is no longer a world leader

June 30, 2023EnvironmentCarbon neutrality, China, Climate change, Climate Change Committee, Climate change in the United Kingdom, Climate change policy, Creative Commons, Deben, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Glasgow, Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey, Joe Dunckley, John Gummer, Kevin Shipp, Mission Zero: Independent Review of Net Zero, Piers Forster, SHUTTERSTOCK, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

Piers Forster, University of Leeds

The UK’s Climate Change Committee – the official independent advisory body of which I am interim chair – has spent the past three months poring over thousands of pages of government strategy documents to inform its latest annual progress report to parliament. And our confidence in the UK meeting its climate goals is now markedly less than it was in our previous assessment a year ago. Key opportunities have been missed.

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Tag: United States