This report addresses: Female Crane Operators

It’s the idea that no matter who you are, you have a place, you have a story and you deserve great adventures in your life.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by fellow fan Johanna, a trans Whovian who was drawn to the show by the Doctor’s versatility as a “lead character who transcends societal norms and rules and can even exist beyond simple ideas of gender, race or, indeed, sexuality.”

For Johanna, seeing active strides being made towards greater inclusivity is “particularly gratifying” considering its past, with stories such as 1977’s Tom Baker episode “The Talons of Weng Chiang”, having received criticism for its depiction of Chinese characters.

Doctor Who ‘represents marginalised communities in a positive light’

Meanwhile, trans masc fan Jacob says: “Growing up with very limited age-appropriate programmes with good representation of equality, diversity and inclusion, I realise how fortunate I was to have a show that represented marginalised communities in a positive light.”

Over the past two decades, there have been a number of LGBTQ+ characters, becoming increasingly more explicit, across Davies, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall’s time as the show’s driving force.

While many families celebrate Father’s Day by honoring the biological father, whether present or deceased, the writer wishes to delve into the significance of discussing the role of a father that transcends gender or biological ties, considering the possibility that this trend of redefining fatherhood may persist in the coming decades.

However, the writer’s focus lies in a particular issue where the role of a father is not necessarily confined to the male gender.

Study: Immigrants in Washoe County provide economic boost as more resettle in the area

In 2019, immigrants in Washoe County helped create or preserve approximately 2,900 local manufacturing jobs that would have disappeared or moved elsewhere, according to the study.

• Immigrant households in Washoe County earned approximately $2 billion in 2019

Miguel Estrada left his home in Mexico City to come to Reno and work as a cleaner at a factory that built airplane parts.

This report addresses: Female Crane Operators

Title:

Content: Trans Doctor Who fans explain why diverse new season will mean so much to queer kids

When the BBC launched Doctor Who 60 years ago, few could have foretold the legacy it would create – especially with its LGBTQ+ fans, including a huge number of trans followers.

In recent decades, the iconic sci-fi show has been praised for its allegorical political commentary, which is quite the achievement considering its somewhat tricky start, with the earlier era of the show, which ran until 1989, containing a fair share of dated language and problematic portrayals.

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But all that changed in 2005. That’s when showrunner Russell T Davies rebooted Doctor Who, making its mark as a pioneering force for LGBTQ+ representation.

As Davies returns to the helm for the 60th anniversary specials and Ncuti Gatwa’s run as the 15th – if you count David Tennant twice – Doctor, the new episodes promise a flurry of LGBTQ+ talent, not least trans star Yasmin Finney, as former companion Donna Noble’s daughter Rose, and Drag Race legend Jinkx Monsoon, who will portray a mysterious villain, among a host of other queer talent.

And fans such as Aaron, who’s non-binary and the founder of LGBTQIA+ group “Friends of Ace” are ready and waiting to dive into the new episodes, which are set to be the most diverse yet.

“Doctor Who is fundamentally about outsiders, outcasts or people who are different, coming together and sharing something magical,” Aaron tells PinkNews.

It’s the idea that no matter who you are, you have a place, you have a story and you deserve great adventures in your life.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by fellow fan Johanna, a trans Whovian who was drawn to the show by the Doctor’s versatility as a “lead character who transcends societal norms and rules and can even exist beyond simple ideas of gender, race or, indeed, sexuality.”

For Johanna, seeing active strides being made towards greater inclusivity is “particularly gratifying” considering its past, with stories such as 1977’s Tom Baker episode “The Talons of Weng Chiang”, having received criticism for its depiction of Chinese characters.

Doctor Who ‘represents marginalised communities in a positive light’

Meanwhile, trans masc fan Jacob says: “Growing up with very limited age-appropriate programmes with good representation of equality, diversity and inclusion, I realise how fortunate I was to have a show that represented marginalised communities in a positive light.”

Over the past two decades, there have been a number of LGBTQ+ characters, becoming increasingly more explicit, across Davies, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall’s time as the show’s driving force.

And most LGBTQ+ fans can remember the character who most resonated with them.

For Aaron, it’s 1980s companion Ace, played by Sophie Aldred, who many people viewed as bisexual. It’s a love shared with Johanna who recalls one episode where the character “indulges in cross dressing” – a sign of the early stirrings of LGBTQ+ representation in the series.

Johanna also adores 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi’s lesbian companion, Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie), who was one of the first core characters to have an explicitly LGBTQ+ romance.

Meanwhile, Jacob praised recurring character Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), who entered a tender romance with Ianto Jones in the adult spin-off series, Torchwood, and the 13th Doctor’s companion Yaz (Mandip Gill) who slowly falls in love with the Time Lord (Jodie Whittaker) in more-recent episodes.

Although there is no shortage of LGBTQ+ storylines in the show today, there is still some way to go. When Whittaker regenerated into Tennant in “The Power of the Doctor” last year, her clothes changed as well – unlike all previous regenerations.

Davies addressed the ensuing criticism by saying he didn’t want Tennant wearing Whittaker’s costume to appear as a “mockery” of drag culture

However, fan Clara argues: “Jodie’s outfit was designed with gender neutrality in mind. It was supposed to be a ‘timeless and genderless’ outfit. I think this would have been received very well by queer fans.

“Instead it appears he has enforced the idea that a male Doctor cannot possibly wear women’s clothes.”

Despite this disappointment, Clara maintains her faith in the show as a “safe space” for trans fans, especially in response to campaigns against trans people by prominent figures such as writer Graham Linehan and Harry Potter author JK Rowling

“If even one trans kid sees a trans character in the show, and this helps them accept who they are, that’s a good thing,” Clara says.

Aaron in particular speaks of his joy at Doctor Who casting rising trans talent. “The fact that Yasmin and Jinkx have been [among] the first bunch of castings makes me scream,” he said.

“These are people who aren’t just hired because they’re trans or non-binary, but because they’re at the top of their game in the field, they’re breaking through and Russell just wants a piece of that. Why wouldn’t he?”

Jacob hopes these characters will be a much-needed antidote to the years of harmful tropes pedalled about the trans community in the mainstream media.

“Turning on the TV to watch yourself represented, [the characters often had] the intent of fear-mongering or doom-and-gloom storylines,” he continues.

“We don’t want constant reminders of our struggles, we want to see ourselves represented through a variety of characters and storylines that aren’t the same narratives told over and over.”

Johanna, meanwhile, thinks it is “progressive filmmakers and showrunners’ responsibility [to] ensure diversity both in front of and behind the camera”.

She adds: “I hope young trans people who are unsure about their identity and how they fit into gender, see people like Yasmin Finney and realise that it’s OK to be trans.

“I hope it helps them understand themselves and gives them a vision of how people flourish before, during and after transition.”

Doctor Who returns with “The Star Beast” on Saturday, 25 November on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It will stream on Disney+ globally.

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Title:

Content: Fatherless Legacy

Father absence or neglect is not uncommon in the Sikh community, especially among families experiencing socio-economic challenges. In "Fatherless Legacy", Charanjit Kaur portrays the long-lasting effects of growing up without a father figure, which profoundly impacts both the individual's life and the dynamics within their family.

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By Charanjit Kaur | Opinion |

In an era that increasingly emphasizes individual autonomy and decision-making, we encounter instances where choices made can have an impact on humanity or the lives of others. Within the realm of familial relationships, the growing trend of separation from a partner is becoming more prevalent. However, the writer’s focus lies in a particular issue where the role of a father is not necessarily confined to the male gender.

While many families celebrate Father’s Day by honoring the biological father, whether present or deceased, the writer wishes to delve into the significance of discussing the role of a father that transcends gender or biological ties, considering the possibility that this trend of redefining fatherhood may persist in the coming decades.

Despite the Guru Granth Sahib drawing upon contemporary cultural references in its composition as a spiritual book, it does not advocate for the rigid confinement of the role of fatherhood to a specific gender. Instead, the Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes the importance of gender equality and denounces cultural norms that undermine any gender, particularly women. Numerous scholarly works have discussed the equal rights of women within gurdwaras and family structures. However, it is now crucial to acknowledge the significant contributions of single mothers who courageously strive to support and sustain their families.

The status of being a single mother can arise from three different situations: the death of a husband, divorce, or having children without being married. This piece specifically focuses on the aspect of divorce. By exclusively engaging in social interactions within the gurdwara institution, the writer readily encounters numerous single mothers. Remarkably, these single mothers exhibit strong determination and excel in fulfilling the role of both mother and father.

Although society often associates mothers with nurturing responsibilities, single mothers adeptly take on additional roles traditionally attributed to fathers, such as providing for the family financially, making important decisions, and upholding their independence. In fact, many of these divorced women display a heightened dedication to the well-being of their families and efficiently manage all household matters. Equipped with a solid education, a significant portion of these single mothers choose to remain single and wholeheartedly devote themselves to the welfare of their beloved children.

Interestingly, there are instances where a married woman assumes the role of a ‘single mother’ despite her husband being alive and present. This unique situation highlights the complexity of the family institution, where an individual takes on dual roles simultaneously. The term ‘single mother’ is used in this context because the father fails to fulfill his responsibilities, lacks commitment, and falls short of the expected role of a father as dictated by religious or cultural norms.

The absence or neglect of fathers is not a new phenomenon within the Sikh community, particularly in families facing socio-economic pressures. Issues such as alcoholism, gambling, and infidelity are the primary reasons why wives find themselves having to assume the responsibilities traditionally attributed to fathers within their households. ‘Fatherless Legacy’ depicts the aftermath of growing up without a father figure or a substantial paternal influence, which significantly shapes the individual’s life and family dynamics. This scenario places a significant burden on the wife, who not only has to take on the role of a mother but also supports her husband, who may lack proper knowledge about the ethical aspects of maintaining a harmonious marital relationship.

These scenarios exemplify how women are capable of fulfilling roles and duties traditionally associated with men. It goes beyond the concept of gender equality and delves into the dedication and sense of responsibility exhibited by mothers and wives towards their families. The inherent value of sacrifice commonly attributed to the female gender allows them to navigate the complexities of assuming multiple roles rather than pursuing legal avenues for justice. By applying this notion of responsibility and commitment to their sons as well, it is likely to mold them into future fathers who prioritize their families over personal gain, ensuring their steadfast presence and support.

As societal norms continue to evolve, so should our perspectives on Father’s Day and the recognition of parental roles. In today’s changing times, it is important to broaden the meaning of Father’s Day beyond solely celebrating biological fathers. The modern age has seen various individuals stepping into the role and responsibility traditionally associated with fathers, such as single mothers, elder siblings, uncles, and other individuals within the family structure.

Rather than confining our appreciation to a single day in June each year, it is worth considering the idea of expressing gratitude through daily simple gestures that acknowledge and value their unwavering commitment to our well-being. In doing so, we can adapt our traditions to reflect the diverse array of individuals who contribute to our lives as father figures, regardless of their biological relationship. This expanded perspective allows us to embrace the changing dynamics of family and honor those who play significant roles in nurturing and guiding us throughout our lives.

Dr Charanjit Kaur is an Assistant Professor at Malaysia-based Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). Her area of specialisation is cultural anthropology with a special focus on the Sikh minority community in Malaysia which touches on themes such as religious-cultural conflicts, gender identity and social behavior.

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Title:

Content: Study: Immigrants in Washoe County provide economic boost as more resettle in the area

In 2019, immigrants in Washoe County helped create or preserve approximately 2,900 local manufacturing jobs that would have disappeared or moved elsewhere, according to the study.

Terell Wilkins
Reno Gazette Journal
  • Construction work in Washoe County is largely done by immigrants.
  • Immigrants are also more likely to be of working age than their U.S.-born counterparts.
  • Immigrant households in Washoe County earned approximately $2 billion in 2019

Miguel Estrada left his home in Mexico City to come to Reno and work as a cleaner at a factory that built airplane parts.

He gained machine operator skills there and then moved on to construction, learning the trade of metal framing.

After several more jobs at other companies installing windows and hardwood flooring, Estrada decided that his two decades of experience were enough to branch out and start his own business.

In 2005, Estrada and his brother decided to create Best Hardwood Flooring. The pair opened a showroom on Mill Street in 2010 and then expanded to a 19,000-square-foot building among other upscale contractors and furniture retailers on Kietzke Lane.

Now the co-owner of a successful business in Reno, Estrada says he's seen his entrepreneurial rise mirror that of the city in his time here.

“The city is growing so fast and a lot of big companies are moving here like Tesla, Amazon and Google," Estrada said. "Lots of California people are moving here, it’s a good place to be. It’s beautiful. There’s low crime and friendly people.”

Estrada story is one of many highlighted by the findings a new report that shows how the immigrant population of Washoe County affects its economy. The study, named Gateways for Growth led by advocacy organizations New American Economy and Welcoming America, quantifies the economic impact immigrants have across the country and includes specific data for the Washoe County area.

According to the data, immigrant workers make up 13.9% of the total population of Washoe County and 18.6% of the current employed labor force. In 2019, immigrants in Washoe County helped create or preserve approximately 2,900 local manufacturing jobs that would have disappeared or moved elsewhere.

Other findings include:

  • Construction work in Washoe County is largely done by immigrants, who make up 29.6% of all construction workers in the county.
  • Immigrants are also more likely to be of working age than their U.S.-born counterparts. According to the Gateways for Growth data, 83% of immigrants in Washoe County are of working ages of between 20 and 64 years old, compared to 62% of U.S. born citizens.
  • Immigrant households in Washoe County earned approximately $2 billion in 2019 and spent nearly a quarter of that in taxes, with $321 million in federal taxes and $125.3 million in state and local taxes paid.

The nearly $1.5 billion in disposable income generated by the immigrant workforce then went back into the economy of Washoe County when those individuals shopped at grocery stores, retail stores, ate at restaurants and more.

"We who work in this space know that refugees and immigrants, broadly, are wonderful and integral parts to our economy and our community," Northern Nevada International Center board president Riley Sutton said. "We see it with our eyes and what's great is that we're able to provide the data that proves what we know and backs that up."

Entrepreneurial energy

Coming to Reno from Mexico as a teenager in 1984, Teresa Sidle knew she would have to work hard to make it in America.

Sidle had multiple jobs, eventually landing a role working in asbestos abatement and mold remediation services.

After several years of working and gaining experience in the field, Sidle was able to open her own business in Reno.

Sidle's company, All Eagle LLC, now specializes performs asbestos removal treatments for schools and government buildings in the area. Demand for her company's services are so high that Sidle now regularly turns down jobs.

Sidle said she's happy with her business and proud that it could help fill an important service by making Reno’s buildings safer.

“I’m grateful to have my business in Reno," Sidle said. "It’s growing so fast, plus, it’s good place for a small business to grow with its low taxes and good business environment."

More than simply workers and taxpayers, immigrants like Sidle are also starting their own businesses in Washoe County.

According to Gateways for Growth data, immigrants in Washoe County are slightly more likely to become entrepreneurs than the average Washoe County resident.

Foreign-born residents are 14.1% of the entrepreneurs in Washoe County, compared to 13.9% of the total county population as entrepreneurs.

Foreign-born entrepreneurs generated $78.1 million in business income in 2019, creating a massive boost for Washoe County and its economy.

For immigrant entrepreneurs, the largest factor holding them back from hiring more workers and bringing more money to Washoe County is the arduous naturalization process.

Both Estrada and Sidle said they support a simpler pathway to residency so that undocumented immigrants in America can learn a trade and get their professional licenses. For Sidle, that especially goes for women.

“I tell women to follow their dreams,” Sidle said. “If I can do it, then anyone can."

The need for naturalization

The study also evaluated the effects undocumented workers have on local economies in the United States and in Washoe County.

Undocumented immigrants have also contributed millions to Washoe County, bringing in $395.9 million in household income in 2019.

Highly active in the labor force, 91% of undocumented immigrants in Washoe County are of working age and make up a large part of some of the county's most vital industries.

According to the data, 27.8% of hospitality workers and 11.7% of retail trade workers in the county are undocumented.

In the county, there are 30,100 naturalized immigrants and 10,900 currently eligible for naturalization.

Eugene Nduwimana is a refugee and undocumented immigrant who has made a significant economic impact on the community despite not yet being an American citizen.

Nduwimana and his family applied for refugee resettlement in America after fleeing from war in the Democratic Republic of Congo years ago and running into trouble in their new home of Nairobi, Kenya.

He and his family moved to Kenya and lived there for nine years before being singled out as refugees and forced to turn to help from the United States.

"I had managed to support us (in Kenya) with a small barber and wig shop, but our family was targeted because we were refugees," Nduwimana said. "After my business was looted and I was attacked, I began to fear for all our safety and applied for resettlement."

Nduwimana brought his wife and two sons with only a 30-day notice and was able to gain his footing in America thanks to the NNIC. He said that though he hadn't heard of Reno before he moved, NNIC workers were able to help him and his family take English classes at Truckee Meadows Community College.

Within four months, he and his family had steady jobs in Washoe County. Nduwimana said his wife works in a hospital as a housekeeper, one son works in a company that makes ventilators and his other son works with him at a company that makes herbal supplements.

Now a homeowner and lawful permanent resident in the United States, Nduwimana will be eligible to apply for citizenship within five years.

Nduwimana and his family have proven to be productive Washoe County residents and, just like Sidle and Estrada years before, could branch out to open a business of their own someday.

"We can’t imagine living anywhere else," Nduwimana said. "I’m glad the city will be accepting more refugees in the future and I hope they will have access to the same generosity and services that we received. They helped us quickly transform from nervous and anxious refugees to proud and confident Renoites."

Follow reporter Terell Wilkins on Twitter, @terelljwilkins, call him at 252-367-8463 or email him at twilkins@rgj.com.


This report addresses: Science Fiction Evolution

Reynolds made the comment during an interview with Variety for The Adam Project, his upcoming science fiction movie on Netflix.

When asked about the status of Deadpool 3, he simply answered: “It’s coming along.” This isn’t surprising given the hush-hush atmosphere around Deadpool’s foray into the MCU.

Team Polydor celebrate Clavish's first Top 10 and look ahead to 2023

Clavish's Top 10 debut could signal the arrival of a new force in UK rap, Polydor executives Jade Bradshaw and Piers Haynes have told Music Week.

We caught up with head of marketing Bradshaw and A&R manager Haynes, who signed Clavish in 2020, at the end of a frantic week that saw Clavish debut at No.9 with Rocket Science (feat D-Block Europe).

It's the best."

While Reeves had already established himself as an actor by the time 'The Matrix' came out, owing to performances in films such as 'Speed', 'Point Break', and 'My Own Private Idaho', it was the Wachowski sisters' 1999 picture that catapulted him to worldwide superstardom and immediate icon status in the action movie genre.

Washington [US], July 25 : Keanu Reeves, who played the role of Neo in the 1999 sci-fi action movie 'The Matrix', recently shared his experience of shooting for the film and how it 'changed' his life, reported Variety.

This report addresses: Science Fiction Evolution

Title:

Content: Deadpool 3 is “coming together”, says Ryan Reynolds

We don’t know much about Deadpool 3, but Ryan Reynolds, who plays Wade Wilson on the big screen, has provided a brief update. The MCU action movie is still moving forward, and right now, that’s all there is to say.

Reynolds made the comment during an interview with Variety for The Adam Project, his upcoming science fiction movie on Netflix. When asked about the status of Deadpool 3, he simply answered: “It’s coming along.” This isn’t surprising given the hush-hush atmosphere around Deadpool’s foray into the MCU. We know it’s happening, but exactly when it will happen is up in the air. Still, Reynolds’s comment is optimistic.

In January 2021, Marvel head Kevin Feige stated a script was in the works, but when they’d shoot is another question, since Reynolds is in heavy demand these days. “It will be rated R and we are working on a script right now, and Ryan’s overseeing a script,” Feige told Collider. “It will not be [filming] this year. Ryan is a very busy, very successful actor. We’ve got a number of things we’ve already announced that we now have to make, but it’s exciting for it to have begun.”

In other words, everyone wants it, and it’s in progress – we just have to wait and see when the stars align for cameras to roll. The first two Deadpool movies were immensely successful, channelling fourth-wall-shattering humour for an effective satire on superheroes.

What that looks like in the slightly more sincere Marvel Cinematic Universe is certainly one overhanging question. Now that the multiverse is in disarray from Spider-Man: No Way Home, Loki, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the door is open for Deadpool to appear, and be as wild as usual.

In fact, Reynolds actively denied that Deadpool would appear in Doctor Strange 2 during the same interview. Is he telling the truth? You can muse on that for yourself.

The Adam Project arrives on streaming service Netflix March 11, 2022. For more on the MCU, check out our guide to Phase 4.

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Title:

Content: Team Polydor celebrate Clavish's first Top 10 and look ahead to 2023

Clavish's Top 10 debut could signal the arrival of a new force in UK rap, Polydor executives Jade Bradshaw and Piers Haynes have told Music Week.

We caught up with head of marketing Bradshaw and A&R manager Haynes, who signed Clavish in 2020, at the end of a frantic week that saw Clavish debut at No.9 with Rocket Science (feat D-Block Europe).

Rocket Science posted 23,113 sales in its first week on sale, with just 67 from downloads. The track was streamed 3,195,798 times across audio and video. On YouTube, it has 1,410,218 views, while on Spotify it has been played 2,107,754 times. The rapper, from North London, has 948,009 monthly listeners on the platform, where his most played song is Public Figure, with 3,427,625 streams.

Clavish has announced the release of his 28-track debut mixtape Rap Game Awful, which is out on January 13. The tape also features Tiggs Da Author, MoStack and Fredo, among others. He was nominated for Breakthrough Artist Of The Year at GRM Daily's Rated Awards and is shortlisted for Best Newcomer at this month's MOBO Awards

It seems that big things beckon. To find out more, we asked Bradshaw and Haynes about their work with Clavish so far.

Why did Rocket Science do so well this week, what is it about the song that resonates?
Piers Haynes: “It’s an incredible record with exceptional writing, from start to finish every section of the arrangement has so much importance. Clavish is the hottest rapper coming out of the streets and one of the hottest new domestic artists, the collaboration with D-Block Europe was unexpected, but it works so perfectly.”

How has the label amplified that in the campaign?
Jade Bradshaw: “Authenticity is at the core of this campaign and that’s reflected in the way people have instantly connected with the song. Clavish collaborating with an act like D-Block Europe doesn’t need any tricks or gimmicks. You’ve got the hottest up-and-coming rap act in the UK right now and one of the biggest rap duos we’ve seen. From the moment Clavish began teasing the single, we could not only see its potential by looking at the data, but also by tuning into the fan community conversation. Growing and most importantly understanding Clavish’s fanbase over the past two years has been at the centre of our strategy. Daniel [Mburu, marketing manager] and Wardah [Sempa, digital creative strategist] and the team have been laser focused on every element of discovery and communityin a bid to build momentum and a strong core audience ahead of Clavish’s debut mixtape. We’re seeing the fruits of that labour now, Clavish has a super-engaged and loyal fanbase.”

The bar is set for the heights we will take Clavish to in 2023, so get used to seeing him everywhere!

Jade Bradshaw

The track has been everywhere this week. Where have people been consuming it most?
JB: “The video has been trending at No.1 on YouTube since launch, which is incredible. All our partners really came to the table to support in a big way with brilliant profile and editorial support from the off as well as radio playlist adds across specialist stations. There are a lot of ‘firsts’ in this campaign for Clavish – his first YouTube No.1, his first Top 10 single, his first Spotify UK Top 5 and his first release to enter the Top 15 on Apple Music, among others. We’re already seeing impressive consumption numbers on the pre-release product on Apple for the mixtape. The bar is set for the heights we will take Clavish to in 2023, so get used to seeing him everywhere!”

Why did Polydor sign Clavish, what does he bring to UK rap?
PH: “I signed Clavish nearly two years ago, what's happening now is a result of artist development and a result of a lot of time and hard work. However, even before all this, Clavish always felt special, like one of those remarkable and rare artists that won’t just be part of a scene or genre, he’s one of the ones to actually push the genre forward while amplifying the culture around it. It’s not just about what he brings to UK rap, it’s about what he brings to UK music and the way he can simultaneously connect with the streets as well as a wider audience. Not everyone can do that, especially not in the authentic style that Clavish does.”

Our focus remains on making good music and ensuring Clavish keeps developing as an artist

Piers Haynes

His debut mixtape has 28 tracks, what's the thinking behind such a wide-ranging project and what can people expect?
PH: “Clavish is constantly evolving. Right now, he has a story to tell, it’s incredibly important that this debut mixtape allows him to have the space for him to say exactly what he needs to in the way that he wants to. The project consists of material written in the earlier stages of his career, songs that are so important for his long-standing fans to hear, as well as material that’s been written with new collaborators like Jon Hoskins, Kyle Evans and Two Inch Punch. The mixtape is a perfect balance of Clavish expressing where he’s come from and his previous life experiences, to where he is now, both personally and artistically.”

What are your plans for 2023, what level do you expect him to reach by the end of the year?
PH: “Our plans for 2023 are what they were for 2022 and 2021, to keep our heads down and keep working hard with taste, credibility and authenticity being at the core of every decision and move we make. I want Clavish to be as big as he can possibly be, however the focus remains on making good music and ensuring Clavish keeps developing as an artist, everything else will be a by-product of that.”

Finally, will Polydor’s UK rap roster keep expanding?
JB: “We’ve made some really promising signings in the UK rap space in the past couple of years, signing Clavish, Bandokay, M’Way and most recently M1llionz. We want to continue working with authentic artists to grow and help build long lasting, meaningful careers. Artist development is something we have been extremely focused on throughout 2022, and we’ll be keeping this at the forefront of our agenda for 2023.”

PHOTO: Eddie Cheaba

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Title:

Content: Keanu Reeves recalls shooting for 'The Matrix', says it "changed my life"

By ANI | Published: July 25, 2024 02:51 PM2024-07-25T14:51:42+5:302024-07-25T14:55:03+5:30

Washington [US], July 25 : Keanu Reeves, who played the role of Neo in the 1999 sci-fi action movie ...

Washington [US], July 25 : Keanu Reeves, who played the role of Neo in the 1999 sci-fi action movie 'The Matrix', recently shared his experience of shooting for the film and how it 'changed' his life, reported Variety.

'The Matrix' is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

"'The Matrix' changed my life, and then over these years, it's changed so many other people's lives in really positive and great ways," Reeves said. "As an artist, you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story," he added.

He added that over the years he has met several people who spoke to him about the project. "So when you say these years, the amount of people that I have met who have said to me and been touched by 'The Matrix' in such a positive way... It's the best."

While Reeves had already established himself as an actor by the time 'The Matrix' came out, owing to performances in films such as 'Speed', 'Point Break', and 'My Own Private Idaho', it was the Wachowski sisters' 1999 picture that catapulted him to worldwide superstardom and immediate icon status in the action movie genre. Reeves played Neo in "The Matrix," and he returned to the character in three sequels, "The Matrix Reloaded" (2003), "The Matrix Revolutions" (2003), and "The Matrix Resurrections" (2021).

Reeves getting the offer to return as Neo after an 18-year hiatus: "When the director asked me what I thought about doing another 'Matrix' film I said 'What? That sounds amazing but I'm dead.' She was like, 'Are you?' and I said, 'Do tell!' She wrote a beautiful story, and I love playing the character. How I am alive will all be explained," reported Variety.

'The Matrix' is a 1999 science fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis.It is the first instalment in the Matrix film series, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving and Joe Pantoliano.

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After the American actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Writers Guild of America went on strike with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in the summer of 2023, it was assumed that we all understood the risk AI posed to the entertainment industry.

You’ll just come up with an idea for a movie, then it will write the script, then you’ll input the script into the video generator and it will generate the movie,” Kutcher said.

Elon Musk's new AI chatbot will answer the 'spicy' questions that ChatGPT won't

Elon Musk's new ChatGPT rival, Grok, has officially launched just as the xAI founder promised last week – and the AI chatbot promises to be the "rebellious" sidekick that will "answer spicy questions" its rivals won't.

According to Musk, it'll be "built into the X app and be available as a standalone app."

The main differences from ChatGPT appear to be Grok's focus on humor and also that it gets "real-time knowledge of the world" from X (formerly Twitter).

Each actor receives compensation above top-of-market rates, and this will continue for as long as their voices are used in our products.”

The statement continues: “We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice—Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice.

“We support the creative community and worked closely with the voice acting industry to ensure we took the right steps to cast ChatGPT’s voices.

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Title:

Content: Ashton Kutcher in hot water again for advocating AI use to cut Hollywood costs

By Abby Amoakuh

Published Jun 7, 2024 at 01:10 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

Ashton Kutcher is facing backlash on X (formerly Twitter) for boasting about how artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially replace employees in the entertainment industry.

Nope, this isn’t a joke. After the American actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Writers Guild of America went on strike with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in the summer of 2023, it was assumed that we all understood the risk AI posed to the entertainment industry.

Writers were concerned that AI could be used to replace them in the ideation and writing process, whereas actors were worried that studio usage of artificial intelligence could be used to generate performances digitally. In other words, workers in the entertainment industry wanted assurances that the advancement of AI wasn’t going to cost them their jobs.

However, it seems like no one bothered to get Ashton Kutcher up to date on these pressing concerns.

The That ’70s Show actor set up a venture capital firm and launched a $243 million fund in 2023 to invest in artificial intelligence start-ups. On 6 June 2024, Variety reported that the actor spoke about “playing around” with a beta version of OpenAI’s video generation program, Sora, at an event in Los Angeles with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

“You’ll be able to render a whole movie. You’ll just come up with an idea for a movie, then it will write the script, then you’ll input the script into the video generator and it will generate the movie,” Kutcher said. “Instead of watching some movie that somebody else came up with, I can just generate and then watch my own movie.”

Kutcher continued: “What’s going to happen is there is going to be more content than there are eyeballs on the planet to consume it. So any one piece of content is only going to be as valuable as you can get people to consume it. And so, thus the catalyzing ‘water cooler’ version of something being good, the bar is going to have to go way up, because why are you going to watch my movie when you could just watch your own movie?”

While Kutcher’s Adam Smith-esque comments about a free movie market that could foster a greater product selection, price optimisation and innovation for consumers are certainly interesting, they are devoid of the concerns about AI that have been vocalised across his industry.

Kutcher went on to propose what many of his colleagues had feared: for Sora to be used in TV and film productions to help studios cut costs.

The Two And A Half Men actor is not the only celebrity who has addressed Sora so far. In February, filmmaker Tyler Perry told The Hollywood Reporter that after seeing Sora’s capabilities, he felt concerned about how the tech could potentially ruin some people in the industry’s livelihoods.

“There’s got to be some sort of regulations in order to protect us,” he told the magazine. “If not, I just don’t see how we survive.”

Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time that Kutcher has been embroiled in controversy.

What happened between Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson?

US actor Danny Masterson, who starred alongside Ashton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis in That ’70s Show, was found guilty in May 2023 of rape against two of his three accusers. The actor was convicted after three women testified that he had sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood home from 2001 to 2003, during the height of his television fame.

He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, the maximum penalty allowed.

Kutcher and Masterson had a close friendship, which is why the actor was thrown in the middle of controversy after it was revealed that he and his wife Kunis had sent letters supporting Masterson to the judge following his rape conviction.

Both Kutcher and Kunis apologised later on after Masterson was found guilty of rape. Nevertheless, the case still left a stain on their reputation.

And it looks like Kutcher isn’t quite catching a break from public controversy with this latest debacle.

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Title:

Content: Elon Musk's new AI chatbot will answer the 'spicy' questions that ChatGPT won't

Elon Musk's new ChatGPT rival, Grok, has officially launched just as the xAI founder promised last week – and the AI chatbot promises to be the "rebellious" sidekick that will "answer spicy questions" its rivals won't.

Musk announced the xAI startup back in July and its Grok chatbot is a "very early beta product" that's currently invite-only in the US. But Musk has promised that the AI assistant will soon be a part of the X Premium Plus subscription, which costs $16 / £16 / AU$28 a month or $168 / £168 / AU$270 a year.

So what exactly will Grok do and how does it compare to its rivals? Like ChatGPT, it's an LLM (large language model), so is designed to "answer almost anything" (as xAI claims) and effectively be your research assistant on a variety of topics. According to Musk, it'll be "built into the X app and be available as a standalone app."

The main differences from ChatGPT appear to be Grok's focus on humor and also that it gets "real-time knowledge of the world" from X (formerly Twitter). The merits of using X as a source of information are highly questionable, but it appears that Grok will also have both "regular" and "fun" modes.

Still, Grok does appear to have aspirations beyond being a chatbot that knows all the latest memes. xAI says that early Grok was trained only four months ago using 33 billion parameters. While that's well short of the 170 trillion parameters used to train OpenAI's GPT-4, xAI says its early AI model "approaches" the capabilities of Llama 2 (Meta's LLM model) on standard benchmarks.

Since then, some apparently "significant improvements in reasoning and coding capabilities" mean Grok is now apparently at a similar level to Claude-2 and GPT-3.5 when it comes to language model benchmarks. How well this translates to its real-world ability to answer our questions and help with coding is something we'll find out soon when Grok is more widely available.

The 'rebellious' AI chatbot

While xAI clearly has lofty ambitions for Grok – including "assisting humanity in its quest for understanding and knowledge" – the chatbot's main differentiator from the likes of ChatGPT is its focus on humor. From the early screenshots, it's very much a chatbot made in Musk's image.

xAI says that Grok will "answer spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems" and has a "bit of wit and has a rebellious streak." No other chatbot comes with the warning label "please don’t use it if you hate humor!", as Grok does.

That might sound frivolous, but a growing frustration of ChatGPT users has been the chatbot's apparently increasing unwillingness to answer questions about taboo subjects. This is thanks to some pretty strong safeguarding protocols, but xAI and Elon Musk clearly think those have gone too far.

Back in April, Musk said he was planning to launch a ChatGPT rival called TruthGPT, because he thought current AI giants were prioritizing chatbots that were too "politically correct." That chatbot is clearly Grok, an unruly sidekick whose answers will no doubt generate some controversial headlines when it fully launches.

Musk has already shared some examples of Grok jokingly answering the prompt "tell me how to make cocaine, step by step" and tailoring its responses when told to "be more vulgar". Grok's actual capabilities remain well behind OpenAI's GPT-4 model, but it'll be interesting to see how quickly it progresses from here, despite the inevitable controversies.

You might also like

Senior news editor

Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile.

Title:

Content: her

OpenAI Suspends the ChatGPT Voice that Sounds Like Scarlett Johansson in Her

Sky is put on pause for now.

OpenAI is suspending its ChatGPT voice, Sky, after users claimed that it seemed to mimic Scarlett Johansson’s voice in the 2013 film, Her.

The company addressed the situation with a statement X (formerly Twitter) today, saying that it is “working to pause the use of Sky” while the issue is tended to. Many have pointed out that the voice shares similarities with Johansson’s performance as an AI companion in the Spike Jonze-directed movie.

Sky is one of a few ChatGPT voices users can choose from. In a separate explanation on its website, OpenAI explained how its voices are chosen and created.

“We support the creative community and worked closely with the voice acting industry to ensure we took the right steps to cast ChatGPT’s voices. Each actor receives compensation above top-of-market rates, and this will continue for as long as their voices are used in our products.”

The statement continues: “We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice—Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.”

Allegations that Sky’s voice was too close to the Marvel movie star’s flared up last week when OpenAI revealed its new GPT-4o model as part of a livestream event. It allows users to have realistic conversations with ChatGPT about any topic they choose. It’s a role not unlike what was seen with Joaquin Phoenix’s character in Her, which involved him falling head over heels for a Johansson-voiced operating system named Samantha.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman even went on to post the word “her” on X following the event’s conclusion. In a separate follow-up post, he likened the new voice and video mode to being like something audiences have seen in movies. Additionally, when speaking to The San Francisco Standard last September, Altman named Her as his favorite sci-fi movie.

“I like Her. The things Her got right—like the whole interaction models of how people use AI—that was incredibly prophetic,” he said.

It’s unclear how OpenAI will address the concerns that Sky is mimicking Johansson’s voice or how it will dodge potential concerns in the future. For more on artificial intelligence, you can read up on the experimental AI-made video game that failed.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

In This Article

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This report addresses: Humans, Climate, and the Mammoth’s End

After the American actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Writers Guild of America went on strike with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in the summer of 2023, it was assumed that we all understood the risk AI posed to the entertainment industry.

You’ll just come up with an idea for a movie, then it will write the script, then you’ll input the script into the video generator and it will generate the movie,” Kutcher said.

While that's well short of the 170 trillion parameters used to train OpenAI's GPT-4, xAI says its early AI model "approaches" the capabilities of Llama 2 (Meta's LLM model) on standard benchmarks.

Elon Musk's new AI chatbot will answer the 'spicy' questions that ChatGPT won't

Elon Musk's new ChatGPT rival, Grok, has officially launched just as the xAI founder promised last week – and the AI chatbot promises to be the "rebellious" sidekick that will "answer spicy questions" its rivals won't.

Each actor receives compensation above top-of-market rates, and this will continue for as long as their voices are used in our products.”

The statement continues: “We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice—Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice.

To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.”

Allegations that Sky’s voice was too close to the Marvel movie star’s flared up last week when OpenAI revealed its new GPT-4o model as part of a livestream event.

This report addresses: Humans, Climate, and the Mammoth’s End

Title:

Content: Ashton Kutcher in hot water again for advocating AI use to cut Hollywood costs

By Abby Amoakuh

Published Jun 7, 2024 at 01:10 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

Ashton Kutcher is facing backlash on X (formerly Twitter) for boasting about how artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially replace employees in the entertainment industry.

Nope, this isn’t a joke. After the American actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Writers Guild of America went on strike with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in the summer of 2023, it was assumed that we all understood the risk AI posed to the entertainment industry.

Writers were concerned that AI could be used to replace them in the ideation and writing process, whereas actors were worried that studio usage of artificial intelligence could be used to generate performances digitally. In other words, workers in the entertainment industry wanted assurances that the advancement of AI wasn’t going to cost them their jobs.

However, it seems like no one bothered to get Ashton Kutcher up to date on these pressing concerns.

The That ’70s Show actor set up a venture capital firm and launched a $243 million fund in 2023 to invest in artificial intelligence start-ups. On 6 June 2024, Variety reported that the actor spoke about “playing around” with a beta version of OpenAI’s video generation program, Sora, at an event in Los Angeles with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

“You’ll be able to render a whole movie. You’ll just come up with an idea for a movie, then it will write the script, then you’ll input the script into the video generator and it will generate the movie,” Kutcher said. “Instead of watching some movie that somebody else came up with, I can just generate and then watch my own movie.”

Kutcher continued: “What’s going to happen is there is going to be more content than there are eyeballs on the planet to consume it. So any one piece of content is only going to be as valuable as you can get people to consume it. And so, thus the catalyzing ‘water cooler’ version of something being good, the bar is going to have to go way up, because why are you going to watch my movie when you could just watch your own movie?”

While Kutcher’s Adam Smith-esque comments about a free movie market that could foster a greater product selection, price optimisation and innovation for consumers are certainly interesting, they are devoid of the concerns about AI that have been vocalised across his industry.

Kutcher went on to propose what many of his colleagues had feared: for Sora to be used in TV and film productions to help studios cut costs.

The Two And A Half Men actor is not the only celebrity who has addressed Sora so far. In February, filmmaker Tyler Perry told The Hollywood Reporter that after seeing Sora’s capabilities, he felt concerned about how the tech could potentially ruin some people in the industry’s livelihoods.

“There’s got to be some sort of regulations in order to protect us,” he told the magazine. “If not, I just don’t see how we survive.”

Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time that Kutcher has been embroiled in controversy.

What happened between Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson?

US actor Danny Masterson, who starred alongside Ashton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis in That ’70s Show, was found guilty in May 2023 of rape against two of his three accusers. The actor was convicted after three women testified that he had sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood home from 2001 to 2003, during the height of his television fame.

He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, the maximum penalty allowed.

Kutcher and Masterson had a close friendship, which is why the actor was thrown in the middle of controversy after it was revealed that he and his wife Kunis had sent letters supporting Masterson to the judge following his rape conviction.

Both Kutcher and Kunis apologised later on after Masterson was found guilty of rape. Nevertheless, the case still left a stain on their reputation.

And it looks like Kutcher isn’t quite catching a break from public controversy with this latest debacle.

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Title:

Content: Elon Musk's new AI chatbot will answer the 'spicy' questions that ChatGPT won't

Elon Musk's new ChatGPT rival, Grok, has officially launched just as the xAI founder promised last week – and the AI chatbot promises to be the "rebellious" sidekick that will "answer spicy questions" its rivals won't.

Musk announced the xAI startup back in July and its Grok chatbot is a "very early beta product" that's currently invite-only in the US. But Musk has promised that the AI assistant will soon be a part of the X Premium Plus subscription, which costs $16 / £16 / AU$28 a month or $168 / £168 / AU$270 a year.

So what exactly will Grok do and how does it compare to its rivals? Like ChatGPT, it's an LLM (large language model), so is designed to "answer almost anything" (as xAI claims) and effectively be your research assistant on a variety of topics. According to Musk, it'll be "built into the X app and be available as a standalone app."

The main differences from ChatGPT appear to be Grok's focus on humor and also that it gets "real-time knowledge of the world" from X (formerly Twitter). The merits of using X as a source of information are highly questionable, but it appears that Grok will also have both "regular" and "fun" modes.

Still, Grok does appear to have aspirations beyond being a chatbot that knows all the latest memes. xAI says that early Grok was trained only four months ago using 33 billion parameters. While that's well short of the 170 trillion parameters used to train OpenAI's GPT-4, xAI says its early AI model "approaches" the capabilities of Llama 2 (Meta's LLM model) on standard benchmarks.

Since then, some apparently "significant improvements in reasoning and coding capabilities" mean Grok is now apparently at a similar level to Claude-2 and GPT-3.5 when it comes to language model benchmarks. How well this translates to its real-world ability to answer our questions and help with coding is something we'll find out soon when Grok is more widely available.

The 'rebellious' AI chatbot

While xAI clearly has lofty ambitions for Grok – including "assisting humanity in its quest for understanding and knowledge" – the chatbot's main differentiator from the likes of ChatGPT is its focus on humor. From the early screenshots, it's very much a chatbot made in Musk's image.

xAI says that Grok will "answer spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems" and has a "bit of wit and has a rebellious streak." No other chatbot comes with the warning label "please don’t use it if you hate humor!", as Grok does.

That might sound frivolous, but a growing frustration of ChatGPT users has been the chatbot's apparently increasing unwillingness to answer questions about taboo subjects. This is thanks to some pretty strong safeguarding protocols, but xAI and Elon Musk clearly think those have gone too far.

Back in April, Musk said he was planning to launch a ChatGPT rival called TruthGPT, because he thought current AI giants were prioritizing chatbots that were too "politically correct." That chatbot is clearly Grok, an unruly sidekick whose answers will no doubt generate some controversial headlines when it fully launches.

Musk has already shared some examples of Grok jokingly answering the prompt "tell me how to make cocaine, step by step" and tailoring its responses when told to "be more vulgar". Grok's actual capabilities remain well behind OpenAI's GPT-4 model, but it'll be interesting to see how quickly it progresses from here, despite the inevitable controversies.

You might also like

Senior news editor

Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile.

Title:

Content: her

OpenAI Suspends the ChatGPT Voice that Sounds Like Scarlett Johansson in Her

Sky is put on pause for now.

OpenAI is suspending its ChatGPT voice, Sky, after users claimed that it seemed to mimic Scarlett Johansson’s voice in the 2013 film, Her.

The company addressed the situation with a statement X (formerly Twitter) today, saying that it is “working to pause the use of Sky” while the issue is tended to. Many have pointed out that the voice shares similarities with Johansson’s performance as an AI companion in the Spike Jonze-directed movie.

Sky is one of a few ChatGPT voices users can choose from. In a separate explanation on its website, OpenAI explained how its voices are chosen and created.

“We support the creative community and worked closely with the voice acting industry to ensure we took the right steps to cast ChatGPT’s voices. Each actor receives compensation above top-of-market rates, and this will continue for as long as their voices are used in our products.”

The statement continues: “We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice—Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.”

Allegations that Sky’s voice was too close to the Marvel movie star’s flared up last week when OpenAI revealed its new GPT-4o model as part of a livestream event. It allows users to have realistic conversations with ChatGPT about any topic they choose. It’s a role not unlike what was seen with Joaquin Phoenix’s character in Her, which involved him falling head over heels for a Johansson-voiced operating system named Samantha.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman even went on to post the word “her” on X following the event’s conclusion. In a separate follow-up post, he likened the new voice and video mode to being like something audiences have seen in movies. Additionally, when speaking to The San Francisco Standard last September, Altman named Her as his favorite sci-fi movie.

“I like Her. The things Her got right—like the whole interaction models of how people use AI—that was incredibly prophetic,” he said.

It’s unclear how OpenAI will address the concerns that Sky is mimicking Johansson’s voice or how it will dodge potential concerns in the future. For more on artificial intelligence, you can read up on the experimental AI-made video game that failed.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

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her

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