iWorld
UP Warriorz and Navya Naveli Nanda unite to combat online trolling in women’s cricket
Mumbai: In a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at addressing the negativity faced by women athletes on social media, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) cricket team, UP Warriorz, has partnered with women’s rights advocate Navya Naveli Nanda, to unveil #TrashTalkCleanUp. Created in collaboration with Interactive Avenues, UP Warriorz’s digital creative agency, the campaign features an inspiring 2-part video podcast and series of Instagram reels.
The aim of ‘Trash Talk Clean Up’ is to bin the negativity of social media and create safe spaces on the internet for UP Warriorz’ players as well as female athletes at large. A recent study by Plan International found that social media abuse targets female athletes three times more than men. A study published by World Athletics also states that out of all the hate circulating about the Olympics, 87 per cent of it was targeted towards women.
The problem is no less rampant for India’s women athletes. Former cricketer Mithila Raj, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, hockey player Vandana Kataria and even the Indian women’s cricket team have faced trolling repeatedly and voiced their opposition on social media. Against this backdrop, UP Warriorz is acting for change and turning online spaces of harassment and abuse into places of support for these achievers.
The first edition of Trash Talk Cleanup Podcast showcases candid, heartwarming conversations between Navya and UP Warriorz cricketers Vrinda Dinesh, Gouher Sultana, and Poonam Khemnar. Strategically launched around the Women’s Premier League, the initiative addresses the issue of online trolling faced by women cricketers and encourages individuals to respond to trolls with special dustbin gifs, symbolizing the disposal of negative comments. While there’s a long way to go, the social media team of UP Warriorz has already activated these GIFs and dustbin emojis through comments and reactive social listening, resulting in a visible reduction in trolling from the start of the season on 24 February till date.
Expressing her thoughts on the collaboration, Capri Sports director Jinisha Sharma said, “This Women’s Day, we champion every sportswoman across the nation to rise above the noise, to focus on their true passion and excellence on the field.”
Interactive Avenues senior creative director Eshwari Pandit added, “Women often bear the brunt of cyberbullying, ranging from comments on their appearance to criticism of their professional choices. This online negativity not only impacts the mental well-being of players, but also tarnishes the spirit of the game. Through #TrashTalkCleanUp, we aspire to shed light on this critical issue and advocate for respect and positivity towards women athletes.”
iWorld
OpenAI hits back at Elon Musk’s lawsuit ahead of trial
Company calls claims “baseless” and accuses Musk of trying to disrupt a rival.
MUMBAI: When the stakes are measured in billions and egos are involved, even Silicon Valley titans can turn a courtroom into a battlefield. OpenAI has issued a sharp public response to Elon Musk’s ongoing lawsuit, accusing the billionaire of filing the case to harass a competitor rather than address genuine concerns. In a strongly worded statement shared on its official X account, OpenAI described Musk’s allegations as “baseless” and suggested the lawsuit is an attempt to disrupt the company as the case heads toward trial later this month in Oakland, California.
The response comes after Musk’s legal team recently amended the complaint, proposing that any damages potentially exceeding $150 billion should go to OpenAI’s nonprofit entity rather than to Musk personally. OpenAI questioned the timing and motive behind this change, calling it a late-stage attempt to “pretend to change his tune” on the nonprofit structure.
The company further labelled the lawsuit a “harassment campaign”, arguing that Musk’s actions are driven by personal rivalry, ego, and a desire for greater control and financial upside.
At the heart of the dispute is Musk’s claim that OpenAI has abandoned its original nonprofit mission of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. A co-founder who left in 2018, Musk is seeking governance changes, including the removal of CEO Sam Altman from the nonprofit board, and the return of certain financial gains linked to Altman and President Greg Brockman.
OpenAI has firmly rejected these allegations, maintaining that its current hybrid structure, a public-benefit corporation overseen by a nonprofit parent remains true to its long-term goals. The company has also previously accused Musk of anti-competitive behaviour aimed at weakening its leadership.
As the case prepares for a jury trial, this public exchange highlights the deepening rift between two of the most influential figures in the AI revolution and raises broader questions about governance, mission, and power in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence.
In the high-stakes game of AI, it seems the real drama isn’t just inside the models, it’s playing out in courtrooms too.
