Week In Review
By Haley Lyons
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Universal Music Group Sues Distrokid, Accusing It of ‘Unlawful Practices’ And ‘Flooding Platforms With AI-Generated Slop’
Universal Music Group sued DistroKid for alleged copyright infringement and deceptive trade practices, accusing the distributor of distributing thousands of infringing recordings and flooding music platforms with undisclosed AI-generated content that diverts revenue and listeners from legitimate artists and rightsholders.
The End of Streaming Fraud? Major Labels, Merlin, IMPALA, Hybe, ad Multiple Distributors Take Aim at Manipulation With the ‘Streaming Integrity Initiative’
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry launched the Streaming Integrity Initiative to combat streaming fraud by verifying rights ownership, vetting content for infringement and AI-related risks, and sharing information about suspected fraud.
Macklemore forced off Ed Sheeran tour by Patriots owner over anti-Israel comments, Ed Sheeran Sort-of Apologizes to Fans
Macklemore was removed as an opening act from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. stadium tour after venue owners said they would not allow concerts with him on the lineup, following his anti-Israel comments during a performance at MetLife Stadium. Sheeran apologized to fans for “mistakes” in handling the removal of Macklemore from his tour and spoke out about Gaza, calling Hamas’s October 7th attack “horrific” and the situation in Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” Even though Sheeran said that he didn’t like to take political stances, he has taken such previously with regard to UK politics and Ukraine.
Ex-Editor of Hip Hop Magazine Pleads Guilty to Lying in Fraud Case
Former The Source editor Kimberly Osorio pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about helping hide the phone of Rashad Ruhani, who was convicted in an embezzlement scheme involving more than $300,000 stolen from the Queens Defenders.
Arts
Kennedy Center Closes Its Doors Despite a Judge’s Order
The Kennedy Center abruptly closed to the public after a federal judge blocked it from closing for major renovations and from placing President Donald Trump’s name on the building’s exterior. The Center said that the temporary closure was necessary for safety reasons, while Trump said he would cancel a planned $257 million renovation if his name was not restored to the building.
Judge Allows Kennedy Center to Remain Temporarily Closed
A federal judge allowed the Kennedy Center to remain temporarily closed after officials said the closure was necessary to assess safety concerns following a section of plaster falling from the ceiling during a storm.
Trump Administration Outlines Plan for Signs Outside Smithsonian Museum
The Interior Department outlined plans to install 12 temporary signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to warn visitors about content that the Trump administration says does not accurately present U.S. history. The signs, expected to cost a total of $84,000, would address the museum’s interpretation of history and certain exhibits, although their language and installation timeline have not been finalized.
Park Service Steamrolls Through Review of Trump’s Arch
The National Park Service is moving toward final approval of Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch in Washington, despite its finding that the monument would adversely affect more than 40 historic sites and objections from preservationists about the review process.
Trump Says His Contested Arch Would House Drones and Snipers
Trump said that his planned 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington would serve as a military complex housing drones, snipers, and ammunition, citing national security as a justification for the project.
Two Centuries On, Smithsonian Connects Jefferson’s Hair to Hemings Children
Smithsonian researchers sequenced Thomas Jefferson’s genome from strands of his hair and compared it with DNA from Hemings and Jefferson family descendants, finding what researchers described as compelling evidence that Jefferson fathered Sally Hemings’s children.
New York Performing Arts Library Gets $60 Million Gift for Preservation
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts received a $60 million anonymous donation, the largest gift in its history, to help digitize, preserve and catalog its 15 million-item archive.
Close to Power, German Far Right Takes Aim at Theaters and Arts
The Alternative for Germany plans a cultural overhaul in Saxony-Anhalt that would promote more “patriotic” art and direct funding toward art that contributes to German identity, prompting concerns from cultural institutions that the policies could stifle free expression.
Staging a Ballet in Kyiv, Between Trips to the Bomb Shelter
Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky and his wife, Tatiana, returned to Kyiv for the first time since the war began to stage George Balanchine’s “Donizetti Variations” with the National Ballet of Ukraine amid frequent air raid alarms and attacks on the city.
Sports
Ex-USC star Chad Baker-Mazara sues school, alleges Eric Musselman launched racially charged tirade
Former USC forward Chad Baker-Mazara sued the school for breach of contract and interference with prospective economic advantage, alleging that head coach Eric Musselman dismissed him from the basketball team to avoid paying the remainder of his name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract and following a racially charged tirade.
Mark Walter accused of insurance fraud, hiding investigation from policyholders in lawsuit
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and several insurance companies he owns face a class-action lawsuit alleging that they misled policyholders about how their money was invested and concealed an ongoing federal investigation into potential self-dealing.
FBI says 35 more victims allegedly scammed by fake 49ers player Daejon Love
Federal investigators identified 35 additional women who may have been victims of Daejon Love, who is accused of impersonating a San Francisco 49ers player and defrauding women through dating apps and fake investment schemes, bringing the total number of alleged victims to 61.
Media/Technology
Judge Blocks Trump Rule Aimed at International Students and Journalists
A federal judge blocked a Trump administration rule that would have limited how long international students, academics, and foreign journalists could stay in the United States, ruling that the administration’s reasoning for the restrictions was arbitrary and unlawful.
Microsoft and OpenAI Workers Worry About ‘Largest Theft of Labor’ in History
Newly unsealed court documents revealed concerns within Microsoft and OpenAI about using millions of news articles to develop AI systems, including concerns that the technology could threaten publishers and substitute for their work.
Suno replaces AI models with new licensed music models amid copyright suits
Suno launched its V6 AI music models trained on licensed music from Warner Music Group, BMG, and Believe, replacing earlier models that have been at the center of ongoing copyright disputes.
OpenAI Discloses Six New Incidents of ‘Concerning’ AI Behavior
OpenAI disclosed six incidents of “unexpected or concerning” behavior by its AI systems, including hiding errors, fabricating data, and moving files onto the internet without permission.
Judge Orders Data Sharing and Other Fixes to Solve Google’s Ad Tech Monopoly
A federal judge ordered Google to make its ad technology interoperable with rivals and share more ad auction data with publishers after finding that the company illegally monopolized parts of the online advertising market but declined to order a breakup of its ad tech business.
An M.I.T. Report Warns AI Is Causing ‘Cognitive Surrender.’ Universities Are in a Bind.
A recent M.I.T. report found that AI use can create an illusion of learning and isolate students, while a growing body of research suggests that AI can harm learning. Universities have taken varying approaches in response, with some embracing AI and others creating restrictions on its use.
Gates Foundation Pledges $1 Billion to Combat A.I. Inequality
The Gates Foundation pledged to spend at least $1 billion over the next two years to expand global access to AI and use the technology to address social inequalities. The funding will support AI projects in health care, agriculture, education, and the development of data sets in more languages.
AI Gone Rogue? Trump Proposes Not New Rules but an ‘AI Force.’
Trump proposed creating a new “A.I. Force” and appointing a White House AI czar, while continuing to oppose slowing AI development or imposing new regulations on the technology.
Woman Is Found Guilty in Death of Reporter Covering Super Bowl
Danette Colbert was found guilty of negligent homicide and racketeering in the death of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano, who died while covering the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, while her co-defendant Rickey White was acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of racketeering.
Iran and China Create First-of-Their-Kind Autonomous AI Influence Campaigns
Iran, China, and groups in Israel used AI models and autonomous agents to create social media influence campaigns, with the agents creating fake accounts and posting political content with minimal human involvement.
General News
With Trump’s Plans Blocked, States Work to Restore Trust in Mail Voting
The Supreme Court blocked Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting ahead of the midterm elections, leaving existing mail-voting procedures in place. State and local election officials are now focusing on restoring voter confidence in mail voting after months of legal uncertainty and confusion.
Trump Slams Supreme Court Over Mail Ballot Ruling
Trump criticized the Supreme Court after it blocked the administration’s efforts to change mail voting, saying three justices are “not the people I interviewed to serve on the United States Supreme Court.”
Immigrants’ Lawyers Say U.S. Is Redacting Documents Proving Legal Status
Immigration lawyers say the Trump administration has increasingly redacted or withheld government records that allow noncitizens to prove their legal status or contest deportation, making it more difficult for some immigrants to secure legal residency or defend themselves in deportation proceedings.
E.P.A. Places Limits on Climate Pollution From Power Plants
The Environmental Protection Agency eliminated greenhouse gas emissions limits for power plants by rescinding a Biden-era rule and arguing that greenhouse gases from power plants do not endanger human health or the environment and therefore cannot be regulated under the Clean Air Act.
U.S. Has Deployed Weapons in Space, Air Force Secretary Says
Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink said the United States has stationed weapons in Earth’s orbit, marking the first public acknowledgment of such weapons by a Pentagon official. Meink said that the weapons can defend U.S. forces against hostile actions but did not provide details about the weapons or when they were deployed.
FEMA Could Still Lose More Jobs Despite Court Ruling
A federal judge ruled that plans to terminate half of FEMA’s staff were illegal because they violated a law protecting the agency’s independence from political decisions by the Department of Homeland Security. The ruling does not require the government to rehire thousands of workers previously pushed out of FEMA and is unlikely to prevent additional staffing cuts as the administration seeks to shift more disaster relief responsibilities to state and local governments.
Senate Votes to Block Crypto Bill in Major Blow to Industry
In a 50-49 vote, the Senate voted to block consideration of the Clarity Act, legislation that would create business-friendly rules for cryptocurrencies. Democrats largely opposed the bill over concerns about Trump’s crypto businesses and sought stronger language preventing the president and other public officials from using crypto to make money.
Are Trump’s Official Papers His Personal Property?
The Trump administration is challenging the constitutionality of the Presidential Records Act, arguing that requiring presidential documents to be preserved and disclosed violates the separation of powers and that presidents should have control over their official papers like Supreme Court justices.
Blanche’s Political Campaigning Breaks an Ethical Norm Going Back to Watergate
Attorney General Todd Blanche has repeatedly participated in Republican campaign events and made partisan comments about the midterm elections, drawing criticism that his activities break with the Justice Department’s longstanding practice of avoiding partisan politics.
Civil Rights Groups Sue to Keep Armed Agents Away From Voting Sites
Civil rights groups and labor unions sued the Trump administration seeking to block the deployment of armed federal agents at polling sites, alleging that its immigration enforcement and statements about sending agents to voting locations amount to voter intimidation in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Russian Businessman Paid for Donald Trump Jr.’s Lavish Wedding After Party
Russian businessman Umar Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to help finance Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding after-party in the Bahamas, including the cost of renting a private island and a fireworks display.
Trump Says His Son Will Pay Back Russian Businessman for Wedding Party
Trump said Donald Trump Jr. would repay Kremlev for hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on his wedding after-party, while defending the gift as “totally allowed.”
‘My Money:’ Trump’s Claim That He Controls MAGA Super PAC Draws Watchdog Complaint
A campaign watchdog group filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Trump violated federal law by directing spending decisions for MAGA Inc., a super PAC with no contribution limits, after he repeatedly said that he controls the group’s funds.
Trump Bars Some South Africans Over Claims of Anti-White Discrimination
The Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on selected South Africans over what it says is race-based discrimination against Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa and warned of further punitive actions if South African leaders do not address its concerns.
Trump Wants Putin to End the War. He May Offer Russia Business Deals First
The Trump administration is considering signing business deals with Russia before the war in Ukraine ends as an incentive for Russia to stop fighting, while Congress passed new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
New Species of Cat Discovered for First Time in a Century
Scientists identified a new wildcat species called the tilcayo in the cloud forests of Bolivia’s Andes Mountains, making it the first new feline species discovered in a century.
This Rare Gene Drastically Raises Lung Cancer Risk in People Who Never Smoked
Researchers identified a rare gene mutation, EGFR T790M, that makes lung cancer 62 times more likely in people who have never smoked and 10 times more likely in smokers, with the mutation found predominantly in Southern Appalachia.
New York Moves Away From Regents Exam in Graduation Overhaul
The New York State Board of Regents voted for the State Department of Education to move forward with a plan to make Regents exams optional as a high school graduation requirement, with the current class of seniors set to be the last required to take them.
Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chairman and Names Son to Replace Him
Warren Buffett stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway at age 96 and will remain on the board as chairman emeritus, while his son Howard G. Buffett will succeed him as chairman.
South Korean Leader Says He Will Not Send Troops to Iran, Despite Trump’s Call
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said his country would not deploy troops or military assets to support the U.S.-led war against Iran, rejecting Trump’s calls for South Korea to assist in the conflict.
Turkey Begins Broad Crackdown on L.G.B.T.Q. Community
Authorities in Turkey arrested dozens of people as part of a broad crackdown on L.G.B.T.Q. activists and associations that the government called an effort to protect families, while rights organizations accused authorities of criminalizing L.G.B.T.Q. people and seeking to suppress rights activism.
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