BOSTON — Big record companies are suing artificial intelligence song-generators Suno and Udio for copyright infringement, alleging that the AI music startups are exploiting the recorded works of artists from Chuck Berry to Mariah Carey. The Recording Industry Association of America announced the lawsuits Monday brought by labels including Sony...
California’s Self-Inflicted Fiscal Crisis Produces a Budget Full of Gimmicks and Favors
Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders wrapped themselves in a blanket of self-congratulatory statements Saturday as they announced a deal to close a multibillion-dollar state budget deficit. They praised themselves for dealing with the $44.9 billion gap between income and outgo without making major reductions in the state’s array of...
Israel’s Use of White Phosphorus in Lebanon Endangers Civilians, HRW Reports
Human Rights Watch has confirmed Israel's extensive use of white phosphorus in south Lebanon since October 2023, posing significant risks to civilians and causing widespread displacement. HRW verified that Israeli forces deployed white phosphorus munitions in at least 17 municipalities, including five where airburst munitions were unlawfully used over populated...
AWOL Councilmembers Latest Twist in Polarized Parlier Politics
For the second meeting in a row, a majority of Parlier city councilmembers refused to participate in a scheduled city council meeting on Monday. Thus, the impasse over Neal Costanzo continuing as the city attorney remains unresolved. In addition, Mayor Alma Beltran says the council majority boycott is putting $700,000...
The Urgent Need to Blow Off Swing Voters
Opinion by Elizabeth Spiers on June 25, 2024. THURSDAY’S DEBATE IS TIME TO PREACH TO THE CHOIR. In a presidential election where both leading candidates are unpopular, there’s much talk about what each candidate can say to swing voters in Thursday’s debate. But true swing voters are disengaged from political news;...
Today’s Teenagers Have Invented a Language That Captures the World Perfectly
Opinion by Stephen Marche on June 25, 2024. OUR KIDS’ LINGO IS NOT ONLY BETTER THAN ANY WE USED, IT’S A USEFUL WINDOW INTO THE WAY THEY THINK. My son just completed high school and when he leaves for college in the fall my life will change in ways I’m...
Lawsuit Challenges New Louisiana Law Requiring Classrooms to Display the Ten Commandments
BATON ROUGE, La. — Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block Louisiana's new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, a measure they contend is unconstitutional. Plaintiffs in the suit include parents of Louisiana public school children with various religious backgrounds,...
UN-backed Contingent of Foreign Police Arrives in Haiti as Kenya-led Force Prepares to Face Gangs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The first U.N.-backed contingent of foreign police arrived in Haiti on Tuesday, nearly two years after the troubled Caribbean country urgently requested help to quell a surge in gang violence. A couple hundred police officers from Kenya landed in the capital of Port-au-Prince, whose main international airport...
International Court Seeks Arrest of Russian Officials Over Attacks on Ukrainian Power Plants
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court said Tuesday it issued arrest warrants for Russia's former defense minister and its military chief of staff for attacks on Ukraine's power plants, the third time the global court has accused senior Russian leaders of war crimes. There is no immediate likelihood...
Medical Center in Porterville Graduates First Class of Internal Medicine Residents
Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville graduated its inaugural class of internal medicine residents this month at a festive ceremony attended by the 13 graduates, their families and friends, and medical center officials. The ceremony marked not only a milestone in their medical training but also in the hospital's history....