By Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Judge Slashes Napster Class Action Settlement That Paid Songwriters 30x Less Than Lawyers
A judge sharply reduced a $1.7 million award to a team of lawyers who secured only a "measly" $53,000 for their clients in a class action against Napster.
https://www.billboard.com/pro/judge-slashes-napster-settlement-paid-songwriters-30x-less/
Bad Bunny Says He Opted Out of U.S. Tour Dates Due To ICE Raid Concerns
Bad Bunny revealed that he excluded the U.S. from his upcoming world tour because he’s worried that ICE could stage raids outside his concerts, putting his fans at risk.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/bad-bunny-ice-raids-exclude-us-tour-1236367494/
Dua Lipa’s Merch Supplier Sues Bootleggers
Dua Lipa's merch supplier, Ceremony of Roses, has filed a lawsuit against counterfeit sellers distributing fake merchandise during her Radical Optimism tour. The company is seeking to halt the sale of unauthorized items to protect the integrity of the artist's brand.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dua-lipas-merch-supplier-sues-222314305.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMYIeS9vW7c0zcoTnYgk-ARiLYs_TXVlWCJgCoBpEXJGDqzQul5EJfzTg-DhhcjSXttFzphBjXe9jG7CrYLrzHz931UKXssygaKeNIszlr-Zuafxrb1INMZPmfWXpY1R-QpovfQlvzyHeDgLdfLaZL2MPNRSw0FjxdC8dlS6kVRf
Former Ador CEO Accuses Hype Of ‘Fiction’ In First Court Appearance Over Contract Dispute
Min Hee‑jin, founder of ADOR and creative director behind NewJeans, is in a legal battle with HYBE over attempts to remove her and restrict her creative control, amid disputes over contract terms with the group.
https://www.billboard.com/pro/hybe-min-hee-jin-court-new-jeans-ador-controversy/
Arts
Arrest Warrant Says Buyer Of ‘Nude Emperor’ Bronze Knew It Was Looted
An arrest warrant has been issued for California collector Aaron Mendelsohn over his alleged purchase of a looted Roman bronze statue which was illegally excavated from Turkey in the 1960s. Mendelsohn disputes the claims, arguing the statue’s history was unclear.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/arts/design/arrest-warrant-nude-emperor-bronze-looted.html
Neil Young Hit With Lawsuit Over ‘Chrome Hearts’ Band By Fashion Brand With Same
Name
Neil Young is being sued by fashion brand Chrome Hearts for trademark infringement because his new backing band, “Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts,” is selling merch using a name that the brand claims causes confusion with its own trademark.
https://www.billboard.com/pro/neil-young-lawsuit-chrome-hearts-fashion-brand-name/
This Upscale Brand Name Just Means ‘Clothing.’ Does That Mean No Trademark?
A U.S. appeals court rejected Vetements’s bid to trademark its name by ruling that “vetements,” which means “clothing” in French, is generic and cannot be trademarked since enough American consumers would translate the term.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/world/europe/vetements-trademark-lawsuit.html
Nazi-Looted Paintings Discovered At Ohio Auction House
Two paintings by Dutch Old Master Ambrosius Bosschaert, believed to have been looted by the Nazis from the Schloss collection during World War II, were discovered at an Ohio auction house after being lost for over 80 years.
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/wwii-looted-paintings-ohio-auction-house-2686976
Sports
Tigers Employees Accused of Misconduct Toward Women
Several Detroit Tigers employees have faced allegations of misconduct toward women in the forms of lewd messages and physical harassment.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46217042/report-tigers-employees-accused-misconduct-women
UN Shares Updated Anti-Corruption Plan For 2026 FIFA World Cup And 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games
The UNODC has launched an anti-corruption plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics, targeting match-fixing and illegal betting.
https://www.sportresolutions.com/news/anti-corruption-plan-fifa-2026-la-olympics-2028
NBA Will Not Rush Judgment In Kawhi Leonard Investigation, Commissioner Adam Silver Says
Adam Silver says the NBA is awaiting a report from an external firm before making any judgments on the $28 million endorsement deal between Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC to determine if it allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to circumvent salary cap rules.
https://apnews.com/article/nba-kawhi-leonard-clippers-investigation-02782c17b05c9326679ddcdd4fd0ffe4
Pro Swimmers Settle Antitrust Lawsuit Against World Aquatics
Professional swimmers settled a $4.6 million antitrust lawsuit against World Aquatics over restrictions that blocked them from competing in the ISL and earning fees. The settlement compensates affected athletes and ensures they can participate in independent events without risking Olympic eligibility.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/pro-swimmers-settle-antitrust-lawsuit-against-world-aquatics-2025-09-08/
Media & Technology
Google, Amazon, and Microsoft Urge Supreme Court to Reverse Cox’s $1B Infringement Ruling
Major tech companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, along with the U.S. government, are urging the Supreme Court to overturn a $1 billion piracy liability ruling against Cox Communications. They argue that holding ISPs accountable for users' online piracy could impose broad and unpredictable liability, potentially disrupting internet service operations.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/09/11/big-tech-supreme-court-cox/
Real-Life 'Succession’ Ends: Lachlan Murdoch Takes Control And Siblings Take Cash
Lachlan Murdoch has taken control of the family’s media empire, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, while his siblings receive roughly $1.1 billion each from their shares.
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/real-life-succession-ends-lachlan-murdoch-takes-control-siblings-take-cash-2025-09-08/
Appeals Court Upholds E. Jean Carroll’s $83M Judgment Against Trump
An appeals court upheld a $83 million judgment against Donald Trump in favor of E. Jean Carroll, affirming that he defamed her after she accused him of sexual assault. The ruling also dismissed Trump's countersuit, which alleged that Carroll had defamed him again in a 2022 memoir.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/appeals-court-upholds-e-jean-carrolls-83-million-judgment-trump-rcna212907
Warner Bros. Discovery Sues AI Giant Midjourney For Copyright Infringement In Major Legal Battle
Warner Bros. Discovery is suing Midjourney, alleging that the platform lets users create images and videos of iconic characters, including Batman and Scooby-Doo, without authorization. The lawsuit claims that Midjourney built its business on the mass use of the company’s intellectual property.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-discovery-sues-ai-company-copyright-infringement-1236361610/
OpenAI Needs Data Centers So Much, It Signed a $300B Deal With Oracle
OpenAI has signed a $300B, 5-year deal with Oracle to supply 4.5 gigawatts of computing power for its AI operations. The agreement aims to meet OpenAI's growing infrastructure needs and marks a significant expansion of Oracle's cloud business.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/openai-needs-data-centers-so-much-it-signed-a-300b-deal-with-oracle/
Small Businesses Face Growing Threat From Fake Online Reviews
Fake online reviews are being used by scammers to extort small businesses, damaging reputations and adding financial strain. Experts urge business owners to report fraudulent posts, and counteract them by encouraging authentic, fact-based customer feedback to protect trust and credibility.
https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com/therogginreport/2025/09/12/small-businesses-face-growing-threat-from-fake-online-reviews
CBS Shifts To Appease The Right Under New Owner
CBS’ new owner, Skydance Media, is trying to win over Trump critics by appointing a conservative public editor, pledging to air full interviews, and considering a news executive who sees mainstream outlets as biased. The moves signal a big shift for a network long tied to traditional journalism.
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/12/nx-s1-5537152/cbs-news-ellison-steps-appease-trump
Nvidia Working On New AI Chip For China That Outperforms The H20, Sources Say
Nvidia is developing a new AI chip that aims to surpass the capabilities of the current H20 model, featuring a single-die design with high-bandwidth memory and NVLink technology, with plans to deliver samples to Chinese clients for testing as early as next month.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/nvidia-working-new-ai-chip-china-that-outperforms-h20-sources-say-2025-08-19/
Mark S. Zuckerberg Is Suing Meta For Repeatedly Closing Down His Facebook Accounts - It Always Accuses Him Of Being Fake
An Indiana lawyer who shares a name with Meta CEO is suing Meta, claiming that the company repeatedly shut down his Facebook business and personal accounts despite using his real name because the platform believes he is impersonating Mark Zuckerberg.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/15124233/mark-zuckerberg-same-name-lawsuit-meta-lawyer/
General News
Top U.S. Copyright Official Shira Perlmutter Reinstated, As Appeals Court Blocks Firing By Trump
A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s firing of Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights, reinstating her while the case proceeds, and ruling that her removal was likely unlawful.
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/top-us-copyright-official-shira-perlmutter-reinstated-as-appeals-court-blocks-firing-by-trump/
Nation Marks 24 Years Since 9/11 With Ceremonies In NYC, The Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA
Despite political unrest across the country, ceremonies in NYC, PA, and at the Pentagon united Americans as they commemorated 24 years since the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/911-ceremonies-ground-zero-pentagon-shanksville-trump-vance/
Trump Asks Appeals Court to Let Him Fire Lisa Cook Before Next Week’s Meeting
Trump has filed a lawsuit against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging that her participation in the Federal Open Market Committee violates the Constitution's appointments clause.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/11/trump-lisa-cook-fed-lawsuit-fomc.html
Congress Worries U.S. Strike On Venezuelan Boat Signals Trump’s Expanded War Powers
Congress is raising alarm after the U.S. military struck a boat linked to Venezuela, arguing the action sidestepped standard legal and oversight norms. In addition, evidence shows that the Venezuelan boat had already turned around when it was struck, and therefore was not an imminent danger.
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/14/nx-s1-5535624/congress-worries-u-s-strike-on-venezuelan-boat-signals-trumps-expanded-war-powers
House Passes Defense Policy Bill With Proposal to Repeal AUMF
The House approved a nearly $900B defense authorization bill that includes a bipartisan amendment to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, which have long allowed presidents to launch military operations without explicit congressional approval.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5497582-house-passes-defense-policy-bill-with-proposal-to-repeal-aumf/
Senate Republicans Defeat Chuck Schumer's Push to Force Release of Epstein Files
Senate Minority Leader Schumer tried to force a vote requiring the Trump administration to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, but the measure was narrowly blocked 51−49, with most Republicans opposing it.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/schumer-epstein-senate-vote-rcna230389
The CDC Quietly Scaled Back a Surveillance Program For Foodborne Illnesses
The CDC has quietly scaled back its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, reducing mandatory reporting to just Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Experts warn this move could hinder early outbreak detection and response.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-quietly-scaled-back-surveillance-program-foodborne-illnesses-rcna227089
Former Top FBI Officials Sue, Say Kash Patel Fired Them to Stay in Trump’s Good Graces
Former senior FBI officials have filed a lawsuit alleging that Kash Patel orchestrated their firings to maintain favor with Trump and to undermine the FBI's independence. The plaintiffs claim that their dismissals were politically motivated and violated constitutional protections against retaliation for whistleblowing.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/former-top-fbi-officials-sue-say-kash-patel-fired-stay-trumps-good-gra-rcna230369
U.S. High School Students Lose Ground In Math And Reading, Continuing Yearslong Decline
Students are still suffering from the effects of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, as test results show that high school seniors have hit their lowest levels of math and reading scores in over 20 years.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/us/student-testing-scores-drop-hnk
States Heading Toward Constitutional Showdown Over Abortion Shield Laws
States including NY are using “shield laws” to protect abortion providers and patients from out-of-state prosecutions, especially for telehealth and mailed pills, but these measures are now facing court challenges from other states, like Texas, raising questions about interstate legal conflicts.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/health/abortion-shield-laws.html
Gov. Kathy Hochul Weighs In On Potential LIRR Strike, Blames White House For Situation
Governor Hochul has criticized the Trump administration for its handling of a potential LIRR strike, suggesting that Trump's unprecedented support for a strike authorization has contributed to the current labor dispute.
https://abc7ny.com/post/lirr-possible-strike-gov-kathy-hochul-weighs-long-island-rail-road-situation-blames-trump-white-house/17787851/
Mayor Eric Adams’ Effort To Re-Open ICE Office On Rikers Island Declared ‘Null And Void’ By NYC Judge
A judge struck down Mayor Eric Adams’s order to reopen an ICE office on Rikers Island, ruling that he had a conflict of interest. The City plans to appeal the decision.
https://nypost.com/2025/09/08/us-news/mayor-eric-adams-effort-to-re-open-ice-office-on-rikers-island-declared-null-and-void-by-nyc-judge/
Senators worry political violence ‘baked in’ after Kirk assassination
A number of senators are growing concerned that the apparent increase in political violence will be nearly impossible to reverse despite calls from every corner to turn down the national temperature after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5501764-senators-political-violence-kirk-assassination/
U.S. Says It Will Defend ‘Every Inch’ of NATO Territory After Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones
The U.S. pledged at the United Nations they will defend “every inch of NATO territory” following a suspected Russian drone invasion into Poland, reaffirming its commitment to protect allies amid escalating airspace violations.
https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/us-says-will-defend-every-inch-nato-territory-poland-russian-drones-rcna230976
UK Ambassador to U.S. Peter Mandelson Ousted Over Epstein Ties
UK ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson was removed from his post after leaked emails and letters revealed closer ties to Epstein than previously known, including referring to him as “my best friend.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/martinacastellanos/2025/09/11/uk-ambassador-to-us-peter-mandelson-ousted-over-epstein-ties/