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One Tech Tip: Can You Tell If That Song AI-Generated? Here Are Things To Check (Maria)

The author writes, “Is it The Velvet Underground or Velvet Sundown? The fictitious rock group, Velvet Sundown, which comes complete with AI-generated music, lyrics and album art, is stoking debate about how the new technology is blurring the line between real and synthetic music, and whether creators should be transparent. … While some people do not care whether they’re listening to AI-generated music, others like to know. Here are some methods that could reveal how music was created.”

Blanche’s ‘Odd’ Visits With Child Trafficker Maxwell Are Indefensible (Gerry)

From The National Memo: “Todd Blanche, the sitting Deputy Attorney General (DAG) of the United States—and until recently, Donald Trump’s personal defense attorney—flew to Tallahassee last week for a two-day, in-person interview with Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her integral role facilitating Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious sex trafficking of underage girls. Reporters called the visit ‘odd,’ ‘unusual,’ and ‘striking.’ But those descriptions don’t come close to capturing either the bizarreness of the visit or, more importantly, its impropriety. It’s an indication of how corrupt the DOJ has gotten that we noticed the anomaly but don’t register the outrage.”

Brazil’s President: Trump Will Get No ‘Subservience’ From Me (Reader Jim)

The author writes, “Brazil’s leader is pushing back hard against President Trump’s tariff threats, vowing his country won’t be bullied or negotiate ‘as if it were a small country up against a big country.’ In his first New York Times interview in 13 years, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Trump’s threat to levy 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, while ignoring Brazil’s offers to talk, is both politically motivated and an affront to his country’s sovereignty. ‘Be sure that we are treating this with the utmost seriousness. But seriousness does not require subservience,’ he says, describing Trump’s approach as disrespectful and at odds with diplomatic norms.”

Health Insurers Are Hiking Premiums as Their Profits Balloon (Dana)

From Jacobin: “The six largest health insurers reported more than $1 trillion in revenue and more than $31 billion in net income last year — and are now pushing to raise Americans’ premiums by as much as 66 percent for some policies, according to recent state regulatory filings. The proposed increases come as insurers dole out billions to further enrich top brass and shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends.”

Robert Reich Thinks the Baby Boomers Blew It (Laura)

The author writes, “For more than four decades, Robert Reich has been ringing the alarm bell about rising inequality in America. He did it as a member of three presidential administrations, including a stint as labor secretary under President Clinton. He did it as a revered professor at U.C. Berkeley, Brandeis, and Harvard. He’s currently doing it online, where, somewhat improbably, the 79-year-old has become a new-media star, having built a devoted audience of millions across Substack, TikTok, and Instagram. Through it all, his message has remained consistent: Inequality — be it economic, racial, or political — erodes social trust, diminishes belief in democracy, and can create openings for demagogues.”

Ciara Is Among the First Descendants of Enslaved People Granted Citizenship by Benin (Reader Steve)

From the AP: “US singer Ciara is one of the first public figures to become a citizen of Benin under a recent law by the small West African country granting citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. The Grammy-winning performer’s acquisition of citizenship at a ceremony Saturday in the city of Cotonou is part of a broader initiative by Benin to attract the Black diaspora, acknowledge the country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, and promote tourism focused on slavery-related sites of remembrance.”

Concrete That Lasts Centuries and Captures Carbon? AI Just Made It Possible (Mili)

The author writes, “Imagine concrete that not only survives wildfires and extreme weather, but heals itself and absorbs carbon from the air. Scientists at USC have created an AI model called Allegro-FM that simulates billions of atoms at once, helping design futuristic materials like carbon-neutral concrete. This tech could transform cities by reducing emissions, extending building lifespans, and mimicking the ancient durability of Roman concrete — all thanks to a massive leap in AI-driven atomic modeling.”