“By plane, motorbike, camper van and even on bicycles, tourists are beginning to discover Afghanistan, with solo travelers and tour groups gradually venturing in. … And the country’s Taliban government, which seized power more than three years ago but has yet to be formally recognized by any other nation, is more than happy to welcome them.” - AP
After Confederation, some of the country’s oldest records were stashed in a loft in the reading room of the Centre Block on Parliament Hill. That’s where a fire started in 1916 that destroyed the whole building, along with many historic treasures. - The Walrus
"Although authors of heterosexual erotica have been jailed in China, observers say the genre is subjected to far less censorship. Gay erotica, which is more subversive, seems to bother authorities more.” - BBC
Why? "Unlike the dawn of the internet where democratized access to information empowered everyday people in unique, surprising ways, the generative AI era has been defined by half-baked software releases and threats of AI replacing human workers.” - Wired
“Arts and cultural organizations in Portland face a double whammy: in addition to cuts in the city’s budget, the proposed elimination of the NEA, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has left organizations scrambling.” - Oregon ArtsWatch
“Legislators have approved spending roughly $39 million for performances, exhibitions, operations and some building and expansion projects through multiple budget categories, but the money will be divided among far fewer organizations than in years past – if the money isn't vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.” - Tallahassee Democrat
“The cutbacks to Create NSW were announced to staff on Monday, … (signaling) the end to a decade-long government-led building boom of new museums, galleries and theatres in NSW and … (a promise) to reinvest million-dollar savings into new frontline programs to fill auditoriums and halls already built.” - The Sydney Morning Herald
This is the second major ruling in the AI copyright world this week; on Monday, US District Court judge William Alsup ruled that Anthropic’s use of copyrighted materials to train its own AI tools was legal. - Wired
The three-month series, called Powerhouse: International, will take place at a former electricity station alongside Brooklyn’s notorious Gowanus Canal, whose neighborhood is gentrifying. The programming features the sort of high-powered cutting-edge work which used to be the mainstay of the Next Wave Festival at nearby BAM. - The New York Times
Before the fire, the museum contained over 20 million items, including unpublished documents from Empress Maria Leopoldina, ethnographic objects from Indigenous Brazilians, significant specimens of the country’s biodiversity, fossils and rare minerals. The blaze destroyed about 85 percent of the museum’s collection. - The New York Times
A court has determined that it was legal for Anthropic to train its AI tools on copyrighted works, arguing that the behavior is shielded by the “fair use” doctrine, which allows for unauthorized use of copyrighted materials under certain conditions. - Wired
They are memes generated by artificial intelligence and adored by Gen Alpha and the youngest of Gen Z — and if you’re older than that, they almost certainly baffle you. But that’s okay: Chimpanzini Bananini, Ballerina Cappuccina, Cappuccino Assassino (her boyfriend), and Shrimp Jesus were never intended to make sense. - The Guardian
“My biggest concern was exposing our community members that could be affected by ICE to any danger or safety issues,” said Angel-Cano, a community engagement and communications specialist at the coalition who was raised in South Park by immigrant parents from Mexico. - Seattle Times
“(Giv.) Ayotte had proposed a $16 billion two-year budget that included nearly $1 million annually for the arts council. ... But some legislators consider that frivolous spending when New Hampshire — which has no income tax or sales tax — is facing a revenue shortfall because of tax repeals.” - The New York Times
