Bruce Springsteen's Berlin concert echoes with history and a stark warning

BERLIN (AP) — Veteran rock star Bruce Springsteen, a high-profile celebrity critic of President Donald Trump, slammed the U.S. administration as “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” during a concert Wednesday in Berlin. The comments were especially poignant as the concert’s venue was built for the 1936 Olympic Games and still bears the scars of World War II and contains relics from the country’s dark Nazi past. “Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices, stand with us against authoritarianism, and let freedom reign,” Springsteen said to tens of thousands of fans.

Disney and Universal sue AI firm Midjourney for copyright infringement

NEW YORK (AP) — Disney and Universal sued popular artificial intelligence image-generator Midjourney on Wednesday, marking the first time major Hollywood companies have taken legal action against a maker of generative AI technology that could upend the entertainment industry. The complaint in a Los Angeles federal court claims Midjourney pirated the libraries of the two Hollywood studios to generate and distribute “endless unauthorized copies” of their famed characters, such as Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise and the Minions from “Despicable Me.”

Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — Google has offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce across several key divisions in a fresh round of cost cutting coming ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire. The company confirmed the streamlining that was reported by several news outlets. It’s not clear how many employees are affected, but the offers were made to staff in Google’s search, advertising, research and engineering units, according to The Wall Street Journal. Google employs most of the nearly 186,000 workers on the worldwide payroll of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Google has been periodically jettisoning workers since 2023 after the pandemic drove feverish demand for online services.

Aaron Rodgers is off the free agent and dating markets. Steelers QB says he recently got married

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers added another ring to his collection before he even signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The four-time NFL MVP quarterback and Super Bowl champion said Tuesday after his first practice with the Steelers that he got married “a couple months ago.” Rodgers wore a wedding ring when he signed with the Steelers and again during drills on Tuesday. Rodgers has revealed little about his bride. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” last fall, he mentioned he was dating a woman named Brittani but offered no other details.

Correspondent Terry Moran out at ABC News, two days after suspension over Stephen Miller post

Correspondent Terry Moran is out at ABC News, two days after the network suspended him for an online remark that Trump administration deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller was a “world-class hater.” The veteran correspondent's late-night posting was quickly deleted, but the damage was done. ABC said Tuesday that it was at the end of its contract with Moran and decided not to renew based on his post, which was a clear violation of the network's standards for objectivity. Moran had only recently interviewed Trump for ABC News.

World’s most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The world's most popular TikTok personality has left the U.S. after being detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas. A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says Khaby Lame was detained on June 6 at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa but was allowed to leave the country. The voluntary departure that ICE officials granted Lame allowed him to avoid a deportation order on his immigration record. The 25-year-old influencer rose to fame in 2020 without ever saying a word in his videos reacting to absurdly complicated “life hacks." He hasn't commented publicly on his detainment. The Associated Press sent an email to Lame's team Tuesday seeking comment.

Disney to pay almost $439 million to take full control of streaming service Hulu

Disney will pay Comcast’s NBCUniversal nearly $439 million for its stake in Hulu, taking full control of the streaming service. Disney said in 2023 that it was acquiring a 33% stake in Hulu from Comcast for at least $8.6 billion. That amount reflected Hulu’s guaranteed floor value of $27.5 billion, according to a regulatory filing. Disney said in the filing on Monday that its appraiser arrived at a valuation below the guaranteed floor value during the initial phase of the appraisal process, while NBCUniversal’s appraiser arrived at a valuation substantially in excess of the guaranteed floor value. A third appraiser was brought in and concluded that The Walt Disney Co. will pay $438.7 million for the Hulu stake.

MLB acquires stake in Jomboy Media to expand digital presence

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has agreed on a strategic partnership with Jomboy Media and will acquire a stake in the company. The two sides announced the deal on Tuesday. Jomboy Media will be used across MLB’s digital channels. MLB will also help grow Jomboy Media’s other shows, including “Talkin’ Baseball.” “Talkin’ Yanks.” and “The Warehouse Games.” Both sides are also expected to collaborate on IP growth and ad opportunities around MLB’s key events, including the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Jomboy Media was founded by Jimmy “Jomboy” O’Brien and Jake Storiale in 2017.

Sly Stone, leader of funk revolutionaries Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82

NEW YORK (AP) — Sly Stone, an electrifying musician, songwriter and showman whose Sly and the Family Stone transformed popular music in the 1960s and ’70s, has died. He was 82. His time on top was brief, from roughly 1969 to 1971, but his influence on music and culture lasted for decades after. No band better captured the gravity-defying euphoria of the Woodstock era or more bravely addressed the crash. From early hits as rousing as their titles —“I Want To Take You Higher,” “Stand!” — to the sober aftermath of “Family Affair” and “Runnin’ Away,” Sly and the Family Stone spoke for a generation whether or not it wanted to hear the message.

Packers release Jaire Alexander after injuries had limited the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback

Jaire Alexander has been released by the Green Bay Packers, ending a seven-year run in which he emerged as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks before injuries limited his availability. The Packers announced the move a day before they open their mandatory minicamp. The decision is expected to clear about $17 million in cap space. Alexander’s future with the Packers had been the subject of much speculation throughout the offseason because of his hefty contract and recent injury history.