Europe – Latest News and Analysis – Page 3 | Straight Arrow News

Straight Arrow News

Unbiased. Straight Facts.^TM

OpenAI releases Sora as debate over artist contributions grows

December 10, 2024
OpenAI has launched its long-awaited video generation model, Sora, making it available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro users in the United States and several other countries. The tool allows users to create high-definition video clips using text prompts, with additional features to animate images and remix existing footage.

During a livestream demonstration, OpenAI showcased Sora’s capabilities, including scene blending and frame extension.

ChatGPT Plus subscribers can create up to 50 videos per month at 720p resolution, while Pro users have access to higher limits, including videos up to 1080p and 20 seconds long. Pro users can also download videos without watermarks.

OpenAI hasn’t provided a timeline for Sora’s release in Europe or the United Kingdom.

OpenAI says safeguards are in place to prevent misuse. All videos include watermarks and metadata to indicate they are AI-generated. Users must agree not to upload content featuring minors, explicit material or copyrighted works.

Violations could lead to account bans, according to the company. Rohan Sahai, OpenAI’s Sora product lead, said the company is working to balance security with creative freedom.

The launch has drawn criticism from artists who participated in early testing. Some claim OpenAI used their unpaid contributions for marketing purposes.

OpenAI defended the testing process, stating that participation was voluntary and intended to improve the tool. The company said it plans to offer grants and other programs to support artists in the future.

Sora’s release reflects OpenAI’s latest efforts to expand AI’s creative applications while addressing ethical concerns over its use.
Related Stories
Lizzo dismissed from harassment lawsuit by former wardrobe assistant

December 6, 2024
Lizzo achieved a significant victory this week in a lawsuit filed by her former wardrobe stylist, Asha Daniels, according to Rolling Stone. Daniels accused the singer of fostering a hostile work environment during her 2023 European tour.

In September 2023, Daniels filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura and the tour manager, Carlina Gugliotta. Daniels, who didn’t directly work with Lizzo, placed most of her allegations on Nomura.

The lawsuit claimed Nomura made racist and fatphobic comments and mocked Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, and her background dancers with “stereotypical impressions of Black women.” Daniels also accused Nomura of mistreating her on the job.

“I’m coming in to work with someone who has physically assaulted me, with someone who’s threatened me, someone who is not allowing me to go eat when I need to eat,” Daniels said in a September 2023 interview with ABC News.

Judge rules Lizzo cannot be sued

Court documents obtained by Rolling Stone revealed a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled this week Daniels didn’t have the legal standing to sue Lizzo directly. The judge stated that Lizzo’s touring and payroll companies were Daniels’ employers, not Lizzo herself.

However, the lawsuit against Lizzo’s touring company remains active.

Related lawsuit from dancers

Daniels’ allegations emerged just one month after three of Lizzo’s former dancers filed a separate lawsuit against the singer, accusing her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.

The dancers alleged that Lizzo made comments about one of their weights, pressured one to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam club, and forced them into what they called an “excruciating” audition after accusing them of drinking on the job.

As of March 2024, the dancers’ lawsuit remains on hold. It’s unclear when the case will proceed.

Prior settlement for dancers

The Los Angeles Times reported that months before the dancers filed their lawsuit, 14 of Lizzo’s dancers received a separate settlement. The more than $109,000 payout stemmed from claims about unauthorized footage used in the 2022 HBO Max documentary, “Love, Lizzo.”
Related Stories
- Conor McGregor ordered to pay $257K over sexual assault case
Google’s AI weather model outperforms traditional forecast models: Study

December 5, 2024
The artificial intelligence revolution is transforming weather forecasts and may potentially save lives. Google DeepMind unveiled its new AI weather prediction model on Wednesday, Dec. 4, known as GenCast, which researchers say improves the accuracy and speed at which forecasts are delivered. They say it could give those in harm’s way added time to prepare.

The AI model reportedly outperforms traditional forecasting methods and can predict extreme weather more accurately.

The study published in Nature on Wednesday, Dec. 4, reveals that GenCast formulates its predictions through four decades of data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF).

Researchers revealed the Google model outperformed the ECWMF 15-day forecast on 97.2% in 1,320 different scenarios and also outperformed the European model in determining temperature, wind speed and humidity.

Researchers say AI forecasting is also faster than traditional methods. They claim GenCast can generate a weather prediction in eight minutes compared to hours with traditional weather forecasting methods.

Scientists also note that GenCast could be enhanced to predict storm severity and can be upgraded over time.

The ECMWF called the innovation a “significant milestone in the evolution of weather forecasting,” and says it’s adding “key components” of the GenCast method to its own version of AI weather forecasting.

Meteorologists also appear to be embracing the new technology. Most are reportedly pursuing a hybrid approach between human predictions and AI models.
Related Stories
Volkswagen plants brought to halt as workers strike amid labor dispute

December 3, 2024
Workers at nine Volkswagen factories across Germany brought assembly lines to a halt on Monday, Dec. 2, as they launched rolling two-hour strikes. The autoworkers are protesting pay cuts and proposed factory closures the automaker claims are necessary to make up for slumping sales in Europe.

Volkswagen reportedly wants 120,000 German workers to take a 10% pay cut and is proposing the closure of three plants, according to an employee representative who was interviewed by The Washington Post. The closures would be the company’s first in its nearly 90-year history.

Volkswagen argues the changes are necessary as it struggles with low demand, high production costs, Chinese competition and a sluggish transfer to electric vehicles. The walkouts took place prior to talks over a new labor agreement after a mandate period barring strikes expired on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Workers’ representatives warn the Volkswagen strikes could escalate to 24-hours or longer if a deal is not struck during the next round of labor negotiations set for Monday, Dec. 9.

The autoworkers union for Volkswagen employees reportedly presented measures it said would save the company $1.6 billion, which would include a bonus freeze for 2025 and 2026. However, Volkswagen management dismissed the idea as unrealistic.

A union representative in Hanover, Germany, criticized Volkswagen for making workers’ pay for what he considered mistakes by those at the top of the company’s management, including the “diesel emissions scandal,” in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found from 2009 through 2015 the company intentionally covered up its emission output in its diesel vehicles to meet U.S. vehicle standards.

The union representative also blamed company leadership for falling behind on innovation to Chinese companies.
Related Stories
Georgia’s violent protests continue for 5th day as president pleads for help

December 2, 2024
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili pleaded with Western powers on Monday, Dec. 2, to back what she called “a national movement” in support of the country becoming a member of the European Union (EU). The protests come after a tense parliamentary election.

Zourabichvili’s plea came shortly before protesters and police reignited clashes on Monday that have raged for five days straight since Georgia’s lawmakers decided to suspend talks to join the European Union last week, and questions over October’s parliamentary election results remain.

The EU has expressed concerns over giving Georgia membership status, citing the country’s recent adoption of pro-Russian authoritarian laws such as restrictions on “foreign agents.” The body also passed a resolution criticizing the results of the Georgian elections and called for new elections to be held.

Zourabichvili told Reuters that Western allies need to send a “very clear message” that they view the election results as illegitimate. The Georgian president accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of using Russian tactics to suppress freedom of speech, and of rigging the elections in October.

Zourabichvili’s time as president is set to end in January. However, she has vowed to stay in office until a “legitimate Parliament” can choose a new president.

Meanwhile, Russia denies interfering in Georgia, and Georgia’s ruling party contends that the results of the elections were legitimate.

However, thousands of Georgians apparently do not see it the same way as they once again assembled outside Parliament on Monday night with police firing water cannons and protesters throwing fireworks.

Dozens of people have reportedly been injured during the civil unrest and hundreds of protesters have been arrested.

The U.S. State Department has condemned what it says is excessive force on behalf of Georgian authorities against activists, and European diplomats have reportedly stepped down in protest over the allegedly violent crackdown by police and the Georgian government.
Related Stories
Thousands protest in Tbilisi as Georgia suspends EU membership talks

November 29, 2024
Police clashed with protesters in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Thursday, Nov. 28, after the country’s ruling party announced it paused talks on joining the European Union (EU) until the end of 2028. Nearly 50 protesters were reportedly arrested, and three police officers were injured in the protests.

Police in riot gear reportedly fired a water cannon and launched teargas as protesters tried to force their way into parliament.

As thousands of pro-EU activists blocked the streets, the country’s outgoing pro-EU president accused the government of declaring “war” on its own people and questioned whether the police were loyal to Georgia or Russia.

The government’s decision came after the European Parliament rejected the results of Georgia’s parliamentary elections in October 2024 and passed a resolution calling for new elections under international supervision.

Many Georgians called the results of the elections fraudulent, and a global research and data firm declared the results “statistically impossible.”

Official results gave Georgia’s ruling party nearly 54% of the vote. The opposition party has refused to take their seats due to concerns over election integrity.

Georgia’s relationship with the EU has become tense recently. Brussels accused the Georgian government of taking pro-Russian stances, which Georgia’s ruling party denies.

Ruling party officials accused the EU of using accession talks to spur a “revolution in the country,” citing this as the reason Georgia has decided to end talks about EU membership until 2028. Polls show around 80% of Georgians want the country to join the EU.

Meanwhile, domestic and foreign critics accuse Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party of steering the country back towards Moscow with recently passed laws, including one requiring any non-commercial person or organization receiving more than 20% funding from a “foreign power” register as a foreign agent or face significant fines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the so-called foreign agent’s law. The EU gave Georgia candidate status in 2023 but noted that a number of the country’s “Russian-inspired” laws passed, including the foreign agent’s legislation, were obstacles to membership.

Georgia gained independence from Russia in 1991 and has no formal diplomatic relationship with Moscow since a war with the country in 2008.
Related Stories
Chinese ship dragged anchor for over 100 miles cutting comm lines: Report

November 27, 2024
Officials have released new details in the probe into a Chinese ship detained by Danish authorities earlier this month. The ship is believed to be responsible for severing critical communication lines in the Baltic Sea.

Investigators told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, Nov. 27, they suspect the crew of the Chinese-owned bulk carrier vessel filled with Russian fertilizer purposely let the ship’s anchor drag for more than 100 miles to cut the cable lines between European allies.

Now, the investigation is reportedly focusing on whether the ship, which left a Russian port, worked with Moscow intelligence to commit the alleged sabotage.

A senior European investigator told The Wall Street Journal that it’s “extremely unlikely” that the captain of the ship failed to notice his vessel had dropped and dragged its anchor. Investigators noted the ship lost “speed for hours” as a result.

The ship’s owner is reportedly cooperating with the investigation, but the company declined to comment on the ongoing probe.

The severing of the undersea cables happened in the Baltic Sea between Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.

Investigators revealed they found data that showed the vessel dropped its anchor in Swedish territory and kept dragging the anchor as it cut the first cable lines between Sweden and Lithuania.

Authorities say around 3 a.m. the following day, the ship cut a second communication line between Germany and Finland after more than 100 miles of travel.

Shortly after the incident, investigators note, the ship raised its anchor and continued until the Danish navy intercepted the vessel and detained it.

A review of the ship’s anchor reportedly revealed damage officials say is consistent with dragging.

The crew is captained by a Chinese national and it includes a Russian sailor. However, they’ve yet to be questioned as part of the investigation.

Western intelligence officials acknowledged they don’t think China is behind the incident but suspect Russian intelligence agencies may be behind the sabotage of the communication lines between NATO allies.

The Kremlin called the accusations “absurd” and “unsubstantiated.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told The Wall Street Journal, “I would like to reiterate China’s consistent support working with all countries to maintain the security of international submarine cables and other infrastructure in accordance with international law.”
Related Stories
China grants visa-free access to more countries to boost tourism

November 22, 2024
China is opening up visa-free access to more countries in an effort to kickstart its struggling economy through tourism. Beijing announced on Friday, Nov. 22, that it will expand the visa-free program to nine additional countries including Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia and Latvia.

China also announced it will be extending the possible length of stay from 15 days to 30 days for travelers from visa-free countries.

The new travel rules will go into effect on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Only three countries had visa-free privileges previously and that access was rescinded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japan was one of the three countries with visa-free access before the COVID-19 pandemic and had repeatedly asked for an early waiver to restart the program.

The countries have sparred over issues ranging from Taiwanese sovereignty to the release of treated yet still radioactive water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, travel agencies are reportedly preparing for an influx of tourists as the end of the month approaches.

From July through September of this year, China reported more than 8 million foreigners entering the country, and of those, nearly 5 million were from visa-free countries.

With the latest expansion, 38 countries now have visa-free access since last year.
Related Stories
Not happy with the 2024 election? Italian village offers Americans $1 homes

November 20, 2024
Plenty of people in the United States threatened to leave the country if Donald Trump won a second presidency. He did, and now one Italian village is inviting Americans to put their money where their mouth is, even if it’s not much.

The rural village of Ollolai on the Italian island of Sardinia is offering homes to Americans starting at only 1 euro, or $1.06.

The town’s mayor told CNN they’ve been looking to boost their population. In the wake of the most recent U.S. election, it launched a website specifically created to draw in would-be American ex-pats.

The mayor also said he’s set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the purchase, from organizing tailored private tours of the available homes in Ollolai to finding contractors and builders and navigating required paperwork.

The town’s website to “start building your European escape” can be found here.

The town is also offering subsidized rent for digital nomads and creators. In exchange for housing, the creators would agree to give the town a piece of their work, like an essay, painting or lecture on their research.
Related Stories
- Cruise company offers Americans upset with Trump’s reelection a way out
- Thinking of leaving the US? Breaking down the costs of moving abroad
Critical comms cables cut in Baltic Sea as West warns of Russian ‘sabotage’

November 19, 2024
United States allies reportedly believe that sabotage may be to blame for the loss of two underwater communication lines in the Baltic Sea. While it’s unclear who is behind the rupture, suspicions are reportedly being raised toward Russia as its war in Ukraine reached its 1,000th day on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday, “No one believes that these cables were cut accidentally.”

An incident on Monday, Nov. 18, ruptured a 730-mile cable linking communications between Germany and Finland.

Pistorius believes it came from a “hybrid” action “and we have to assume, without knowing yet, that it is sabotage.”

The telecommunications wires running between Germany and Finland are reportedly the only direct connection of their kind between Finland and central Europe.

Finnish officials say the repairs could take up to 15 days to complete.

In a separate incident on Sunday, Nov. 17, communication cables in the Baltic Sea connecting Sweden and Lithuania were severed. Lithuania’s Navy said on Tuesday that it was monitoring that area of the Baltic Sea in the wake of the disruption.

The loss of these critical communication lines come as governments in northern Europe fear Russian attacks beyond its war in Ukraine. People in Sweden, Norway and Finland have reportedly been given advice by government agencies on how to deal with potential war and other crises.

Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly denied past accusations from the West that it’s behind a sabotage operation across Europe.
Related Stories