writers

Newly unsealed court briefs in the Authors Guild's copyright lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI show that top executives at the companies were aware that using pirated books to train AI models was legally questionable. The Authors Guild, representing writers including prominent novelists, argues the internal documents undermine claims of good faith. The filing is being widely discussed as it may influence the broader wave of copyright litigation over AI training data.

Commentary pieces from The Hill and The Washington Post are examining what Donald Trump would have to do to earn a lasting monument or legacy, with writers arguing he covets such recognition. The discussion centres on his political ambitions and how history might judge his presidency.

Guardian science writer Linda Geddes reports on the growing threat of wildfires in the UK, where hotter, drier summers are turning green landscapes into tinderboxes. Scientists are working to map, model and predict how fires spread so that outbreaks can be prevented or contained earlier, as Britain confronts a type of risk once seen mainly abroad.

Personal finance writer David Aston examines why interest rates are climbing again after a period of decline, and what the shift could mean for mortgage holders. He breaks down the forces pushing borrowing costs higher and offers guidance for homeowners facing renewals or considering new mortgages.

Pacific women are voicing their priorities to global climate advocates ahead of the COP31 negotiations, arguing that those most affected by rising seas and extreme weather in the Pacific must shape the agenda. Writers on the Devpolicy Blog urge international campaigners to listen to Pacific women's perspectives on loss, damage and adaptation rather than speaking for them.

Japanese media are covering episode five of the NHK morning drama 'Brassam', in which Tamayo, played by Ran Murakami, explosively reveals her feelings for Ryo at a locked front door. Outlets are also recapping the character's father Seiji, played by Atsuro Watabe, reacting to the canary's disappearance, while features explore Uno Chiyo, the writer on whom the drama is based, and her pursuit of freedom and love.

A disabled Indonesian independent writer and mutual aid organiser is appealing for $280 this month to cover October groceries and platform maintenance costs. They say their work is sustained through community support rather than a fixed salary, with $80 of the total needed for food. The appeal has drawn modest engagement and sympathy from supporters online.

An academic has warned that the EU's AI legislation systematically fails to protect authors' moral rights, such as attribution and the integrity of their work, as AI systems increasingly train on and generate creative content. Writing in World Trademark Review, the scholar argues that current EU law focuses on economic rights and compliance rules while leaving moral rights largely unaddressed, raising concerns for writers and creators across Europe.

Writer and political commentator Anand Giridharadas is a top trending search in the United States. The renewed interest coincides with his published writing on New York City, including a New Yorker piece recounting a night spent in Penn Station. Readers are discussing his observations on public spaces and everyday urban life, alongside his better-known commentary on politics, wealth and American society.

A USA Today opinion piece argues that while the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has expanded access to immediate help by phone, callers in mental health crisis still often lack somewhere to go for in-person care. The writer calls for investment in crisis centers, stabilization facilities and community-based services so the lifeline connects people to real treatment rather than a dead end.

Japanese actress Honoka Matsumoto is a trending search topic in Japan. The surrounding conversation centres on the new NHK morning drama 'Blossom', loosely based on the life of writer Chiyo Uno, with coverage of its family storyline, cast including Arau Nii in the role of Yuzo Yamanaka, and debates over the darker sides of Uno's father, the model for the drama's paternal figure.

MLB.com writers have published their picks for the winners of each of the four Division Series matchups in the current MLB postseason. The article lays out staff predictions for every best-of-five series as the playoff bracket narrows. Fans are weighing in with their own takes on which teams will advance toward the pennant races.

Spanish journalist and writer Maruja Torres is speaking about her difficult childhood, saying she rarely attended school and instead occasionally went to what were then called 'academies' — a ground-floor room run by a married couple as teachers. She recalled that at times her family could not even afford that, drawing attention to poverty and limited access to education in postwar Spain.

Amazon is developing a project titled 'Shadow Work', based on a short story by writer Adrienne Miller. The announcement adds to the company's slate of literary adaptations as it continues expanding its original film and television output. Details on casting, a showrunner or a release timeline have not yet been announced.

Author Emily Ogden has shared writing advice drawn from Edgar Allan Poe's essay "The Philosophy of Composition." The essay, in which Poe explained how he constructed "The Raven," is available through Project Gutenberg, and the advice has been highlighted by Writer's Digest, drawing attention from readers and writers interested in Poe's views on craft and composition.

Baseball writers are making their picks for the MLB Wild Card Series, weighing whether the New York Yankees can get past longtime rival the Boston Red Sox, and whether the Philadelphia Phillies can find an offensive spark as the postseason begins. Analysts are split on the outcomes, with the Yankees-Red Sox matchup drawing particular attention given the rivalry and high stakes of the single-round playoff format.

Many marine protected areas worldwide are far less protective than their designation suggests. Activities such as fishing and trawling often continue inside their boundaries, and few zones have strict enforcement or monitoring. Conservation writers are pointing out that paperwork alone does not safeguard ecosystems, prompting debate about how governments define and enforce ocean protection.

Writer Thomas Rigby has published a new blog post titled "A/B testing, misinformation, and YouTube", exploring how the platform's A/B testing practices intersect with the spread of false information. The piece, shared on his personal site, touches on questions of technology ethics and social media responsibility.