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Elissa D. Hecker - Editor

Week In Review

By Giancarla Sambo Edited by Elissa D. Hecker


Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts, Sports, Technology/Media, and General News:


Entertainment

'Rust': Halyna Hutchins' Family Takes First Step Toward Filing Wrongful Death Suit

The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was shot and killed on the set of "Rust" in October, has taken the first step toward filing a wrongful death lawsuit.


Netflix Must Face 'Queen's Gambit' Lawsuit From Chess Great, Judge Says

A judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Georgian chess master who alleged that she was defamed in an episode of the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit".


'Simpsons' Composer Alf Clausen Drops Wrongful Firing Suit Against Fox

Alf Clausen, the longtime "Simpsons" composer who was fired in 2017, has dropped his wrongful termination lawsuit, in which he accused Fox of age and disability discrimination. Clausen, 80, filed the suit in August 2019.


Sony Music Buys Bob Dylan's Recorded Music

Sony Music has acquired the entire recorded music catalog of Bob Dylan, including all albums and "the rights to multiple future releases". Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Spotify Is Removing Neil Young Songs After He Complains of 'Misinformation'

The singer decided to leave the streaming service because it gives a platform to Joe Rogan, whom scientists have accused of promoting falsehoods about coronavirus vaccines.


Arts

Zillow Gets Damages Cut To $1.9M In Photo Copyright Fight

Zillow has convinced a Washington federal court to trim a damages award against it to $1.9 million in a copyright dispute over the use of real estate photographs on its website. This is a considerable reduction from the $8 million it was initially supposed to pay.


The Great 'Maus' Giveaway Is On as Bookstores, Professors, and Churches Counter Tennessee School Board's Ban

Tennessee school board's removal of 'Maus', a celebrated novel about the Holocaust, sparks local backlash, a comic bookstore vows to give out free copies, church plans discussion on its themes, and a professor pledges free classes.


A Fashion Brand Agrees to Pay $4.2 Million After Federal Trade Commission Says It Suppressed Negative Reviews Online

Fashion Nova held lower-starred reviews for approval before they could be posted, the Federal Trade Commission said in a complaint.


A Tricky First Case for The Man Who Wrote The Rules On Nazi Looted Art

"No self-respecting government, art dealer, private collector, museum or auction house should trade-in or possess art stolen by the Nazis," Stuart E. Eizenstat said in an essay in 2019. Eizenstat helped write the landmark Washington Principles on returning looted art. This treaty is now used around the world to "expeditiously" promote "just and fair solutions" to restitution claims.


The Black List, Founded in Hollywood, Expands Into Theater

The project seeks to connect undiscovered writers with industry gatekeepers.


Touring Through Omicron: Broadway Shows Hit Bumps on the Road

Audiences are enthusiastic, but casts are vulnerable, as companies travel from city to city, trying to revive a key part of the theater economy.


Disney Princess Dolls Are Reunited With Barbie

Mattel announced it had won back the license to produce dolls and toys based on the popular movie characters, like Anna and Elsa from "Frozen". The reunion comes after Hasbro bested the rights for the "Frozen" and princess products away from Mattel in 2014.


Jehovah's Witnesses Sue German Museum for Archive of Nazi-Era Abuses

The archive documents the lives and suffering of the Kusserow family, who were among many from the religious group to be persecuted by the Nazis because of their faith.


'It belongs to everyone': Australian Government Buys Rights to Aboriginal Flag for $14 Million

Australia's government has bought the copyright to the Aboriginal flag, making it freely available for public use and ending a longstanding battle over the design.


Sports

Olympians Face a Daunting Final Qualifying Event: Staying Healthy

For athletes going to Beijing, years of sacrifice could go to waste if they get the coronavirus now. To avoid it, they're hunkering down, shunning friends, and skipping competitions.


Major League Baseball Lockout: Players Issue Counteroffer To Owners

The players formally rejected Major League Baseball's (MLB) offer and made a counterproposal.


As Lia Thomas Swims, Debate About Transgender Athletes Swirls

University of Pennsylvania swimmer's record sparks conversation on transgender women athletes.


For Olympic Sponsors, 'China Is an Exception'

Pressure is mounting on companies to condemn the country's human rights violations, but executives say that the Games should not be politicized.


Questions of Power and Process After Harassment Claim at FIFA

The head of the star-studded FIFA Legends program was found to have sexually harassed a subordinate in 2019. The victim still isn't sure that the accused was ever punished.


What Does a Forehand Winner Sound Like? Clink, Blip-Blip-Blip!

At the Australian Open tennis tournament, new technology is translating the movement of the ball into sounds to help blind and low-vision fans follow the action.


Where is Peng Shuai? Australian Open T-shirts Grab Attention

An activist plans to hand out 1,000 T-shirts with the slogan "Where is Peng Shuai?"


Technology/Media

Julian Assange Can Appeal Decision to Extradite Him to U.S., U.K. Court Rules

A British court ruled that the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal a decision that would allow for his extradition to the United States. Under the United States jurisdiction, he would face charges under the Espionage Act in connection with obtaining and publishing secret government documents.


Washington D.C. and Three States Sue Google, Saying That It Invades Users' Privacy

The District of Columbia and three states are suing Google for allegedly deceiving consumers and invading their privacy by making it nearly impossible for them to stop their locations from being tracked.


'Peppa Pig' Owners eOne Sue Animation Studio Behind 'Wolfoo' YouTube Channel

"Peppa Pig" owners eOne have filed a lawsuit against animation studio SConnect. Vietnamese-owned Sconnect runs a number of YouTube channels aimed at young children.


Facebook Parent Meta Creates Powerful AI Supercomputer

Facebook's parent company Meta says that it has created what it believes is among the fastest artificial intelligence supercomputers running today.


YouTube Bars Right-Wing Media Personality Dan Bongino

Already suspended under the platform's Covid-19 misinformation rules, he continued to post videos, daring YouTube to ban him.


Killing Spree Spurs Outrage Among Journalists in Mexico

The killing of three media workers in less than a month triggered protests in cities across the county this week demanding an end to the violence.


General News

Stephen Breyer to Retire, Setting Up Battle for Supreme Court Seat, as Biden Will Nominate New Justice by End of February

President Biden has promised to nominate a Black woman for his first pick. In announcing Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement from the court, President Biden commended his almost 28 years on the bench, calling him a "model public servant." Biden promised to pick a nominee by the end of February. Republicans won't be able to use the filibuster, but his pick isn't guaranteed an easy confirmation.


Democrats Have Precedent for a Speedy Supreme Court Confirmation

What's next in the Senate now that Justice Stephen Breyer is stepping down.

Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge to Affirmative Action at Harvard and University of North Carolina

The Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to the admissions process at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. These challenges are the most serious threat in decades to the use of affirmative action by the nation's public and private colleges and universities.


Sarah Palin v. New York Times Spotlights Push to Loosen Libel Law

Former President Donald J. Trump said in 2016: "We're going to have people sue you like you never got sued before". Many journalists and the lawyers who defended them brushed it off as an empty threat. However, Trump's seemingly far-fetched wish may no longer be so unthinkable, as Sarah Palin v New York Times Company began in a federal court in lower Manhattan.


Unvaccinated Sarah Palin Recently Dined Indoors in New York City Before Testing Positive, Delaying Libel Case Against The New York Times

former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin dined at a restaurant while unvaccinated, breaking NYC COVID-19 rules, two days before testing positive. After having tested positive three times, a judge then delayed the trial for her defamation claims against The New York Times.


George Floyd's Civil Rights Are Focus in Opening Arguments of Federal Trial

Prosecutors are accusing the three former Minneapolis police officers who participated in the murder of George Floyd of making the "conscious" decision to not protect 46-year-old.


Michael Avenatti Trial Begins, Unearthing Artifacts of the Trump Era

According to federal prosecutors in Manhattan, California-based lawyer Michael Avenatti was secretly stealing from his client Stephanie Clifford, better known as the pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels. For much of 2018, the actress and the lawyer were key figures in the fervent political opposition to Trump. However, the partnership between the actress and the lawyer crumbled long before the 2020 election.


Stormy Daniels Tells Jury That Michael Avenatti 'Stole From Me and Lied to Me'

The former adult film actor is the star witness against her former attorney, who is representing himself in a criminal fraud trial.


Justice Dept. Is Reviewing Role of Fake Trump Electors, Top Official Says

Lisa O. Monaco, the deputy attorney general, told CNN that she could not "say anything more on ongoing investigations."


As Tax Season Kicks Off, a Beleaguered IRS Braces for Frustration

"This could be a very frustrating tax season for both taxpayers and tax professionals," said Charles P. Rettig, commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.


Rep. Cawthorn's Novel Ballot Challenge Raises the Question of Who is Deemed an 'Insurrectionist'

The challenge to Representative Madison Cawthorn's re-election bid could set a precedent to challenge other Republicans who encouraged the Jan. 6th attack.


Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Personal Library Sells at Auction for $2.35 Million

The top-selling book was Ginsburg's copy of the 1957-58 Harvard Law Review, which drew in a whopping $100,312.50. According to the auction house, it was only expected to draw $2,500-$3,500


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Week In Review

By Giancarla Sambo Edited by Elissa D. Hecker Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts,...

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