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’ Prosecutors Downgrade Alec Baldwin’s Manslaughter Charges and Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter
The actor’s lawyers had argued that a firearm law included by the prosecutors was not in effect at the time of the fatal shooting. It would have carried a mandatory five-year sentence. Baldwin was holding a gun on the set of the film “Rust” when it discharged, killing the movie’s cinematographer. The movie’s armorer also made her first virtual court appearance on Friday.
Ozy Media’s Founder, Carlos Watson, Arrested on Fraud Charges
Carlos Watson had founded the troubled digital-media start-up Ozy, which unraveled after The New York Times examined its business practices.
Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 16 Years for Los Angeles Sex Crimes
The former film producer was convicted in December of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in 2013.
Tennessee Law Restricting Drag is the First of Many Such Proposed Bills in the U.S.
'Legislation based on hate and fear has no place in our government', said Steve Raimo a.k.a. Veronika Elektronika
‘South Park’ Lawsuit: Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Paramount Global Over Licensing Dispute
The suit, filed in New York state Supreme Court, asserts that Paramount breached the contract by steering “South Park” specials and other content to its own Paramount+ platform.
Ed Sheeran’s Copyright Accusers Call YouTube Concert Clip ‘Critical Evidence’ in ‘Thinking Out Loud’ Trial
The video, which Ed Sheeran's lawyers want banned from a looming trial, shows the star toggling between his song and a Marvin Gaye classic.
Arts
Oral Argument Set in Internet Archive Copyright Case
Months after a final round of reply briefs was filed, a federal judge is now ready to hear oral arguments for summary judgment in a closely watched copyright case filed by four major publishers against the Internet Archive over its program to scan and lend library books.
Joan Mitchell Foundation Claims Vuitton Ads Infringe on Painter’s Copyright
The artist’s organization said that it rejected requests from the fashion company to use the artworks in handbag ads, but the luxury brand used them anyway.
In Vermont, a School and Artist Fight Over Murals of Slavery
Created to depict the brutality of enslavement, the works are seen by some as offensive. The school wants them permanently covered. The artist says they are historically important.
Changes to Roald Dahl's Classic Children's Books Spark Censorship Spat
Dahl, who died in 1990 at age 76, was the creator of such characters as Matilda, the BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Willy Wonka and the Twits.
Neo-Nazis Rally Outside Broadway Preview of ‘Parade,’ Which is About an Antisemitic Murder
The protesters, who identified with the National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group headquartered in Florida that has a swastika in its logo, carried a poster stating false claims about the main character.
Cambodia Says That It Has Recovered Looted Gold Jewelry Once Worn by Royals
The 77 items were in the collection of Douglas A.J. Latchford, who was accused of trafficking in looted antiquities, and were returned under an agreement with his estate.
Looted Artifacts, Returned to Yemen, Will Go to the Smithsonian, for Now
Under an agreement, ownership of 77 objects seized from a New York art dealer reverted to Yemen. They will be returned when the violent conflict there subsides.
Sports
Long Under Scrutiny, a Gymnastics Coach Is Placed Under Restrictions
The United States Center for SafeSport is investigating allegations that Qi Han abused one of his athletes. He has faced similar charges in the past.
Analysis: Why Compelling Student Athletes to Share Menstrual Data May Violate Federal Laws
Concerns are being raised across the U.S. about whether schools have a right to compel female athletes to provide information about their menstrual cycles.
A National Treasure on the Rise Is Hit With a Doping Allegation
A star Olympic runner from Australia was suspended over a positive drug test of a kind that critics have called alarmingly open to human error.
Technology/Media
Supreme Court Wrestles With Suit Claiming That Twitter Aided Terrorists
The case, arising from an attack in Istanbul, was a companion to a case argued a day before that tested a shield for technology platforms.
When Do Creepy Facebook Messages Cross a Constitutional Line?
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in April on a question it once ducked: whether intent counts in criminal cases based on online threats.
Supreme Court to Hear Case That Targets a Legal Shield of Tech Giants
The justices are set to hear a case challenging Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that protects Google, Facebook, and others from lawsuits over what their users post online.
Supreme Court Seems Wary of Limiting Protections for Social Media Platforms
The case, concerning a law that gives websites immunity for suits based on their users’ posts, has the potential to alter the very structure of the internet.
Microsoft to Limit Length of Bing Chatbot Conversations
The new technology has gone down unusual, sometimes unnerving paths, in lengthy conversations with some early users.
Bitcoin Rallies Even as Regulators Crack Down on Crypto
The cryptocurrency hit an eight-month high as investors eagerly jump back into risky digital assets, while regulators and lawmakers consider stricter rules for the sector.
Science Fiction Magazines Battle a Flood of Chatbot-Generated Stories
While the deluge has become a nuisance, the stories are easy to spot. The writing is “bad in spectacular ways,” one editor said.
Everything We Learned From the Sam Bankman-Fried Interview
The 30-year-old crypto entrepreneur made his first public appearance since the collapse of his firm, FTX.
British Schools Work to Combat Andrew Tate's Views
Alarmed by an online personality's popularity among their students, educators are mobilizing to combat the sexism he promotes.
‘Equality of Injustice for All’: Saudi Arabia Expands Crackdown on Dissent
The kingdom’s courts are meting out harsher punishments than ever to citizens who criticize the government, with prosecutions built on Twitter posts ending in prison sentences of 15 to 45 years.
General News
Biden’s Surreal and Secretive Journey Into a War Zone
President Biden traveled covertly to the besieged Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, hoping to demonstrate American resolve to help defeat the Russian forces that invaded a year ago this week.
E.P.A. Orders Operator of Derailed Train to Pay All Cleanup Costs
The agency also said that if the company failed in its cleanup efforts, it would do the work itself and charge the company triple the cost.
In Mississippi’s Capital, Old Racial Divides Take New Forms
A plan by Republican lawmakers to set up a new court system served by a state-run police force for parts of mainly Black Jackson has become a flash point for racial and political divisions.
Trump Spent $10 Million From His PAC on His Legal Bills Last Year
Now that the former president is a declared candidate again, there are questions about whether he can continue using donor funds to pay his lawyers.
The Progress and Obstacles in 4 Criminal Inquiries Into Trump
The revelations from grand jury proceedings in Georgia are the latest signs that federal and local inquiries into the former president could reach key decision points in coming months.
Jury in Georgia Trump Inquiry Recommended Multiple Indictments, Forewoman Says
She would not discuss specific indictments in the special grand jury’s report but noted that its recommendations were “not going to be some giant plot twist.”
Judge Rejects Bid by Sept. 11 Families to Seize Frozen Afghan Central Bank Funds
A lawyer for the lead group of victim relatives who had sought $3.5 billion in frozen assets said they would appeal.
Labor Board Curbs Gag Rules in Severance Agreements
The National Labor Relations Board said severance pacts requiring confidentiality and nondisparagement violated a law on collective worker activity.
Supreme Court Rules for Death Row Inmate in Arizona
By a 5-to-4 vote, the justices sided with John Montenegro Cruz, who was sentenced to death by jurors who were not told he would be ineligible for parole if they voted for a life sentence.
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Subpoenaed in Jan. 6 Investigation
The special counsel overseeing the inquiry into Donald Trump’s efforts to retain power after the 2020 election wants the former president’s daughter and son-in-law to testify to a grand jury.
Former Proud Boy Says Group Prepared for ‘All-Out Revolution’ on Jan. 6
The two-day testimony of Jeremy Bertino, a former leader of the far-right group, shed new light on the Proud Boys’ growing desperation in the weeks before the riot.
How Widespread Are These Toxic Chemicals? They’re Everywhere.
Researchers created a map showing where PFAS compounds, linked to cancer in humans, have been detected in wildlife. It spans the globe.
Crew Alerted to Problem Just Before Ohio Derailment, Investigators Say
The crew tried to slow down after an overheated wheel bearing set off an alarm, but 38 cars still ended up leaving the tracks, the National Transportation Safety Board said.
Suspect in Colorado Springs Attack Charged With Murder and Hate Crimes
Prosecutors lodged a total of 305 criminal counts against the defendant who the police say opened fire in a nightclub serving L.G.B.T.Q. patrons.
Special Counsel Seeks to Force Pence to Testify Before Jan. 6 Grand Jury
Prosecutors have asked a federal judge to set aside any claims of executive privilege that former Vice President Mike Pence might raise to avoid answering questions.
Ex-Attorney General in Arizona Buried Report Refuting Voter Fraud Claims
Under Mark Brnovich, a Republican who left office in January, a 10,000-hour review did not see the light of day. His Democratic successor, Kris Mayes, released investigators’ findings.
Alex Murdaugh Admits Lying and Stealing, but Denies Murders
In choosing to testify on Thursday, Mr. Murdaugh took a gamble that could determine whether he is acquitted or sent to prison for life.