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
Actors Ratify Deal With Hollywood Studios, With Reservations
The SAG-AFTRA vote formally ends six months of labor strife; however, some members were not happy about the contract’s artificial intelligence protections.
Judge Allows 9,000 Women to Sue Disney for Pay Disparity
The suit is the largest ever certified under California’s Equal Pay Act, which makes it illegal for workers to be paid less for substantially similar work based on their gender.
https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/disney-gender-pay-lawsuit-class-certification-approved-1235830178/
Terrence Howard Names Racism As a Factor in Lawsuit Accusing CAA Agents of Low-balling His "Empire" Pay
In a complaint, the actor alleged that his agents brokered a deal with the network that padded their own pockets.
'Yellowstone' Creator Files Lawsuit Against Hit Show's Star Actor
Bosque Ranch, a company owned by showrunner Taylor Sheridan, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against a coffee company recently launched by actor Cole Hauser, who plays cowboy Rip Wheeler on the Western series.
Jonathan Majors Case Begins With a Debate: Was He an Abuser or a Victim? Majors’s Ex-Girlfriend Tells Jury His Rage Was Explosive and Terrifying
Prosecutors said a March altercation came after years of bad behavior by the actor. His lawyer said he had been bloodied by the woman he is accused of assaulting, while on a recording, the actor demanded that Grace Jabbari support him as though he were the president and she the first lady: “I’m a great man. A great man.”
Michael Jackson Estate Says Digital Sale Of Early Jackson Recording Violates Estate Rights
Lawyers for Jackson's estate warn that the sale could "expose you to liability" and is "the opposite of honoring Michael Jackson."
Lil Durk Sued for ‘Fraud’ by Startup Claiming He Granted Song Rights to Two Different Companies
Exceed Talent Capital says that it paid the rapper for the right to turn "Bedtime" into a fractional investment vehicle — only to find he had an exclusive deal with Alamo Records.
Former Top Tucker Carlson Producer Is Accused of Sexual Assault
Fox News fired the accused producer alongside Carlson this year after its $787.5 million settlement in the Dominion Voting Systems defamation case.
Adam McKay Accused of Using Self-Published Novel as ‘Don’t Look Up’ Inspiration in Lawsuit
A writer who claims the 2021 comedy “Don’t Look Up” was substantially similar to his self-published novel is suing writer-director Adam McKay and Netflix for copyright infringement.
A3 Implosion: Talent Agency Chairman Adam Bold Accused of Breach of Contract, Fraud, and Misconduct
Adam Bold, the self-made millionaire and majority owner of talent representation firm A3 Artists Agency, has been hit with a lawsuit from his partners accusing him of sexual misconduct and running the company into the ground.
50 Cent Developing Documentary on Diddy Allegations, Vows to Donate Proceeds to Sexual Assault Victims
After the news of a fourth allegation of sexual assault against Combs was revealed, 50 Cent announced via X (formerly Twitter) that proceeds from his upcoming documentary about Combs will go to victims of sexual violence. G-Unit Film & Television will be producing the untitled film.
https://variety.com/2023/music/news/50-cent-diddy-documentary-donate-proceeds-to-victims-1235827607/
After Sexual Assault Suits, Are Sean Combs’s Empire and Brand at Risk?
The music mogul was celebrated as a transformative force in hip-hop, but fallout from new accusations of abuse impacted some business relationships and his legacy.
Gerard Depardieu Faces New Sexual Assault Allegations in Police Complaint
Hélène Darras, a French actor, filed a police complaint alleging that Depardieu sexually assaulted her during the filming of “Disco” in 2007.
Arts
Senate Introduces Long-Awaited Bill Promising Changes for Ticket Buying
The Fans First Act would require disclosures about fees and the location of tickets, strengthening a law banning bots and setting stiff penalties for violations.
Off Broadway, a Vital Part of New York Theater, Feels the Squeeze
The small theaters that help make the city a theater capital are cutting back as they struggle to recover from the pandemic.
The Book World Still Isn’t Diverse. Dhonielle Clayton Is Trying to Change That.
Her solution? A packaging business that sells ideas for commercial genre fiction featuring characters from broadly diverse backgrounds.
Marvel Settles Lawsuit With Spider-Man Co-Creator's Estate
Steve Ditko also co-created Doctor Strange, among other iconic characters.
Tyga Dropped a Parody Vans Sneaker, But a Federal Court Says That It Is Illegal
There are "no special First Amendment protections" for a sneaker that the rapper released with a Brooklyn art collective, a federal court says.
Mattel Has a New Cherokee Barbie. Not Everyone Is Happy About It.
Cherokee language on the packaging of the Wilma Mankiller doll said, “Chicken Nation” instead of “Cherokee Nation.” Critics said Mattel made other errors.
Valery Gergiev, a Putin Ally, Chosen to Lead Bolshoi Theater
The Russian maestro, who heads the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, will also control the Bolshoi in Moscow, replacing Vladimir Urin, who spoke out against the Ukraine war.
The World Loves Corridos Tumbados. In Mexico, It’s Complicated.
Inspired by a century-old genre from the Mexican countryside, the latest pop music phenomenon is drawing thousands of young fans — and criticism for its violent references.
Sports
NCAA proposes creation of new subdivision with direct compensation for athletes
In a groundbreaking move, NCAA president Charlie Baker proposed the creation of a new subdivision within Division I that would allow the highest-resourced schools the ability to compensate athletes through a trust fund and direct name, image, and likeness (NIL) licensing agreements, where schools would be required to offer at least half their athletes a payment of at least $30,000 per year through a trust fund.
Team’s Sale Reflects Growing Links Between Pro Sports and Gambling
The proposed purchase of the N.B.A.’s Dallas Mavericks by a casino operator is the latest sign of how fully leagues have embraced the gaming world.
Mom of Trans Athlete at Center of Florida Sports Controversy Speaks Out
Jessica Norton, the mom of the transgender athlete, along with several other school employees, including the principal and assistant principal, have been reassigned to non-school sites pending the outcome of a district investigation into allegations of improper student participation in sports.
Biden backs an Indigenous lacrosse team for the 2028 Olympics. It's an uphill fight.
President Biden has thrown his support behind an Indigenous lacrosse team that wants to compete under its own flag in the 2028 Olympics. However, it may be an uphill battle, as the International Olympic Committee has signaled resistance to amending its rules.
'Blind Side' Couple Claims Michael Oher Tried Extorting $15 Million From Them
The NFL star previously accused the Tuohy family, whose relationship with Oher inspired the 2009 film, of profiting off his story through a conservatorship.
Former Jaguars Employee Accused of Stealing More Than $22 Million From Team
Amit Patel, who worked for the Jaguars for five years starting in 2018, is named in court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars were not named in the federal filing – the organization was referred to as “Business A” – but the team confirmed it was the victim of Patel’s alleged crimes.
Athletes From Russia and Belarus Are Cleared to Compete at Paris Olympics
A decision by the International Olympic Committee paves the way for individuals from the two countries to take part over the objections of Ukraine and others.
Technology/Media
Russia’s Latest Disinformation Tactic Exploits American Celebrities
Videos from Elijah Wood, Mike Tyson, and others have been used — unknowingly to them, it seems — in social media posts and Russian news coverage critical of Ukraine’s leader.
Meta Plans to Add Encryption to Messenger, Stoking a Privacy Debate
The move is part of an effort to make the app more like WhatsApp and iMessage. Law enforcement authorities say the privacy makes it harder to track criminals.
Data Breach at 23andMe Affects 6.9 Million Profiles, Company Says
Hackers were able to obtain access because some customers reused old passwords.
Elon Musk Fired Twitter Executive for Raising Security Concerns, Lawsuit SaysAlan Rosa says he objected to budget cuts that would have put Twitter, now X, at risk of violating a security practices settlement.
E.U. Agrees on Landmark Artificial Intelligence Rules
The agreement over the A.I. Act solidifies one of the world’s first comprehensive attempts to limit the use of artificial intelligence.
Swiss Digital Licensing Org Targets Twitter for Copyright Infringement
SUISA Digital's lawsuit, filed in Munich, follows a National Music Publishers Association suit in June. The suit alleges that music compositions controlled by SUISA Digital are found on the platform and that the company has made no effort to license them or act promptly to remove the infringing content.
General News
Supreme Court Dismisses Disability Activist’s Case as Moot
The activist, Deborah Laufer, had sued hundreds of hotels as a “tester,” having no intention of booking a stay, accusing them of inadequate disclosures about whether rooms were accessible.
Supreme Court Appears Split Over Opioid Settlement for Purdue Pharma
The justices’ questions reflected the tension between the practical effect of unraveling the settlement and broader concerns about whether the Sacklers should be granted such wide-ranging immunity.
Johnson Plans Vote on Impeachment Inquiry, Predicting Unanimous G.O.P. Support
The speaker said he would move forward with a vote that Republicans have long avoided for fear that some in their ranks would refuse to endorse an investigation without incriminating evidence.
Tuberville Drops Blockade of Most Military Promotions
Under pressure from senators in both parties, the Alabama Republican allowed more than 400 promotions to move forward, saying he would continue to block only the most senior positions.
The A.C.L.U. Has a New Client: The National Rifle Association
The civil liberties group says it opposes the N.R.A. and its mission, but has agreed to represent it in the Supreme Court in a free-speech case.
F.D.A. Approves Sickle Cell Treatments, Including One That Uses CRISPR
Patients with the genetic disease have new opportunities to eliminate their symptoms, but the treatments come with obstacles that limit their reach, including astronomical costs.
Accounts of Sexual Violence by Hamas Are Aired Amid Criticism of U.N.
A presentation at the U.N., organized in part by Sheryl Sandberg, accused the body of ignoring the rape and mutilation of women in the Oct. 7th assault on Israel, and heard gruesome details from witnesses.
Kamala Harris Breaks Record of Tiebreaking Votes in the Senate
The vice president has provided the decisive vote in the Senate 32 times, in a reflection of the Democrats’ narrow majority and broader polarization in politics.
Math Scores Dropped Globally, but the U.S. Still Trails Other Countries
In a global exam for 15-year-olds, only a handful of places, including Singapore, Japan, and Australia, kept math performance high through the pandemic.
Appeals Court Upholds, but Narrows, Gag Order on Trump in Election Case
The decision largely left in place an order limiting what the former president can say about his upcoming federal trial, but allowed him more leeway to criticize Jack Smith, the special counsel.
Prosecutors Intend to Show Long Pattern of Threats and Baseless Claims by Trump
In a court filing, federal prosecutors laid out plans to use the former president’s trial on charges of trying to overturn the 2020 election to show a yearslong history of using lies and intimidation.
Why a Second Trump Presidency May Be More Radical Than His First
Donald Trump has long exhibited authoritarian impulses, but his policy operation is now more sophisticated, and the buffers to check him are weaker.
Trump Seeks Freeze of Election Case as He Appeals Immunity Ruling
In an effort to delay the former president’s federal trial on charges of trying to overturn the election, his lawyers asked for a pause while they challenge the ruling that he is not immune from prosecution.
Colorado Supreme Court Takes Up Trump’s Eligibility to Be President
A district court judge ruled last month that the 14th Amendment barred insurrectionists from every office except the nation’s highest. “How is that not absurd?” one justice asked of that notion.
Nevada Charges Republican Party Leaders in 2020 Fake Elector Scheme
The six Republicans charged included the State party’s chairman and vice chairman, as well as the chairman of the Republican Party in Clark County.
Retired U.S. Diplomat Accused of Working as a Secret Agent for Cuba
Manuel Rocha, a former ambassador to Bolivia, secretly aided Cuba’s “clandestine intelligence-gathering mission,” U.S. authorities said.
One Law Firm Prepared Both Penn and Harvard for Hearing on Antisemitism
The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and M.I.T. came under fire after dodging questions about their policies. One has since apologized for her remarks and another has resigned.
Texas Woman Asks Court to Allow Her Abortion, then Texas Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Court-Approved Abortion
The court, responding to an appeal from Attorney General Ken Paxton, put on hold a lower court order allowing an abortion for a woman whose fetus has a fatal condition and which threatens her future fertility if the pregnancy is forced to term.
‘Medical Freedom’ Activists Take Aim at New Target: Childhood Vaccine Mandates
Mississippi has long had high childhood immunization rates, but a federal judge has ordered the state to allow parents to opt out on religious grounds.
The Police Force Where Female Officers Warn Other Women to Stay Away
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating claims of gender and racial discrimination at the New Jersey State Police.
As Winter Approaches, Fears Grow for Homeless Migrants
Migrants slept on New York City sidewalks last week. Some advocates worry about what will happen when families need to reapply for shelter after Christmas.
New York’s Ban on Guns in Parks and Other ‘Sensitive’ Sites Is Affirmed
In a major victory for the state, a federal appeals court also upheld its right to deny firearms to people whom local officials deem dangerous.
U.S. Charges 4 Russian Soldiers With War Crimes Against an American
The Justice Department said it had begun investigating the “murder of more than 30 Americans” by Hamas fighters during the Oct. 7 attack in Israel.
Netanyahu Corruption Trial Resumes, Adding to Israeli Leader’s Challenges
Courts in Israel had suspended non-urgent cases after the Oct. 7 attacks, including the prime minister’s multiyear trial.
Air-Conditioning Use Will Surge in a Warming World, U.N. Warns
Electricity use for cooling could double by 2050, driving up the greenhouse gas emissions that cause warming.
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