Week In Review
- Elissa D. Hecker - Editor
- Jul 7
- 9 min read
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
Sean Combs Acquitted on Top Charges, but Awaits Sentencing for Transporting Prostitutes
A judge ordered the hip-hop producer detained until his sentencing, citing his history of domestic violence. He was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
What's Next for Diddy? Sentencing, Possible Jail Time and More
Sean “Diddy” Combs and his supporters cheered after jurors reached a split verdict in his federal sex-trafficking trial, not convicting him on more serious charges. However, his conviction on two prostitution-related counts suggests he will likely spend years in prison. Judge Arun Subramanian denied his request for $1 million bail while awaiting sentence.
Sean Combs’s Winning Defense: He’s Abusive, but He’s Not a Racketeer
In defusing much of the government’s case, lawyers for the music mogul did not dispute that he did bad things. They disputed that they matched the crimes with which he was charged.
Judge Dismisses Jay-Z’s Suit Against Lawyer He Said Extorted Him
Lawyers for the rapper had accused Tony Buzbee of making false assault claims. Another federal suit Jay-Z has filed against Buzbee and his client continues.
YouTube Pirates Are Cashing in on Hollywood’s Summer Blockbusters
More than a decade after the platform cracked down on copyright infringement, thousands of unlicensed movies, TV shows, and live sports are available.
AMC Theatres Strikes Deals to Resolve Litigation, Boost Balance Sheet, Touts Box Office Outlook
The deals include $223 million in new financing with the goal to "position the company to prosper from robust box office recovery."
Dr. Phil’s Merit Street Media Files for Bankruptcy, Sues Trinity Broadcasting
Dr. Phil McGraw’s Texas media company filed for bankruptcy and a breach of contract lawsuit against partner Trinity Broadcasting, which focuses on Christian programming. Merit Street Media, formed in 2023 and launching Merit TV in 2024, is a joint venture of McGraw’s Peteski Productions and Trinity Broadcasting.
Dispute Over Golden Globes Heats Up
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which ran the awards show until a couple of years ago, has voted to investigate the deal that sold the event to a joint venture.
‘Love Island USA’ Has a New Villain This Season: The Viewers
Audiences have bullied past contestants, but after an islander has become particularly divisive, the series is taking more steps to keep fans from harassing stars and their families.
AI-Generated Music Is Starting to Crowd Out the Real Stuff on Streaming Platforms
The digital platform era has hurt musicians. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music give easy access to audiences but pay artists fractions of pennies. Despite Spotify tripling its value during COVID-19, fewer artists qualify for royalties. Now, generative AI floods music algorithms with computer-generated content, overshadowing real artists.
Arts
The Prada Sandal That Led to Cries of Cultural Theft in India
An uproar over a shoe that resembles leather footwear worn by many Indians shows a growing sense that the country should be recognized for its products that collect fame internationally.
Lululemon Sues Costco Over Selling ‘Dupes.’ What’s Behind the Case?
In a 49-page lawsuit filed in California, Lululemon accused the retail wholesaler of selling knockoff versions of its Scuba clothing and popular ABC men’s pants.
Why 50,000 Iconic French Shirts, intended for America, Sit in Storage
Hit by President Trump’s tariffs, the Saint James clothing factory has put its inventory of striped shirts and sweaters intended for U.S. retailers in its warehouse in France.
Paris Museum Sued for ‘Erasing’ Tibet from Gallery Name
Respected Tibetologists had previously raised the alarm over the removal of non-Han cultures in wall texts.
Band’s Chant Against Israel’s Military at Glastonbury Draws Criminal Inquiry
The band Bob Vylan led a chant of “Death, death to the I.D.F.” at Britain’s biggest music festival. A senior State Department official said the band’s U.S. visas had been revoked.
Sports
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Cases Involving Transgender Athletes
The Court announced it would hear challenges to state laws barring transgender youth from girls’ and women’s sports.
UPenn Agrees to Limit Participation of Transgender Athletes
In a deal with the Trump administration, the University of Pennsylvania will not allow transgender women to participate in women’s sports.
Dodgers’ DEI Efforts Targeted by Stephen Miller-Backed Group After Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Standoff
America First Legal, which has taken aim at Disney and CBS Studios, has been a key cog in Trump's DEI crackdown, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission being deployed against entities seen as hostile to the president's priorities.
NCAA’s House Settlement Era Begins, Shaking Up College Athletics as Some Schools Opt Out
The NCAA’s settlement era began, allowing athletic programs nationwide to start paying athletes, marking the biggest change in college sports history. The end of the NCAA’s amateur model will likely cause disputes among big and small schools. Some schools, however, plan to wait at least a year to observe legal risks and Title IX issues.
Ex-Interim Coach Nikki Blue Files Lawsuit Against Mercury
Lawyers for Nikki Blue, former Mercury interim coach, sued the organization for racial and gender discrimination, unequal pay, and retaliation for complaints. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona.
Former NBA Guard Ben McLemore Convicted of Rape, Sexual Assault Stemming from Party In 2021
Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman after a lake house party in 2021 while he was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. McLemore, 32, was convicted of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse by a jury in Clackamas County, Oregon.
Malik Beasley Facing Complaint from Former Agency Amid Gambling Investigation
On the day Malik Beasley helped the Detroit Pistons upset the New York Knicks to win Game 2 of their series, he learned about a legal issue. A process server found him at the Ritz-Carlton in Manhattan and delivered a lawsuit from his former agency, Hazan Sports, claiming that Beasley breached a marketing deal and fired them two months earlier. Hazan Sports sued for over $2.5 million.
Supporters Warned Over Homophobic Chant During Monterrey’s Club World Cup Defeat by Borussia Dortmund
Supporters at Monterrey’s Club World Cup match against Borussia Dortmund were warned by FIFA due to homophobic chants heard during the second half. Dortmund won 2-1, after leading 2-0 at halftime. The chants grew louder each time Dortmund's goalkeeper Gregor Kobel kicked the ball.
Julio César Chávez Jr. Arrested by ICE 4 Days After Jake Paul Loss, Mexico Hopes That U.S. Will Deport Him
Former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested in California by ICE, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Mexican boxer lost to Jake Paul via unanimous decision, a prominent DAZN bout that Paul aimed to boost his earnings and legitimacy.
Technology/Media
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Whether Cox Communications Is Liable for Users’ Music Piracy
The Supreme Court will hear Cox Communications' case on liability for user music piracy. This case could significantly influence how online piracy is addressed. Last year, a federal appellate court found Cox liable for willful contributory infringement, but reversed a vicarious liability verdict and returned a $1 billion damages award for a new trial.
Senate Strips AI Provision from Megabill
The Senate voted 99-1 to remove a provision from Republicans’ megabill that barred states from regulating AI. Sen. Marsha Blackburn sponsored the amendment, with only Sen. Thom Tillis voting against.
Trump Claims Sweeping Power to Nullify Laws, Letters on TikTok Ban Show
In purporting to license otherwise illegal conduct by tech firms, Trump set a precedent expanding executive power, legal experts warned.
U.S. Copyright Office Replaces Online Public Catalog with Copyright Public Records System
The U.S. Copyright Office announced that the Copyright Public Records System (CPRS) has replaced its Online Public Catalog. CPRS offers copyright registration and recordation data with advanced search tools, filters, and better interfaces for users and staff. It is the second part of the Office’s Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) to be publicly accessible.
Paramount to Pay Trump $16 Million to Settle ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit
Trump had sued over an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The company needs federal approval for a multibillion-dollar sale.
Elizabeth Warren Calls for Bribery Investigation into Paramount-Trump Settlement as Blowback Widens
Democratic FCC commissioner Anna Gomez said that “approving this transaction behind closed doors would be a shameful outcome.”
Inside CBS News, Staffers Voice Disgust, Anger, Relief, and Anxiety After Trump Settlement
The network's employees are angry about the $16 million '60 Minutes' settlement, relieved at the lack of an apology, and nervous for what comes next under Skydance ownership.
Cloudflare Introduces Default Blocking of A.I. Data Scrapers
The tech company’s customers can automatically block A.I. companies from exploiting their websites, it said, as it moves to protect original content online.
Apple Sues Former Vision Pro Employee for Allegedly Stealing ‘Thousands of Documents’ Before Joining Snap
Apple sued a former engineer, Di Liu, for allegedly stealing trade secrets before joining Snap, according to a California lawsuit. Apple claims that Liu downloaded thousands of documents in his last days and stored them in personal cloud accounts.
Microsoft to Lay Off Thousands; Xbox Chief Says Gaming Division Cuts Will Remove ‘Layers of Management’
Following last week's rumors, Microsoft plans to lay off over 9,000 employees worldwide, including some in the Gaming/Xbox division. Variety confirms this impacts less than 4% of its approximately 228,000 employees.
Canada Will Scrap Tax That Prompted Trump to Suspend Trade Talks
The Canadian government said that it would cancel its tax on American technology companies, handing a victory to the Trump administration.
Denmark To Tackle Deepfakes by Giving People Copyright to Their Own Features
The amendment will strengthen protection against digital imitations of people’s identities, according to the Danish government.
General News
Trump Signs Big Tax Cut and Spending Bill into Law in July 4th Ceremony
The law extends tax cuts and slashes the social safety net.
States Brace for Added Burdens of Trump’s Tax and Spending Law
With the president’s domestic policy law signed, states will have to administer many of the cuts and decide how much they can spend to keep their citizens insured and fed.
Congress Passes a National School Voucher Program
The plan, part of the Republican domestic policy bill, includes all but the wealthiest families. States must opt in, which could limit its reach.
Supreme Court Lets Trump Deport Eight Migrants to South Sudan
The Court’s order followed a broader one last month allowing removals to countries with which migrants have no connections.
Court Rejects Effort to Keep Migrants from Being Sent to South Sudan
After the Supreme Court ruled that the deportations could move forward, a last-ditch attempt to block them with a new lawsuit faltered.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Makes Herself Heard, Prompting a Rebuke
In solo dissents this term, the justice accused the conservative majority of lawless bias. On the term’s last day, Justice Amy Coney Barrett fired back.
Judge Halts Mass Firings and Organizational Changes at H.H.S.
A judge found the Trump administration’s plans to drastically change the structure and mission of the Department of Health and Human Services was probably unlawful.
U.S. Judge Blocks Deportation of Haitian Migrants
Judge Brian Cogan’s order prevented the Trump administration from ending special immigration protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitian migrants.
Appeals Court Lets Trump Remove Another Democrat from Independent Agency
The ruling cited a Supreme Court decision in May that allowed Trump to sideline Democratic appointees from several other nonpartisan agencies.
Trump Nominates Alina Habba as New Jersey’s Permanent U.S. Attorney
Alina Habba, the president’s former spokeswoman and personal lawyer, has been serving in an interim capacity. She had no prosecutorial experience when she was appointed.
Trump Steps Up Pressure Campaign on Powell with Handwritten Note
Trump has repeatedly attacked Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, for resisting his demands for lower interest rates.
Trump Administration Finds Harvard Violated Civil Rights Law
The university had recently restarted talks with the White House regarding a potential deal after months of fighting in court.
Trump Appeals Ruling Blocking Executive Order Against Perkins Coie
The administration appears to have decided to press forward with its fight against top law firms despite numerous defeats.
Trump Withholds Nearly $7 Billion for Schools, With Little Explanation
The money, which was allocated by Congress, helps pay for after-school programs, support for students learning English, and other services.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down 1849 Abortion Ban
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Republican prosecutors in Wisconsin said they intended to enforce the old law.
California Rolls Back Its Landmark Environmental Law
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers scaled back a law that was vilified for its role in California’s housing shortage and homelessness crisis.
Zohran Mamdani Wins N.Y.C. Mayoral Primary in Decisive 12-Point Victory
Zohran Mamdani roundly defeated Andrew M. Cuomo in the Democratic contest, widening his primary-night lead by a significant margin once ranked-choice tabulations were run.
Columbia Will Pay $9 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over U.S. News Ranking
Students said they had been overcharged for their educations as a result of incorrect data that they said the school had used to artificially inflate its ranking.
Former Criminology Student Admits to Killing 4 Idaho Students
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to the 2022 murders that shook the University of Idaho campus. Under a plea agreement, he avoids the death penalty.
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept.
The pardoned rioter, a former F.B.I. agent who was charged with encouraging the mob that stormed the Capitol, is a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called weaponization committee.
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Sentenced to Life in Assassination Plot
Edward Kelley had been convicted of plotting to kill the law enforcement officers who had investigated his case.
Man Is Charged with Creating ‘Hit List’ of Public Officials
Noah Lamb, 24, was accused of playing a “central role” in a white supremacist group’s creation of a list of assassination targets, including a U.S. senator and a federal judge.
Antarctica Faces Tense Future as U.S. Science Budget Shrinks
The continent is dedicated to research and cooperation, but proposed funding cuts in the Trump administration and actions by other world powers may alter the environment.
Top Iran Official Survived Israeli Strike
Rear Adm. Ali Shamkhani was seen struggling to walk with a cane at a funeral procession this weekend for military commanders killed in the 12-day war.
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