Week In Review
By Haley Lyons
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
The US Copyright Office Launches a Formal Investigation Into Music Streaming Fraud. Let’s Open This Cellar Door, Shall We?
The U.S. Copyright Office launched a formal inquiry into music streaming fraud, seeking public input on the prevalence of fraudulent streaming practices, including the use of generative AI and bot networks to divert royalties from legitimate creators, and potential measures to prevent such fraud.
Tupac Shakur Murder Conviction Lands Man 40 Years to Life in Prison
Duane Keith Davis was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison after a Las Vegas jury convicted him of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in a drive-by shooting, bringing a nearly 30-year investigation to a close.
Joni Mitchell Is Now an American, After 60 Years of Living in the U.S.
Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell became a U.S. citizen at age 82 after living in the United States for more than 60 years.
Man Killed at Six Flags Struck Other Riders During Fall From Roller Coaster
A 42-year-old man died after falling from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and striking other riders, prompting the company to temporarily close nine similar rides across the United States and Canada as authorities investigate the incident.
Russell Brand Labeled ‘Sexual Predator’ As Trial Opens; He Denies Rape and Assault Charges
Russell Brand’s trial began in London, where prosecutors accused the former comedian and actor of sexually assaulting six women between 1999 and 2009. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault.
Arts
France Loses More Precious Art With Theft of Dalí Book Cover
Three thieves stole a 330-pound, jewel-encrusted book cover created by Salvador Dalí from a private museum in central France, raising further concerns about art security amid a series of museum thefts across the country.
Sports
Prosecutor says 3 defendants to plead guilty in gambling case involving 2 NBA players
Federal prosecutors announced that three defendants intend to plead guilty in an NBA gambling case involving Malik Beasley and Ed Davis, who are accused of participating in a scheme to manipulate Beasley’s on-court performance to profit from sports betting.
Justice Department Seeks to Disqualify Judge Overseeing Golf Course Lawsuit
The Justice Department filed a motion seeking to disqualify federal Judge Ana C. Reyes from a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s renovation of a Washington, D.C., golf course. The motion alleges judicial bias after Reyes ordered senior administration officials to testify about the removal of hundreds of trees despite her earlier instructions requiring advance notice of construction work.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/16/us/politics/justice-department-disqualify-judge-golf-lawsuit.html
Youth gymnastics coach sentenced to 90 years in prison on child porn charges
Former youth gymnastics coach Sean Gardner was sentenced to 90 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of producing child sexual abuse material by secretly recording underage female gymnasts in a Mississippi gym bathroom.
Former Browns WR David Bell sues doctors for $300 million after career-ending surgery
Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell filed a lawsuit seeking more than $300 million in damages against a surgeon and several healthcare entities, alleging that misrepresented medical findings led him to undergo surgery that caused a life-threatening injury and ended his NFL career.
NAIA football players arrested for allegedly attacking teammate for being late to practice
Two Central Methodist University football players were arrested on assault charges, and four others were suspended, after allegedly attacking a teammate for arriving late to practice under an unofficial punishment policy established by players.
From court to culture: The growing power of women’s basketball shoes
Women’s basketball players, including A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Angel Reese, are reshaping the sneaker industry as their signature shoes gain popularity among both NBA and WNBA players and consumers. The growing demand reflects increased investment in women’s basketball and the expanding cultural influence of female athletes.
Media/Technology
Supreme Court to Review Dispute Over Access to DOGE Records
The Supreme Court agreed to review a dispute over whether Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is subject to the Freedom of Information Act following a lawsuit by a nonprofit watchdog group seeking access to internal records about the entity’s operations.
In Age of Online Ads, Supreme Court Weighs Videotape-Era Privacy Law
The Supreme Court heard arguments over whether the Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988 applies to modern online services, including email newsletters and targeted advertising. The case centers on whether individuals who subscribe to free online content qualify as consumers protected from the disclosure of their personal viewing information.
Senators’ Letter to META
Seven Democratic senators sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg questioning the company’s use of $6.6 billion in federal research and development tax credits between 2023 and 2025, raising concerns that Meta improperly claimed credits for artificial intelligence data center expenses.
Meta’s new commercial terms will allow the scraping of news sites, legal experts say
Meta’s updated commercial terms, which go into effect on October 30, will allow the company to scrape content from websites associated with business accounts, including news publishers, potentially for AI training. Legal experts warn that the policy raises copyright and antitrust concerns, as businesses must accept the terms to continue using Meta’s commercial services.
Disney Asked Character.AI to Go Bankrupt for a Get-Out-of-Lawsuits Card
Disney entered a deal to hire most of Character.AI’s employees and potentially license its technology through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, while seeking to avoid the startup’s legal liabilities. The arrangement has raised concerns about corporate accountability as Character.AI faces lawsuits and investigations by state attorneys general over allegations that its chatbots encouraged harmful behavior among minors.
$137 Million in A.I.-Generated Ads Flood the Midterms
A study by the Wesleyan Media Project found that political campaigns and advocacy groups spent more than $137 million promoting over 220 AI-generated advertisements during the 2026 midterm elections, with more than 80% produced by Republican campaigns or affiliated groups. Approximately 70% of the ads lacked disclosures identifying AI-generated content, raising concerns about transparency and misleading political advertising.
Trump Cancels Planned Livestream of Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution
President Donald Trump canceled the Pentagon’s planned livestream of the execution of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting. The decision followed widespread criticism from lawmakers, military officials, and religious leaders, with Trump announcing that only immediate family members of the victims would be permitted to witness the execution.
M.I.T. Scientist Wins $6 Million in Sexual Harassment Defamation Suit
A Massachusetts jury awarded former M.I.T. scientist David Sabatini $6 million in a defamation lawsuit against a former colleague who accused him of sexual harassment. The jury also rejected the colleague’s harassment and retaliation counterclaims, and her attorney announced plans to appeal.
What Are Data Centers Doing? A Mind-Boggling Amount of Math.
A New York Times analysis found that training increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models requires more computing power, driving rapid growth in data center construction, electricity consumption, and environmental costs, despite improvements in chip efficiency.
Japan Protests Russia’s Detention of Journalist Accused of Spying
Japan protested Russia’s detention of Japanese journalist Yuki Imai, who was arrested and accused of collecting intelligence on the country’s military capabilities. Japan summoned Russia’s ambassador and called for fair treatment of the journalist.
General News
Trump Signs Order Exempting Russia From Sanctions Law
Trump signed an executive order exempting Russia from sanctions imposed under a newly enacted bipartisan law intended to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine. The decision, which follows the administration’s temporary easing of restrictions on Russian diesel exports, drew criticism from U.S. lawmakers and Ukrainian officials, who argued that the waivers would weaken economic pressure on Russia.
Democratic Senators Move to Block U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal
Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley and Edward Markey introduced a resolution to block a nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, arguing that it lacks safeguards against nuclear weapons development and could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
N.I.H. Hospital Board Rebukes Kennedy Over New Vaccine Injury Clinic
The board that oversees the N.I.H. Clinical Center criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s launch of a vaccine injury research clinic, warning that his public messaging could undermine scientific credibility and public trust in the hospital’s work.
Legal Immigration Fell Sharply Under Trump Policies Adopted Early This Year
The Trump administration’s new visa restrictions sharply reduced legal immigration in early 2026, limiting immigration from dozens of countries despite federal court orders blocking the policies.
7 Years Old, No Lawyer: Migrant Children Face Deportation Hearings Alone
A contract dispute between the Trump administration and nonprofit legal service providers has left thousands of unaccompanied migrant children facing deportation proceedings without legal representation. According to an analysis by the Vera Institute of Justice, approximately 55% of nearly 50,000 immigration cases involving unaccompanied minors completed as of August 2026 lacked legal representation, raising concerns about children's ability to navigate immigration proceedings and obtain legal protections.
Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns as Ambassador to Greece
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to step down following reports of potential conflicts of interest, including allegations that she asked a Republican donor for $100,000 to pay off her credit card. Guilfoyle denied the accusations and said she would defend her reputation and integrity.
Katie Zacharia Is Ousted After 5 Days as White House Press Secretary
Trump removed Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary after just five days following criticism of her first press briefing and questions about her legal credentials, including her admission that she had failed the bar exam. The White House announced that Zacharia would transition to another role, making her tenure potentially the shortest in the position’s history.
The Disappearing Women of the Trump Administration
Several high-ranking women have departed from the Trump administration during his second term, including four female cabinet-level officials who resigned or were fired within three months. The departures have raised questions about a potential double standard, as male officials facing controversies have largely remained in their positions.
How Claims of Widespread Noncitizen Voting Fall Apart
A review of election records and prosecutions found that noncitizen voting in U.S. elections is extremely rare, with investigations frequently identifying far fewer cases than initially alleged. The findings challenge the Trump administration’s claims of widespread noncitizen voting, as confirmed cases represent a negligible fraction of ballots cast.
Trump Revives 2020 Election Conspiracy Theories as Midterms Loom
The Trump administration has revived disputed claims about voter fraud involving noncitizens, mail-in ballots, nursing homes, and voting machines. Voting rights advocates warn that federal actions based on these largely unsubstantiated allegations could discourage voter participation, undermine public confidence in elections, and cast doubt on midterm election results.
Trump Administration Sues California Over Voter Rolls
The Trump administration sued California to temporarily block the counting of mail-in ballots from approximately 20,000 registered voters it suspects are noncitizens, pending verification of their citizenship status. California officials disputed the allegations and vowed to challenge the lawsuit in court.
Justice Dept. Issues Subpoenas in Ilhan Omar Investigation
The Justice Department issued subpoenas to relatives of Representative Ilhan Omar as part of a criminal investigation into potential fraud and false statements in her family’s immigration paperwork, raising concerns about political interference as Election Day approaches.
Martin Shkreli Violated Lifetime Ban From Drug Industry, U.S. Says
The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from seven states accused former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli of repeatedly violating a lifetime ban from the drug industry by trading pharmaceutical stocks and discussing investments online.
‘I’m Personally Sorry’: Cornell’s President Acknowledges Missteps
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged shortcomings in his administration’s handling of sexual assault allegations brought by a former student against seven fraternity members. The university announced a ban on fraternity house parties and an independent review of its handling of the case.
New York City Agrees to Profit-Sharing Deal with N.Y.U. Quantum Lab
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $30 million investment in New York University’s new quantum technology lab in exchange for 15% of proceeds from intellectual property developed using city-funded resources. The agreement aims to support emerging technology companies while allowing the city to share in the financial benefits of publicly funded research.
The Leap Second Has Been Canceled
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures voted to eliminate leap seconds beginning in 2027, replacing the practice of adjusting clocks to account for changes in Earth’s rotation with a future one-hour adjustment to reduce disruptions to digital systems.
Why One of the World’s Greatest Mathematicians Is on a ‘War Footing’
Mathematician Terence Tao criticized OpenAI’s release of hundreds of AI-generated mathematical findings, warning that the technology threatens traditional research, particularly for early-career mathematicians. The developments have sparked concerns about the future of mathematical education, academic careers, and the role of human creativity in scientific discovery.
5 Takeaways From The Times’s Re-Examination of the O.J. Simpson Case
A recent New York Times investigation uncovered previously sealed records suggesting that someone with ties to O.J. Simpson may have possessed information about the disposal of the murder weapon in the 1994 killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Ukraine’s Exposure Grows as Satellite Use Is Restricted and Russia Escalates
Ukraine reported unexpected restrictions on its U.S.-funded Starshield satellite internet system that disrupted military operations, as Russia launched a major missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving approximately 600,000 people in Kyiv without power. Reports say that the order to limit Starshield came from within the White House.
U.K. and Europe Recoil with Trump’s Diesel Deal With Putin
Trump’s agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase Russian diesel fuel drew concern from European and British officials over its potential to undermine efforts to cut off funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and commitment to maintaining sanctions against Russia while avoiding direct criticism of Trump.
Dublin Hotel Accused of Revoking Bookings for an Event to Combat Antisemitism
The Herbert Park Hotel in Dublin was accused of canceling reservations for 70 rooms after learning that guests would be attending an international conference on combating antisemitism. The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland alleged that the cancellation was discriminatory, while the hotel has not publicly explained its decision.
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