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
Alec Baldwin Is Charged Again With Involuntary Manslaughter
A grand jury in New Mexico indicted the actor in the shooting death of the cinematographer on the film “Rust,” months after the original case against him was dismissed.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/arts/alec-baldwin-charged-involuntary-manslaughter.html
Lawsuit Claims James Dolan Pressured Woman Into Sex
In the court filing, the woman also says Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her in a 2014 encounter that she believes was set up by Dolan. Both men denied her accusations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/arts/music/james-dolan-harvey-weinstein-sexual-assault-lawsuit.html
Madonna Sued for Late Concert Start Times; Fans Allege ‘Deceptive Trade Practices’ and ‘False Advertisement’
New York City residents accuse Madonna, the Barclays Center, and Live Nation of “unconscionable, unfair, and/or deceptive trade practices” in a lawsuit filed in Brooklyn federal court.
https://variety.com/2024/music/news/madonna-sued-fans-tour-concert-late-start-times-1235877018/
Disney Settles Lawsuit With Film Financier TSG Entertainment
Attorneys for Disney and film-financing firm TSG Entertainment jointly filed a request for dismissal in Los Angeles Superior Court, indicating that the dueling parties have agreed to end their legal dispute. While details of the settlement have not been disclosed, representatives for both Disney and TSG confirmed that “the matter has been resolved.”
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-01-17/disney-tsg-entertainment-lawsuit-settled-settlement
Las Veas Show ‘MJ Live’ Sues Michael Jackson Estate Over Trademark Dispute
Disagreements between the parties began when 'MJ Live' alleged that the Jackson estate threatened legal action against the show for use of the late pop star's likeness.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mj-live-sues-michael-jackson-estate-trademark-dispute-1235793530/
Sofia Vergara, Netflix Sued: Griselda Blanco's Family Seeks to Stop Release of ‘Griselda’
The estate for Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco, who is the subject of an upcoming Netflix miniseries starring Sofía Vergara, is suing the streaming service and the actor/producer in an attempt to halt the show's release later this month.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/01/19/griselda-blanco-sues-sofia-vergara-netflix/72289616007/
James Van Der Beek Loses Lawsuit Against Sirius XM Over Podcast Deal
According to new legal documents obtained by The Blast, Stitcher Media, LLC and Sirius XM Radio, Inc. have won the lawsuit filed by James Van Der Beek, who claimed the deal they made was a "lucrative business opportunity."
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/james-van-der-beek-loses-004131222.html
Arts
N.Y. Reconsiders Capitol Artworks That Offend Native Americans
Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered a review of art in the Capitol that depicts Native Americans, often in ways that glorify violence against Indigenous people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/nyregion/native-american-murals-hochul.html
Chicago’s Art Institute is Fighting the Return of an Egon Schiele Painting to a Holocaust Victim’s Estate, Saying it was Legally Acquired
New York prosecutors returned two pieces of art they say were stolen by Nazis from a Jewish performer and collector murdered in the Holocaust. The artworks were surrendered by museums in Pittsburgh and Ohio, but prosecutors are still fighting in court to recover a third artwork by the same artist, Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele, that was seized from a Chicago museum at the same time.
https://fortune.com/europe/2024/01/20/holocaust-victim-stolen-artwork-nazis-egon-schiele-paintings-chicago-pittsburgh/
Brazilian Police Make Arrest in Killing of New York Art Dealer
According to the police, the suspect knew Brent Sikkema and was arrested at a gas station about 600 miles northwest of Rio de Janeiro.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/arts/design/brent-sikkema-arrest-brazil.html
South African Government Seeks to Halt Auction of Mandela Items
The government said that it is seeking to appeal a court ruling that had allowed the proposed online auction of some of Nelson Mandela’s belongings to move forward.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/arts/mandela-auction.html
Italian Culture Official Investigated in Stolen Art Case
Prosecutors believe a painting the deputy culture minister, Vittorio Sgarbi, put on display in 2021 was in fact stolen in 2013. He says it’s a different version.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/20/world/europe/italy-stolen-art-culture-minister.html
Court Rules Against Returning Nazi-Looted Pissarro Painting to Jewish Family
Sold in exchange for exit visas in 1939, the estimated $30 million masterpiece will stay at a Spanish museum
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/court-rules-pissarro-painting-stolen-by-nazis-will-not-return-to-its-jewish-owners-180983581/
Sports
NCAA Changes Stance on Punishment for NIL Violations
Last week, the NCAA announced that it will impose significant sanctions against Florida State University’s football team regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) violations committed during the 2022-23 academic year.
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/ncaa-changes-stance-punishment-nil-violations
ACC Claims Florida State Should Be Excluded From Conference Business in Amended Lawsuit
The latest legal filing centers around the conference seeking a declaratory judgment that its grant of media rights are valid and enforceable contracts.
https://www.si.com/college/2024/01/17/acc-claims-florida-state-should-be-excluded-from-conference-business-in-amended-lawsuit
Hall of Fame Pitcher Jim Palmer Suing Family Friend for Allegedly Defrauding Him of Nearly $1 Million
Palmer claims the man got almost $1 Million in loans and disappeared.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/hall-of-fame-pitcher-jim-palmer-suing-family-friend-for-allegedly-defrauding-him-of-nearly-1-million/
A Deal Is Struck in a Long-Running Quarrel. Over Donkey Kong.
Billy Mitchell’s records will be listed in an “historical database” but not the leaderboard, ending a dispute familiar from the 2007 documentary “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/arts/donkey-kong-scores-billy-mitchell-twin-galaxies.html
Spanish Tennis Great Arantxa Sanchez Vicario Found Guilty of Fraud but Will Avoid Prison
The Barcelona-based court found that Sanchez Vicario and her former husband had hidden assets in an attempt to avoid paying a multi-million euro debt to Banque de Luxembourg.
https://torontosun.com/sports/tennis/spanish-tennis-great-arantxa-sanchez-vicario-found-guilty-of-fraud-but-will-avoid-prison
Benzema Sues French Interior Minister for Defamation
After the Ballon d'Or winner posted on his social media that he was "sending all my prayers to the inhabitants of Gaza", French Minister Gérald Darmanin accused the French international of having "notorious links" with the "Muslim Brotherhood".
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1143401/benzema-sues-french-minister-slander
Bangladesh Cricketer Banned for Two Years in Alleged Bribery Case
Nasir Hossain has admitted to failing to disclose possible "corrupt conduct" and has been banned from playing cricket until April 2025, according to authorities. Seven players and officials are also being investigated for corrupt behavior and match-fixing during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1143404/bangladesh-case-bribery-twoo-yearsban
Technology/Media
As Trump Continues to Insult E. Jean Carroll, 2nd Defamation Trial Opens
The writer has already won a $5 million verdict from Trump’s his sexual abuse and his subsequent denials, but the former president still claims he does not know who she is.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/nyregion/e-jean-carroll-trump-defamation-trial.html
Sports Illustrated Thrown Into Chaos With Mass Layoffs
The announcement left in doubt what lies ahead for the venerable publication, with some staff members dismissed immediately and others told they would keep their jobs for at least 90 days.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/business/media/sports-illustrated-mass-layoffs.html
Microsoft Executives’ Emails Hacked by Group Tied to Russian Intelligence
The hackers appeared to be trying to learn what the company knew about them, according to a regulatory filing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/technology/microsoft-executive-emails-hacked.html
First Black Women to Cover the White House Are Honored in the Briefing Room
Alice Dunnigan and Ethel L. Payne had to fight sexism and racism to cover one of the most prominent beats in the world. Now they are being honored for their contributions to journalism.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/21/us/politics/black-women-white-house-dunnigan-payne.html
Leah Remini v. Scientology: The Latest in the Actress's Defamation and Harassment Lawsuit
On Jan. 16, there was a three-hour hearing in the case at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles. Judge Randolph M. Hammock tentatively ruled in the Church of Scientology's favor that some of the “King of Queens” actress and Scientology critic's defamation claims would be stricken from the lawsuit, according to Courthouse News Service. However, most of her harassment claims would remain in place and the case would proceed.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/leah-remini-v-scientology-the-latest-in-the-actresss-defamation-and-harassment-lawsuit-214232395.html
Google Updates Chrome Incognito Tab Message Following Lawsuit
Google has updated its message for its Chrome “incognito mode” after settling a class-action privacy lawsuit last month that alleged the company collected data from users using the feature.
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4412508-google-updates-chrome-incognito-tab-message/
Apple Ordered To Stop Importing Watches With Blood Oxygen Feature While Lawsuit Plays Out
A federal appeals court ruled that Apple cannot import its Apple Watch models that include a blood oxygen feature while an appeal of a ban implemented by the International Trade Commission plays out in court—the latest blow to Apple as it battles a patent infringement case over its watch technology.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/01/17/apple-ordered-to-stop-importing-watches-with-blood-oxygen-feature-while-lawsuit-plays-out/?sh=7416ac30b4a5
Musk Demands Bigger Stake in Tesla as Price for A.I. Work
Elon Musk, the electric car company’s chief executive, said he would “build [AI] products outside of Tesla” unless the board raises his stake to 25%.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/business/tesla-elon-musk-stock.html
Prince Harry Withdraws Libel Claim Against Mail on Sunday Publisher
The prince had been suing Associated Newspapers over a 2022 article suggesting he misled the public over his security arrangements, claiming it was defamatory.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/world/europe/prince-harry-libel-claim.html
Iran Adds Prison Time for Nobel Winner and Frees 2 Journalists on Bail
Narges Mohammadi, the jailed human rights activist, was sentenced to additional prison time, while journalists who reported on the death of Mahsa Amini were freed for now.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/world/middleeast/iran-journalists-mahsa-amini.html
Thailand Imposes Longest-Ever Sentence for Criticizing Royalty
An activist received 50 years in prison for sharing TV and film content on social media that violated the country’s law against defaming its monarchy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/world/asia/thailand-sentence-royalty-defamation.html
General News
A Death Row Lawyer Blunders. Must His Client Pay the Price?
The Supreme Court will consider whether to hear an appeal from an inmate who says his lawyer filed shoddy papers, including a brief saying the inmate must lose.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/us/supreme-court-death-row-inmate.html
Conservative Justices Appear Skeptical of Agencies’ Regulatory Power, the Case Has a Hidden Conservative Backer
The Supreme Court considered whether to overrule the seminal 1984 Chevron decision, which requires judges to defer to agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutes. The case, to be argued by lawyers linked to the petrochemicals billionaire Charles Koch, could sharply curtail the government’s regulatory authority.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/us/supreme-court-chevron-case.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/climate/koch-chevron-deference-supreme-court.html
Congress Clears Stopgap Spending Bill for Biden, Moving to Avert Shutdown
Hours after the Senate passed the measure, the House followed suit, with Democrats supplying the bulk of the votes, a day before funding for some government agencies was slated to lapse.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/us/politics/senate-spending-bill.html
Trump Scores Record Win in Iowa; DeSantis Finishes a Distant 2nd
Donald J. Trump’s triumph puts him a step closer to the rematch he wants with President Biden. The surprising finish by Ron DeSantis revived his candidacy momentarily, although he dropped out soon after, as did Vivek Ramaswamy.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/01/15/us/iowa-caucus-election-news
As Trump Treats Trials Like Rallies, Judges Study How to Rein Him In
One judge was reluctantly permissive. Another came down hard. Their contrasting approaches may inform the jurists overseeing the former president’s criminal trials.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/21/nyregion/trump-trial-judge-campaign.html
Drought Touches a Quarter of Humanity, U.N. Says, Disrupting Lives Globally
The crisis, worsened partly by climate change, has been accompanied by soaring food prices and could have consequences for hunger, elections, and migration worldwide.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/climate/global-drought-food-hunger.html
Justice Department Finds ‘Unimaginable Failure’ in Uvalde Police Response
In a report, the Department blames “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training” in the Texas school shooting that left 21 people dead.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/us/uvalde-school-shooting-report-doj.html
Gov. Hochul Unveils 2024 Budget with $2.4B for Migrant Spending
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to spend $2.4 billion to cover costs associated with the ongoing wave of migrants arriving in New York City as part of her $233 billion state budget proposal.
https://view.lists.wnyc.org/?qs=0b6aa9e5c11b07445a18e4446395f2418bd3598a4025fdc8406c7067b7b713cf1f0689649922527d63f4be22359812234bdcb934ae985f627704239db24deeba47fc7c394a230049ed5a111ce0824ee8
Maine Secretary of State to Appeal Ruling on Her Decision to Exclude Trump From Ballot
Shenna Bellows said she intended to appeal the ruling by a state Superior Court judge that placed on hold her decision to exclude Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/us/maine-ballot-trump-appeal.html
Judge Blocks JetBlue From Acquiring Spirit Airlines
The ruling is a victory for the Justice Department, which had argued that the merger would reduce competition.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/business/jetblue-spirit-airlines-ruling-merger.html
Trump Signals Plans to Go After Intelligence Community in Document Case
Court papers filed by his lawyers, formally a request for discovery evidence, sounded at times more like political talking points.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/us/politics/trump-documents-intelligence.html
Trump Claims Immunity Extends Even to Acts That ‘Cross the Line’
In a social media post, Trump appeared to take a stance that went even further than his lawyers have in court about the scope of immunity from prosecution that a president should enjoy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/us/politics/trump-immunity.html
Stocks Are in a Bull Market. What Does That Mean?
It doesn’t mean that stocks will continue to rise indefinitely, but it does reflect a generally optimistic outlook on Wall Street.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/business/stocks-bull-market.html
‘America Is Under Attack’: Inside the Anti-D.E.I. Crusade
The backlash against “wokeism” has led a growing number of states to ban D.E.I. programs at public universities. Thousands of emails and other documents reveal the playbook — and grievances — behind one strand of the anti-D.E.I. campaign.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/01/20/us/dei-woke-claremont-institute.html