MeToo back in the headlines as major sexual assault cases and legal battles unfold; activists and survivors keep pressuring for accountability and reform. Key bio: started 2006 on Myspace; global movement against sexual abuse/harassment.
Jessica Mann has returned to the witness stand in Manhattan, testifying for a third time that Harvey Weinstein forced himself on her in a March 2013 hotel encounter. Defense lawyers are cross-examining her about emails, a contemporaneous cellphone note and ongoing friendly messages; Weinstein has denied nonconsensual sex and remains in custody.
France has approved a new law allowing the faster return of colonial-era artifacts. The legislation removes previous procedural hurdles, enabling negotiations between museums and countries of origin. The reform aims to address longstanding demands from African nations and reshape France's cultural diplomacy, with the process now more streamlined and open to claims based on provenance.
The Trump administration has settled all legal proceedings with Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish PhD graduate from Tufts University, allowing her to return to Turkey after a yearlong battle over her revoked US student visa. The visa was canceled due to her co-authorship of a 2024 op-ed critical of Tufts' response to Israel's Gaza war. The settlement acknowledges her lawful status during her US stay.
Recent articles highlight ongoing changes in education, emphasizing critical thinking, civic engagement, and the importance of human interaction. Teachers like Leon Smith are recognized for fostering inclusion and civic awareness, while debates continue over technology's role and social skills in society. These developments reflect broader societal shifts.
The Manhattan retrial of Harvey Weinstein on a rape charge has ended in a mistrial after jurors fail to reach a verdict on the charge. He faces one count of rape in the third degree; the case has seen three separate trials in New York. Mann testified; Weinstein has denied the allegation.
Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal inquiry into whether E. Jean Carroll lied under oath in depositions tied to two civil suits she won against Donald Trump; the probe is focusing on statements about outside funding, including donations from Reid Hoffman’s nonprofit, and is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago.
Former Oregon senator Bob Packwood has died at 93. His obituary notes a career defined by fiscal conservatism and social liberalism, but overshadowed by a 1993 ethics probe into sexual and official misconduct. He resigned in 1995 and later became a lobbyist; his legacy is marked by tax reform and controversy over his treatment of women.
CNBC reports on states competing for business through speed to market, infrastructure, and permitting reforms as they seek top rankings in a 2026 CNBC study. The piece also highlights governors' goals and how different states are positioning themselves for investment amid potential economic shifts.