Lithuanian Film ‘Toxic’ Claims Top Prize at Locarno Film Festival 2024, Highlighting Emerging Global Cinema

Locarno, Switzerland – The 77th Locarno Film Festival culminated in a spectacular celebration of cinematic talent, with Lithuanian director Saulė Bliuvaitė’s feature debut “Akiplėša” (“Toxic”) clinching the prestigious Golden Leopard Award. The film, which delves into the unsettling realities of model agencies and teenage aspirations, stood out among its competitors at this international gathering. “Akiplėša” wasn’t the only Lithuanian film to gain critical acclaim at the festival. Laurynas Bareiša received the Best Director award for his work on “Seses” (“Drowning Dry”), a poignant narrative about two sisters grappling with a life-altering family loss. This film … Read more

St. Louis Jury Awards $495 Million in Baby Formula Lawsuit, Highlighting Risks in Premature Infant Nutrition

ST. LOUIS — A significant legal ruling occurred in St. Louis on Friday when a jury awarded $495 million to a woman from Metro East, following a harrowing case involving her prematurely born baby who contracted a severe intestinal disease after being fed a specialized infant formula. This landmark judgment against Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories highlights serious concerns regarding the safety warnings and marketing strategies associated with such products. The mother, Margo Gill, faced an unimaginable ordeal when her baby girl, born on August 26, 2021, was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being given a … Read more

Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof Wins Special Jury Prize at Cannes for Film Highlighting Injustice Amid Personal and National Struggle

Cannes, France – Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, recently escaped from Iran, has been honored at the Cannes Film Festival with a special jury prize for his latest movie, which deep dives into the trials of a court investigator amid anti-government protests. Rasoulof, 51, faced with a harsh prison sentence in Iran, expressed his emotions through his film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” which spotlighted the plight of his team still facing pressures in Iran. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Rasoulof dedicated his award to his courageous film crew in Iran, stressing the continued surveillance … Read more

$68.5 Million Awarded in Philadelphia Construction Death Lawsuit, Highlighting Critical Worker Safety Failures

Philadelphia, PA – A Philadelphia court awarded $68.5 million in damages Wednesday to the family of a construction worker who died in 2021 after a fall from an unsafe balcony at a luxury dwelling development. The jury found OCF Construction LLC, the project’s general contractor, liable for the worker’s death due to negligence and safety violations. The incident, which took the life of 38-year-old Siarhei Marhunou and left his widow Hanna and their young son grappling with the loss, occurred at a construction site in the Fitler Square neighborhood. The site at 2330 Sansom St. … Read more