Opening

Harvey Weinstein Faces Retrial in Manhattan on Rape and Assault Charges, Opening Statements Imminent

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New York — The retrial of Harvey Weinstein on charges of rape and sexual assault is set to commence this Wednesday with opening statements in a Manhattan court. This follows the overturning of his 2020 conviction by New York’s highest state appeals court. Weinstein, a formerly prominent film producer and co-founder of Miramax studio, faces renewed allegations including one count of rape and two counts of committing a criminal sexual act. At 73, Weinstein has entered a not guilty plea, staunchly denying all accusations of assault or non-consensual sexual relations. His initial conviction marked a … Read more

Final Juror Selected as Karen Read’s High-Stakes Murder Retrial Approaches Opening Statements

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Dedham, Mass. — The retrial of Karen Read, accused in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, is nearing the final stages of jury selection at Norfolk Superior Court. With a total of 15 jurors already selected by Wednesday, the trial is scheduled to begin opening statements next week, aiming to fill just one remaining seat on Thursday. Read faces several serious charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. According to prosecutors, she allegedly hit O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV and then fled the scene, … Read more

London International Awards Announces Entry Opening for 40th Edition, Introduces New ‘Creativity in Media’ Category Led by Industry Leaders

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LONDON — The London International Awards (LIA), a distinguished platform celebrating creative brilliance globally, announced the opening of its 40th annual event, which is slated to take place at Encore @ Wynn in Las Vegas. This notable gathering not only celebrates the past year’s top creative works but also sets the stage for an exciting new competition category under the guidance of some of the industry’s most respected figures. In a significant addition this year, the event introduces the ‘Creativity in Media’ category, with Linda Cronin, EVP Global Media at Monks, presiding as Jury President. … Read more

Michigan Lifts Decades-Old Ban on Paid Surrogacy, Opening New Doors for Family Growth

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Lansing, Michigan – A landmark shift in family planning arrived in Michigan this week as the state repealed a 38-year-old law that prohibited paid surrogacy agreements, aligning with the practice in the majority of U.S. states. The change was informed by decades of evolving attitudes toward reproductive technologies and surrogacy, which has shifted from a niche and controversial option to a more accepted and understood means of family formation. Originally banned in the 1980s, the prohibition on surrogacy contracts took root after a high-profile case involving a Dearborn attorney who orchestrated such agreements, sparking nationwide … Read more