NEW YORK (AP) — #MeToo founder Tarana Burke has heard it before. Every time there’s a legal setback, the movement is declared dead in the water. A legal success, and presto, it’s alive again.

So Burke, who nearly two decades ago coined the phrase “Me too” from her work with sexual assault survivors, found herself again declaring after New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction: The #MeToo reckoning is greater than any court case. It’s still there, and it’s working.

The most obvious proof, Burke said: “Ten years ago we could not get a man like Harvey Weinstein into the courtroom.” The movement, she said, was responsible for that huge cultural shift — regardless of the Hollywood mogul’s ultimate legal fate.

Also seeking to take the long view, following a legal setback that stunned many survivors and advocates, was Anita Hill, who famously testified against Clarence Thomas during his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearing, becoming the face of the fight against sexual harassment more than a quarter-century before the Weinstein case launched the #MeToo movement.

Alongside her academic career, Hill now heads the Hollywood Commission, which seeks to fight harassment in the entertainment industry. She sought on Thursday to reassure survivors that progress is real.

“I want those who are saddened by the New York Court of Appeal’s decision to know that no single legal ruling can ever match the tremendous progress we have made together in the movement against sexual violence,” Hill told The Associated Press in an email.

“The movement will persist,” she added, “driven by the truth of our testimonies. And changes to our systems and culture will follow.”

It was, of course, a rough morning for sexual assault survivors across the country, as Burke acknowledged at a hastily arranged Manhattan news conference following the court ruling with activists including Ashley Judd, one of the earliest Weinstein accusers.

In what Judd called “an act of institutional betrayal,” New York’s highest court, in a 4-3 decision, ordered a new trial, saying the first one had prejudiced Weinstein, 72, with improper rulings, including letting some accusers testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case. Weinstein will remain in prison, however, because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape.

Among those who testified in New York was Dawn Dunning, a supporting witness, who told the court how during a business meeting Weinstein slid his hand up under her skirt and fondled her genitals.

Dunning told the AP through her attorney, prominent #MeToo lawyer Debra Katz, that she was “shocked” by Thursday’s ruling and dealing with a range of emotions, including asking herself, “Was it all for naught?”

“It took two years of my life,” Dunning said. “I had to live through it every day. I had to live through the terror of confronting Weinstein. But would I do it again? Yes.”

She said that in confronting the producer, she had faced her worst fear and realized he had no power over her. And she was proud that her testimony helped other women earn some justice.

Katz said she had spoken to Dunning and other accusers — women who felt “gutted” — reminding them of the important role they’d played in the broader reckoning against sexual abuse and violence.

“They testified at great personal cost. … It was life-altering for them,” Katz said. “And to feel like this was maybe all for naught is a very, very, bad feeling.”

Still, Katz felt certain Weinstein would be convicted in a new trial.

“Their testimony was invalidated by the court today due to legal technicalities,” Katz said. But “no one doubted the truth of what they testified to, or the courage of their testimony. And so while this is a setback in this case, I do believe that their testimony changed the world.”

The testimony fundamentally altered how people view and react to issues of sexual assault in the workplace, she said.

“And their courage has grown beyond this case — people continue to come forward, people continue to support other victims who’ve reported sexual assault and violence, and I truly believe there’s no going back from that,” Katz said.

Echoing that view was Erika Rosenbaum, a Montreal actor who came forward with her own accusations against Weinstein in 2017, and has spent the years since then speaking to groups, especially young people, about sexual harassment and abuse.

“If anything, I feel like (#MeToo) is a movement that gets stronger all the time,” Rosenbaum said in an interview. “It is very much a movement of incremental steps and sharing of stories and holding each other up. And that does not change with a court decision … Because this is very much a change of of culture. There are ups and downs, there are battles. But this is something that will keep going.”

Like her, many advocates saw the moment, however dispiriting, as an opportunity to call for a renewal of efforts to push the #MeToo message forward.

“Today’s decision does not erase the truth of what happened,” said Fatima Goss Graves, head of the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund. It’s important to remember, she said, “that one well known case does not define this movement. We are a force.”

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Graves noted the fund has provided support for some 9,000 people with sexual harassment complaints since 2018, and has funded 300 lawsuits. The fund is run by the National Women’s Law Center in Washington; the broader Hollywood-based group, launched in 2017, shifted all its resources to the fund in January 2023.

Burke stressed in an interview that while legal advances are necessary for progress, “the judicial system has never been a friend of survivors. And so it’s the reason why we need movements, because movements have historically been what has pushed the legal system to do the right thing.”

Burke said she spent the morning speaking to accusers, including actor Annabella Sciorra, who testified at the 2020 trial that Weinstein raped her.

“I can understand how devastating and disgusted and angry, just the range of emotions that so many of them must feel,” Burke said. “And I hope they understand for those of us survivors who will likely never see a day in court, that they are still heroes to us.”

Burke, who has spoken out about her own past as a survivor of abuse, added she could never imagine facing her own perpetrator in court.

“So just the fact that they got to do that, to bring a person, a man like Harvey Weinstein to account for his crimes, is incredible,” she said.

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13

Former Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen has committed to the University of Southern California Trojans as a transfer, shaking up the collegiate women’s basketball scene. The news was first reported by ESPN’s noted NBA source Adrian Wojnarowski.

Iriafen’s decision to join the Trojans is expected to have a big impact on both the team’s performance and her future career path. With her projected as a top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, her acquisition is expected to boost USC’s national championship chances.

USC has steadily built a powerful squad under the supervision of head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. With Iriafen partnering with standout point guard JuJu Watkins, who made waves during her rookie season, the Trojans are set to make a strong push for the championship.

Furthermore, Iriafen’s ties to Los Angeles provide a fascinating hometown story to her transfer choice, which could strengthen local support for the Trojans.

Iriafen’s on-court abilities were highlighted during the 2023-24 season when she emerged as a standout player for the Stanford Cardinal. Iriafen’s effect was clear, as she averaged 19.4 points per game and started all 36 games she played. Her contributions, combined with an average of 27.7 minutes per game, highlight her importance as a valuable addition to any club fortunate enough to have her.

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CHICAGO (AP) — The singer R. Kelly was correctly sentenced to 20 years in prison on child sex convictions in Chicago, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Jurors in 2022 convicted the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, on three charges of producing child sexual abuse images and three charges of enticement of minors for sex.

In his appeal, Kelly argued that Illinois’ former and shorter statute of limitations on child sex crime prosecutions should have applied to his Chicago case rather than current law permitting charges while an accuser is still alive.

He also argued that charges involving one accuser should have been tried separately from the charges tied to three other accusers due to video evidence that became a focal point of the Chicago trial.

Federal prosecutors have said the video showed Kelly abusing a girl. The accuser identified only as Jane testified for the first time that she was 14 when the video was taken.

The three-judge panel from the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Friday’s ruling noted that jurors acquitted Kelly on 7 of the 13 counts against him “even after viewing those abhorrent tapes.”

The appeals court also rejected Kelly’s argument that he should not have been prosecuted since the allegations occurred while Illinois law required prosecution of child sex crime charges within ten years. The panel labeled it an attempt by Kelly to elude the charges entirely after “employing a complex scheme to keep victims quiet.”

In a written statement, Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean said they plan to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the decision and “pursue all of his appellate remedies until we free R. Kelly.”

“We are disappointed in the ruling, but our fight is far from over,” she said.

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Prosecutors in Kelly’s hometown of Chicago had sought an even tougher sentence, asking for 25 years. They also wanted a judge to not let that time begin until after Kelly completed a 30-year sentence imposed in 2022 in New York for federal racketeering and sex trafficking convictions.

Judge Harry Leinenweber rejected that ask, ordering that Kelly serve the 20 years from the Chicago case simultaneously with the New York sentence.

Kelly has separately appealed the New York sentence.

In arguments last month before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, attorney Jennifer Bonjean asked the panel to find that prosecutors improperly used a racketeering statute written to shut down organized crime to go after the singer.

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5

Inter Miami CF showcased their dominance with a resounding 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night, continuing to build momentum early in the regular season. The match witnessed a record-setting performance from captain Lionel Messi, who etched his name in MLS history books with a brace and an assist.

The evening unfolded with Inter Miami playing in front of a record crowd at Gillette Stadium, with 65,612 fans setting a new attendance record for a New England Revolution home game.

Inter Miami’s starting XI saw two changes from their previous win over Nashville SC, with notable returns from injury for attackers Leonardo Campana and Robert Taylor. Messi led the attacking line alongside Taylor, flanking striker Campana.

The hosts took an early lead in the first minute, but Inter Miami quickly responded with Taylor providing a crucial assist to Messi in the 32nd minute, leveling the score at 1-1. Messi’s goal marked his eighth of the regular season and his 10th across all competitions, setting a new MLS record for the most goal contributions in a player’s first seven games of a season.

The second half belonged to Messi, as he continued his scintillating form. In the 68th minute, a precise through ball from Sergio Busquets set up Messi for his second goal of the night, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. This goal made Messi the first player ever to register five consecutive matches with multiple goal contributions.

Inter Miami further solidified their lead with goals from substitutes Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suárez, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory. Cremaschi, making only his third appearance this season after recovering from surgery, capitalized on a rebound in the 83rd minute to extend the lead, while Suárez added the final flourish with a sublime finish.

The win keeps Inter Miami atop the Eastern Conference standings as they look ahead to their next challenge against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium on May 4th.

Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino praised his team’s performance, highlighting their confidence and dynamic play. With Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami CF continues to make waves in the MLS, showcasing their title credentials early in the season.

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16

Taylor Swift has once again asserted her dominance in the music industry with her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” In a spectacular display of her star power, Swift secured her 12th Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart in the UK, solidifying her status as one of the greatest artists of all time.

After 15 years since her debut on the UK chart, Swift continues to shatter records and defy expectations. The Official Charts Company revealed that “The Tortured Poets Department” has amassed a staggering 270,000 chart units in just seven days, surpassing Swift’s own personal best and outselling the rest of the Top 10 combined.

Notably, Swift’s latest masterpiece has surpassed Adele’s 2021 release, “30,” to achieve the biggest opening week in the UK in seven years. With 12 Number 1 albums now to her name, Swift joins the ranks of legends like Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, cementing her place in music history.

What’s even more remarkable is that Swift’s achievement extends beyond her records. “The Tortured Poets Department” marks the biggest opening week for an international act in the UK in 18 years, a feat that even surpasses iconic acts like The Beatles.

Swift’s rapid ascent to superstardom is unparalleled, as she becomes the fastest artist to accumulate 12 Number 1 albums in Official Chart history, outpacing even The Beatles. Furthermore, she extends her record as the only artist to claim 12 Number 1 albums in the 21st century, all achieved consecutively.

In addition to her album’s success, Swift also dominates the Official Singles Chart with her track “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, marking her fourth Number 1 single in the UK. With two songs in the Top 5, Swift reaffirms her position as a powerhouse in the music industry.

Martin Talbot, Chief Executive of the Official Charts Company, praised Swift’s remarkable achievements, emphasizing the significant impact of her return to music. He remarked, “This is truly Tay-Tay’s moment – and we are all here for it.”

As “The Tortured Poets Department” continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Taylor Swift’s reign as the ultimate music sensation shows no signs of slowing down. With each record-breaking release, she cements her legacy as an icon for generations to come.

Official Chart Round-up

In the wake of Swift’s monumental success, other artists have also made waves on the Official Albums and Singles Charts. Pearl Jam’s “Dark Matter” debuted at Number 2, marking their highest-charting UK album in 11 years, while UB40’s “UB45” entered at Number 5.

On the Singles Chart, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” climbed to Number 5, becoming her first UK Top 5 single, while rising star Mark Ambor continued his ascent with “Belong Together,” reaching Number 12.

Meanwhile, Drake’s controversial track “Push Ups” debuted at Number 14, and Shaboozey earned his first career entry into the Top 40 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” rising to Number 16.

As the music landscape continues to evolve, Taylor Swift’s unparalleled success serves as a testament to the enduring power of her artistry and influence.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Bernie Williams was in the center, just like the old days at Yankee Stadium. Only this time he was at Lincoln Center alongside conductor Gustavo Dudamel and making his New York Philharmonic debut.

After spending 16 years gaining fame while roaming the grass where Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle once trod, Williams was on the stage made famous by Leonard Bernstein and where guitar great Andrés Segovia once played.

Williams performed “Moving Forward,” a jazz-infused work he composed in 2009 that was newly arranged by Jeff Tyzik as part of the orchestra’s spring gala on Wednesday night at David Geffen Hall, a public exclamation of the former All-Star outfielder’s second career as a classical guitarist.

A day before the performance, he recalled going to the Manhattan School of Music from 2012-16 to learn his new trade and earn a bachelor’s degree.

“A lot of these people were running laps around me and I had to come to the realization that I had to work as hard as I have ever worked upon anything, including being a Major League Baseball player,” he said. “I had to put in the work, and none of that stuff that I did prior was going to help me here. I really had to reinvent myself. In learning all of the stuff that I learned being a professional baseball player, some of the stuff really helped me in performing under pressure, putting in the work in and being relentless.”

Dudamel, who becomes music director in 2026-27, gave Williams a glowing introduction that was repeatedly interrupted by applause as he recounted Williams’ background at an event to raise money for music education.

“Bernie grew up in Puerto Rico and I think that maybe he had some other opportunities outside music,” Dudamel said.

Wearing a dark suit and tie with patent leather loafers, Williams played his 4 1/2-minute composition backed by the Philharmonic, joined by student musicians.

Now 55, Williams signed with the Yankees on his 17th birthday in 1985, made it to the major leagues six years later and became a four-time World Series champion, five-time All-Star and the 1998 AL batting champion. He hit .297 with 287 homers, 1,257 RBIs and 147 stolen bases for the Yankees from 1991-2006.

He began playing guitar when he was 6 or 7 in Puerto Rico, learning from his mother’s friends, and listened to the guitar work of his dad, Bernabé. Bernie brought his guitar to the ballpark and played in the clubhouse lounge to MTV tunes picked by teammate Derek Jeter.

“When you’re on the road, there’s a certain amount of time that you spend in the room,” Williams said. “A lot of people play video games, a lot of people just watch TV. So I used to kind of like split time between watching TV, ordering room service and playing guitar between.”

He used to play in a paint room under the right-field stands at the old Yankee Stadium, where Ron Guidry had left a drum set that Paul O’Neill took over. Williams brought an amplifier, and they jammed after batting practice and during rain delays.

A particular thrill occurred before a game against Minnesota in 1998, when Bruce Springsteen walked into the clubhouse, spoke with some of the Yankees players and signed Williams’ guitar, writing: “To Bernie, If you ever get tired of baseball …” The two joined to play “Glory Days” at Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation gala in 2007.

By 2003, Williams released his first recording, “The Journey Within.” His second, “Moving Forward,” earned a Latin Grammy nomination in 2009 for best instrumental album, and he’s contemplating his third, which he hopes will have more daring playing and writing.

“Anybody can enjoy a good piece of music and some of that music is able to move people in ways that nothing else can,” Williams said. “So understanding those emotions that come with being a musician I think has taken me in a great journey and it’s just such an awesome process to have in contrast to what I used to do in sports. It’s great to have an opportunity to do both things in one lifetime.”

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His mother was adamant about him going to college. Williams received a degree in 2016 after the four-year undergraduate program. He studied guitar with Christopher Rosenberg, harmony, composition and improvisation with Garry Dial and writing with John Pagano. Williams now serves on the school’s board of trustees.

Ahead of this week’s performance, Williams spent from April 9-13 performing at the Café Carlyle, the celebrated Upper East Side nightspot where Bobby Short entertained New York’s high society from 1968-2004.

“Everybody’s so close and you hear a pin drop and everybody’s so attentive,” he said. “It’s such a unique experience, at least for me. I’m used to playing in front of 50,000 people, everybody yelling and screaming their hearts out. So it’s, yeah, quite a contrast.”

Philharmonic CEO Gary Ginstling said after Wednesday morning’s rehearsal that 30 orchestra musicians lined up to get balls, caps and shirts autographed by Williams as he posed for photos. Cellist Patrick Jee rehearsed in a Yankees jersey already signed by Torre and Jeter.

“I’ve never seen them all so giddy about one of our artists,” Ginstling said.

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We don’t always stan when nepo babies use their parents’ fame to advance their lifestyle and career. (See the recent discourse about Maya Rudolph’s career, as reported by Unilad and an older nepo baby primer for Gen Z from The Guardian.) But when they use those same powers to connect with their favorite artists, as Usher’s 15-year-old son, Naviyd, did recently, it’s sorta-kinda cute.

Usher told the tale in his IG stories this week: “So a week or so ago, my son, Naviyd, stole my phone so he could DM his favorite artist @pinkpantheress,” he said. “I just so happened to check my DMs earlier this past week and saw a message exchange from someone with a Powerpuff girl as their profile pic…so I’m like, the hell is this? I open it, and I’m like, oh, this boy done DMd this girl from my d*mn phone…”

Usher shared screenshots of Naviyd’s exchange with the singer, including one message that said, “I’m your true biggest fan” and asked for a follow back.

Usher took over to steer the conversation with “I’m so sorry … my son is a super fan. PinkPantheress backed up her “no apology necessary” response with an offer to host the father-son duo at her show in Nashville. And though Usher at first pretended he wouldn’t allow Naviyd to attend because of the trust violation, Daddy relented.

Naviyd even got a little in-person time—and photos—with the British songbird, which he shared on his own IG and TikTok.

“I will never trust him around my phone, but I should have known better,” Usher concluded in this IG stories series. “Nonetheless, I appreciate the hustle and [his making] it happen. From a text, to a concert, to the artist. He masterminded this whole thing and made it happen. #HustleHard.”

How Usher handled Navyid’s sneaky phone theft might not be part of any Parenting 101 curriculum, but Naviyd has clearly studied at his famous father’s feet on the best ways to shoot his shot. We ain’t mad.