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Hollywood titan felled in an era-defining trial
It is a watershed moment for the MeToo movement. Harvey Weinstein’s accusers are celebrating a “new era of justice” after the disgraced film producer was found guilty of rape. The 67-year-old was handcuffed and led out of court straight to custody having been found guilty of third-degree rape and a criminal sex act. US Correspondent Harriet Alexander was in court in New York as Weinstein told his lawyer: “I’m innocent, I’m innocent!”. The ex-Hollywood mogul was due to spend last night in prison. Instead, he was diverted to hospital after his lawyers said he needed medical attention following unsuccessful back surgery. Weinstein’s conviction is era-defining. Playing out like a plot from one of his films, read how he was taken down by harrowing testimony.
The seeds of Weinstein’s downfall were sown in 2017, when bombshell stories that he was a serial abuser of women were published. Next, thousands of women came forward with their own accounts of abuse at the hands of other powerful men, using the hashtag MeToo. Celia Walden writes that this is not just about Weinstein’s verdict – it is a victory for MeToo. And Helen O’Hara argues that it is now time for Hollywood to change for good.
British tourists returning from Italy face quarantine
UK holidaymakers returning from coronavirus-hit parts of Italy will be told to “self-isolate”, in an escalation of measures to combat the spread of the deadly virus. Italy is not on the government list of “high-risk” countries, despite having the most cases of any country outside Asia – prompting criticism from GPs amid concern potential carriers are not being put in isolation. As Health Editor Laura Donnelly reports, officials are in talks on whether to tighten restrictions that could affect thousands of people. With a “deeply concerning” rise in cases in several nations, follow latest updates in our liveblog. And read our quick guide to the outbreak sweeping the world – including symptoms.
Royal split: ‘Megxit’ fallout pulling royal cousins apart
With allegations over the Duke of York’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein hanging over it like a dark cloud, Princess Beatrice’s wedding was never going to be an easy royal event to plan. Now Beatrice and fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi face an even bigger conundrum: how to solve a problem like Harry and Meghan? The acrimony between the newly exiled Sussexes and their families has seemingly reached fever pitch. Camilla Tominey examines how “Megxit” is having ripple effects across the Royal family.
News digest
Gallery: The big picture
Flippers, faster than lightning | Wimborne Minster is taking on teams from across the town today in the 23rd annual Pancake Day races at the Dorset church. View our gallery of more of the day’s best images.
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Editor’s choice
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Average salaries | Search by profession – how do you compare?
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Back in the kitchen | Meet new star of rebooted ‘Ready Steady Cook’
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Flesh and Blood, episode 1 review | Whodunit to have you hooked all week
Business and money briefing
Activist investor | An aggressive New York hedge fund has demanded the break-up of Prudential after building a near-5pc stake in the insurer. Third Point is calling for the British blue-chip to split its US life insurance business Jackson from its high-growth Asian operations.
Sport briefing
Liverpool 3 West Ham 2 | Record-equalling Liverpool moved to within four wins of a first title in 30 years, but they were made to prove their credentials over struggling West Ham. Read Jason Burt‘s Anfield report.
And finally…
All change | America is about to be introduced to a climate change sceptic dubbed the “anti-Greta”. Naomi Seibt, a 19-year-old German, will appear at the Conservative Political Action Conference this week. Her views on climate change are in stark contrast to those of Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenage environmental campaigner.