SHORT SHOTS

SVU faces gender bias probe

The US Justice Department will investigate the New York police agency that inspired the hit TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, over its treatment of sexual assault victims.

Two federal prosecutors in New York said the Special Victims Department (SVD) would be investigated to determine whether it “engages in a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing.”

Allegations against the agency “include failing to conduct basic investigative steps and instead shaming and abusing survivors and re-traumatising them during investigations,” it said. AFP

R&B singer R Kelly gets 30 years

R Kelly was sentenced on Wednesday to 30 years in prison, following the multiplatinum R&B singer’s conviction for exploiting his stardom and wealth over decades to lure women and underage girls into his orbit for sex.

The sentence was imposed nine months after Kelly, 55, was convicted of racketeering and sex crimes, in a trial that amplified accusations that had dogged the singer of the Grammy-winning hit I Believe I Can Fly for two decades. REUTERS

Diana’s story in depth

Oscar-nominated director Ed Perkins trawled through hundreds of hours of footage of Princess Diana in search of moments he hoped would offer new perspective on her life and public image, 25 years after her death. His new film The Princess relies entirely on archive video to trace Diana’s life from a timid teen to her death on Aug 31, 1997, aged 36, and the unprecedented scenes of mourning that ensued. REUTERS

Kanye West sued in ‘Donda 2’ fuss

Rapper, producer and entrepreneur Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye last year, was sued for allegedly sampling a song by musician Marshall Jefferson without permission. Ultra International Music Publishing LLC said Flowers from West’s album Donda 2 includes a sample from Jefferson’s 1986 dance song Move Your Body that is repeated at least 22 times.