Drama builds around Rupert Murdoch's trust

+ Biden's SCOTUS reform could improve court legitimacy US Edition - Today's top story: Rupert Murdoch's real succession drama − why the future of his media empire could hinge on a legal effort in Nevada [View in browser]( US Edition | 30 July 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Trees ‘hold their breath’ when exposed to wildfire smoke]( - [Childless women have long been highly valued in Catholicism]( - [How to check your facts online in age of AI]( Lead story If you’ve been pining for media-elite drama since the “Succession” finale, you’re in luck. A real-life succession battle involving Rupert Murdoch, the conservative news titan who served as inspiration for Logan Roy, has been playing out quietly in Nevada. In fact, it was so quiet, the public knew nothing for months. The New York Times reported on it only last week after it obtained a sealed court document. The now-public drama involves the 93-year-old Murdoch’s effort to change an irrevocable trust in order to give more power to his eldest son. The outcome could help shape the future of Murdoch’s media properties, including The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. What is an irrevocable trust, anyway? Law professors Naomi Cahn from the University of Virginia and Reid Kress Weisbord from Rutgers University - Newark explain how this estate-planning tool works, [why the Murdochs are fighting over it](, and the crucial legal question at the center of the dispute. [ [Sign up for our weekly Global Economy & Business newsletter, with interesting perspectives from experts around the world](. ] Tracy Walsh Economy + Business Editor Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan in Sun Valley, Idaho. Drew Angerer/Getty Images [Rupert Murdoch’s real succession drama − why the future of his media empire could hinge on a legal effort in Nevada]( Naomi Cahn, University of Virginia; Reid Kress Weisbord, Rutgers University - Newark Even the most careful trust planning is no substitute for family harmony. Politics + Society - [A President Harris might not get any Supreme Court picks – Biden proposes term limits to make sure all future presidents get two]( Kevin J. McMahon, Trinity College A scholar of the Supreme Court and its relationship to the people of the United States says that President Joe Biden’s proposed term limits for justices can restore the court’s eroded legitimacy. - [Deadly strike in the Golan Heights risks opening new front in long-disputed territory]( Mireille Rebeiz, Dickinson College 12 children were killed in a strike on the small town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. 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Education - [Verifying facts in the age of AI – librarians offer 5 strategies]( Tracy Bicknell-Holmes, Boise State University; Elaine Watson, Boise State University; Jose Guillermo 'Memo' Cordova Silva, Boise State University Library scientists offer tips and tricks to figure out if a particular online news article is reliable or fake. Trending on site - [US citizenship was forced on Native Americans 100 years ago − its promise remains elusive]( - [What is love? A philosopher explains it’s not a choice or a feeling − it’s a practice]( - [Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – the picture is unsettling]( Today's graphic 📈 [Breaking down greenhouse gas emissions from three Summer Olympic Games shows construction and spectators' activities are the largest sources. The Tokyo Games were delayed to 2021 and had a limited number of spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic.]( From the story, [Paris Olympics promote sustainability for good reason: Climate change is putting athletes and their sports at risk]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Threads]( • [Nostr]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to [help you make sense of our complex world](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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