| Greetings, QuickTake readers! In this edition: Trump's pardoning blitz, the Boy Scouts' bankruptcy plan, and a win for India's women in uniform.  Judge issues gag order for op-ed As the jury in Harvey Weinstein's New York City rape trial began deliberations Tuesday, the judge overseeing the case issued a stern warning to the Hollywood producer's lead attorney: Stop talking about it. The admonition came after prosecutor Joan Illuzzi told Manhattan judge James Burke about a Newsweek op-ed written by defense lawyer Donna Rotunno. In the column, published Sunday, Rotunno complained about the media's coverage of the trial and called on the seven-man, five-woman jury to "base their verdict solely on the facts." Illuzzi called it an attempt to tamper with the jury and a threat to the "sanctity and purity" of the trial. Burke then put Rotunno and the rest of Weinstein's lawyers on notice: "Defense team, you're ordered to refrain from speaking to the press until the verdict. And I will caution you about the tentacles of your public relations juggernaut." $ignificant figures 2,004. The death toll from COVID-19 on mainland China after new cases continued to slide with 132 new deaths and 1,693 new infections reported Tuesday in Hubei, bringing total infections worldwide to more than 75,000. $1 billion. The estimated liabilities of the Boy Scouts of America, which filed for bankruptcy protection in hopes of surviving a wave of sexual abuse lawsuits and setting up a potentially huge victim compensation fund. 840 days. How long Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala spent in jail until an Istanbul court acquitted him and eight other activists of terrorism-related charges tied to anti-government protests. He was re-arrested hours later. Highly quotable "Ridiculous sentence." In a clemency blitz, Trump commuted the 14-year prison term of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (convicted of public corruption) and pardoned financier Michael Milken (convicted of securities fraud) and former NYPD chief Bernie Kerik (convicted of tax fraud). "With or without a vaccine." WHO director Michael Ryan said "many, many lives can be saved in the coming months" if we balance investments in long-term coronavirus solutions with vulnerable health systems. "Underwhelming tbh." Elon Musk dismissed fellow billionaire Bill Gates in a tweet after the Microsoft co-founder praised the Tesla CEO for coaxing the car industry to go electric but then bought a Porsche Taycan. This is not normal Pernicious pests. Locust swarms the size of cities are ravaging East Africa's crops at a voracious pace, triggering an unprecedented threat to food security in the region where millions already face hunger.  The future is now Cosmic globetrotting. SpaceX will fly up to four paying customers aboard its Crew Dragon under a deal that "will forge a path to making spaceflight possible for all people who dream of it," the company's president said.  What's good A just verdict. India's top court ruled in favor of equal rights in the armed forces, ordering the government to grant permanent commission and command positions to women officers on par with men.  Now that you're caught up... Tell your friends to sign up to receive the QuickTake newsletter five days a week, and follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. It's #BlackHistoryMonth: A new Barbie campaign showcases a diverse group of black dolls styled by "Queen & Slim" designer Shiona Turini. Take a look. Thanks for reading!
-Andrew Mach | 
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