Top 8 today

Top eight stories for today including an EU court rejected sanctions for the elderly mother of a Russian oligarch; The Justice Department announced it is opening a review into the Memphis Police Department; Experts told Congress it should act now to regulate artificial intelligence technology, and more.

National

Senate puts focus on specter of ‘innovation war’ between US, China

The U.S. patent system is “under attack” by China and other interests looking to sidestep intellectual property rights, Congressman Darrell Issa told the House’s legal panel in a hearing Wednesday.

Congressman Darrell Issa delivers opening remarks to the House Judiciary Committee on March 8, 2023. (Benjamin S. Weiss/Courthouse News Service)

AI experts warn against abdicating regulation to Big Tech

When it comes to advancements in artificial intelligence technology and its integration into everyday life, “the genie is out of the bottle,” and Congress should act now to regulate it, a panel of experts told the House Oversight Committee.

From left, Eric Schmidt, Aleksander Madry, Scott Crowder and Merve Hickok testify before the House Oversight Committee on March 8, 2023, at a hearing on artificial intelligence. (Screenshot via Courthouse News Service)

Regional

Memphis police face federal probe after death of Tyre Nichols

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it is opening a review into the Memphis Police Department after five officers were charged with murder for beating a man to death during a traffic stop.

A portrait of Tyre Nichols is displayed at a memorial service for him in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

Post-Breonna Taylor probe finds pattern of police misconduct in Louisville

The Louisville Metro Police Department systematically abused and used excessive force against Black people in the years leading up to the killing of Breonna Taylor in 2020, according to the findings of a Justice Department investigation published Wednesday.

Police and protesters converge during a demonstration in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Critics say bills to slow influx of foster children in Georgia ignore root causes

While a slate of proposed legislation in Georgia aims to prevent the separation of families, child welfare advocates argue more needs to be done to combat the primary reason kids enter foster care: poverty.

International

Mother of oligarch known as Putin’s chef ducks EU sanctions

The link between the founder of the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group and his 83-year-old mother is not sufficient enough to justify sanctions against her, an EU court ruled Wednesday.

The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. (Molly Quell/Courthouse News)

Pro-Ukrainian group said to have carried out Nord Stream sabotage

American and European officials say there is evidence a pro-Ukrainian saboteur group blew up the Nord Stream pipelines last September in an effort to hurt Russia, according to American and German news reports.

A large disturbance in the sea can be observed off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm on Sept. 27, 2022, following a series of unusual leaks on two natural gas pipelines running from Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany. (Danish Defense Command via AP)

Dutch court rejects call to eliminate role of king in judiciary

A court in The Hague has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed the Dutch judicial system is unfair because of the country’s king, calling the complaint “short-sighted.”

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