Top 8 today

Top eight stories for today including a jury found Donald Trump liable in a federal trial on civil claims that he raped writer E. Jean Carroll in 1996; Democrats asked a billionaire real estate developer to get specific about big-ticket gifts he has given Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas; Europe’s top rights court ruled against Jehovah’s Witnesses who challenged a Finnish ban on data collection, and more.

National

Donald Trump loses civil rape trial, ordered to pay $5 million

A jury of New Yorkers found Donald Trump liable Tuesday in a stunning end to the former president's federal trial on civil claims that he raped writer E. Jean Carroll in 1996.

Roberta Kaplan escorts her client, E. Jean Carroll, out of federal court on May 9, 2023, following a verdict awarding Carroll $5 million in her civil rape case against Donald Trump. (Nina Pullano/Courthouse News Service)

Prospects dim on quick solution to debt ceiling standoff

A quartet of top congressional leaders are meeting Tuesday with President Joe Biden to discuss federal spending, showing a willingness to negotiate as time runs out for the country to raise the debt ceiling so that it can continue paying its bills.

President Joe Biden meets with congressional leaders on Nov. 29, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House to discuss legislative priorities for the rest of the year. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

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Senate turns up heat on conservative megadonor central to Thomas probe

A group of congressional Democrats asked a billionaire real estate developer to get specific about big-ticket gifts he has given Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, as lawmakers investigate the jurist’s ethical conduct.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Ginni Thomas, arrive for a state dinner at the White House in September 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Regional

Experts signal cautious optimism amid mixed drought recovery in West

Although only a quarter of the West is in drought, experts warn the coming years will determine how much states can recover from historic water depletion.

Tulare County relies on the Friant-Kern canal for irrigation water in California. (Natalie Hanson/Courthouse News)

Former LA city lawyer gets probation for aiding extortion

A former top litigator with the LA City Attorney's Office was sentenced to three years’ probation for aiding and abetting the extortion of an outside lawyer who worked for the city in connection with a collusive lawsuit the city had indirectly brought against itself.

Los Angeles City Hall. (Chris Marshall/Courthouse News)

International

Knock, knock: Jehovah’s Witnesses need consent to collect data on Finland door-to-door visits

Europe’s top rights court on Tuesday rejected a complaint from Jehovah’s Witnesses who argued a Finnish ban on data collection violated their religious freedom.

The website for Jehovah's Witnesses includes this picture of ministers in Turku, Finland.

Science

Odor-generating face mask lets users smell in VR

As increasingly complex technologies blur the line between the real and digital worlds, researchers now aim to recreate one core human experience that virtual and augmented reality technologies have yet to adequately mimic: the sense of smell.

Op-ed

Sunlight now pours into the Florida courts

In the great of arc of litigation between this news service and court clerks over access to newsmaking complaints, a most remarkable metamorphosis has taken place in Florida where clerks and administrators have transformed what was the worst access in the nation into what is now the best.

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