Top 8 today

Monday's Top 8 includes coverage of gamers asking the U.S. Supreme Court to halt Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard, an Iowa judge halting enforcement of a new abortion ban, the start of trial in Michael Cohen's fight with the Trump Organization, and more.

National

Gamers ask Supreme Court to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal

With a Tuesday deadline looming, gamers are making a last-minute high court appeal to block a $69 billion deal that would give Microsoft immense power in the video game industry.

Iowa judge blocks enforcement of six-week abortion ban

Planned Parenthood sought the injunction saying the law banning abortion as early as six weeks would “decimate access to abortion in Iowa.”

Blinken urges Senate to approve stalled State Department nominees

Dozens of appointments have been blocked by Senator Rand Paul, as the Kentucky Republican demands more information about the origins of Covid-19.

In this image from video, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Senate Television via AP)

Courts & the law

Michael Cohen suit against Trump Org gets underway with jury selection

The disbarred lawyer wants the Trump Organization to reimburse him for expenses related to years of litigation that has brought embarrassment as well as potential criminal liability to former President Donald Trump.

NXIVM co-founder asks for medical release, citing neglect by Bureau of Prisons

“We don’t want to turn it into a death sentence,” a federal judge said of the 42-month prison term he imposed on Nancy Salzman, who has a history of breast cancer and is seeking compassionate release.

In the sex-trafficking trial of NXIVM leader Keith Raniere, prosecutors introduced this photo showing the “first-line masters” of DOS, a secretive sex cult within the group. Raniere, their “master," is pictured at center, with Lauren Salzman in the top-left corner. The government redacted the image of Camila as she is a sex-crime victim. (Image courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York via Courthouse News)

Judge balks at voting advocates’ bid to release ‘privileged’ Arizona Legislature records

Voting rights groups requested the documents as part of a fight against a pair of laws they characterize as “the latest iteration in a pattern of intentional and systemic discrimination directed at voters of color in Arizona.”

Science & the environment

Feds report steep decline of endangered North Atlantic right whale

Just 350 right whales remain after centuries of threats.

Green sea turtles have been eating at the same places since the Bronze Age

New research suggests green sea turtles have found sustenance at the same seagrass meadows for thousands of years.

A green sea turtle hovers over the sea floor (12019/Pixabay)

Categories / Closing Arguments

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Our weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.