Top 8 today

Top eight stories for today including the war in Ukraine entered a new bloody phase with an uptick in reports of infantry battles, missile attacks and mass casualties; New York’s attorney general joined a lawsuit against gunmaker Glock filed by a victim of a subway station shooting; The first Capitol rioter to go to trial was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison, and more.

National

First Capitol rioter to go on trial gets 7-year sentence

The first Capitol riot defendant to go to trial was sentenced on Monday to more than 7 years in prison, the most severe punishment yet for the over 850 people charged in connection with former President Donald Trump’s rally-turned-riot last year.

This artist sketch depicts Guy Wesley Reffitt, joined by his lawyer William Welch, right, in Federal Court, in Washington, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Reffitt, a Texas man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun on his waist, is the first Jan. 6 defendant to go on trial. (Dana Verkouteren/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Regional

New York attorney general joins suit against Glock over subway shooting

Planning to defend a gun control measure passed last year, New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a lawsuit against the gunmaker Glock filed by one of the people wounded during the April 12 shooting at a New York City subway station.

Investigators believe the shooter used a Glock 9mm pistol, pictured here, in the April 12, 2022, attack in the New York City subway. (Image via Courthouse News)

Harvey Weinstein stumbles in bid for communications ahead of LA trial on rape charges

Former movie producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein wants to review years of communications, including exchanges with family and close friends, and documents of the women who he’s accused of assaulting and raping ahead of an October trial in Los Angeles.

Harvey Weinstein, the convicted rapist and disgraced movie mogul, arrives in a wheelchair to an arraignment hearing on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Los Angeles. Weinstein pleaded not guilty at the hearing to four counts of rape and seven other sexual assault counts. (KABC/Pool Photo via AP)

International

Fighting rages across front lines in Ukraine, first grain ship departs

The war in Ukraine entered a new bloody phase in recent days with an uptick in reports of infantry battles, missile attacks and mass casualties and both sides claiming they had made limited advances.

The bulk carrier Razoni leaves the port in Odesa, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, carrying 26,000 tons of grain. (AP Photo/Michael Shtekel)

EU court rules against Italy in dispute over seizure of migrant rescue ships

Italian authorities can only detain migrant rescue vessels if there is a clear risk to safety, the European Union’s top court ruled Monday.

The humanitarian vessel Sea-Watch 3. (sea-watch.org)

Refugee families seeking asylum for children win at EU high court

The European Union’s top court expanded the rights of young asylum-seekers in four decisions released Monday.

The European Court of Justice, based in Luxembourg, is the European Union’s supreme court in matters concerning EU law. (Molly Quell/Courthouse News)

Science

Study of dark matter from 12 billion years ago sheds light on the theory of cosmology

A team of researchers analyzed the nature of dark matter and galaxies from 12 billion years ago by using light from the Big Bang. Their discoveries may disprove some aspects of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which is the backbone of the theory of cosmology.

(Image by Luminas Art from Pixabay via Courthouse News)

Scientists call for studies on ‘climate endgame’

A team of international researchers want the global scientific community to investigate potential “climate endgame” scenarios, as current studies tend to take an optimistic focus on limiting global warming to 2.7 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels.

Green moss and icebergs in Antarctica. (Photo: Matt Amesbury)

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