Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including Italian prosecutors struck a blow against the 'ndrangheta crime syndicate with the conviction of 70 mobsters; Rapper Travis Scott was hit with several lawsuits by people injured during his concert at a Houston music festival; The Justice Department announced charges in connection to a digital ransomware attack that rattled thousands of businesses around the world, and more.

National

Ukrainian man charged, another has millions seized, over July ransomware attack

The Department of Justice announced charges Monday in connection to a digital ransomware attack that rattled thousands of businesses around the world over the Fourth of July, one of a series of attacks that also caused a temporary shutdown of a American meat processor.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announces charges against a suspected ransomware hacker during a press conference on Nov. 8, 2021. (Image via Courthouse News)

Israeli spyware firm can’t shake WhatsApp lawsuit over Pegasus hacking tool

An Israeli spyware firm recently blacklisted by the Biden administration cannot invoke immunity reserved for foreign sovereigns to dodge WhatsApp’s claims of infiltrating its messaging platform to send surveillance malware to over 1,000 devices belonging to journalists, activists and others.

This Friday, March 10, 2017, file photo shows the WhatsApp communications app on a smartphone, in New York. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Justices look for narrow ruling in mosque sting operation

During two hours of oral argument, the justices of the Supreme Court grappled Monday morning with how to avoid creating a broad new precedent on state secrets as it rules in a decade-old class action over the FBI spying on Muslim communities.

The Supreme Court is seen in Washington on Sept. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Regional

First lawsuits filed over deadly Houston music festival

Rapper Travis Scott has been hit with several lawsuits by people injured Friday during his concert at a Houston music festival, along with the family of one man who was crushed to death as concertgoers pressed towards the stage.

Stacey Sarmiento places flowers at a memorial in Houston on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 in memory of her friend, Rudy Pena, who died in a crush of people at the Astroworld music festival two days before. (Robert Bumsted/AP)

Shooting survivor takes stand in Rittenhouse murder trial

The man who survived being shot by Kyle Rittenhouse at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year testified at the 18-year-old’s homicide trial on Monday.

Gaige Grosskreutz, a paramedic who survived being shot by Kyle Rittenhouse at a protest in the summer of 2020, testifies during the 18-year-old's murder trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. (Image via Courthouse News)

International

Italy convicts 70 in major mafia trial

Italian prosecutors have struck a blow against the 'ndrangheta with the conviction of 70 mobsters and others as part of a historic “maxi-trial” against Italy's most powerful organized crime group.

A view of the vast bunker courtroom used for the 'ndrangheta trial in Lamezia Terme, Italy, from the very back where the public can attend hearings. (Courthouse News photo/Cain Burdeau)

Top European rights court declares bias in Polish judiciary

Two Polish judges who were denied seats by following the country’s highly politicized judicial reforms of 2017 won their challenge Monday at the European Court of Human Rights.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by CherryX from Wikipedia Commons via Courthouse News)

Strengthening justice system south of the border key to success of US-Mexico security deal

While the United States and Mexico have renewed their vows to tackle public security issues under a philosophy of shared responsibility for the problem, Mexico must do its part to reinforce its criminal justice system to stem the record-high levels of violence within its borders.

A guard stands watch outside Mexico's National Palace in Mexico City.