Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including Russia cut off natural gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria; New York’s top court voided congressional district maps and delayed the state's primaries by two months; House lawmakers passed legislation that expands the financial disclosure requirements for federal judges, and more.

National

Requirement for federal judges to disclose big stock trades sent to Biden’s desk

House lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday that expands the financial disclosure requirements for federal judges, including the justices of the Supreme Court, as lawmakers continue to scrutinize the ethics codes and regulations that apply to the nation’s highest courts.

(Barbara Leonard/Courthouse News Service)

Officers testify Heard had no bruises after confrontation with Depp

On the night in 2016 that Amber Heard contends Johnny Depp beat her, police officers called to the couple’s residence say they saw no signs of bruises on her face.

Actor Amber Heard appears in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP)

Donald Trump appeals $10,000-a-day contempt fine

Defying orders for him to pay $10,000 a day until he turns over records sought for a civil investigation in New York, former President Donald Trump appealed a state judge’s contempt order on Wednesday.

Protesters gathered outside of Manhattan Supreme Court on April 25, 2022, where lawyers for former president Donald Trump argued against a contempt motion from the New York attorney general for failing to produce documents in the state's civil probe of Trump's real estate business practices. (Josh Russell/Courthouse News Service)

If the shoe fits: Cultural commentary or knockoff Vans?

Attorneys on both ends of a federal lawsuit over novelty skater shoes held up the “Wavy Baby” sneakers in court on Wednesday, each making their case for what the rippled footwear represents.

The novelty goods company MSCHF's website posted a countdown until its Wavy Baby shoes, made in collaboration with the rapper Tyga, became available for purchase. Vans sued the company for violating its trademark by selling a stylized version of its sneakers.

Partisan fight over Justice Thomas dominates hearing on Supreme Court reforms

A hearing to discuss forcing all of the Supreme Court justices to adhere to ethical standards on Wednesday was diverted by partisan disagreements over criticism of the actions of one justice: Clarence Thomas.

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas sits during a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Regional

Top NY court upholds judgment that says Democrats gerrymandered

New York lawmakers hoping to ward off a Republican takeover of the House in the fall incurred a major and surprise blow on Wednesday with the state’s Court of Appeals ruling that Democrats drafted new congressional districts with partisan intent.

Maps of New York's 10th congressional district are pictured before and after redistricting after the 2020 census. (Exhibits courtesy of Courthouse News)

Michigan bowling alleys ask panel to revive claims over Covid restrictions

Michigan bowling alleys and roller rinks argued before the Sixth Circuit on Wednesday that the state is not entitled to sovereign immunity on claims stemming from several executive orders that forced the businesses to close during the Covid-19 pandemic.

(Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay via Courthouse News)

International

Russia shuts off gas to Poland, Bulgaria; EU calls it ‘blackmail’

In a move to strike back at the European Union’s support for Ukraine, Russia on Wednesday cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, causing gas prices to soar in Europe, and it threatened to shut off gas to other countries.

A Ukrainian serviceman repairs a tank after fighting against Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

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