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Introducing: Closing Arguments and Breaking Stories
To bring our readers a more comprehensive batch of Courthouse News coverage, we’re introducing a pair of newsletters that we can’t wait to share with you. Beginning this Friday, Oct. 27, the Top 8 newsletter will become Closing Arguments — a weekly roundup of stories from courthouses across the U.S. and the world. Find the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings that have flown under the radar.

But wait, there’s more: We’re also rolling out Breaking Stories, a newsletter for only the most impactful, need-to-know updates, delivered right to your inbox as they happen.

Stay tuned — and thanks for subscribing to Courthouse News.

National

Trial underway for defendants accused of sparking violence at Capitol riot

Ryan Samsel, James Grant, Paul Johnson, Stephen Randolph and Jason Blythe don't deny being at the front of the initial crowd to descend on the Capitol and helping breach the initial police line.

Charging papers in the government's case against Ryan Samsel, James Grant, Paul Johnson, Stephen Randolph and Jason Blythe show Samsel, in the red square, approaching the initial police line near the Peace Circle at the edge of the U.S. Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. (DOJ via Courthouse News)

US seeks ownership of sanctioned Russian oligarch’s $300 million yacht

The Amadea was seized in Fiji last year at the request of the United States, which was ramping up its efforts to punish those close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Trump troubles

Trump rehashes presidential immunity defense on appeal in Carroll defamation case

Donald Trump’s second defamation trial over his public denials of raping E. Jean Carroll is set to start the same day that the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses kick off primary election season in the 2024 presidential race.

Courts & the law

Fifth Circuit rejects media groups’ challenge of Texas drone regulations

An appellate panel said Texas photojournalists were wrong to believe they have a sweeping First Amendment right to film private citizens on private property without permission.

Kitchen confidential: Foreign intern claims exploitation at luxe Aspen hotel

A Mexican culinary school graduate says instead of studying under St. Regis’ executive chef, he was slammed on the cookline during 72-hour work weeks.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort in Aspen, Colorado. (Wolfgang Moroder via Wikimedia)

International

Argentina’s presidential race heads to a runoff as far-right Milei underperforms

Sergio Massa, Argentina’s center-left minister of economy, defied polls to take home the most votes in Sunday’s presidential election.

Latin American leaders commit to development plan on migration

Focusing on economic drivers of migration ignores the primary root cause — insecurity, migrant advocates said.

Science & research

Lunar dust shows moon is older than previously thought

At least 40 million years older — and maybe more.

Impact craters cover the surface of the moon, seen from Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

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.