Judge excludes Trump critic Avenatti’s financial strains from Nike extortion trial
A U.S. judge on Wednesday said federal prosecutors may not try to show that Michael Avenatti’s heavy debts gave him a motive to extort Nike Inc, giving a victory to the celebrity lawyer as he prepares for his upcoming criminal trial.
Roberts pivotal as U.S. Supreme Court tackles public aid to religious schools
The U.S. Supreme Court appeared divided on Wednesday in a major legal battle over taxpayer funds going to religious schools, with Chief Justice John Roberts emerging as the potential pivotal vote in a Montana case that could open the door to more publi…
Michigan, Tesla settle suit over direct vehicle sales
Tesla Inc and the state of Michigan confirmed Wednesday they have resolved the company’s 2016 lawsuit challenging the state’s refusal to allow the company to sell vehicles directly to consumers.
Prosecutor paints former Hollywood mogul Weinstein as ‘a rapist’
Harvey Weinstein abused his status as a Hollywood power broker to lure young women into violent sexual attacks, a New York prosecutor told jurors on Wednesday as the former film producer’s rape trial got underway.
U.S. Sen. Schumer says Bidens have “nothing to do” with Trump impeachment charges
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday did not slam the door shut on the possibility of Joe Biden or his son Hunter testifying in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, but he said there was no need to hear from anyone unrel…
Told to behave, sides in Trump trial to make their case
The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate will hear opening arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial on Wednesday, beginning several days of argument on whether to remove Trump from office.
U.S. Supreme Court divided over public funds for religious schools
U.S. Supreme Court justices on Wednesday appeared divided over a Montana tax credit program that could benefit private religious schools in a case that could open the door to more public funding for religious institutions.
Factbox: Here’s the team arguing for Trump’s removal in the Senate
Starting on Wednesday, seven members of the House of Representatives will try to convince the U.S. Senate that President Donald Trump should be removed from office.
Warren calls on big U.S. banks for steps on climate risk
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a contender for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, is asking the biggest U.S. banks for details on their assessments of and preparations for risks related to global warming.
U.S. drinking water widely contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’: environment watchdog
The contamination of U.S. drinking water with man-made “forever chemicals” is far worse than previously estimated with some of the highest levels found in Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans, said a report on Wednesday by an environmental watchdog grou…
