A federal jury in Washington, D.C. has ordered former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers for falsely claiming they engaged in a fake ballot scheme. After four days of emotional testimony, the jury found that Giuliani had defamed the two women and unleashed a vicious campaign of harassment against them. Giuliani, who served as former President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, has yet to comment on the jury's decision.
News Mash
Deja Nicole Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old student who shot his teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect. Taylor had pleaded guilty to a federal charge of using marijuana while owning a gun, and must serve 21 months on that charge before beginning her state sentence. The school has since resumed classes, and the district has implemented additional safety measures.
Despite the failure to agree on a 50 billion-euro aid package, the European Union has opened accession negotiations with Ukraine, a momentous decision that was welcomed by the Ukrainian government. This is seen as a major step forward for the country, providing a path to peace and stability in the region.
A judge has approved new charges against Ian Cramer, the son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, including an upgraded homicide count and drug possession charges, in connection to a crash that killed Mercer County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Martin. The case has been referred to the North Dakota Supreme Court, and if the charges are not dismissed, Cramer will face a jury trial. Sen. Cramer has not commented on the case.
On Sunday, an argument between an elderly couple in Washington, D.C. over pancakes ended in tragedy when 81-year-old Sharron Schwartz was fatally stabbed in the back by her 85-year-old husband, Steven Schwartz. Steven Schwartz has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed and is being held without bond. The incident has shocked the local community and the Metropolitan Police Department is continuing to investigate.
Prince Harry has been awarded a "modest" sum of $180,000 by the High Court in London after a judge ruled that he was the victim of "extensive" phone hacking by the Mirror Group. The court ruled that Prince Harry's personal cellphone was likely hacked "to a modest extent," and that 15 out of the 33 news articles submitted as part of the trial were the product of accessing his mobile voicemail. The ruling is a reminder of the power of the press and the need to protect the privacy of individuals, as well as the importance of holding the press accountable for their actions.
U.S. officials have been discussing the current phase of the offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip with Israel, urging them to focus on more targeted strikes and lower-intensity operations. The U.S. is also pushing for a ceasefire and providing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The conflict has been ongoing for over a month, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, and the U.S. is hoping for a peaceful resolution.
Christian Ziegler, the chair of the Republican Party of Florida, is under criminal investigation for sexual battery, including rape. Six Republican sources have revealed that a "soft landing" deal is being discussed as part of a resignation agreement, and former party chair Joe Gruters and Republican National Committeeman Peter Faeman are discussing ways to end the party's direct tie to Ziegler. The scandal has caused a great deal of controversy and has put the party in a difficult position.