US Domestic News Roundup: US Supreme Court torn over Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement; Trump seeks to appeal reinstated gag orders in New York civil fraud case and more

The sprint includes at least nine fundraisers before the end of the month starting on Tuesday in Boston, where Biden will hold three events, capped with an evening concert by James Taylor. Factbox-Key dates on Trump's overlapping legal and political calendars Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces a tangled calendar in the year ahead as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination while defending himself in four criminal and at least three civil trials, some related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 loss.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

US Supreme Court torn over Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement

U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday struggled over whether to approve OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy settlement, voicing concern the deal would shield its wealthy Sackler family owners from lawsuits over their role in a deadly opioid epidemic while also worrying that scuttling it could harm victims. The court heard arguments in an appeal by President Joe Biden's administration of a lower court's ruling upholding the settlement for the Stamford, Connecticut-based company.

Trump seeks to appeal reinstated gag orders in New York civil fraud case

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking permission to appeal a decision reinstating gag orders in his New York civil fraud case to the state's highest court, a court filing showed on Monday. Justice Arthur Engoron imposed a gag order on Trump on Oct. 3 barring him from speaking publicly about court staff.

Biden December fundraising blitz to star James Taylor, Spielberg

President Joe Biden will kick off a December fundraising blitz on Tuesday that will show off the Democratic Party's star power and is expected to raise millions of dollars, according to invitations reviewed by Reuters and sources familiar with the planning. The sprint includes at least nine fundraisers before the end of the month starting on Tuesday in Boston, where Biden will hold three events, capped with an evening concert by James Taylor.

Factbox-Key dates on Trump's overlapping legal and political calendars

Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces a tangled calendar in the year ahead as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination while defending himself in four criminal and at least three civil trials, some related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 loss. Here are key dates in Trump's legal and political schedule:

FBI chief to urge Senate panel to renew US global surveillance power

FBI Director Christopher Wray will press a Senate committee on Tuesday to renew the authority of the U.S. government to conduct warrantless surveillance outside the United States, arguing that failing to do so would be “a form of unilateral disarmament.” Wray is expected to cite threats from Iran and China to argue that the sweeping surveillance powers authorized under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire at the end of this month, are vital to U.S. national security.

US Supreme Court ponders meaning of 'income' in tax dispute

The U.S. Supreme Court is set on Tuesday to consider a challenge to the legality of a tax targeting owners of foreign corporations that could undermine efforts at imposing a wealth tax on the very rich in a case that has already sparked controversy over a call for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse. The justices were due to hear arguments in an appeal by Charles and Kathleen Moore - a retired couple from Redmond, Washington couple - of a lower court's decision rejecting their challenge to the tax on foreign company earnings, even though those profits had not been distributed.

North Dakota Governor Burgum exits 2024 presidential race

Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota who struggled to find his footing in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, ended his campaign on Monday. Burgum, 67, was a successful software executive and investor before his political career and largely self financed his candidacy. On the stump, he portrayed himself as a traditional, business-minded conservative but was often lost amid the clatter surrounding former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis board accuses Disney of controlling previous one with gifts

The board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney's theme parks accused the company of giving a previous local board and its employees millions of dollars' worth of tickets, discounted hotel stays, merchandise and other benefits that were "akin to bribes of public officials." "For years, the company treated district employees like Disney employees by, for instance, providing complimentary annual passes and steep discounts -- benefits and perks that were akin to bribes," said the 80-page report, which the new board was required to prepare for DeSantis and the Florida legislature within one year of its creation.

Analysis-As Bayer confronts mounting Roundup losses, all eyes on Philadelphia trial

With Bayer facing investor pressure to resolve thousands of lawsuits over its Roundup weedkiller after being hit with $2 billion in verdicts in recent weeks, all eyes are on a trial wrapping up in Philadelphia. Plaintiffs have won the last four trials over their claims that the product causes cancer, each time securing a larger verdict. Those losses ended a nine-trial winning streak for Bayer, shattering investor and company hopes that the worst of the Roundup litigation was over.

US woman killed in shark attack in Bahamas

An American woman died after she was attacked by a shark while paddle boarding in The Bahamas on Monday, police said. The woman, who was in her 40s and visiting from Boston, was with a male relative when the attack occurred near a resort in western New Providence, according to police, who added that the pair were rescued by a lifeguard.