Ellen Miller, co-founder of the Sunlight Foundation, has spent years arguing for rules to force more disclosure of how lobbyists and private interests shape public policy. Until recently, she herself registered as a lobbyist, too, publicly reporting her role in the group’s advocacy of even more reporting. Not anymore.
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Wednesday reinstated an antitrust lawsuit that accuses major record labels of price-fixing nearly 80 percent of US digital music sales.
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled 5-4 that the trial on the constitutionality of California´s Proposition 8 same-sex marriage ban may not be broadcast because the court did not follow proper procedure when enacting a rule permitting the broadcast.
An end to the spiralling costs of going to law and the bonanza of “no win, no fee” deals was signalled yesterday with a landmark report on civil justice.
The White House, Congressional leaders and labor unions said Thursday that they had reached agreement on a proposal to tax high-cost health insurance policies, resolving one of the major differences between the House and the Senate over far-reaching health legislation.
Uganda has indicated it will bow to international pressure and amend draconian anti-homosexual legislation that includes the death penalty for HIV-positive people convicted of having gay sex.
China made clear today that it will ignore an ultimatum from Google to relax internet censorship and reminded all companies that they must abide by state controls of the country’s cyberspace.
The US military referred charges Monday against Army Capt. Carl Bjork, accused by several Iraqi detainees of ordering the killings of two Iraqi civilians in 2006. The charges against Bjork include one count of reckless endangerment and two counts of premeditated murder.
A panel of three federal judges on Tuesday approved a revised plan filed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for reducing prison overcrowding in the state.
Lawyers for convicted terrorism conspirator Jose Padilla argued Tuesday before the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit that their client´s conviction should be overturned.
The leader of France´s conservative party, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) announced Wednesday that he will introduce legislation banning the burqa in public. Jean-Francois Cope´s announcement comes at the end of a six-month investigation by a special commission into the causes, effects, and ramifications of Muslim women wearing the burqa in France. Also Wednesday, French Immigration Minister Eric Besson announced that he would seek to deny French citizenship to any woman choosing to wear the burqa in public, saying that it showed a lack of commitment to integrate in France. Besson has also called for a public debate on the definition of French culture, to be wrapped up in January.
Spain´s lower house of parliament, the Congress of Deputies [official website, in Spanish] on Thursday approved [press release, in Spanish] a bill [text, PDF; in Spanish] that would ease restrictions on abortions [JURIST news archive]. The bill passed by a vote of 183-158 with two abstentions. Current Spanish abortion law dates from 1985, after the end of the Franco regime. Abortions are permitted only in the case of rape, up to 12 weeks, severe fetal malformation, up to 22 weeks, or if the woman´s physical or mental health is in danger. Under the proposed legislation [El Pais report, in Spanish], abortion would be permitted up to 14 weeks for any reason and up to 22 weeks if there is severe fetal malformation or a serious risk to the mother. Women aged 16 or 17 would also be allowed to have an abortion without parental consent, but would have to inform their parents. The bill must now go before the Senate [official website, in Spanish].
Credit Suisse [corporate website], Switzerland´s second largest bank, agreed [DOJ press release] Wednesday to pay more than $500 million in fines to both the US government and New York state for violating US sanctions against Iran and other countries. According to a criminal information filed Wednesday, Credit Suisse violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) [text, PDF] between 2002 and 2007 by helping businesses from Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Libya, and Myanmar get around American banking laws. Allegations include that Credit Suisse employees put together a pamphlet for Iranian clients, instructing them how to disguise their forms [Washington Times report] in order to escape notice and gain access to American markets. US Attorney General Eric Holder commented [remarks]:
China’s government censors have taken fresh aim at the Internet, rolling out new measures that limit its citizens’ ability to set up personal Web sites and to view hundreds of Web sites offering films, video games and other forms of entertainment.
President Obama arrives here on Friday morning bent on applying a combination of muscle and personal charm to secure a climate change agreement involving nearly 200 countries.
The United States today pledged support for a $100 billion annual climate protection fund in a move that could clinch a global deal just as the Copenhagen summit appeared to be heading for failure.
Gordon Brown faced further embarrassment today over Britain’s recovery after it emerged that Ireland´s beleaguered economy has emerged from recession.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Wednesday sued computer microchip manufacturer Intel for antitrust violations. The complaint alleges that Intel used its dominant market position to stifle competition. According to the FTC, Intel engaged in threats and other unlawful tactics to coerce computer manufacturers not to purchase chips manufactured by its competitors.
European regulators dropped their antitrust case against Microsoft on Wednesday after the software maker agreed to offer consumers a choice of rival Web browsers. The settlement averted a second costly legal battle for the American software giant.
Negotiators have all but completed a sweeping deal that would compensate countries for preserving forests, and in some cases, other natural landscapes like peat soils, swamps and fields that play a crucial role in curbing climate change.
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