[JURIST] Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Wednesday, April 20.

The US Supreme Court [official website] hears oral arguments in two cases beginning at 10 AM ET today. In the first, Merck KGaA v. Integra Lifesciences I, Ltd. [Duke Law School case backgrounder], 03-1237, the Court will consider whether patent law exceptions for pharmaceutical development cover animal studies related to new drug development. The ABA has merit briefs in the case. In the second, Graham County Water District v. US [Duke Law School case backgrounder], 04-169, the Court will consider whether the six-year statute of limitations under the False Claims Act [text] applies to retaliatory discharge claims under the Act. The ABA has merit briefs in the case.

The US Senate [official website] convenes at 9:30 AM ET today, when it will consider H.R. 1268 [bill summary], the Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bill. Watch a live webcast of the session. The Senate Judiciary Committee [official website] Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 2:30 PM ET today to review the Material Support to the Terrorism Prohibition Improvements Act. Watch a live webcast of the hearing.

The US House [official website] convenes at 10 AM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the session. The House Judiciary Committee [official website] will mark up H.R. 1279 [bill summary], the Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act, at 10 AM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the session. The Committee is also holding a hearing at 2 PM ET today to consider competition in the telecommunications industry following the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Watch a live webcast of the hearing. The Courts, Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee is holding an oversight hearing at 4:30 PM ET today on the committee print regarding patent quality improvement. Watch a live webcast of the hearing. The House International Relations Committee [official website] Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 1:30 PM ET today on the Middle East and the UN. Watch a live webcast of the hearing.

The Eleventh UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice [official website] continues today in Bangkok, Thailand. View the agenda for the session.

At the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the trial of Slobodan Milosevic [ICTY case backgrounder] continues at 9:30 AM local time [3:30 AM ET] today. Also today, the trial of Enver Hadzihasanovic and Amir Kubura [ICTY case backgrounder] continues at 2:45 PM local time [8:45 AM ET]. Watch a webcast of proceedings.