DOJ sues Maine for allegedly violating rights of children with behavioral disabilities
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine for allegedly violating the civil rights of children with behavioral health disabilities. The complaint alleged that Maine had failed to provide appropriate community-based services to the families of children with such disabilities, providing them “no meaningful choice” other than [...]
US appeals court dismisses suit against New York City rifle permit law
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed a civil suit on Monday challenging New York City’s rifle permit law. The case concerned New York City resident Joseph Srour, who was denied permits to possess rifles and shotguns in his home by the New York Police Department (NYPD) in 2019, due to his [...]
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released a report Monday assessing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives following a June 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned race-conscious college admissions and heightened scrutiny of workplace diversity efforts nationwide. DEI efforts proliferated across the US after the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit upheld on Friday the conviction of former Capitol Police officer Michael Riley for obstructing the investigation into the January 6 Capitol riots. The court summarised the lower court’s fact-finding, stating that Riley had tipped off Jacob Hiles, one of the rioters, about potential charges against individuals [...]
US appeals court partially reinstates Hawaii and California firearm carry restrictions
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Friday partially reinstated 2023 laws in Hawaii and California banning the carry of firearms in certain “sensitive places.” After the laws’ passage, the “sensitive place” designations were challenged as violating the US Constitution’s Second Amendment, which establishes the right to keep and bear arms. US district [...]
Revoking the Plea in the 9/11 Case: The Cycle of Lawlessness at Guantanamo Continues
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent decision to revoke the plea agreements for three defendants in the 9/11 case at Guantanamo, including alleged mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), was at once shocking and predictable: shocking that the Defense Secretary would step in deus ex machina at the eleventh hour to scuttle a deal negotiated by the [...]
New York judge delays Trump sentencing until after presidential election
New York Judge Juan Merchan on Friday delayed former US president Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money criminal case to November 26, with the new date scheduled three weeks after the US presidential election. Trump’s attorneys requested the postponement in August to prepare a potential appeal and avoid a “politically prejudicial” effect on the [...]
US federal appeals court confirms Internet Archive infringes US publisher copyright protections
A US federal appeals court on Wednesday held the Internet Archive’s Free Digital Library infringes upon publishers’ copyright protections. The appeal decision affirms a lower court ruling in a 2023 lawsuit initiated by US publishers which argued that the Internet Archive (IA), a nonprofit organization, engaged in copyright infringement by scanning purchased or donated physical [...]
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) described a continuing “climate of fear” in Venezuela on Tuesday after the issuing of an arrest warrant for the opposition’s presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez. The office reiterated deep concerns over the situation in Venezuela, where controversy over the declaration of Nicolas Maduro’s victory [...]
The Supreme Court of India’s 2018 judgment in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India was a watershed moment in India’s constitutional history. It recognized the right to privacy as an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. This was a significant shift, given that [...]
