ProPublica Thursday released a report purporting to show substantial, unreported gifts accepted by US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. ProPublica, a US-based news source, relied upon flight records, internal memos and individuals present at specific events to compile the allegations. If true, the report raises potentially serious ethical violations. The issues uncovered by the report [...]

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Wednesday announced it had filed a lawsuit to block the application of a legal opinion in connection with Idaho’s abortion laws. The opinion expands the state’s abortion restrictions and criminal penalties. The provision of abortion care information to women seeking the procedure outside the state is now prohibited. [...]

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague Friday announced the trial of four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) members is due to begin Monday. The former Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Kosovo (PGoK), Hashim Thaçi is amongst those who will stand trial. He and his co-conspirators are accused of crimes against humanity and [...]

The Vatican Thursday announced a formal rejection of a 15th century theory known as the ‘Doctrine of Discovery.’ In a statement, the Church said it “repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent rights of indigenous peoples.” The ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ arose from several documents collectively known as the papal bulls. Key amongst them [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Thursday upheld the funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as constitutional. The court found the CFPB is funded by Title X of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The court’s finding rejected the argument of the plaintiff in the case, [...]

Ethiopia’s House of the People’s Representatives voted Wednesday to remove the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from the country’s list of terrorist organizations. In a Facebook post, the House announced the measure was necessary “in order to bring lasting peace based on the peace agreement.” The measure passed with a significant majority. The vote follows [...]

The US Supreme Court Wednesday heard oral arguments in the case of Jack Daniels Properties, Inc. v. VIP Products, LLC. Jack Daniels Properties, Inc. (JDPI) claims an excrement-themed dog toy sold by VIP Products, LLC. (VIP), which closely resembles its Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, violates the company’s trademark. VIP asserts that the toy is [...]

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Thursday said Belarus must end human rights abuses taking place within the country. In his statement, Türk called for the cessation of “systemic repression of perceived critics,” and the immediate release of “all detainees held on political grounds.” Türk’s statement comes in response to a report detailing [...]

Australia Tuesday concluded a deal with the US and UK that will extend nuclear powered submarines to the Australian Navy. The deal is a key part of the AUKUS security agreement between the three countries. However, concerns over the disposal of nuclear waste generated by the submarines and possible violations of Australia’s commitments to anti-nuclear [...]

Talks in China between Iran and Saudi Arabia Friday concluded with the two countries agreeing to re-establish diplomatic relations. In a statement, the two nations expressed their desire to “resolve the disagreements between them through dialogue and diplomacy.” The main goal in the re-opening of relations is to “enhancregional and international peace and security.” Under [...]