Canadian-born financier and former media mogul Conrad Black filed a motion Monday requesting either a new trial or acquittal after his conviction on mail fraud and obstruction of justice charges in July. In the motion, Black's lawyers questioned the credibility of some trial witnesses, including Black's long-time business partner F. David Radler . Radler pleaded [...]

A federal judge issued a temporary injunction Monday blocking a Missouri abortion law that would subject more abortion clinics to tighter state control. The law, which had been scheduled to go into effect Tuesday, would classify abortion clinics that perform more than five first-trimester abortions a month or any second- or third-trimester abortions as "outpatient [...]

Chinese state media reported Monday that the National People's Congress is considering new legislation that would increase penalties for companies that pollute the nation's waterways. The new law would remove present pollution fine caps and allow the government to fine companies 20-30 percent of the direct financial loss caused by their polluting. China's population amounts [...]

The military jury in the case against US Army Lt. Col. Steven L. Jordan began deliberations Monday to decide charges against Jordan relating to the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal . During closing arguments in Jordan's court-martial, the government said that Jordan is on trial for failing to properly train and oversee his soldiers while [...]

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has urged Myanmar to immediately release demonstrators detained last week after participating in a peaceful protest against a recent rise in fuel prices. Arbour said Sunday that allowing citizens to peacefully express themselves will help foster both democracy and reconciliation in Myanmar. Arbour's remarks came days after [...]

Iranian 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi said Monday that she has urged UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour to investigate allegations that the Iranian government has been detaining women's rights activists and charging them with national security offenses. Ebadi, who says that approximately 50 activists have been [...]

A Bangladeshi court has given former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia a 30-day extension to appear in court, Zia's lawyer Mohammad Sanaullah said Sunday. Zia, who was scheduled to appear before the court for tax evasion charges on Sunday, had requested additional time on the grounds that current security conditions barred her from appearing in [...]

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced Sunday that sectarian leaders have come to an agreement on several contentious draft laws which have been identified by the US as key to the country's progress . Under the new agreement, former Baath Party members not convicted of any crimes will be allowed to participate in the political [...]

US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales confirmed his earlier-reported resignation Monday, saying that he will conclude his "government service as attorney general of the United States effective as of September 17th, 2007." In a statement at the Justice Department Monday morning, Gonzales continued: Let me say that it's been one of my greatest privileges to lead [...]

Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika Monday criticized a recent Swiss high court decision to block the release of financial information linked to Russian oil giant Yukos and the Swiss court's concurrent decision to lift a freeze on Yukos funds as politically motivated. In a news conference, Chaika criticized the decision as disrespectful toward his country [...]