Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first world leader to sign the UN Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism , which opened for signatures Wednesday at the UN's 2005 World Summit . As many as 63 nations are expected to sign the treaty , initially proposed by Russia, which addresses the illegal [...]

Addressing the opening session of the UN's 2005 World Summit Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan , US President George Bush and other world leaders appealed for global action to prevent conflict, protect human rights and suppress terror. Speaking to the 60th anniversary session of the General Assembly, Annan expressed hope that all nations would act [...]

The Bush administration Tuesday expressed disapproval of a measure aimed at regulating trade negotiations, and discouraged Senate members from adopting it. The measure, offered as an amendment to the annual appropriations bill for the Departments of State, Commerce and related agencies by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) , would restrict US trade negotiators from agreeing to [...]

Rwanda's community-based genocide courts have charged 14,885 of their own judges with genocide, according to the department in charge of managing the system. The Gacaca courts were created three years ago to accelerate genocide trial proceedings, and consists of judges who are referred to as Inyangamugayo, or persons of integrity. Rwanda currently has approximately 10,000 [...]

In the third day of his Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday, US Chief Justice nominee John Roberts said that Congress has the right to counter decisions made by the Supreme Court, including the controversial ruling earlier this year in Kelo v. New London , which allows local governments to expropriate land for private redevelopment . Roberts [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the sovereignty of Indian tribes Tuesday by ruling that federal courts do not have jurisdiction over decisions regarding who is entitled to membership in a tribe. The federal appeals court allowed Indian tribes to retain their ability to establish their own membership requirements after four [...]

Draft outcome document for the UN 2005 World Summit, September 14-16 2004; approved by the UN General Assembly, September 13, 2005. Read the full text of the document . Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

Iraqi Justice Minister Abdul Hussein Shandal has criticized the US military for arresting and detaining Iraqi citizens and journalists without bringing charges against them, and is calling for either amendment or discontinuation of a UN Security Council resolution giving the US military immunity from Iraqi law. Shandal told Reuters news agency that the extended detentions [...]

Last-minute amendments to Iraq's draft constitution were finalized Wednesday, according to National Assembly deputy speaker Hussein al-Shahristani, who said the final document has been given to the UN for printing and distribution to the Iraqi people. Changes were made to the draft after Sunni Arabs rejected a draft that had been approved by Shiites and [...]

Transcript of Day 2 of confirmation hearings for Judge John Roberts, Jr., nominated to be Chief Justice of the United States, US Senate Judiciary Committee, September 13, 2005. Read the full text transcript as provided to AP by by CQ Transcriptions, LLC .