The Presbyterian Church (USA) has formally adopted 11 changes to its constitution in an effort to prevent and deal more harshly with sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The changes, to be incorporated into the church's Book of Order on July 3, allow victims more involvement in the offender's punishment as well as stricter [...]

The British Department of Health Monday began an 11-week program to survey the public on a proposed smoking ban that would prohibit smoking in restaurants, bars that serve food, and enclosed public places in England. The DoH is asking citizens what exemptions they think should apply, and if the ban should eventually include more areas. [...]

Prosecutors on Monday summoned former Romanian President Ion Iliescu to testify in a criminal investigation into deadly riots by coal miners in the 1990s. Iliescu refused to appear personally and instead sent his lawyers, who asked for a continuance to review evidence. No charges have been filed against him yet, but prosecutors are looking to [...]

An Afghan government official said Monday that Afghan security forces have arrested three young Pakistani men on charges of planning to assassinate US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad . The men were arrested Saturday in the province of Laghman, a day before a scheduled trip by Khalilzad to the area. A spokesman for the US Embassy in [...]

The US Supreme Court Monday declined to consider whether hundreds of criminals sentenced prior to US v. Booker – a landmark ruling on federal sentencing guidelines – should receive reduced prison sentences, despite Justice Department urging that the dispute be heard. AP has more. The Court also took no action to resolve a dispute over [...]

WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation, World Health Organization , June 20, 2005 . Excerpt: There are many ways to improve the lives of people with mental disorders. One important way is through policies, plans and programmes that lead to better services. To implement such policies and plans, one needs good [...]

Seeking Asylum is Not a Crime: Detention of people who have sought asylum, Amnesty International, June 20, 2005 . Excerpt: Amnesty International's report highlights the denial of justice suffered by many people as a result of the fact that their detention is in many cases inappropriate, unnecessary, disproportionate and, therefore, unlawful. Whether at the beginning [...]

Rompilla v. Beard, Supreme Court of the United States, June 20, 2005 . Excerpt from the Opinion by Justice Souter: We hold that even when a capital defendant's family members and the defendant himself have suggested that no mitigating evidence is available, his lawyer is bound to make reasonable efforts to obtain and review material [...]

In two related cases, the US Supreme Court ruled Monday that states are permitted to impose registration fees on trucks and other commercial vehicles that travel at least part of the time on a state's roadways. Read the Court's opinion in American Trucking v. Michigan Public Service Commission and the opinion in Mid-Con Freight Systems [...]

In an article published Monday in GQ magazine, young US soldiers given the job of guarding former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein say they found him to be friendly, talkative, and a "clean freak." Three soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard provided details such as what snacks and breakfast cereals the incarcerated former Iraqi leader prefers [...]