Leading Thursday's international legal news, the continuing dispute over how to remove former Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev has resulted in the postponement of the national elections originally scheduled for June. Akayev signed legal resignation papers Monday in Moscow, but the Kyrgyz Parliament has not yet accepted his resignation. Kyrgyz legislators are arguing over whether to [...]

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The UN Security Council unanimously voted Thursday to authorize an international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri . The United States, France, and Britain sponsored the resolution which gives an independent commission three months to complete an investigation. Secretary-General Kofi Annan can extend the mandate by an additional three months [...]

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Leading Thursday's corporations and securities law news, Pfizer Inc. announced the suspension of its sales of arthritis drug Bextra . The move came after US and European drug regultors told the world's largest drug maker that the drug's risks outweigh its benefits. Pfizer will also add information to the Celebrex label about potential cardiovascular risks. [...]

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France's Foreign Minister Michel Barnier warned a 'no' vote in France's referendum on the European constitution will kill the treaty and create a crisis at the European Union . Recent polls in France have suggested voters will reject the constitution, something Barnier blames on confusion over the treaty, fears over globalisation, fears of Turkey's admission [...]

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The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit hears arguments Thursday on the legality of military commission trials of terror suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base . Last November, US District Judge James Robertson ordered military commissions to come to a halt , saying their procedures were unlawful. The government counters that [...]

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