The US Supreme Court on Monday denied an appeal by Senator Bob Menendez in a bribery and fraud case. The appeal argued that Menendez’s alleged conduct was immune from legal scrutiny because it fell under “the sphere of legitimate legislative activity,” which is protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of the US Constitution. The [...]
The US Supreme Court on Mondaydenied the petitions of Pervis Payne, Michael Sample, and Vincent Sims , three Tennessee death-row inmates who argued they should not be executed due to their intellectual disabilities. In their petition , Sims and Sample argued that Tennessee failed to retroactively apply the court’s ruling in Hall v. Florida , [...]
FBI Director James Comey confirmed Monday that the FBI is investigating allegations of Russian interference with the 2016 US presidential election. His statement came during a hearing before the House Intelligence Committee and is the first time an official from the FBI has confirmed an investigation since the allegations first came to light in October [...]
On Friday the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released a statement on the effects of the EU-Turkey Statement on immigrant and refugee children. UNICEF has warned that the closure of the Balkan borders and the deal have left children exposed to a greater risk of exploitation, detention, deportation, and deprivation. UNICEF Regional Director [...]
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday he would not be intimidated by a potential criminal trial at the hands of the International Criminal Court (ICC) , vowing that the country’s war on drugs would continue. Speaking to reporters before he departed for Myanmar, the President was adamant in his defense of the country’s stance on [...]
Human Rights Watch sent a letter and a memorandum to the speaker of the Iraqi parliament on Sunday with recommendations for amendments to a proposed domestic violence bill. HRW urged the Iraqi government to set penalties for the crime of domestic violence, to focus on justice over reconciliation and to improve victim protections. HRW provided [...]
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Saturday rejected an emergency request from two native american tribes attempting to stop oil from flowing through the Dakota Access pipeline. As a result of this rejection, the Dakota Access pipeline could begin could begin operating as soon as tomorrow. The three judge [...]
The New Jersey Legislature passed S3048 on Thursday which would require presidential and vice-presidential candidates to reveal their federal income tax return before being listed on the state’s ballot. The bill, which was passed by a democratic-led state legislature and awaits Governor Chris Christie’s signature, was inspired by President Donald Trump‘s refusal to release his [...]
King County Superior Court Judge Beth Andrus upheld a Seattle city ordinance on Friday allowing app-based and ride-hailing drivers to vote to unionize. Specifically, the ordinance allows individuals making at least 52 trips in a three-month period—called “driver representatives”—to vote on whether or not they should be able to unionize. Uber has previously challenged this [...]
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard on Friday vetoed a pair of bills that would have loosened the state’s regulations on concealed carry laws. Calling the current laws adequate, and the new laws unnecessary and complicated , Daugaard defended his decision on the basis that he is unaware of a single instance in which a person [...]
