Hong Kong’s former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of misconduct and accepting advantages following corrupt dealings during his term. Before leaving office in 2012, Tsang reportedly negotiated with a major shareholder of Digital Broadcasting Corporation (DBC) to approve license applications. In exchange, Tsang was granted free remodeling of his [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled Tuesday that a Minnesota program that keeps sex offenders confined to secure facilities after they complete their prison sentences is constitutional and necessary to protect citizens from dangerous predators. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, more than 700 offenders, argue that the program is essentially a [...]
Some senior Israeli politicians are calling for Israeli soldiers and police to kill Palestinians who they suspect of harming Israelis, even if the suspects are not currently dangerous, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Monday. The organization documented numerous statements since October 2015 which encouraged soldiers to use deadly force. “The Israeli government should issue clear [...]
The Supreme Court of India ruled Monday that seeking votes based on religion, caste, community, race, or language is not permitted. Religion and caste have previously affected elections in several Indian states, some of which have upcoming assembly elections. The ruling was a response to petitions before the Court questioning whether a religious leader’s endorsement [...]
Protests took place in Hong Kong Sunday with an estimated 5,000 people marching in support of pro-democracy politicians. Four elected, pro-democracy lawmakers were barred from taking office in 2016 after altering the words in their official oaths. The protesters demonstrated against the government’s interference with the democratic process, being that the four lawmakers were rightfully [...]
Syrian warplanes resumed bombardment (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report) outside of Damascus Sunday after ceasing for almost one day. The strikes are continuing in spite of a ceasefire agreement reached just days before. Hundreds fled the rebel-controlled Wadi Barada valley between assaults. Both sides have been accused of violating the truce, with rebel officials [...]
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo on Saturday vetoed a bill that would require the state to pay for indigent representation when counties were unable. The bill was passed six months ago with bipartisan support, though the lawsuit giving rise to the issue was settled approximately 2 years ago . After weeks of negotiation Cuomo vetoed the [...]
California Congressman Adam Schiff, on Sunday stated that there will be a bi-partisan push for stronger sanctions against Russia if incoming president Donald Trump attempts to undo those already in place . Condemning Trump’s consistent denial that Russia engaged in hacking the U.S. election, Schiff stated that the evidence of Russian involvement was overwhelming and [...]
US District Judge Reed O’Connor, of the Northern District of Texas , issued an injunction on Saturday barring enforcement of anti-discrimination provisions concerning transgender health and abortion in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The injunction comes one day before the provisions would have come into force at the start of 2017 and is part of [...]
Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea, announced in his Sunday New Year’s address that the country is in the final stage of preparations to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic rocket. Though North Korea has tested numerous missiles this year , it will be the first time that the nation will have tested a long range ballistic [...]
