A United Nations expert called on Thursday for major changes to global financial institutions to protect human rights in developing nations. George Katrougalos said the International Monetary Fund and World Bank prioritize wealthy countries while ignoring poorer populations. The expert found that developed nations control 41 percent of voting power despite representing less than 10…
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on Thursday after federal food assistance benefits expired because of the government shutdown. More than 850,000 state residents depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for groceries. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned on Oct. 16 that funding for 40 million Americans would run out on Nov….
Ghana’s president nominated Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for chief justice on Tuesday despite a pending petition seeking his removal from the bench. The nomination follows the recent ouster of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo. Citizen Gbande Nabin Yusif filed the October 6 petition alleging Baffoe-Bonnie met with litigants in an active lawsuit and commented…
Pakistan faces security threats from Taliban forces operating across the Afghanistan border. The Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban coordinate attacks while sharing Deobandi religious ideology under one leadership structure. Both groups reject the Durand Line boundary established in 1893 between the nations. Military operations against militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have displaced thousands of families….
A French court rejected an appeal from a man convicted of raping Gisèle Pelicot and increased his prison term from nine years to ten. The defendant argued his guilty verdict should be overturned because he believed rape required physical force. Prosecutors cited his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. Pelicot waived anonymity after her…
The Supreme Court refused to hear a Louisiana social worker’s challenge to state licensing restrictions that blocked her business application. Ursula Newell-Davis wanted to open respite care services for families with special needs children, but officials determined the region had sufficient providers. Newell-Davis argued that Louisiana violated the 14th Amendment’s privileges or immunities clause, protecting…
Former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy published his memoir this month, defending major rulings through a method he calls judicial introspection. Kennedy argues that judges reach correct decisions by studying law thoroughly and reflecting on their personal identity rather than by following strict constitutional interpretation. Kennedy was the last Supreme Court justice to be unanimously…
Supreme Court justices increasingly disagree about basic facts in cases before them. Legal experts warn this pattern undermines judicial credibility and signals disrespect for trial courts that spend months building detailed records. Recent disputes included a Washington football coach’s prayer, debates over Maryland school curriculum, and South Carolina redistricting. Justice Sonia Sotomayor used photographs to…
The Supreme Court rejected an Alabama death row inmate’s request to halt his execution scheduled for Thursday. Anthony Boyd sought to die by firing squad rather than nitrogen hypoxia. The justices provided no explanation for their unsigned order. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. She said…
The Supreme Court will decide on Friday, Nov. 7, whether to hear former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis’ appeal of her liability for refusing same-sex marriage licenses. Davis seeks to overturn the 2015 Obergefell ruling establishing nationwide marriage equality. A jury awarded David Moore and David Ermold $50,000 each after Davis denied them a license in…
