International
UNGA Set To Deliberate On Resolution Recognising Srebrenica Genocide
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is set to deliberate on a resolution to acknowledge and commemorate the tragic events of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. Lead by Germany and Rwanda and co-sponsored by several nations, including the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina, this resolution aims to designate July 11th as the International Day of Reflection and Remembrance of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide. This resolution is significant because it represents a formal recognition by the international...
ECHR Holds Switzerland In Breach Of Human Rights Convention For Climate Inaction
The European Court of Human Rights (“ECHR”) found Switzerland in breach of Article 8 and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Convention). These articles guarantee the right to respect for private and family life and access to the court system, respectively. The court stated that the State must adopt and implement effective measures to mitigate climate change's adverse effects. Brief Facts: The case before the ECHR was initiated by Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz...
U.S. State Oklahoma Passes Controversial Immigration Bill Criminalizing 'Impermissible Occupation'
The U.S State of Oklahoma House of Representatives recently passed House Bill4156 with a significant majority. The bill, which aims to address concerns surrounding unauthorized immigration, introduces the concept of "impermissible occupation" as a criminal offense. With a vote count of 77-20, the bill was passed in the house. Oklahoma is located in the South Central region of the United States. Under the provisions of HB 4156, the concept of "impermissible occupation" is introduced as a...
High Court Overturns Conviction of Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen
The High Court of the Republic of Maldives overturned the conviction and cancelled the 11-year prison sentence of former President Abdulla Yameen. This decision comes as a result of the court's determination that Yameen's 2022 trial, which found him guilty of money laundering and bribery charges, was unfair and plagued with procedural irregularities. Brief Facts: Yameen was arrested primarily due to allegations of corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure in office. Specifically,...
Judge Partially Dismisses Claims Against Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Child Harm Lawsuits
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, issued a ruling, partially dismissing the claims against Meta Platforms' CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The lawsuits, numbering in dozens, accused Zuckerberg of concealing information regarding the potential harm of Facebook and Instagram to children. However, the judge's decision ruled out certain allegations against Zuckerberg, providing a degree of relief to the Meta CEO. Brief Facts: The case involves numerous lawsuits filed against...
Explainer: What is the Bill That Could Get TikTok Banned in the U.S.?
The US House of Representatives passed a bill in March 2024 with a substantial majority. The bill, titled 'Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act', garnered 352 votes in favour and 65 against, reflecting bipartisan concerns over national security risks associated with TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Now, the bill advances to the US Senate for further deliberation in this month.Key provisions of the bill include: 1. The bill mandates that ByteDance,...
Explainer: What is the Controversial Bill Prompting Protests in Georgia?
Georgia's parliament commenced discussions on Tuesday regarding a contentious bill concerning 'foreign agents', prompting a second day of protests from opponents who perceive the measure as a threat to Georgia's aspirations for European Union membership. The bill, which would mandate organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, has ignited fierce debate within the country and drawn criticism from Western nations. The bill pertains to the...
UK Supreme Court Declares Section 146 of Trade Union And Labour Relations Act Incompatible with European Convention on Human Rights
The UK Supreme Court held that a portion of the UK's trade union laws is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The ruling, handed down on Wednesday, pertains to Section 146 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA), which was held to violate Article 11 of the ECHR, guaranteeing the right to freedom of assembly and association. Brief Facts: The case before the UK Supreme Court centred around Fiona Mercer, a support worker and...
U.S. Sentencing Commission Prohibits Use of Acquitted Conduct in Federal Sentencing
The U.S. Sentencing Commission, a bipartisan body responsible for establishing guidelines for the federal judiciary in the U.S., unanimously approved a significant amendment aimed at curtailing a controversial practice in federal sentencing known as "acquitted conduct". It voted for a recommendation to prohibit conduct for which a person was acquitted in federal court from being used...
Texas Jury Orders Samsung to Pay $142 Million in Patent Infringement Case
A Texas federal jury has ruled in favour of G+ Communications LLC in a patent infringement case against Samsung Electronics, ordering the tech giant to pay a substantial sum of $142 million. G+ Communications LLC, a Texas-based entity, filed a legal suit against Samsung, alleging that it infringed upon two of its patents essential for 5G wireless standards. The patents, which are critical...
'Dishonest, Immoral, Unjustified': US Vetoes Palestine UNSC Resolution
In a session at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, the United States exercised its veto power, blocking a resolution that aimed to grant full membership to Palestine within the UN. This move comes after intense deliberations among Security Council members, with 12 nations voting in favor of the resolution and only the US casting a dissenting vote. Notably, the UK...
Germany Passes Self-Determination Act To Simplify Legal Gender Recognition Process
The German Parliament passed the Self-Determination Act allowing transgender and non-binary people to modify their legal documents to reflect their gender identity through an administrative procedure based on self-identification The Self-Determination Act replaces the outdated Transsexuals Act of 1980, which imposed burdensome requirements on individuals seeking to modify their...