Gambia Moves To Repeal Ban On Female Genital Mutilation

In a contentious move that has sparked global outcry, Gambia's parliament has taken significant steps toward repealing the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), potentially making it the first nation to backtrack on legal protections against the harmful practice. The debate over repealing the ban, initially imposed in 2015 by former President Yahya Jammeh, has reignited in...

Hong Kong Court Sentences 12 Activists Over Legislative Council Breach During 2019 Protests

A Hong Kong court has handed down sentences to 12 individuals involved in the storming of the city's legislative council building during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The defendants, convicted of rioting on July 1, 2019, faced charges related to their actions during the demonstration, which saw a large group of protesters forcibly enter the Legislative Council...

US Appeals Court Overturns Jan. 6 Capitol Rioter Sentence, 100 US rioters May Be Resentenced

A federal appeals court panel has delivered a ruling on Friday, ordering the resentencing of a participant in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The decision challenges the application of sentencing enhancements, potentially impacting the fate of numerous convicted rioters. What the Court Decided? The three-judge panel overturned a trial judge's decision to apply a longer...

International Criminal Court Upholds Decision to Investigate Alleged Crimes Against Humanity in Venezuela

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has reaffirmed its earlier decision to proceed with an investigation into potential crimes against humanity committed by the government of Venezuela, despite the country's vehement objections. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Venezuela and the ICC. What is...

Nicaragua Files Case Against Germany at ICJ Over Israel Aid and UNRWA Funding

Nicaragua has filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Germany of facilitating "genocide" in Gaza. The Nicaraguan government alleges that Germany's provision of financial and military aid to Israel, coupled with halting funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), amounts to complicity in genocide. What is...

Canada Supreme Court Rules Police Need A Search Warrant To Get Person's IP Address

The Supreme Court of Canada, in a narrow 5-4 majority ruling, declared that Canadians' internet protocol (IP) addresses are protected by the Constitution, requiring law enforcement to obtain prior judicial authorization for access. This decision, arising from the case of R. v. Bykovets, has far-reaching implications for online privacy and law enforcement procedures. What...

Former Twitter CEO Parag Agarwal Sues Elon Musk For $128 Million In Severance

In a dramatic turn of events following Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, four former top executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, have jointly filed a lawsuit against Musk and the company now known as X. The executives claim they are owed more than $128 million in severance payments, alleging Musk's deliberate withholding of funds after their ousting from the company. Why...

UN Report Highlights Violence And Rights Abuses In South Sudan

In a stark warning, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has issued a report detailing the ongoing and unabated mass violence and gross human rights violations in the world's newest nation. Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has grappled with violence, endemic poverty, natural disasters, and a fragile political transition. What is...

France Approves Landmark Constitutional Amendment Guaranteeing Right To Abortion

The French Senate overwhelmingly voted to adopt a constitutional bill ensuring the right to abortion in the French constitution on Wednesday. This development marks a significant step towards safeguarding women's reproductive rights in the face of global challenges to abortion access. What is the Amendment? The constitutional amendment, backed by 267 votes to 50, seeks to embed...

Supreme Court Rules Trump Can Stay On Colorado Ballot

The United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Monday that former President Donald J. Trump should remain on Colorado's primary ballot. The ruling comes after a challenge to his eligibility for another term, based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars insurrectionists from holding office. All justices agreed that individual states cannot bar candidates for federal office...

European Commission Fines Apple $1.95 Billion For Antitrust Practices Towards Spotify

After an extensive investigation, the European Commission has imposed a substantial fine of €1.8 billion, equivalent to about $1.95 billion, on tech giant Apple. The commission found Apple guilty of "abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps" concerning iPhone and iPad users. This decision follows a complaint filed by Spotify, which...

Belfast Court Rules UK's Northern Ireland Law Granting Immunity To British Soldiers Breaches Human Rights

A Belfast court has ruled that the UK's Troubles-era Amnesty Law, designed to grant conditional amnesties to soldiers and paramilitaries involved in Northern Ireland's sectarian violence, breaches human rights legislation. This decision comes in the wake of a legal challenge mounted by victims' families, adding another layer of complexity to an already contentious law. The Legislation...