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BlackRock's infrastructure bet gets a boost after Minnesota approves the buyout
Minnesota power regulators approved on Friday a $6.2 billion deal for a BlackRock subsidiary and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to purchase utility owner Allete - parent of Minnesota Power - saying that recent modifications made by the parties will address concerns over rates and clean energy investments. The Minnesota Public Utility Commission's 5-0 vote may assure investors that BlackRock can address concerns about regulatory and antitrust issues as it pushes its Global Infrastructure Partners division, which was purchased last year, to pursue more deals. People familiar with the situation said earlier this week that the infrastructure unit is in negotiations to purchase utility group AES. Separately, two people told me on Friday that the unit is in talks to purchase a Macquarie-backed data center business. Allete's executives have said that the Minnesota deal announced in 2011 will help Allete transition to clean energy. The environmental group Sierra Club and business customers, as well as State Attorney General Keith Ellison had expressed concern that the agreement would lead to higher prices and not guarantee Minnesota Power's ability to meet the state requirement to have carbon-free electricity by 2040. In a webcast meeting on Friday, the commissioners stated that recent changes had helped them to overcome their skepticism about the deal. According to a filing by the companies, recent changes in terms will result in benefits of up to $258,000,000 for utility stakeholders. This includes bill credits and a clean-technology fund. In comments before the decision was made, Commissioner Hwikwon said that these modifications had given him confidence in this agreement. He also stated that the commission would review the company rates "if the companies misbehave." Commission Chair Katie Sieben stated that Minnesota Power requires massive new investments in order to fund projects like a new transmission pipeline to bring hydropower from Manitoba. Leaders of BlackRock, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and other companies praised this decision in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They also stated that the transition should be completed by the end of 2025, as all regulatory approvals have been obtained. In the filing, Global Infrastructure Partners founding partner Jonathan Bram stated that "We are dedicated to preserving Allete’s legacy of intense focus on community as it continues to offer safe, reliable and affordable energy, which is increasingly free from carbon, for Northeastern Minnesota." The Private Equity Stakeholder Project, the Sierra Club and other groups have all expressed their disapproval of the decision. They are concerned with the rates and doubt that investors will provide the capital to invest in less polluting energy. (Reporting and editing by Edmund Klamann; Reporting by Ross Kerber)
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US crude exports reach a 1.5-year high due to strong Asian demand and US refinery maintenance
Ship tracking data revealed that U.S. crude exports reached their highest level since over a year-and-a-half in September as U.S. refining plants began seasonal maintenance, and Asian demand increased. According to Kpler, a ship tracking company, U.S. crude oil exports increased to an average 4.2 million barrels a day in September. This is the highest level since February 2024. Exports in July had fallen to their lowest level in almost four years due to low domestic supplies, and Asian and European buyers finding cheaper alternatives. The spread between Brent crude, the global benchmark, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate oil futures, which is the most widely traded in the world, increased in August when the majority of trades were made for September. It averaged minus $3.79 - the largest in the last four months. It is more economical to ship barrels over the Atlantic with a wider spread. Exports to South Korea reached a record high of 690,000 barrels a day in September. South Korea has committed to buying liquefied gas and other energy products worth $100 billion from the U.S. First US crude export to Pakistan was made in September after a landmark deal. After determining that the first purchase was commercially viable, Pakistan ordered a second shipment in September. Overall, the country received 1.9 billion barrels of oil, or 62,000 barrels per day. Indian refiners bought more U.S. crude, attracted by competitive prices and the pressure from the U.S., which doubled tariffs on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. Exports to Australia reached 79,000 bpd - their highest level since March 2024 - while exports to Europe fell 11% from August to 1.7million bpd. Kpler, citing data from fixtures, said that after seven months without shipments to China, volumes were expected to reach up to 335,000 bpd. China, which is the largest oil consumer in the world, had stopped purchasing oil after February due to rising trade tensions. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said last month that China's President Xi Jinping had agreed to meet in person with him to discuss trade issues during a phone call. Kpler wrote in a blog post on X that "the renewed flows come amid signs easing tensions" between Washington and Beijing. Although trade deals may contribute to increased shipments, shipping costs and the relatively high price of West Texas Intermediate crude could shut down the U.S. - Asia oil arbitrage in November. Analysts with Energy Aspects wrote in a report that domestic demand will also rise after the turnaround period, which is when refineries perform maintenance on their plants and equipment. This reduces the barrels available for export. Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar, Houston; Editing and proofreading by Liz Hampton and Barbara Lewis
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Mali army blocks fuel imports by militants as they block 70 Allied Gold trucks
Two people with knowledge of the situation said that Mali's army has stopped about 70 fuel trucks travelling to Allied Gold’s Sadiola mine, after militants linked to al Qaeda imposed a ban on fuel imports into the landlocked nation. They said that fuel supplies were dwindling in the remote goldmine, which is located 650 km from Bamako. Analysts say that militant groups are increasing pressure on Mali's army government. The military took over after coups of 2020 and 2021. In a video announcing a blockade, a Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin militant spokesperson stated: "We tell all traders who are importing diesel and gasoline to Mali from Ivory Coast or Guinea, Senegal or Mauritania that they should stop until further notice." "Why? "Because these bandits are persecuting the people, closing down their gas stations and cutting off fuel for villagers on the pretext they are supplying terrorists." Both sources confirmed that in recent weeks, the armed forces kept many fuel tanks destined for Sadiola at the border town of Diboli, on the Senegal side, and several others in Kayes (about 75 km north of Sadiola) until soldiers could escort them to the site. One source said that three tankers reached the site this week under military escort. Due to limited availability, Mali companies may have to wait for weeks or even months to obtain military escorts. Requests for comment from Allied Gold or the Malian Military were not immediately responded to. At least 40 fuel tanks were destroyed last month when insurgents attacked an escorted convoy of over 100 vehicles headed for Bamako. In May, militants targeted a convoy carrying heavy mining equipment between Bamako and Sadiola. This attack highlights the growing security risks faced by mining companies in a country dominated militarily, which is struggling to contain jihadists groups. (Reporting and editing by Robbie Corey Boulet and Mark Heinrich.
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EU bans use of "forever chemicals" in firefighting foams
The European Commission announced on Friday that it would restrict the use in firefighting foams of substances known by the acronym PFAS or "forever chemical". This is a significant step in the EU's goal to reduce the use in consumer products of PFAS. The PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substance) do not degrade in the environment and this raises concerns over the effects of their accumulation in drinking water, ecosystems and human bodies. The restriction is expected to be in place by the end this month, but there are transition periods that can range from a few weeks for certain industries up to 10 years based on usage. After six months, the sale of portable extinguishers that contain PFAS is restricted. Extinguishers for training, testing and municipal fire services are restricted after 18-months. For industrial sites with high risks, covered by EU safety regulations, such as those that store large quantities of flammable fluids, a 10-year transition period is established. Around 60% of firefighting fluids contain PFAS. It has caused contamination of drinking water and soil. Jessika Roswall, EU Environment Commissioner said: "This is a significant step forward in tackling PFAS contamination across Europe." Charlotte Van Campenhout, Emelia Sithole Matarise and Charlotte Van Campenhout contributed to this report.
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The top cases in the US Supreme Court docket
The U.S. Supreme Court will be deciding a number of cases during the new nine-month session that begins Monday. These include issues like presidential powers, trade tariffs, transgender sportspeople, guns, race laws, campaign finance laws, gay "conversion therapies", religious rights, and capital punishment. The following are some of the cases that will be heard during the upcoming court term. Separately, the court has also acted in emergency cases involving challenges against President Donald Trump's policy. TRUMP TARIFFS A court has agreed that it will decide on the legality Trump's global tariffs. This is a major test for one of Trump's most bold assertions of executive authority, which has been at the heart of his economic and trading agenda. The Justice Department appealed the lower court ruling that Trump had overstepped his power in imposing his tariffs, which were imposed under a federal emergency law. This case could result in trillions of dollars worth of customs duties within the next decade. The lower court ruled Trump had overreached by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act in order to impose tariffs. This ruling was made in response to challenges from five small businesses as well as 12 U.S. States. A toy manufacturer will also be bringing a separate case. Arguments will be held on November 5. TRUMP'S FIRE OF FED OFFICIAL Justices will hear arguments about Trump's bid to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. This is the first time a president has attempted to fire a Fed Official, as he questions the independence of the central bank. The court refused to decide immediately on a Justice Department's request to put a judge’s order temporarily blocking Trump from removing Cook. Congress created the Fed in 1913 and passed the Federal Reserve Act, which included provisions that shielded the central bank against political interference. The law required governors to only be removed "for cause" by the president, though it did not define this term or establish procedures for removal. The arguments are set for January but the exact date is not yet known. FIRE OF THE FEDERAL COMMISSION The Justices will hear arguments about Trump's firing a Democratic member from the Federal Trade Commission. This is a significant test of presidential authority over government agencies that Congress intended to be independent. The court allowed Trump to remove Rebecca Slaughter while the case is still pending. Slaughter filed a lawsuit after she was dismissed from the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Agency before her term expired in 2029. This case offers the court the chance to overrule an important precedent that dates back 90 years, upholding job-protection measures put in place by Congress for federal agency heads to have some independence from the presidential control. The judge rejected the argument of the administration that tenure protections illegally infringe on presidential powers. The arguments are set for December but the exact date is not yet known. TRANSGENDER SPORTS PARTICIPATION The court will hear Idaho and West Virginia's bid to enforce state laws that ban transgender athletes in female sports teams within public schools. This is another civil rights challenge against Republican-backed restrictions for transgender individuals. Idaho and West Virginia appealed lower court decisions siding with transgender plaintiffs. Plaintiffs argued the laws discriminate based upon sex or transgender status, in violation of U.S. Constitution 14th Amendment equal protection guarantee and Title IX civil right statute which prohibits sex discrimination in schools. The arguments have not been scheduled. The Justices agreed to hear the challenge of a Christian counselor on free speech grounds against a Democratic-backed Colorado Law banning "conversion therapies" that are intended to change a child's sexual orientation. The counselor appealed the lower court's ruling that rejected her claim that a 2019 Colorado statute violated the First Amendment by censoring her communications with her clients. The state claims it regulates professional conduct and not speech. According to court documents, the counselor is a Christian who believes that people "flourish when they live in accordance with God's plan, including their biological gender." Arguments will be held on October 7. HAWAII GUNS LAW The court took up the challenge of a Hawaii gun law that restricts the carrying handguns in public places, such as businesses. This gave the court the opportunity to expand gun rights. Three Hawaii residents who hold concealed carry licenses, and a gun rights group based in Honolulu appealed the lower court's ruling that Hawaii's measure is likely to comply with the U.S. Constitution Second Amendment right of keep and bear arms. Hawaii's concealed carry law requires that licensees obtain the owner's permission before bringing their handguns onto public property. The arguments have not been scheduled. CAMPAIGN FUNDING The court agreed to hear the Republican-led challenge, on free speech grounds, to a federal campaign finance provision that limits spending by parties in coordination and cooperation with candidates for office. This case involved Vice President JDVance. Vance and two Republican committees, both of whom were running for U.S. Senate at the time the litigation started, appealed the ruling by a lower court that limited the amount of money political parties could spend on campaigns, with the input of candidates they supported. The question is whether the federal restrictions on coordinated campaign expenditures violate First Amendment protections against government abridgment. The arguments have not been scheduled. LOUISIANA ELECTORAL DISTRECTS The court will again hear arguments in a dispute involving a Louisiana election map that increased the number of U.S. Congress districts with a majority of Black people in the state. The court will be assessing the legality a key element of the 1965 Voting Right Act that was meant to prevent racial bias in voting. Justices heard arguments on March 24, but ordered on June 27 that the matter be debated again. State officials and civil right groups appealed an earlier court ruling which found that the map of Louisiana's six U.S. House of Representatives district - now with two Black majority districts instead of one - was in violation of the Constitution's equal protection promise. Arguments will be held on October 15. CRISIS PREGNANCY COUNTER The court will examine whether to revive a New Jersey operator of a crisis pregnancy center's attempt to stop the Democratic-led attorney general's investigation into whether the Christian faith based organization misled women into thinking it offered abortions. First Choice Women's Resource Centers has appealed the ruling of a lower court that said the organization had to contest the attorney general's summons in state court first before filing a federal suit. The crisis pregnancy centers offer services to pregnant woman with the aim of preventing abortions. They do not promote their anti-abortion views. First Choice argues that it has the right to take its case to federal court, because it alleges a violation of First Amendment rights for free speech and freedom of association. The arguments have not been scheduled. EXXON CLAIMS CUBA COMPENSATION Justices will hear ExxonMobil’s bid to get compensation from Cuban state owned firms for oil assets seized by Cuban communists in 1960. The law allows Americans to sue foreign companies or individuals over confiscated property. Exxon appealed the ruling of a lower court that undermined its legal efforts to obtain compensation from Cuban companies who allegedly profited by stolen property. The lawsuit invoked a 1996 U.S. Law called Helms-Burton Act. The court also heard a similar request by a Delaware registered company that had built port facilities at Havana that were seized by Cuba in 1960. It wanted to reinstate $440 million of judgments against Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and two other cruise companies that used the terminal. The arguments have not been scheduled. RASTAFARIAN INMATES The justices heard a Rastafarian's case to sue Louisiana prison officials for shaven him bald and holding him down in violation of religious beliefs. Damon Landor's religion dictates that he let his hair grow. He appealed the lower court decision to dismiss his lawsuit filed under a U.S. statute protecting against religious infringements by local and state governments. Landor was not allowed to sue officials individually for damages under this law, according to the lower court. The law in question protects religious rights for people who are confined in institutions like prisons and jails. The arguments are scheduled for 10 November. DEATH ROW INMATES The court will hear the appeal of Alabama officials against a ruling that an intellectually-disabled man who was convicted of murder in 1997, but spared from death penalty. They are pressing ahead with their bid to execute the Republican-governed State. According to the lower court's analysis of Joseph Clifton Smith's IQ scores and expert testimony, he was deemed intellectually disabled. According to a Supreme Court decision from 2002, the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unjust punishment is violated by executing a person with intellectual disabilities. The arguments are scheduled for 4 November. COX COMMUNICATIONS PIRACY VERDICT Justices heard a dispute over copyright between Cox Communications, a music label group and the court after a judge threw out an $1 billion jury verdict that had been pronounced against Cox Communications for alleged music piracy by Cox's customers. Cox Communications appealed the lower court decision that it would still be liable for any copyright violations by its customers despite the ruling overturning the verdict. Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group are among the labels. The arguments have not been scheduled. CHEVRON AND XXON COASTAL POLLLUTION The court agreed to hear an application by Chevron and Exxon Mobil, as well as other oil and gas firms to move lawsuits filed by two Louisiana municipalities accusing them of damaging the state's coastline over a decade-long period to federal court. The companies appealed the lower court's decision rejecting their claim that the lawsuits should be heard in federal court, because the parishes Plaquemines & Cameron were suing for oil production undertaken during World War Two to fulfill U.S. Government refinery contracts. Federal court is regarded as a more friendly venue for such litigation. Arguments have not been scheduled.
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Hotels are a major factor in countries' decision to skip the COP30 climate conference
Hundreds of hotel rooms are in short supply, and prices have risen to hundreds of dollars a night. Two European nations have said that they are considering not attending Belem at all. The organisers of COP30 are racing to convert cruise ships, love motels and churches into accommodations for the 45,000 expected delegates. Brazil held the climate talks in Belem because it has an average of 18,000 hotel rooms available. It hoped that its location at the edge the Amazon rainforest, would draw attention to the threats climate change poses to the ecosystem and its role as a sink for climate warming emissions. LATVIA SAYS THAT ROOMS ARE EXPENSIVE The Latvian climate minister said that the country had asked its negotiators if they could dial in via video call. Melnis stated, "We've already decided that it is too expensive for us." It's the very first time that it is so expensive. "We have a duty to the budget of our country." Lithuania, a second country in eastern Europe, has also indicated that it will not be staying after receiving quotes for prices exceeding $500 per person, per night. A Lithuanian energy minister spokesperson, who covers climate issues, stated that the quality and legitimacy of negotiations would be affected if governments were unable to attend due to the cost. According to a spokesperson for Brazil's COP30 Presidency, the decision is up to each country. COP30 HOTEL PRICE LEAVES DELEGATES OUT OF POCKET The website displayed rates ranging from $360 to 4,400 per night, just days after Brazil launched a booking platform at the beginning of August. The platform displayed prices starting at $150 per night this week. The host country rejected calls to move the summit, saying it would provide 15 hotel rooms at a price of less than $220 per night for each delegation from a developing country and below $600 per night for any wealthy delegation. The United Nations also increased their subsidy for low-income countries to attend. According to Brazil's Presidency of COP30, less than six weeks before COP30, there are still 81 countries in negotiations about hotel rooms, while 87 have already reserved accommodation. Evans Njewa is the chair of the Least Developed Countries Group, which represents the poorest countries in the U.N. Climate Talks. He said that the group was still assessing the attendance plans. Njewa said: "We receive a large volume of concerns... and many requests for assistance." "Unfortunately, our capacity is restricted, which could affect the size and composition of delegations." CLIMATE ACTION UNDER THREATEN The COP summit this year takes place as the U.S. president Donald Trump seeks to shift America's focus away from climate change and Europe's priorities are changing due to its struggling economies. Ilana Seid said that the lack of affordable housing placed her members at "a severe disadvantage". The small island states have taken advantage of previous COPs in order to get more funding for climate change adaptation. Seid stated that smaller delegations would not allow island nations to "participate effectively in the negotiations that decide our future" because they lack the expertise required.
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After the reduction in state currency purchases, the Russian rouble is weaker against US dollars
The Russian rouble fell slightly on Friday against the U.S. Dollar and, even more, against the Chinese yuan, as a reaction to the planned reduction of the state's purchases of foreign currencies for the next month. The Russian Finance Ministry announced earlier that they would reduce their foreign currency sales from 1.4 billion Russian roubles per day to 0.6 billion Russian roubles (roughly $7.36 million) per day between October 7 and November 7. From October 7, the total daily net forex sales of the state, combining forex operations conducted by both the central bank and the ministry, will be reduced to 9.54 billion Russian roubles, down from the previous 10.34 billion. The central bank purchases and sells foreign currency to maintain a constant supply on the domestic markets and for the Finance Ministry, which manages the National Wealth Fund denominated by foreign currency. The central bank was a net seller in foreign currency for the entire year 2025. This supported the rouble which had risen by 45% since the beginning of the year. About 10% of daily yuan trade is conducted by the central bank. LSEG's data on over-the counter trade shows that the rouble fell by 0.3% at 0900 GMT to 82.30 against the dollar. The rouble fell by 1.2% at the Moscow Stock Exchange to 11.47 versus the Chinese yuan, the most commonly traded currency. Natalya Milchakova, from Freedom Finance, said that "the reduction in forex sales may contribute to a down correction of the rouble if a trigger is triggered. The likelihood of negative events due to the geopolitical tensions and the unstable macroeconomic data are quite high." She added, "We believe that the rouble could depreciate even further in October after the release of September inflation data and October inflation expectations." (Reporting and editing by Alex Richardson; Gleb Bryanski)
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USA Rare Earth reaches all-time high following close discussions with White House by a report miner
USA Rare Earth's shares rose more than 18% on Friday to reach a new record high, following a report that its CEO Barbara Humpton had said the company was in discussions with the White House. In an interview on CNBC, Humpton answered a question regarding the company's interest in striking a business deal with the Trump Administration. USA Rare Earth has not responded to our request for comment immediately. Humpton's comments follow the Trump Administration's purchase of a 5% share in Lithium Americas, and a separate stake of 5% in General Motors' joint venture Thacker Pass with the company earlier this week. In March, U.S. president Donald Trump invoked emergency powers to increase domestic production of vital minerals. This was part of an effort to counter China's near total control of this sector. In March, China halted the export of rare earths - a grouping of 17 metals which are used to produce magnets that convert power into motion - as part of its trade dispute with Trump. Although there were some signs of relief in June, the broader tensions highlighted the need for increased U.S. production. MP Materials announced a multi-billion dollar deal in July with the U.S. Government to increase production of rare earth magnets. The Defense Department became its largest shareholder. USA Rare Earth is developing a mine at Sierra Blanca in Texas, and a manufacturing facility for neo-magnets in Stillwater in Oklahoma. Both are expected to be commercially available in the first half 2026. Subash Chandra is an analyst at The Benchmark Company and he said that the company was one of the most important emerging neo-magnet manufacturers in America. Any reshoring plan should include this company. Chandra stated that "we don't yet know the form in which a possible U.S. Government investment could take. But there is still a piece missing to the mines-to magnet strategy." The company's market capitalization is now $2.59 billion, after its shares have doubled this year. (Reporting and editing by Shilpa Majumdar in Bengaluru)
The Supreme Court's top cases
In the current term of the U.S. Supreme Court, there are cases that involve guns, gender affirming medical care for minors who identify as transgender, online pornography and religious rights, TikTok and preventive healthcare. There are also cases involving funding Planned Parenthood, job discrimination and federal regulatory powers over nuclear waste storage, vape products and voting rights.
Take a look at the recent and upcoming cases that the justices will be deciding.
'GHOST GUN' On March 26, the court upheld a federal rule targeting "ghost guns", which are largely untraceable, imposed by former Democratic President Joe Biden in an effort to crackdown on firearms that have been used in crimes across the country. The ruling by 7-2 overturned the lower court decision that the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its authority when it issued the 2022 rule targeting the parts and kits of ghost guns. The court found the regulation to be in line with the 1968 federal Gun Control Act.
TRANSGENDER RIGHTS During arguments on 4 December, the court's conservative judges indicated that they were willing to uphold Tennessee's Republican-backed ban on gender affirming medical care for minors who are transgender. This case could have a significant impact on other state laws that target transgender individuals. Biden's Administration appealed the decision of a lower court upholding Tennessee’s ban on medical treatment, including hormones and surgery for minors suffering from gender dysphoria. This refers to the distress caused by the incongruity of a person’s gender identity with the sex assigned at birth. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
MEXICO GUN LAWSUIT On March 4, the justices showed sympathy for a request by two American firearms companies to dismiss the Mexican government’s lawsuit accusing the companies of assisting illegal gun trafficking to the drug cartels, and fueling violence in Mexico's southern neighbor. The justices heard arguments from Smith & Wesson, a firearms manufacturer and distributor of Interstate Arms in their appeal against a lower-court ruling allowing the lawsuit on the basis that Mexico had plausibly alleged the companies aided and facilitated illegal gun sales and harmed its government. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
U.S. TIKTOK BAN On January 17, the justices upheld a federal law that would ban TikTok from the United States if the Chinese parent company ByteDance failed to sell the short video app within a time limit set by Congress. The Justices ruled, 9-0, that the law passed by Congress and signed by Biden last year did not violate First Amendment protections against government abridgment. The justices upheld a lower court decision that had affirmed the measure. Biden's replacement, Republican President Donald Trump chose not to enforce it and instead gave both parties time to work out a compromise.
Online Pornography The Justices heard arguments about whether the First Amendment protects against government interference in speech when a Texas law requires that pornographic sites verify users' ages to limit access by minors. The justices voiced concerns over the availability and accessibility of online pornography, but also expressed concern about burdens placed on adults who wish to view constitutionally-protected material. A trade group representing the adult entertainment industry has appealed the decision of a lower court that upheld the Republican-led State's age verification mandate. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION On February 26, the court heard arguments in a case where a woman claimed that she was denied a job promotion and demoted because of her heterosexuality by an Ohio government agency. The justices seemed to favor making it easier for those from "majority backgrounds" to bring workplace discrimination cases, such as straight or white people. Marlean Amees, the plaintiff, said that she worked with a homosexual supervisor when, in 2019, she was demoted and passed over for promotion to a woman gay. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL The court will hear a case that tests the separation between church and state. Two Catholic dioceses are attempting to establish the first taxpayer-funded charter school in Oklahoma. St. Isidore Catholic Virtual School was shut down by a lower court, which ruled that the funding arrangement for the school violated First Amendment restrictions on government endorsements of religion. Arguments will be held on April 30.
RELIGIOUS TASKS EXEMPTIONS A Wisconsin Catholic diocese's arm has filed a request for an exemption from Wisconsin's unemployment insurance taxes. The case could have implications for the constitutional rights of religious people. The Catholic Charities Bureau of the Catholic Diocese of Superior appealed the lower court's rejection of its exemption request. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the bureau, it could force Wisconsin and other states that have similar tax programs in place to expand their exemptions to conform to the First Amendment protections of the U.S. Constitution. The arguments are scheduled for 31 March.
LGBT SCHOOL BIBLES The court accepted a request from religious parents who wanted to prevent their children from attending classes in a Maryland district public school when LGBT stories are read. This is yet another case that involves the intersection of religion and LGBT rights. Parents of children attending Montgomery County Public Schools filed an appeal after lower courts refused a plaintiff's request for a preliminary order ordering the district not to read these books. Arguments will be held on April 22.
OBAMACARE - PREVENTIVE CARE MANDATES The court will determine the legality of an important component of the Affordable Health Care Act, which gives a taskforce established under the Obamacare healthcare law the power to demand that insurers provide preventive medical services without cost to the patient. The court heard an appeal from the Biden administration against a lower-court ruling which sided with a Christian group of businesses that objected to the fact that their employee health plans covered HIV-preventing medications and had argued the task force structure violated U.S. Constitution. Arguments will be held on April 21.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD FINANCE The court will examine South Carolina's attempt to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood. This case could support conservative states in the U.S. who want to deny Planned Parenthood government money for reproductive healthcare. A lower court barred the Republican state from cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic under the Medicaid insurance program. Arguments will be held on April 2.
NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE On March 5, the justices heard arguments over whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission had the authority to issue licenses for certain nuclear waste facilities, amid objections raised by the state Texas and oil industry interests. The U.S. Government and a company awarded a license to operate an operation in western Texas by the NRC appealed the ruling of a lower court declaring that the storage arrangement was illegal. The NRC regulates nuclear energy in the United States. The NRC is expected to make a decision by the end June.
FLAVORED vapor products The Court on April 2, largely backed up the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in its refusal to allow two ecigarette companies to sell flavored vapes that regulators deem a risk to health for youths. The court threw out the lower court decision that found the FDA violated a federal law known as the Administrative Procedure Act by rejecting the applications of the companies Triton Distribution & Vapetasia to sell these nicotine-containing items.
EPA AUTHORITY On March 4, the court handed a major blow to the Environmental Protection Agency with a ruling of 5-4. The case involved a wastewater treatment plant owned by San Francisco. This could make it more difficult for regulators and water quality inspectors to monitor pollution. The court ruled that EPA had exceeded its authority in a law against pollution by including vague restrictions on a permit for the facility which discharges into the Pacific Ocean. In recent years, the court has limited the EPA’s power as part of a number of rulings that have curbed the federal regulatory agencies’ powers.
TAILPIPE Emissions A major case that tests the power of the Democratic-ruled state to combat greenhouse gases is a challenge by fuel producers against California's standards on vehicle emissions and electric vehicles under a federal law on air pollution. Valero Energy, along with fuel industry groups, appealed the lower court's decision to reject their challenge against a Biden administration decision to let California set its own regulation. Arguments will be held on April 23.
The Supreme Court is hearing a dispute regarding the legality and operation of the TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERIES FUND, a fund that Congress authorized to be operated by the Federal Communications Commission in order to increase access to telecommunications. The conservative Consumers' Research group and others accused Congress of illegally delegating authority to an independent federal organization. The FCC, along with a coalition including interest groups and telecoms companies, appealed an earlier court decision which found that Congress had violated the Constitution when it gave the FCC the authority to manage the fund. Arguments will be held on March 26.
LOUISIANA ELECTORAL MAP On March 24, the justices heard arguments in a bid to preserve an election map that increased the number of Black-majority districts in the state. This was in response to a legal challenge brought by a group voters who identified themselves as "non African American." Three federal judges determined that the map of Louisiana's six U.S. House of Representatives district - which now has two Black-majority areas, instead of one - violated the Constitutional promise of equal treatment. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
Death Penalty Case On February 25, the court threw away Richard Glossip’s conviction in Oklahoma for a murder-for hire plot that took place in 1997 and gave him a fresh trial. In a 5-3 decision, the justices concluded that prosecutors had violated their constitutional obligation to correct false testimony from their star witness. The justices reversed the lower court decision which had upheld Glossip’s conviction. They also allowed his planned death to proceed despite Glossip’s claim that prosecutors had wrongly withheld information that could have helped his defense. (Compiled by Andrew Chung and John Kruzel; edited by Will Dunham.)
(source: Reuters)