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Ukrainian Energy Minister: Power system has had its most difficult day since 2022
Ukraine's energy network on Thursday experienced its most difficult day since a widespread power outage hit the system in November - 2022. The situation is still "extremely difficult, Energy Minister???Denys?Shmyhal? said. In the nearly four-year old war, Russia has been targeting Ukraine's energy systems. But the attacks intensified recently, causing heavy damage to networks and knocking power and heat out for large swathes. The power was cut to thousands of apartment blocks in Kyiv during two nights of strikes this month. Shmyhal is also the first deputy premier and he said that the recent difficulties were due to a number of factors, including constant shelling, damage to transformers and generating equipment. He wrote: "Today was the worst day for the Ukrainian power system since November 2022's blackout." The situation is very difficult. The crews were forced to resort to emergency shutdowns." He said that the most difficult conditions were in Kyiv, its surrounding area, and in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk Region. Shmyhal reported that 165 emergency brigades worked during the daytime in the capital. The city had just experienced its?2,000th alert of an air raid since the Kremlin's invasion in February 2022. The wintry weather made their operations more difficult, as nighttime temperatures dropped to -10 Celsius. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said that 2,600 apartment blocks were still without heat two days after last night's attacks. However 600 buildings had heating restored. He said that power cuts were still in place, even though the water supply had been fully restored. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared an emergency in the energy industry and asked the government to develop a plan for dealing with disruptions. After a meeting on energy, Yulia Shvyrydenko stated that the government is working to provide Kyiv's residents with generators and alternative energy sources. (Reporting and Editing by Bill Berkrot.)
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Oil drops 2% after Trump toned down his threats towards Greenland and Iran
The oil price dropped by about 2% on Thursday, reaching a new low. This was after U.S. president Donald?Trump backed down on his threats against Greenland and Iran and on positive developments that could help end Russia's war in Ukraine. Brent futures dropped $1.18 or 1.8% to settle at $64.06 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), however, fell $1.26 or 2.1% to settle at $59.36, which is a new one-week low. Trump claimed that he had secured permanent U.S. access in Greenland through a deal with NATO. The head of the alliance said allies must increase their commitment to Arctic Security to counter threats from Russia and China. Diplomats say that European Union leaders will also rethink their relationship with the U.S. during an emergency summit scheduled for Thursday, after Trump's threats of tariffs, and possibly military action, to take Greenland, severely shook the confidence in the transatlantic partnership. Ole Hansen is the chief commodity analyst for Saxo Bank. He said that there has been a reduction in risk premiums due to the Greenland fiasco and also decreased Iran supply risks. Trump said that he also hoped for no further U.S. military actions in Iran but added that the U.S. will act if Iran resumes their nuclear program. Iran is the third largest crude oil producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Tony Sycamore is an analyst at online broker IG. He says that with less tension in Greenland and Iran the oil price should remain around $60 a barrel. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE After talks with Trump at Davos, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that the terms of Ukraine's security guarantees had been finalized. However, the crucial issue of its war?with Russia has not yet been resolved. Trump has pressed Ukraine to secure peace following nearly four years war, despite little sign that Russia is willing to end the fighting. By increasing the amount of fuel available globally, a deal that brings peace to Ukraine and lifts sanctions against Russia, which is the third largest crude producer in terms of volume, could lower oil prices. The French Navy intercepted in the Mediterranean a Russian oil tanker suspected of being a part of a Shadow Fleet that allows Russia to export its oil despite sanctions. According to data released on Thursday, the Russian oil production fell by 0.8% last year to 10,28 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd). This represents around a 10th of global output. Trading houses Vitol & Trafigura, a second sanctioned OPEC-member, were exporting fuel in Venezuela under a U.S. backed deal after the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Drafts of a proposed law reform in Venezuela would allow foreign and domestic companies to operate oilfields independently through a new model of contract, commercialize the output, and receive sales proceeds even if they are minority partners of PDVSA. A U.S. official stated on Thursday that the Trump administration allows China to buy Venezuelan crude oil, but not at the "unfair and undercutting" prices Caracas was selling the crude before the U.S. ousted Maduro. Oil prices could be reduced by increasing oil exports from Venezuela. Forecasts for European corporate health have also been cut, which has a negative impact on oil prices. Amin Nasser is the chief executive officer of Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, which is the world’s largest oil producer. He said that global oil glut predictions were'seriously overstated' as global oil stocks have been depleted and demand continues to grow. US OIL INVENTORIES Oil futures continued to lose money on the back of a larger-than-expected increase in crude storage. Energy Information Administration in the United States (EIA), said that energy firms added more than 3.6 million barrels to storage during the last week of January. This is more than triple what analysts predicted. EIA & API released their reports one day later than normal due to Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the U.S. Scott DiSavino reported from New York, and Anna Hirtenstein from London. Sam Li and Siyi Liu contributed additional reporting from Beijing and Singapore. Editing by Joe Bavier (with Will Dunham, Mark Potter, and David Gregorio).
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Official: US allows China to buy Venezuelan oil, but not at prices that 'undercut Maduro's days'
A U.S. official stated on Thursday that the Trump administration allows China to purchase Venezuelan crude oil, but not at the "unfair and undercutting" prices which Caracas had sold it at before the U.S. ousted President Nicolas Maduro. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that while the oil would be sold globally, the U.S. government has insisted that the majority is sold to them. The U.S. claims it will continue to control Venezuela's oil sales after seizing Maduro in January. The official stated that "thanks to President Donald Trump's successful and decisive law enforcement operation, Venezuelans will receive a fair price from China and other nations for their oil instead of a cheap, corrupt price." China has been Venezuela’s largest oil buyer for many years. The sales have helped Caracas pay off massive debts to Beijing in debt-for -oil agreements. Officials said that the administration is allowing China the opportunity to purchase oil at "fair, market prices", not at the low prices at which Maduro had sold oil to China in order to pay off debts. U.S. Energy Sec. Chris Wright stated last week that the U.S. received about $45 per barrel for Venezuelan crude oil compared to?the roughly $30 Venezuela received before Maduro was captured. Trafigura and Vitol, two trading houses, sold 11 million barrels in an initial supply deal between Venezuelan and U.S. stranded oil. This represents about a quarter of the $2 billion agreement. Sources said that Trafigura had completed its first crude oil sale in a deal to a Spanish company,?Repsol. Vitol also negotiated cargoes for U.S. refiners such as?Valero, Phillips 66, and its refinery in Italy. China's imports of Venezuelan oil are 'expected to drop in February' as fewer tanks have been able to leave since the U.S. took control of the OPEC producers' sales, traders and analyst said last week. Timothy Gardner in Washington, Nidhi verma and Matthew Lewis edited the article.
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Sources: Trafigura sells first Venezuelan crude oil under supply agreement
Trafigura, a trading house, has sold its first shipment of Venezuelan crude oil, as part of an agreement between Caracas, Venezuela, and Washington for the supply of 50 million barrels of oil. The Spanish refiner Repsol is expected to receive a shipment of this quantity. Two sources stated that the cargo should be delivered to Repsol by mid-February. Trafigura and Repsol have declined to comment. The agreement would be one of the first to sell Venezuelan oil in Europe since the United States captured Venezuela's leader at the beginning of this month, and struck an agreement with Caracas for the export of up to 50,000,000 barrels of oil. Sources in the industry said that, along with the Trafigura shipment bound for Spain and the Vitol cargo headed to Italy, the rival commodities trading house Vitol was also shipping Venezuelan oil as part of the initial agreement made with the U.S. Government. Vitol declined comment. Washington contacted Trafigura and Vitol to help facilitate the first exports of Venezuelan crude oil, which had been filling up storage tanks due to an U.S. blockade. They also agreed to provide naphtha as part of their efforts to revitalize Venezuela's oil production. Trading sources claim that Venezuelan oil has a high density, and can only be processed by a small number of European refineries. Trading sources say that Repsol, which has five refineries across Spain, is a former regular importer from Venezuela. It also 'has the capability to refine heavier barrels. This makes it one of top candidates for continuing to buy from trading firms. Repsol is also 'in the process of applying for its own U.S. license to export oil from Venezuela. An administration official stated on Thursday that while the Venezuelan oil would be sold globally, the U.S. Government has demanded the majority be sold to the United States. According to a report on Wednesday, Vitol is currently in negotiations to sell cargoes of crude oil to U.S. refiners Valero Energy & Phillips 66. Trading houses in India have also been selling Venezuelan oil to refiners. An official in the U.S. administration said that China can only buy Venezuelan oil if they do so at "fair-market prices". Reporting by Pietro Lombardi and Shariq Khan. Editing by Alex Lawler and Elaine Hardcastle. Nia Williams.
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Vitol, Trafigura accelerate Venezuelan oil sales under US-backed $2 bln supply deal
Trafigura, a trading house, sold a 'cargo' of Venezuelan oil, to a Spanish refiner. Vitol, a rival, was preparing to export Venezuelan fuel as shipments from the OPEC nation accelerated, according to oil industry sources. U.S. officials reported that Vitol, Trafigura and other companies obtained their first U.S. licensing to load and export Venezuelan crude oil earlier this month. Initial sales reached $500 million or approximately 11 million barrels last week, they said. U.S. officials said that other companies, such as U.S. giant Chevron, were waiting for Washington's exemptions from U.S. sanctions against Venezuela before expanding exports. According to industry sources and shipping data, the trading companies have taken crude cargoes, stored them at terminals located in the Caribbean and then offered the Venezuelan oil to refiners based in the U.S.A., Europe, and India. Trafigura completed its first crude oil sale this week to a customer, the Spanish company Repsol. Vitol has also negotiated cargoes for?U.S. Sources said that Vitol has negotiated cargoes to?U.S. refiners such as Phillips 66, Valero, and its own Saras refinery. Vitol and Trafigura have declined to comment. The sales indicate that the historic 50-million barrel supply deal between Caracas? and Washington is accelerating and that millions of bbls of Venezuelan crude oil are now flowing to refiners around the world after several years of not being able to buy it because of U.S. sanctions. U.S. officials claim that Venezuela received higher prices than before sanctions for the oil purchased by Vitol or Trafigura. During the sanctions period, the country was forced to offer steep discounts in order to entice buyers to risk violating U.S. restrictions regarding the facilitation of Venezuelan oil exports. Vitol & Trafigura have paid a $15 discount to Brent crude, up from the previous discount of $30 per barrel. Brent traded at $63 per barrel on Thursday. Venezuela would receive about $48 per barril compared to around $33 under sanctions. The higher price of the 50 million barrels Venezuela agreed to sell in the U.S.-backed agreement would generate an additional $750 million. FUEL OIL TO BE DEPART Two sources claim that Vitol executives instructed their business partners to inspect terminals run by the state-run PDVSA in Venezuela, including Amuay, El Palito and Amuay, in order to?load fuel oil there in the next few days. Refineries can produce fuel oil that is suitable for use in power generation. The OPEC nation produces high-sulphur residue fuel oil that it used to'sell to customers in Asia. Shipping data revealed that Vitol has another cargo of fuel due to arrive soon in Venezuela. This cargo contains naphtha which Venezuela needs to blend with its heavy crude. The crude is diluted, which makes it easier to transport and less viscous. PDVSA has not responded to a comment request. Venezuela had previously imported naphtha, but these shipments were halted in December when U.S. president Donald Trump imposed an oil blockade into and out Venezuelan waters. Venezuela has stored millions of barrels of fuel and crude oil on land and in vessels due to a U.S. blockade of oil that began in late December in an effort to put pressure on Maduro's government. Independent figures show that the PDVSA was forced to reduce production due to the increasing stocks. Production fell to 880,000 barrels a day in early January from 1,16 million bpd late November. Sources said that PDVSA sent millions of barrels, including fuel oil and residual fuel, to waste pools located in the western region of the country to avoid closing down its domestic refineries. Three sources from the company said that the PDVSA's oil production cuts will be reversed in the next few days if exports increase.
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UK court approves challenge to large data center
After campaigners received permission on Thursday to file a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against the project, Britain's approval of a hyperscale data center just?outside London is under scrutiny. The government approved plans for a 90MW Data Centre in Buckinghamshire last year after the local authority refused permission. Foxglove, a British non-profit and Global Action Plan, an environmental charity, argued that ministers had failed to take into account the climate change impact of the "vast" amount of electricity required by the data center. Since ChatGPT's release in late 2022 the global data centre demand has risen, and so have the planned projects, as investors bet on generative AI and governments increase demand for electricity to power these centres. The lawyers for the groups claim that the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government failed to estimate the "much greater amounts of electricity" required to power and cool computers, as opposed the office functions of the data centre. Greystoke Land - the company that is developing the land - argued that the project was 'lawfully approved' and the legal challenge shouldn’t go forward. In a letter sent to the London High Court, MHCLG officials accepted that the permission granted for the project was invalid because it was based on climate mitigation measures, which were not then?secured. The High Court gave Foxglove and the Global?Action plan the green light to challenge the decision during a hearing held on Thursday. This means that a full 'hearing' of their case will be scheduled later this year. Foxglove, Global Action Plan and others claim that theirs is the very first legal challenge in Britain to a hyperscale information centre. ($1 = 0.7449 pounds) (Reporting by Sam Tobin, Editing by Louise Heavens)
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Central African leaders call for urgent reforms to strengthen economies
Central African leaders have ordered urgent fiscal measures and monetary policies to stabilize the region's weakening economy. This includes repatriating?state assets abroad and export revenue. According to a communiqué issued following an extraordinary summit held in Brazzaville, the six leaders agreed to implement immediately the return of export revenue, giving priority to companies in the extractive industry. The officials urged governments to "pursue" and "finalize" negotiations with companies to repatriate the funds allocated for environmental restoration in areas affected by oil extraction. This step was deemed crucial for restoring liquidity to the regional banking system. The Central African Economic and Monetary Community convened the summit to address the region's slow growth, falling commodity prices, climate change and tightening financial conditions. The Bank of Central African States, central bank of Cameroon and Chad as well as the Central African Republic of Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinée, demanded that international oil companies place funds for environmental restoration in BEAC managed accounts, under a reform backed by the International Monetary Fund. This move was met with industry resistance. International oil companies that operate in the region allocated funds estimated between 3 trillion and 6 trillion CFA Francs ($5 to $10 billion), which are currently held by foreign banks. These funds will be used for environmental cleanup after production has ended. The leaders instructed the governments to?advance or finalise their economic and financial programs with IMF, and to align their national budgets with IMF obligations in particular on debt sustainability and consolidating foreign positions. (Editing by Ayen deng Bior and William Maclean).
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Copper falls to a near 2-week-low as stocks increase, Greenland fears diminish
The price of copper fell to the lowest level in nearly two weeks on Friday as exchange stocks rose. U.S. president Donald?Trump also backed off his threat to impose tariffs against countries that opposed his taking over Greenland. As of 1700 GMT, the benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange had fallen 0.4% to $12,756 per metric tonne. The price had fallen to $12,621 in the previous session, its lowest level since January 9. Trump on Wednesday said that military force would not be used to take Greenland. He also announced that he will no longer impose tariffs against?European Allies, which he had previously threatened to implement on February 1. Tom Price, Panmure Liberum's analyst, said: "The primary driver of the market is no longer in play. Everything pulls back because it's not there anymore." The cash LME contract for copper was trading at $78 per ton less than the three-month forward. After surging to more than $100 on Tuesday, it is clear that there is little demand for metals in the short term. China, the world's largest metals consumer, produced a record amount of refined copper during December. LME Copper Stocks After 8,725 tonnes of copper were imported into U.S. storage facilities this month, LME stocks have increased to 168.250 tons. This is the highest level since May 2025. LME inventories are dwarfed, however, by the over 500,000 tons of copper stored in Comex's warehouses . Traders said that the arbitrage for shipping copper from LME to Comex has been significantly reduced or closed. Sucden Financial stated in a report that "a negative?arb encourages shipments back to LME and helps explain the stock increases, while Comex inventories continue to increase in parallel." The rest of LME complex is generally?higher. This was supported by the weaker dollar which makes dollar-denominated precious metals more affordable for holders of foreign currencies. Zinc prices rose by 1.4%, to $3216.50 per ton. Nexa Resources announced that production had temporarily been suspended at its Atacocha San Gerardo Mine in Peru. Aluminium increased by 0.6%, to $3,113. Lead decreased by 0.1%, to $2,021. Nickel rose 0.2%, to $18,035 while tin increased 1.7%, to $52,205.
The top cases in the US Supreme Court docket
The U.S. Supreme Court has a number of important cases on its docket during the current term. These include issues like presidential powers, tariffs and birthright citizenship. Other topics are race, transgender sportspeople, campaign finance laws, voting rights, LGBT “conversion therapy”, religious rights and capital penalty. The term began in October, and will run through June. Separately, the court has also acted in emergency cases in several cases that challenge President Donald Trump's policy.
TRUMP'S FIRE OF FED OFFICIAL Justices expressed skepticism about Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a move that could threaten the independence of the central bank. The justices said they would not grant Trump's request for a judge to overturn a decision that prevented him from firing Cook immediately while her legal case played out. Congress created the Fed by passing a law, the Federal Reserve Act, that contained provisions to protect the central bank against political interference. The law stipulated that governors could only be fired "for cause" by the president, though it did not define this term or establish procedures for its removal. Trump claimed that Cook's firing was due to unproven allegations of mortgage fraud, which she has denied. Cook, who is still in her post, said that the allegations were a pretext for firing her because of monetary policy disagreements, as Trump pressures the Fed to reduce interest rates. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
TRUMP TARIFFS During arguments on the 5th of November, the justices raised questions about the legality Trump's sweeping Tariffs. This case?with implications for global economic?marks a major test to Trump's power. Both conservative and liberal justices questioned the lawyer for Trump's administration on whether or not a 1977 law intended to be used during national emergencies had given Trump the authority he claimed to impose a tariff, or if the president infringed upon the powers of Congress. Some conservative justices emphasized the inherent power of presidents when dealing with foreign nations, indicating that the court may be divided on the outcome. Lower courts ruled Trump had overreached by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act in order to impose tariffs. This was challenged by 12 U.S. States and various businesses. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
Birthright Citizenship The court agreed to rule on the legality Trump's directive restricting birthright citizenship. This is a controversial part of Trump’s efforts to curb immigration, and would change the way a 19th-century constitutional provision was long understood. The lower court ruled against Trump's executive orders that instructed U.S. agencies to not recognize citizenship for children born in the U.S. when neither parent was an American citizen, or a legal permanent resident (also known as a "green-card" holder). The court found that Trump's directive violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and federal law codifying the birthright citizenship rights. This was in response to a class action lawsuit filed by parents and their children who felt threatened by this directive. Arguments in the case have not been scheduled.
LOUISIANA ELECTORAL DISTRECTS The conservative justices of the court signaled on October 15, their willingness to undermine another key section in the Voting Right Act, the landmark 1965 legislation enacted by Congress in order to prevent racial bias in voting. This was during the arguments in a significant?case involving Louisiana's electoral districts. The case centers on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting maps that dilute the power of minorities without proof of racism. The lower court found that the Louisiana electoral map, which divided the six U.S. House of Representatives district into two districts with a majority of Black people instead of one before, violated the Constitution promise of equal treatment. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
Federal Trade Commission Firing The conservative justices of the court have indicated that they will uphold Trump's legality in firing a Federal Trade Commission Member and also give a "historic boost" to presidential power, while also putting at risk a 90-year old legal precedent. On December 8, the court heard arguments in the Justice Department appeal of the lower court's ruling that the Republican President exceeded his authority by dismissing Democratic FTC member Rebecca Slaughter before the term she was due to finish. The conservative justices seemed sympathetic to the Trump Administration's argument that tenure protections granted by Congress to independent agency heads unlawfully infringed on presidential powers under the U.S. Constitution. Trump was allowed to remove Slaughter until the case concluded. The court is expected to make a decision by the end June.
TRANSGENDER SPORTS PARTIcipation The conservative justices seemed ready to uphold the state laws that ban transgender athletes to female sports teams, amid an escalating nationwide effort to restrict transgender rights. On January 13, the court heard arguments from Idaho and West Virginia in appeals of lower court decisions siding with transgender student who challenged the bans as being in violation of the U.S. Constitution, and a federal antidiscrimination act. 25 other states also have laws similar to Idaho's. The conservative justices expressed concerns over imposing a uniform law on the whole country, amid a sharp disagreement and uncertainty about whether medications such as puberty-blocking hormones or gender affirming hormones remove male physiological advantages in sport. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
LGBT 'CONVERSION THERAPEUTY'
During arguments on October 7, the conservatives of the?court appeared to be ready to support a challenge to a Colorado statute that prohibits psychotherapists from performing "conversion therapy", which aims to change minors' sexual orientation or gender identities. A Christian licensed counsellor challenged the law based on the First Amendment's protections from government abridgment. Colorado said that it regulates professional conduct and not speech and has the legal power to prohibit a healthcare practice they deem unsafe and ineffective. A lower court upheld this law. A decision is expected to be made by the end June.
HAWAII GUNS LAW The conservative Justices expressed skepticism about a Hawaii gun law which restricts the carry of handguns on private property that is open to the public, as are most businesses. They appeared ready to expand the right to own a firearm again. On January 20, the court heard arguments in an appeal filed by opponents of the law, backed by Trump's administration. The challengers were appealing a ruling by a judge that Hawaii's Democratic backed measure probably complied with the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment right. Hawaii's law demands that a property owner "expressly authorize" the bringing of a handgun on private property. Four other states in the United States have laws similar to Hawaii's. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
Drug Users and Guns On March 2, the justices will hear arguments from the Trump administration in a Texas case that involves a dual American/Pakistani national to defend a federal gun law which prohibits users of illegal drugs. Hunter Biden, son of former president Joe Biden, was charged under this law in 2023. The Justice Department appealed a lower court ruling which found that the gun restrictions were in violation of the Second Amendment rights to "keep and carry arms" guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The Gun Control Act, which was passed in 1968, prohibited gun ownership by drug users.
CAMPAIGN-FINANCE On December 9, the court heard arguments in a Republican led bid to overturn federal spending limits by political parties coordinated with candidates. The case involved Vice President JDVance. The conservative justices seemed to be sympathetic towards the challenge. However, the three liberal members of the court appeared inclined to maintain the spending limits. The debate centers around whether federal limits on campaign spending coordinated with candidates' input violate First Amendment protections against government abridgment. Vance and Republican challengers have appealed the ruling of a lower court that upheld restrictions regarding the amount of money political parties can spend in campaigns, with input from candidates who they support. This type of spending is called coordinated party expenses. The ruling is expected to be made by the end of June.
MAIL-IN-BALLOTS The Mississippi state court will hear the defense of a law that Republicans are challenging. This law allows for a five-day period to count mail-in votes received after Election Day. This case could lead to stricter voting laws in other states. A lower court declared illegal a state law that allows mail-in votes sent by certain voters be counted even if the postmark was made on or before Election Day, but they are received up to 5 business days after an election. Arguments in this case have not been scheduled.
U.S. ASYLUM - PROCESSING - The court accepted to hear the Trump Administration's defense to the U.S. Government's authority to restrict the processing of asylum requests at ports of entry on the U.S. - Mexico border. The Trump administration appealed the lower court's ruling that the "metering policy" - which allowed U.S. Immigration officials to stop asylum seekers and refuse to process their claims at the border - violated federal laws. Former President Joe Biden rescinded the policy, but Trump has said that he would be open to resuming its use. Arguments in the case have not been scheduled.
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES ABROAD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES ABROAD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES ABROAD - The Court heard an appeal from Cisco Systems, in which both the company and Trump administration asked the court to limit the scope of a federal statute that was used to hold companies liable for abuses committed by corporations abroad. Cisco appealed the 2023 ruling which gave new life to a lawsuit filed in 2011 accusing the California-based firm of developing technology allowing China's government surveillance and persecution of members of the FalunGong spiritual movement. The Alien Tort Statute was the basis of the lawsuit. This 1789 law had lain dormant in U.S. courtrooms for almost two centuries, before attorneys began to use it in the 1980s in international human rights cases. Arguments in the case have not been scheduled.
CRISIS PRGNANCY CENTERS In a dispute arising from an investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General into whether or not these facilities engaged in deceptive practice, the court seems to be inclined to side with the Christian faith-based "crisis pregnancies centers" that are anti-abortion. During the December 2 arguments, a'majority' of the justices appeared to be inclined to revive a lawsuit filed by First Choice Women's Resource Centers against Democratic Attorney General Matthew Platkin's subpoena 2023 seeking information about the organization's doctors and donors. First Choice's facilities are designed to discourage women from getting abortions. The decision is expected to be made by the end June.
RASTAFARIAN INMATE The conservative justices seemed inclined to reject the Rastafarian inmate's attempt to sue Louisiana state prison officials after they shaved him bald, in violation of religious beliefs. The case was argued in front of the court on 10 November under a federal statute protecting incarcerated persons from religious discrimination. Plaintiff Damon Landor's religion requires that he let his hair grow. He appealed the decision of a lower court to dismiss his lawsuit, because they found that he could not sue officials individually for monetary damages under the statute in question. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
DEATH ROW INMATE The court heard arguments in December in an attempt by Alabama officials in order to pursue the execution. An inmate who was convicted of a murder in 1997 had been found to be intellectually handicapped and therefore ineligible for the death penalty. The Republican-led state has appealed a lower court ruling that Joseph Clifton Smith was intellectually disabled based upon his intelligence quotient (IQ), test scores, and expert testimony. In a 2002 Supreme Court decision, the court ruled that executing a person intellectually challenged violated the Eighth Amendment of U.S. Constitution prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end June.
FCC FINES FOR WIRELESS CARRIER The Justices will hear the dispute over fines levied by the Federal Communications Commission against major U.S. carriers who shared customer location data with other companies without their consent. This is the latest case that has reached the Supreme Court challenging the authority of an American regulatory agency. The case concerns the FCC's efforts to impose tens-of-millions-of-dollars in fines on carriers like Verizon Communications and AT&T before they had a chance in court. Arguments in the case have not been scheduled.
COX COPYRIGHT DISSERT The court heard arguments in December in an attempt by Cox Communications, a provider of internet services, to avoid financial responsibility in a major copyright lawsuit brought by record labels who accused Cox of allowing its customers to piracy thousands of songs. Justices appeared to be skeptical about Cox's claim that mere knowledge of user piracy was not enough for it to be held liable for copyright violations. A lower court ordered that a new trial be held to determine the amount of money Cox owes Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group Universal Music Group, and other labels in relation to contributory copyright violations. Cox, which is the largest division of privately-owned Cox Enterprises said that the retrial may result in a verdict of up to $1.5 billion against it. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
(source: Reuters)