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Cuba protects essential services when US cuts off oil supply
Cuba detailed on Friday an extensive plan to protect essential services and to ration fuel, as the communist government dug in its heels to defy a U.S. attempt to cut off?oil supplies to the Caribbean Island. Cubans are already facing severe shortages in food, fuel and medicine. The first rationing measure announced is the first since President Donald Trump warned of tariffs being imposed on any country that exports fuel to Cuba. Ministers of the government said that these measures will ensure fuel supply to key sectors such as agriculture, education, water, healthcare, and defense. As he outlined the details of?the government plan, Commerce Minister Oscar Perez Oliva struck a defiant note. Perez-Oliva said on a television news program: "This is a chance and a problem that we are confident we will overcome." "We will not collapse." Perez-Oliva stated that the government would supply fuel to the tourism and export sectors to provide the foreign currency necessary to fund the other basic programs. Fuel rationing will not affect domestic and international travel immediately, but drivers will experience fuel price reductions until the supply returns to normal, he said. In an effort to protect the island's import and exported sectors, the government has said that it will protect ports and provide fuel for domestic transport. Perez-Oliva also announced an ambitious plan for planting 200,000 hectares of rice (500,000 acres) to ensure "an important part"?of our demands, but acknowledged that fuel shortages would force the country to rely more on renewable energy and animal power?for tilling field. Naima Ariatne said on the same show that infant-care and primary schools will remain open, and they'll be staffed by people, but secondary and higher schools will implement a hybrid system, which would require greater "flexibility", and would vary depending on institution and region. Ariatne stated that "as a matter of priority, we would like to keep (open) all our primary schools." Health care will also be given priority, according to top officials, with a special focus on emergency services and cancer programs. (Reporting and editing by Rosalba o'Brien, William Mallard, and Dave Sherwood)
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China's central banks purchases gold for the 15th consecutive month
The People's Bank of China's (PBOC) data released on Saturday showed that China's central banks continued its gold-buying spree in January for a fifteenth consecutive month. By the end of the month, the country's gold holdings had risen to 74.19 fine troy pounds. This is up from the previous 74.15. According to the PBOC, the value of China’s gold reserves rose to $369.58 Billion at the end last?month. This is up from $319.45 Billion a month before. In January, gold, which has been viewed as a safe haven to protect against political and economic risks, experienced a wild surge in a speculative purchasing spree that took it to an all-time high of $5,600 for one ounce. The bull market in spot gold collapsed after Kevin Warsh was nominated as the new chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve. It fell as low as $4403.24 per ounce by Monday. Gold is now trading at about $4,960 per ounce. China's gold demand dropped by 3.75% in 2025 to 950 tons. This is according to the state-backed China Gold Association. Gold bars and coins, which represent safe-haven demands, are up 35.14 % in 2025 and will account for over?half of the total gold consumption. The PBOC halted a 18-month gold-buying streak in May 2024 but resumed the purchases six months later. Reporting by Lewis Jackson and Dylan Duan; Editing Clarence Fernandez
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Mexican authorities discover remains that match one of the 10 kidnapped miners
Mexican authorities announced on Friday that a body that matched the description of at least one of the 10?mineworkers' who were abducted from a Sinaloa mine late last month has been found in a secret grave. The?Attorney General's Office of Mexico said that steps were being taken by the office to verify the victim's identification and collect evidence at the grave site in Concordia where the remains of other bodies had been found about 45 km (28miles) east of Mazatlan, a Pacific Coast city. Police have not yet formally identified?anybody of the bodies. According to family members interviewed, some of the missing workers from Canada's Vizsla Silver Corp mine had received threats by organized crime groups including the Chapitos - a faction of Sinaloa cartel headed by the sons Joaquin "El Chapo", the ex-Mexican drug baron. Security Minister Omar Garcia confirmed to the media last month that the Chapitos controlled the area in which the miners disappeared. Since the kidnapping, the silver mine is closed. The authorities have not yet established a motive for the kidnapping of the group on January 23, 2017. Jaime Lopez said that the family of Pablo Osorio (a 26-year old engineer who is one of the missing men) was "poor" and would not have the money to pay a ransom. He said "we are devastated" and added that his nephew had not been allowed to go to Concordia because it was dangerous. However, it was the only job postings that responded when he completed his degree in 2013. "We will do everything we can to find him." He said, "We cannot believe it," in tears, after learning of the mass grave. Lopez said that he was waiting for news from authorities about whether or not his nephew's remains were found on the site. Mexico sent more than 1,000 troops to the area, including elite marines and soldiers, this weekend in order to find the missing miners. Four suspects were arrested on Thursday in connection with the case. (Reporting and editing by Sam Holmes; Lizbeth Diaz)
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Union accepts refinery contract in US, avoiding nationwide strike
United Steelworkers of the United States adopted a national agreement regarding pay and benefits on Friday, averting an nationwide strike which could have affected up to 30,000 workers at?26 companies that operate crude oil refineries or petrochemical facilities. The union and the leading U.S. refining company Marathon Petroleum negotiated the agreement on behalf of refiners, chemical producers and other interested parties. Jamal Kheiry, a spokesperson for Marathon, said: "We are happy that Marathon and USW have successfully concluded a model agreement for new collective-bargaining contracts in the U.S. refinery industry." "We are looking forward to the local sites moving ahead with the ratification." The agreement, which will last four years, will increase the pay of hourly workers 15%. It also offers a $2,500 sign-up bonus to USW represented employees. USW members work in refineries which account for two-thirds or the U.S. capacity. The agreement, which "provides a pay increase of 4% in the first year and a 3.5% in the second and the third years" was proposed by the union on February 1. The previous offers, which were rejected since the negotiations began late in January, had been made. The USW National Oil Bargaining Program Policy Committee, which represents oil workers in the United States, approved the agreement. USW - NOBP Chairman Mike Smith gave credit to union members for the deal. Smith stated in a union statement that "USW members across the country stood united in their call for a fair contract." "Their solidarity and unity made this agreement possible." Although a national strike was avoided, some refineries and chemical factories could still experience work stoppages due to disagreements on local issues. USW Local 7-1, Whiting, Indiana told its members working at BP Plc's Whiting refinery on Thursday to prepare for a lockout or strike. BP announced on Friday that it will not be bound by the terms and conditions of the USW-approved national agreement. A BP spokesperson stated that "while the Whiting Refinery may not be obligated to follow a 'pattern', it is in no way obligated to do so." "We will continue bargaining in the best interest of our employees and our company." Eric Schultz of USW 7-1 called BP's announcement a "historical" event. Schultz stated that "we've spent the majority of our discussions discussing BP concessionary proposals which would eliminate local jobs and reduce pay across-the-board? and strip us of bargaining right." "We will continue in good faith to negotiate." Sources familiar with the negotiations said that union officials met this week with local unions in order to gauge their willingness accept what was to become Marathon's final, "best and last" offer. Sources said that the USW had hoped for a 16% increase in the USW's overall?increase, but Marathon refused to budge on its final offer. The union leaders were faced with expectations from the rank-and-file who hoped that the USW could achieve a 25% pay increase during the term of the new contract. Cost-of-living adjustments would be made if inflation was higher than the annual increases. Average inside operators at refineries make about $50 per hour. As the new contract is adopted in each plant, it will replace the old one. The current contract was extended by 24 hours on a rolling basis, just hours before its expiration date of 12:01 am on 1 February.
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French miner Eramet's finance director steps down temporarily after CEO ouster
Abel Martins Alexandre, finance chief at French miner Eramet, has temporarily stepped down 'during an investigation into management methods', said a company spokesperson on Friday. This comes days after Eramet fired its chief executive. The spokesperson confirmed that Eramet has appointed interim management in its finance department, while its CFO temporarily steps aside during an investigation into its management methods. Christel Bories, the chairperson of the board, said that the dismissal of CEO Paulo 'Castellari on Sunday was not due to the financial results but rather to issues in coordination with the 'board and staff'. Financial Times reported on the story first on Friday. Martins-Alexandre was said to have been on sick leave since Castellari left the company. Castellari was fired just a few months into his tenure, raising questions about the governance of the nickel, manganese, and lithium miner that is owned in part by the French government. The company's shares are down by?nearly 8 percent this week. According to sources cited by The FT, the dismissal of Castellari and MartinsAlexandre are unrelated to any accusations. Martins-Alexandre & Bories didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. According to the FT, Castellari and Martins Alexandre have been forming an internal taskforce in recent weeks to investigate possible financial mismanagement in the group over recent years. Eramet cited a decline in results due to a drop in metal prices, and setbacks on production at its mines. Reporting by Abu Sultan from Bengaluru, and Gus Trompiz from Paris; editing by Vijay Kishore, Will Dunham
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Worries about a possible Iran-US conflict have caused oil prices to rise
The oil prices rose on Friday as traders feared that the talks this week between the U.S.A. and Iran failed to reduce the threat of a war between the two countries. Brent crude futures settled on $68.05 per barrel, up?50 cents or 0.74%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude ended up 26 cents or 0.41% at $63.55 per barrel. Both benchmarks declined overnight, but both Brent and WTI gained more than $1 per barrel during the U.S. trading session before settling. Iran and the U.S. conducted negotiations through Omani mediation in order to resolve?sharp disagreements over Tehran's nuke program. John Kilduff said, "We are constantly changing our minds about the Iran situation." It's worse one day, or even an hour later. It's status quo nervousness ?over Iran." Iranian state TV announced that the talks were over late in the afternoon. Iran's Foreign Minister said that negotiators would return to their respective capitals for "consultations" and the talks would continue. Investors were worried about geopolitical risks because there was no consensus on the agenda of the meeting. Iran wanted to focus only on nuclear issues while the U.S. preferred to talk about Iran's ballistic rockets and its support for armed forces in the region. An escalation of tensions between the two countries could disrupt oil supplies, as a fifth of world consumption flows through the Strait of Hormuz in Oman-Iran. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Iraq and Iran, all members of OPEC, export the majority of their crude oil via the Strait. Oil prices may drop further if the conflict in the region is reduced. Four trading sources say that Kazakhstan's oil exports via the main route through Russia could drop by up to?35% in this month, as Tengiz slowly recovers after fires at power facilities. Analysts said that prices on a weekly basis were affected by the broader market selloff and persistent expectations of a glut of oil. Saudi Arabia reduced the official selling price of its Arab Light oil to Asia in March by around five years on Thursday. This is the fourth consecutive month that prices have been cut. Reporting by Erwin Seba, Anna Hirtenstein, Stephanie Kelly, and Florence Tan in London, and Sudarshan Varadhan and Florence Tan in Singapore. Editing by Sonali, Clarence Fernandez Joe Bavier, and David Gregorio.
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Minister: Argentina's trade agreements with the US do not exclude China
Argentine Foreign minister?Pablo Quirno said that a deal between Argentina and 'the U.S. on critical minerals signed this week doesn't rule out Chinese investments?into the mining sector of the country. As of today, this does not mean that China will or cannot invest in Argentina. Quirno stated at a press briefing that China has made investments in Argentina in the form of minerals. The agreement was announced following a meeting in Washington of over 50 countries where U.S. Vice President JD Vance suggested a trading block for critical minerals. On Thursday, the two countries finalized their reciprocal trade agreement and investment agreement. Argentina committed to giving priority to the U.S. for its copper, lithium, and other critical minerals, and to "market manipulating enterprises or economies" (a reference to China). Quirno stated that the agreement between Argentina and the United States provides greater predictability, allowing American companies to increase their investment in Argentina. Quirno stated that Bolivia is poised to join the Mercosur bloc. He stated that Argentina is not restricted from negotiating bilateral agreements because of the Mercosur bloc. This agreement, he added, took just over one year to complete. Quirno stated that parts of the reciprocal trade agreement and investment agreement could be implemented by a presidential order.
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Olympic Anti-ICE protesters rally ahead of the opening ceremony in Milan
At a Friday rally, hundreds of protesters chanted slogans, blew whistles, and lit flares to protest the presence of U.S. Immigration agents in Italy and the closing of streets before the 'Milano Winter Games' Opening Ceremony. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are reportedly present to protect Americans at the Olympics. This has sparked protests, given their role as frontline agents in President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policy. Some of the banners displayed by the students-led protesters read "Ice out" and "Ice should not be in my drink, but my city". The demonstrators in Milan blew plastic whistles that have become a sign of 'anti-ICE rallies' in the U.S. They also urged Vice President JDVance of the U.S. and Secretary of State, Marco?Rubio, to return home. Katie Legare is a Minnesotan protester currently studying in Europe. She was referring to the killings of two U.S. Citizens by ICE agents in her 'home city'. It's not okay just to accept the status quo and ignore any problems. "It's not okay to just acquiesce and go with the status quo." The Italian government has denied the allegations, stating that ICE personnel were not present on the streets of Italy during the Olympics. Only operatives working for Homeland Security Investigations in Italy are based out of U.S. diplomat missions. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee also stated that no agents of ICE provided security for Team USA. MORE PROTESTS Italian authorities blocked some areas of central Milan and ordered that schools remain closed until the Friday evening opening ceremony. This was done to improve security and reduce traffic disruptions. A separate demonstration took place in the afternoon on a nearby square, near the San Siro Stadium, where the Opening Ceremony will be held. Several hundred people, including tenants of public housing protesting the high cost to live, and members of the Unsustainable Olympics Committee accusing the government of directing public funds into the Games rather than helping lower-income residents, marched in opposition to what they deemed as the economic and social impact of the Games. The protesters claim that the Olympics are a wasteful use of resources and money, while housing costs are high and public meeting places are scarce. Some demonstrators chanted slogans that criticised Israel and expressed support for Palestinians. Greenpeace, an environmental group, staged a demonstration in front of Milan’s cathedral on Thursday to protest the role of Italian oil giant Eni as the sponsor of the Games. On Friday, a torchlit protest march organized by a movement opposing the Games will be held in an area near the site of the Opening Ceremony. (Reporting and writing by Elisa Mandala and Andrea Mandala, Additional reporting by Leonardo Benassatto, Andrew Cawthorne, and Christian Radnedge, editing by Pritha Sakar, Andrew Cawthorne, and Christian Radnedge.
The top cases in the US Supreme Court docket
During its current term, the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a number of important cases involving such issues as presidential powers and tariffs, gun rights, transgender sportspeople, campaign finance laws, voting rights, LGBT “conversion therapy”, religious rights, capital punishment, and race. 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 called the Federal Reserve Act. The act included provisions to protect the central bank against political interference. It required governors to only be removed "for cause" if a president so deemed. However, the Federal Reserve Act does not define this term or establish procedures for removal. Trump claimed that Cook's firing was due to unproven allegations of mortgage fraud, which Cook denied. Cook, who is still in her position for now, said that the allegations were a pretext to fire Cook over differences on monetary policy, as Trump pressures the Fed into cutting 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 and impact of Trump's sweeping Tariffs. This case has implications for the global economic system. It is a test of Trumps' powers. Conservative and liberal justices grilled the lawyer for the Trump administration on whether or not a 1977 law intended to be used during national emergencies gives Trump the authority he claims to have claimed in order to impose tariffs, or if the president has stepped into the power of Congress. Some conservative justices, however, also stressed that presidents have inherent authority when dealing with foreign nations. This suggests the court may be divided on the outcome. Lower courts ruled Trump had overstepped his bounds 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 blocked Trump’s executive order, which instructed U.S. agencies to refuse to 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 arguments in a 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 any direct proof of racism. The lower court found a Louisiana electoral district map, which included two districts with a majority of Black people instead of one before, violated the Constitutional promise of equal protection. The ruling is expected to be made by the end June.
Federal Trade Commission Firing The conservative justices of the court have signaled that they will uphold Trump's legality in firing a Federal Trade Commission Member and give an historic boost to president 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 a lower-court decision that said the Republican president exceeded his authority by dismissing Democratic FTC member Rebecca Slaughter before the term she was to serve expired in March. The conservative justices seemed sympathetic to the Trump Administration's argument that tenure protections granted by Congress to heads of independent agencies illegally 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 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. 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'
The conservatives of the court during arguments on 7 October 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 counselor challenged the Colorado law under 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. The ruling 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 in public places, such as businesses. They appeared ready to expand the gun rights 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 judicial ruling that Hawaii's Democratic backed measure probably complies with U.S. Constitution Second Amendment rights to bear and keep arms. Hawaii's law demands that a property owner "expressly authorize" the bringing of a handgun on to 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 justices 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 June.
MAIL-IN BOARDS The court will listen to Mississippi's defense against a state law that Republicans are challenging. This law allows for a five-day period of grace to count mail-in votes received after Election Day. This case could lead to stricter voting laws in the United States. A lower court declared illegal the state law allowing mail-in ballots from certain voters to count if they are postmarked before Election Day, but received within five days of a federal 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" was illegal. This allowed U.S. Immigration officials to stop asylum seekers and refuse to process their claims at the border. Former President Joe Biden revoked 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 The court heard an appeal from Cisco Systems, in which the company and Trump administration asked the justices to limit the reach of federal law used to hold companies liable for abuses committed overseas. Cisco appealed the 2023 ruling which gave new life to a lawsuit filed in 2011 accusing the California-based firm of developing technology that enabled China's government monitor and persecute Falun Gong members. 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 PREGNANCY COUNTER The court seems to be inclined to side with an operator of Christian faith based anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy center” in New Jersey, in a dispute arising from the state attorney's investigation as whether these facilities engages in deceptive practice. During the December 2 arguments, a large 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 prison officials in Louisiana after they shaved his head in violation of religious beliefs. The case was brought before the court in November 10 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 the statute in question did not allow for him to sue officials individually for monetary damages. The ruling is expected to be made by the end of June.
DEATH ROW INMATE The court heard arguments in December in an attempt by Alabama officials in order to pursue the execution for an inmate who was convicted of a murder in 1997 after a lower judge found him intellectually disabled, and therefore ineligible to receive 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.
WEEDKILLER CANCER CLAIM
The court will consider Bayer's request to limit lawsuits claiming the German 'pharmaceutical' and biotechnology firm's Roundup weedkiller is cancerous and possibly avoid billions in damages. Bayer appealed the ruling of a lower court in a case filed by a man claiming he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma following years of exposure Roundup. The lower court rejected Bayer’s argument that U.S. laws governing pesticides bar lawsuits based on claims made under state law. Arguments in the case have not been scheduled.
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 their day in the 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 others for contributing copyright infringement. 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)