The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Monday ruled that no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting are permissable under the state’s constitution. After Massachusett Governor Charlie Baker signed the VOTES Act in June, the law faced legal challenges from Massachusetts Republicans. On Monday, the court declined to grant an injunction blocking the law’s implementation. The new law makes [...]

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled Monday that Turkey violated a prior judgement in the case Kavala v. Turkey by keeping activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala in detention. The court had previously ruled that Kavala was wrongfully detained, ordering Turkey to release Kavala and pay damages. Kavala was arrested in 2017, ostensibly for [...]

Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday signed a decree allowing all Ukrainian citizens to apply for Russian citizenship through a simplified procedure. Ukrainians only need to provide proof of Ukrainian residency and citizenship, along with divorce and name-change documents, in order to apply. Parents applying on behalf of their children are also required to provide their [...]

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), the Indian government’s financial investigation agency, Saturday filed money laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Amnesty India International Private Limited (AIIPL) and one of its trusts. On Friday, the ED issued a notice imposing fines of INR 51.72 crores, or more than USD 6.5 million, and INR 10 crores, [...]

The US Department of State Saturday announced visa restrictions on 28 Cuban officials allegedly involved in the violent crackdown on the July 2021 protests. This is the US’s fourth round of visa restrictions on Cuban officials. The US Department of Treasury has also instituted four rounds of financial sanctions against many of the same targets. According [...]

Junior Sports Magazines, Inc. and several gun rights groups have sued for declaratory and injunctive relief over Assembly Bill (AB) 2571. AB 2571 prohibits firearm industry members from advertising to minors. The plaintiffs filed the complaint in the US District Court for the Central District of California. Violators of the provisions of AB 2571 could face fines [...]

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has held that using ballot drop boxes is illegal under state statutes. According to the court’s majority opinion, issued Friday, absentee ballots must be returned by mail or personally delivered to the municipal clerk. There are exceptions for voters who are disabled or require assistance in submitting their ballots. However, if not [...]

The Constitutional Court of Slovenia has legalized same-sex marriage and adoption by homosexual couples. The highest Slovenian authority as far as the constitution is concerned deemed on Friday that the distinction between heterosexual and homosexual couples resulted in discrimination, which is incompatible with the Slovenian Constitution. The Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal [...]

A Louisiana judge has removed a temporary block on the state abortion law, allowing the state to enforce its ban on nearly all abortions. On June 27, Judge Robin Giarrusso of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state abortion law from going into effect. However, Judge Ethel Julien of the same [...]

US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order on abortion to ease access to medical services for abortion and contraceptives in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion provided by Roe v. Wade. President Biden stated during a press conference, [...]