The Investigative Committee of Yaroslavl Oblast initiated a criminal proceeding on Thursday against Russian LGBTQA+ activist Yaroslav Sirotkin on the charges of participation in an “extremist organization,” according to local media. According to the investigation, Sirotkin posted 14 social media posts and videos that included “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” between December 2023 and January [...]

A US federal judge on Friday blocked President Donald Trump’s March 25 executive order (EO) that sought to alter requirements for voting and election procedure. In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge stated that this is not a dispute about whether non-citizens can vote in federal elections, but whether documentary proof of citizenship can be [...]

A US federal judge on Friday refused to order the immediate release of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention, despite ruling that the initial arrest and continued detention lacked a lawful basis. Judge Michael E. Farbiarz of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey found that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit blocked a lower court’s decision to return the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom’s control late Thursday. A hearing on the temporary stay, which reversed US District Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling earlier Thursday to remove the California National Guard from federal control, has been scheduled for [...]

The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Thursday that public school students with disabilities may pursue discrimination lawsuits under the same standard of proof that applies when people sue other institutions for discrimination based on disability claims, sweeping aside a higher legal standard used by some lower courts. Writing for the court, Chief Justice John [...]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday urged both Iran and Israel to exercise “maximum restraint” to prevent deeper conflict. The statement comes amid a sudden escalation between the two states following Israel’s attacks on various nuclear installations in Iran. Condemning the Israeli strikes, the statement from the secretary-general’s office expressed concerns about a wider conflagration [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday called on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to use Denmark’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union to reinforce the bloc’s commitment to democracy, accountability and human rights. In a public letter released Friday, HRW urged Frederiksen to prioritize “human rights, the rule of law, and accountability [...]

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday filed a complaint against the state of New York, specifically challenging policies the state has in place that prevent federal immigration officers from making arrests in certain areas of the state. The DOJ is specifically challenging New York’s “Protect Our Courts Act,” which makes it unlawful for [...]

Kenyan youth held demonstrations in the streets of Nairobi on Thursday, protesting against police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and Kenya’s anticipated 2025-2026 budget release. Demonstrations were fueled by the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and prominent social media commentator who was found dead in police custody late last week. The agitation of Kenyan youth stems [...]

A US federal judge on Wednesday ruled that the government must release Mahmoud Khalil, the former Columbia University graduate student whom President Donald Trump’s administration is trying to deport over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Judge Michael E. Farbiarz of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey granted Khalil’s request for a [...]