Britain's Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has given permission to Professor Ian Wilmut, the creator of Dolly the sheep , a license to clone human embryos for medical research, only the second time the authority has given consent for therapeutic cloning . Wilmut will clone early stage embryos in order to study motor neuron [...]

New allegations of torture against detainees at Guantanamo Bay have been made at the trial of five former detainees in Morocco . The five Moroccan men, who were released by the US to local authorities last August, have all pleaded not guilty to charges of belonging to or assisting a criminal group that was preparing [...]

Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Tuesday, Feb. 8. In Washington today, the US Senate convenes at 9:30 AM ET for regular business and to consider S. 5 , the Class Action Bill. A live webcast is available via C-SPAN 2. The US House will open [...]

Qualls, et al. v. Rumsfeld, et al., United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Royce C. Lambert, February 7, 2005 . Excerpt: Qualls has not shown a likelihood of success on the merits. While he has demonstrated irreparable harm, he has not shown that the Army would not also suffer harm. The [...]

According to a federal indictment unsealed Monday, W.R. Grace and Co. and seven of its high-ranking officials and managers knew as early as 1976 that a vermiculite mine operated by the company in Montana was releasing asbestos into the air and attempted to conceal the danger from workers and the surrounding community, which prosecutors claim [...]

Citing the potential for substantial disruption and diversion of military resources, US District Judge Royce C. Lambert refused Monday to issue a injuntion requiring immediate release from service of a US soldier whose active duty period had been extended under the Army's authority to extend enlistment in times of war or national emergency. Spc. David [...]

In Monday's environmental law news, California state officials have decided to begin to enforce the state's vehicle idling ban . The measure bans trucks from idling for over 5 minutes and busses for over 10, with some exceptions. Tickets will start at $100, and there is no maximum. The measure will apply to over 400,000 [...]

AP is reporting that after a week-long trial a jury in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has found defrocked Roman Catholic priest Paul Shanley guilty of repeatedly molesting a boy at his church during the 1980s. The boy, now a 27-year old firefighter, had forgotten about the incidents but said his repressed memories came back in the wake [...]

Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2006. White House Office of Management and Budget, February 6, 2005. Review the full set of budget documents, including the projected budget for the US Department of Justice. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has formally suspended Benon Sevan , the head of the UN oil-for-food program , and Joseph Stephanides, a senior official who dealt with contracts. The suspensions come after an interim report by an inquiry commission conducted by former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker accused the pair of misconduct . Sevan [...]