Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Thursday, April 14. The US Senate convenes at 9:30 AM ET today, when it will consider H.R. 1268 , the Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bill. Watch a live webcast of the session. The Senate Judiciary Committee Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship [...]

HR 8, Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005, approved by US House of Representatives on April 13, 2005 . Read the full text of the bill here. The Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

Keeler, et al. v. Stalder, et al., United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, April 13, 2005 . Excerpt: Keeler's First Amendment attack on Louisiana's prestige license plate program satisfies only the first part of Hibbs. Her success, however, flies in the face of Hibbs's second prong: in enjoining the program's operation, Keeler's [...]

In a major setback for the country's political opposition, Pakistan's Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed petitions contending that the dual role of General Pervez Musharraf as Pakistan president and army chief of staff is contrary to the provisions of the Pakistan constitution . The judgment is considered a show of support for Musharraf, who in 2004 [...]

International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, draft approved by the UN General Assembly, April 13, 2005 . Read the full text of the draft treaty here . Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

Johnson et al. v. Governor of the State of Florida, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, April 12, 2005 . Excerpt: Florida's felon disenfranchisement provision is not a violation of the Equal Protection Clause under the standard the Court adopted in Hunter. Florida's re-enactment of the felon disenfranchisement provision in the 1968 [...]

The US House Ways and Means Committee approved a massive energy bill Wednesday. The Enhanced Energy Infrastructure and Technology Tax Act of 2005 includes industrial tax breaks, extends the use of ethanol for farmers, and gives authorization for oil drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge. The House has supported opening drilling operations in Arctic National [...]

China's Progress in Human Rights in 2004, State Council of China, April 13, 2005 . Excerpt: In 2004, China adhered to the scientific view of development by putting people first, and made every effort to build a harmonious society. New progress was achieved in its reform, opening-up and modernization drive. Along with continuous economic growth, [...]

The US House of Representatives voted 272-162 late Wednesday to permanently repeal federal estate taxes in 2010 and beyond. The federal government is estimated to lose $290 billion in tax revenue over a decade if the bill, HR 8 succeeds in the Senate. Many Democrats see the ban as favoring the wealthy while making the [...]

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation vote on the nomination of John Bolton as US ambassador to the UN was delayed Wednesday after Democrats asked for more time to question State Department officials who have worked with Bolton. During a nomination hearing earlier this week, former State Department intelligence chief Carl Ford Jr. testified that [...]