On August 8, 2023, in an important legal evolution, Puerto Rico’s government enacted Act No. 88-2023, also known as the “Puerto Rican Military Code of the 21st Century” (“Military Code”). This newly established law overrules the former Military Code of Puerto Rico from 1969, bringing with it key changes that employers should be aware of….
In light of recent events, an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel has sparked significant concern. According to an eaerly Sunday morning report by JURIST, Israel has confirmed over 600 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries, an estimated 100+ kidnapped, and hundreds still missing following Saturday’s unexpected offensive by Hamas. Hamas launched over 4,000 rockets…
On Friday, the Supreme Court of Myanmar dismissed special motions for appeal pertaining to six corruption convictions of former State Counsellor and democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. This dismissal is a marked setback for Suu Kyi, whose convictions include violations of the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Communication Law, and section 505(b) of the…
The European Parliament recently adopted a resolution in support of Nagorno-Karabakh, simultaneously condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression towards the region. The resolution also demanded that the European Union impose sanctions on Azerbaijani officials who were accountable for the attacks that resulted in multiple human rights violations. The resolution thoroughly evaluated the ongoing situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, and…
Two overused words “trailblazer” and “legacy” are apt to describe the late Dianne Feinstein, a remarkable politician. She climbed the political ladder from a position on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to becoming a mayor, eventually becoming the longest-serving woman United States senator in American history. Recalling 1992 as the “Year of the Woman”,…
New York State has recently updated the New York Paid Family Leave Law (NYPFL) for 2024. Highly pertaining to large corporations and legal professionals, these updates introduce crucial changes to the maximum weekly benefits accessible to employees, as well as substantial reduction in the overall contribution that employees make toward NYPFL benefits. The adjustments are…
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) recently rejected a report by the US State Department alleging that the PRC is promoting the global spread of disinformation. A representative from the PRC’s Foreign Ministry criticized the report as another piece of disinformation, claiming it distorted the facts. The representative argued that the US has, in fact,…
In the Autumn 2023 issue of The Employment Law Reporter, a variety of developments in employment law were discussed, providing corporate legal professionals with the latest insights into this critical field. One of the features of this issue recounts a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This respected Federal…
In a recent development, Burkina Faso’s coup leader, Ibrahim Traore, announced that there will be no elections in the country until security concerns have been effectively addressed. Traore had previously committed to reinstating elections as part of a pledge to safeguard democracy by 2024. Via a national television broadcast, the junta leader asserted that elections…
Last week, a former member of the Belarusian military Special Operations Forces Reserve (SOBR) known as Yuri Harauski was acquitted in a groundbreaking Swiss trial related to charges of enforced disappearance. The decision was made by the District Court of Rorschach in Switzerland, where Harauski sought asylum in 2019, fearing for his life due to…
In a move aligned with updated EU regulations, the Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an impending ban on Russian-registered passenger vehicles. The prohibition is due to commence in the coming weeks and applies to all Russian vehicles accommodating up to nine passengers. However, buses and small passenger vans retain the ability to cross…
A man was shot at a protest in Espanola, New Mexico. The demonstration was held over the reinstallation of a statue of the conquistador Juan de Onate, who committed a massacre and enslaved the Acoma Indigenous people in 1599. Oñate was later accused of applying “excessive force” against the Acoma. The details surrounding the altercation…
A dramatic incident, which spurred political tensions between North Korea and the United States, has finally come to a resolution after suffering an unknowable outcome for an extended period. US soldier Travis King was released by North Korea on Wednesday, two months subsequent to his unauthorized crossing into its territory from South Korea. This news…
Over the weekend, the capital of one of Africa’s most stable democracies echoed with the chants of citizens rallying against a government they accused of corruption and gross mismanagement. In Accra, Ghana’s nerve center, hundreds of people heeded the call of the Democracy Hub, a non-partisan, non-aligned civic organization, embarking on a three-day protest against…
The American Conference Institute (ACI) has recently announced the 4th installation of the Virtual Passport to Proficiency on the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The event is scheduled to run from between October 17 and November 9, 2023, with sessions taking place from 1:00 to 4:30 pm EST. Here is where you can find more…
Addressing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the United States has taken significant measures to prevent profiteering from Russia’s military endeavors. In a notable move, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has amplified its Russia Sanctions Program, levying nearly 100 new sanctions on the Russian defense sector and those…
Dennis Pushilin, the leader of the Donetsk region and backed by Russia, has issued a decree implementing severe restrictions on public activities in the Donetsk region, a territory largely recognized as part of Ukraine but annexed by Russia. He asserted the necessity of such restrictions to reinforce public order and safety. The recently promulgated rules…
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has removed a floating barrier allegedly placed by China near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, this according to a PCG spokesperson. In recent days, PCG had announced that China installed the floating barrier to hinder Philippine fishermen from accessing the fishing grounds near the controversial shoal,…
In a move that has implications for both national defense and commercial space ventures, the U.S. Defense Department has disclosed plans to begin transferring high-accuracy data on the positions of satellites and space debris to the Department of Commerce (DoC) next year. The data will be a linchpin for the DoC’s efforts to establish a…
A recent ruling by US military judge, Colonel Matthew N. McCall, has deemed 9/11 defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, unfit to stand trial. Held in US custody at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, al-Shibh has been found to be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with “Secondary Psychotic Features”, a consequence of his alleged abuse in Central…
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2023, the German Interior Ministry has reported that 90 Russian men of military age have been granted asylum in the country. This information comes as per a recent report from the German news outlet, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), which elaborated upon a response the ministry gave to a question from…
Welcome to our weekly review of key appellate developments. As lawyers and legal professionals, it’s crucial that we track the ebb and flow of legal rulings and practices – and what better place to anchor our focus than in the upper echelons of the justice system? Presented in collaboration with Howard Bashman’s How Appealing blog,…
With a renewed focus on Russia’s military-linked elites and its industrial base, the U.S. has intensified its sanctions stance. As of September 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced nearly a hundred additional sanctions. The targeted entities consist of Russian elites, components of Russia’s industrial base, financial…
French journalist Ariane Lavrilleux was detained on Tuesday by the French General Directorate of Internal Security (CGSI) following accusations that her 2021 published report on a covert French military operation in Egypt leaked national defense secrets. The compromising report, the Egypt Papers, was released on Disclose, an independent media platform. In addition to the written…
Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) has recently filed a lawsuit against the US Military Academy, otherwise known as West Point. The allegations state that the academy has been unlawfully using race as a deciding factor during its admissions process. The SFFA has previously been involved in lawsuits against Harvard University and the University of North…