2008 DECEMBER
Dec. 31, 2008

Senate Leadership Weighs Blocking Burris Appointment
After embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's named Roland Burris to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, Democratic Senate leaders claim they will invoke their constitutional power to block the appointment. Analysts discuss the situation's legal and political implications.

  

Dec. 31, 2008

Obama Administration May Bring Ideological Shift to Federal Courts
President-elect Barack Obama is poised to preside over significant shifts in the federal courts from lower court judicial appointments to Supreme Court shifts. Analysts examine Obama's constitutional views and how he may handle changes in the judiciary.

  

Dec. 31, 2008

China Dairy Exec Pleads Guilty in Melamine Case
The former chairwoman of a Chinese dairy company implicated in September's tainted milk scandal pled guilty Wednesday to charges of selling "fake or substandard" products.

Dec. 30, 2008

Defiant Blagojevich Names Appointee for Senate Seat
Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed former state Attorney General Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat Tuesday, prompting objections by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Reporters mull the move.

  

Dec. 23, 2008

Obama Staff Report Reveals No Inappropriate Communication With Blagojevich
President-elect Barack Obama released a report Tuesday showing no inappropriate communications between members of his staff and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is accused to trying to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat. NewsHour correspondent Elizabeth Brackett provides an update.

  

Dec. 23, 2008

Obama Report Says Aides Had No Improper Contact With Blagojevich
President-elect Barack Obama and two top advisers met last week with federal investigators who are building a corruption case against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to a report released Tuesday afternoon.

Dec. 19, 2008

Blagojevich Proclaims Innocence, Plans to Fight Corruption Charges
In his first public comments since his arrest last week on charge of corruption, embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Friday he will be vindicated and has no intention of letting what he called a "political lynch mob" force him from his job.

Dec. 18, 2008

Iraqi Officials Arrested on Baath Party Suspicions
At least 23 officials from Iraq's interior and defense ministries have been arrested on suspicion of working to reconstitute Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party.

Dec. 18, 2008

Planner of Rwandan Massacres Gets Life Sentence
A U.N. tribunal convicted a senior Rwandan military officer Thursday of orchestrating Africa's largest genocide in modern history and sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding the deaths of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994.

Dec. 17, 2008

SEC Chief Rebukes Own Agency in Madoff Case
The Securities and Exchange Commission issued an unusual rebuke of its own regulators Tuesday night over its failure to investigate Wall Street money manager Bernard Madoff, now accused of widespread fraud that bilked investors of billions.

Dec. 16, 2008

Madoff's Wall Street Schemes Snare Several Prominent Investors
The size of the scandal surrounding Wall Street trader Bernard Madoff's alleged fraud continues to unravel, drawing in charities, foundations and top investors. Mort Zuckerman, the head of a charitable trust caught up in the schemes, and an SEC analyst offer insight.

  

Dec. 15, 2008

Questions Linger Over Unresolved Senate Seats
Weeks after the election, the Senate faces vacancies in three states, including the unresolved race in Minnesota. The Hotline's Amy Walter discusses questions remaining possible Senate successors for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

  

Dec. 12, 2008

Prominent Trader Charged With Multi-billion-dollar Fraud
A prominent Wall Street trader was arrested on charges of massive fraud that may cost investors $50 billion. Wall Street Journal reporter Tom Lauricella discusses what may be the largest fraud scheme in the history of Wall Street.

  

Dec. 12, 2008

Shields and Brooks Mull Auto Rescue, Blagojevich Scandal
Political news took a dramatic turn this week with the corruption charges levied against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Mark Shields and David Brooks mull the Blagojevich story and the debate over aid for automakers.

  

Dec. 12, 2008

Pakistan Cracks Down on Islamic Charity as Mumbai Probe Grows
Pakistan closed offices and arrested activists from an Islamic charity believed to be a front for a militant group, officials said Friday, as international pressure grew for increased action against militants blamed for the Mumbai, India, attacks.

Dec. 11, 2008

Pressure Increases on Gov. Blagojevich to Resign
President-elect Barack Obama repeated his call Thursday for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to step down as more details of the governor's corruption and bribery scandal continue to emerge. NewsHour correspondent Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW in Chicago updates the case.

  

Dec. 10, 2008

Supreme Court Considers Detainee Rights, Maternity Leave Limits
The Supreme Court heard arguments in cases testing the rights of terror suspects to sue high-level administration officials and the limits of maternity leave in the workplace. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the day in the high court.

  

Dec. 10, 2008

Blagojevich Scandal Shakes Politics in Illinois and Beyond
Officials are considering a special election for Illinois' vacant Senate seat after the corruption charges levied against Gov. Rod Blagojevich. A panel examines what the case says about politics in Illinois and beyond.

  

Dec. 10, 2008

Gwen Ifill Discusses Corruption Charges Against Illinois Gov. Blagojevich
NewsHour senior correspondent Gwen Ifill spoke about the corruption charges surrounding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, including the accusation that he tried to auction off the Senate seat formerly held by President-elect Barack Obama.

Dec. 10, 2008

Obama Calls for Blagojevich to Resign
A day after his arrest on a wide-ranging set of corruption charges, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich headed back to work Wednesday as President-elect Barack Obama issued a call for him to resign.

Dec. 9, 2008

Corruption Charges Surround Ill. Gov. Blagojevich
Officials arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on allegations of soliciting bribes for President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat and other claims. Reporters detail the charges.

  

Dec. 9, 2008

Illinois Governor Arrested in Corruption Probe
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to benefit financially through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

Dec. 8, 2008

Judge to Consider Sept. 11 Suspects' Confession Offers
The alleged architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and four other suspects said Monday they would plead guilty to terror charges knowing their convictions would carry the death penalty. A Miami Herald reporter examines the developments.

  

Dec. 8, 2008

Government Pursues Charges Against Blackwater Guards in Iraqis' Deaths
Federal charges against five Blackwater Worldwide guards were unsealed Monday in relation to a 2007 incident in Baghdad that left 14 Iraqis dead and another 20 injured. NPR reporter Dina Temple-Raston discusses the charges and the legal strategy on both sides.

  

Dec. 8, 2008

Blackwater Guards Charged With Manslaughter in Shooting Deaths of Iraqis
Blackwater Worldwide security guards fired on innocent Iraqis with a machine gun and launched a grenade into a girls' school during a gruesome Baghdad shooting in 2007, prosecutors said Monday in announcing manslaughter charges against five guards.

Dec. 8, 2008

Two Police Officers Charged as Riots Rage in Greece
Youth riots across Greece continued for the third day Monday as two policemen were charged in the killing of a young man Saturday night in Athens.

Dec. 5, 2008

U.S. Calls for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to Resign as Power-sharing Deal Falters
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice increased pressure on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to leave office after his government stalled on a power-sharing deal with the opposition party.

Dec. 3, 2008

As Thousands Protest Indian Government, Rice Tells Pakistan to Aid Attacks Probe
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that Pakistan has a "special responsibility" to cooperate with the probe into last week's attacks in Mumbai as protesters took to the streets to voice dissatisfaction with India's government.

Dec. 2, 2008

Justices Hear Arguments in School Harassment Case
The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday for a case weighing an unusual test of sexual harassment laws whose outcome could have an impact on future gender, racial, and workplace discrimination cases. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the case.

  

Dec. 1, 2008

Obama Nominates Eric Holder as Nation's Top Law Enforcement Official
President-elect Barack Obama has nominated former Justice Department official Eric Holder to be the nation's top law enforcement official.

NOVEMBER
Nov. 25, 2008

With Changing Administrations, Future for Guantanamo Detainees Is Uncertain
With Osama Bin Laden's former driver transferred to Yemen and other inmates ordered released last week, Guantanamo Bay's prison population is decreasing as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office. Two lawyers assess what's next for the facility.

  

Nov. 25, 2008

Osama Bin Laden's Ex-Driver to Be Returned to Yemen
Salim Hamdan, a former driver for terror leader Osama Bin Laden, is being transferred from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, back to his home country of Yemen, defense officials tell news agencies.

Nov. 20, 2008

Judge Orders 5 Guantanamo Detainees Freed
Five of six Algerians must be released after nearly seven years of captivity in the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, a federal judge ruled Thursday in the first case of its kind.

Nov. 20, 2008

Piracy Offers Lucrative Career in Lawless Somalia
The recent hijacking of a Saudi Arabian oil supertanker demonstrated Somali pirates' increasing capabilities to seize ships, despite the efforts of a multi-national naval force meant to deter such attacks.

Nov. 19, 2008

Modern-day Somali Pirates Increase Attacks
Somali pirates are increasing the frequency of their attacks and targeting larger ships, targeting oil supertankers and grain cargo vessels. Experts explain the rise in modern-day piracy and the efforts among the international community to curb the problem.

  

Nov. 12, 2008

Justices Side With Navy in Sonar Dispute, Hear Religious Monument Case
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday to lift restrictions on use of sonar in U.S. Navy training exercises off the California coast. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the decision plus arguments in a church and state separation case.

  

Nov. 12, 2008

Supreme Court Sonar Decision a Blow to Environmentalists
The U.S. Supreme Court handed environmentalists a defeat Wednesday, lifting restrictions on the Navy's use of sonar off the California coast.

Nov. 12, 2008

Sudanese President Announces Darfur Cease-fire, Rebels Reject Claim
Sudan's President Omar Bashir announced a unilateral cease-fire to end the violence in the country's western Darfur region, but the move was rejected by rebel groups and international human rights organizations.

Nov. 6, 2008

In Turkey, Degrees of Change in Women's Rights
Turkey has made improvements in women's rights, but women still need better enforcement of laws and more representation in the labor force, politics and other key areas, according to the European Commission.

Nov. 4, 2008

Supreme Court to Hear TV Profanity Case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday takes up a dispute between the broadcast networks and Federal Communication Commission over the use of profanity during live television programs when children are likely part of the viewing audience.

Nov. 3, 2008

High Court Hears Arguments on Limiting Drug Company Lawsuits
The Supreme Court heard a case Monday involving a Vermont woman whose arm had to be amputated after she was injected with an anti-nausea drug. Marcia Coyle examines the manufacturer's argument against lawsuits on FDA-approved drugs.

  

OCTOBER
Oct. 31, 2008

Tensions in Washington Race Reach New Heights
The race for governor in Washington, which has become increasingly acrimonious over the past few weeks, has taken a dramatic twist, as Republican candidate Dino Rossi was forced to give a deposition Wednesday concerning a lawsuit alleging illegal fundraising.

Oct. 29, 2008

State Officials, Attorneys Prep for Possible Voting Problems
With a rush of early voters going to the polls, state officials are preparing for a strong voter turnout and lawyers are amassing in battleground states in case problems occur. Legal experts weigh the situation.

  

Oct. 28, 2008

Stevens Guilty Verdict Complicates Re-election Bid
Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska will stay on the ballot after his conviction Monday on seven felony counts, amid Sen. John McCain's call for his resignation. Anchorage Daily News reporter Michael Carey assesses the case and how it's playing out in Alaska.

  

Oct. 28, 2008

After Conviction, Stevens Remains Committed to Re-election as Support Crumbles
Longtime Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens defiantly stated Tuesday that he intends to win another six-year term in the U.S. Senate next week, despite calls from within his party to step down after being convicted Monday in a federal corruption trial.

Oct. 27, 2008

Authorities Foil Alleged Plot to Assassinate Obama
Federal agents said Monday they disrupted a plot hatched by two neo-Nazi skinheads to attempt to kill Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate scores of black people at a Tennessee school.

Oct. 27, 2008

Jury Finds Longtime Alaskan Sen. Ted Stevens Guilty of Corruption
A jury found Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens guilty Monday of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from an oil contractor. A Capitol Hill reporter details the court's ruling and how it may impact Stevens' political future.

  

Oct. 27, 2008

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens Found Guilty of Corruption
After less than a week of deliberation, the jurors in the corruption trial of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens returned a verdict Monday of guilty on all seven counts.

Oct. 23, 2008

Suspects on Trial for Planning to Incite Coup in Turkey
A massive trial underway in Turkey -- involving retired military generals, journalists, politicians and a university rector accused of trying to create the conditions for a coup -- might have far-reaching political and military implications.

Oct. 10, 2008

Connecticut High Court Rules Gay Couples Can Wed
In a divided decision, Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay couples have the right to marry, making it the third state after Massachusetts and California to allow such unions.

Oct. 8, 2008

Justices Mull Environmental Law, Job Discrimination
The Supreme Court appeared divided over judges' authority to limit the U.S. Navy's use of sonar to protect whales and weighed a workplace harrassment case Wednesday. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the day in the courtroom.

  

Oct. 6, 2008

Justices to Weigh Free Speech, Environment in New Term
On Monday, the Supreme Court opened its new term with a docket of wide-ranging cases on issues from broadcast indecency to environmental protection. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal explains what's on the agenda for this term and speculation over upcoming justice retirements.

  

Oct. 2, 2008

Judge Rejects Call to End Stevens Corruption Trial
Hours after angrily chiding federal prosecutors for an evidence-withholding mistake, a federal judge in Washington rejected a request on behalf of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens to dismiss corruption charges or declare a mistrial Thursday afternoon.

Oct. 1, 2008

As Standoff Continues, Somalia Permits Foreign Navies to Attack Pirates
Six days after a Ukrainian freighter laden with military hardware was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, the Somali government said Wednesday that it will allow foreign navies to attack the Somali pirates behind the takeover.

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 29, 2008

Report Prompts Inquiry Into U.S. Attorneys' Dismissal
After the Justice Department issued a report to investigate the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys, Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed a criminal prosecutor. NPR's justice correspondent Ari Shapiro explains.

  

Sept. 29, 2008

Special Prosecutor Named in Attorney Firings Case
Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed a special prosecutor Monday to pursue possible criminal charges against individuals involved in the controversial firings of nine U.S. attorneys.

AUGUST
Aug. 26, 2008

Sporadic Protests Prompt Hefty Police Response in Denver
Hundreds of protesters descended on downtown Denver for the first day of the Democratic convention, voicing concerns over ranging from human rights to ending the war in Iraq to letting Ralph Nader participate in the presidential debates.

Aug. 20, 2008

Countries Map Arctic Boundaries to Build Cases for Resource Rights
As a scramble builds to establish rights over the valuable natural resources hidden under the Arctic sea floor, U.S. researchers embarked from Barrow, Alaska, in mid-August on a three-week mission to map regions of the vast underwater landscape.

Aug. 19, 2008

Educators Spark Dialogue on Underage Drinking
A coalition of college and university presidents recently urged lawmakers to discuss making age 18 the legal limit for drinking as a means to curb alcohol abuse among students. Two university officials take up the controversial initiative that has sparked a national debate.

  

Aug. 15, 2008

Musharraf Spokesman Denies Resignation Rumors as Impeachment Bid Looms
A spokesman for embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has denied reports that the leader has already agreed to step down to avoid impending impeachment proceedings.

Aug. 7, 2008

Years After Anthrax Attacks, Bioterrorism Threat Still Looms
As the probe into the 2001 anthrax attacks comes to a close, the country still faces challenges preventing and responding to bioterrorism attacks. Experts assess U.S. preparedness.

  

Aug. 7, 2008

Bin Laden's Driver Receives 5 1/2 Year Prison Sentence
A military tribunal jury sentenced Salim Hamdan, the former driver of Osama bin Laden, to five and a half years in prison Thursday. A Miami Herald reporter details the courtroom proceedings and what lies ahead for the Yemeni detainee.

  

Aug. 7, 2008

Bin Laden's Ex-Driver Sentenced to 5 1/2 Years
A military jury on Thursday sentenced Osama bin Laden's former driver, Samil Hamdan, to 5 1/2 years in prison, making him eligible for parole in six months. Hamdan was convicted Wednesday on charges of providing material support for terrorism.

Aug. 7, 2008

China Tells Bush Not to Meddle in Its Affairs
China responded to President Bush's criticism of Beijing's repression Thursday, saying no one should interfere in other countries' internal affairs.

Aug. 6, 2008

Government Details How Anthrax Investigation Led to Army Scientist
The government released documents Wednesday pertaining to the 2001 anthrax attacks, saying that deceased Army scientist Bruce Ivins was solely responsible for the deadly mailings. A reporter details the day's findings.

  

Aug. 6, 2008

Military Trial Yields Split Verdict for Bin Laden's Driver
A military jury in Guantanamo Bay convicted Osama bin Laden's former driver on charges of providing support for terrorism Wednesday but cleared him of conspiracy charges. Experts weigh the verdict.

  

Aug. 6, 2008

Justice Department, Unsealed Papers Outline Anthrax Case Against Dead Scientist
The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday that Army scientist Bruce Ivins "was the only person responsible" for the mailed anthrax attacks that killed five people and rattled the nation in 2001.

Aug. 6, 2008

Jury Delivers Split Verdict in First Gitmo Trial
A military jury convicted a former driver and alleged bodyguard for terror leader Osama bin Laden on charges of providing material support for terrorism Wednesday, but acquitted him on more serious conspiracy charges.

Aug. 6, 2008

President Bush to Urge More Freedoms in China
President Bush plans to speak in opposition to China's detention of political dissidents and urge expansion of personal freedoms during a speech Thursday in Thailand before heading to Beijing for the Olympics.

Aug. 4, 2008

Details Slowly Emerge in Anthrax Attacks Investigation
A flurry of controversy over the apparent suicide of Bruce Ivins, the chief suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks, has raised more questions for investigators. A New York Times reporter navigates the latest developments.

  

Aug. 1, 2008

Suspect's Apparent Suicide Marks New Turn in Anthrax Probe
An Army microbiologist reportedly committed suicide just as Federal prosecutors were preparing to file criminal charges against him in connection with the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people. A reporter and a bioterrorism expert examine the case.

  

Aug. 1, 2008

FCC Rules Comcast Violated Internet Access Policy
A divided Federal Communications Commission ruled Friday that Comcast Corp. violated federal policy when it blocked Internet traffic for some subscribers. The cable giant has been ordered to change the way it manages its network.

Aug. 1, 2008

Scientist Suspected in Anthrax Attacks Dies of Apparent Suicide
A top U.S. Army biodefense researcher has reportedly committed suicide just as Federal prosecutors were preparing to file criminal charges against him in connection with the 2001 anthrax attacks.

JULY
July 31, 2008

Mixed Feelings Unfold After Alaska Senator's Indictment
Following Sen. Ted Stevens' indictment Thursday on charges of concealing more than $250,000 worth of gifts, two reporters measure the reaction in Alaska and Washington, D.C., and the challenges of the upcoming trial.

  

July 31, 2008

Karadzic Appears in Court, Refuses to Enter Plea
Thirteen years after war crimes charges were levied against him, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appeared for the first time Thursday at the U.N.'s tribunal, but he refused to immediately enter pleas on the 11 charges against him.

July 30, 2008

Turkey's High Court Says Ruling Party Can Stay
After three days of deliberation, Turkey's Constitutional Court decided Wednesday to keep the ruling AK Party in place, despite charges it engaged in Islamist activities.

July 30, 2008

Karadzic Spirited Out of Serbia to Face Tribunal
Under cover of night and amid tight security, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was whisked out of Serbia early Wednesday to face genocide and war crimes charges in U.N. war crimes court in The Hague.

July 29, 2008

Longtime Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens Faces Criminal Charges
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving GOP member of the Senate, was indicted Tuesday on charges of making false statements about gifts he received. Washington Post reporter Carol Leonnig discusses the investigation that led to Stevens' seven-count indictment.

  

July 29, 2008

Alaska Sen. Stevens Indicted in Corruption Probe
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the Senate's longest-serving Republican, has been indicted on seven counts of making false statements about receiving more than $250,000 from an oilfield services company that helped renovate his home.

July 28, 2008

Report: DOJ Aides Allowed Politics to Guide Hiring Decisions
A Justice Department report released Monday concludes that former top agency officials broke the law by weighing applicants' political leanings when making hiring decisions. Experts examine the findings.

  

July 28, 2008

DOJ Hiring Marred by Politics, New Report Finds
Top aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales violated federal law by allowing politics to influence the hiring of career prosecutors and judges, a new Justice Department investigation concludes.

July 23, 2008

Karadzic Faces Criminal Charges After Capture
Arrested after some 10 years in hiding, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic is slated to stand trial soon for his war crimes. Independent Television News examines the details of his arrest and the road ahead for a trial.

July 23, 2008

Former Bosnian Serb Leader Mladic Still at Large
Ratko Mladic, a name that has become synonymous with the Serb campaign of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia in the 1990s, continues to evade authorities and avoid facing charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

July 22, 2008

Prosecutors Prepare to Try Former Serb Leader Karadzic
The ex-leader of Bosnian Serbs, responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the region's war, has been transferred to U.N. custody. Former ambassador Richard Holbrooke and author Laura Silber discuss what Radovan Karadzic's arrest means for the region.

  

July 22, 2008

Details Emerge on the Capture of Radovan Karadzic
The ex-leader of Bosnian Serbs, allegedly responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the region's war, was arrested this week after spending some 10 years in hiding. Independent Televsion News examines the details of his capture.

July 22, 2008

Ariz. Breaks Ground in Reforming Prison System
The Arizona prison system is attempting to restructure its correction programs, in the aim of reducing repeat offenders. Jeffrey Brown reports on what these measures hope to achieve.

  

July 22, 2008

Judge Orders Karadzic into U.N. Tribunal Custody
A judge has ordered ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to be handed over to the U.N. war crimes court to face charges of genocide and other atrocities against Muslims and Croats in his country, a Serbian prosecutor said Tuesday.

July 21, 2008

War Crimes Suspect Karadzic Arrested in Serbia
Bosnian Serb wartime president Radovan Karadzic, one of the world's most-wanted men for his role in civilian massacres, was arrested Monday evening in a sweep by Serbian security forces, President Boris Tadic's office said.

July 21, 2008

Gitmo Trial Begins, but Questions Loom Over Detainee Legal Process
After years of legal delays, the trial for Osama Bin Laden's former driver began Monday at Guantanamo, marking the first full-scale military tribunal at the base since it opened in 2001. Two legal experts examine the future of the detainee program.

  

July 21, 2008

Court Tosses Out CBS's Superbowl Indecency Fine
A federal appeals court on Monday overturned a decision to fine against CBS Corp. $550,000 for the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show that ended with Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction."

July 17, 2008

D.C. Begins Gun Registration in Wake of Supreme Court Ruling
Washington, D.C., residents began registering firearms Thursday as part of emergency legislation enacted after a Supreme Court ruling on June 26 overturned the District's handgun ban of 32 years.

July 15, 2008

A Right to Online Privacy?
How much information should online advertisers and Web site operators know about you? And how should they be able to use this information? Congress is trying to establish rules so that the rights of both online users and advertisers are protected.

July 14, 2008

Washington Post Reporter Answered Your Questions on Zimbabwe's Political Unrest
In collaboration with Zimbabwean journalists, Washington Post reporter Craig Timberg reported on the turnabout that kept President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe in power after a campaign of violence was enacted against his opponents. Timberg answered your questions.

  

July 14, 2008

Sudanese President Charged with Genocide in Darfur
The International Criminal Court prosecutor charged Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with orchestrating genocide against African tribes in the western region of Darfur and called on the court to order his arrest.

July 11, 2008

Afghan Legal Reforms Run Afoul of Tribal Codes, Corruption
Afghanistan's central government has worked to improve its legal system for years, but tribal justice traditions, especially in rural areas, and corruption from within are proving to be significant hurdles.

July 11, 2008

EPA Sidesteps Regulating Greenhouse Gases
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday delayed making a decision about whether human health and welfare are being harmed by greenhouse gas pollution. In a federal notice, the agency instead called for more public comment, essentially bumping the decision to the next administration.

  

July 11, 2008

International Criminal Court to Seek Arrest of Sudanese President
The International Criminal Court will seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for genocide and crimes against humanity committed in the western Darfur region of his country, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Friday.

July 9, 2008

Issue of Online Privacy Grows as Companies Track 'Digital Footprints'
A Senate panel held a hearing Wednesday to investigate the growing issue of online privacy and what rights individuals should have to decide how their Web surfing history can be used by advertisers. Public policy advocates weigh the debate over online privacy.

  

July 9, 2008

Senate OKs Wiretapping Measure With Telecom Immunity
The Senate voted Wednesday to keep retroactive immunity for phone companies that help with monitoring in a federal warrantless surveillance program bill. The decision defeated Democrats against it. Ray Suarez reports.

  

July 1, 2008

International Adoption Becoming Difficult Amid Treaties, Regulation
International adoption has been a popular practice for American couples, with adoptions reaching as high as 20,000 a year. This process is becoming more difficult as barriers increase, with international organizations and foreign countries alike enacting increasingly stringent regulations.

  

JUNE
June 27, 2008

Shields, Brooks Take Up Campaign News, Court Rulings
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama campaigned with former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton at a rally Friday in Unity, N.H. and the Supreme Court issues a week of weighty decisions. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks examine the week's political news.

  

June 27, 2008

Supreme Court Term Left Door Open for Future Disputes
By the close of the Supreme Court's term Thursday, the justices made landmark decisions on cases regarding gun ownership, the death penalty and the legal rights of detainees. Legal experts weigh the rulings and what they indicate about future court battles.

  

June 26, 2008

Supreme Court Overturns D.C. Handgun Ban
The Supreme Court overturned the District of Columbia's 32-year ban on handguns, affirming for the first time the Second Amendment right of individuals to keep and bear arms. The Online NewsHour spoke to Washington, D.C., residents about their reactions to the ruling.

  

June 26, 2008

Attorneys Debate Effects of Gun Ban Override
The Supreme Court's landmark decision overturning the gun ban in the District of Columbia Thursday may have far reaching effects. Peter Nickles, D.C. Attorney General, and Ted Cruz, former Texas Solicitor General, debate the impact of the decision.

  

June 26, 2008

In Landmark Ruling, Divided High Court Strikes Down Gun Ban
The Supreme Court rejected a District of Columbia handgun ban in a 5-4 vote Thursday, the first time the court has issued a major ruling on gun rights. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the case.

  

June 26, 2008

Court Affirms Individual Right to Own Firearms
In the first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history, a divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting.

June 25, 2008

High Court Cuts Damages in Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Almost twenty years since the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Supreme Court decided Wednesday to reduce victims' compensation in Alaska. Two journalists who have covered the story discuss the decision and how the impact of the accident still lingers in the region.

  

June 25, 2008

Justices Cut Valdez Damages, Rule on Child Rape
The Supreme Court rejected use of the death penalty for those convicted of child rape Wednesday and cut the punitive damages awarded for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle recaps the decisions.

  

June 25, 2008

Court Rejects Executions for Child Rape, Reduces Damages Against Exxon
The Supreme Court on Wednesday outlawed executions of people convicted of raping a child and reduced the $2.5 billion punitive damages award in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster to $500 million.

June 23, 2008

Legal Debate Over Gay Marriage Continues to Shift
Thousands of same-sex couples are expected to wed in California this summer, after the state's Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay nuptials. So what is the national impact of the California ruling? And what are the legal challenges ahead? Two legal experts answered your questions on the law and gay marriage.

  

June 20, 2008

Wiretapping Bill Heads to Senate After Telecoms Debate
The House approved a wide-ranging terror surveillance overhaul Friday. Caroline Fredrickson of the ACLU and George Terwilliger, a former deputy attorney general for the first President Bush, examine the measure.

  

June 20, 2008

Detention Centers in Iraq Move from 'Chaos' to Reform
The abuse of detainees at the hands of U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq spurred worldwide protests, al-Qaida recruitment videos and system-wide changes at U.S.-run detention facilities in Iraq.

June 19, 2008

Mortgage Fraud Sweep Nets Hundreds of Arrests
The Justice Department and the FBI announced hundreds of arrests Thursday for mortgage fraud, which is blamed for sparking a national credit crisis and nationwide housing crisis. An NPR correspondent and Columbia Law professor examine the government crackdown.

  

June 19, 2008

Court Rules for Workers in Age Bias Lawsuit
In a 7-1 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that when older workers are disproportionately affected by an employment decision, the employer bears the burden of explaining whether there was a reasonable explanation other than age for the action.

June 18, 2008

Calif. Gay Marriages Raise Legal Questions Nationwide
The laws governing marriage nationwide are a complicated state-by-state patchwork, with little or no interstate recognition. The recent ruling in California legalizing same-sex marriage adds another layer of complexity to the legal landscape. Legal experts examine these questions.

  

June 17, 2008

Same-Sex Couples Begin Marrying in California
Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples filled county clerk offices across California Tuesday and exchanged marriage vows on the state's first full day of legal same-sex nuptials. Spencer Michels reports on the day and the legal battles ahead.

  

June 17, 2008

Senate Panel Examines Origins of Interrogation Tactics
A Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday examined the evolution of interrogation tactics developed for terrorist suspects and how they apply to U.S. law.

  

June 16, 2008

Poetry Program Gives Prisoners Unexpected Voice
For more than 30 years, poet and professor Richard Shelton has traveled to a high security prison in Arizona to run a program that encourages prisoners to write and read poetry.

  

June 12, 2008

Justices Rule Terror Suspects Can Appeal Detentions
A Supreme Court ruling Thursday granted Guantanamo detainees the right to challenge their cases in civilian courts. Experts examine the case and its impact on anti-terror efforts.

  

June 12, 2008

Justices: Terror Suspects May Appeal Detentions
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts, handing a stinging setback to the Bush administration.

June 11, 2008

Arizona's Illegal Immigration Laws Put to the Test
Last year, Arizona passed 15 bills and resolutions giving police more tools to go after illegal immigrants, one of several states tightening immigration laws. Jeffrey Kaye of KCET-Los Angeles examines the impact of the new regulations.

  

June 5, 2008

Debate Looks at Immigration Laws and Citizenship
A recent debate sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia and moderated by Robert MacNeil examined the current laws dealing with immigration and the possible plans to address the twelve million illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S.

  

June 5, 2008

Accused 9/11 Plotters Begin Trials as Legal Issues Linger
Five accused Sept. 11 plotters, including the alleged mastermind of the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, appeared in a Guantanamo military court for the first time Thursday. A reporter looks at the proceedings and the legal issues they raise.

  

June 5, 2008

Accused 9/11 'Mastermind' Asks for Death Sentence
The accused mastermind of Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, told a military tribunal Thursday in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that he would welcome the death penalty and wished to become a martyr.

June 3, 2008

Concerns Over Immigration Crackdowns Lead U.S. Farms to Recruit in Mexico
In response to fears that stricter enforcement of immigration laws will create a shortage of farm workers, the U.S. agricultural industry has headed to Mexico to recruit temporary -- and legal -- migrant workers. Jeffrey Kaye of KCET-Los Angeles reports on the farm industry's recruitment attempts and worker shortfalls.

  

MAY
May 28, 2008

Israel Defense Minister Demands Olmert Resign
Israel's defense minister issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Wednesday, demanding that he step down over corruption allegations or face early elections.

May 27, 2008

Justices Back Workers in Race, Age Discrimination Suits
The high court sided Tuesday with employees -- one at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, one a postal worker -- who sought to file lawsuits after facing retaliation for complaining about race and age discrimination. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal examines the cases.

  

May 22, 2008

Polygamy Ruling Raises Legal Debate on State Power
A Texas state appeals court ruled on Thursday that child welfare officials had no right to seize more than 400 children taken last month from the Yearning For Zion Ranch, a polygamous sect's compound in the state. The ruling however does not make clear what will happen to the children or the legal position of their parents.

  

May 19, 2008

Supreme Court Upholds Child Pornography Law
The Supreme Court upheld a 2003 federal law's provision criminalizing the promotion or presentation of child pornography. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal analyzes the Court's decision.

  

May 16, 2008

MySpace-related Suicide Puts Focus on Cyber Bullying
A Missouri woman was indicted on federal charges related to the suicide of a 13-year-old MySpace user this week. An Internet and privacy lawyer considers the world of cyber bullying and how the law and the use of the Web intersect.

  

May 15, 2008

Calif. Court Ruling Renews Debate Over Gay Marriage
The California Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriages in the state Thursday, striking down a ban on gay and lesbian nuptials as unconstitutional. Analysts examine reaction to the ruling and its possible impact on the gay marriage debate.

  

May 15, 2008

California's Top Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban
The Supreme Court in California ruled Thursday that barring lesbian and gay couples from marrying is unconstitutional, clearing the way for the nation's most populous state to join Massachusetts as the second state to allow same-sex marriages.

May 6, 2008

Mildred Loving, Key Figure in Civil Rights Era, Dies
In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Loving v. Virginia that laws against interracial marriage were unconstitutional. Mildred Loving, a black woman married to a white man, had been prosecuted under one such Virginia law in 1958 and challenged it in the high court. Loving died in early May at the age of 68.

  

May 2, 2008

New Federal Rules Target Deceptive Credit Card Practices
The Federal Reserve proposed new credit card regulations Friday in response to growing rancor over credit practices that are widely regarded as unfair and deceptive. Robin Farzad of BusinessWeek Magazine explains the details and possible effects.

  

APRIL
April 29, 2008

China Sentences 30 to Prison for Roles in Protests
A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced 30 people, including six monks, to jail terms ranging from three years to life in prison for their alleged roles in deadly riots in the Tibetan capital last month, state media reported.

April 28, 2008

Ruling on Voter ID Law May Spur Tighter State Regulation
The Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 Monday to uphold an Indiana law requiring voters to show photo identification at polling stations. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle examines the impact of the Supreme Court decisions on voters and state regulations.

  

April 16, 2008

Supreme Court Votes 7-2 to Allow Lethal Injection
The Supreme Court voted Wednesday to uphold Kentucky's use of lethal injection, allowing the continuation of executions on hold since September. The court also heard arguments on the legality of the death penalty for child rapists. Marcia Coyle discusses the cases.

  

April 15, 2008

Supreme Court Upholds Use of Lethal Injection
The Supreme Court upheld Kentucky's use of lethal injection executions Wednesday, likely clearing the way for states to resume executions that have been on hold for nearly eight months.

April 2, 2008

Memo Outlines Justification for Harsh Interrogation
The Pentagon Tuesday disclosed a 2003 memo, since rescinded, that outlined the justifications for using harsh interrogation techniques against terror suspects and said President Bush's wartime authority trumps any ban on torture.

  

MARCH
March 31, 2008

Embattled HUD Secretary Steps Down Amid Allegations
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson resigned Monday amid allegations he granted favors to friends involving HUD contracts. A Washington Post reporter discusses the move.

  

March 25, 2008

Court Overrules President Bush in Texas Case, Weighs Detainee Rights
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Texas does not have to reopen the case of a Mexican national on death row, rebuking President Bush, and heard arguments in a terrorism detainee rights case. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle explains the day in court.

  

March 24, 2008

Digital Files Put Medical Records at Doctors' Fingertips
New technologies now allow doctors and hospitals to keep electronic health records, but the U.S. has been slow to switch formats. Susan Dentzer reports on the advantages and difficulties that some hospitals are facing in their efforts to digitize medical records.

  

March 21, 2008

Provincial Powers Law Paves Way for Elections
Iraq's long-gestating Provincial Powers Act -- passed by Parliament last month and approved Wednesday by the country's three-member presidential council -- sets the stage for Iraqis to hold local elections by October.

March 18, 2008

Second Amendment in Spotlight as Court Hears Gun Case
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case debating the constitutionality of Washington, D.C.'s ban on handguns. After a report on the case's background, the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle examines how the case played out in before the justices.

  

March 17, 2008

Justices to Hear Broadcast Indecency Case
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear arguments regarding the use of profanities on radio and television broadcasts, the first time the court will rule on such indecency matters in 30 years.

March 17, 2008

Serbs Clash with U.N., NATO Forces in Kosovo
Hundreds of Serbians protesters fought with U.N. and NATO forces Monday at a Kosovska Mitrovica courthouse in the worst violence since Kosovo claimed its independence a month ago.

March 14, 2008

Shields and Brooks Mull Economic Woes, Delegate Showdown
More gloomy news emerged about the U.S. economy this week while Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama braced for a tight battle for delegates -- and debated whether Florida and Michigan should re-do their primaries. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks consider the week in the news.

  

March 13, 2008

President Bush, Lawmakers Clash Over Renewal of Surveillance Program
President Bush threatened Thursday to veto the House version of the terrorist-surveillance reauthorization bill. A measure to protect telecommunications companies from prosecution is at the heart of the dispute. Legal experts examine the privacy debate.

  

March 12, 2008

Spitzer Resigns After Detailed Investigation Led to Prostitution Ring
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced Wednesday he would resign from office, after being linked to a prostitution ring on Monday. Spitzer cited "private failings" for his resignation. Legal experts examine the federal investigation that led to Spitzer's downfall.

  

March 12, 2008

N.Y. Gov. Spitzer Resigns Amid Sex Scandal
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced his resignation Wednesday, two days after being publicly linked to an international prostitution ring.

March 11, 2008

Pressure Mounts on Spitzer to Resign Over Sex Scandal
Various New York lawmakers and newspapers called for Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation Tuesday, after he was linked to a prostitution ring Monday via a federal wiretap. Reporters discuss Spitzer's political career and the fallout from the scandal.

  

March 11, 2008

Government Profile: Kenya
Kenya is a democratic republic composed of seven provinces and the Nairobi area, which has special provincial status.

FEBRUARY
Feb. 27, 2008

Justices Consider Exxon's Valdez Damages Challenge
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in Exxon's appeal of a civil suit that awarded $2.5 billion in punitive damages to victims of the 1989 Exxon Valdez shipwreck and oil spill in Alaska. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle recaps the case.

  

Feb. 22, 2008

Life at the U.S.-Mexican Border
Migrant workers in northern Mexico face the option of trying to find work locally or risk crossing the border to look for jobs in the United States. Freelance journalist David Francis reported from Mexico on the perspectives of migrant workers and border guards.

Feb. 20, 2008

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Discrimination Case
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could influence the way courts handle racial discrimination cases throughout the country. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal explains the details of the case.

  

Feb. 20, 2008

Legal Experts Answered Your Questions on Sept. 11 Trials
The Pentagon recently charged six Guantanamo detainees with crimes tied to the Sept. 11 attacks. They will now face trial by a military commission that could sentence them to death. Two legal experts answer your questions on the road ahead for the Sept. 11 trials and the debate over how the law applies to detainees.

  

Feb. 15, 2008

Analysts Discuss Campaign News, Clemens Hearing
Presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., released a negative campaign ad, prominent lawmakers reconsidered their endorsements and Congress questioned pitcher Roger Clemens over steroid use allegations. Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news.

  

Feb. 15, 2008

Congressmen Debate Renewal of Warrantless Surveillance Law
After a standoff with House Republicans and President Bush, the Democratic-led House failed to extend a warrantless terrorist eavesdropping program Friday. Congressmen Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., offer two views on the divisive surveillance law.

  

Feb. 15, 2008

Gunman Opens Fire at University, Killing Five Then Self
A gunman shot 21 people at North Illinois University on Thursday, killing five before turning his guns on himself. Chicago NewsHour correspondent Elizabeth Brackett reports on the aftermath of yesterday's events.

  

Feb. 14, 2008

Gitmo Detainees Charged With 9/11 Crimes to Be Tried in Special Courts
Military commission trials for the six Guantanamo Bay detainees charged for their involvement in the Sept. 11 attacks will be held in specially designed courtrooms known as Camp Justice. Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartmann outlines the legal processes for the trials.

  

Feb. 13, 2008

Baseball Star Called to Account on Steroids
Baseball pitching great Roger Clemens testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government reform Wednesday to answer allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career. The testimony is the latest twist in an ongoing controversy over the use of steroids in professional sports.

  

Feb. 11, 2008

Pentagon Charges Six Detainees With Crimes Tied to 9/11
The Pentagon announced Monday it had charged six Guantanamo detainees with murder and war crimes in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks and will seek the death penalty against them, setting the stage for trials by military tribunal. Legal experts discuss the move.

  

Feb. 11, 2008

Mukasey Weighs Waterboarding, Sept. 11 Charges
After Attorney General Michael Mukasey took charge of the Justice Department, he called for an evaluation of the legalities of the "waterboarding" interrogation tactic. In an interview, Mukasey considers the waterboarding debate, charges against Sept. 11 suspects and the strength of the Justice Department.

  

Feb. 8, 2008

Congress Renews Debate Over Waterboarding
Questions stirred anew this week on the legality of waterboarding, a controversial interrogation tactic, after new Congressional hearings examining its use on terrorist suspects. After a recap of the hearings, analysts Mark Shields and David Brook weigh the debate.

  

Feb. 8, 2008

British Probe: Pakistan's Bhutto Killed by Bomb
Scotland Yard investigators said Friday that former Pakistani prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto died from the impact of a suicide blast, rather than gunfire, concurring with an earlier government assessment.

JANUARY
Jan. 25, 2008

Drop in Violence in Iraq Opens Door to Local-level Talks
A subtle turning point occurred in Iraq in the fall of 2007 when security improved and violence abated to a point where grassroots reconciliation and community rebuilding efforts could take root.

Jan. 22, 2008

Padilla Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison
Convicted terror conspirator Jose Padilla, a U.S. citizen who was once held as an enemy combatant by the Bush administration, was sentenced Tuesday to 17 years and four months in prison on terrorism conspiracy charges.

Jan. 17, 2008

Laws Restricting Lives of Sex Offenders Raise Constitutional Questions
Twenty-two states have laws that restrict where convicted sex offenders may live and, in some cases, how they interact with the community after they are released from prison. Jeffrey Kaye reports on the laws and the constitutional questions they've raised.

  

Jan. 15, 2008

Baseball Officials Testify on Steroid Use in Sport
At a House hearing Tuesday to discuss the recent report by former Sen. George Mitchell on the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and Players Union Chief Donald Fehr pledged to improve safegaurds against steroid abuse in the sport.

  

Jan. 15, 2008

Justices Uphold Limits on Security Fraud Suits
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to limit security fraud lawsuits, prohibiting investors from suing third parties such as banks or accountants for helping manipulate stock prices.

Jan. 9, 2008

Justices Appear Divided Over Indiana Voter ID Law
The Supreme Court appeared reluctant Wednesday to strike down the nation's strictest requirement that voters show photo identification at the polls. The case involves a challenge to an Indiana voter ID law that opponents say unfairly burdens poor and minority voters.

  

Jan. 9, 2008

Justices Appear Hesitant to Overturn Voter ID Law
In a politically sensitive case, the Supreme Court appeared reluctant Wednesday to strike down the nation's strictest requirement that voters show photo identification before they cast ballots.

Jan. 9, 2008

Agency Delays Decision on Polar Bear Listing
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service postponed a recommendation originally due Wednesday on listing the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to changes in its habitat from global warming.

Jan. 7, 2008

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Lethal Injection
The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on the legality of lethal injection as it pertains to the Constitution's "cruel and unusual punishment" clause. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal offers insight into the case.

  

Jan. 2, 2008

Military Investigation into '05 Haditha Killings Raises Questions
The Marine Corps announced this week that two Marines would be court-martialed for their involvement in a 2005 incident in Haditha, Iraq, that saw 24 Iraqi civilians killed. A retired Army lawyer and a former Iraqi U.N. representative examine the probe of the killings.

  

Jan. 1, 2008

Desegregation Pioneers Reflect on Education Milestone
Fifty years ago, nine black students entered Little Rock Central High School, marking a critical moment in the efforts to desegregate the nation's schools. Seven of the "Little Rock Nine" recall their experiences.