insert_link World US gun rights group take New York official to court over free speech The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments over whether a New York state official can be sued for violating the National Rifle Association's right to free speech. The NRA claims Maria Vullo, the former superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, persuaded banks and insurance companies to sever ties with the gun rights group. Vullo's lawyers say the lawsuit fails to show her conduct "crossed the line between […] todayMarch 19, 2024 15
World Palestine Never Had a Chance for Statehood, Legally Speaking, an Expert Argues Ardi Imseis, a legal scholar and former United Nations expert, argues in a new book that the UN’s long history of managing the international legal status of Palestine has often reinforced its subjugation. Here, the territory’s flag in a battle between Palestine and Israel. WWW.STORYBOARDTHAT.COM By Darsen Hover Did Palestine ever have a chance to gain its full rights as a state? In his new book, “The United […] todayMarch 19, 2024 10
insert_link World Vladimir Putin’s gold strategy explains why sanctions against Russia have failed By Robert Huish, Dalhousie University There are more than 16,000 sanctions imposed against Russia. Yet the Russian economy and war machine grew by 3.6 per cent in 2023 and is projected to grow another 2.6 per cent in 2024. Nearly six per cent of Russia’s gross domestic product goes towards military spending. At a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scrambling to acquire arms, funds and […] todayMarch 19, 2024 10
insert_link World Trump unable to secure $464 million bond in New York fraud case Donald Trump has not been able to get a bond to secure the $464 million fraud judgement against him, according to his lawyers. In February, a Manhattan judge ordered the former President and his co-defendants to pay that amount in damages and interest for violating New York anti-fraud laws. Trump's team say they have approached thirty underwriters to back the bond - but the companies require cash to back the […] todayMarch 19, 2024 13
insert_link World Bank of Japan expected to announce an end to negative rates The Bank of Japan is widely expected to end negative interest rates when a two day policy meeting concludes on Tuesday. Analysts believe record wage hikes recently announced by large companies have created the conditions the bank needs to begin phasing out quantitive easing. Chris Gilbert reports from Japan. todayMarch 19, 2024 3
insert_link World White House says US and Israeli officials will discuss alternatives to Rafah offensive US President Joseph Biden says American and Israeli officials will meet to discuss alternatives to the military offensive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening to launch against Palestinians in Rafah. The move comes as President Biden is under growing pressure to withdraw his support for the Israeli leader over the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Our US Correspondent Simon Marks reports. todayMarch 19, 2024 17
insert_link World Supreme Court blocks controversial Texas immigration law The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked a controversial immigration law from taking effect in Texas until further notice. Senate Bill 4 would give police the power to detain people suspected of crossing the U.S. southern border without documentation. The new ruling was made moments after a previous block on the law expired. William Denselow reports from Austin, Texas. todayMarch 19, 2024 12
insert_link Business / Economics Narendra Modi’s economy isn’t booming for India’s unemployed youth. So, why is his party favoured to win another election? By Ian Hall, Griffith University India will soon hold the biggest election ever conducted, starting on April 19 and running through early June. Almost 950 million registered voters will be able to cast ballots to elect the 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. The result is not a foregone conclusion, but most analysts expect Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to win another […] todayMarch 18, 2024 8
insert_link World Putin Claims Election Victory Russian President Vladimir Putin says he'll prioritise military operations in Ukraine after claiming another six-year term in elections. Official results gave him more than 87% of the vote. Western countries say the election was not free or fair and insist voting in Ukrainian territory was illegal. Director of the Russia Programme at Chatham House James Nixey says the result was not in doubt. todayMarch 18, 2024 21