Grants

Tenant Triumphs: Jury Grants $1.3M to Victim of ‘Catnapping’ by Unscrupulous Portland Landlord

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PORTLAND, Ore. – A jury has awarded $1.3 million to a man whose cat was allegedly stolen by his landlord in Portland. The verdict comes after a long legal battle between the tenant, Michael Smith, and his former landlord, John Thompson. According to court documents, Smith claimed that Thompson “catnapped” his beloved pet, named Whiskers, when he moved out of the rental property. Smith accused Thompson of intentionally withholding the cat to punish him for not paying rent on time. During the trial, Smith testified that he had a strong bond with Whiskers and that … Read more

Federal Judge Grants Class-Action Status to Lawsuit Accusing USAA Insurance of Discrimination Against Enlisted Service Members

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — A federal judge in San Diego has granted class-action status to a lawsuit accusing USAA insurance of discriminatory pricing practices. The lawsuit, filed by two enlisted service members, alleges that USAA steered them into more expensive policies compared to those offered to officers. The judge’s ruling means that the case will proceed as a class-action, potentially impacting up to 200,000 policyholders in California who could be members of the represented class. The two enlisted plaintiffs, Eileen-Gayle Coleman, a Marine Corps radio operator, and Robert Castro, an Army culinary specialist, claim that … Read more

Belarusian President Grants Himself Immunity and Blocks Exiled Opposition Leaders from Future Elections

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Minsk, Belarus – In a move to solidify his power and eliminate potential challengers in the upcoming presidential elections, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a new law granting him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution. The law also aims to prevent opposition leaders living in exile from running in future elections. This controversial legislation, which technically applies to any former president and their family members, is primarily targeted at Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for nearly three decades. With the next presidential election scheduled for 2025, the new law significantly tightens … Read more

Groundbreaking Decision: Judge Grants Lawsuit Against Snapchat Over Fentanyl Overdoses

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge in Los Angeles ruled that a lawsuit against Snapchat over fentanyl overdose deaths can proceed. The parents of three young men who died from fentanyl overdoses sued the social media app, alleging that it failed to warn users about the dangers of buying illegal drugs on its platform. The lawsuit claims that Snapchat, which allows users to send messages that disappear after being viewed, facilitated the sale of drugs by providing a platform where dealers can connect with buyers. The parents argue that Snapchat should be held accountable for … Read more