Grants

Judge Grants Emotional Reunion for Detained Activist and Newborn Son Amid Controversy Over Family Separation

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NEW YORK — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil met his one-month-old son for the first time on Thursday after a federal judge intervened in a case that has sparked controversy over family separation and political motivations behind detentions. Khalil has been held in a Louisiana jail since March 8, marking him as the first individual arrested under the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Khalil, a legal permanent resident and a Columbia University alum, faced challenges in seeking permission to attend his son’s birth. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially … Read more

Judge Grants Permission to Remove Home Monitoring Device for Nurse Accused of Forcing Abortion, Ignoring Victim’s Fears

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Puyallup, Washington — A Pierce County judge has granted permission for David Benjamin Coots, a licensed nurse practitioner accused of forcing an abortion on his former girlfriend, to remove his electronic home monitoring device. This decision comes despite a history of alleged court order violations by the defendant. D.H., the woman bringing the allegations, claims that on January 27, 2024, Coots acted aggressively during what she believed was consensual sex at her residence. At the time, she thought she might be pregnant and had communicated this with Coots, who is married to another woman. According … Read more

WhatsApp Triumphs: US Jury Grants $168 Million in Landmark Cyberespionage Case Against NSO Group

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A U.S. jury in San Francisco awarded WhatsApp $168 million after finding that the Israeli firm NSO Group engaged in cyberespionage against its platform. The ruling underscores a growing concern over the use of technology for invasive surveillance and the implications of such actions on privacy rights. The case centered on allegations that NSO Group exploited vulnerabilities within WhatsApp’s messaging service to enable the targeting of users worldwide. WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms Inc., claimed that the NSO Group’s actions not only harmed the company but also jeopardized the safety of its users, which number … Read more

Jury Grants $500,000 to Nebraska Candidate in Landmark Defamation Case Against GOP Mailers

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LINCOLN, Neb. — A jury awarded $500,000 in damages to a legislative candidate who accused the Nebraska Republican Party of defaming him through misleading mailers during the campaign. The case centered around claims made in printed materials distributed to voters, which the candidate argued unfairly tarnished his reputation. The candidate, who contested a seat in the Nebraska Unicameral legislature, claimed that the mailers presented false information, portraying him in a negative light. The jury’s decision reflects a significant ruling in favor of political accountability regarding campaign communications. During the trial, evidence highlighted that the mailers … Read more