U.S. Judge’s Hands Tied as Trump Administration Pushes Forward with Controversial Deportations Despite Torture Risks

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has ruled that she is unable to halt the deportation of four men from Ghana to their home countries, where they reportedly face the risk of torture and persecution. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan’s decision represents a significant setback for advocates who argue that the U.S. government is evading international law regarding the treatment of migrants. Judge Chutkan expressed alarm over the government’s actions, noting concerns about the procedures involved in these deportations. While she recognized that the administration seems to be bypassing the U.N. Convention Against Torture by sending … Read more

Portland Woman Disappointed as Court Leaves Noise Enforcement in Hands of Police Near ICE Building

PORTLAND, Ore. — A local resident is expressing her frustration with the city’s law enforcement response to disturbances around the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, after a recent legal decision did not lead to the changes she hoped for. Cloud Elvengrail, who lives in an apartment nearby, has been dealing with disruptive noise and criminal behavior for over 70 days, prompting her to seek judicial intervention. Elvengrail’s attorney, Julie Parrish, argued that the noise from shouting and banging outside has significantly impacted her client’s quality of life. They had hoped a judge would direct … Read more

California Jury Hands Down Historic $604.9 Million Trade Secret Verdict Against Phillips 66 for Misappropriation

A California jury has ordered Phillips 66 Company to pay nearly $605 million in damages for misusing trade secrets belonging to Propel Fuels, Inc. The ruling, delivered on October 16, 2024, held Phillips 66 liable after concluding that it had willfully misappropriated proprietary information during acquisition negotiations with Propel, a company specializing in low-carbon fuels. The legal battle began in 2017 when Propel and Phillips 66 entered discussions to potentially merge or collaborate on Propel’s innovative renewable gasoline and diesel technologies. Propel shared sensitive data under a non-disclosure agreement to facilitate these talks. However, the … Read more

Miami Jury Hands Down $329 Million Verdict Against Tesla in Autopilot Fatality Case: Company Plans Appeal

A Miami jury has ordered Tesla to pay $329 million in damages in relation to a 2019 crash involving its “autopilot” feature. The incident resulted in the death of Naibel Benavides, 22, and left her boyfriend Dillion Angulo, 27, with serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. The federal jury determined that Tesla bore partial responsibility for the accident, which occurred in Key Largo, Florida. George McGee was operating a Tesla Model S when the vehicle’s autopilot system failed to stop at a stop sign, crashing into a parked vehicle, where Benavides and Angulo were … Read more