Palestine

Norfolk Southern Ordered to Foot Entire $600 Million Bill for East Palestine Derailment, Jury Rules

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A recent civil lawsuit verdict has placed full financial responsibility on Norfolk Southern for the $600 million it agreed to compensate those affected by the train derailment in East Palestine on February 3, 2024. The jury concluded that GATX, the provider of the faulty railcar leading to the derailment, was not liable for the damages. Similarly, OxyVinyls, the supplier of the vinyl chloride in the vented and burned railcars, was also cleared of any financial responsibilities related to the incident. The verdict was delivered late Wednesday by an eight-member jury after a … Read more

Court Rules in Favor of UVM in Suit Brought by Students for Justice in Palestine

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Burlington, VT — A lawsuit filed by the Students for Justice in Palestine against the University of Vermont has been dismissed, a federal judge ruled this week. The lawsuit alleged the university had failed to adequately address antisemitic harassment directed at members of the student group, but the court found insufficient grounds to proceed with the claims. The case, which has been closely followed by legal experts and advocates for campus free speech, highlights the growing tension surrounding the intersection of free speech and campus safety. UVM had been accused of violating civil rights statutes … Read more

University of Palestine Solidarity Leader Fights Suspension in Court Over Free Speech Concerns

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A University has suspended the leader of its Palestine Solidarity Committee, effective immediately until August 2025, following his participation in a controversial campus demonstration in support of Palestine on April 24. The student leader, Ammer Qaddumi, has escalated the dispute by filing a motion with a federal court on Thursday, seeking to halt the enforcement of this suspension. The university, which has not been disclosed in this report, responded to the motion by stating it will file its official response by Monday at 5 p.m. This legal battle traces back to an initial lawsuit filed … Read more

Historic $600 Million Settlement Approved for East Palestine Train Derailment Victims Amidst Controversy and Calls for Greater Transparency

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Youngstown, Ohio — A landmark $600 million settlement has been approved for thousands affected by the notorious East Palestine train derailment earlier this year. During a court session that revealed the community’s deep divides, U.S. District Court Judge Benita Pearson endorsed the resolution reached in February, calling it a fair outcome for an ongoing trauma. The settlement, to be paid by Norfolk Southern, targets aid toward households and businesses within a 20-mile radius of the derailment, which saw a Norfolk Southern train spill cancer-linked chemicals near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. The accident prompted mass evacuations and … Read more