Supreme Court of Malawi bans thin plastic production
The court’s decision makes production of thin plastics under 60 microns in thickness illegal with immediate effect.
Courts
German court allows Peruvian farmer to sue RWE over climate crisis
The lawsuit alleges that since RWE has produced an roughly 0.47% of GHG emitted by industry, it should be liable to pay an equivalent of the costs.
Judges in Botswana unanimously rule to decriminalize homosexuality
In the landmark ruling, the southern African nation’s High Court rejected sections of the penal code that criminalize same-sex relations and impose up to seven years in prison.
Brazil’s top court votes to make homophobia and transphobia crimes
Six out of 11 judges voted to consider discrimination against gays and transgender people equivalent to racism.
Ohio congressional map is illegal gerrymander, federal court rules
The ruling, by a three-judge panel from the Federal District Court in Cincinnati, ordered new maps to be drawn by June 14 to be used for the 2020 election, when Democrats will fight to preserve their House majority.
Pharmaceutical executives in the United States charged for role in opioid epidemic for the first time ever
Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges relating to opioid distribution against one of the US’ 10 largest pharmaceutical distributors and two of its executives, both of whom could be sentenced to life in prison.
U.S. Supreme Court lets youths’ case demanding climate action proceed
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to halt the trial in a lawsuit brought by 21 young people seeking to force the federal government to take action to address climate change.
U.S. Court restores federal protections for Yellowstone-area grizzly bears
A U.S. District Court judge restored federal protections to grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park, overturning a Trump administration finding.
India’s gay sex ban is struck down
In a groundbreaking victory for gay rights, India’s Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously struck down one of the world’s oldest bans on consensual gay sex.
Iowa Supreme Court blocks 72-hour abortion waiting period law
The judge sided with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa in a lawsuit.