Congo Court Affirms Results of Contested Presidential ElectionThe court backed an electoral commission’s result showing that the opposition candidate Félix Tshisekedi was the winner, rejecting a challenge from the runner-up. ….. Read More.THE NEW YORK TIMES – World News | World News & EventsSat, January 19, 20191 day ago
Supreme Court silent on ‘Dreamers’ appeal, other big casesIt is looking increasingly likely that the U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Trump administration appeals involving the “Dreamers” immigrants, transgender troops and gay rights during its current term, meaning rulings in these major cases may not come until next year. ….. Read More.REUTERS – Politics | Politics & GovernmentFri, January 18, 20193 days ago
Court rejects FCC request to postpone net neutrality hearingOral arguments will take place on February 1, as previously scheduled By Sarah D. Young of ConsumerAffairs January 18, 2019 A federal appeals court has rejected the Federal Communications Commissions request to delay a court hearing regarding its decision to repeal net neutrality rules. Earlier this week, the agency requested that oral arguments be postponed due to the ongoing government shutdown. The FCC argued that the shutdown has translated to a lack of sufficient time and resources for lawyers to prepare for the hearing. Due to the recent lapse in funding for the FCC and the relevant component of the Department of Justice, the Commission believes that, in an abundance of caution, it should move for an extension to ensure that attorneys may fully prepare for argument,” FCC attorneys said in a motion. But on Thursday, a three-judge panel on the D.C….
Roger Federer plans to play clay-court season after Australian Open exitRoger Federer says he plans to play the clay-court season after skipping it for two successive years. ….. Read More.BBC NEWS – Australia | World News & EventsSun, January 20, 201919 hours ago
Lawsuits Incoming! Supreme Court Says O-Os Can’t Be Victims Of Forced ArbitrationThe U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that owner-operators who work for larger carriers cannot be forced to settle disputes through arbitration. This will allow more drivers the leverage they need to insist on decent pay, proper benefits, and equal protection under the law. It will also likely open up large carriers to class-action lawsuits from owner-operators who feel they haven’t been afforded those things. Back in 2015, a class action lawsuit was brought against New Prime Inc. (Prime) by one of its owner-operators. The driver, Dominic Oliveira, claimed that he and his fellow owner-operators were being misclassified as independent contractors, and therefore were missing out on pay and benefits required by law for employees. Like all of Prime’s O-Os Oliveira had signed a forced arbitration agreement, so Prime claimed that he wasn’t actually allowed to sue them at all….
New California Governor’s Spending Plans Will Run Up Against Fiscal RealityGavin Newsom was inaugurated as California’s 40th governor last Monday, taking over a general-fund budget that is flush with cash and a state government that is in remarkably good shape—at least superficially—from a fiscal perspective. For all his flaws, outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown left Newsom with a $15 billion surplus and a rainy day fund that is nearly full. As an added plus, the economy that is humming along even though an erratic stock market points to storm clouds on the horizon. The big question is whether Newsom will heed Brown’s advice and govern as if there’s always a recession around the corner—or ignore the former governor’s warnings about Democratic lawmakers who always say “yes” to any “harebrained” spending scheme. Unfortunately, based on Newsom’s inaugural words, initial budget and many of his early high-level administrative appointments, the safe money is…