The chances that new background check measures for purchasing firearms will pass Congress are "less than 50-50," Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said Friday. However, it's legislation he's still trying to lead to fruition through conversations with White House officials, including President Donald Trump. This despite Trump's public stance on gun control measures, such as increased background checks, changing nearly every day as lawmakers discuss what steps will be taken to address gun violence once they return from August recess in two and a half weeks. "I am skeptical that these efforts are going to bear fruit. It's very hard to negotiate with this White House when the president's public positions seem to change by the day," the Connecticut senator told reporters in his home state. "I'm sure there will be some people who will say I'm naive to think that we're going to end up getting a proposal through that will significantly expand background checks and be able to get 60 votes in … [Read more...] about Why Democrat Chris Murphy remains optimistic, but isn’t holding his breath for increasing background checks on gun sales
The right to remain silent
Bae Doo-na’s hopes for Korean content go to infinity and beyond
Actor Bae Doo-na [NETFLIX] Actor Bae Doo-na, who has worked on Hollywood sci-fi projects such as “Cloud Atlas” (2012) and “Jupiter Ascending” (2015) and television series “Sense8” (2015-18) says that she couldn’t be more proud of her latest work — Netflix Korea’s highly anticipated sci-fi original series “The Silent Sea” which was released on the platform on Dec. 24. Although Netflix Korea has been continuously seeing global success, starting with writer Kim Eun-hee’s “Kingdom” (2019-) series and director Lee Eung-bok’s “Sweet Home” (2020), no one could have anticipated the new wave of attention on Korean content that “Squid Game” would bring. “Squid Game” became the most-watched Netflix content of all time with some 140 million viewers around the globe, while director Yeon Sang-ho’s first Netflix project “Hellbound” debuted at No. 1 on Netflix’s daily list of most-viewed TV shows in the world. This is why the bar was set high for “The Silent Sea” — which is the first sci-fi … [Read more...] about Bae Doo-na’s hopes for Korean content go to infinity and beyond
Kateel reiterates BJP will win 150 Assembly seats in State
Reiterating that the party will 150 seats in the coming Assembly elections, State BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel has said that the BJP will form the government again and serve the people with a new vision for development. He was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for a new building for the party office in Yadgir on Monday. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been implementing many key programmes and taking the State on the path of development. Leaders of the party have been working with him for the welfare of the State. Therefore, undoubtedly, the BJP will definitely come to power again, winning the 2023 Assembly elections. The party has decided to take guidance from the former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and face the elections under the leadership of Mr. Bommai. “Thus, we have the full confidence of coming to power again by winning 150 seats,” Mr. Kateel said. Targeting Congress leaders, Mr. Kateel said that the Congress has already lost credibility … [Read more...] about Kateel reiterates BJP will win 150 Assembly seats in State
Alito says overturning Roe gives women a voice on abortion. In the South, it’s not that simple.
In his leaked draft Supreme Court opinion, Justice Samuel Alito argues that overturning Roe v. Wade would allow “women on both sides of the abortion issue to seek to affect the legislative process.” If women in a post-Roe era don’t like state laws that restrict abortion access, or laws that preserve the right to have an abortion, Alito envisions a world in which they can step up and change them. Women can vote, he pointed out, and often do so in higher numbers than men. They can lobby and run for office. But advocates for voting access and civil rights say that Alito’s depiction does not account for the parts of the country, particularly in the South, where laws make it harder for the poor and voters of color to cast their ballots, and where racially polarized voting can make it more difficult for abortion rights candidates to gain ground. How states will proceed if Roe v. Wade is overturned May 3, 2022 02:35 Southern states … [Read more...] about Alito says overturning Roe gives women a voice on abortion. In the South, it’s not that simple.
Explained | The Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute and the current case
The story so far: On May 16, a local court in Varanasi directed the district administration to seal the spot in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex where a “shivling” was reportedly found during a court-mandated videography survey. The three-day survey, conducted under tight security, had concluded in the morning. The Supreme Court on May 13 had refused to grant an interim stay on the videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple complex in Varanasi, ordered by the local court. Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, however, had said on May 13 that the apex court would examine the documents in a plea requesting a halt to the videography, and later directed that the matter be listed before a Bench headed by Justice D.V. Chandrachud. This developments comes after a Varanasi court ordered the survey commissioner to resume videography inside the Gyanvapi mosque, directing that the inspection of the complex be completed by Tuesday. The dispute stems from a case filed by … [Read more...] about Explained | The Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute and the current case
Hearing threat to Roe vs. Wade, I thought of my gay marriage — and Jim Obergefell’s fight
I’ve thought about Jim Obergefell often since we first spoke nine years ago, after his historic marriage to his husband on an airport tarmac outside Baltimore. He’s come to mind mostly during big moments in my own life as a gay man in America. I thought of Jim and his late husband, John Arthur, when I first considered proposing to my husband, Aaron, and the promises — in sickness and in health, till death do us part — that I’d be making. I thought of Jim and John again when Aaron and I exchanged vows in San Francisco City Hall in 2018, with our families around us and the bust of Harvey Milk nearby . We chose City Hall for its beauty and ease, but could have been anywhere in the country — a right Jim and John won us by overcoming a mountain of obstacles just to reach that tarmac. Advertisement I thought of Jim again last week, around the time I was emailing our lawyers about the next set of paperwork to file in our pursuit of U.S. citizenship for Aaron, who is … [Read more...] about Hearing threat to Roe vs. Wade, I thought of my gay marriage — and Jim Obergefell’s fight
Charles Baker and Irwin Raij Join Sidley Austin as Co-Chairs of Entertainment, Sports and Media Industry Group
Click here to read the full article. Sidley Austin , a law firm with offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific, is going big on sports law. Our sister site Sportico has learned that Charles “Chuck” Baker and Irwin Raij , most recently co-chairs of O’Melveny & Myers’ sports industry group, are joining Sidley as co-chairs of its Entertainment, Sports and Media industry group. The move will bring expertise in ownership transactions, stadium construction, media rights and international deal making. Baker has negotiated on behalf of buyers and sellers of pro teams. He counseled David Tepper in the billionaire’s purchase of the Carolina Panthers and has advised Arctos Sports Partners when the group acquired ownership stakes in NBA and NHL teams. Baker also represents Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly , an investor in the Los Angeles Lakers who has agreed to purchase Chelsea FC, and he negotiated on behalf of Kevin Durant when the Brooklyn Nets star … [Read more...] about Charles Baker and Irwin Raij Join Sidley Austin as Co-Chairs of Entertainment, Sports and Media Industry Group
Highlights of the judgments
Justice Sibghat Ullah Khan Gist of findings: 1. The disputed structure was constructed as mosque by or under orders of Babar. 2. It is not proved by direct evidence that premises in dispute including constructed portion belonged to Babar or the person who constructed the mosque or under whose orders it was constructed. 3. No temple was demolished for constructing the mosque. 4. Mosque was constructed over the ruins of temples which were lying in utter ruins since a very long time before the construction of mosque and some material thereof was used in construction of the mosque. 5. That for a very long time till the construction of the mosque it was treated/believed by Hindus that some where in a very large area of which premises in dispute is a very small part birth place of Lord Ram was situated, however, the belief did not relate to any specified small area within that bigger area specifically the premises in dispute. 6. That after some time of … [Read more...] about Highlights of the judgments
Tamil Nadu Woman Disguised Herself as Man for Years to Raise Daughter after Husband’s Death
Patriarchy continues to remain deeply embedded within Indian society even though there has been some evolution. People have always fought their own battles to get rid of it. But could you imagine living a life in disguise for as long as 30 years? A 57-year-old Tamil Nadu woman named S Petchiammal, disguised herself as a man for a time period of 30 years. Hailing from Katunayakkanpatti village, the woman was only 20 years old when she lost her husband to a heart attack. This happened just 15 days after the wedding. The village had a dominant patriarchal society and to raise her daughter, she disguised herself as a man. This is because being employed was seen as a problem for women in the patriarchal society of Kattunayakanpatti. While speaking to The Indian Express, she explained how she had to become ‘Muthu’ after her husband passed away. She further explained how she was facing harassment and hardships while working at construction sites and tea shops. As a solution to this, she … [Read more...] about Tamil Nadu Woman Disguised Herself as Man for Years to Raise Daughter after Husband’s Death
Labour MP Stella Creasy reveals she was threatened with gang rape while at university
Labour’s Stella Creasy was threatened with gang rape during a two-year campaign of sexual harassment at Cambridge University, she has revealed. The MP said college authorities "admonished" her instead of punishing the abusers when she made the complaint after running for a student council role. She said a culture of "privilege and entitlement" is behind the string of allegations of misconduct that politicians have been sharing recently. And she warned the problem is not unique to Parliament. Ms Creasy, now 45, said she remains "terrified" of seeing the men, who have gone on to become doctors, civil servants and "high-fliers". The MP said her first experience of sexual harassment was during her first year at Magdalene College, Cambridge. She said it lasted from 1996 to 1998 and included a campaign of abusive posters when she ran for the role of president of the college's student council. She warned the problem of sexual harassment and misconduct is not unique to … [Read more...] about Labour MP Stella Creasy reveals she was threatened with gang rape while at university