USDA Working on Hastening the Approval of Genetically Engineered Crops of Monsanto

December 31, 2011   For many years, opponents of biotech agriculture have kept on accusing regulators of working really close with large biotech firms whenever they are in the process of deregulating genetically engineered (GE) crops. Today however, their worst fears might just come true. There is now a USDA two-year pilot program where regulators […]

City of Los Angeles Files Lawsuit to Block AHF Condom Ballot Initiative

December 30, 2011   The City of Los Angeles yesterday filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ballot initiative of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation or AHF. If passed, the initiative would compel local officials to implement compulsory condom regulations on adult production sets. The president of AHF was named as among defendants in the […]

Alabama Governor Considers Modifying New Immigration Law

December 10, 2011   The governor of Alabama on Friday said that he is considering rewriting some of the provisions in the illegal immigration law of the state next year. While Republican Gov. Robert Bentley said that the toughest-in-the-country law will not be repealed, he revealed that he and some legislators are presently developing a […]

Where is Print in 2012?

Those who have a stake in promoting electronic media – cable companies, computer manufacturers, online booksellers, etc. – are quick to proclaim that print is dead. But a closer examination of trends and paper usage suggests just the opposite: As we enter a new year, print is very much alive and kicking. For example, a […]

Listing of Endangered Species to Be Clarified by the Administration

December 29, 2011   A new rule proposed by the Obama administration Friday seeks to end the practice of classifying some endangered species differently in various states. This new policy would make clear that an animal or a plant could be listed as endangered or threatened if the threats happen in a “significant portion of […]

Legal Questions Raised Regarding “Voluntary” Food Advertising Principles

December 29, 2011   The draft of the Nutrition Principles to Guide Industry Self-Regulatory Efforts on children-focused food marketing has been widely criticized by Members of Congress, affected businesses and other sectors of society. By way of a response, the Interagency Working Group, or IWG, which released the draft in April pledged to implement changes […]

Corzine Denies Knowledge on the Whereabouts of MF Global Customers’ $1.2 Billion

December 28, 2011   Jon Corzine, the former chief executive of MF Global, apologized Thursday “to all those affected” by the collapse of the brokerage as he told a congressional committee that he does not know what happened to the $1.2 billion in missing customer funds. Corzine, who testified under subpoena at a hearing conducted […]

Spotlight Focuses on Construction Defects Statute

December 28, 2011 When a construction defect complaint was settled for $19 million in favor of the Vistana homeowners association in southwest Las Vegas in 2007, the settlement amount stood out even in the big-money arena of construction defect litigation. According to federal authorities, the large settlement came about as a result o fraud. A […]

Lawsuit Against Lenders in Massachusetts Has Big Potential

December 27, 2011   Progress on the legal challenges in Massachusetts against the five biggest mortgage lenders in the country is a positive sign for homeowners who are seeking relief from foreclosures. This was revealed by Vito Torchia, Jr., the managing attorney of Brookstone Law. According to media reports, in the first such suit filed […]