Verdict . News

•CK Hutchison filed ICC arbitration against Panama challenging Supreme Court ruling that declared port concession unconstitutional

1w ago•4 min read

Panama Supreme Court

CK Hutchison Launches ICC Arbitration Against Panama Over Port Ruling

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings has initiated international arbitration proceedings against Panama after the country's Supreme Court declared its subsidiary's concession to operate Panama Canal ports unconstitutional. The legal challenge threatens to complicate a $23 billion global port sale and escalates tensions amid U.S.-China geopolitical competition.

•The dispute threatens a $23 billion global port sale involving BlackRock and other major investors

Los Angeles federal court

2w ago•5 min read

Comedians Settle Copyright Lawsuit Against Pandora Over Streaming Rights

A group of prominent stand-up comedians including Bill Engvall and Lewis Black, along with estates of George Carlin and Robin Williams, have settled their copyright infringement lawsuit against Pandora Media. The case centered on claims that the streaming service used their comedy routines without proper licensing for the underlying literary works.

•High-profile comedians and estates settled consolidated copyright lawsuit against Pandora over streaming rights

•Dispute involved streaming comedy routines without proper licensing for underlying written joke content

•Environmental groups challenge county's reliance on 13-year-old environmental impact statement for new Ritz-Carlton resort approval

2w ago•5 min read

Environmental Groups Sue Hawaii Over Outdated Ritz-Carlton Review

Environmental groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging Honolulu County's approval of a new Ritz-Carlton resort on Oahu's North Shore, arguing officials violated state environmental law by relying on a 13-year-old impact statement that failed to account for endangered species now present at the site.

•Hawaiian yellow-faced bees were federally listed as endangered in 2016, three years after original environmental review

U.S. District for the Northern District of California

First Uber Sexual Assault Trial Goes to Jury Seeking $146M

The first sexual assault case against Uber to reach trial concluded Tuesday with plaintiff Jaylynn Dean seeking $146.2 million in damages for being raped by her driver in 2023. This bellwether case in federal court could influence how thousands of similar pending cases against the rideshare giant are resolved.

•First of thousands of consolidated sexual assault cases against Uber to reach trial, with $146.2 million in damages sought

•Case involves 2023 rape of passenger by driver Hassan Turay, who admitted victim was too intoxicated to consent

•Three Palestinian women allege Israeli troops blindfolded, handcuffed and interrogated them for hours at Rafah crossing

Palestinian Women Allege Mistreatment by Israeli Forces at Gaza Crossing

Three Palestinian women who were among the first returnees to enter Gaza through the recently reopened Rafah crossing have accused Israeli troops of blindfolding, handcuffing, and interrogating them for hours in what they describe as humiliating treatment. The Israeli military denies knowledge of any inappropriate conduct.

•Israeli military denies knowledge of any inappropriate conduct or mistreatment incidents

•House approved spending package 217-214, ending partial government shutdown that began over the weekend

House Passes Budget Package, Ending Brief Shutdown and Teeing Up DHS Fight

The House narrowly passed a spending package Tuesday to fund government programs through fiscal year 2026, ending a weekend partial shutdown. However, lawmakers froze Department of Homeland Security funding for two weeks as Democrats demand immigration enforcement reforms following a controversial shooting in Minneapolis.

•DHS funding frozen for two weeks via continuing resolution as Democrats demand immigration enforcement reforms

•Instacart lost its second attempt to block NYC's $21.44 minimum wage law for grocery delivery drivers

U.S. District Court

Instacart Loses Second Bid to Block NYC Driver Wage Law

Grocery delivery giant Instacart has suffered another legal setback in its fight against New York City's new minimum wage law for delivery drivers. U.S. District Judge John Koeltl denied the company's request for an injunction pending appeal, ruling that Instacart failed to demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success in overturning the wage requirements.

•Judge John Koeltl ruled the company failed to show substantial possibility of success on appeal to the Second Circuit

Minnesota's district courts

Federal Judge Documents 96 Court Order Violations by Current Administration

Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of Minnesota's federal district court published a list documenting 96 court orders that the current administration has allegedly violated or ignored. The unprecedented compilation has drawn attention to concerns about executive compliance with judicial authority.

•Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz documented 96 court order violations by the current administration

•The administration labeled the federal judge an "activist" following publication of the violations list

•New York roofing contractor reached settlement with DOL over willful safety violations

3w ago•4 min read

NY Roofing Contractor Settles with DOL Over 2021 Fatal Fall

A New York roofing contractor has entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor after willfully failing to protect a worker who died in a fall accident in 2021. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the incident and determined the contractor's safety violations were willful.

•Worker died in preventable fall accident in 2021 due to lack of required protection