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US Supreme Court to hear landmark cases | US Supreme Court to hear landmark cases |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The US Supreme Court has begun its new term, with arguments and rulings expected on several landmark cases. | The US Supreme Court has begun its new term, with arguments and rulings expected on several landmark cases. |
The court is likely to hear cases on issues including affirmative action, gay marriage and voting rights. | The court is likely to hear cases on issues including affirmative action, gay marriage and voting rights. |
The justices will also consider a challenge to a law permitting overseas surveillance, and whether US courts can rule on human rights violations abroad. | The justices will also consider a challenge to a law permitting overseas surveillance, and whether US courts can rule on human rights violations abroad. |
The court has been in recess since it upheld President Barack Obama's healthcare reform bill in June. | The court has been in recess since it upheld President Barack Obama's healthcare reform bill in June. |
In a 5-4 ruling, the court said the law's core requirement, known as the "individual mandate" was constitutional. | In a 5-4 ruling, the court said the law's core requirement, known as the "individual mandate" was constitutional. |
However, correspondents say the latest term could be even more significant, with rulings likely on issues that touch on several hotly disputed areas of American life. | However, correspondents say the latest term could be even more significant, with rulings likely on issues that touch on several hotly disputed areas of American life. |
October agenda | October agenda |
The Supreme Court was to begin its term by hearing a case on Monday that concerns 12 Nigerians who have sued a subsidiary of Shell oil company. | The Supreme Court was to begin its term by hearing a case on Monday that concerns 12 Nigerians who have sued a subsidiary of Shell oil company. |
The 12 allege that Shell aided and abetted human rights violations in Nigeria between 1992 and 1995. | The 12 allege that Shell aided and abetted human rights violations in Nigeria between 1992 and 1995. |
The justices must decide whether a law known as the Alien Tort Statute permits US courts to rule on that case. | The justices must decide whether a law known as the Alien Tort Statute permits US courts to rule on that case. |
Early October will also see the bench hear arguments in a major case on affirmative action in public universities. Abigail Fisher, a white student, has alleged that she was unfairly denied admission at the University of Texas because of her race. | Early October will also see the bench hear arguments in a major case on affirmative action in public universities. Abigail Fisher, a white student, has alleged that she was unfairly denied admission at the University of Texas because of her race. |
Earlier Supreme Court rulings have upheld the right for universities to consider race as one of many factors in the admissions process - although quotas are forbidden. | Earlier Supreme Court rulings have upheld the right for universities to consider race as one of many factors in the admissions process - although quotas are forbidden. |
Later in the term the justices will consider two separate cases relating to gay marriage. | Later in the term the justices will consider two separate cases relating to gay marriage. |
In one case, several parties have challenged a federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act (Doma), a measure that denies federal benefits available for straight couples to legally married same-sex couples. | In one case, several parties have challenged a federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act (Doma), a measure that denies federal benefits available for straight couples to legally married same-sex couples. |
In 2011, President Obama instructed the Department of Justice not to defend the law. | In 2011, President Obama instructed the Department of Justice not to defend the law. |
The second case could deliver a final ruling on an ongoing legal wrangle over a gay marriage ban in the state of California, a law known as Proposition 8. If the court decides not to hear the case, same-sex marriage is likely to be re-introduced in California. | The second case could deliver a final ruling on an ongoing legal wrangle over a gay marriage ban in the state of California, a law known as Proposition 8. If the court decides not to hear the case, same-sex marriage is likely to be re-introduced in California. |
The bench could also examine Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act - a provision that forces nine US states with a history of electoral discrimination to have all changes to voting rules first approved in Washington. | The bench could also examine Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act - a provision that forces nine US states with a history of electoral discrimination to have all changes to voting rules first approved in Washington. |
Lawyers representing Shelby County, Alabama, have said "things have changed in the South", and that Congress should not have extended Section 5 for another 25 years in 2006. | Lawyers representing Shelby County, Alabama, have said "things have changed in the South", and that Congress should not have extended Section 5 for another 25 years in 2006. |
Finally, the court may also hear a challenge to the constitutionality of a 2008 law that expanded the government's mandate to carry out secret electronic surveillance of foreigners overseas. | Finally, the court may also hear a challenge to the constitutionality of a 2008 law that expanded the government's mandate to carry out secret electronic surveillance of foreigners overseas. |
The government has said human rights groups do not have the right to bring the case. | The government has said human rights groups do not have the right to bring the case. |
The US high court also denied the petition of a Florida man challenging the use of full-body scanners at airports. | |
Federal courts in Jonathan Corbett's home state had refused to hear his lawsuit, saying it could only be filed with the federal appeals court in Washington. | |
An appeal court in Atlanta, Georgia, upheld that dismissal, and the US Supreme Court refused to reopen the case. |
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