Jordan court postpones verdict of ex-spy chief

A Jordanian criminal court says it has postponed a verdict in the case of a powerful former intelligence chief on trial for alleged embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and abuse of office.

Presiding judge Nashaat Akhras told Mohammed al-Dahabi in court Sunday that his verdict will be pronounced Nov. 11, without giving a reason.

Al-Dahabi ran the General Intelligence Department between 2005 and 2008.

He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

He was arrested in February, when inspectors from the Central Bank of Jordan suspected transactions worth millions of dollars had gone through his bank account.

The rare case against such a high profile official is meant to show Jordan's seriousness in efforts to tackle graft and corruption — a demand voiced in recent street protests.

Pittsburgh Drug Offense Lawyers

In the 1980s, the government declared war on drugs.  It’s been the longest war in the history of our country and there is no end in sight.  The government has already lost this war, but politicians do not realize it, so the well-funded “war on drugs” slogs on.  Tough on crime politicians continue to pour money into this senseless “war,” while at the same time talking tough about budget deficits and the need to rein in spending.  The bottom line with this endless war on drugs is that it has had no effect on the availability of drugs in this country.

Drug offenses are so popular that many individuals think their crimes are minor, however; this thinking is dangerous because there is a minimum sentencing guideline that many than likely will end you up in jail.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorneys
Save yourself future headaches by getting in touch with a Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney immediately. If you have been arrested and suspected of any drug crime in the state or county, you will be a huge target for investigation. Discussing your situation early on with a legal professional will better your chances of preparation in fighting for your rights. If you or a loved one are facing drug crime charges, don't wait any long to call my office at 412-429-4360 or visit us on the web to email me at info@gbmlawpittsburgh.com for your free consultation. Check out more about drug offenses in Pittsburgh http://www.gbmlawpittsburgh.com/criminal-defense/drug-offenses/manufacturing-drugs

Cardiff Personal Injury Lawyer

Car accidents are filed as one of the most common type of personal injuries. This involves motor vehicles colliding with other automobiles, stationary objects, park vehicles, pedestrians or road debris. These motor vehicles can range from everyday cars to commercial trucks, passenger vans, or delivery automobiles. These collisions often times involve multiple parties and can quickly escalate into a complicated situation if you do not act immediately. An automobile accident can turn into a long process and may take up to weeks for full investigation to finish. During this investigation period, insurance companies are looking for contributing factors for the cause of the accident. Factors may include: vehicle design, road design, driver distraction, driving while intoxicated, and driving speed.

Automobile accidents may have a traumatizing affect on parties involved and when insurance companies know you are in a vulnerable position, they may take advantage of you in order to make the most money. Insurance companies are simply in the business to make money and do not hold you in their best interest. It is important to not make the mistake of reaching out to an insurance company before seeking advice from a personal injury lawyer.

The Law Offices of Robert W. Jackson, APC can alleviate some post-accident stress during a difficult time. If you were recently involved in an automobile accident and want to claim damage to property, injuries, or wrongful death, our attorneys have what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. We are committed in assisting you if you were injured or have lost a friend or family member in an automobile accident. Our strength is working through negotiations during trial and can represent you in the courtroom in the best light. Contact one of our Cardiff and Fallbrook, California offices to discuss your case 760-723-1295 or visit http://www.jacksontriallawyers.com/ for more information.

Sydney Criminal Lawyers

Armed robbery is a serious case in all matters. Robbery refers to taking of property by actual or threatened force. A robbery can occur anywhere and involve one or many people. It can take place at a business (usually a service station, bank, or convenience store) or a home (breaking in the house and forcing the occupier to hand over cash, or monetary items), or an incident on the street (usually mugging a person or car jacking). The courts in Sydney do not treat robbery offences lightly, especially when they are alleged to involve weapons or more than one defendant. When a person is harmed or killed, the seriousness of the case is increased significantly. However, there are many times when it can be difficult to provide proof for an armed robbery to the police. In some cases, evidence is not enough to show proof or there may be partial DNA or fingerprint matches. This is the fine line that can prove a person has committed robbery and our lawyers can help you.

Sydney Criminal Lawyers are here for you. Our Accredited Criminal Law Specialists are expertise in robbery matters. We defend your freedom and get you back on the road. We are able to carefully assess the prosecution evidence and will fight for our clients to be released on bail. Don't leave your robbery charge at chance without a great criminal lawyer to represent your case. Call us today to schedule a free first appointment at  or visit us on the web at http://www.criminallaw.com.au/robbery-charges for more
information.

High court protects Secret Service agents

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that two Secret Service agents are shielded from a lawsuit filed by a man they arrested after a confrontation with then-Vice President Dick Cheney.
The 8-0 decision comes in a case that began with the arrest of Steven Howards following a chance encounter with Cheney at a shopping center in Colorado in 2006. Howards claimed he was arrested because he expressed his anti-war views.
The agents and the Obama administration asked the court for broad protection against claims of retaliatory arrests. The justices did not grant that wish.
But Justice Clarence Thomas said in his opinion for the court that the agents could not be sued in this instance because of uncertainty about the state of the law concerning such arrests.
The decision reversed a ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to allow Howards' lawsuit to go forward.
Howards, of Golden, Colo., was detained by Cheney's security detail after he told Cheney of his opposition to the war in Iraq. Howards also touched Cheney on the shoulder, then denied doing so under questioning. The appeals court said the inconsistency gave the agents reason to arrest Howards.

Appeals court won't release Yemini from Gitmo

A federal appeals court has upheld a decision not to release a Yemeni detainee from Guantanamo Bay.

The original decision said Mashour Abdullah Muqbel Alsabri was being lawfully detained at the U.S. naval prison in Cuba. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina concluded that Alsabri traveled to Afghanistan to fight with al-Qaida and Taliban forces.

In a decision unsealed this week, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia unanimously found "no clear error" in that conclusion.

Alsabri has denied being part of the forces, even though he admitted being associated with members. He also acknowledged being at Taliban front lines in 2001, but said he was there essentially as a tourist and not a fighter.

Berkeley hires law firm for probe of police chief

Berkeley officials have hired a law firm to investigate an order by the city's police chief that sent an officer to a reporter's home after midnight to request changes in a story.

Interim City Manager Christine Daniel said Friday the firm of Rennie Sloan Holtzman Sakay will conduct an independent probe of the March 9 order issued by Chief Michael Meehan. Daniel released no additional details.

The hiring of the law firm comes after the union representing the city's police officers demanded an outside probe, saying Meehan should be held to the same standards as officers.

"If a police officer uses poor judgment and violates department policy, he is placed on administrative leave and is fully investigated," said Officer Tim Kaplan, president of the 160-member Berkeley Police Association. "As law enforcement officers, we don't just get to say 'I'm sorry' and have the whole matter go away."

Meehan has apologized for what he called his "error in judgment" in ordering his department's spokeswoman to go to the home of a Bay Area News Group reporter at 12:45 a.m. to request changes to an article published less than two hours earlier.

The reporter, 45-year-old Doug Oakley, said his family was asleep when Sgt. Mary Kusmiss showed up at his door. Oakley said Kusmiss, who regularly interacts with the news media, told him the chief had ordered her to go to the reporter's house when efforts to reach him by telephone and email were unsuccessful.

New York Securities Litigation Law Firm - Herskovits PLLC.

Robert concentrates his practice in the areas of securities litigation and regulatory enforcement matters. Robert routinely advises broker/dealers, industry professionals and investors in varied litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters relating to the securities industry. Robert is certified as an arbitrator for FINRA, AAA and the NFA and formerly served as in-house counsel for an NYSE-member broker/dealer.

Prior to forming Herskovits PLLC, Robert was a partner with Gusrae Kaplan Nusbaum PLLC for more than five years.

Robert received a JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a BA from Syracuse University. Robert is admitted to practice in the State of New York and before various federal courts, including the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

An active participant in the bar, Robert is the Co-Chair of the Committee for Securities and Exchanges of the New York County Lawyers' Association. Robert's accomplishments were recently recognized by Thomson Reuters' "Super Lawyers", which designated Robert as a 2011 Rising Star in business litigation.

Practice Areas

•Securities Litigation and Arbitration
•Securities Industry Regulatory Defense
•Broker-Dealer Advisory Services
•Securities Industry Employment Litigation
•Commercial Litigation

Address

1065 Avenue of the Americas
27th Floor
New York, New York 10018

Contact:
Tel: (212) 897-5410
Fax: (646) 558-0239

Judge rules against explorers in treasure dispute

A federal judge has ruled against a deep-sea exploration company in a dispute with Spain over 17 tons of silver coins recovered from a sunken 19th century Spanish galleon.

Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc., which found the treasure off the Portuguese coast in 2007, had requested a stay after a federal court in Atlanta ruled last year the explorers must give the treasure back to the Spanish government.

In an order Tuesday, a U.S. circuit court judge denied the company's motion for a stay.

In court documents, the exploration firm said it wanted to stay the proceedings until the U.S. Supreme Court could consider the case.

Odyssey had said in court filings that such a denial might mean Spain will keep the treasure forever. Spain's position is that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts, Odyssey said.

Jackson's family calls for stiff sentence for doc

Michael Jackson's family told a judge Tuesday that they were not seeking revenge but want the doctor who killed the superstar to receive a stiff sentence that serves as a warning to opportunistic doctors.

"The Bible reminds us that men cannot do justice, they can only seek justice," the family said in a statement read by attorney Brian Panish. "That is all we can ask as a family, and that is all we ask for here."

The statement went on to say, "We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do today that will bring Michael back."

Panish did not specifically request the maximum term of four years in jail for Murray but said the cardiologist should be punished in a way that reminds physicians that they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor was expected to sentence Murray later in the day after hearing from lawyers on both sides of the case.

Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after a six-week trial that presented the most detailed account yet of Jackson's final hours but left many questions about Murray's treatment of the superstar with an operating-room anesthetic as he battled chronic insomnia.

Scott+Scott LLP Announces Securities Class Action

On November 28, 2011, Scott+Scott LLP filed a class action complaint against The Cooper Companies, Inc. and certain of the Company's senior officers and directors in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The action for violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is brought on behalf of those purchasing the common stock of Cooper between March 4, 2011 and November 15, 2011, inclusive.

If you purchased the common stock of Cooper during the Class Period and wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the action, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. Any member of the investor class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of its choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. If you wish to discuss this action or have questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Scott+Scott at (800) 404-7770, (860) 537-5537 or visit the Scott+Scott website http://www.scott-scott.com/cases/coopercos.html for more information. There is no cost or fee to you.

The complaint filed in the action alleges that, during the Class Period, Cooper issued false and misleading statements concealing known quality control problems and process defects at the Company's new overseas contact lens manufacturing facilities.

The complaint alleges that following the announcement of a small voluntary recall, the significance of which Cooper and its senior executives intentionally downplayed, on November 15, 2011, Cooper was forced to disclose a much larger product recall and to finally disclose the seriousness of the potential injuries. As the market learned the true extent of the Company's production issues, product safety defects and the harm to Cooper's reputation and product marketability, the Company's stock price declined precipitously. The class action seeks recovery under the federal securities laws for those who purchased Cooper's common stock between March 4, 2011 and November 15, 2011.

Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust and employee retirement plan actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals and other entities worldwide.

American Airlines files for bankruptcy protection

The parent company of American Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday, seeking relief from crushing debt caused by high fuel prices and expensive labor contracts that its competitors shed years ago.

The company also replaced its CEO, and the incoming leader said American would probably cut its flight schedule "modestly" while it reorganizes. He did not give specifics. American said its frequent-flier program would be unaffected.

AMR Corp., which owns American, was the only major U.S. airline company that did not file for bankruptcy protection after the Sept. 11 attacks, which caused a deep slump in the industry.

Bankruptcy filings allowed American's competitors to shed costly labor contracts, unburden themselves of debt and start making money again. American was stuck with higher costs, and had to match its competitors' lower fares or lose money.

Other airlines also grew by pursuing acquisitions and expanding overseas. American was the biggest airline in the world in 2008, but has been surpassed by United, which combined with Continental, and Delta, which combined with Northwest.

China to execute Filipino drug trafficker Dec. 8

A Chinese court has upheld the drug trafficking conviction of a Filipino man and set his execution for next week despite appeals for clemency from the Philippine president, officials said Wednesday.

The 35-year-old man, who was not identified, was arrested in September 2008 at Guilin International Airport in southern China while trying to smuggle 3.3 pounds of heroin into Guangxi province from Malaysia, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Smuggling more than 50 grams of heroin or other drugs is punishable by death in China.

Philippine officials based in China were told Monday that the Supreme People's Court in Beijing had upheld a lower court's decision to impose the death penalty on the Filipino man and that a Dec. 8 execution date had been set, the department said.

The Philippine government provided all possible help to the condemned man and made "sustained and exhaustive representations with the Chinese government at all levels," including an appeal from President Benigno Aquino III to his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, to try to have the death sentence commuted to life in prison, officials said.

Polygamous family launches challenge of Utah law

Reality TV stars Kody Brown and his four wives say they just want one thing: to be left alone.

As authorities investigate them for bigamy, the TLC "Sister Wives" family is asking a federal judge to overturn part of Utah's bigamy law because it bans them from living together and criminalizes sexual relationships between unmarried consenting adults.

"What they are asking for is the right to structure their own lives, their own family, according to their faith and their beliefs," said Jonathan Turley, their attorney, adding that the lawsuit is about privacy — not polygamy.

The case in federal court in Utah, however, could open up the possibility that a way of life for tens of thousands of self-described Mormon fundamentalists could be decriminalized.

While all states outlaw bigamy, some like Utah have laws that both prohibit having more than one marriage license at a time and also ban adults from living together and having a sexual relationship.

The latter provision could include same-sex couples, unmarried heterosexual couples and those, like the Browns, who do not have licenses but have created within their homes a marriage-like relationship.