- Making News: US Supreme Court Outlaws Death Penalty for Minors
The United States will no longer allow the death penalty for criminals under 18. In a five-to-four ruling, the US Supreme Court said today that capitol punishment for juveniles violates the constitutional prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishment." David Savage of the Los Angeles Times traces the history of the Court's recent decisions on capital punishment as well as the logic behind the dissenters' reasoning. - Reporters Notebook: US Pushes Abortion Issue at UN Conference on Women's Equality
Delegates from 100 countries are meeting this week at the UN to review progress since the landmark global Conference on Women 10 years ago in Beijing. The US delegation has accused non-governmental organizations of trying to "hijack" the event for a pro-abortion agenda. One NGO has blamed the US for "hijacking" the session for its own agenda. Reuters' Evelyn Leopold says the battle over abortion will insure a limited outcome.
US Supreme Court on Roper v Simmons
Savage's article on Court's death penalty decision
Prime Minister Tony Blair on today's meeting
Secretary Rice on supporting the Palestinian Authority
Remarks of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (before meeting)
UN Secretary General Annan in support of Palestinian Authority