Topic: Crime and Law

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

'Stop and frisk': 7 questions about New York's controversial policing tactic

A federal class-action lawsuit regarding the New York Police Department’s stop-and-frisk program has raised questions about the controversial practice made legal under a 1968 US Supreme Court ruling. But what is it, and does it work?
Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
Bestselling books the week of 5/12/13, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill

Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.

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Florida voters can’t strip down Obama health-care bill, judge rules

Florida was one of four states – along with Arizona, Oklahoma, and Colorado – with a ballot initiative this November to potentially override the health-care bill mandate that all Americans must have health insurance. But a Florida court said the ballot language was 'misleading.’
Madden franchise tackles an unlikely platform: Facebook

Madden NFL Superstars hits Facebook this week. But don't expect Xbox-level graphical fireworks.
Hamas targets Israeli-Palestinian talks by killing four Israelis

Hamas took responsibility for the fatal shooting of four Israeli settlers outside Hebron today, on the eve of Israeli-Palestinian talks in Washington.
In Mexico, skepticism that arrest of Edgar Valdez Villarreal – 'La Barbie' – will stem drug trade

Mexican officials arrested Edgar Valdez Villarreal – known as 'La Barbie' – an alleged senior leader in a drug trafficking cartel. That's good news for President Calderón, but there's skepticism it will make a dent in growing drug violence.
Anwar al-Awlaki: ACLU wants militant cleric taken off US 'kill list'

The US government has linked Anwar al-Awlaki, a US citizen in Yemen, to the Fort Hood shootings and the Christmas Day bombing. But the ACLU filed a lawsuit Monday to stop an alleged plan to assassinate him.
Edgar Valdez Villarreal – suspected drug lord 'La Barbie' – arrested in Mexico

Edgar Valdez Villarreal, nicknamed 'La Barbie,' was arrested by Mexican authorities in an operation Monday near Mexico City. He is alleged to be a top player in the brutal Beltran Leyva Cartel.
Entire US-Mexico border to be guarded by Predator drones

The launch of a fourth Predator drone Wednesday will mean the entire US-Mexico border is now patrolled by the unmanned aircraft.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 08/30
Cardinal urged Catholic sex abuse victim to keep quiet, new tapes reveal

A conversation published this weekend by Belgian media provides a rare glimpse into a transaction between church officials and victims involved in Catholic sex abuse scandals.
Behind Chicago's high-crime summer: persistent street gang violence

One legacy of public housing cuts is the spread of street gang turf battles to new pockets of the city. Gang violence contributed to a high-crime summer.
Mexico massacre: How the drug war is pushing cartels into human trafficking

The Mexico massacre of 72 migrants reveals how stronger police enforcement in the Mexico drug war is pushing criminal gangs into side businesses such as extortion, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
Opinion: What Israel and Iran share: mistrust of international law

Israel's and Iran's go-it-alone ways are rooted in similar histories of being bullied.
Attack on China whistleblower shows risk of unveiling corruption, fraud

China whistleblower Fang Zhouzi was mugged after his criticism of a Chinese hospital. 'I’ve had threatening phone calls and e-mails before, but this was the first time I have been attacked,' he says.
Hong Kong police inspect Philippines bus where Hong Kong hostages killed

Philippine authorities allowed the inspection amid increasing pressure to open a joint inquiry into the shootout between hijacker and police that killed eight Hong Kong hostages.
Obama’s tax-reform panel: a giant missed opportunity

The tax-reform panel provides useful budget-cutting hints, but Obama never allowed it to tackle the really big issues.
Five ways New Orleans is still struggling after Katrina

Newly elected New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu recently marked his first one hundred days in office by announcing one hundred Katrina recovery projects, including health clinics, criminal justice facilities, road reconstructions, public recreation, and more. Still, Landrieu says the city’s recovery will take another five years. Here are five critical areas of public policy which may determine whether New Orleans has a successful recovery by 2015.
Somali pleads guilty in case of pirate attack on US warship

Jama Idle Ibrahim admitted in federal court Friday that he was one of several men who attempted on April 10 to commandeer what they believed was a merchant ship. It was actually a US warship, the USS Ashland. Ibrahim has agreed to testify against five other defendants.
Glenn Beck rally on Saturday: Whose honor is being restored?

Glenn Beck rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I have a dream' speech is sparking a racially divisive debate. But the main point may be to rouse conservative voters heading into the midterm elections.
Glenn Beck 8/28 rally: How can conservatives help the cause of civil rights?

Glenn Beck is hosting a 'Restoring Honor' rally in Washington this weekend.
CSU must reveal Sarah Palin speech contract, judge rules

Beyond its dumpster diving intrigue, the Sarah Palin speech contract case touches on the legal issues that arise when public universities partner with private foundations.
Is New York cabbie stabbing result of 'anti-Muslim hysteria'?

Islamic leaders are concerned that the increasingly heated debate over the mosque near ground zero is stirring up anti-Muslim rhetoric that could incite violence and hate crimes.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 08/26
Opinion: Glenn Beck 8/28 rally: It's a matter of honor

Dr. Alveda King – the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., – explains why she's speaking at the Glenn Beck 8/28 rally in Washington this Saturday.
Glenn Beck Lincoln Memorial rally draws criticism

Glenn Beck will hold a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, exactly 47 years to the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his 'I have a dream,' speech on that spot.
Mexico mass grave highlights abuse of migrants heading to US

The Mexico mass grave of 72 bodies is seen as the latest evidence that drug cartels are increasingly preying on migrants headed to the US.