World Court Demands Stay of Execution for Avena Inmates: In 2004, the World Court ruled that the United States had violated the Vienna Convention by not allowing 51 arrested Mexican nationals to contact consular officials after their arrest and by invoking procedural default rules against belated assertions of these claims. President Bush issued a directive to state courts to comply with the decision, but in Medellin v. Texas the Supreme Court held that his memorandum had no legally binding force. Five of these murderers are now approaching execution in Texas. Mexico returned to the World Court seeking an injunction.

Judge Okays First Gitmo Trial: According to James Vicini's article for Reuters, Salim Hamdan's attorneys argued that the military tribunal should not proceed while they challenge their client's designation as an enemy combatant and the constitutionality of the tribunal system. The judge ruled that those challenges can only be heard after a trial occurs and that the trial could begin next week as planned.

Infamous NJ City Sees Drop in Homicides: Newark has gained notoriety as a very violent city, but thanks to a tough-on-crime mayor and his hands-on police director, that's changing. Through more effective policing and a campaign against community apathy, Newwark's violent crime rate fell in all 7 categories last year, according to David Porter's AP report.