Supreme Court upholds copyright protection act
On Jan. 15 the Supreme Court made a 7-to-2 decision to uphold the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act. The act confirms that Congress was within its constitutional rights when it last extended copyright in 1998. Under the 1998 act, copyright extends for the life of the artist plus 70 years. Corporations may also hold copyrights for 95 years.
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Venezuelan oil strike continues unabated
The Venezuela Central Bank decided to suspend Venezuela’s foreign exchange trading Tuesday in response to runaway inflation caused by a strike that has brought the country’s oil industry, and economy, to its knees. The Bank’s decision is an attempt to curb inflation, which has risen to 30% in the 54 days since the strike began. On Tuesday the bolivar, Venezuela’s currency, dropped to an all-time low of 1,853 to the dollar. It has lost 25 percent of its value just this year and lost 46 percent in 2002. The Bank has gone through approximately $1.45 billion in foreign reserves trying to keep the currency afloat through the strike.
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Bush examines University of Michigan affirmative action policies
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear two cases regarding the constitutionality of the University of Michigan’s affirmative action policies. This is not the first time the Supreme Court has heard arguments concerning affirmative action; in 1978 the court ruled in favor of white student Alan Bakke after he was denied admission to medical school at the University of California at Davis.
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Thousands gather around the country to protest war in Iraq
Last weekend was a high point for worldwide protests against possible U.S. military action against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s regime. Opponents of war gathered in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, along with other cities across the United States and the world. As the United States continues sending military personnel and equipment to the Gulf region and seeks support from other nations, protesters continue challenging the wisdom of a “preemptive strike” by the Bush administration.
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