--Federal judges reviewing Alabama's new congressional map on Monday sharply questioned if state lawmakers ignored the court's directive to create a second-majority Black district, so minority voters have a fair opportunity to influence elections.... The three-judge panel held a hearing as they weigh whether to let the map stand or to step in and draw new congressional districts for the state.... U.S. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus asked the state, “ Were you not required to draw a new map( that

ROME( Reuters)-A peace group with close ties to the Vatican said on Tuesday it will appeal to European businesses and tourists to boycott the U.S. state of Alabama if it went ahead with the execution of an inmate by nitrogen gas this week. The warning by the Sant' Egidio Community involves Kenneth Smith, who was convicted of a 1988 murder and who survived a botched execution attempt by lethal injection in 2022. His lawyers appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court last week to block the second attempt,

The morning after Donald Trump was reelected president, Justices Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan began jousting more than usual. They personify the ideological and political gulf on America’s highest court.... His mood has helped fuel speculation over his possible retirement with a new Republican president in office to appoint his successor.... They are both keenly aware of which other justices might be in play – open to persuasion – during arguments in a case....

A panel of federal judges on Monday began a review of Alabama’s redrawn congressional map which opponents argued defies the court’s mandate to create a second district where Black voters have an opportunity to influence the outcome of an election.... Alabama Republicans, who have been reluctant to create a Democratic-leaning district, boosted the percentage of Black voters in the majority-white 2nd Congressional District, now represented by Republican Rep.... Barry Moore, from about 30% to 39.

Rodger Smitherman discusses a redistricting proposal during debate at the Statehouse in Montgomery on July 19.... 14, 2023 1: 25 PM PT Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URLCopied!... Print BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— A panel of federal judges on Monday began a review of Alabama’s redrawn congressional map, which opponents argued defies the court’s mandate to create a second district where Black voters have an opportunit