News Briefs

University of Michigan affirmative-action case reaches Supreme Court

Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard two cases regarding the University of Michigan’s admissions policy. Thousands of protestors demonstrated outside the court.

The cases being heard are Grutter v. Bollinger, involving the University of Michigan’s law school, and Gratz v. Bollinger, involving the undergraduate program. The two cases involve two women, both white, who say they were denied admission to the university The issue before the court is whether race can be used as a factor in admissions to publicly funded institutions as part of an affirmative-action program.

The attorney for the state of Michigan said affirmative-action laws allow schools to use “programs to achieve diversity because of the important interest it serves for students of all color.” Several of the justices called the university’s policy a quota system, while others said it allows the school to become diverse and remain competitive.

The only African-American Justice, Clarence Thomas, said he thought the policy promoted racial harmony and understanding. A decision is expected by late June. The court’s ruling could affect affirmative-action programs in job hiring and government contracts.

No divorce for gay couple

Texas State District Judge Tom Mulvaney dismissed a gay couple’s request for a divorce. The two men obtained a civil union in Vermont, but since Texas does not recognize same-sex marriages, the state can’t dissolve them. In order for the two men’s marriage to be dissolved in Vermont, either man must live there for at least a year. The judge has ordered another hearing to settle the matter.

Teachers placed on leave in New Mexico

Two high-school teachers have been placed on leave for refusing to remove war-related student artwork in their classrooms. One of the suspended teachers, Geoffrey Barrett, said the posters in his classroom, which had anti-war and pro-war messages, were part of a class project. The posters have since been removed by the school. Monday, two teachers and a counselor from a neighboring high school returned to work after similar suspensions for refusing to take down anti-war signs.

Bomb in Philippines kills six

Wednesday, a bomb in Davao, Philippines exploded and killed six people and injured several more. The Philippine military suspects a Muslim separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front staged the attack. Intelligence document suggest the terrorist group has links to Usama bin Laden’s al Qaeda network. An armed forces spokesman told CNN the bomb was planted near a row of food stalls and restaurants near the entrance gate of a passenger terminal in the city’s wharf area. The attack was the second in Davao in a month. Twenty-one people were killed outside an airport March 4.

American Airlines pilot lay off

In order to avoid bankruptcy, American Airlines will lay off 2,500 pilots during the next year. Cuts will begin at the bottom of the seniority ladder. Pilots can be recalled within two years if the airline adds jobs. The remaining pilots’ pay will be cut 23 percent for one year, beginning May 1, said John E. Darrah, president of Allied Pilots Association. After that, pilots will earn 17 percent less than what they’re paid now through the six-year contract. Pilots have 14 days to ratify the new contract. AMR Corporation, American Airlines’ parent company, has lost nearly $5.3 billion in the past two years, mainly because of increasing competition from low-fare carriers.

Madonna a kidnapper?

Madonna recently picked her daughter, Lourdes, up from school and was accused of kidnapping her. Another mother didn’t recognize the singer in her new dark-brown hair color. She denies rumors that she and her husband Guy Ritchie are going to stay permanently in Britain. Madonna said being a mother and falling in love has really changed her life. She added that she and her husband are doing fine, despite the rumors otherwise.

Farmer restricted to village

An 83-year-old Belgian farmer has been ordered by a court not to drive outside of his village for the rest of his life. The order comes as a result of Arsene Rogiers’ dangerous driving maneuvers on the way to a funeral. He almost drove into a young child crossing the street, he drove on the wrong side of the road, he got lost and crashed his car. The man said he’s had the car for 20 years, but only uses it to do shopping in his village or to go to church. Rogiers was banned from driving altogether for 15 days and ordered to pay a fine.