'Time' Loses Suharto Lawsuit

Ruled for 32 years; resigned amid corruption, human rights charges

(NEWSER) - Former Indonesian president Suharto, a US Cold War ally whose legacy of economic development was marred by charges of human rights abuses and corruption, died today of organ failure at 86, Reuters reports. Suharto ruled for 32 years until being forced out in 1998; his deteriorating health prevented him from ever going to trial even though accusers allege he had perhaps 1 million opponents killed and had embezzled billions. More»

Texan arrested after car broke down

(NEWSER) - First she got a ticket, then she was arrested, and as a sheriff's deputy drove her to prison, she claims she was subjected to Rush Limbaugh's "derogatory comments about black people" on the radio. All this and more prompted a Texas woman to sue the deputy and the county for a laundry list of items, including false imprisonment, assault and battery, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the Houston Chronicle reports. More»

Slate column enrages former insurance execs

(NEWSER) - Two former execs at an insurance firm that paid out $850 million to settle allegations of shady dealing brought by Eliot Spitzer in his days as a crusading attorney general are now suing the former governor for libel. The former Marsh & McLennan execs, who claim Spitzer libeled them in a recent column for Slate entitled "They Still Don't Get It," are seeking $90 million in damages, Reuters reports. More»

He's just getting cartoon more publicity, argues newspaper lawyer

(NEWSER) - South African President Jacob Zuma is suing a political cartoonist, the former editor-in-chief of the Johannesburg Sunday Times, and Avusa Media for showing him about to rape a blindfolded woman representing justice. The husband of multiple wives is seeking $730,000 for humiliation, degradation, and damage to his reputation. The cartoon appeared 2 years ago when Zuma was facing corruption charges, which were dropped. It was intended to damage his reputation and dignity, said a statement by Zuma filed in court. It indicated he was abusing the justice system "in as vile, degrading and violent a way as the raping of a woman," the statement added. More»

(NEWSER) - A Manhattan judge has forced Google to reveal the identity of an anonymous blogger who called model Liskula Cohen a "40-something" "skank," reports Canada.com. In the precedent-setting ruling, Cohen, 37, convinced the court to unmask the writer so she could sue for defamation; when Google handed over the blogger's email address, Cohen recognized a personal acquaintance. More»