Court Voids Law on Self-Funded Campaigns - more details
The Supreme Court invalidated a campaign-finance law aimed at blunting the financial advantage of wealthy, self-funded House candidates.

Court Cuts Exxon Valdez Damages - more details
A splintered Supreme Court ordered the $2.5 billion award for victims of the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster to be drastically reduced, in a decision that could shape how punitive awards are calculated.

Death Penalty Overturned in Child Rape Case - more details
The Supreme Court overturned the death sentence in a child rape case, its latest move limiting the definition of capital crimes. The decision suggests that the death penalty should be reserved for crimes that involve a victim's death.

Countrywide's Pressures Mount - more details
Countrywide's pressures mounted as three states filed separate lawsuits. The company's shareholders approved the sale to Bank of America. (Text of the California suit)

Hedge Funds Get a Lesson - more details
The criminal indictment of two former Bear Stearns hedge-fund managers has potential as a manual for handling sensitive hedge-fund issues from questions about redemptions to the proper use of email.

Halliburton Wins a Delay in Expro Dispute - more details
A U.K. court adjourned the hearing of Umbrellastream's takeover plan for Expro. It will give Halliburton time to agree with the Takeover Panel on what the firm is allowed to say in a court hearing following the withdrawal of its counteroffer for Expro.

The Saga of Bear's Fund Chiefs - more details
Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin became partners on a Bear Stearns hedge fund in 2003. They sat side-by-side on a trading desk and attended each other's family events. Now they've also shared a Brooklyn jail cell while awaiting arraignment on securities...

A Rivalry Grows for Stock Cops - more details
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, N.Y., are seeking to boost the number of white-collar cases they are handling.

Grupo Mexico Chief Denies Looting Asarco - more details
Grupo Mexico's chairman took the stand, denying charges that he looted miner Asarco to avoid paying U.S. creditors.

SEC Seeks More Disclosure by Bond-Rating Firms - more details
The SEC is expected to propose rules requiring more disclosure by bond-rating firms. The move is unlikely to quell calls for more to be done.