The day's top stories from Courthouse News in short takes with links.
1.) International Tribunal Rejects China's Claim to South China Sea in Rebuke of Expansionism
An international tribunal rejected China's extensive claims in the South China Sea in a landmark ruling Tuesday that also found the country had aggravated the seething regional dispute and violated the Philippines' maritime rights by building up artificial islands that destroyed coral reefs and disrupted fishing and oil exploration.
2.) Study Finds Earth Drying as Clouds Move to Poles
Scientists say they have for the first time documented that clouds may already be shifting toward the poles — expanding subtropical dry zones — due to global climate change.
3.) Cameron Chairs Final Cabinet Meeting As PM
The brutal swiftness of British politics was on display Tuesday as moving vans pulled up to take David Cameron's possessions away from 10 Downing Street and his successor posed for photos in front of her new home.
4.) House Panel on California Water Pits Farmers Against Fishermen
The plan to buoy historically low salmon populations imperiled by California's historic drought made for a contentious hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill. House Republicans accused federal agencies of depriving farmers of water while the Golden State's reservoirs sit full.
5.) Alaska Gov. Signs Overhaul of Criminal Justice System
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed a historic reform of Alaska's criminal justice system on Monday that is projected to reduce the prison population by 13 percent by 2024 and save the state $380 million.
6.) Appellate Court Upholds N.J. Voting Restrictions
Voters can be prevented from registering fewer than 21 days before an election, a New Jersey appeals court ruled.
7.) HI Gov. Vetoes Workplace Social-Media Privacy Bill
Hawaii Gov. David Ige vetoed a measure Monday that would have barred employers from forcing employees to hand over their social media passwords.
8.) Philando Castile's Family Brings In TV Judge
Television judge Glenda Hatchett will represent the family of Philando Castile, a black man whose killing last week by a Minnesota police officer streamed live on Facebook.
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