U.S. Supreme Court rejects challenge to Berkeley cell phone law

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected
a free-speech challenge brought by a trade group against a
regulation issued by the California city of Berkeley that requires
cell phone retailers to tell customers of certain radiation
risks.

The justices left in place a July 2019 decision by the San
Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that refused to
block the 2015 regulation that industry group CTIA appealed.

CTIA said the regulation violates the First Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution, which protects free speech rights, because the
government, without the necessary justification that supports other
types of regulations, is forcing retailers to spread a message they
disagree with.

The 2015 regulation requires retailers to provider a notice to
customers saying that carrying a cell phone can exceed Federal
Communications Commission guidelines for exposure to
radio-frequency radiation.

“If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or
tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless
network, you may exceed the federal guidelines,” the notice
says.

CTIA disputed the content of the notice, saying it is misleading
because the FCC has concluded that carrying a cell phone is
safe.

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Environment Minister Harps on Tackling Climate Change in
Madrid

The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mahmood Mohammad Abubakar has
called on nations across the globe to give the issue of climate
change the attention it deserves, stressing that it is a global
threat to world peace and development.

Speaking today during the side event organised by Islamic
Develop Bank on Climate Finance at the ongoing COP 25 holding at
Madrid, Spain, the Minister stated that:
“Every single nation, either in the middle of the ocean, at the
edge of the desert or in the middle of it need to do something
about Climate Adaptation, Mitigation, Resilient and Nationally
Determine Contributions in addressing climate change.

“There are common denominators in the Climate Change issue that
every countries across the globe must do something about, and
Nigeria is not an exemption. We have been very active in the
Climate adaption and we will continue to progress in this regards
to contribute to global efforts at ameliorating Climate Change
being the biggest threat to the planet at the moment.”

Furthermore, the Minister emphasised the commitment of the
Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari not
to relent in its effort at realising Nigeria’s Nationally Determine
Contributions (NDC) stating that a lot has been done and much more
will be done.

Bemoaning the actions of developed countries regarding climate
financing, Dr Mahmood called on developed countries to fulfil their
commitment on climate funding particularly to African
Countries.

He said, “I share the sentiment of other African Countries of
not getting enough of Climate Funds. We are calling on the
developed countries who are also the major pollutants to fulfil
their promises of providing more climate funds to the developing
nations.”

Dr. Mahmood expressed optimism that Nigerian delegates to COP 25
will negotiate to get as much as possible of the climate funds as
they can bargain for, while at the same time be innovative to
generate its own green funds noting that climate financing is a
cooperation for global survival.

“We will aim as high as we can. This is something a lot of
countries are aiming at. It is a global cooperation for survival
because we belong to one planet. Whatever happens in Nigeria can
affect America vice-visa.

We will do whatever it takes in our own capacity to see that we
acquire as much as we can while at the same time be as innovative
as we can to generate our own green fund internally” the Minister
emphasised.

Saghir el Mohammed
Director Press
Federal Ministry of Environment