Modern communication devices have brought tremendous advantages to the consumer but can create serious problems when privacy is compromised, advises Diarmaid Condon.

A US military judge allowed a marine sergeant convicted of murder in one of the biggest war crimes cases to emerge from the Iraq war to walk free today, nearly two months after a military appeals court ruled he had an unfair trial.

Bacardi Ltd, the world’s biggest rum maker, asked a Washington court to give it the right to sell Havana Club rum in the US, the latest step in a decade-long battle with the Cuban government and Pernod Ricard SA for control of the brand.

Two gay Boy Scout leaders in the US today lost their bid to return to the organisation when an appeal court overturned an order that they be reinstated as troop leaders.

Zacarias Moussaoui, the alleged twentieth September 11 hijacker, attempted to plead guilty in a Washington court today but the judge insisted that he take a week to think about it.