Mr Riddle's decision will be sent to the sureties and the press, without an announcement being made in court.

BBC: Julian Assange: Bail cash decision delayed

But unlike the first wave of litigation IV launched in December, the massive patent investment firm moved quietly, filing the lawsuit on Monday in federal court in Seattle without a big press announcement.

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Correspondents say the health ministry's announcement will make it difficult for her to avoid appearing in court.

BBC: Yulia Tymoshenko

And a lot of questions raised by this, the ball being put squarely in Barack Obama's court after that announcement.

NPR: McCain Suspends Campaign; Obama Responds

The announcement comes just over a week before the US Supreme court will hear arguments in two cases related to gay marriage.

BBC: US Republican Senator Rob Portman favours gay unions

The only real surprises came with the timing of the announcement and what Irving Picard, the court-appointed trustee, is trying to recover in damages for the victims.

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The official said Obama plans to announce his nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, Cornelia Pillard and Robert Leon Wilkins on Tuesday in the Rose Garden, a joint announcement that is part of an aggressive new push in a years-long partisan fight to make his imprint on the court.

NPR: AP Source: Obama Nominating 3 To US Appeals Court