1.   An even higher watchdog council that the conservatives dominate then found a way to manipulate parliamentary rules to force through two rejected candidates.

2.   Brazil and Argentina are considering laws to create judicial watchdog councils and to select judges on merit.

3.   In a report leaked Wednesday to the French media, a watchdog council that advises the government on judicial candidates complains of increasing government interference in the system.

4.   The French government listed tougher laws to combat terrorism in the official gazette on Tuesday after the watchdog constitutional council struck out some controversial provisions.