Iran confirms al-Qaida convictions News
Iran confirms al-Qaida convictions

[JURIST] Iran acknowledged Sunday that it has convicted a number of Iranian nationals of supporting al-Qaida. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hamid Reza Asefi confirmed the convictions, said to be fewer than five, but did not provide details of the charges, indicate when the convictions took place, or say what sentences were imposed. Iran has denied US allegations that it has working relationships with senior al-Qaida officials who allegedly fled into Iran after the war in Afghanistan. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.