Colombia and Venezuela resolve dispute over rebel arrest News
Colombia and Venezuela resolve dispute over rebel arrest

[JURIST] Colombia officials in Bogota have announced the end of a dispute with Venezuela [JURIST report] over the capture of leftist rebel leader Rodrigo Granda [Rebelion report]. Colombian officials have acknowledged paying bounty hunters to capture Granda, a spokesperson for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) [faction website], on December 13, 2004 in Caracas. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe [BBC profile] is expected to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez [BBC profile] on February 3 to discuss next steps. VOA News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.