Ukraine prosecutors close criminal investigation acting prime minister News
Ukraine prosecutors close criminal investigation acting prime minister

[JURIST] Ukraine prosecutors announced Friday that the criminal investigation into President Viktor Yushchenko's nominee for prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko [official website] and her family will be closed. The investigations began in May 2004 following allegations that Tymoshenko attempted to bribe a judge to end court proceedings against a former associate. Prosecutors have also dropped fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion charges against Tymoshenko's husband and father-in-law. Criminal charges are still pending against Tymoshenko in Russia [JURIST report], where she has been accused of bribing Russian Defense Ministry officials in the mid-1990s. The Kyiv Post 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.