FBI shuts down e-mail after security breach News
FBI shuts down e-mail after security breach

[JURIST] The FBI [official website] has been forced to shut down part of the e-mail system it uses to communicate with the public because of a security breach. The FBI is investigating the source of the intrusion, although there is no indication that internal communications have been effected. The breach comes one day after the FBI released its response [FBI letter] to a report [DOJ website] by US Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn Fine [DOJ profile] that criticized the bureau's information technology management. The report said that the FBI's Virtual Case File System [FBI report; audio backgrounder from Bob Chiaradio, FBI Executive Assistant Director for Administration], designed to better manage criminal and terrorism cases, does not work and will have to be replaced. 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.