UPDATE ~ Annan rules out resignation over Oil-for-Food report News
UPDATE ~ Annan rules out resignation over Oil-for-Food report

[JURIST] Following up on a JURIST report from earlier today, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has ruled out resigning after a new interim report by the Independent Inquiry Committee into the UN Oil-for-Food Program [official website] faulted him but cleared him of any wrongdoing. Asked if he would quit over the report's findings, Annan said "Hell, no." The report found that Annan did not know of a conflict of interest caused by his son's employment by a firm that was awarded a contract under the Iraq oil program. The report was, however, critical of Annan's efforts to investigate the matter after the fact. Read the interim report [text, PDF] by the committee and a UN press release. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.