IAEA postpones decision on ElBaradei reappointment after US voices opposition News
IAEA postpones decision on ElBaradei reappointment after US voices opposition

[JURIST] The United States Wednesday formally indicated its opposition to the reappointment of International Atomic Energy Agency [official website] head Mohamed ElBaradei [official profile] to a third term, citing his stances on Iran's nuclear program and nuclear inspections in Iraq prior to the March 2003 war. In the wake of the US announcement the IAEA Board decided to postpone its vote on the reappointment until June in the interests of avoiding a showdown over the issue. The US appears to be the only member of the 35 nation body opposed to ElBaradei [JURIST report], but US diplomats say that the delay gives them time to solicit additional support to block his candidacy. At this stage the US has not been able to find another candidate to put forward as a replacement. 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.