Legal agenda and live webcasts ~ Thursday, April 21 News
Legal agenda and live webcasts ~ Thursday, April 21

[JURIST] Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Thursday, April 21.

The US Senate [official website] convenes at 9:30 AM ET today. It will begin an executive session at 10:30 AM ET to consider the nomination of John Negroponte [official profile] as National Intelligence Director, and then resume consideration of H.R. 1268 [bill summary], the Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bill. Watch a live webcast of the session. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee [official website] is holding a hearing at 9:30 AM ET to review the anti-corruption strategies of the African and Asian Development Banks and the European Bank on Reconstruction and Development. Watch a live webcast of the hearing. The Senate Judiciary Committee [official website] Intellectual Property Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 2:30 PM ET today on the patent system currently and in the future. Watch a live webcast of the hearing.

The US House [official website] convenes at 10 AM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the session. The House Judiciary Committee [official website] Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 10 AM ET today to review the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act [PDF text]. Watch a live webcast of the hearing. The Immigration, Border Security and Claims Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 1 PM ET today on the October 2005 deadline for visa waiver program countries to produce security passports. Watch a live webcast of the hearing.

Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer [Legal Information Institute profiles] will participate in a "Constitutional Conversation" at 7 PM ET at the National Archives. Watch a live webcast of the event via C-SPAN 3.

The Heritage Foundation [official website] is holding a forum titled "The Agony of an American Wilderness: Loggers, Environmentalists, and the Struggle for Control of a Forgotten Forest" at Noon ET today. Watch a live webcast of the event.

At the UN, the General Assembly [official website] will hold its 93rd plenary session at 10 AM ET today, in which it will hear a report on the financing of the UN mission in Sudan. The Security Council [official website] convenes at 10 AM ET today, when it will consider the situation in the Middle East. Watch a live webcast of both sessions.

The Eleventh UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice [official website] continues today in Bangkok, Thailand. View the agenda for the session.

At the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia,the trial of Enver Hadzihasanovic and Amir Kubura [ICTY case backgrounder] continues at 9:30 AM local time [3:30 AM ET]. Watch a webcast of proceedings.

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.