Nuclear terrorism treaty presented at UN News
Nuclear terrorism treaty presented at UN

A United Nations committee Friday adopted a draft of a new treaty to fight nuclear terrorism [UN press release] after years of negotiations. The draft defines acts of nuclear terrorism and strengthens the framework to combat it. The text now goes to the General Assembly for formal adoption, with the treaty opened for signature on 14 September. "The draft aims to deal with assisting states in solving situations created by terrorist groups possessing nuclear material, and post-crisis situations by rendering the nuclear material safe in accordance with safeguards provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency," Committee chairman Rohan Perera of Sri Lanka told a news conference [press briefing transcript]. The UN News Centre 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.