Russian oil magnate guilty on six counts at fraud trial News
Russian oil magnate guilty on six counts at fraud trial

[JURIST] Russian judges on Monday found oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky [Wikipedia profile] guilty on six counts in his trial [defense website] for fraud in connection with his management of the YUKOS oil company [JURIST news archive]. Reading of the verdict will continue on Tuesday morning. US officials are concerned that the case represents a selective application of the law, and have criticized the Russian government's handling of the case [State Department release, Q&A]. Reuters has more. MosNews has local coverage.

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.