IAEA meets to tighten laws on security of nuclear stations, materials News
IAEA meets to tighten laws on security of nuclear stations, materials

[JURIST] The International Atomic Energy Agency [official website] in Vienna begins a five-day conference [conference website] Monday to consider toughening international laws governing the security of nuclear power stations. Representatives from over 100 countries will discuss amending the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material [summary and text], a treaty that applies to the transport, domestic storage and peaceful use of nuclear material. If amended, the new rules would create new international standards to prevent sabotage and protect nuclear material, as well as require cooperation between countries in recovering stolen and smuggled material. However, treaty making will be a slow process as domestic laws in some countries must be amended and the changes must be ratified by all members. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.