Indonesia files criminal pollution charges against Newmont mining company News
Indonesia files criminal pollution charges against Newmont mining company

[JURIST] Indonesia filed criminal charges Monday against Richard Ness, the American chief of Newmont Mining Corporation's [corporate website] Indonesian subsidiary, alleging environmental pollution. Indonesia previously filed a $133 million civil suit [JURIST report] against Newmont, which has denied any wrongdoing [press release]. The charges stem from claims that residents near a Newmont facility became ill from waste dumped into the air and water. Test results of the area conflict, with a government probe showing high levels of toxins but World Health Organization tests showing no evidence of pollution. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.