African Union seeking agreement on Security Council expansion plan News
African Union seeking agreement on Security Council expansion plan

[JURIST] After reaching an agreement with G4 nations [JURIST report] to stick to a single plan for UN Security Council expansion, the African Union [official website] opened a conference on Thursday with 46 of the 53 member countries in attendance, all working to form a consensus on the expansion details. Prior to this arrangement, the AU had drafted a competing plan of its own [JURIST report]. At issue during the conference is how to address disagreements among factions about the number of permanent African members to add to the Security Council. Earlier this week US Deputy UN Ambassador Anne Patterson [official profile] said the US would like to have the various Council expansion plans deferred, saying there are "more urgently needed reforms" [JURIST report]. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.