G4 bid to expand UN Council likely crippled by separate AU plan News
G4 bid to expand UN Council likely crippled by separate AU plan

[JURIST] The so-called G-4 plan [JURIST news archive] for expansion of the UN Security Council [official website] now appears likely to fail as talks with the African Union to back the plan have broken down. Japan, Brazil, Germany and India along with the African Union had originally agreed to submit a single plan, but the African Union's efforts to agree on details [JURIST report] of its own plan failed late last week. Even if a plan could still be crafted that would win 2/3 support from the 191-member General Assembly, both the US and China have said they intend to block any such expansion [JURIST report] with their veto power as permanent members. Reuters 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.