Saudi minister satisfied with negotiations over Gitmo detainees News
Saudi minister satisfied with negotiations over Gitmo detainees

[JURIST] Negotiations for the return of Saudi Arabian detainees from US custody at Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] have reached "an advanced stage", according to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal speaking at a press conference in Jeddah Tuesday. There are currently 121 Saudis among the 505 detainees remaining [JUROST report] at Gitmo. Five Saudi detainees were released [JURIST report] earlier this month, three were released in July, and five were repatriated in May 2003. APF has more; the Saudi Press Agency 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.