New Mehlis report cites more evidence of Syrian involvement in Hariri murder: AFP News
New Mehlis report cites more evidence of Syrian involvement in Hariri murder: AFP

[JURIST] German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis Monday submitted a new report to the UN Security Council on the February bombing assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [JURIST news archive], including additional evidence of Syrian involvement in the murder. Mehlis will brief the Council Tuesday on the latest report of his ongoing investigation [UN materials], the text of which has not yet been publicly released. Quoting from a copy, however, French press agency AFP says that a comprehensive deposition by a new witness "strengthens the evidence confirmed to date against the Lebanese officers in custody, as well as high-ranked Syrian officers." Mehlis has recommended that the probe be extended for an additional six months [UN News report] to gather more information, although he himself is stepping down. AFP 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.