British officials to stand trial over Aljazeera bombing memo leak News
British officials to stand trial over Aljazeera bombing memo leak

[JURIST] Two British officials charged with leaking a UK government memo in which President Bush reportedly suggested bombing the offices of Arab satellite news channel Aljazeera [media website] will stand trial by the end of the month, the judge in the trial ordered at a hearing Tuesday. Judge Timothy Workman of the UK Central Criminal Court [official website] ordered a preliminary hearing in the case for January 24. David Keogh, a civil servant, has been charged under Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act [text] for allegedly disclosing the memo. Leo O'Connor, a former legislative assistant to former Labour MP Tony Clarke, was charged with receiving the memo. O'Connor is expected to plead not guilty, while Keogh has not indicated his intentions. Both have been released on bail following their arraignment. The revelation led to a Daily Mirror report [text] that President Bush was talked out of bombing Aljazeera's offices by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair [official profile] in April 2004, although it was unclear whether President Bush's suggestion was serious. The White House has denied the report, while No. 10 Downing Street refused to comment. AP has more.

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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.