Russian anti-terror bill overwhelmingly approved in Duma vote News
Russian anti-terror bill overwhelmingly approved in Duma vote

[JURIST] The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma [official website], Wednesday gave critical second-reading approval to an expansive anti-terror bill which would grant a broad range of new counter-terrorism powers to law enforcement and the military. The Duma vote on the draft law was 408-1, with five abstentions. If passed, the law will allow the military to shoot down any hijacked passenger plane if the plane is directed at highly populated areas. It will allow law enforcement to use preemptive force to eliminate suspected international terrorists outside the country so long as that is consistent with Russian treaty obligations. The law will also permit officials to conduct phone wire taps, restrict communication, and perform random identity checks. Proposed restrictions on the media during counter-terrorism operations were, however, removed from the draft.

The Duma will vote on the bill again Sunday at third reading, and from there it will proceed to the upper house, the Federation Council, and then on to President Vladimir Putin [official website] for expected approval and signature. MosNews has local coverage. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.