Russia constitutional amendments extending term limits take effect News
Russia constitutional amendments extending term limits take effect

[JURIST] Proposed amendments to the Russian Constitution [materials, in Russian] extending term limits for the president and members of parliament officially took effect Wednesday when the text of the updated constitution [text, in Russian] was published in the state newspaper Rossiikaya Gazeata [official website, in Russian]. Under Russian law, constitutional amendments take legal effect the day they are published in the newspaper. The amendments extending presidential terms from four to six years and terms for parliament members from four to five years were signed into law [JURIST report] by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev [official profile; JURIST news archive] in December.

Medvedev proposed the changes in his first state of the nation [text; JURIST report] address in November. Critics fear the extension of presidential terms is designed to afford a longer third term for former president and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin [official website, in Russian; JURIST news archive] should Medvedev step aside. Kremlin officials contend the amendments will strengthen the political system.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.