Detainee abuse photo release petition [US DOD] News
Detainee abuse photo release petition [US DOD]

US Department of Defense, et al. v. American Civil Liberties Union, et al., on petition for a writ of certiorari, US Department of Defense, August 7, 2009 [petitioning the US Supreme Court to overturn a district court order mandating disclosure of detainee abuse photos, alleging that this could lead to further violence in Iraq and Afghanistan that would endanger US civil and military personnel].

Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here. Latest commentary available here. JURIST has more on detainee abuse photos.

THIS DAY @ LAW

India constitution ratified

On January 26, 1950, India ratified its constitution, formally making the new country a republic. On the same day, Rajendra Prasad was inaugurated as the republic's first president. The anniversary is celebrated today as Republic Day in India.

Tennessee became first state to ban alcohol sales

On January 26, 1838, Tennessee became the first US state to pass a law prohibiting the general sale of alcohol; fines paid by lawbreakers were put towards the support of public schools. Read more about the history of Prohibition.