Environmental brief ~ Indonesia to proceed with charges against Newmont execs News
Environmental brief ~ Indonesia to proceed with charges against Newmont execs

[JURIST] In Tuesday's environmental law news, prosecutors in Indonesia announced they have decided to go ahead with charges against 6 executives of the Newmont Mining Corporation for allegedly contamininating the Buyat Bay. The prosecutors are awaiting a final dossier from local police, and hope to officially file the charges in a few weeks. Five of the officials had already been jailed for a number of weeks earlier this year while prosecutors decided whether to charge them. A major issue is the contamination itself- two earlier studies have not shown any contamination from the mine in the bay's water, while a recent government study shows mercury and arsenic in the bay's sediment. The mine itself was closed in August due to depleted resources. The accusations are from when it was in operation. Reuters has more.

In other news, Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has partially lifted a ban on the import of Canadian beef. The ban was enacted in May 2003 following a case of mad cow disease in Canada. Hong Kong will begin by allowing only boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old, and will make further allowances as necessary. The press release is here.

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.