Afghan chief justice wants US apology for any Koran abuse at Guantanamo News
Afghan chief justice wants US apology for any Koran abuse at Guantanamo

[JURIST] As anti-US violence continued for a fourth day in Afghanistan on Saturday, Afghan Chief Justice Fazl Hadi Shinwari [IRIN interview] called for an American apology and punishment for those responsible if recent allegations [Newsweek article] about desecration of the Koran by US personnel at Guantanamo Bay turned out to be true. His comments were echoed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who condemned the violence that has so far led to some 16 deaths but said that his government would "strongly request the American government to put on trial and punish whoever is the culprit." Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets Saturday in the northern city of Baglan, burning an effigy of President Bush. Five demonstrators were arrested and explosives were seized as Afghan security forces went on hgih alert and reinforcements were dispatched to more potential trouble spots. BBC News has more. RFE/RL provides additional coverage.

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.