New climate change treaty negotiations begin in Bangkok News
New climate change treaty negotiations begin in Bangkok

[JURIST] Negotiations on a new international treaty to combat global warming [EPA materials; NRDC Q&A; JURIST news archive] began Monday in Bangkok. The week-long negotiations, part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) [official website], are intended to establish an agenda [UNFCCC press release, PDF] for the negotiation of a new agreement to replace the expiring Kyoto Protocol [text; JURIST news archive].

Pursuant to the Bali Roadmap [PDF text; JURIST report] negotiated in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007, the 187 participating nations pledge to finalize a new agreement at an up-coming meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, by the end of 2009. The new deal is expected to enter into force by 2013, following the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. The New York Times has more. The UN News Service has additional coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.