China dairy producers to compensate melamine milk victims News
China dairy producers to compensate melamine milk victims

[JURIST] The Chinese Dairy Industry Association [Light Industry backgrounder] announced Saturday that 22 companies will provide financial compensation to families whose infants were harmed by melamine-contaminated milk [JURIST news archive]. Families will receive a one-time payment of an unspecified amount, and may recover further for any future related medical expenses. In a statement quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency, the association said: "The enterprises offered to shoulder the compensation liability. By doing so, they hope to earn understanding and forgiveness of the families of the sickened children."

News of melamine-contaminated milk first broke in September [Guardian report], leading to massive recalls [BBC report] and bankrupting the government-owned Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group Co. [Research and Markets profile], whose general manager and board chairwoman is scheduled to face trial next Wednesday. The contaminated milk has left six dead and 294,000 ill, according to the Ministry of Health [government website]. Six criminal trials [JURIST report] related to the scandal began Friday.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.