Proposed Russian constitutional amendment could give Putin third term News
Proposed Russian constitutional amendment could give Putin third term

[JURIST] A bill due to be considered in the Russian state Duma next week would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin [official website] to circumvent the two-term limit on presidents set by the Russian Constitution [text in English]. The legislative amendment introduced Thursday by United Russia [party website in Russian] lawmaker Alexander Moskalets would allow Putin to run again if he stepped down before his second term concluded in 2008 and the election in that year (in which he could not participate) was declared invalid. Critics of Putin's administration, who have long speculated he would attempt to stay in power after his second term, have described the legislation as self-serving attempt to retain office at the expense of the Constitution. AP has more. MosNews has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.