Baghdad - Former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein was buried overnight in his home village of Awja, near Tikrit, following his execution by hanging on December 30 for crimes against humanity.Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Hussein's death "ends a dark chapter" in the country's history.
(Full Story)Source: rferl.org
- Sunday, December 31, 2006
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President George W. Bush was one of the first leaders to react. The U.S. president issued a written statement saying that the execution was a milestone for the Iraqi people and his trial was, in his words, "the kind of justice [Hussein] denied the victims of his brutal regime." But many countries and leaders have condemned Hussein's execution. In Rome, the Vatican said the execution was "tragic" and risked feeding "the spirit of vengeance." The European Union (EU) said that it condemns "the crimes committed by Saddam and also the death penalty." The EU's aid and development commissioner Louis Michel said the execution was "barbaric" and said it may turn Hussein into a martyr.
(Full Story)Source: rferl.org
- Saturday, December 30, 2006
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Rockville, Maryland - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft risk assessment finds that meat and milk from clones of adult cattle, pigs and goats, and their offspring, are as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals. The assessment was peer-reviewed by a group of independent scientific experts in cloning and animal health. They agreed with the methods FDA used to evaluate the data and the conclusions set out in the document.
(Full Story)Source: fda.gov
- Wednesday, December 27, 2006
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RIA NOVOSTI New York – The Iraqi government should not implement the death sentence against Saddam Hussein, which was imposed after a deeply flawed trial for crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said today. The Appeals Chamber of the Iraqi High Tribunal, which was first reported by Iraq’s national security adviser to have upheld the sentence, should have conducted a thorough legal review of the verdict and then announced its findings, Human Rights Watch said.
(Full Story)Source: hrw.org
- Wednesday, December 27, 2006
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Atlanta, Georgia -The electrifying performer known as "The Godfather of Soul" died early Monday, Dec. 25, in Atlanta, Georgia, of unknown causes after being hospitalized Sunday with pneumonia. Brown's new ideas extended well beyond music. His song "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud," released in the racially charged times of 1968, after the murder of the Rev. Martin Luther King, became an instant anthem.
(Full Story)Source: voanews.com
- Tuesday, December 26, 2006
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By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI wished the world a Merry Christmas from the Vatican. In his holiday message he stressed his concern for the Middle East, Lebanon and Iraq. He also said that in this post-modern age, humanity still needs to be saved. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.
(Full Story)Source: voanews.com
- Sunday, December 24, 2006
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CAIRO - In a closely watched case that has become the focus of a national debate on religious freedom, Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court today ruled against the right of Baha'is to be properly identified on government documents. The decision upholds current government policy, a policy which forces the Baha'is either to lie about their religious beliefs or give up their state identification cards. The policy effectively deprives Egyptian Baha'is of access to most rights of citizenship, including education, financial services, and even medical care.
(Full Story)Source: news.bahai.org
- Saturday, December 23, 2006
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United Nations - Determined to give effect to its unmet 31 July demand that Iran suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, the Security Council today imposed sanctions on that country, blocking the import or export of sensitive nuclear materiel and equipment and freezing the financial assets of persons or entities supporting its proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems.
(Full Story)Source: un.org
- Saturday, December 23, 2006
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By Jeffrey Donovan
Vienna - Muslims in Europe, amid a worsening climate of "Islamophobia," face discrimination in education, housing, and employment. That's the conclusion of a report issued today by the European Union's European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC). The study is the first of its kind because it examines the conditions of Muslims across the 25-nation EU.
(Full Story)Source: rferl.org
- Friday, December 22, 2006
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By David McAlary
Kennedy Space Center - The U.S. space shuttle Discovery has returned to Earth after a mission to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Discovery touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida about 90 minutes later than originally planned because of a weather delay. The control tower welcomed Commander Mark Polansky and six other astronauts back to Earth to spend Christmas with their families after 12 days in orbit.
(Full Story)Source: voanews.com
- Friday, December 22, 2006
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