The Beer Barrel

Iraq's devastation outlasts Saddam Hussein

December 24, 2013

Tom Switzer

Far from becoming a viable state and flourishing democracy, post-Saddam Iraq has proved an unmitigated disaster.

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the capture of Saddam Hussein. In the long sweep of history, a decade is a mere second. But for the Facebook-Twitter...

China To Ease One-Child Policy in Early 2014

By Kharunya Paramaguru Dec. 24, 2013

Plans to ease China’s decades-old one-child policy will be rolled out early next year, Chinese state media have said.

The policy change, which Beijing announced last month it was relaxing after nearly three decades, is part of a plan to raise fertility rates...

Israel launches airstrike in Gaza

Ibrahim Barzak, Associated Press 11:39 a.m. EST December 24, 2013

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli air and ground forces launched a series of attacks Tuesday on targets across the Gaza Strip, killing a young girl...

http://www.rferl.org/content/egypt-brotherhood-banned-terrorist-labeled/25210750.html
December 24, 2013

Egyptian Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist" organization.

Beblawi's spokesman made the announcement just hours after a car bomb exploded outside a police station in the city of Mansura,...

Persecution of Christians: no room at the inn

That the message of peace and goodwill is not a political reality for a significant minority of the world's Christians should concern religious and non-religious alike
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