Shorter Question Everything

By xxxevilgrinxxx | Published: November 20, 2009

US: New Orleans
Confirming what many New Orleanians already knew in their hearts, a federal judge ruled late Wednesday that the Army Corps of Engineers – and thus the US government – is liable for a big chunk of the damage caused when hurricane Katrina pushed ashore on Aug. 29, 2005. Appeal is expected.

Afghanistan
Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second five-year term as Afghanistan’s president, pledging to tackle the “dangerous issue” of corruption.

Israel and US
The White House yesterday expressed exasperation with Israel over a plan to build 900 new houses on the West Bank at a time when Barack Obama is trying to broker a Middle East peace agreement. Although Obama is mainly focused on a tour of south-east Asia, the White House took time out to express disappointment over approval of the new houses at Gilo, a controversial settlement on the outskirts of east Jerusalem.

Iran
The five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany are expected to come together in Brussels to review latest developments over Tehran’s nuclear drive. The Friday meeting will take place following Iran’s announcement that it prefers to exchange its low-enriched uranium with nuclear fuel inside the country.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has started withdrawing soldiers from diamond fields in the country’s east in line with the Kimberly Process reforms over allegations of human rights abuses. Mines Minister Obert Mpofu told the official media on Thursday that Zimbabwe has complied with 90% of the requirements set by the global diamond watchdog, Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), a Press TV correspondent reported.

Russia
Russia’s ban on the death penalty will remain when a current legal suspension expires on 1 January, the country’s Constitutional Court has ruled. It said the use of the death penalty was now impossible because Russia had signed international deals banning it. Russian announced the moratorium in 1996 when it joined the Council of Europe, although it retains capital punishment in its criminal code.