US clears soldiers in death of Italian in Iraq News
US clears soldiers in death of Italian in Iraq

[JURIST] A US investigation into the accidental shooting death of an Italian agent in Iraq by American soldiers has cleared the troops of the wrongdoing, an Army official said Monday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official also said that the troops will not be disciplined in the matter, but that the Italian government disagrees with the findings and has thus far refused to endorse the report. Italian intelligence officer Nicola Calipari fell victim to friendly fire at a military checkpoint on March 4 [JURIST report] while escorting journalist Giuliana Sgrena, a recently-released hostage, to the airport. While expressing remorse over the incident, the US military official defended the soldiers actions, expressing the importance of following official procedure in Iraq. Reuters has more.

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.