Iraqi deputy health minister arrested on suspicion of aiding Shiite militia News
Iraqi deputy health minister arrested on suspicion of aiding Shiite militia

[JURIST] Iraq Deputy Health Minister Hakim Zamili [Iraq Ministry of Health website] has been arrested in an apparent security crackdown in Baghdad, according to a report [text] by the US military Thursday. According to military officials, Zamili had been infiltrating members of the Mehdi Army militia [BBC backgrounder], headed by militant Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr [BBC profile], into the Iraq ministry. Zamili's brother, another Health Ministry employee, has denied the allegations.

Just yesterday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki [BBC profile] announced the beginning of a renewed security push [AP report] in the Baghdad area. On Sunday, the US military announced [Reuters report] that a large-scale offensive against militants was set to get underway in the wake of President Bush's announcement last month [AP report] that 21,500 more US soldiers would be deployed to Iraq. A similar effort was made last summer, but was unsuccessful. Critics blamed the failure on a lack of trained troops and Maliki's lack of assertiveness against Sadr and his militia. 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.