Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has come under a lot of international criticism lately, released 190 political prisoners on Novemeber 3rd.
Vatican Says Yes to Science
The Vatican has urged the faithful followers of Catholicism to respect science. Cardinal Paul Poupard warns that religion risks becoming “fundamentalism” if scientific reason is ignored.
In a similar vein, Copernicus’ body has been found.
Thousands Protest Bush, US Trade Policies
The Summit of the Americas is underway in Argentina, and like previous Summits, protesters turned out in force. Ten thousand people have turned out to voice their concern about the un-democratic trade the OAS has in place. Some of the protesters are celebrities and nobel-prize winning intellectuals.
The protest was directed primarily towards to President Bush.
Denver chills out, smokes a bowl
Residents of Denver recently voted to legalize possession of marijuana in the amount of 1 oz or less. That’s legalize, mind you, not just decriminalize. 54% of voters were in favour of the ordinance.
The main argument by those in support was that marijuana is a safer alternative to alcohol, as far as recreational drug use goes.
Drug offenders in the US are generally charged under state or federal laws, so this measure may have no real official meaning; but Denver police will presumably not feel too compelled to make any arrests on the matter.
Pakistan Helps Victims, Stops Order of Weapons
Pakistan is postponing the purchase of American F-16 fighter planes because the money can be better spent on helping victims of the recent earthquake.
It is predicated that rebuilding the earthquake damaged area will cost up to $5 Billion, a single F-16 costs 18.8 million.