Iraq

Iraq Considers Lowering Legal Marriage Age to 9, Igniting Nationwide Protests and Global Concern

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Baghdad, Iraq — A proposed law in Iraq that would lower the legal age for girls to marry to as young as nine has sparked controversy and widespread opposition. The law, supported by some Shia groups, seeks to change the current legal minimum age of 18 for marriage, potentially allowing pre-teen girls to be wed. Under this legislation, parents would be able to arrange marriages for their very young daughters, a move that critics claim undermines the rights and welfare of Iraqi girls. Additionally, the proposal would permit religious authorities to conduct marriages, further embedding … Read more

Former Human Rights Lawyer Admits to Fraud in Legal Claims Against Iraq War Veterans

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LONDON — Phil Shiner, a former human rights lawyer, admitted to multiple fraud charges on Monday in Southwark Crown Court, stemming from dishonest legal claims made against veterans of the Iraq War. Shiner, 67, from Birmingham, entered guilty pleas for three counts of fraud as announced by the National Crime Agency (NCA). He is scheduled for sentencing on December 2. Shiner, the former head of Public Interest Lawyers, came under scrutiny for his practices concerning legal aid applications made in 2007 for cases that included representing Khuder Al-Sweady, who sought a judicial review. The application … Read more

The Unveiling of Saddam Hussein’s Secret Tapes Finally Reveals the Truth Behind the Ill-Fated Invasion of Iraq

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BAGHDAD, Iraq — In the annals of history’s bloodthirsty dictators, Saddam Hussein has faded into obscurity. He’s remembered as part of the “axis of evil,” for his psychopathic sons, and the absence of weapons of mass destruction. However, a new book, “The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the CIA and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq,” by journalist Steve Coll, reveals the secrets behind Saddam’s downfall. Based on Saddam’s secret tapes, obtained after a legal battle, the book highlights the CIA’s misunderstanding of the dictator, as well as Saddam’s own blunders. The book discloses that … Read more