Vatican City: Pius defense

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has condemned as "unjustified and inopportune" a claim by a church official that pressure from Jewish organizations is delaying the beatification of Pope Pius XII, the wartime pontiff who critics say didn't do enough to stop the Holocaust.

Some historians and Jewish groups say Pius didn't do enough to prevent or limit the scope of the Holocaust —the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators. The Vatican insists Pius used quiet diplomacy to try to help Jews.

Brazil: Apology to farmers

BRASILIA — The Brazilian government has apologized for the torture and abuse of 44 poor farmers under the military regime that ruled the country from 1964 to 1985 and announced reparations for the victims.

In the early 1970s, the farmers were physically tortured and many had their homes and crops destroyed by soldiers seeking information on guerrillas operating in Araguaia. The Justice Ministry announced Friday that the 44 farmers will receive up to 142,000 reals (close to US$71,000) each and a lifelong pension.

source : http://www.deseretnews.com