The Western allies took just 100 days to achieve victory 1991: Jubilation follows Gulf War ceasefire England have The guns are silent and the war is over in the Gulf. A ceasefire was announced in Washington by President George Bush after Iraq accepted all 12 resolutions made by the United Nations. In a live address to the nation US President Bush said: "Kuwait is liberated. Iraq's army is defeated. Our military objectives are met." He praised all 32 countries involved in Operation Desert Storm. "This is a victory for all mankind, for the rule of law and for what is right." "Our troops have performed magnificently. Right has prevailed," said British Prime Minister John Major. Top of the 12 demands made on Iraq by is the return of all Allied prisoners of war and thousands of Kuwaiti citizens taken to Iraq. It is also required to renounce any future claim to Kuwait and pay compensation for injuries it has caused. Iraq's army, once one of the largest in the world, has been all but destroyed. The six-week war to free Kuwait from Iraqi occupation culminated in a lightening ground campaign that achieved victory in just 100 hours. The allies currently hold 80,000 Iraqi PoWs who surrendered in droves in the last few days. Kuwait City rang with the sound of gunshots today celebrating the liberation of the city. But scenes of joy are overshadowed by black skies polluted by burning Kuwaiti oilfields set alight in a last desperate act by fleeing Iraqi forces. Many Iraqis interviewed on the streets of Baghdad were relieved their city has seen an end to the constant allied bombardment. But the media is claiming a victory for Saddam Hussein, with Baghdad Radio stating: "The allies of Satan and its accursed leader have been taught a lesson." Despite this claim, Iraqi casualties number tens of thousands. It has emerged that "friendly fire" killed more British troops than the Iraqis did - of 16 British soldiers who died, nine were killed by Americans. Of 148 Americans who died, 35 were killed by friendly fire. Iraqi deaths are estimated at 50,000, with 100,000 wounded.

Olof Palme shunned bodyguards and preferred to dress informally 1986: Swedish prime minister assassinated Artificially 1969: The The Swedish prime minister has died after being shot in a street ambush in central Stockholm. His wife was wounded. Olof and Lisbeth Palme were attacked as they were leaving a cinema at about 2330 local time. Mr Palme was shot twice in the stomach, his wife was shot in the back. Police say a taxi-driver used his mobile radio to raise the alarm. Two young girls sitting in a car close to the scene of the shooting tried to help the Prime Minister. He was rushed to hospital but was dead on arrival. Mrs Palme is being treated for her injury, but it is not thought to be life threatening. Mr Palme, 59, and a social democrat, was serving his second term as leader. He believed in open government and shunned tight security. He had two bodyguards to protect him on official functions but frequently walked unattended through the Swedish capital and went on holidays unescorted to his summer cottage on the island of Gotland. His assassination will come as a shock to the Swedes. They have always taken great pride in the fact their prime minister could walk openly in the streets without the security which accompanies other heads of state. Mr Palme will be remembered as a campaigner for the working classes and Third World causes. He was first elected as prime minister in 1969. He became a leading advocate of peace and non violence and campaigned for an end to the war in Vietnam. He saw himself carrying the banner of Social Democracy through Europe at a time when the Right was only temporarily in triumph. He once said: "I know that the Thatchers and the Reagans will be out in a few years. We have to survive till then."

Vocabulary:

culminate: bring to a head or to the highest point（达到顶点）