Today in History - December 30 | How 'mad monk' Rasputin really died
Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin, 47, was shot dead in an assassination plot by a group of prominent Russian nobles early in the morning of December 30, 1916.
Rasputin was a friend of the Russian royal family, particularly the Empress Alexandra, who believed in the man's faith healing abilities regarding her son Alexei, who suffered from haemophilia.
Hussein's request to be executed by firing squad was denied by the tribunal.
He reportedly exchanged barbs with hecklers at his execution, responding to their jeers by saying "Do you consider this bravery?"
Hussein recited the Shahada as the trapdoor opened beneath him. Reportedly, his last word was "Muhammad".
Hussein ruled Iraq as its president from 1979 until 2003, when he was overthrown by the US-led invasion of Iraq.
The Brookline abortion clinic shootings took place in Massachusetts on December 30, 1994.
Anti-abortion extremist John Salvi III entered the Planned Parenthood clinic in Brookline in mid-morning and wordlessly opened fire, killing receptionist Shannon Lowney and wounding several others.
Salvi then drove to the Preterm Health Services clinic in the same town and carried out another shooting attack, killing receptionist Lee Ann Nichols and wounding more.
The attacks saw pro-choice rallies outside the clinics that evening (pictured).
Salvi was captured in Norfolk, Virginia, the next day when he attacked a third abortion clinic. His insanity defence failed at trial and he received two life sentences.
Salvi was found dead in his prison cell on November 29, 1996. The cause of death was ruled as suicide.
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