| Obama's presidency beset by fits, starts in year 5 Posted: 28 Dec 2013 01:46 PM PST  WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a moment for Barack Obama to savor.
|
| Iraq troops arrest leading Sunni MP in violent raid Posted: 28 Dec 2013 12:47 PM PST  By Kamal Namaa RAMADI, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces arrested a prominent Sunni Muslim lawmaker and supporter of anti-government protests in a raid on his home in the western province of Anbar, sparking clashes in which at least five people were killed, police sources said. The violent arrest of Ahmed al-Alwani is likely to inflame tensions in Sunni-dominated Anbar, where protesters have been demonstrating against what they see as marginalization of their sect by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Shi'ite-led government. Alwani belongs to the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc and has been a strong critic of Maliki and an influential figure in the protest movement. Police sources said a two-hour firefight broke out on Saturday when bodyguards and members of Alwani's tribe resisted police and soldiers who went to arrest Alwani on charges of "terrorism" from his house in the centre of the city of Ramadi.
|
| Iraq forces arrest Sunni MP, kill brother and guards Posted: 28 Dec 2013 09:51 AM PST  Ramadi (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraqi security forces on Saturday raided the home of a Sunni MP who backs anti-government protesters, arresting him and sparking clashes that killed his brother and five guards, police said. The raid threatens to inflame widespread discontent among Iraq's Sunni Arab minority and could compound rampant violence plaguing the country. Police said automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades were used in the clashes that erupted during the raid on MP Ahmed al-Alwani's home in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. Alwani's brother and five guards were killed, while 18 people, including 10 members of the security forces, were wounded, police and a doctor at Ramadi hospital said.
|
| EU condemns attack on Iran exile camp in Iraq Posted: 28 Dec 2013 07:09 AM PST  The European Union called on the Iraqi government Saturday to investigate last week's rocket attack on a camp holding exiled Iranian dissidents which left several people dead and many injured. A statement from EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton's said she condemned "in the strongest terms" the December 26 attack at Camp Hurriya near Baghdad airport, housing dissidents awaiting to be transferred elsewhere. Ashton called for security to be stepped up around the camp to protect residents and urged "the Iraqi government to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable for the attack." The exiled Iranian opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has said three people were killed and dozens hurt.
|
| Why Jordan is still pursuing the nuclear (power) option Posted: 28 Dec 2013 06:00 AM PST The disaster at Fukushima and cheap, abundant natural gas have tempered excited proclamations that nuclear power is the future of energy, but energy-poor countries like Jordan are still aggressively pursuing nuclear programs. Officials say circumstances leave the kingdom little choice. |
| 7 killed as Iraqi troops arrest Sunni lawmaker Posted: 28 Dec 2013 05:17 AM PST  BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi troops detained a Sunni lawmaker sought on terrorism charges on Saturday and killed his brother and five of his guards after they opened fire on the arresting officers. The incident, which will likely to add to the nation's sectarian tensions, also left one Iraqi soldier dead.
|
| 6 killed as Iraqi troops arrest Sunni lawmaker Posted: 28 Dec 2013 02:55 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi troops on Saturday arrested a Sunni lawmaker sought on terrorism charges and killed his brother and five of his guards after they opened fire on the arresting officers, an incident that will likely to add to the nation's sectarian tensions. |
| 4 killed as Iraqi troops arrest Sunni lawmaker Posted: 27 Dec 2013 11:42 PM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi officials say troops arrested a Sunni lawmaker sought on terrorism charges and killed his brother and three guards after they opened fire on the officers. |
