Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Obama taps 4 public servants to be ambassadors
• In Iraq and Syria, a resurgence of foreign suicide bombers
• AMERICANS WANT TO STAY AT HOME AND NOT RULE WORLD STAGE
• How one German city is opening doors to Roma
• The Sinai, terror, and the US response to Egypt
• Soldier gets life sentence in Ga. militia slayings
• Assad set to extend his power amid Syrian war and theatre
• Romania calls for greater U.S. military presence in Black Sea
• Iraq: Al-Maliki calls vote 'slap' to terrorism
• Iraq PM bullish on govt but will not cling to job
• Obama hails Iraq's embrace of 'right to vote'
• Iraq April death toll among worst in years
• Iraq: Al-Maliki says vote 'slap' to terrorism
• Maliki launches post-election bid to keep power
• UN says 750 Iraqis killed in violence in April
• Iraq's al-Maliki welcomes election turnout
• Easter Seals Dixon Center Releases Second PSA in Series for National Military Appreciation Month
• My First Week Back in Afghanistan
• Why Sinn Fein's Boss Surrendered
• Assad’s Secret WMD
• The Japanese Go All ‘Footloose’
• Brent slips near $108 as China, higher oil supply weigh
• After the voting, the scavenging by deprived Iraqis
• Coming soon: a brain implant to restore memory

Obama taps 4 public servants to be ambassadors Posted: 01 May 2014 04:18 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is picking four longtime public servants to be his new ambassadors to South Korea, Honduras, Qatar (GUH'-tur) and Kazakhstan (kah-zahk-STAHN').

In Iraq and Syria, a resurgence of foreign suicide bombers Posted: 01 May 2014 04:05 PM PDT By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Shortly before Abdul Waheed Majeed, a 41-year-old British truck driver, blew himself up in an attack on a Syrian prison, he brushed aside a question in Arabic. "My tongue bro'... it's got like a knot in it." That suicide-bomb attack on February 6 by the Pakistani-born Majeed, appeared to be part of a resurgence of such attacks that represented a disturbing shift in tactics among radical jihadists in the sectarian killing grounds of Syria and Iraq. Many of them have been carried out by foreigners drawn to the conflicts from across the region and from Europe, U.S. and European security and intelligence officials say. Will McCants, an expert at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, said given the rapid increase of foreign fighters in Syria "if the war drags on, the number of fighters will far eclipse those we saw in Afghanistan." The security officials estimated that several thousand foreign nationals are active in the two countries.

AMERICANS WANT TO STAY AT HOME AND NOT RULE WORLD STAGE Posted: 01 May 2014 03:30 PM PDT The first, on the front page of the Financial Times, was: "China to overtake U.S. as top economic power this year." "The U.S. is on the brink of losing its status as the world's largest economy," the lead read, "and is likely to slip behind China this year, sooner than widely expected, according to the world's leading statistical agencies." Two days later, another serious paper, The Wall Street Journal, headlined on Page One: "Americans Want to Pull Back From World Stage, Poll Finds." (Note: Headlines have been written here exactly as the papers published them.) "Americans in large numbers want the U.S. to reduce its role in world affairs," said the article, "even as a showdown with Russia over Ukraine preoccupies Washington, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds."

How one German city is opening doors to Roma Posted: 01 May 2014 02:28 PM PDT Jungbusch, an industrial neighborhood in the city of Mannheim is no stranger to foreign immigrants. It was the Jungbusch Community Center, an initiative supported by the city and various non-profits, that helped bind those groups through music and sports. Now the latest set of arrivals is bringing to Mannheim one of the oldest challenges in Europe: accommodating the Roma, or as they are often derogatorily called Gypsies. When Bulgaria and Romania acceded to the European Union, members of the Bulgaria's Roma minority, Europe's poorest citizens fleeing poverty and discrimination in their home cities of Veliko Tarnovo and Dobrich, began arriving by bus.

The Sinai, terror, and the US response to Egypt Posted: 01 May 2014 01:29 PM PDT Wayne White, a former senior intelligence analyst for the US State Department focused on the Middle East, writes of the dangers of putting short term security concerns in Egypt ahead of human rights, and the possible long-term damage the US could do to its interests by "actively taking sides in a conflict pitting a repressive regime against armed opposition." Mr. White's piece focuses on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and President Obama's recent decision to deliver Apache attack helicopters to the generals now running the country, who said they needed them to fight Al Qaeda-style terrorism in the area, which borders both the Gaza Strip and Israel. He acknowledges that Egypt has a real problem, but worries about the damage that could be done by reverting to the longstanding pattern of US policy when it comes to Egypt. Jihadist activity in and emanating from Sinai soared following the military's overthrow of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi last year.

Soldier gets life sentence in Ga. militia slayings Posted: 01 May 2014 12:29 PM PDT LUDOWICI, Ga. (AP) — Saying his mind was scarred by combat and numbed by heroin, an Army soldier told a southeast Georgia judge Thursday that he shot a teenage girl twice in the head because he thought he saw "the glint of a gun" as she opened her car door.

Assad set to extend his power amid Syrian war and theatre Posted: 01 May 2014 12:06 PM PDT By Dominic Evans and Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - In the ornate, wood-paneled theatre that is Syria's parliament, an unusual ritual has played out this week. It is part of an electoral process designed to portray all the drama of a presidential race, while ensuring nobody seriously challenges the one name on the ballot paper that counts: Candidate Assad. Every day at around noon, sheaves of documents in super-sized envelopes have been delivered to Speaker Mohammad al-Lahham, who has solemnly unsealed them and read out the names of nominees for Syria's presidential election next month. The name in the 24th envelope was "Dr Bashar Hafez al-Assad", the man who inherited power from his father 14 years ago.

Romania calls for greater U.S. military presence in Black Sea Posted: 01 May 2014 11:21 AM PDT Romania has called for the United States and NATO to boost their military presence in the Balkan country to promote stability in the Black Sea region following Russia's annexation of Crimea. The foreign ministry, in a statement issued on Thursday, said Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean stressed the importance of an enhanced, long-term U.S. presence in the Black Sea region "to deter any other destabilizing initiatives." Corlatean has been in Washington this week to discuss the situation in Ukraine, which neighbors Romania, with U.S. officials. The ministry said visits by U.S. warships to Romanian Black Sea ports and joint naval, aerial and terrestrial military exercises aimed at "consolidating a collective defense dimension," should increase. Romania, a former Communist state which joined the European Union in 2007, has been among the staunchest advocates of Western sanctions against Moscow after Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea.

Iraq: Al-Maliki calls vote 'slap' to terrorism Posted: 01 May 2014 10:42 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister hailed a high turnout in nationwide elections as a "slap in the face of terrorism" Thursday, but his upbeat comments were tempered by a U.N. announcement that last month's death toll was the highest so far this year amid a sharp spike in sectarian bloodshed.

Iraq PM bullish on govt but will not cling to job Posted: 01 May 2014 10:06 AM PDT Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Thursday he had enough support to build a coalition government after elections a day earlier, but insisted he would not cling to the job. Maliki, seeking a third term following his country's first polls since US troops withdrew, faces significant opposition from within his own Shiite community, as well as from minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds. But with vote counting only just started and final results not expected for at least two weeks, he said "we have an ability to pass the 165 (seat threshold)" required to form a majority government.

Obama hails Iraq's embrace of 'right to vote' Posted: 01 May 2014 08:58 AM PDT President Barack Obama on Thursday praised Iraq's parliamentary elections, saying the vote demonstrated the country's enthusiastic embrace of democracy despite "enormous challenges." "The people of Iraq know better than anyone else the enormous challenges that they face, and yesterday's turnout demonstrated to the world that they seek to pursue a more stable and peaceful future through the political process." Obama said the election would serve to "unite the country through the formation of a new government that is supported by all Iraqi communities and that is prepared to advance tangible and implementable programs." Initial election commission figures said nearly 60 percent of Iraq's 20 million eligible voters cast ballots.

Iraq April death toll among worst in years Posted: 01 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT Violence in Iraq in April was around its highest level since 2008, official and UN figures showed Thursday, a day after the country's first parliamentary election since US troops withdrew. The United Nations gave an overall toll of 750 dead, but not including those who were killed in the western province of Anbar where anti-government fighters have battled security forces since the beginning of the year. All the tolls indicated that April was among the bloodiest month since Iraq was embroiled in a brutal Sunni-Shiite sectarian war in 2006 and 2007 that left tens of thousands dead. The latest figures come a day after a parliamentary election was held across Iraq, with the exception of parts of Anbar province, in the first national polls since US forces withdrew in late 2011.

Iraq: Al-Maliki says vote 'slap' to terrorism Posted: 01 May 2014 07:51 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister on Thursday hailed a high turnout in nationwide elections as a "slap in the face of terrorism" as the United Nations announced that 750 Iraqis were killed in violence in April, the highest monthly death toll this year.

Maliki launches post-election bid to keep power Posted: 01 May 2014 07:29 AM PDT By Ned Parker and Raheem Salman BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched his post-election bid to hold on to power for a third term on Thursday, saying Iraq had "paid the price in blood" for disunity and calling on rivals to back his bloc to lead the country. Iraq held a democratic national vote in the absence of foreign troops for the first time ever on Wednesday, despite levels of violence unseen since the darkest days of its 2005-08 civil war and a revived al Qaeda-inspired Sunni insurgency. Maliki, a member of the Shi'ite majority, addressed reporters with a confident winner's air and praised high reported turnout figures as a victory over insurgents who had vowed to kill anyone who voted. Maliki's State of Law bloc is competing against an alliance of two major rival Shi'ite factions to be the largest group, while parties representing Sunnis and Kurds will hold the balance of power.

UN says 750 Iraqis killed in violence in April Posted: 01 May 2014 06:44 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — The United Nations says 750 Iraqis were killed in violence in April, the highest monthly death toll of this year.

Iraq's al-Maliki welcomes election turnout Posted: 01 May 2014 05:44 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Thursday that a high turnout in parliament elections the previous day was a "slap in the face of terrorism" as government forces battle al-Qaida-inspired militants west of the capital, Baghdad.

Easter Seals Dixon Center Releases Second PSA in Series for National Military Appreciation Month Posted: 01 May 2014 03:00 AM PDT CHICAGO, May 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Easter Seals Dixon Center releases its second Public Service Announcement (PSA), part of a series created to use light humor to reinforce subtle, but positive, attributes of returning veterans and offer Easter Seals Dixon Center services to those who need support in transitioning back to civilian life, especially with finding meaningful employment.To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please visit: http://www.multivu. ...

My First Week Back in Afghanistan Posted: 01 May 2014 02:45 AM PDT A military officer chronicles his first week back in Afghanistan readjusting to the strange rhythm of life on an overseas military base.

Why Sinn Fein's Boss Surrendered Posted: 01 May 2014 02:45 AM PDT The killing of a widowed mother of ten has been hanging over Gerry Adams for 40 years. His arrest is a calculated gamble to clear his name—and began with the Obama Justice Department.

Assad’s Secret WMD Posted: 01 May 2014 02:45 AM PDT Syria's 'declared' arsenal of chemical weapons is almost gone—but what was left undeclared? And what about its biological weapons? Those have not been acknowledged or inspected at all.

The Japanese Go All ‘Footloose’ Posted: 01 May 2014 02:45 AM PDT Police enforcing an archaic law have decimated the country's nightclubs—and unhappy clubbers have responded with dance protests. But a court verdict might end the crackdown.

Brent slips near $108 as China, higher oil supply weigh Posted: 01 May 2014 02:28 AM PDT By Florence Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude eased down towards $108 a barrel on Thursday, not far above its lowest in more than two weeks, as lacklustre China data, a potential rise in Libya's oil supply and record-high inventories in the United States weighed on prices. China's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in April edged up from March, but it missed forecasts. June Brent crude fell 2 cents to $108.05 a barrel by 0642 GMT, following a 0.8 percent drop in the previous session to settle at its lowest close since April 11.

After the voting, the scavenging by deprived Iraqis Posted: 01 May 2014 01:32 AM PDT Minutes after polls closed in Iraq's parliamentary election and vote counting began, another operation quietly shifted into gear -- scavengers began tearing down election posters across Baghdad. Motivated neither by malice nor by politics, the relatively poor Iraqis were trying to grab as many of the giant-sized iron frames on which the posters were displayed as possible, either to recycle or to sell on. Areas targeted by the scavengers included Karamana Square as well as nearby well-known Firdos Square, where an imposing statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down shortly after the 2003 US-led invasion. "First, we thank God because he sent a storm to lift these heavy poster frames out of the ground," said Jaafar, who along with a friend was lugging a large iron frame from Karamana Square in plain view of police, referring to recent rain storms.

Coming soon: a brain implant to restore memory Posted: 30 Apr 2014 07:44 PM PDT The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is forging ahead with a four-year plan to build a sophisticated memory stimulator, as part of President Barack Obama's $100 million initiative to better understand the human brain. Some say those who could benefit include the five million Americans with Alzheimer's disease and the nearly 300,000 US military men and women who have sustained traumatic brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. "If you have been injured in the line of duty and you can't remember your family, we want to be able to restore those kinds of functions," DARPA program manager Justin Sanchez said this week at a conference in the US capital convened by the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas. "We think that we can develop neuroprosthetic devices that can directly interface with the hippocampus, and can restore the first type of memories we are looking at, the declarative memories," he said.

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