The United States told Iraq's leaders in stern language on Wednesday they must act swiftly to halt a surge in attacks by both Sunnis and Shi'ites that the United Nations said risks pitching the nation into civil war. On a day of more gun attacks, bombings and the kidnap of 19 Sunni mosque officials, the U.S. ambassador and U.S. commander in Iraq implicitly blamed Shi'ite and Sunni groups respectively for two major attacks that killed some 120 people this week. In a blunt statement, Zalmay Khalilzad and General George Casey condemned "terrorists" and "death squads" and said: "We call on Iraqi leaders to take responsibility and pursue reconciliation not just in words, but through deeds as well." With the casualty count climbing to some 100 civilian deaths a day by a U.N. estimate, Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki goes to Washington next week, where officials hope he can help them convince American voters that Iraq is turning a corner. ... http://abcnews.go.com censor News |
Editor - 10:55:00 07-19-06 |
No exhumation in US troops' rape case: Iraqi mayor |
Relatives of the Iraqi family at the center of a rape and murder case involving U.S. troops will not allow the victims' remains to be exhumed for forensic tests, the mayor of their community said on Wednesday. "It is disgraceful to remove a body after burial," Muayyad Fadhil said by telephone from Mahmudiya, the town near Baghdad where the family of four was killed in their home in March."The family are refusing," he added, citing common Islamic religious objections to exhumations.Local officials have set up a committee to investigate the case, which the U.S. military brought to light late last month.Family members and U.S. military officials were not immediately available for comment on the development in a case that has outraged Iraqi public opinion and put five Americans at risk of the death penalty over the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl and killing of her parents and younger sister.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060719/ts_nm/iraq_rape_dc
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Editor - 10:53:00 07-19-06 |
Georgia Republicans send message by voting for no-name, eliminating Reed |
Ralph Reed, the vote shepherd of Southern evangelicals in President Bush's two election wins, fell victim to nagging charges of hypocrisy and corruption Tuesday night when Georgia Republicans unexpectedly nominated a no-name state senator to be their party's nominee for lieutenant governor. Reed's loss followed weeks of bruising attacks from Sen. Casey Cagle, who won 55 percent to 45 percent after running numerous television ads bashing the former Christian Coalition chief for accepting millions of dollars to galvanize Christians against gambling initiatives that were opposed by the Indian gaming clients of Reed's longtime friend, indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. "This is a major message to Republicans nationwide: Don't run on the faith-based ticket if someone can make you look like a hypocrite," said Matt Towery, a former Newt Gingrich strategist.... http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060719/NEWS/607190331
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Editor - 10:26:00 07-19-06 |
First Baghdad bank heist nets 1.4 billion |
Unknown militants dressed as Iraqi security forces robbed the Al-Rafidain Bank branch in Al-Amiriya, western Baghdad, Tuesday taking a 1.4 billion Iraqi dinars trophy.Sources from the Iraqi Interior Ministry said the robbers fled the scene in two green pick ups and a BMW.A search for the cars is underway, as the descriptions have been dispatched to all security checkpoints across Baghdad.... http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=887843
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Editor - 08:59:00 07-19-06 |
Disney axes 650 global film jobs |
US entertainment giant Disney is to cut 650 jobs worldwide as part of plans to produce fewer adult-oriented films and concentrate on family blockbusters. The firm is to reduce its film output from about 18 to 12 movies a year, with only two or three from adult-oriented subsidiary Touchstone Pictures. Touchstone releases do not match Disney films' profits or provide the same marketing tie-ins, the company said. The Pirates of the Caribbean sequel has been a huge success for Disney. A hit like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest can spawn other products including video games and action figures. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5193590.stm
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Editor - 08:58:00 07-19-06 |
South Carolina woman charged with killing baby 18 years ago |
Eighteen years after her 8-month-old baby died, a mother walked into a police station and told officers she killed her son while staying at a home for unwed mothers, police said.Elaine Teresa Patterson, 43, was charged with murder Tuesday."She just decided she had enough," said Greenville Police spokesman Lt. Mike Gambrell.The baby, Bill Rhinehart III, was born premature and spent five months in hospitals before coming home. Patterson was not married and left with her son after her mother told her she should go to a home for unwed mothers in Greenville, Gambrell said.Not long after she arrived, Patterson told police she held her son against her breast until he stopped breathing, Gambrell said.Patterson then called 911 and told paramedics she woke up and found her son unconscious, police said. He died in the hospital three days later on May 26, 1988.... http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-19-babydeath-18yearslater_x.htm?csp=34
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Editor - 08:50:00 07-19-06 |
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