http://www.rferl.org/archive/Iraq/latest/652/661.html RFE/RL's latest news, features, commentary, and multimedia content on Iraq http://www.rferl.org/img/rssLogo.gif http://www.rferl.org/archive/Iraq/latest/652/661.html en-US Copyright 2009 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:53:40 +0000 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL The Iraqi parliament today failed to resolve an impasse threatening to delay the country's election in January, which could affect the U.S. military's plans for a partial pullout next year. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Fails_To_Reach_Election_Deal/1884886.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Fails_To_Reach_Election_Deal/1884886.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:08:58 +0000 News Iraq's parliament suspended efforts today to reach a deal on a law that is crucial for an election to take place in January and could affect the U.S. military' s plans for a partial withdrawal next year. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Struggles_Over_Elusive_Vote_Deal/1884317.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Struggles_Over_Elusive_Vote_Deal/1884317.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:22:29 +0000 News A U.S.-backed Sunni militia leader whose arrest provoked violence between Sunni fighters and forces of Iraq's Shi'ite-led government has been sentenced to death for murder and kidnapping, a court spokesman said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Prominent_Iraqi_Sunni_Fighter_Sentenced_To_Death/1882836.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Prominent_Iraqi_Sunni_Fighter_Sentenced_To_Death/1882836.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:39:27 +0000 News Iraqi politicians from Sunni and Shi'ite parliamentary factions say they are concerned about the holding of parliamentary elections after Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashim's veto of the recently passed electoral law, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Politicians_Concerned_About_Election_Law_Veto/1882236.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Politicians_Concerned_About_Election_Law_Veto/1882236.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:45:31 +0000 From Our Bureaus Al-Qaeda in Iraq is becoming more Iraqi and less dominated by foreigners as the insurgent group increasingly joins forces with Saddam Hussein's outlawed Ba'ath party, the commander of U.S. forces said today. http://www.rferl.org/content/AlQaeda_In_Iraq_Becoming_Less_Foreign_/1881813.html http://www.rferl.org/content/AlQaeda_In_Iraq_Becoming_Less_Foreign_/1881813.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:04:01 +0000 News There are new fears that Iraq may not be able to hold its January parliamentary elections on schedule after the Sunni Arab vice president vetoed part of the election law, saying he wants more seats in the future legislature to be allocated for Iraqis living abroad, most of whom are Sunni Arabs. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Vice_President_Vetoes_Election_Law_Over_Expatriate_Seats/1881368.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Vice_President_Vetoes_Election_Law_Over_Expatriate_Seats/1881368.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:40:06 +0000 News The attack took place in the mainly Sunni village of Zauba, west of Baghdad, which at the height of the fighting in Iraq was viewed as a hotbed of support for Sunni Islamist insurgents. http://www.rferl.org/content/Gunmen_In_Army_Uniforms_Kill_12_Iraqi_Villagers/1879203.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Gunmen_In_Army_Uniforms_Kill_12_Iraqi_Villagers/1879203.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:26:41 +0000 News The Kurdish alliance will gather 14 parties, including the two biggest parties -- the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Kurdish regional government (KRG) President Masud Barzani. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqs_Kurdish_Parties_Unite_Ahead_Of_Elections/1878866.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqs_Kurdish_Parties_Unite_Ahead_Of_Elections/1878866.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:05:16 +0000 From Our Bureaus Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president has threatened to veto a new election law unless seats in parliament are allocated to Iraqi refugees, casting fresh uncertainty over the January election. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_VP_Threatens_To_Veto_Vote_Law_Over_Refugees/1878854.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_VP_Threatens_To_Veto_Vote_Law_Over_Refugees/1878854.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:18:56 +0000 News Britain's defense ministry said today it was investigating fresh complaints that its troops had abused prisoners in Iraq. http://www.rferl.org/content/Britain_Probes_New_Abuse_Claims_In_Iraq/1878216.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Britain_Probes_New_Abuse_Claims_In_Iraq/1878216.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:14:22 +0000 News Iraqi private colleges are complaining that their degrees are not being recognized and their graduates are discriminated against when they apply for government jobs, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Private_Colleges_Cite_Government_Discrimination/1877708.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Private_Colleges_Cite_Government_Discrimination/1877708.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:35:36 +0000 From Our Bureaus The president of Iraq's Kurdish regional government (KRG) described to European lawmakers on November 10 the differences his government has with the Baghdad government, RFE/RL reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Kurdish_President_Criticizes_Baghdads_Oil_Policy_Appeals_For_European_Aid/1875136.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Kurdish_President_Criticizes_Baghdads_Oil_Policy_Appeals_For_European_Aid/1875136.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:17:23 +0000 From Our Bureaus The president of Iraq's Kurdish region has criticized the central government for its failure to draw up a clear law on sharing oil revenues, and said the Kurds would hold on to what they earn for now. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Kurdish_Leader_Says_Region_Will_Hold_On_To_Oil_Revenues/1874509.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Kurdish_Leader_Says_Region_Will_Hold_On_To_Oil_Revenues/1874509.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:47:58 +0000 News Iraqi lawmakers have passed a long-delayed election law to pave the way for a January poll, after parliament sidestepped a potentially explosive row over the oil-producing city of Kirkuk. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Passes_Election_Law_Obama_Hails_Milestone/1872936.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Passes_Election_Law_Obama_Hails_Milestone/1872936.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:04:38 +0000 News http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Passes_Election_Law_Obama_Hails_Milestone/1872936.html#relatedInfoContainer An Iraqi election official says campaign advertising will being strictly regulated in the run-up to next year's national elections to avoid the practices of previous years, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_To_Restrict_Campaign_Advertising/1872505.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_To_Restrict_Campaign_Advertising/1872505.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:46:56 +0000 From Our Bureaus Iraq's electoral authorities have called for polls due next January to be delayed after parliament failed once more to agree on how to hold the vote. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Election_Body_Seeks_Vote_Delay_Due_To_Law_Row_/1871105.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Election_Body_Seeks_Vote_Delay_Due_To_Law_Row_/1871105.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:03:32 +0000 News An Iraqi Health Ministry official says seven people have died of swine flu in Iraq since the first case of the virus was reported in May, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Reports_Seven_Swine_Flu_Deaths_To_Date/1870550.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Reports_Seven_Swine_Flu_Deaths_To_Date/1870550.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:11:37 +0000 From Our Bureaus A leading Iraqi parliamentarian said legislators are demanding that the parliament's presidium question Interior Minister Jawad Bolani over security lapses following the recent bombing attacks in Baghdad that claimed hundreds of victims, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Deputies_Demand_Minister_Be_Questioned_Over_Bombings/1870089.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Deputies_Demand_Minister_Be_Questioned_Over_Bombings/1870089.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:51:53 +0000 From Our Bureaus Iraqi Education Minister Kudair al-Khuzai says the country needs international help to build and renovate thousands of schools to avert a shortage, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Needs_Foreign_Help_To_Overcome_School_Shortage/1868544.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_Needs_Foreign_Help_To_Overcome_School_Shortage/1868544.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:32:32 +0000 From Our Bureaus Iran and Turkey have led commercial interest at Baghdad's first international trade fair in more than six years, at which the presence of 400 foreign firms showed the drop in violence has roused investors' interest. http://www.rferl.org/content/Baghdad_Holds_First_Trade_Fair_In_Over_Six_Years/1867529.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Baghdad_Holds_First_Trade_Fair_In_Over_Six_Years/1867529.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:57:10 +0000 News Iraq's Oil Ministry has signed an initial agreement with a consortium led by Italian oil major Eni to develop Zubair oil field and said it also expected to ink a pact on Nassiriya in the coming days. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_EniLed_Group_Sign_Initial_Zubair_Oil_Deal/1867520.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraq_EniLed_Group_Sign_Initial_Zubair_Oil_Deal/1867520.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:50:24 +0000 News The number of civilians killed by violence in Iraq jumped higher in October after two huge suicide bombings in Baghdad while the two U.S. soldiers killed in combat in October was the lowest monthly number this year, data showed. http://www.rferl.org/content/Civilian_Deaths_In_Iraq_Jump_Higher_In_October/1866851.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Civilian_Deaths_In_Iraq_Jump_Higher_In_October/1866851.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:49:34 +0000 News A bicycle loaded with explosives has killed five people and wounded 37 at a popular market in the town of Mussayab, south of Baghdad, police said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Bicycle_Bomb_Kills_Five_In_Iraq/1866275.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Bicycle_Bomb_Kills_Five_In_Iraq/1866275.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:18:42 +0000 News Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani on October 30 praised Turkish steps to address a decades-old Kurdish conflict and called for an end to ethnic violence during a visit to the region by Turkey's foreign minister. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Kurdish_Leader_Backs_Turkeys_Reform_Steps/1865801.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Kurdish_Leader_Backs_Turkeys_Reform_Steps/1865801.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:21:00 +0000 News The first New York Kurdish Film Festival took place on October 21-25, presenting a wide range of feature films, shorts, and documentaries under the slogan “A Cinema Across Borders.” While the more accomplished Kurdish directors have attained a degree of recognition abroad for their evocative cinematography and rich narratives, their films are often met with indifference by home audiences. http://www.rferl.org/content/Underappreciated_At_Home_Kurdish_Filmmakers_Struggle_For_Identity/1863582.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Underappreciated_At_Home_Kurdish_Filmmakers_Struggle_For_Identity/1863582.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:25:33 +0000 Features http://www.rferl.org/content/Underappreciated_At_Home_Kurdish_Filmmakers_Struggle_For_Identity/1863582.html#relatedInfoContainer The United Nations Population Fund this week is highlighting the problem of maternal mortality around the world. Of all the UN's development goals, the effort to reduce maternal mortality rates has seen the least progress in recent years. The lack of improvement is particularly striking in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq. http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Conference_Highlights_Failures_To_Reduce_Maternal_Deaths/1863374.html http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Conference_Highlights_Failures_To_Reduce_Maternal_Deaths/1863374.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:56:39 +0000 Features http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Conference_Highlights_Failures_To_Reduce_Maternal_Deaths/1863374.html#relatedInfoContainer The families of three Americans detained in Iran have released videos that they say prove that their children were on vacation and meant no harm in crossing the border. http://www.rferl.org/content/Videos_Released_By_Families_Of_US_Hikers_Detained_In_Iran/1862688.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Videos_Released_By_Families_Of_US_Hikers_Detained_In_Iran/1862688.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:55:02 +0000 Transmission http://www.rferl.org/content/Videos_Released_By_Families_Of_US_Hikers_Detained_In_Iran/1862688.html#relatedInfoContainer Iraq's parliament is due to consider approving what could be the final version of the country's controversial election law. The meeting comes a day after Iraqi officials reached a compromise on wording that had delayed the bill for months and threatened to derail January's planned national legislative elections. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqs_Election_Law_Goes_To_Parliament_For_Approval_/1862282.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqs_Election_Law_Goes_To_Parliament_For_Approval_/1862282.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:53:48 +0000 News An Al-Qaeda-linked group has said it carried out the twin suicide bombings that killed 155 people in Baghdad on October 25 and revived doubts about security in the run-up to Iraq's elections in January. http://www.rferl.org/content/AlQaedaLinked_Group_Claims_Baghdad_Bombings/1861891.html http://www.rferl.org/content/AlQaedaLinked_Group_Claims_Baghdad_Bombings/1861891.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:18:01 +0000 News The death toll from two suicide bombs in Baghdad, one of Iraq's bloodiest attacks in years, has risen to 155 with more than 500 wounded, police said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Death_Toll_Rises_To_155_In_Twin_Baghdad_Bombings/1860972.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Death_Toll_Rises_To_155_In_Twin_Baghdad_Bombings/1860972.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:49:18 +0000 News Twin suicide car bombs killed at least 132 people in central Baghdad today, the bloodiest bombing in the Iraqi capital this year. Saad Kamil, a correspondent for RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq, was in one of the targeted government buildings when the bombs went off and describes the scene. http://www.rferl.org/content/Two_Car_Bombs_Kill_At_Least_60_In_Baghdad/1860415.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Two_Car_Bombs_Kill_At_Least_60_In_Baghdad/1860415.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:48:07 +0000 News http://www.rferl.org/content/Two_Car_Bombs_Kill_At_Least_60_In_Baghdad/1860415.html#relatedInfoContainer