Counting underway in Iraqi election
Top story: Counting is underway in Iraq's second parliamentary election since the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Turnout was reported to be high around the country yesterday despite scattered violence. The results will be released in several days and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's party is expected to lead the count, with reports of him leading in 9 of 18 provinces. But with an outright majority unlikely, the stage is set for weeks of negotiations before a government is formed.
At least 35 people were killed in bomb attacks in Baghdad. Attacks were also reported in Mosul, Falluja, Baquba, and Samarra.
Praising the election, U.S. President Barack Obama said the vote "makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq. Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said the election was a milestone on the way to a full pullout of U.S. troops.
In contrast to the 2005 elections which they largely boycotted, Sunnis turned out in large numbers for this year's vote, hoping to reverse the growing influence of Shiite religious parties.
Oscars: The Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" took home the Academy Award for best picture.
Authorities in the Japanese city of Taiji are protesting the best documentary Oscar for "The Cove," a film about the town's annual dolphin hunt.
At least 35 people were killed in bomb attacks in Baghdad. Attacks were also reported in Mosul, Falluja, Baquba, and Samarra.
Praising the election, U.S. President Barack Obama said the vote "makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq. Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said the election was a milestone on the way to a full pullout of U.S. troops.
In contrast to the 2005 elections which they largely boycotted, Sunnis turned out in large numbers for this year's vote, hoping to reverse the growing influence of Shiite religious parties.
Oscars: The Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" took home the Academy Award for best picture.
Authorities in the Japanese city of Taiji are protesting the best documentary Oscar for "The Cove," a film about the town's annual dolphin hunt.
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-By Joshua Keating | > |
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
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