Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Monday, November 9, 2009 Around the world Iraq: Electoral law passes, setting up national vote Iraq's parliament ended weeks of debate Sunday and passed a long-delayed law paving the way for the planned January election to go forward, sidestepping a crisis that could have delayed the U.S. troop withdrawal. The decision appeared to resolve a key sticking point — who will be allowed to vote in the disputed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk. The issue had threatened to delay Iraq's key parliamentary elections, which in turn would affect how quickly American combat forces could leave the country. In a sign of how intensely Washington was following the debate, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill could be seen shuttling between various political factions before the law's passage. President Barack Obama, speaking at the White House, welcomed the new legislation. Venezuela: Chavez tells troops to prepare for war President Hugo Chavez ordered Venezuela's military on Sunday to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Colombia, saying the country's soldiers should be ready if the United States attempts to provoke a war between the South American neighbors. “The best way to avoid war is preparing for it,” Chavez told military officers standing at attention during his weekly television and radio program. Italy: Wig-wearing mob fugitive nabbed Italy on Sunday hailed the capture of a wig-disguised mobster who had been on the list of the country's top 30 fugitives. Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa's office said paramilitary police arrested Luigi Esposito on Saturday in Posillipo, a northern coastal suburb of Naples. Esposito, on the run since 2003, was using a wig and false name when captured. Esposito winked at relatives and pursed his lips in a sign of a kiss Saturday outside the Naples police headquarters as officers led him off to prison. Naples newspaper Il Mattino quoted local commander Mario Cinque as describing Esposito as an expert money-launderer, who funneled illicit cash from drug trafficking into tourism and other businesses for the Camorra crime syndicate. Indonesia: 6.7-magnitude earthquake kills two A strong undersea earthquake killed two people and damaged buildings on the remote island of Sumbawa in central Indonesia, officials said Monday. At least 20 people were hospitalized on the island after the 6.7-magnitude temblor, many of them with broken bones, said Rustam Pakaya, the head of the Health Ministry's crisis center. He said at least 40 people were injured. The quake struck at 3:41 a.m. local time near a small island chain just east of the Lombok resort island. It had a depth of 11 miles and the epicenter was about 830 miles east of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. From Herald news services READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Victims of Highway 9 crash ID'd; suspect booked for vehicular homicide 2. Driver had 8 beers before crash that killed 4, police say 3. Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle 4. New laws for Snohomish County bikini baristas? 5. Investigator arrived drunk at scene of deadly DUI, police allege 6. Final rules in Air Force tanker contest due any day 7. City error leads to dismantling of Snohomish kennel 8. New store in Everett focuses on gluten-free food 9. Local police offer help after Lakewood shooting 10. Alabama’s Cody moves into Heisman limelight 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

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