Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/122115
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 – Daily News 5A WORLD BRIEFING The intensifying violence, some of it related to the provincial elections scheduled for Saturday, is worrying for Iraqi officials and Baghdad-based diplomats alike. At least 14 candidates have been killed in recent weeks, including one slain in an apparent ambush Sunday. ''Of course we are concerned about the violence in the country that has been increasing in the last weeks,'' United Nations envoy Martin Kobler told The Associated Press. He condemned the bloodshed and urged Iraqi officials to push ahead with the elections. Cities worldwide step up security LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police in Los Angeles, New York City, London and other cities worldwide stepped up security Monday following explosions at the Boston Marathon. Los Angeles police Lt. Andrew Neiman said the department was urging officers to be extra vigilant around large crowds and would increase security at sporting events such as the Los Angeles Dodgers game Monday night. The department was also activating its emergency operations center to increase communication and increasing patrols for transit and other critical areas, Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. Police in Washington, San Diego, Vegas and Atlanta were monitoring events closely and assessing potential increases in security measures. Agencies were also stepping up social media response, telling the public via Twitter and Facebook to report suspicious activity to the police. Chief NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Monday that critical response teams were deployed around the city, and officials were stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations. Iraqis prepare for vote BAGHDAD (AP) — Insurgents in Iraq deployed a series of car bombs as part of highly coordinated attacks that cut across a wide swath of the country Monday, killing at least 55 on the deadliest day in nearly a month. The assault bore the hallmarks of a resurgent al-Qaida in Iraq and appeared aimed at sowing fear days before the first elections since U.S. locals have access to international broadcasts and foreign newspapers speculating about an imminent missile launch and detailing the international diplomacy under way to try to rein Pyongyang in. Elsewhere in the region, however, the focus remained on the threat of a launch as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up a tour to coordinate Washington's response with Beijing, North Korea's most important ally, as well as with Seoul and Tokyo. Maduro NKorea certified as calmly marks election founder's winner in birthday Venezuela troops withdrew. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but coordinated attacks are a favorite tactic of alQaida's Iraq branch. Iraqi officials believe the insurgent group is growing stronger and increasingly coordinating with allies fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad across the border. They say rising lawlessness on the SyriaIraq frontier and crossborder cooperation with a Syrian group, the Nusra Front, has improved the militants' supply of weapons and foreign fighters. PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Koreans celebrated the birthday of their first leader Monday by dancing in plazas and snacking on peanuts, with little hint of the fiery language that has kept the international community fearful that a missile launch may be imminent. Pyongyang fired off a rocket ahead of the last anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birth — the centennial — but this time the day was simply the start of a two-day holiday for Pyongyang residents who spilled into the streets. Girls in red and pink jackets skipped along streets festooned with celebratory banners and flags and boys on inline skates took a break to slurp up bowls of shaved ice. There was no sense of panic in the North Korean capital, where very few Welcome Rodeo Fans LASSEN STEAK HOUSE 4945 Hwy 99E, Vina (15 miles south of Red Bluff) Call 530 839-2838 CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government-friendly electoral council quickly certified the razor-thin presidential victory of Hugo Chavez' hand-picked successor Monday, apparently ignoring opposition demands for a recount as anti-government protests broke out in the bitterly polarized nation. People stood on their balconies in Caracas apartment buildings banging pots and pans in protest as the electoral council's president pro- claimed Nicolas Maduro president for the next six years. Across town, thousands of students clashed with National Guard troops in riot gear who fired tear gas and plastic bullets to turn the protesters back from marching on the city center. Students threw stones and pieces of concrete. The city was otherwise peaceful, although protests were reported in provincial cities. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Maduro was elected Sunday by a margin of 50.7 percent to 49.1 percent over challenger Henrique Capriles — a difference of just 235,000 votes out of 14.8 million cast, according to the official count. Senate gun background check expansion seems in jeopardy WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan proposal to expand background checks to more gun buyers is in jeopardy. The pool of potential Republican votes that Democrats will need to push the measure through the Senate has dwindled, Hoyt-Cole Baxter Black, Cowboy Poet, April 16, 7:00 p.m., State Theatre. 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