The world in brief

Thursday, January 17, 2013

— QUOTE OF THE DAY “I want to assure the American people that the United States will take all necessary and proper steps that are required to deal with this situation.” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, as Islamist militants seized a gas ÿ eld in Algeria and took foreign hostages, including Americans Article, 1AIraqi bloodshed leaves 33 dead

BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber driving a vehicle packed with explosives blew himself up outside the offices of a major Kurdish party in northern Iraq early Wednesday, the deadliest in a wave of morning attacks that killed at least 33 people across the country.

The violence comes as rising tensions among Iraq’s ethnic and sectarian groups threaten to plunge the country back into chaos nearly a decade after the U.S.-led invasion.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, car bombs and coordinated attacks are favorite tactics of Sunni insurgents, such as al-Qaida’s Iraq branch.

Wednesday’s violence was the deadliest in the country since Nov. 29, when attacks mainly targeting Shiite pilgrims in southern Iraq killed at least 43 people.

Kenyan protesters burn 221 coffins

NAIROBI, Kenya - Hundreds of demonstrators angered at the conduct of outgoing Kenyan legislators doused 221 coffins with gasoline and set them on fire Wednesday, causing an inferno outside the parliament’s main entrance.

Organizers of the protest said the coffins represented the end of an era and burning the coffins symbolized the start of a new era away from the dishonorable acts that the parliament was known for in the past five years. The legislators’ term ended earlier this week. Police looked on as the caskets made of thin wood burned to ashes as protesters shouted and screamed in exhilaration.

Kenyans say their legislators are seen as lazy, greedy and self-centered for often improving their lives lavishly at the cost of taxpayers. A Kenya legislator earns about $175,000 a year in a country where the average annual income is $1,700. Last week Kenyan legislators attempted to award themselves a $110,000 bonus, but the president vetoed the legislation.

Venezuela prints ailing Chavez’s edict

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela’s government has published a decree signed by President Hugo Chavez, while his vice president said Wednesday that the ailing leader also sent a message of gratitude to the military for its loyalty.

It was the first time the president’s signature has appeared in the Official Gazette since his latest cancer surgery in Cuba more than five weeks ago. The decree issued Tuesday and published in the government newspaper Wednesday names former Vice President Elias Jaua as Venezuela’s new foreign minister. The signature is printed along with the presidential stamp.

Current Vice President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in charge of the country during Chavez’s recovery, announced Jaua’s appointment Tuesday at a National Assembly session.

Panetta visits pope, asks for prayer

VATICAN CITY - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta took a break Wednesday from war planning and leading the world’s most powerful military to pay his respects to Pope Benedict XVI, a champion of peace.

Panetta, an observant Catholic who speaks proudly of his Italian-American heritage, beamed as he sat in a front row reserved for VIPs during the pope’s weekly general audience in a Vatican auditorium.

After listening to a papal address in several languages, Panetta and three of his military aides lined up, along with dozens of other Catholics, to meet Benedict and receive his blessing.

Afterward, Panetta said the pontiff told him, “Thank you for helping to keep the world safe.”

The Pentagon chief said he replied, “Pray for me.”

Panetta’s aides said it was his third papal audience. The first took place when he went to Rome as President Bill Clinton’s chief of staff and met with Pope John Paul II. He met with John Paul again when the pope visited Washington.

Panetta, 74, is visiting European capitals to meet with NATO allies during what he has said is “likely” to be his last international trip as defense secretary.

Front Section, Pages 5 on 01/17/2013