25 Iraqi police die in shooting spree

March 6, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

BAGHDAD

Assailants waving the battle flag of al-Qaida gunned down 25 policemen Monday in a brazen and well-orchestrated challenge to government control over a strategic town fraught with Iraq-war symbolism.

The attack replicated tactics used by Sunni insurgents during the war and appeared aimed at reasserting al-Qaida’s grip now that the Iraqis no longer can rely on American help.

The attackers drove through the town of Haditha claiming to be government officials and methodically executed guards and commanders. After half an hour, they escaped into the desert, leaving a terrified populace demanding protection.

Study: Cellphone ban has big effect

SAN JOSE, Calif.

California drivers squawked, they talked, and one or two even balked at having cellphones ripped from their hands when the state law forbidding the use of hand-held phones on the road went into effect in 2008. But according to a study announced Monday by the state Office of Traffic Safety, since that time the total number of traffic deaths in California declined by 22 percent. With fewer drivers yakking into hand-held phones, the death-by- cellphone rate dropped an even more stunning 47 percent.

“Those are huge numbers,” said state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, author of the bill whose outcome the study tracked. Simitian submitted a version of the bill for five-consecutive years and was rebuffed each time, before the Legislature finally relented in 2006.

Obama to speak at Joplin graduation

COLUMBIA, Mo.

President Barack Obama will speak at Joplin High School’s commencement, a year after a tornado struck just after the ceremony, killing more than 160 people and destroying much of the city.

The high school was among the thousands of homes and buildings destroyed, and students have been attending classes in a nearby mall this year. Word traveled quickly through the student body Monday after the White House announced the president would speak at the May 21 graduation. He’ll also deliver remarks at Barnard College’s May 14 commencement and the Air Force Academy’s May 23 graduation.

Suit: Paula Deen condones racism

ATLANTA

A former employee of a restaurant co-owned by Paula Deen sued the celebrity cook Monday, accusing her of condoning an atmosphere of sexual harassment and racism in her high-profile culinary empire. The lawsuit also accuses Deen of referring to black people with a racial epithet.

The civil complaint, which was filed in state court in Savannah, Ga., was brought by Lisa T. Jackson, a former manager at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, one of five restaurants in Deen’s group. The restaurant is co-owned by Deen and her brother, Earl W. “Bubba” Hiers.

Egyptian lawmaker is out over nose job

CAIRO

A lawmaker from Egypt’s most conservative Islamist party resigned from parliament after he was caught lying to cover up a nose job, claiming the injuries to his heavily bandaged face were from a carjacking and beating.

Parliament member Anwar al-Balkimy represented the Al-Nour party, whose members known as Salafis follow a strict interpretation of Islam that forbids cosmetic surgery as meddling in God’s work.

The party said Monday that he had resigned, and Al-Nour was forced to issue an embarrassing and apologetic statement.

Combined dispatches