Suicide car bomber kills 33 at Baghdad funeral procession as Sunni extremists step up attacks

BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomber has struck a Shiite funeral procession, killing 33 people as suspected al-Qaida militants stepped up apparent efforts to provoke a counterattack by Shiite militias on Sunnis that could pave the way toward open sectarian warfare now that U.S. troops have left Iraq. The powerful Friday blast — the second deadliest attack in Iraq this month —…

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Obama seeking reforms to prevent gridlock and bar lawmakers from profiting from positions

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is pressing his case for changes in how the Senate does business, hoping to ease the partisan gridlock, and he wants to bar lawmakers from profiting from their service. In his radio and Internet address Saturday, Obama said many people he met during his five-state tour after his State of the Union address were optimistic but remained unsure "that the right thing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or the year after that." "And frankly, when you look at some of the things that go on in this town, who could blame them for being a little cynical?" Obama said. The president reiterated his calls for government reform made in Tuesday's address, saying he…