Mud wrestling photos from Iraq released
NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Photographs of scantily-clad U.S. women in a mud-filled kiddy pool have emerged from Camp Bucca, a military prison in Iraq.
The prison at Umm Qas, Iraq, where prisoners from the Abu Ghraib prison were transferred, had been described as a model of reform, reported the New York Daily News Monday.
But the photographs show a cheering male audience of about 30 men watching the mud wrestling match with most wearing t-shirts bearing U.S. Army logos, but at least one wearing a uniform.
While, the Camp Bucca pictures from last fall show only military personnel, they do show what some have described as a disconcerting lapse in discipline.
"It was basically a good-bye party for those of us who were leaving and a welcome party for those coming in," Sgt. Emil Ganim of the 160th Military Police Battalion, told the News. "It was a chance for people to blow off some steam before coming home after spending a year in a combat zone."
The event was allegedly coordinated by sergeants of the 160th, according to the initial investigation of the incident.
Governors want to work on Medicaid cure
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The nation's governors pledged Monday to work with the president and Congress on long-term solutions to the escalating cost of Medicaid.
The National Governors Association statement came after the release of President George W. Bush's budget proposed tax breaks to help reduce the number of uninsured Americans.
"The Medicaid program needs to be rethought and reformed," the association said in a statement. "It needs to redefine the federal-state role in a way that makes the states' financial commitment sustainable over the long-run."
The $300-million-a-year Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, but its costs have been escalating during recent years due to rising health care costs and an increasing number of uninsured Americans.
Medicaid has become the fastest growing segment of most state budgets. The governors want a joint resolution that avoids passing the cost to states through budget cuts or caps.
Bush administration officials Monday tried to ease concerns the proposed budget will bring cuts in the Medicaid program, which provides coverage for low-income people.
Judge won't block Army duty extensions
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A judge in Washington Monday refused to block the "stop-loss" extension of military service due to the Iraq war.
The suit was brought by eight members of the Army whose service was extended beyond their terms of service.
The group of soldiers is led by David Qualls, who was in the Army from 1986-1994. After his service, he enlisted in the Army National Guard in July 2003 for one year.
In mid-October 2003, however, the Army called Qualls to active duty and extended his expiration of service date from July 6, 2004, to Dec. 24, 2031, as authorized under the federal "stop-loss" statute.
Before their suit goes to trial, the eight asked for a judge's order keeping them in the United States during their service. When that was refused, Qualls asked for an injunction releasing him from service.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth denied the request, saying the suit was not likely to succeed and citing the harm to the Army.
Jihad: Israel must declare a cease-fire
GAZA, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A senior Islamic Jihad leader announced Monday the movement will not declare a cease-fire until Israel agrees to declare a cease-fire in return.
Nafez Azzam, Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza, said if Israel agrees to Palestinian demands, "the movement then will, of course, declare a cease-fire."
Azzam was speaking to reporters Monday night in Gaza, responding to a question related to reports saying Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas would declare a mutual cease fire with Israel during a Tuesday summit in Egypt.
"The position of the Islamic Jihad is clear in relation to the declaration of a cease-fire with Israel. If there is an Israeli commitment and actions on the ground, where we don't trust the Israelis, then our position would be positively declared," said Azzam.
He said, "The problem is not actually with the Palestinian armed resistance, the problem is with the occupation and the Israeli position."
