WEEK IN REVIEW

1: Bombs kill at least 33 people in Iraq

BAGHDAD — A new wave of car bombs ripped through commercial areas in the Iraqi capital and areas to the south Tuesday, killing at least 33 people and wounding dozens in the latest coordinated militant assault, officials said.

The blasts came as a firebrand Shiite cleric delivered a blistering criticism of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in a rare televised address. Muqtada al-Sadr also reiterated his earlier declaration that he was retiring from politics.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosives-laden parked cars that detonated Tuesday.

In Baghdad, four such bombings killed at least 17 people and wounded 49 others. The deadliest hit a bus station, leaving seven dead and 18 wounded.

2: Judge strikes down law for XL pipeline

LINCOLN, Neb. — A Nebraska judge on Wednesday struck down a law that allowed the Keystone XL pipeline to proceed through the state, a victory for opponents who have tried to block the project that would carry oil from Canada to Texas refineries.

Lancaster County Judge Stepha- nie Stacy issued a ruling that invalidated Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman’s approval of the route. Stacy agreed with opponents’ arguments that a law passed in 2011 improperly allowed Heineman to give TransCanada eminent domain powers within the state.

3: Obama has meeting with the Dalai Lama

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama met with the Dalai Lama at the White House on Friday over the stern objections of China.

Obama greeted the Dalai Lama while the Tibetan spiritual leader and fellow Nobel laureate was in the U.S. on a speaking tour. The meeting was closed to photographers, and the Dalai Lama left the White House without speaking to reporters.

The Dalai Lama told Obama he’s not seeking Tibetan independence, and both leaders said they hoped talks would resume between Beijing and the Dalai Lama’s representatives.

4: Indonesia embraces manta ray tourism

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is now the world’s largest sanctu- ary for manta rays, after officials were persuaded by evidence that the gentle giants known for delighting tourists are worth more alive than dead.

The government on Friday announced that manta rays within the archipelago’s 2.2 million square miles of ocean will be protected from fishing and export.

It will take time and cooperation at multiple levels to enforce the ban on poaching in the biggest global shark and ray fishery.

Conservationists point to simple economics as an incentive.