News Wrap: Shiite forces prepare for Ramadi counterattack

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• GWEN IFILL:

  Islamic State fighters in Iraq moved today to consolidate the capture of their newest prize, the city of Ramadi. At the same time, a new battle took shape. Some Shiite militiamen, allied with the Iraqi army, massed at a nearby base to prepare for a counterattack.

  In Washington, the fall of Ramadi struck sparks in Congress. House Speaker John Boehner blamed President Obama.

  REP. JOHN BOEHNER, Speaker of the House: The president's plan isn't working. It's time for him to come up with a real overarching strategy to defeat — to defeat the ongoing terrorist threat. When a major city in Iraq, Ramadi, gets overrun by ISIL and the administration says, well, it's just a temporary setback, it's 70 miles from Baghdad.

• GWEN IFILL:

  At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said the president is open to suggestions, but he counseled against overreacting.

• JOSH EARNEST, White House Press Secretary:

  I think this illustrates how important it is for us to maintain some perspective on this. We have had other periods of setback too that have been followed by shortly by important progress. This is something that the president is mindful of. And it's something that he's talking about with his national security team just about every day, including today.

• GWEN IFILL:

  Back in Baghdad, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi also came under pressure. Sunni lawmakers insisted on arming Sunni tribesmen immediately to battle ISIS. But Shiites argued the tribes have divided loyalties, and they warned the weapons are likely to end up in the hands of the militants.

  A historic peacemaking gesture played out today in Ireland. Britain's Prince Charles and Irish nationalist leader Gerry Adams met in Galway and shook hands. Then they met privately for 15 minutes. It came 36 years after an IRA bomb killed Lord Louis Mountbatten, the prince's great uncle. At the time, Adams was reputedly an IRA commander, and he defended the killing.

  Today, he sounded conciliatory.

• GERRY ADAMS, President, Sinn Fein:

  There has been a lot of hurt, and, thankfully, all of that and conflict is behind us, but the hurt isn't behind us. And I would like to think that today's engagement will be a symbolic, but also a practical step of facing into the future.

• GWEN IFILL:

  The IRA agreed to a permanent cease-fire in 2005, but splinter groups are still active. Adams now leads the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein Party.

  The investigation of a brazen jewelry robbery in London took a sudden new twist today. More than 200 Scotland Yard officers swooped down on alleged members of the gang behind the Easter weekend heist.

  Rohit Kachroo of Independent Television News reports.

• ROHIT KACHROO:

  These are the figures behind what might be a breakthrough in this investigation, 12 homes raided, nine men arrested, three of them pensioners, one aged 76.

  Audacious doesn't quite describe what happened here. Complex doesn't represent the investigation that followed when thieves broke through concrete walls. Scene of the diamond trade of 19th century became the scene of the crime of the 21st.

  Today, the police defended their work.

• OFFICER PETER SPINDLER, London Metropolitan Police Service:

  At times, we have been portrayed as if we'd acted like Keystone Cops. But I want to reassure you that, in the finest traditions of Scotland Yard, these detectives have done their utmost to bring justice for the victims of this callous crime.

• ROHIT KACHROO:

  That's a reference to allegations that officers didn't respond to an alarm quickly enough.

• CRAIG TURNER, Detective Superintendent, London Metropolitan Police Service:

  As a result of those searches, a significant amount of high-value property has been recovered. Again, I just urge victims to please stay patient. Police officers will be in contact with them in order that we can restore this property back to their rightful owners.

• ROHIT KACHROO:

  Scotland Yard officers are searching through what was found in all of today's raids. On first glance, it seems most of the property has been recovered. And, tonight, the arrested men, average age 62, are still being questioned.

• GWEN IFILL:

  Police have not put a price on how much the thieves got away with, but British news accounts say it could total $300 million.

  Back in this country, new research finds the rate of suicides for young black children nearly doubled between 1993 and 2012. The rate among white kids was down. The study was based at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The authors cited exposure to violence and stress as possible factors.

  The House gave final approval today to a bill aimed at ending sexual trafficking and slavery that had delayed the confirmation of Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Among other things, the bill creates a fund for victims. The measure already passed the Senate, and President Obama is expected to sign it.

  In economic news, Los Angeles will become the largest city in the nation to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour. The city council voted today to hike the wage for companies with at least 25 workers.

  On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 13 points to close above 18300. The Nasdaq fell eight points. And the S&P 500 lost one.

  And the New England Patriots have decided not to appeal their penalty for using underinflated footballs. Team owner Bob Kraft announced it again. He again criticized the NFL for fining the Super Bowl champions $1 million and taking away two draft picks, but he said he won't pursue the matter.

• ROBERT KRAFT, Owner, New England Patriots:

  I know that a lot of patriot fans are going to be disappointed in that decision, but I hope they trust my judgment and know that I really feel at this point in time that taking this off the agenda, this is the best thing for the New England Patriots, our fans, and the NFL.

• GWEN IFILL:

  The league has also suspended Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the first games of next season. The players union reaffirmed today that his appeal will go forward.