Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• 'ZERO DARK THIRTY' IS A WINDOW INTO THE FUTURE
• US commandos boost numbers to train Mexican forces
• Opinions vary as Colorado movie theater reopens
• Syrian pro-regime gunmen kill more than 100
• U.S. soldier charged in Afghan massacre had PTSD: lawyer
• Judge orders sanity review in Afghan massacre case
• Belmokhtar burnishes jihadi credentials with Algeria attack
• More than half Syria refugees are children: U.N.
• Islamists promise fight across Sahara, but response disjointed
• 'Twentieth Century Limited' - A Celebrated Newsman Confronts America’s Partisan Divide
• U.S. soldier accused of Afghan killings diagnosed with PTSD: lawyer
• Europe backs French Mali mission with strong words, modest means
• Some victims to attend ceremony at Colo. theater
• THE RESET: Obama rounding out his second-term team
• Staff Sgt. Bales defers plea in Afghan massacre
• Bombs in Iraq kill 26, mostly Shiite pilgrims
• U.S. troops in Italy quiz Panetta about looming budget cuts
• News Summary: Iraq may put BP on Kirkuk oil field
• Iraq considering BP for work on Kirkuk oil field
• Mali, Algeria, and the Shadow of Colonialism
• Who Is Denis McDonough, Obama's Expected Pick for Chief of Staff?
• Thousands rally for funeral of slain Kurdish activists
• Aurora victims hold remembrance at movie theater
• Syrian activists: More than 100 killed in village
• Bombs in Iraq kill 24, mostly Shiite pilgrims
• Could States Stymie Gun Control Push?
• Tens of thousands attend Kurdish funeral in Turkey
• Army seeks to bar mental health defense by Bales
• Libya, Egypt make democratic gains in 2012: U.S.-based watchdog
• Bombs in Iraq kill 22, mostly Shiite pilgrims
• U.S. military to arraign soldier accused of Afghan massacre
• Bombs in Iraq kill 22, mostly pilgrims
• Car bombs in Iraq kill 15
• AP Exclusive: Army seeks to bar any mental health defence by Bales in Afghan massacre
• US Helping but Hesitant on Mali Intervention
• Iraqi officials: Car bomb kills 4 Shiite pilgrims
• Soccer-Saudi Arabia sack Dutch coach Rijkaard

'ZERO DARK THIRTY' IS A WINDOW INTO THE FUTURE Posted: 17 Jan 2013 04:32 PM PST WASHINGTON -- For those of us who think we have seen every war film Hollywood can offer, I have a surprise for you: "Zero Dark Thirty" rates up there on the topmost level with "Sergeant York," "From Here to Eternity" and "The Bridge on the River Kwai."Doubtless Americans are rushing to see it because they feel they know the "real story" about how American SEALs, backed by the CIA and special operations forces, were able to get Osama bin Laden.There he had been, the world's "most wanted" ideological renegade and killer, in a secret, grimy, three-story house in suburban Pakistan. ...

US commandos boost numbers to train Mexican forces Posted: 17 Jan 2013 04:06 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is stepping up aid for Mexico's bloody drug war with a new U.S.-based special operations headquarters to teach Mexican security forces how to hunt drug cartels the same way special operations teams hunt al-Qaida, according to documents and interviews with multiple U.S. officials.

Opinions vary as Colorado movie theater reopens Posted: 17 Jan 2013 03:56 PM PST AURORA, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado cinema where 12 people were killed and dozens injured in a shooting rampage nearly six months ago reopens Thursday with a remembrance ceremony and a private screening of the fantasy film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" for survivors — but for some Aurora victims, the pain is still too much, the idea too horrific.

Syrian pro-regime gunmen kill more than 100 Posted: 17 Jan 2013 03:31 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — Gunmen loyal to President Bashar Assad swept through a mainly Sunni farming village in central Syria this week, torching houses and killing more than 100 people, including women and children, opposition activists said Thursday.

U.S. soldier charged in Afghan massacre had PTSD: lawyer Posted: 17 Jan 2013 03:25 PM PST TACOMA, Washington (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier charged with capital murder in the slayings of 16 civilians near his military post in Afghanistan was diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury prior to the killings, his lawyer said on Thursday. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Robert Bales, a decorated veteran of four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan who is accused of gunning down the villagers, mostly women and children, in cold blood during two rampages through their family compounds in Kandahar province last March. ...

Judge orders sanity review in Afghan massacre case Posted: 17 Jan 2013 02:09 PM PST SEATTLE (AP) — An Army staff sergeant accused of massacring Afghan civilians must undergo an official sanity review before a mental health defense can be presented, the military judge overseeing the case said Thursday.

Belmokhtar burnishes jihadi credentials with Algeria attack Posted: 17 Jan 2013 01:41 PM PST LONDON (Reuters) - Mokhtar Belmokhtar lost an eye fighting in Afghanistan, swears allegiance to al Qaeda and named his son after Osama bin Laden. As the assumed mastermind behind the seizure of foreign hostages at a gas plant in the Sahara, he has put Algeria back on the map of global jihad 20 years after its civil war made the country the theatre of a bloody Islamist struggle for power. He has also burnished his jihadi credentials by showing that al Qaeda remains a potent threat to Western interests despite the death of its leader in Pakistan in 2011. ...

More than half Syria refugees are children: U.N. Posted: 17 Jan 2013 01:39 PM PST NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than half the 642,000 refugees who have sought refuge from the Syrian conflict in neighboring countries are children and the number of people fleeing could almost double by June, said a senior U.N. official on Thursday. Panos Moumtzis, the U.N. Refugee Agency regional coordinator for Syrian refugees, said plans were in place to help 4 million people in Syria - 2 million who had been displaced and 2 million who need help in their homes - and up to 1.1 million refugees. "We're really talking about helping a quarter of the Syrian population. ...

Islamists promise fight across Sahara, but response disjointed Posted: 17 Jan 2013 01:36 PM PST In Mali, French forces are today fighting their way north up the Niger River to face insurgents. In Algeria, the Army is trying to free hostages at a remote gas plant, using helicopters, and with apparent collateral damage.

'Twentieth Century Limited' - A Celebrated Newsman Confronts America’s Partisan Divide Posted: 17 Jan 2013 01:08 PM PST HIGHPOINT PRESS releases Jan David Blais' epic novel of courage and its consequences.Watertown, MA (PRWEB) January 17, 2013 A Vietnam Vet overcomes disabling injuries to become an award-winning reporter and TV newsman. Known for holding a mirror to American society, long critical the radical right, Paul Bernard attacks the Bush Administration for Osama bin Laden's escape and for leading the nation into a disastrous war. On assignment in Iraq he is killed under suspicious circumstances. ...

U.S. soldier accused of Afghan killings diagnosed with PTSD: lawyer Posted: 17 Jan 2013 12:44 PM PST TACOMA, Washington (Reuters) - A decorated U.S. soldier accused of killing civilians in two forays from his military base in Afghanistan last year has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, his civilian lawyer said on Thursday. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for U.S. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, a veteran of four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan who is accused of gunning down the villagers - mostly women and children - in their homes in two villages in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. ...

Europe backs French Mali mission with strong words, modest means Posted: 17 Jan 2013 12:07 PM PST As France continued its military intervention in Mali in the wake of a reportedly deadly Algerian army attempt to rescue hostages at a natural gas field deep in the Sahara Desert on Thursday, its European partners offered plenty of rhetorical solidarity but little concrete support for the operation.

Some victims to attend ceremony at Colo. theater Posted: 17 Jan 2013 11:55 AM PST AURORA, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado movie theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others reopens Thursday with a private ceremony for victims, first responders and officials — an event boycotted as insensitive by some who lost loved ones in the massacre.

THE RESET: Obama rounding out his second-term team Posted: 17 Jan 2013 10:25 AM PST Just days before he again takes the oath of office, President Barack Obama is rounding out his Cabinet and White House staff while bracing for major economic and foreign policy storms.Just when one crisis ...

Staff Sgt. Bales defers plea in Afghan massacre Posted: 17 Jan 2013 10:03 AM PST SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. soldier accused of carrying out the massacre of 16 Afghan civilians during nighttime raids on two villages last year deferred entering a plea Thursday to charges that could bring the death penalty.

Bombs in Iraq kill 26, mostly Shiite pilgrims Posted: 17 Jan 2013 09:45 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Insurgents unleashed a string of bomb attacks mainly targeting Shiite Muslim pilgrims across Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 26 people and extending a deadly wave of bloodshed into a second day.

U.S. troops in Italy quiz Panetta about looming budget cuts Posted: 17 Jan 2013 09:31 AM PST VICENZA, Italy (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday that Congress should "suck it up" and show the leadership needed to fix the fiscal crisis that has thrown Pentagon budgeting into confusion and threatened national security. Responding to questions from Army soldiers worried about looming spending cuts, Panetta said the Defense Department faced a "perfect storm" in the coming months. He cited the need for the U.S. debt ceiling to be raised, the Pentagon's current funding approval due to expire, and $500 billion in spending cuts about to go into effect. ...

News Summary: Iraq may put BP on Kirkuk oil field Posted: 17 Jan 2013 09:13 AM PST DISPUTED TERRITORY: Iraq is considering a proposal from British oil giant BP PLC to begin work on a major oil field that lies in territory claimed by both Baghdad and the country's Kurdish minority.POTENTIAL: ...

Iraq considering BP for work on Kirkuk oil field Posted: 17 Jan 2013 08:31 AM PST Iraq is considering a proposal for British oil giant BP PLC to begin work on a major oil field that lies in territory contested by Baghdad and the country's Kurdish minority, officials said Thursday.If ...

Mali, Algeria, and the Shadow of Colonialism Posted: 17 Jan 2013 08:08 AM PST On one level, Mokhtar "Marlboro Man" Belmokhtar is just another lone Islamist warlord, pursuing his own private jihad in the Sahara Desert. But a deeper look at the Algerian terrorist's biography tells a larger story of how, for many decades, various kinds of Western intervention in the region have helped to create and shape the Belmokhtars of the jihadist world.

Who Is Denis McDonough, Obama's Expected Pick for Chief of Staff? Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:50 AM PST President Obama is poised to tap Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough to become his next chief of staff, turning to a member of his close inner circle to fill one of the most important jobs in his administration.

Thousands rally for funeral of slain Kurdish activists Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:16 AM PST DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Kurds poured onto the streets of the Turkish city of Diyarbakir on Thursday for the funeral of three Kurdish activists killed in Paris, chanting slogans as coffins passed through the crowds. The three women, including a co-founder of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), died last week in execution-style shootings which many saw as an attempt to derail a nascent peace process between Ankara and the guerrillas after three decades of conflict. ...

Aurora victims hold remembrance at movie theater Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:03 AM PST The Colorado movie theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others reopens Thursday with a private ceremony for victims, first responders and officials — an event boycotted as insensitive ...

Syrian activists: More than 100 killed in village Posted: 17 Jan 2013 06:50 AM PST BEIRUT (AP) — Forces loyal to President Bashar Assad swept through a small farming village in central Syria this week, torching houses and shooting and stabbing residents in an attack that killed up to 106 people, including women and children, activists said Thursday.

Bombs in Iraq kill 24, mostly Shiite pilgrims Posted: 17 Jan 2013 06:48 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Insurgents unleashed a string of bomb attacks mainly targeting Shiite Muslim pilgrims across Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 24 people and extending a wave of deadly bloodshed into a second day.

Could States Stymie Gun Control Push? Posted: 17 Jan 2013 06:33 AM PST By MICHAEL FALCONE (@michaelpfalcone NOTABLE: STATE OF THE STATES: No sooner had President Barack Obama laid out his gun control proposals Wednesday, than some states responded, saying they would move to block the laws' enforcement. Some state legislators were even working feverishly to block the measures before...

Tens of thousands attend Kurdish funeral in Turkey Posted: 17 Jan 2013 05:52 AM PST DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AP) — Tens of thousands gathered Thursday for the funeral ceremony of three Kurdish activists who were shot dead in Paris in an attack many believe was an attempt to derail peace talks. Kurdish legislators, meanwhile, vowed to support peace efforts to end the decades-long conflict between Turkey and autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels.

Army seeks to bar mental health defense by Bales Posted: 17 Jan 2013 05:46 AM PST SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. Army wants to bar Staff Sgt. Robert Bales from using any sort of mental health defense to charges that he slaughtered 16 Afghan villagers last year because he has refused to take part in an official review of his sanity, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Libya, Egypt make democratic gains in 2012: U.S.-based watchdog Posted: 17 Jan 2013 04:34 AM PST KUWAIT (Reuters) - Countries whose leaders were overthrown in the "Arab Spring" revolts of 2011 mostly made democratic gains in 2012 but the uprisings triggered crackdowns elsewhere in the region, an annual survey of political and civil liberties around the world showed. Libya improved the political rights of its citizens significantly in 2012 by holding successful elections and Egypt's progress was described as "modest", according to Freedom House, a U.S.-based advocate for spreading democracy. ...

Bombs in Iraq kill 22, mostly Shiite pilgrims Posted: 17 Jan 2013 03:40 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Insurgents unleashed a string of bomb attacks mainly targeting Shiite Muslim pilgrims across Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 22 people and extending a wave of deadly bloodshed into a second day.

U.S. military to arraign soldier accused of Afghan massacre Posted: 17 Jan 2013 03:04 AM PST SEATTLE (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 villagers in Afghanistan is due to be arraigned on Thursday on charges of premeditated murder, for which military prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Robert Bales, a veteran of four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is accused of gunning down the villagers - mostly women and children - in their homes in two villages in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. The shootings occurred over a five-hour period in March. It was one of the deadliest incidents the military has blamed on a rogue U.S. ...

Bombs in Iraq kill 22, mostly pilgrims Posted: 17 Jan 2013 01:45 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Insurgents unleashed a string of bomb attacks mainly targeting Shiite Muslim pilgrims across Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 22 people and extending a wave of deadly bloodshed into a second day.

Car bombs in Iraq kill 15 Posted: 17 Jan 2013 12:57 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi provincial health official says two car bombs have killed at least 11 Shiite pilgrims north of Baghdad, bringing the day's death toll in a series of attacks to 15.

AP Exclusive: Army seeks to bar any mental health defence by Bales in Afghan massacre Posted: 17 Jan 2013 12:52 AM PST SEATTLE - The U.S. Army seeks to bar Staff Sgt. Robert Bales from using any sort of mental health defence to charges that he slaughtered 16 Afghan villagers last year because he has refused to take part in an official review of his sanity, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

US Helping but Hesitant on Mali Intervention Posted: 16 Jan 2013 11:52 PM PST US aiding intervention efforts in Mali but clear about what its involvement won't entail

Iraqi officials: Car bomb kills 4 Shiite pilgrims Posted: 16 Jan 2013 11:39 PM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi authorities say a car bomb has killed four Shiite pilgrims as they were heading to shrines in the country's south.

Soccer-Saudi Arabia sack Dutch coach Rijkaard Posted: 16 Jan 2013 05:55 PM PST Jan 17 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia have sacked Frank Rijkaard as coach of the national soccer team after 18 months in charge, the country's football federation has announced. Rijkaard signed a three-year deal in July 2011 but a disappointing Gulf Cup of Nations campaign this month prompted the Dutchman's dismissal halfway through the contract. Saudi Arabia failed to make it past the group stage in Bahrain, recording a solitary win over Yemen but losing twice to Iraq and Kuwait. "After a long FA board meeting on Wednesday we agreed with Mr. ...

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