Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Syria peace talks take a break as rivals dig in
• More Snowden leaks - and this time Al Qaeda is the surveillance target
• Militants assault government building in Baghdad
• Iraq forces free hostages as January toll tops 900
• Half of U.S. nuclear missile wing implicated in cheating
• Shared moment of silence but little headway at Syria talks
• Suicide bombers storm Iraq ministry building, 24 killed
• Man admits transporting car bombs, suicide bombers: Lebanon
• Want to boycott Israel? 10 brands you can't use, from Pampers to Starbucks
• Insight: After Syria, al Qaeda expanding in Lebanon
• Gunmen storm Iraqi government building as Maliki shops for US helicopters
• Radical preacher rebukes extremists in Syria
• Soccer-Zico leaves Qatari club Al Gharafa
• PepsiCo holding benefit for veterans
• Militants storm Baghdad government office, kill 2
• The Artist Jihadists Want Dead
• MSNBC Head Honcho Admires Ailes
• Militants storm government office in Baghdad
• Top Asian News at 7:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 7:00 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 6:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 6:00 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 5:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 5:00 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 4:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 4:00 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 3:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 3:00 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 2:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 2:00 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 1:30 a.m. GMT
• Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT

Syria peace talks take a break as rivals dig in Posted: 30 Jan 2014 04:14 PM PST By Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - A first round of peace talks on Syria wraps up Friday with both sides in entrenched positions and the U.N. mediator expressing frustration that it had not even been possible to get agreement for an aid convoy to enter the besieged city of Homs. After a week of talks at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, the opposing sides in Syria's civil war were still stuck on the question of how to proceed. "I hope that in the next session, when we come back, we will be able to have a more structured discussion," mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said. He was "very, very disappointed" that a U.N. aid convoy was still waiting fruitlessly to enter the rebel-held Old City of Homs, where the United States says civilians are starving.

More Snowden leaks - and this time Al Qaeda is the surveillance target Posted: 30 Jan 2014 01:34 PM PST Earlier this week The New York Times and other newspapers, relying on power point slides stolen from the National Security Agency by Edward Snowden, reported that the US and Britain have been trying to develop better means to spy on the massive amounts of data filtering through smart phones and into the world's telecommunications networks. A particular target has been smartphone apps – everything from the popular game Angry Birds to photo uploading tools. According to dozens of previously undisclosed classified documents, among the most valuable of those unintended intelligence tools are so-called leaky apps that spew everything from the smartphone identification codes of users to where they have been that day. Since then, the agencies have traded recipes for grabbing location and planning data when a target uses Google Maps, and for vacuuming up address books, buddy lists, telephone logs and the geographic data embedded in photographs when someone sends a post to the mobile versions of Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, Twitter and other Internet services.

Militants assault government building in Baghdad Posted: 30 Jan 2014 01:25 PM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Gunmen and suicide bombers staged a brazen assault on a government building in Baghdad on Thursday, officials said, killing two people in the latest such attack in the heart of the Iraqi capital by militants trying to undermine further the Shiite-led government's shaky authority.

Iraq forces free hostages as January toll tops 900 Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:11 PM PST Iraqi forces ended a hostage-taking at a Baghdad government building killing four militants on Thursday, as nationwide violence took January's death toll past 900 with elections looming. The brazen assault on a building in the northeast of the capital came as security forces grapple with intensifying violence and an extended standoff with anti-government fighters in the western province of Anbar. It is likely to raise fresh concerns about the capabilities of Iraq's security forces amid fears the April 30 general election could be partially delayed, as was the case for provincial elections in April 2013. Six militants wearing suicide vests initially attempted to storm the building, which houses offices of a state-owned firm, by blowing up a minibus rigged with explosives at the main gate, police at the scene said.

Half of U.S. nuclear missile wing implicated in cheating Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:03 AM PST By Phil Stewart and David Alexander WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Just over half of the 183 nuclear missile launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana have been implicated in a widening exam cheating scandal, the Air Force said on Thursday, acknowledging it had "systemic" problem within its ranks. The cheating was discovered during an investigation into illegal drug possession among airmen, when test answers were found in a text message on one missile launch officer's cell phone. The Air Force initially said 34 officers either knew about the cheating or cheated themselves. But Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told a Pentagon news conference on Thursday that the total number of implicated officers had grown to 92, all of them at Malmstrom, one of three nuclear missile wings overseeing America's 450 inter-continental missiles, or ICBMs.

Shared moment of silence but little headway at Syria talks Posted: 30 Jan 2014 10:32 AM PST By Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - Opposing sides in Syria's civil war stood together in silence to honor victims of the three year conflict on Thursday, but week-old peace talks were still stuck on the question of how to proceed with just one day left before they head home. The United States said on Thursday it was concerned that Syria was falling behind in a schedule to ship out its chemical weapons stockpiles to be destroyed. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Syria had given up less than 5 percent of its chemical weapons arsenal and will miss a deadline next week to send all toxic agents abroad for destruction. The first talks between President Bashar al-Assad's government and his foes have been mired in rhetoric since they began a week ago in Geneva.

Suicide bombers storm Iraq ministry building, 24 killed Posted: 30 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST By Suadad al-Salhy BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Six suicide bombers burst into an Iraqi ministry building, took hostages and killed at least 24 people including themselves on Thursday before security forces regained control, security officials said. The brazen attack on the building belonging to the Ministry of Transportation in northeast Baghdad coincided with a month-long standoff between the Iraqi army and anti-government fighters in the western province of Anbar. No group claimed responsibility but suicide bombings in Iraq are the trademark of al-Qaeda linked groups. State buildings are a target for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its allies that have been regaining momentum in a campaign to destabilize the Shi'ite Muslim-led government.

Man admits transporting car bombs, suicide bombers: Lebanon Posted: 30 Jan 2014 10:15 AM PST A man arrested last week has confessed to transporting suicide bombers and car bombs between Syria and Lebanon, including to Beirut, the Lebanese army said Thursday. Omar Ibrahim al-Atrash, who was detained on January 22, admitted ties to three wanted individuals, as well as to the Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Al-Nusra Front, a statement said.

Want to boycott Israel? 10 brands you can't use, from Pampers to Starbucks Posted: 30 Jan 2014 10:02 AM PST Since 2005, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) has called on the international community to pressure Israel economically as "a form of civil resistance to Israeli occupation, colonialism, and apartheid." Here are 10 brands that BDS supporters have urged others to boycott, not to mention thousands of other products that contain or use Israeli-developed technology, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Skype, computer firewalls, and Microsoft XP. Proctor & Gamble, which produces Pampers, is one of the largest clients of an Israeli company that supplies diaper products, Avgol Nonwoven Industries. Avgol Nonwoven Industries runs a plant in the Barkan industrial complex, located near the West Bank settlement of Ariel.

Insight: After Syria, al Qaeda expanding in Lebanon Posted: 30 Jan 2014 07:13 AM PST By Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Faced with recent setbacks in Iraq and Syria, al Qaeda is slowly but firmly gaining influence in Lebanon, helped by the country's increasing sectarian violence and the turmoil caused by Syria's civil war, sources close to the group say. Lebanon, a small Mediterranean state with a fragile sectarian power sharing system, has seen the worst of the Syria's war spillover with car bombs in Beirut and Tripoli, gunfights in city streets and rocket fire in the Bekaa Valley. The violence is exacerbated by Lebanon's own sectarian divisions and entrenching them. Shi'ite Hezbollah supports President Bashar al-Assad while his rebel opponents are backed by Sunni Muslims including Islamists and al Qaeda fighters.

Gunmen storm Iraqi government building as Maliki shops for US helicopters Posted: 30 Jan 2014 06:43 AM PST The Shiite-led Iraqi government, which is struggling to expel Al Qaeda-linked militants from Anbar Province and to calm sectarian attacks throughout the country, faced a direct challenge in Baghdad today when gunmen stormed a government building and took workers hostage. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but government buildings have been previously targeted by Sunni militants. Casualties have continued to rise in the new year, and the government faces a prolonged conflict with Al Qaeda-linked fighters in western Anbar Province. Iraq has repeatedly requested greater military assistance from the US, and earlier this week, the US announced plans to sell 24 Apache attack helicopters to the US at a cost of $4.8 billion, Agence France-Presse reports.

Radical preacher rebukes extremists in Syria Posted: 30 Jan 2014 05:57 AM PST AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A radical preacher deported from Britain who faces terrorism charges in his native Jordan has criticized one of the main extremist groups in Syria, saying it was "ignoring instructions" from al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahri.

Soccer-Zico leaves Qatari club Al Gharafa Posted: 30 Jan 2014 04:13 AM PST Former Brazil World Cup player Zico has left his job as coach of Qatari club Al Gharafa just under six months into a two-year contract, he said on his website. Zico said that he had "entered into an agreement for the amicable cancelation" of his contract after his team suffered three defeats in a row. "Unfortunately, we didn't get the results and football is like that," said Zico, who played at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups and is widely regarded as one of the finest players Brazil has produced. "I was very well received by everyone here and the club has always behaved in a correct and proper manner." Zico's coaching career has been marked by ups and downs.

PepsiCo holding benefit for veterans Posted: 30 Jan 2014 04:13 AM PST PepsiCo Inc. is making a $1 million donation and streaming a live concert Friday to benefit injured military veterans and their families. The company said it would stream a show featuring comic Jon Stewart ...

Militants storm Baghdad government office, kill 2 Posted: 30 Jan 2014 04:04 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Militants stormed a government office in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least two employees and triggering a firefight with police as security forces besieged the building official said.

The Artist Jihadists Want Dead Posted: 30 Jan 2014 02:45 AM PST Raed Fares is the mastermind behind a campaign to help ordinary Syrians stand up to jihadists terrorizing their town —a valiant act that prompted an assassination attempt.

MSNBC Head Honcho Admires Ailes Posted: 30 Jan 2014 02:45 AM PST He just shook up the network's daytime schedule with two new hires. Lloyd Grove chats with the man in charge about his cohorts, competitors and companions.

Militants storm government office in Baghdad Posted: 30 Jan 2014 02:24 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi official says militants have stormed a government office in eastern Baghdad, triggering a firefight with police and a siege of the building by security forces.

Top Asian News at 7:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 11:32 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Dragging a heavy suitcase through a Shanghai subway station, 17-year-old Linghu Yong prepared himself to cram onto a jam-packed train Thursday for the 30-hour trip home to spend the Lunar New Year with his family. And he was one of the lucky ones. Crowds of other migrant workers were still camped out for the often dayslong wait for a ticket.

Top Asian News at 7:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 11:02 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Chinese communities around the world are gearing up Thursday for the Lunar New Year holiday that begins at midnight. Mainland China will virtually shut down for the next seven days, and many residents of the polluted capital, Beijing, already have departed for holiday destinations. A continuing campaign against waste and corruption foreshadows more modest celebrations this year, while a crackdown on air pollution seems to be reining in the usual orgy of fireworks.

Top Asian News at 6:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 10:33 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Chinese communities around the world are gearing up Thursday for the Lunar New Year holiday that begins at midnight. Mainland China will virtually shut down for the next seven days, and many residents of the polluted capital, Beijing, already have departed for holiday destinations. A continuing campaign against waste and corruption foreshadows more modest celebrations this year, while a crackdown on air pollution seems to be reining in the usual orgy of fireworks.

Top Asian News at 6:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 10:02 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Chinese communities around the world are gearing up Thursday for the Lunar New Year holiday that begins at midnight. Mainland China will virtually shut down for the next seven days, and many residents of the polluted capital, Beijing, already have departed for holiday destinations. A continuing campaign against waste and corruption foreshadows more modest celebrations this year, while a crackdown on air pollution seems to be reining in the usual orgy of fireworks.

Top Asian News at 5:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 09:32 PM PST GAUHATI, India (AP) — Police say at least 10 people were shot to death when a mob attacked a village over a land dispute in a densely-forested area in India's remote northeast. Police official Sanjukta Parashar says 12 others were injured in Wednesday's assault when the attackers fired hunting guns on villagers in northern Assam. The attackers crossed over from the neighboring state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Top Asian News at 5:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 09:02 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 4:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:32 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 4:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:03 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 3:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 07:32 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 3:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 07:03 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 2:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 06:32 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 2:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 06:03 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 1:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 05:33 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jan 2014 05:02 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Hotel occupancy rates in central Bangkok have plunged. Conventions have been canceled. Business deals have been postponed. Tourist bookings for coming months are way down. The latest spasm in Thailand's near decade of political upheaval is taking an economic toll as anti-government protesters barricade Bangkok's major intersections and confrontations between protesters and supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra periodically flare into deadly clashes.

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