Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Iraq Islamists using children as suicide bombers: UN
• U.S. government spending bill to contain new funds to fight Ebola
• Udall apologizes for comments on slain hostages
• Obama to broaden US effort to combat militants
• Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT
• Kerry Says New 'Unity' Government in Iraq Is a 'Major Milestone'
• U.S. Congress seen approving funds if needed for Islamic State campaign
• Ex US envoy to contest asset freeze in Austria bank
• U.S. Air Marshal Stabbed with Mysterious Needle at an Airport in Nigeria
• Kerry vows 'enduring coalition' against IS
• Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT
• Iraqi parliament approves partial new Cabinet
• U.S. courts skeptical Arab allies in Islamic State fight
• Obama, Iraq's Abadi discuss Islamic State threat in call: White House
• Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT
• Kerry: New Iraq gov't is key to militants' defeat
• Kerry says formation of new Iraqi government a 'major milestone'
• How Obama plans to ace his big speech on ISIS
• Top Asian News at 10:00 p.m. GMT
• US says airstrike killed estimated 50 fighters
• US fears Islamic State group attack on Jordan
• Obama to meet with India's Modi on Sept. 29-30
• US-Japan group calls for finishing trade pact
• Foreign investors urged to join Tunisia democratic 'startup'
• Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT
• US faces Arab reluctance in Islamic State fight
• Iraqi parliament approves new government headed by Haider al-Abadi
• Washington Summit to Call Attention to Plight of Christians in the Middle East
• Bosnia court detains five Islamists under terrorism charges
• New U.N. rights boss warns of 'house of blood' in Iraq, Syria
• Top Asian News at 9:00 p.m. GMT
• Iraq MPs approve new government, Kerry to visit region
• Obama to press Congress for action on Islamic State
• Officer's widow sues Philadelphia-area gun dealer
• New VA chief: Veterans agency too complicated
• Ex-US diplomat Khalilzad contests financial probe
• Israel provides intelligence on Islamic State: Western diplomat
• Turkey to play role in fight against Islamic State
• Top Asian News at 8:30 p.m. GMT
• Stocks fall as oil price slump hits energy sector

Iraq Islamists using children as suicide bombers: UN Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:53 PM PDT Islamic fighters in Iraq have killed hundreds of children including in summary executions and used some as suicide bombers, the top UN envoy on children and armed conflict said Monday. "Up to 700 children have been killed or maimed in Iraq since the beginning of the year, including in summary executions," Leila Zerrougui told the UN Security Council.

U.S. government spending bill to contain new funds to fight Ebola Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:51 PM PDT By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Legislation to extend U.S. Speaking to reporters, Rogers said that he was reviewing the Obama administration's request for additional funds for efforts to fight the deadly virus, but declined to say whether the full amount would be granted. "We're looking at the numbers now." The Obama administration has requested an additional $88 million to fight Ebola as part of the spending bill, including $58 million to speed production of the ZMapp experimental antiviral drug and two Ebola vaccine candidates. The request also contains $30 million for additional staff at the Centers for Disease Control to coordinate the response to the epidemic.

Udall apologizes for comments on slain hostages Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:46 PM PDT DENVER (AP) — Sen. Mark Udall on Monday apologized for saying that two reporters beheaded by militants in the Middle East would agree that the United States should not "be impulsive" in responding to their deaths.

Obama to broaden US effort to combat militants Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:42 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will go on the offensive against the Islamic State group with a broader counterterror mission than he previously has been willing to embrace, U.S. officials said Monday. The new plan, however, still won't commit U.S. troops to a ground war against the brutal insurgency and will rely heavily for now on allies to pitch in for what could be an extended campaign.

Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:33 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

Kerry Says New 'Unity' Government in Iraq Is a 'Major Milestone' Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:32 PM PDT Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday hailed the formation of a new "unity" government in Iraq as a "major milestone" in the nation's battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Iraq's parliament approved what Kerry said was a " new and inclusive government" under the leadership of its recently appointed prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, although it left two critical security posts unfilled. President Obama has said for weeks that Abadi's ability to form a new government would be a critical step in unifying the country against ISIS, which had attracted support from Sunnis excluded from the government led by Nouri al-Maliki.

U.S. Congress seen approving funds if needed for Islamic State campaign Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:28 PM PDT President Barack Obama is expected to pursue a military campaign against Islamic State without seeking special congressional authority now but lawmakers said on Monday they would probably approve any request he made for extra funding. They said there was widespread support in Congress for attacks to stop the advance of the Sunni Islamist militant group, especially after the videotaped beheading of two American journalists by the Islamist group in the last three weeks. The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires that the president consult Congress before introducing U.S. The president, who campaigned for the White House in 2008 on getting U.S.

Ex US envoy to contest asset freeze in Austria bank Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:22 PM PDT The former US ambassador to Afghanistan on Monday vowed to fight a decision by Austrian authorities to freeze bank accounts belonging to his wife. Lawyers for Zalmay Khalilzad said in a statement that the diplomat and his wife, Cheryl Benard, were "vigorously contesting" the actions by Austrian prosecutors. "No charges have been brought anywhere in the world, including the United States and Austria, against Ambassador Khalilzad or Ms. Benard," lawyers Robert Buehler and Holger Bielesz said in response to reports in Austria.

U.S. Air Marshal Stabbed with Mysterious Needle at an Airport in Nigeria Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:21 PM PDT The [Air Marshal] reported that the subject stuck him with a syringe and it is believed he was injected with an unknown substance. After consultation with the consulate and physicians, the [Federal Air Marshal] was given precautionary medication." The air marshal is still being tested and treated for ailments in connection with the injection. The syringe was also transported, so it could be examined here by the FBI and CDC, which are both now investigating the incident.

Kerry vows 'enduring coalition' against IS Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:15 PM PDT Top US diplomat John Kerry vowed Monday to build an enduring international coalition to defeat the Islamic State, saying almost every nation had a role to play in eliminating the jihadists terrorizing Iraq and Syria. Speaking only hours before leaving on a mission to solidify the hardening front against the Islamic State (IS), Kerry praised the "new and exclusive" Iraqi cabinet agreed late Monday as a "major milestone" for the war-torn country. It had "the potential to unite all of Iraq's diverse communities," he said, referring to the sectarian divisions which have plagued the country for years. With over 40 nations already set to join the US-led coalition to fight the group also known as ISIL, Kerry said "now is the time for Iraq's leaders to govern their nation with the same vision and sense of purpose that helped to bring this new government together."

Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:03 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

Iraqi parliament approves partial new Cabinet Posted: 08 Sep 2014 04:02 PM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's parliament officially named Haider al-Abadi the country's new prime minister late Monday and approved most of his proposed Cabinet amid calls by the Arab League for its members to combat the Sunni militant group violently advancing across Iraq and Syria.

U.S. courts skeptical Arab allies in Islamic State fight Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:58 PM PDT By Jason Szep WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After threatening to destroy and degrade Islamic State militants, the United States will court skeptical Gulf Arab allies this week and consider expanding training and arming of moderate Syrian rebels to lead the fight against the jihadists. As U.S. ...

Obama, Iraq's Abadi discuss Islamic State threat in call: White House Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:38 PM PDT President Barack Obama phoned Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday to discuss Washington's commitment to help Baghdad's new government fight Islamic State militants, the White House said. "The president and the prime minister agreed on the importance of having the new government quickly take concrete steps to address the aspirations and legitimate grievances of the Iraqi people," the White House said in a statement. "The prime minister expressed his commitment to work with all communities in Iraq as well as regional and international partners to strengthen Iraq's capabilities to fight against this common enemy," the White House said. Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the formation of a new government in Baghdad as "a major milestone" for Iraq.

Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:33 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

Kerry: New Iraq gov't is key to militants' defeat Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:33 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry says Iraq has cleared a major milestone in the fight against the Islamic State militant group by forming a government that has pledged to ease sectarian tensions in the country.

Kerry says formation of new Iraqi government a 'major milestone' Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:13 PM PDT Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that the formation of a new, inclusive Iraqi government was "a major milestone" for the country as it fights Islamic State militants. Kerry told reporters at the State Department that the government formed on Monday in Baghdad had "the potential to unite all of Iraq's diverse communities for a strong Iraq, a united Iraq and give those communities a chance to build a future that all Iraqis desire." The new government headed by Haider al-Abadi, a Shi'ite Islamist, includes members of Iraq's Shi'ite majority and its Kurdish and Sunni minorities.

How Obama plans to ace his big speech on ISIS Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:08 PM PDT President Obama's speech Wednesday on the growing threat from Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria represents a major test of his leadership.

Top Asian News at 10:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 03:03 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

US says airstrike killed estimated 50 fighters Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:57 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says its latest airstrikes in Iraq killed an unusually large number of Islamic State fighters.

US fears Islamic State group attack on Jordan Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:53 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is stepping up its intelligence cooperation with Jordan, one of its most stalwart Middle East allies, concerned that the Arab country could be vulnerable to the Islamic State militant group.

Obama to meet with India's Modi on Sept. 29-30 Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:42 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama will welcome India's new prime minister, Narendra Modi , to the White House for a Sept. 29-30 visit aimed at repairing frayed relations between their countries.

US-Japan group calls for finishing trade pact Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:42 PM PDT Government officials from the United States and Japan called Monday for completion of an international trade agreement that they said would strengthen ties between the two allies and help both countries ...

Foreign investors urged to join Tunisia democratic 'startup' Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:40 PM PDT Tunisia on Monday urged foreign investment in its democratic "startup", three years after the country set the ball rolling on the Arab Spring uprisings that swept away long-time dictators. "To invest in Tunisia, in this startup, is to invest in democracy," Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa told an international investment conference in Tunis. His visiting French counterpart, Manuel Valls, backed the appeal. "At a time when chaos threatens Libya, when barbarity is rampant in Iraq and Syria, Tunisia needs all our support to continue on the path of democracy," he told participants.

Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:33 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

US faces Arab reluctance in Islamic State fight Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:33 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Stitching together a broad coalition to tackle the extremist Islamic State group hinges on overcoming the reluctance of U.S. allies in the Middle East who are deeply frustrated with a White House that they believe has been naive and weak on Syria's civil war.

Iraqi parliament approves new government headed by Haider al-Abadi Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:29 PM PDT Iraq's parliament approved a new government headed by Haider al-Abadi as prime minister on Monday night, in a bid to rescue Iraq from collapse, with sectarianism and Arab-Kurdish tensions on the rise. Abadi, a Shi'ite Islamist, included members of Iraq's Shi'ite majority and its Kurdish and Sunni minorities in his cabinet as he started his uphill task to unify the country after this summer's devastating loss of territory across northern Iraq to Islamic State fighters. Adel Abdel Mehdi from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq was named oil minister while Ibrahim Jafaari, a former premier, was named foreign minister.

Washington Summit to Call Attention to Plight of Christians in the Middle East Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:26 PM PDT WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The deteriorating situation facing millions of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East will be the focus of a bipartisan and ecumenical conference in the nation's capital next month.  The three-day event sponsored by In Defense of Christians (IDC) will feature speakers from all over the globe. The IDC Summit for Middle East Christians, whose theme is "Protecting and Preserving Christianity, Where It All Began", will be the first occasion in history where six Christian Patriarchs from the Middle East will gather together in the United States. IDC President Toufic Baaklini said, "For too long, Westerners have stood by, silent or unaware, while Christians and other groups in the Middle East have endured discrimination, persecution, and religious cleansing. Today, as the Islamic State continues its genocidal campaign against Christians in Iraq and Syria, the globe is finally awakening to their plight.

Bosnia court detains five Islamists under terrorism charges Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:16 PM PDT SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Bosnia's state court has ordered one-month detention for five Islamists charged with organizing and recruiting people to fight for radical groups in Syria and Iraq, the court said on Monday. The five were among 16 people who were detained last week in police raids across Bosnia on charges of financing terrorist activities and recruiting and fighting abroad, the first such security sweep since jail terms of up to 10 years were introduced in April for those activities. The move was aimed at discouraging young Bosnians from going to fight in Syria. ...

New U.N. rights boss warns of 'house of blood' in Iraq, Syria Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:13 PM PDT By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The new U.N. human rights chief urged world powers on Monday to protect women and minorities targeted by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, saying the fighters were trying to create a "house of blood." Jordan's Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, the first Muslim to hold the position, called for the international community to focus on ending the "increasingly conjoined" conflict in the two countries, and abuses in other hotspots from Ukraine to Gaza. Islamic State's Sunni Muslim fighters have over-run large parts of Syria and Iraq since June, declaring a cross-border caliphate.

Top Asian News at 9:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:04 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

Iraq MPs approve new government, Kerry to visit region Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:03 PM PDT Iraqi MPs approved a new cabinet on Monday but key security posts remained unfilled, as America's top diplomat prepared to visit the region to build a coalition against jihadists. New premier Haidar al-Abadi had come under heavy international pressure to form an inclusive government to win broad support against militants, led by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, who have seized much of the country's Sunni heartland. The outgoing government has faced criticism that by alienating the Sunni Arab minority, it helped create conditions that revitalised Sunni militants including IS. New UN human rights chief Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the atrocities IS had committed in areas under its control had shown Sunnis that jihadist rule promised only a "house of blood", while the head of Egypt's prestigious Al-Azhar religious institution also condemned the group.

Obama to press Congress for action on Islamic State Posted: 08 Sep 2014 02:01 PM PDT Obama administration officials will hold briefings this week and next for members of the U.S. Congress as the president makes his case for an offensive against Islamic State militants, congressional aides said on Monday. Administration officials will hold a briefing for all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, a House aide said.

Officer's widow sues Philadelphia-area gun dealer Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:55 PM PDT The widow of a suburban Philadelphia police officer fatally shot with a gun bought by a straw purchaser filed a lawsuit Monday against the gun dealer that sold the weapon two years ago. The lawsuit filed ...

New VA chief: Veterans agency too complicated Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:51 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Veterans Affairs Department with its 14 different password-protected websites is too complicated for most veterans to navigate, new Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald said Monday as he promised to make it easier for veterans to get disability benefits, health care, job training and other services.

Ex-US diplomat Khalilzad contests financial probe Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:46 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — A former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations has been caught up in a suspected money-laundering inquiry that led to a freeze on bank deposits he and his wife hold in Austria.

Israel provides intelligence on Islamic State: Western diplomat Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:45 PM PDT By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has provided satellite imagery and other intelligence in support of the U.S.-led aerial campaign against Islamic State in Iraq, a Western diplomat said on Monday. Israel's Defense Ministry neither confirmed nor denied involvement in any international efforts against the militant group. "We don't comment on any assistance by us, or if there is such assistance, in the fight against ISIS," said Yaacov Havakook, spokesman for ministry, using one of Islamic State's former names.

Turkey to play role in fight against Islamic State Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:45 PM PDT By Phil Stewart ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey is seeking specific roles in a U.S.-led coalition to battle Islamic State fighters, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said after talks with Turkish leaders on Monday, without revealing details. Turkey was the only Muslim nation in a "core coalition" of 10 countries which met on the sidelines of a NATO summit last week. "Today's meetings were a reaffirmation, clearly, of Turkey's commitment to be part of this effort, to destroy ISIL and everything that ISIL represents," Hagel said after talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and other leaders.

Top Asian News at 8:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:33 PM PDT BEIJING (AP) — When attackers from China's minority Uighurs killed 37 people in a July rampage in far western Xinjiang, police responded by gunning down at least 59 of them. When three Uighurs allegedly killed a top state-appointed Muslim cleric, police shot dead two of them. When security forces led a raid on 10 suspected Uighur terrorists, they fatally shot all but one. The incidents are part of a pattern raising concerns that Chinese police are excessively using deadly force in their bid to prevent more attacks by Uighur militants, who have killed dozens of civilians in train stations and other public places over the past few years. In some cities, patrolling SWAT units have already been authorized to shoot dead suspected terrorists without warning.

Stocks fall as oil price slump hits energy sector Posted: 08 Sep 2014 01:30 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — A retreat in oil and energy stocks pulled the rest of the U.S. stock market mostly lower Monday.

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