Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Why is everyone in Britain wearing a red poppy?
• Michelle Obama cheers on women veterans
• Canadian-Israeli woman joins Kurds fighting Islamic State: radio
• Jordan airlifts aid to Iraq's Anbar province
• Kin of dead US soldiers sue 5 banks over Iran dealings
• 50 US troops arrive in western Iraq: Pentagon 
• Syria's Assad says UN truce plan 'worth studying'
• US budget first Republican fight after midterm win
• Why ‘chief customer-service officer’ could hold key to Veterans Affairs reset
• Coffee titan shines light on veterans
• Egypt jihadists vow loyalty to IS as Iraq probes leader's fate
• Pentagon can't confirm fate of IS leader
• Bunker Hill Community College Celebrates Veterans Day with Author Rye Barcott
• U.S. veterans sue banks, claim they should pay for Iraq attacks
• Chris Marvin sees US veterans as assets, not victims
• British drones strike IS jihadists in Iraq
• Egypt jihadists seek reinforcements with IS allegiance
• France, Tunisia pledge to act against jihadists
• Dozens of U.S. troops on ground in Iraq's restive Anbar province
• After midterm sweep, Canadian asks: 'What were you thinking, America?'
• Britain launches first drone strike in Iraq against Islamic State
• Ice-T, military dogs to appear on NYC parade float
• Egyptian militants pledge allegiance to IS group
• Lame-duck Congress: What four issues can't be ignored?
• Writing workshop helps vets get memories on paper
• U.S. to deliver Iraqi F-16s to Arizona, where pilots training: Pentagon
• Comoros offer highlights plight of Kuwait stateless
• US faces last best chance on Iran nuke deal
• Notorious hacktivist shares methods, motives
• What is George W. Bush's only regret over invading Iraq?
• Aide to Islamic State's Baghdadi killed near Falluja: Iraqi TV
• To ease Sunni fears, Iraq orders Shi'ite militias back from front line
• Congress returns for lame-duck session
• US says IS leader not targeted in Iraq
• U.S. can't confirm reports Islamic State leader killed, wounded
• What's known after IS leader reportedly wounded
• The Gay Republicans Who Missed the Wave
• UK drone attacks Islamic State group extremists
• U.S., allies launch barrage of airstrikes against Islamic State

Why is everyone in Britain wearing a red poppy? Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:00 PM PST It's a symbol as rooted in the British autumnal calendar as Halloween and Bonfire Night: the poppy.

Michelle Obama cheers on women veterans Posted: 10 Nov 2014 03:59 PM PST ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Michelle Obama is telling women to be bold in their next career step.

Canadian-Israeli woman joins Kurds fighting Islamic State: radio Posted: 10 Nov 2014 03:38 PM PST JERUSALEM/OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian-born woman who emigrated to Israel and served in its military has joined Kurdish militants fighting Islamic State insurgents in northern Syria, Israel Radio reported on Monday. The Canadian foreign affairs ministry would only say, "We are aware of reports that a Canadian individual has joined Kurdish forces." The Israel Radio report, which identified the woman as 31 years old and a resident of Tel Aviv, said she had contacted Kurdish fighters over the Internet before traveling through Iraq to train at one of their camps on the Syrian border. ...

Jordan airlifts aid to Iraq's Anbar province Posted: 10 Nov 2014 03:14 PM PST Jordan has flown humanitarian aid to Iraq's western Anbar province, where jihadists from the Islamic State group have seized ground and sown fear among the population, the royal court said Monday. "A Royal Air Force aircraft laden with huge quantities of humanitarian aid and other supplies to the Iraqi people... landed at the Ain al-Assad airport" in Anbar, a statement said.

Kin of dead US soldiers sue 5 banks over Iran dealings Posted: 10 Nov 2014 02:51 PM PST Families of US soldiers killed in Iraq and soldiers wounded there in attacks linked to Iran sued five European banks Monday, alleging their business with Iran helped finance the attacks. HSBC, Credit Suisse, Standard Chartered, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Barclays Bank were sued in the federal district court in Brooklyn, New York, over their already admitted banking business with Iran in violation of US sanctions. RBS was accused over activities of ABN Amro, the Dutch bank taken over by RBS in 2008.

50 US troops arrive in western Iraq: Pentagon  Posted: 10 Nov 2014 02:37 PM PST US troops have deployed to Iraq's frontline western province of Anbar for the first time in the fight against Islamic State jihadists, with 50 preparing the way for a larger contingent, the Pentagon said Monday. "I can confirm that approximately 50 US military personnel are visiting Al-Asad Air Base to conduct a site survey of facilities for potential future use as an advise and assist operation location in support of Iraq Security Forces," spokeswoman Commander Elissa Smith said. The move comes after President Barack Obama announced plans last week to double the number of American troops in Iraq, approving an additional 1,500 forces that will include trainers and advisers for Anbar. Parts of mainly-Sunni Anbar province have become a stronghold for the IS group and Iraqi forces have been on the retreat in recent weeks, falling back to the Asad air base.

Syria's Assad says UN truce plan 'worth studying' Posted: 10 Nov 2014 02:28 PM PST DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad said Monday that the U.N. envoy's proposal to implement a cease-fire in the embattled northern city of Aleppo was "worth studying."

US budget first Republican fight after midterm win Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:58 PM PST US lawmakers return to Washington on Wednesday for their first session since Republicans routed President Barack Obama's Democrats, facing the threat of yet another tough budget fight. Funding next year's government operations could emerge as a flash point in the "lame duck" session between last week's midterms and the arrival of newly-elected and re-elected members on January 3. Democrats, who will lose their Senate majority in the new Congress, would prefer to pass an "omnibus" spending package to fund federal operations through September 2015, the end of the fiscal year. Such a package is reportedly already under negotiation and passing an omnibus would prevent another all-out war over spending like the one that shuttered government for 16 days in October 2013, a crisis largely blamed on Republicans.

Why ‘chief customer-service officer’ could hold key to Veterans Affairs reset Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:54 PM PST Veterans frustrated by long delays for health care may have some ideas to share – not just anger to vent. And Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald says he wants to hear them.

Coffee titan shines light on veterans Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:53 PM PST The nation's capital will be rocking tonight as a star-studded group of performers including Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna take to the stage at the National Mall. It's all part of the Concert for Valor, a Veterans Day celebration sponsored by Starbucks, HBO and Chase.

Egypt jihadists vow loyalty to IS as Iraq probes leader's fate Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:46 PM PST The leader of the Islamic State organisation won the allegiance of Egypt's deadliest militant group Monday as Iraqi authorities investigated reports he had been killed or wounded in a US air strike. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meanwhile said he was ready to study a UN plan for local ceasefires in the battle-scarred northern city of Aleppo. Egypt's Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which has carried out a string of deadly attacks from its Sinai stronghold, pledged loyalty to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi -- the self-declared IS "caliph". Speculation has swirled that Baghdadi, whose group has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, was killed or wounded in a US strike Friday on jihadist leaders in northern Iraq, but there has been no confirmation.

Pentagon can't confirm fate of IS leader Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:45 PM PST The US military can not confirm reports that the Islamic State group leader may have been struck in an airstrike, but a Pentagon official suggested Monday that lower-level figures may have been hit. Speculation has swirled over the fate of jihadist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi after local claims that he was killed or wounded in a strike by the US-led air armada targeting his group. Baghdadi is the self-declared "caliph" of the radical group that has seized large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon has said strikes on Friday hit a gathering of IS leaders in the northern Iraq city of Mosul, prompting rumors of Baghdadi's demise.

Bunker Hill Community College Celebrates Veterans Day with Author Rye Barcott Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:23 PM PST BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Marine Rye Barcott visited Bunker Hill Community College on November 6 in honor of Veterans Day 2014. He met with students in the Learning Community Seminar Media Literacy in the 21st Century, enjoyed a lunch prepared by Culinary Arts students in the College dining room, stopped in at the Veterans Center, and signed copies of his book following a talk he delivered to an audience of faculty, staff, students and visitors.Drawing upon his experiences as both a U.S. ...

U.S. veterans sue banks, claim they should pay for Iraq attacks Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:16 PM PST By Alison Frankel NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wounded U.S. veterans and family members of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq sued five European banks on Monday, seeking to hold them responsible for shootings and roadside bombings because they allegedly processed Iranian money that paid for the attacks. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York, named Barclays Plc, Credit Suisse Group AG, HSBC Holdings Plc, Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and Standard Chartered. Barclays, Credit Suisse, RBS and Standard Chartered declined to comment. HSBC did not respond to requests for comment. ...

Chris Marvin sees US veterans as assets, not victims Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:08 PM PST America's veterans: Are they physically and mentally broken and in need of charity? Or are they strong, resourceful, and eager to keep serving others?

British drones strike IS jihadists in Iraq Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:04 PM PST London (AFP) - Britain has used its unmanned aerial drones in Iraq for the first time to strike Islamic State jihadists, the Ministry of Defence said Monday.

Egypt jihadists seek reinforcements with IS allegiance Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:50 PM PST Under increasing pressure from the military, Egypt's deadliest jihadist group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State organisation in a bid to boost recruitment and bolster its fight against the army, analysts say. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis (Partisans of Jerusalem) has waged an insurgency from its Sinai Peninsula stronghold that has killed scores of Egyptian police and soldiers since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last year. "(Ansar Beit al-Maqdis) seems to be looking to internationalise their position, perhaps in response to increasing pressure on the ground from the Egyptian security forces," said H.A. Hellyer, senior fellow in International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London. "They (Ansar Beit al-Maqdis) are suffering from lack of resources as Egyptian security forces besiege Sinai," said Eman Ragab, an expert on regional security at the Cairo-based Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.

France, Tunisia pledge to act against jihadists Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:44 PM PST France and Tunisia will cooperate in attempts to prevent citizens joining thousands of their nationals fighting alongside jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria, Paris' interior minister said Monday. Bernard Cazeneuve, on a visit to Tunis for talks with his counterpart Lofti Ben Jeddou, said the two discussed joint counter-terror measures against battle-hardened nationals "who could return to our countries and present a danger". He told reporters France and Tunisia had decided to focus on "deradicalisation, the question of preventing their departure and... deepening cooperation between our security services and police on these matters".

Dozens of U.S. troops on ground in Iraq's restive Anbar province Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:42 PM PST WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States has deployed a team of about 50 troops to an air base in Iraq's fiercely contested Anbar province to lay the groundwork for an advisory mission at the core of its campaign against Islamic State militants, officials said on Monday. President Barack Obama's administration announced last week plans to send up to 1,500 more forces to Iraq, roughly doubling the U.S. troop presence there as it expands its mission and starts training Iraqi forces. ...

After midterm sweep, Canadian asks: 'What were you thinking, America?' Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:33 PM PST However detested President Obama and his party may be to the many Americans who expressed their disapproval in a midterm election that has been called "Shellacking 2.0," the president can take comfort in the fact that he is loved by America's neighbor to the north.

Britain launches first drone strike in Iraq against Islamic State Posted: 10 Nov 2014 11:51 AM PST LONDON (Reuters) - Britain launched its first drone strike in Iraq against Islamic State (IS) fighters at the weekend, the government said on Monday, saying a Hellfire missile had been fired at militants laying improvised explosive devices. Britain's parliament approved air strikes against IS insurgents in Iraq in September and Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 fighter-bombers have since carried out dozens of combat missions as part of U.S.-led military action in the country. ...

Ice-T, military dogs to appear on NYC parade float Posted: 10 Nov 2014 11:37 AM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Ice-T will appear on a float with military dogs and their wartime handlers at New York's Veterans Day Parade.

Egyptian militants pledge allegiance to IS group Posted: 10 Nov 2014 11:33 AM PST CAIRO (AP) — Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a jihadi organization based in the Sinai Peninsula that has carried out a series of attacks targeting Egyptian security forces, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Lame-duck Congress: What four issues can't be ignored? Posted: 10 Nov 2014 11:07 AM PST After a little distraction called the election, Congress is coming back to work this week. Lawmakers will are launching a lame-duck session that will include important issues including funding for US military action against the Islamic State in Iraq, and pressure from the White House over immigration policy and the confirmation of a nominee for Attorney General.

Writing workshop helps vets get memories on paper Posted: 10 Nov 2014 11:02 AM PST HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) — Matt Phair wept as he wrote about the chaos he witnessed as a Marine in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War — desperate civilians scrambling to escape, military police casually shooting a pet dog, the air smelling of "burning buildings, gunpowder and death."

U.S. to deliver Iraqi F-16s to Arizona, where pilots training: Pentagon Posted: 10 Nov 2014 10:52 AM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraqi F-16 fighters whose delivery has been delayed by security concerns will be sent to Arizona beginning in December so Iraqi pilots training there can use them to keep up their skills after completing their initial course, the Pentagon said on Monday. The first three F-16 jet fighters will be delivered in December, with an additional plane being sent there each month thereafter through May, for a total delivery of eight aircraft, the Pentagon said. ...

Comoros offer highlights plight of Kuwait stateless Posted: 10 Nov 2014 10:36 AM PST Oil-rich Kuwait's announcement that tens of thousands of stateless people will be offered citizenship of the impoverished African nation of Comoros has highlighted their decades-old plight. The stateless people, known as bidoons, insist they were born and raised in Kuwait and thus have full rights to claim citizenship. Kuwait says a majority of the bidoons belong to other countries and that only 34,000 of them qualify for consideration of citizenship after meeting a set of stringent conditions.

US faces last best chance on Iran nuke deal Posted: 10 Nov 2014 10:12 AM PST MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — The Obama administration is facing its last best chance to curb Iran's nuclear program — not just to meet an end-of-the-month deadline for a deal, but also to seal one before skeptical Republicans who will control Congress next year are able to scuttle it.

Notorious hacktivist shares methods, motives Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:54 AM PST MANCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — Cocaine dealers, bank robbers and carjackers converge at Manchester Federal Prison in rural Kentucky — and then there is Jeremy Hammond, a tousle-haired and talented hacker whose nimble fingers have clicked and tapped their way into the nation's computing systems. Among those whose data he helped expose: the husband of the federal judge who sentenced him.

What is George W. Bush's only regret over invading Iraq? Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:43 AM PST Invading Iraq was the right decision, but former President George W. Bush does have one regret, he told CBS's Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation, in a wide-ranging interview Sunday that touched on brother Jeb Bush's potential presidential run, Bush 43's "love letter" to his father, and the controversial Iraq war.

Aide to Islamic State's Baghdadi killed near Falluja: Iraqi TV Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:41 AM PST BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An aide to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in an air strike near the city of Falluja, Iraqi state television reported on Monday. State television identified the man as Abu Huthaifa al-Yamani. It did not say when the strike took place or give further details. It was not immediately possible to confirm the death or whether Yamani was an aide to Baghdadi. Iraqi security officials have not confirmed the death. ...

To ease Sunni fears, Iraq orders Shi'ite militias back from front line Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:39 AM PST By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi government troops have ordered Shi'ite militias to stay back from the front lines to reduce hostility from villagers as they advance into Sunni areas held by Islamic State fighters. The Shi'ite militias played an important role halting the dramatic advance by Islamic State fighters through northern Iraq in June, when Iraq's army crumbled. Since then they have received the endorsement of the government. But their presence frightens and angers many Sunnis who believe they have carried out killings and kidnappings with impunity, which the militias deny. ...

Congress returns for lame-duck session Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:38 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to Washington this week for a lame-duck session to try and clean up a lengthy roster of unfinished business, even as jubilant Republicans prepare to take over the Senate for the first time in eight years come January.

US says IS leader not targeted in Iraq Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:29 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pentagon spokesman says a U.S. airstrike on a 10-vehicle convoy in northern Iraq last week was targeting Islamic State "battlefield leaders," but not senior leaders like Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group's most senior leader.

U.S. can't confirm reports Islamic State leader killed, wounded Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:57 AM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Monday it could not corroborate reports that the commander of Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was either killed or wounded in Iraq, acknowledging conflicting media reports out of the region. "We do not have any information to corroborate reports out of Iraq that Baghdadi has been either killed or wounded," Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters. There have been contradictory accounts out of Iraq following U.S. air strikes on Friday night about whether Baghdadi has been wounded. ...

What's known after IS leader reportedly wounded Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:50 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — After Iraqi officials said an airstrike wounded Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, here are some questions and answers about what's known now about his status and the effect it could have on the extremist group that holds a third of both Iraq and Syria.

The Gay Republicans Who Missed the Wave Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:24 AM PST The midterm sweep that propelled Republicans into the Senate majority and yielded gains in House and gubernatorial races across the country failed to make history in one key respect: The GOP could not elect its first-ever openly gay member of Congress.

UK drone attacks Islamic State group extremists Posted: 10 Nov 2014 07:23 AM PST LONDON (AP) — Britain's defense ministry says a Royal Air Forces drone has for the first time been used to attack Islamic State group extremists in Iraq.

U.S., allies launch barrage of airstrikes against Islamic State Posted: 10 Nov 2014 07:20 AM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies launched a barrage of attacks against Islamic State over the weekend, conducting 23 air strikes in Syria and 18 in Iraq against the militant group since Friday, U.S. Central Command said. In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the strikes in Syria included 13 aimed near the key border down of Kobani and 10 hit near Dayr Az Zawr. In Iraq, seven strikes hit near Baiji while others hit in or near Falluja, Mosul, al-Qaim, Haditha, Ramadi and Rutba, according to the statement. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

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