Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• AP PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Easter celebrations across the world
• Egypt says after deadly blast that 'terror' chief shot
• After Tikrit victory, Iraq's new challenge: Win over Sunnis
• Pope at Easter prays for killed Kenyan students, decries persecution
• Pope hails Iran accord, urges end to 'absurd violence' in Easter message
• Analysis: Nuclear agreement risks projecting US weakness
• Northern Iraq's displaced get own radio station
• IS video shows jihadists destroying Iraqi artefacts
• Paris subway firm under fire over 'Christian' ad censorship
• Pope, thousands brave rain for Easter in St. Peter's Square
• Australian questioned after helping fight Islamic State: report
• Turkey's Kurdish southeast eyes economic dividend from peace
• British teenagers arrested on terrorism offences: police
• Taliban publish biography of 'RPG-loving' Mullah Omar
• U.S., allies conduct air strikes in Syria and Iraq against Islamic State militants
• Yemen's Houthis ready for talks if air strikes stop: senior member
• Iraq: Attacks kill at least 9 in Baghdad
• Four dead in Libya suicide bombing claimed by IS
• Some civilians evacuated from Syria's Yarmouk: United Nations
• Official Vatican text of Pope Francis' Easter message
• Christians celebrate Easter's empty tomb in Jerusalem
• Pope demands action on 'humanitarian tragedy' in Syria and Iraq
• Algeria evacuates 160 citizens from Yemen
• Today in History
• Saudi Ministry of Defense Briefing: Operation Decisive Storm - April 4

AP PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Easter celebrations across the world Posted: 05 Apr 2015 03:09 PM PDT Christians in the Holy Land and across the world are celebrating Easter, commemorating the day followers believe Jesus was resurrected in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.

Egypt says after deadly blast that 'terror' chief shot Posted: 05 Apr 2015 12:44 PM PDT A bombing in an affluent Cairo neighbourhood killed a policeman Sunday, police said, as Egypt's interior ministry said later the head of the group behind the attack had been killed. Militants have repeatedly targeted police checkpoints and vehicles in Cairo with bombs. Sunday's attack was claimed by jihadist group Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt), which has previously admitted being behind similar attacks on security forces in the city. "Once again Allah allowed our brave soldiers to plant a bomb targeting an assembly of the criminal forces," Ajnad Misr said on its Twitter account.

After Tikrit victory, Iraq's new challenge: Win over Sunnis Posted: 05 Apr 2015 12:40 PM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq won the battle to retake the city of Tikrit from the Islamic State group, backed by a coalition of the unlikely in Iranian advisers, Shiite militias, and U.S.-led airstrikes, but the country now faces what could be its most important battle: Winning the support of the Sunnis.

Pope at Easter prays for killed Kenyan students, decries persecution Posted: 05 Apr 2015 12:22 PM PDT By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis prayed for an end to the persecution of Christians in his Easter Sunday address, commemorating the students massacred by Islamist militants at Garissa University in Kenya. Attacks on Christians in Africa and the Middle East have been the grim backdrop of all Holy Week ceremonies leading up to Easter. The pope spoke as churches in Kenya, where al Shabaab gunmen massacred nearly 150 people, singling out Christians for point-blank executions, turned to armed guards to protect their congregations on the most important day of the Christian liturgical year. "May constant prayer rise up from all people of goodwill for those who lost their lives – I think in particular of the young people who were killed last Thursday at Garissa University College in Kenya - for all who have been kidnapped, and for those forced to abandon their homes and their dear ones." The 78-year-old Argentine pope, celebrating the third Easter of his pontificate, spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after saying a Mass below for tens of thousands of people wearing plastic ponchos and holding umbrellas against the driving rain.

Pope hails Iran accord, urges end to 'absurd violence' in Easter message Posted: 05 Apr 2015 12:07 PM PDT Pope Francis appealed Sunday for an end to "absurd violence" in hotspots around the world and said the international community must not stand by in the face of the "immense humanitarian tragedy" in Syria and Iraq. In his traditional Easter message, the 78-year-old pontiff said he was praying for those killed in armed conflict, including the students massacred by Somali gunmen at a university in Kenya. In his third Easter message since his election as pope in 2013, the head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics prayed "for peace, above all, for Syria and Iraq, that the roar of arms may cease". He called on the international community to "not stand by before the immense humanitarian tragedy unfolding in these countries and the drama of the numerous refugees" created by the two conflicts.

Analysis: Nuclear agreement risks projecting US weakness Posted: 05 Apr 2015 11:41 AM PDT CAIRO (AP) — On a basic level, the framework deal between world powers and Tehran will be judged by whether it prevents an Iranian bomb, but that will take years to figure out.

Northern Iraq's displaced get own radio station Posted: 05 Apr 2015 11:03 AM PDT A radio station catering specifically to northern Iraq's large displaced population began broadcasting on Sunday near the Kurdish capital Arbil. "This radio station is for all those who were forced from their homes, for all the refugees," Pascal Gollnisch said in Radio Al-Salam's inaugural broadcast. Gollnisch is a French Catholic priest whose organisation L'Oeuvre d'Orient helps Christians in the Middle East and backed the new station. "As its name suggests, it is a radio station for peace, that also gives practical help in the daily lives of all the displaced," Gollnisch said.

IS video shows jihadists destroying Iraqi artefacts Posted: 05 Apr 2015 10:48 AM PDT The Islamic State group has released a video in which militants can be seen using rifles and sledgehammers to destroy artefacts at the ancient city of Hatra in Iraq. Destruction at the UNESCO world heritage site had already been confirmed by the UN's cultural agency a month ago. The latest, undated video was released on April 3, a day after the IS group lost the city of Tikrit to government and allied forces, its biggest military setback yet in Iraq. "The Islamic State has sent us to these idols to break them because they are worshipped instead of God," says one of two militants speaking to the camera.

Paris subway firm under fire over 'Christian' ad censorship Posted: 05 Apr 2015 10:09 AM PDT French music group "The Priests" had planned to advertise their upcoming June concert in Paris with a poster sporting a banner that said proceeds would go towards the cause of Christians persecuted in places such as Iraq and Syria. CHREDO, a French group that aims to raise awareness of the plight of Christians in areas such as the Middle East -- where they are currently being persecuted by jihadist groups -- has since asked a court to rule on the controversy and a hearing will take place on Wednesday.

Pope, thousands brave rain for Easter in St. Peter's Square Posted: 05 Apr 2015 09:30 AM PDT In an Easter peace wish, Pope Francis on Sunday praised the framework nuclear agreement with Iran as an opportunity to make the world safer, while expressing deep worry about bloodshed in Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa.

Australian questioned after helping fight Islamic State: report Posted: 05 Apr 2015 09:13 AM PDT A former unionist and Australian political figure was Sunday questioned on his return from the Middle East where he is believed to have helped those fighting against the Islamic State group, reports said. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said it understood that Matthew Gardiner was stopped by customs officials early Sunday after flying in to the northern Australian city of Darwin via Sweden and Singapore. The Australian Federal Police confirmed that its officers "spoke to a Darwin man today following his return to Australia". Gardiner, a former trade unionist and ex-president of the Northern Territory branch of the opposition Labor Party, reportedly left Australia early this year to join a Kurdish militia fighting IS.

Turkey's Kurdish southeast eyes economic dividend from peace Posted: 05 Apr 2015 08:30 AM PDT By Daren Butler DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Ending the Kurdish insurgency in Turkey's impoverished southeast would unlock trade with Iran, Iraq and eventually Syria, and kick-start a local economy long left behind by the rest of the country. Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan said last month it was time to end a three-decade armed struggle that has killed 40,000 people and stunted development in the region, bringing the prospect of peace closer. "The southeast is very fertile for agriculture and has great potential. Businessmen come here looking to invest but are reluctant to commit themselves until peace takes root," said Ahmet, 45, who runs a bookshop by the 11th century Grand Mosque in the main regional city of Diyarbakir.

British teenagers arrested on terrorism offences: police Posted: 05 Apr 2015 07:30 AM PDT Two teenagers from northern England have been arrested on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism, British police said on Sunday. A 14-year-old boy from Blackburn and a 16-year-old girl from Manchester were arrested on Thursday and Friday respectively as part of an ongoing investigation and have both been bailed until May 28, Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. The boy was arrested on "suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism" following the examination of several electronic devices, police said, while the girl was arrested "on suspicion of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism". Police said the arrests were not linked to the case of nine British nationals from nearby Rochdale, who were detained by Turkish security forces earlier this week as they apparently attempted to enter Syria.

Taliban publish biography of 'RPG-loving' Mullah Omar Posted: 05 Apr 2015 06:58 AM PDT The Afghan Taliban on Sunday published a descriptive biography of their "charismatic" supreme leader Mullah Omar, in a surprise move apparently aimed at countering the creeping influence of the Islamic State group within insurgent ranks. The Taliban have reportedly seen defections to the Islamic State in recent months, with some insurgents expressing their disaffection with the one-eyed warrior-cleric who has not been seen since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan. The biography, posted just after midnight on the Taliban's main website to commemorate Omar's 19th year as supreme leader, described him as being actively involved in "jihadi activities", dispelling speculation that he had died. "He keenly follows and inspects the... activities against the brutal infidel foreign invaders." Lionising the "charismatic personality", the biography also contained several anecdotes of battlefield valour and described the RPG-7 grenade launcher as Omar's "preferred weapon of choice".

U.S., allies conduct air strikes in Syria and Iraq against Islamic State militants Posted: 05 Apr 2015 06:42 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and allied forces conducted 15 air strikes in Syria and Iraq against Islamic State militants during the past 24 hours, the combined joint task force said on Sunday. Three of the strikes, part of a continuing operation against Islamic State, targeted militants in Syria. Twelve strikes were aimed at targets in Iraq, including five near the city of Mosul, the joint task force said in a statement. (Editing by Frances Kerry)

Yemen's Houthis ready for talks if air strikes stop: senior member Posted: 05 Apr 2015 05:45 AM PDT By Yara Bayoumy CAIRO (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthis are ready to sit down for peace talks as long as a Saudi-led air campaign is halted and the negotiations are overseen by "non-aggressive" parties, a senior Houthi member said. Saleh al-Sammad, who was an adviser to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, also told Reuters in emailed answers that Yemenis reject the return of Hadi, who escaped to Saudi Arabia after Shi'ite Houthi fighters edged closer to his southern base of Aden last month. U.N. brokered peace talks in the preceding weeks between Hadi and the Houthis had failed.

Iraq: Attacks kill at least 9 in Baghdad Posted: 05 Apr 2015 05:05 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi officials say separate attacks in the capital Baghdad have killed at least nine people and wounded others.

Four dead in Libya suicide bombing claimed by IS Posted: 05 Apr 2015 04:44 AM PDT A suicide bomber killed four people outside Libya's militia-controlled third city Misrata on Sunday in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. The LANA news agency of the militia-backed Tripoli administration said 21 people were also wounded when the bomber blew up a vehicle packed with explosives at the Saddada checkpoint east of the city. IS radio Al-Bayan said a Sudanese volunteer it named as Abu Dujana had carried out the attack on behalf of its Tripolitania branch. The jihadist group, notorious for its brutal rule of swathes of Iraq and Syria, has established branches in all three of Libya's historic regions.

Some civilians evacuated from Syria's Yarmouk: United Nations Posted: 05 Apr 2015 04:15 AM PDT Some civilians were evacuated from a Palestinian refugee camp on the Damascus outskirts, the United Nations said on Sunday, fleeing an advance by Islamic State and more that two years of government siege that has led to starvation and disease. Islamic State has taken most of Yarmouk camp from rival insurgents while the army surrounds the district, only a few kilometres from President Bashar al-Assad's palace. U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) spokesman Chris Gunness said 94 civilians, including 43 women and 20 children, made it out of the camp on Sunday and were provided with humanitarian support.

Official Vatican text of Pope Francis' Easter message Posted: 05 Apr 2015 04:05 AM PDT VATICAN CITY (AP) — The following is the Vatican's official English-language translation of Pope Francis "Urbi et Orbi" Easter message, which he delivered Sunday in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica:

Christians celebrate Easter's empty tomb in Jerusalem Posted: 05 Apr 2015 03:58 AM PDT The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urged Christians to stand firm in the face of tragedy, as worshippers massed for Easter Sunday at the site where they believe Jesus rose from the dead. As dawn broke over the Holy City, thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world gathered to celebrate Easter and remember the resurrection and the miracle of the empty tomb. Addressing worshippers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal spoke of the suffering gripping the war-torn Middle East, urging the faithful to demonstrate courage.

Pope demands action on 'humanitarian tragedy' in Syria and Iraq Posted: 05 Apr 2015 03:50 AM PDT Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis used his Easter address Sunday to urge the international community not stand by in the face of the "immense humanitarian tragedy" in Syria and Iraq.

Algeria evacuates 160 citizens from Yemen Posted: 04 Apr 2015 10:53 PM PDT Algeria evacuated 160 of its citizens from war-torn Yemen as a Saudi-led coalition continued a bombing campaign against rebel targets in the Arabian peninsula, national news agency APS reported. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika called for the operation after monitoring the deteriorating security situation in Yemen in recent days, foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra said. Algeria has refused to provide manpower from its powerful armed forces for the coalition carrying out air strikes against Shiite Huthi rebels. APS added that 40 Tunisians, 15 Mauritians, eight Libyans, three Moroccans and a Palestinian were also flown out of the capital, Sanaa, to Cairo on a plane provided by Algerian national carrier Air Algerie.

Today in History Posted: 04 Apr 2015 09:01 PM PDT Today is Easter Sunday, April 5, the 95th day of 2015. There are 270 days left in the year.

Saudi Ministry of Defense Briefing: Operation Decisive Storm - April 4 Posted: 04 Apr 2015 07:07 PM PDT WASHINGTON, April 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a summary of the daily press briefing held today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the developments of Operation Decisive Storm. The briefing was conducted by Brig. Gen. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri, advisor in the Office of the Minister of Defense. Foreign nationals in Yemen are being evacuated in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The coalition command called on all parties interested in evacuating foreign nationals and facilitating humanitarian assistance to communicate with Saudi Arabia and other coalition members.

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