Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Ex-CEO sentenced for scheme involving Iraq, Afghanistan work
• Kurds push US to arm them directly
• Disgraced ex-CIA chief Petraeus says could serve again
• The Latest: Obama congratulates Cameron
• Turkey denies new deal with Saudi on supporting Syria rebels
• Missouri Brother and Sister Team Named Small Business Persons of the Year
• U.S., allies conduct 14 air strikes against Islamic State militants: military
• The Latest: Kerry congratulates Cameron
• Washington, Gulf states working on new security pact: Kerry
• Iraq launches Sunni anti-IS force in Anbar
• UN's refugee agency worried about xenophobia in Hungary
• Pentagon’s $90 Billion ‘Slush Fund’ Comes Under Attack
• Iraq signs up 1,000 recruits for Sunni militia to fight IS
• Arkansas dog bites the bullet, eating 23 rounds of ammunition
• Twin bombings outside Shi'ite mosque kill 17 in eastern Iraq
• German government to speed up asylum process but puts off aid decision
• Syria rebels cast doubt on US training program
• The Latest: David Miliband expresses sympathy for Labour
• The Latest: Cameron reappoints key figures to Cabinet
• Unemployment rate for black Americans at 7-year low
• Kurdish leader reiterates his forces need for arms
• Protests in Iran against Saudi-led air war on Yemen
• Suicide attacks on Iraqi Shiite mosques kill 22 worshippers
• The Latest: Osborne, May retain their roles in Cabinet
• Norwegian court convicts 3 men of links to IS group
• U.N. agency accuses Hungary government moves "vilifying" refugees
• The Latest: Bet on Conservative win comes good for pensioner
• The Latest: Election play gets a rewrite after Tory victory
• Syrian authorities confiscate 6,000 looted antiquities
• The Latest: Final tally shows Conservatives with 331 seats
• IS, Taliban pairing up in northern Afghanistan
• UK's Cameron savours his greatest victory
• Jihadist group claims mortar attack on Hamas in Gaza
• New push to give Pentagon the lead on drone strikes
• The Latest: British leaders line up for VE day ceremonies
• Norway court sentences three for joining, helping Islamic State
• IS claims deadly bombing on Shiite mosque in Iraq
• The Latest: Cameron claims absolute majority in UK parl't
• The Latest: UKIP leader Farage resigns after poll defeat
• Correction: Vietnam-Last Marines Out-Quotes story

Ex-CEO sentenced for scheme involving Iraq, Afghanistan work Posted: 08 May 2015 04:33 PM PDT TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) — A former engineering consulting company CEO who schemed to overcharge the U.S. government for reconstruction projects for nearly 20 years was sentenced Friday.

Kurds push US to arm them directly Posted: 08 May 2015 02:59 PM PDT The leader of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region insisted Friday that the United States should arm his forces fighting the Islamic State group directly instead of passing though the federal government in Baghdad. At the end of a week-long visit to Washington to lobby for support, Kurdish leader Massud Barzani thanked President Barack Obama's administration for its support but reiterated his demand that weapons be shipped directly to his troops. Barzani said the central government had not honored a deal struck in 2007 between US, Iraqi and Kurdish commanders that Kurdistan's peshmerga militia receive its share of US military aid from Baghdad.

Disgraced ex-CIA chief Petraeus says could serve again Posted: 08 May 2015 02:55 PM PDT Disgraced former CIA chief and retired general David Petraeus, who recently pleaded guilty to providing secrets to his mistress, said Friday that he would consider serving the US again if asked. Petraeus, hailed by some in the US for changing the course of the Iraq war, was given two years' probation and fined $100,000 in April for providing classified information to his mistress and biographer Paula Broadwell.

The Latest: Obama congratulates Cameron Posted: 08 May 2015 02:13 PM PDT 10:17 p.m. (2107 GMT; 5:07 EDT) U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron on his victory in the general elections. A statement issued by the White House on Friday, ...

Turkey denies new deal with Saudi on supporting Syria rebels Posted: 08 May 2015 01:33 PM PDT Turkey on Friday denied it had struck a secret new pact with Saudi Arabia to back Islamist rebels in Syria in a drive to bring down Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Reports have suggested that Riyadh and Ankara agreed a special pact to militarily and financially support Islamist rebels in Syria in an all-out effort to oust Assad from power. The suggestions emerged after Islamist rebels -- including fighters from Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front -- captured the Syrian city of Idlib from government forces and made striking new gains.

Missouri Brother and Sister Team Named Small Business Persons of the Year Posted: 08 May 2015 01:30 PM PDT WASHINGTON, May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized and awarded this year's National Small Business Week national award winners including the Small Business Person(s) of the Year at a ceremony and reception in Washington, D.C. "It is my extreme pleasure to announce that Alan Doan and his sister Sarah Galbraith are this year's Small Business Person(s) of the Year. Their business, Missouri Star Quilt Company, now owns 15 buildings, encompassing 116,365 square feet. "In 2013, the owners received an SBA 504 loan to construct a 45,000 square-foot facility to be used primarily for warehousing and shipping, as well as for customer service, sales and a photo/ catalog studio.

U.S., allies conduct 14 air strikes against Islamic State militants: military Posted: 08 May 2015 01:28 PM PDT The U.S.-led military coalition launched nine air strikes in Iraq and five in Syria against Islamic State militants since early on Thursday, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Friday. The military statement said the strikes in Syria near Al Hasakah and Ar Raqqah involved attack, bomber, fighter and drone aircraft.

The Latest: Kerry congratulates Cameron Posted: 08 May 2015 01:18 PM PDT 9:10 p.m. (2010 GMT; 4:20 p.m. EDT) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has congratulated U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and his party for defying the polls and winning an outright majority in the elections. ...

Washington, Gulf states working on new security pact: Kerry Posted: 08 May 2015 01:12 PM PDT US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday Washington and Gulf nations were hammering out a new set of security initiatives in the Middle East to be further discussed at a summit next week. Kerry met in Paris with his counterparts from Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to lay the groundwork for a meeting of their leaders with President Barack Obama on May 13. Washington is keen to allay Gulf fears that the US is increasingly disengaging from a region riven by conflict, and that Iran could still develop a nuclear bomb under a international accord currently being finalised.

Iraq launches Sunni anti-IS force in Anbar Posted: 08 May 2015 01:09 PM PDT Amriyat al-Fallujah (Iraq) (AFP) - More than 1,000 Sunni fighters from Anbar joined Iraq's Popular Mobilisation force Friday as part of government efforts to make the fight against the Islamic State group a cross-sectarian drive. Parts of Anbar province have been under jihadist control since before the nationwide June 9 offensive by IS, and the capital Ramadi has been on the brink of falling completely for months. The counter-offensive has so far been spearheaded by Shiite militias, some of which are now operating under a government-controlled umbrella known as the Hashed al-Shaabi -- or Popular Mobilisation Brigades.

UN's refugee agency worried about xenophobia in Hungary Posted: 08 May 2015 12:37 PM PDT BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The United Nations refugee agency said Friday it was worried about "growing expressions of xenophobia in Hungary" and about government efforts to portray refugees as a threat to the country.

Pentagon’s $90 Billion ‘Slush Fund’ Comes Under Attack Posted: 08 May 2015 12:15 PM PDT An obscure Pentagon account that has powered the U.S. war effort in the Middle East since shortly after the 9-11 attacks is at the center of a growing political controversy over the use of budgetary gimmicks and the future direction of government spending. For a decade and a half, the White House, Congress and the Department of Defense have played a deceitful game in funding the $1.7 trillion cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, keeping much of that spending "off budget" even as it still added to the national debt. The Overseas Contingency Operations fund, as it came to be known shortly after President Obama came to power, was meant to exclusively cover the cost of personnel, weaponry, supplies and logistical support to the roughly 2.5 million troops sent to war.

Iraq signs up 1,000 recruits for Sunni militia to fight IS Posted: 08 May 2015 12:13 PM PDT AMIRIYAT FALLUJAH, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi authorities on Friday signed up the first batch of 1,000 recruits for a new Sunni militia to help its security forces take back the western Anbar province from the Islamic State group, after years of reluctance to arm and train the tribal fighters.

Arkansas dog bites the bullet, eating 23 rounds of ammunition Posted: 08 May 2015 12:06 PM PDT By Steve Barnes LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) - After devouring a television remote, a lawn mower gas filter and bras, Benno, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois dog, outdid himself by consuming nearly two dozen bullets. "He acted like nothing was wrong until he threw up," Benno's owner, Larry Brassfield of Mountain Home, Arkansas, said on Friday adding that is when he discovered a nearly three-inch long bullet in the puddle. Brassfield noticed several 308-caliber rounds missing and rushed Benno to a veterinarian, where x-rays revealed a small arsenal in the animal's stomach in the late April incident. "My first concern was not an explosion but poisoning," said veterinarian Dr. Sarah Shelton, who feared Benno's stomach acids would attack the metal to fatal effect.

Twin bombings outside Shi'ite mosque kill 17 in eastern Iraq Posted: 08 May 2015 10:59 AM PDT Twin bombings outside a Shi'ite place of worship in eastern Iraq killed at least 17 people as they filed out after Friday prayers, police and hospital sources said. A parked car laden with explosives blew up near the exit of the mosque in Balad Ruz, and when bystanders gathered to evacuate the wounded, a suicide bomber detonated himself among them.

German government to speed up asylum process but puts off aid decision Posted: 08 May 2015 10:53 AM PDT Chancellor Angela Merkel's government and leaders of Germany's powerful regions agreed on Friday to speed up processing of asylum applications but put off a decision on increasing support for towns and cities struggling with a surge in refugees. The government expects the number of people seeking asylum to double this year to 400,000 - a record high for Germany - and has promised states and communities 1 billion euros in support in 2015 and 2016. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters officials would create 2,000 jobs to speed up the processing of asylum applications and said those from regions generally deemed ineligible such as the Balkans should be sent home faster. The influx of refugees, many of whom are fleeing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, has led to tensions in some regions of Germany that have occasionally erupted into violence against immigrants by suspected neo-Nazis.

Syria rebels cast doubt on US training program Posted: 08 May 2015 10:35 AM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels on Friday voiced deep reservations about a U.S. program to train moderate rebels that American and Jordanian officials say has kicked off in Jordan, dismissing it as a drop in the ocean that would not change realities on the ground.

The Latest: David Miliband expresses sympathy for Labour Posted: 08 May 2015 10:25 AM PDT 6:20 p.m. (1720 GMT; 1:20 p.m. EDT) David Miliband, Britain's former foreign secretary and brother of defeated Labour leader Ed, has expressed sympathy for his Labour colleagues in Britain's election. ...

The Latest: Cameron reappoints key figures to Cabinet Posted: 08 May 2015 10:02 AM PDT 5:55 p.m. (1655 GMT; 12:55 p.m. EDT) Prime Minister David Cameron has reappointed senior members of his Cabinet after winning a surprise victory in Britain's election. Philip Hammond remains as foreign ...

Unemployment rate for black Americans at 7-year low Posted: 08 May 2015 09:49 AM PDT The unemployment rate for black Americans fell to single digits in April for the first time in nearly seven years. At the same time, the jobless rate among Asian-Americans rose for the first time in six ...

Kurdish leader reiterates his forces need for arms Posted: 08 May 2015 09:43 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq said Friday that he has not backtracked on his request for the U.S. to bypass Baghdad and directly supply weapons to his forces, but said he wouldn't interfere in a disagreement over the issue between Congress and the White House.

Protests in Iran against Saudi-led air war on Yemen Posted: 08 May 2015 09:35 AM PDT Thousands of angry Iranians demonstrated on Friday to denounce Saudi Arabia's royal family and its air war on Shiite rebels in Yemen, where Tehran is accused of meddling by Riyadh. The protests came as Iran rejected anew Saudi claims that it was interfering in Yemen by backing the Shiite Huthi rebels, and accused Riyadh of seeking to absolve itself of responsibility in the war. "Death to the Saudi (royal) family", "Death to America", "Death to Israel", chanted demonstrators who thronged Tehran, according to footage shown on state television. Some protesters carried placards that read: "From Gaza to Yemen, stop killing children", and state television described the protest as "massive".

Suicide attacks on Iraqi Shiite mosques kill 22 worshippers Posted: 08 May 2015 09:23 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Militants in Iraq carried out a series of suicide attacks Friday, hitting Shiite mosques in the country's northeast and killing at least 22 worshippers, including a senior police officer, officials said.

The Latest: Osborne, May retain their roles in Cabinet Posted: 08 May 2015 09:09 AM PDT 5:05 p.m. (1605 GMT; 12:05 p.m. EDT) George Osborne, Britain's Treasury chief, has been re-appointed to the role after Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives secured a majority in the election. Osborne ...

Norwegian court convicts 3 men of links to IS group Posted: 08 May 2015 08:47 AM PDT STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Norwegian court has handed prison terms to two men convicted of joining Islamic State militants in Syria and third man found guilty of providing logistical support.

U.N. agency accuses Hungary government moves "vilifying" refugees Posted: 08 May 2015 08:20 AM PDT A U.N. agency expressed "deep concern" on Friday over what it said was a growing tendency by Hungary to denigrate refugees fleeing war, adding its voice to criticism of the government's anti-immigration stance. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who wants legislation to speed up the deportation of illegal migrants, raised eyebrows last month when he announced plans for a nationwide questionnaire in May to see if Hungarians thought immigrants spread terrorism. Montserrat Feixas Vihe, the regional representative in central Europe for the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, said Orban's government was targeting the very people who needed help. "We are deeply concerned by the way the government increasingly vilifies people who have fled from war zones like Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq and who desperately need safety and protection in Hungary," she said.

The Latest: Bet on Conservative win comes good for pensioner Posted: 08 May 2015 08:17 AM PDT 4:10 p.m. (1510 GMT; 11:10 a.m. EDT) A bookmaker says a retired man who placed a huge bet on Britain's Conservatives winning a majority government has bagged 240,000 pounds ($370,000). Ladbrokes says the ...

The Latest: Election play gets a rewrite after Tory victory Posted: 08 May 2015 08:00 AM PDT 4 p.m. (1500 GMT; 11 a.m. EDT) American strategist David Axelrod, hired by the Labour Party to boost its election campaign, says he is disappointed by the result. Labour lost to the ruling Conservatives, ...

Syrian authorities confiscate 6,000 looted antiquities Posted: 08 May 2015 07:49 AM PDT DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's state news agency quotes an archaeology official as saying that authorities have confiscated and reclaimed 6,000 looted antiquities trafficked by smugglers outside the country.

The Latest: Final tally shows Conservatives with 331 seats Posted: 08 May 2015 07:43 AM PDT 3:40 p.m. (1440 GMT; 10:40 a.m. EDT) A final tally of results from Britain's election shows Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives winning a total of 331 of the House of Commons' 650 seats. That ...

IS, Taliban pairing up in northern Afghanistan Posted: 08 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT Foreign fighters allied with the Islamic State group are training Taliban insurgents in a restive Afghan province, an official said Friday, the first such claim as the government raises the alarm over an emerging IS threat. President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly raised fears that IS -- notorious for their brutal reign of terror in Syria and Iraq -- are making steady inroads into Afghanistan, which is already in the grip of a fierce Taliban insurgency. IS fighters are "supporting the Taliban, training the Taliban, trying to build the capacity of the Taliban for a bigger fight", provincial governor Mohammed Omar Safi told the BBC. Local observers have viewed claims of IS's rise in Afghanistan with caution.

UK's Cameron savours his greatest victory Posted: 08 May 2015 07:29 AM PDT Against all predictions, David Cameron on Friday won the first Conservative majority since 1992, securing himself another term as Britain's prime minister and silencing his critics -- at least for now. The 48-year-old's failure to win a majority in the House of Commons at the last election, after 13 years of a Labour government, had dogged him for the past five years as he led a coalition with the smaller Liberal Democrats. Opinion polls before Thursday's vote had pointed to a result in which neither the Conservatives nor Labour would win a majority of Commons seats. He must also fulfil his promise to renegotiate Britain's membership of the European Union ahead of a promised in-or-out referendum by 2017, and may yet fall foul of his rebellious eurosceptic backbenchers.

Jihadist group claims mortar attack on Hamas in Gaza Posted: 08 May 2015 07:27 AM PDT A jihadist group that recently emerged in the Gaza Strip claimed Friday a mortar attack on a base belonging to the Islamist Hamas movement in charge of the blockaded territory. The group calling itself Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem said it fired two 82 mm mortar rounds at a base of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. A statement posted online also urged "Muslims in Gaza to stay away from the base in order to protect their own lives".

New push to give Pentagon the lead on drone strikes Posted: 08 May 2015 07:24 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The deaths of an Italian and an American in a covert CIA drone strike in Pakistan — and the rhetorical contortions required of the president when he informed the world — have breathed new urgency into a long-stalled plan to give the Pentagon primacy over targeted killing of terrorists overseas.

The Latest: British leaders line up for VE day ceremonies Posted: 08 May 2015 07:14 AM PDT 3:10 p.m. (1410 GMT; 10:10 a.m. GMT) All of Britain's party leaders — both victors and losers — have lined up together in central London to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Prime Minister ...

Norway court sentences three for joining, helping Islamic State Posted: 08 May 2015 07:10 AM PDT A Norwegian court sentenced three men to jail on Friday for joining or aiding the Islamic State militant group in Syria, in the first case of its kind in the Nordic region. Djibril Bashir, 30, and Valon Avdyli, 28, "shall be sentenced for participating in the ISIL terror organization", the Oslo District Court said in its verdict, referring to the Islamic State, which has declared a caliphate in large parts of Iraq and Syria and is active in Libya. Bashir was sentenced to four years and three months in prison and Valon Avdyli to four years and nine months. A third man, Visar Avdyli, 25, the brother of Valon, was sentenced to seven months in prison for providing aid to the group.

IS claims deadly bombing on Shiite mosque in Iraq Posted: 08 May 2015 06:58 AM PDT The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a Shiite mosque in eastern Iraq Friday that officials said killed at least 10 people including a senior policeman. Fifteen people were also wounded in the attack on Al-Zahraa mosque in Baladruz, a district in Diyala province 75 kilometres (46 miles) northeast of Baghdad, the interior ministry said. The interior ministry said two car bombs went off and a police officer told AFP one car exploded and immediately afterwards a suicide bomber blew himself up. IS, in an online claim posted on jihadist websites, said a suicide bomber in a car carried out the attack.

The Latest: Cameron claims absolute majority in UK parl't Posted: 08 May 2015 04:49 AM PDT 12:45 p.m. (1145 GMT; 7:45 a.m. EDT) Prime Minister David Cameron has won an absolute majority in Britain's Parliamentary elections, taking 326 of the possible 650 seats up for grabs in the House of Commons. ...

The Latest: UKIP leader Farage resigns after poll defeat Posted: 08 May 2015 03:38 AM PDT 11:40 a.m. (1040 GMT; 6:40 a.m. EDT) Nigel Farage has resigned as leader of the populist U.K. Independence Party after failed to win a seat in the U.K. parliamentary election. Farage, who had earlier promised ...

Correction: Vietnam-Last Marines Out-Quotes story Posted: 08 May 2015 03:17 AM PDT HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) — In a story April 30 about the last Marines to leave Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, The Associated Press reported erroneously that two Marines killed April 29, 1975, at the defense attache compound in Saigon were the last U.S. servicemen to die in the war. They were the last U.S. service members killed by enemy fire in the country. At least six others died later as part of the war, either at sea off the coast of Vietnam or in Cambodia.

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