Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• CANNES WATCH:
• Saudi IDs bomber after kingdom's deadliest attack in years
• Islamic State group radio claims Saudi mosque suicide attack
• Syrian official: Islamic State militants in Palmyra's museum
• On the field and online: How the fight against ISIS is a battle on two fronts
• At Mideast forum, officials seek world's help
• AP Interview: Top UN official says Europe must open borders
• Iraq claws back land from IS near Ramadi
• IS enters Palmyra museum: Syria antiquities chief
• Obama stays the course despite IS group's advance
• Top US commander says IS actively recruiting in Afghanistan
• Veterans frustrated by presidential debate on Iraq war
• Shi'ite militias advance on Islamic State insurgents near Iraq's Ramadi
• U.S., coalition hit Islamic State targets near Ramadi in Iraq
• Cannes gets a Fassbender 'Macbeth' suffering combat stress
• In Jordanian city, cries of 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' echo Ferguson
• Cannes hails premiere of a bloody, stylish 'Macbeth'
• Islamic State raises flag over citadel in Syria's Palmyra: supporters
• Wounded Egyptian soldier kidnapped and killed in Sinai - sources
• US officials: Iran enters Iraqi fight for key oil refinery
• Soccer-Indonesia hit with World Cup penalties by AFC
• AP Interview: Leader says Mideast pays price for gender gap
• AP Analysis: At Mideast forum, hopes for future amid chaos
• London bombmaker jailed for life for US soldier murder in Iraq
• Clinton appears to rule out return of ground forces in Iraq
• Analysis: At Mideast forum, hopes for future amid chaos

CANNES WATCH: Posted: 23 May 2015 04:59 PM PDT CANNES, France (AP) — The 68th Cannes Film Festival was going out in style this weekend, with Marion Cotillard drawing raves on both carpet and screen at the "Macbeth" premiere and the very cool entourage from the LA indie "Dope" continuing to wow the fest as anticipation grew for Sunday's Palme d'Or finale.

Saudi IDs bomber after kingdom's deadliest attack in years Posted: 23 May 2015 04:17 PM PDT Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed the suicide bomber who killed 21 worshippers at a Shiite mosque had links with the Islamic State group, in what the interior ministry called an attempt to promote sectarian strife. It was the deadliest attack in years to strike the Sunni-dominated kingdom, and marked the first time the jihadist IS group officially claimed an attack in Saudi Arabia. "His name was Salih bin Abdulrahman Salih al-Ghishaami, a Saudi national," the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Islamic State group radio claims Saudi mosque suicide attack Posted: 23 May 2015 01:08 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Saudi Arabia, warning that more "black days" loom ahead in a direct challenge to the rulers of the Sunni kingdom.

Syrian official: Islamic State militants in Palmyra's museum Posted: 23 May 2015 12:50 PM PDT DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Islamic State fighters broke into the museum of Palmyra, though a Syrian official said its artifacts have been removed and are safe while the U.S.-led coalition conducted airstrikes on the group's installations near the captured ancient town — the first such reported attack in the central province of Homs.

On the field and online: How the fight against ISIS is a battle on two fronts Posted: 23 May 2015 12:34 PM PDT For Islamic State fighters, the battle for dominance continues both on the ground and online: The extremists' capture of the ancient Syrian site of Palmyra this week came with a Twitter-circulated photo of the group's black flag flying over the city's hilltop castle. "A war of words continues, as both sides try to convince the world the momentum is in their favor," national security reporter Paul D. Shinkman wrote for US News & World Report. Recommended: How much do you know about the Islamic State?

At Mideast forum, officials seek world's help Posted: 23 May 2015 12:05 PM PDT SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan (AP) — Mideast-weary though it may be, the international community has a duty and an interest in helping the countries of the region both rebuff violent extremists and fix the refugee crisis that in part has resulted from the fight with them — that was the message coming from the regional World Economic Forum Saturday.

AP Interview: Top UN official says Europe must open borders Posted: 23 May 2015 10:24 AM PDT SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan (AP) — Borders must be "open to Syrians everywhere," including in Europe, to help ease the logistical burden of Middle Eastern countries that have absorbed close to 4 million Syrian refugees, the head of the U.N. refugee agency said Saturday.

Iraq claws back land from IS near Ramadi Posted: 23 May 2015 09:53 AM PDT Iraqi forces retook territory from the Islamic State group east of Ramadi Saturday, commanders said, in their first counterattack since the jihadists' capture of the Anbar provincial capital last week. In Iraq, a mosaic of anti-IS forces have massed in the Euphrates Valley to ready for an offensive aimed at turning the tide on the rampant jihadists. The May 17 takeover of Ramadi was Baghdad's worst defeat in almost a year, while the capture three days later of the historic Syrian city of Palmyra has put its archaeological treasures in peril and positioned IS for a possible drive on Damascus.

IS enters Palmyra museum: Syria antiquities chief Posted: 23 May 2015 09:49 AM PDT Islamic State group fighters have entered the museum in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra, placing guards at its doors, the country's antiquities director Mamoun Abdulkarim said Saturday. Abdulkarim also confirmed the jihadist group had raised its flag over the ancient citadel that overlooks some of the spectacular Greco-Roman ruins in the city. Speaking at a news conference in Damascus, he said some modern plaster statues in the museum had been destroyed but he did not report any damage to antiquities in the building.

Obama stays the course despite IS group's advance Posted: 23 May 2015 09:28 AM PDT President Barack Obama's war strategy failed to stop Islamic State jihadists from overrunning Ramadi but he appears reluctant to change course despite the group's advances on the battlefield. The disastrous fall of the Iraqi city exposed the limits of Obama's policy, experts say, highlighting the sectarian divisions in Iraqi society exploited by the IS group and the American president's determination to avoid another protracted military occupation. "I don't think we're losing," Obama said in an interview with The Atlantic.

Top US commander says IS actively recruiting in Afghanistan Posted: 23 May 2015 09:19 AM PDT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The commander of international forces in Afghanistan said on Saturday that the Islamic State group is actively recruiting in Afghanistan but is not yet operational there.

Veterans frustrated by presidential debate on Iraq war Posted: 23 May 2015 09:19 AM PDT Veterans of the Iraq War have been watching in frustration as Republican presidential contenders distance themselves from the decision their party enthusiastically supported to invade that country.

Shi'ite militias advance on Islamic State insurgents near Iraq's Ramadi Posted: 23 May 2015 07:57 AM PDT BAGHDAD/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Shi'ite Muslim militiamen and Iraqi army forces launched a counter-offensive against Islamic State insurgents near Ramadi on Saturday, a militia spokesman said, aiming to reverse potentially devastating gains by the jihadi militants. The fall of Ramadi, the Anbar provincial capital, to Islamic State on May 17 could be a shattering blow to Baghdad's weak central government. The Sunni Muslim jihadis now control most of Anbar and could threaten the western approaches to Baghdad, or even surge south into Iraq's Shi'ite heartland.

U.S., coalition hit Islamic State targets near Ramadi in Iraq Posted: 23 May 2015 07:57 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies have staged 22 air strikes on Islamic State targets since Friday, including four near Ramadi, the city taken by the militants this week, the U.S. military said on Saturday. Coalition forces also attacked five Islamic State sites in Syria between Friday and Saturday, a statement from the Combined Joint Task Force said. The strikes near Ramadi hit tactical units, armored vehicles and a fighting position in militant-controlled territory. ...

Cannes gets a Fassbender 'Macbeth' suffering combat stress Posted: 23 May 2015 07:09 AM PDT By Michael Roddy CANNES, France (Reuters) - Michael Fassbender is a "Macbeth" for our times, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while Marion Cotillard is a Lady Macbeth haunted by the loss of a child, in the final competition entry screened on Saturday for the top Cannes prize. Most critics appear to think Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien's "Nie Yinniang" (The Assassin), about a martial arts killer, is the most deserving. It is followed closely by Hungarian director Laszlo Nemes's "Saul Fia" (Son of Saul) set in the Auschwitz concentration camp and American director Todd Haynes's lesbian romance "Carol" starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

In Jordanian city, cries of 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' echo Ferguson Posted: 23 May 2015 05:00 AM PDT Abu Dayeh is one of a growing number of Jordanians at the receiving end of police brutality, and the resulting public backlash led to the sudden resignation last week of the country's interior minister and police chief. In a statement, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour cited a "lack of coordination" between security services. Recommended: How much do you know about the Islamic State?

Cannes hails premiere of a bloody, stylish 'Macbeth' Posted: 23 May 2015 03:58 AM PDT CANNES, France (AP) — Something wicked came the way of the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday when Justin Kurzel premiered his bloody, stylish adaptation of "Macbeth" with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.

Islamic State raises flag over citadel in Syria's Palmyra: supporters Posted: 23 May 2015 02:36 AM PDT Islamic State fighters have raised their flag over an ancient citadel in Syria's historic city of Palmyra, pictures posted online overnight by the group's supporters showed. "Tadmur citadel under the control of the Caliphate," read a caption on one picture posted on social media sites. In another, a smiling fighter is shown carrying the black flag and standing on one of the citadel's wall.

Wounded Egyptian soldier kidnapped and killed in Sinai - sources Posted: 23 May 2015 01:44 AM PDT Suspected Islamist militants kidnapped a wounded Egyptian soldier then killed him in the restive North Sinai province on Friday, security sources said. Gunmen stopped an ambulance carrying two wounded soldiers south of the provincial capital of Al-Arish, the sources told Reuters. The gunmen shot and wounded the paramedic and took the ambulance and one of the soldiers, the sources said.

US officials: Iran enters Iraqi fight for key oil refinery Posted: 23 May 2015 01:28 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran has entered the fight to retake a major Iraqi oil refinery from Islamic State militants, contributing small numbers of troops —some are operating artillery and other heavy weapons — in support of advancing Iraqi ground forces, U.S. defense officials say.

Soccer-Indonesia hit with World Cup penalties by AFC Posted: 23 May 2015 01:09 AM PDT Indonesia, already facing the prospect of a FIFA ban for government interference, have been forced to play their World Cup and Asian Cup qualifier against Iraq in an empty stadium and their home tie against Thailand at a neutral venue. The decision was taken by the Asian Football Confederation after crowd trouble during two under-23 matches in March against East Timor and South Korea in Jakarta. Indonesia, who were also fined $20,000 by the AFC and warned of heavier sanctions should such incidents recur, are scheduled to host Iraq on June 16 after they start their joint qualifying campaign in Taiwan on June 11.

AP Interview: Leader says Mideast pays price for gender gap Posted: 23 May 2015 12:23 AM PDT SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan (AP) — Bring more Arab women into the workforce, invest in "bite-sized" infrastructure projects and get the private sector more involved in training young job seekers — these are the prescriptions of a leading Gulf entrepreneur for growing Middle Eastern economies and combating rampant youth unemployment.

AP Analysis: At Mideast forum, hopes for future amid chaos Posted: 23 May 2015 12:05 AM PDT SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan (AP) — Against a backdrop of Iraq and Syria in flames, Middle Eastern political and business leaders sought to focus on a future of growth and investment for a region that for long has lagged behind. But present-day reality proved rather difficult to ignore, with the Islamic State group wreaking havoc not far from these Dead Sea shores.

London bombmaker jailed for life for US soldier murder in Iraq Posted: 22 May 2015 08:01 PM PDT A London taxi driver who made bombs targeting coalition troops in Iraq, one of which killed a US soldier, was jailed for life with a minimum of 38 years after being convicted of murder. Anis Sardar, 38, built an improvised explosive device (IED) which killed Sergeant First Class Randy Johnson of 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment when it exploded under his armoured vehicle outside Baghdad on September 27, 2007. Sardar was arrested in London in September 2014 after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation found his fingerprints on two bombs which were planted in the area at the time, although not the one which killed Johnson.

Clinton appears to rule out return of ground forces in Iraq Posted: 22 May 2015 01:13 PM PDT HAMPTON, New Hampshire (AP) — Democratic presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she sees "no role whatsoever" for U.S. ground forces in Iraq despite setbacks in the struggle against Islamic State militants.

Analysis: At Mideast forum, hopes for future amid chaos Posted: 22 May 2015 12:28 PM PDT SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan (AP) — Against a backdrop of Iraq and Syria in flames, Middle Eastern political and business leaders sought to focus on a future of growth and investment for a region that for long has lagged behind. But present-day reality proved rather difficult to ignore, with the Islamic State group wreaking havoc not far from these Dead Sea shores.

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