Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• U.S. sends nine Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to Saudi Arabia
• Nellis base welcomes 57th Wing's first woman commander
• Europe can't take in millions of migrants: ex-chancellor Kohl
• Iraq in political limbo after stalled reform attempts
• France's Hollande pledges aid to Lebanon at start of Mideast tour
• Internet abuzz after quantum computing lesson by Canada's Trudeau
• Pentagon chief in Gulf to seek support for Iraq
• Turkey and Iran seek closer economic cooperation
• U.S. looks to Gulf allies to help Iraq rebuild post-Islamic State
• U.S., allies conduct 18 strikes against Islamic State: U.S. military
• Iraq's Sadr threatens renewed protests to bring about new government
• Turkish army kills 23 Kurdish militants in clashes, air strike
• Pentagon chief: US eyes ways to step up Islamic State fight
• Iran and Turkey vow to cooperate on terrorism and trade
• UK spy agency chief apologizes for old prejudice about gays
• Military brass to gather in Vermont to highlight ROTC origin
• Surging oil production, low prices to challenge Doha meeting
• French, German ministers arrive in Libya to back unity government
• Bob Woodruff to Receive Public Leadership in Neurology Award
• This nasty oil rivalry is why a genuine output freeze is a long shot
• Iraq MPs quit session aimed at replacing speaker
• Iraq parliament cancels session as MPs challenge speaker
• NAB: First Reactions To Ang Lee's 'Billy Lynn' 120 Frame Rate Footage: 'Awesome,' 'Unbelievable'

U.S. sends nine Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to Saudi Arabia Posted: 16 Apr 2016 03:33 PM PDT By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Saturday transferred nine Yemeni men to Saudi Arabia from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo, including an inmate who had been on a hunger strike since 2007, under a long-sought diplomatic deal between Washington and Riyadh, U.S. officials said. The transfer, which took place just days before President Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia for a summit of Gulf Arab allies, marked the latest step in his final push to close the controversial detention center at the U.S. naval base in Cuba before he leaves office in January 2017. The Saudis agreed, after lengthy negotiations that at one point involved Obama and Saudi King Salman, to take the nine Yemenis for resettlement and put them through a government-run rehabilitation program that seeks to reintegrate militants into society, the officials said.

Nellis base welcomes 57th Wing's first woman commander Posted: 16 Apr 2016 02:09 PM PDT LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada welcomed the first woman leader of the 57th Wing when Brig. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt took command in a ceremony, The Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://bit.ly/1NfmKI9 ) reported.

Europe can't take in millions of migrants: ex-chancellor Kohl Posted: 16 Apr 2016 01:07 PM PDT Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has warned that Europe can't become "a new home" for millions of migrants, in a veiled criticism of incumbent Angela Merkel's liberal asylum policies. "Europe cannot become a new home for the millions of people in need throughout the world," Kohl was quoted as saying. Orban -- whose country has erected razorwire border fences to deter migrants -- earlier this year said that an uncontrolled influx exposes Europe to the risks of "terrorism, criminality, anti-Semitism and homophobia".

Iraq in political limbo after stalled reform attempts Posted: 16 Apr 2016 11:19 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Failed attempts to oust the speaker of parliament and a fresh ultimatum from an influential Shiite cleric have left Iraq in a state of political limbo. Backroom negotiations continued late into the night Saturday between Iraq's powerful political blocs after lawmakers attempting to oust speaker Selim al-Jabouri failed to maintain quorum.

France's Hollande pledges aid to Lebanon at start of Mideast tour Posted: 16 Apr 2016 11:10 AM PDT French President Francois Hollande on Saturday pledged financial and military support for Lebanon and urged its paralysed political class to elect a president, at the start of a regional tour. Deep political divisions have left Lebanon without a president since May 2014, and parliament has extended its own mandate twice since 2009. Beginning a four-day Middle East tour, Hollande met Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

Internet abuzz after quantum computing lesson by Canada's Trudeau Posted: 16 Apr 2016 11:08 AM PDT The Internet was abuzz with praise for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday after clips showing him schooling a reporter on quantum computing went viral. While political opponents learned a lesson about underestimating the photogenic Trudeau, 44, during last year's surprise electoral upset, the unnamed reporter fell into the same trap during an event at a Canadian university on Friday when he jokingly tested the former teacher's knowledge. Trudeau's explanation on quantum computing generated cheers and applause from the room and set social media abuzz.

Pentagon chief in Gulf to seek support for Iraq Posted: 16 Apr 2016 10:39 AM PDT US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday for a six-day Gulf tour aimed at galvanising support for Iraq as it battles the Islamic State group. Washington is eager to see the Gulf Arab monarchies do more to help Baghdad at a crucial moment in its fight against the jihadists. "The success of the campaign against ISIL in Iraq does depend upon political and economic progress as well," Carter said ahead of his visit, using another acronym for the jihadist group.

Turkey and Iran seek closer economic cooperation Posted: 16 Apr 2016 10:15 AM PDT Turkey and Iran agreed Saturday to boost economic cooperation between their neighboring nations, aiming to triple their trade to reach $30 billion annually, Turkey's president said. Turkish President Recep ...

U.S. looks to Gulf allies to help Iraq rebuild post-Islamic State Posted: 16 Apr 2016 10:10 AM PDT By Yeganeh Torbati AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Saturday he would ask Gulf states next week to contribute to efforts to rebuild parts of Iraq devastated by the fight against Islamic State. Carter spoke at the start of a regional trip during which he will meet leaders of Saudi Arabia and other U.S. allies in the Gulf to discuss the battle against the militant group and other defense issues, such as Iranian actions in the region. President Barack Obama will also attend the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and will meet with King Salman in Saudi Arabia.

U.S., allies conduct 18 strikes against Islamic State: U.S. military Posted: 16 Apr 2016 09:56 AM PDT The United States and its allies targeted Islamic State militants in Iraq with 15 strikes on Friday and three in Syria, the U.S. military said on Saturday. Four of the strikes in Iraq were near Mosul, striking an Islamic State tactical unit and 10 boats. In Syria, three strikes were near Mar'a and hit three Islamic State tactical units.

Iraq's Sadr threatens renewed protests to bring about new government Posted: 16 Apr 2016 09:51 AM PDT By Maher Chmaytelli and Saif Hameed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr warned on Saturday he would re-start protests within 72 hours if the nation's leaders failed to vote on a cabinet of technocrats proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to tackle corruption. The political crisis is crippling parliament and Abadi says it threatens to hamper Iraq's campaign against Islamic State militants who still control swathes of territory in the north and west of the oil-rich state. Sadr addressed his warning to Abadi, who belongs to the Shi'ite majority, and to the two other top state officials, President Fuad Masum, a Kurd, and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri, a Sunni Muslim.

Turkish army kills 23 Kurdish militants in clashes, air strike Posted: 16 Apr 2016 09:38 AM PDT Turkey's armed forces killed 23 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters in the latest clashes in eastern Turkey, including three militants who died in an air strike, the general staff said on Saturday. Security sources said warplanes and attack helicopters fired on a mountainous, forested area in the eastern province of Tunceli after military drones spotted a group of about 20 PKK rebels there on Friday. The armed forces' statement said three of the militants were killed in the air strikes.

Pentagon chief: US eyes ways to step up Islamic State fight Posted: 16 Apr 2016 09:33 AM PDT AL-DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he will talk with his commanders in the coming days to identify additional ways the U.S. can intensify the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, including more airstrikes, cyberattacks and American troops on the ground.

Iran and Turkey vow to cooperate on terrorism and trade Posted: 16 Apr 2016 08:13 AM PDT Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to boost trade between their two countries at talks Saturday following the lifting of most international sanctions on Tehran. Rouhani boycotted the closing meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in protest at the rebuke. In a joint press conference, Erdogan said he hoped bilateral trade would reach $30 billion (27 billion euros) annually.

UK spy agency chief apologizes for old prejudice about gays Posted: 16 Apr 2016 08:02 AM PDT LONDON (AP) — The head of Britain's digital espionage agency has apologized for the organization's historic prejudice against homosexuals, saying it failed to learn from the treatment of World War II codebreaker Alan Turing.

Military brass to gather in Vermont to highlight ROTC origin Posted: 16 Apr 2016 06:43 AM PDT NORTHFIELD, Vt. (AP) — Almost 200 years after Vermont native Alden Partridge set up the nation's first private military college on the banks of the Connecticut River, thousands of young women and men across the country are perpetuating his dream of having civilian-educated officers leading the nation's military.

Surging oil production, low prices to challenge Doha meeting Posted: 16 Apr 2016 06:23 AM PDT OPEC isn't what it used to be. Ahead of a planned meeting of most of the cartel and other major oil producers in Qatar to approve a freeze on oil production, some OPEC members are pumping record levels ...

French, German ministers arrive in Libya to back unity government Posted: 16 Apr 2016 06:21 AM PDT By Aidan Lewis and John Irish TRIPOLI/GENEVA (Reuters) - The French and German foreign ministers arrived in Libya on Saturday for unannounced talks with the head of the unity government Fayaz Seraj to offer support as he seeks to stabilise the North African state, a French diplomatic source said. The visit by Jean-Marc Ayrault and Frank-Walter Steinmeier is part of efforts by the European Union to rebuild law and order in Libya and head off a potential new tide of migrants into Italy from the country, which has been in chaos since the toppling of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Western governments are also concerned about growing presence of Islamic State militants in Libya, where its affiliates have taken control of Sirte city and threatened oil installations as they seek to build a base beyond their Iraq and Syria territory.

Bob Woodruff to Receive Public Leadership in Neurology Award Posted: 16 Apr 2016 05:23 AM PDT VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Brain Foundation has announced that Bob Woodruff, former ABC "World News Tonight" co-anchor and current ABC News Asia correspondent, is the recipient of its 2016 Public Leadership in Neurology Award. The American television journalist is being honored for his commitment to helping people with traumatic brain injury and other related brain diseases. The Public Leadership in Neurology Award honors an individual or group outside of the medical profession.

This nasty oil rivalry is why a genuine output freeze is a long shot Posted: 16 Apr 2016 04:42 AM PDT Investors awaiting Sunday's meeting of major oil producers in Doha are eyeing signs of a deal that could freeze oil production in a bid to stabilize prices.

Iraq MPs quit session aimed at replacing speaker Posted: 16 Apr 2016 04:26 AM PDT A group of Iraqi lawmakers said they would not take part in a Saturday parliament session to select a replacement for the speaker, apparently leaving it without the necessary quorum. Iraq was on course to have two rival claimants to the speakership, further increasing chaos in parliament, which has already seen a vote to sack speaker Salim al-Juburi, a fistfight among MPs and a sit-in this week. The political turmoil had sidelined Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's efforts to replace the current cabinet, a setback for the premier.

Iraq parliament cancels session as MPs challenge speaker Posted: 16 Apr 2016 02:13 AM PDT Iraq's parliament canceled a session on anti-graft reforms on Saturday, state TV said, as some MPs disputed the legitimacy of the speaker to chair the meeting in an escalation of a political crisis crippling state institutions. The session is the third canceled this week as politicians bicker over a plan to overhaul Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's cabinet by bringing in technocrats in a bid to stem corruption. Iraq, a major OPEC exporter which sits on one of the world's largest oil reserves, ranks 161th out of 168 countries on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

NAB: First Reactions To Ang Lee's 'Billy Lynn' 120 Frame Rate Footage: 'Awesome,' 'Unbelievable' Posted: 15 Apr 2016 09:00 PM PDT The Oscar-winning director who is pushing the envelope by using an unprecedent 4k, 3D, 120 fps format unveiled 11 minutes of footage from his new film, "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk," to an enthusiastic audience.

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