Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Sacramento man pleads not guilty to lying about assisting militant group
• Some anti-IS partners do 'nothing at all': Pentagon chief
• Back on the agenda in Washington: a biometric exit system for travelers
• US plans to 'further accelerate' ISIS fight: Momentum or mixed messages?
• US acknowledges two more civilian deaths in Syria strikes
• U.S. military says decisive action needed against Islamic State in Libya
• France to try 7 jihadists including Paris bomber's brother: judicial source
• Europe's migration crisis claims another 46 lives in Aegean
• 'Panic' as Europe faces demise over refugees, top officials say
• U.S. 'hopes' Saudi Arabia may reopen Tehran embassy
• Firefighters battle Libya oil facility blaze
• The Latest: US top lawyer says tough to halt IS recruitment
• Iran-linked groups focus of Baghdad kidnapping probe: U.S. sources
• Iraqi minister says 'blackmail' behind kidnapping of U.S. citizens
• Turkey's Pivotal Role in an Uncertain Global Context
• Hungary, Slovenia urge fencing off of Greece to keep migrants out
• Pentagon chief says Turkey could do more in fight against Islamic State
• The Latest: Macedonia shuts border with Greece to refugees
• Vice President Biden chides Turkey over freedom of expression
• Merkel and Davutoglu seek solutions to migrant crisis
• US confirms additional civilian casualties from airstrikes
• U.S. military says two more civilians killed, four hurt in air strikes
• NATO 'discussing' use of AWACS in anti-IS operations
• Britain's Cameron fails to get backing on EU welfare reforms
• AP EXPLAINS: Islamic extremists step up attacks in Africa
• Iraqi PM wants Turkey to pull out troops
• Iraqi PM: 3 Americans were abducted by 'criminal gangs'
• Iraq war veteran creates wheelchair snow plow
• Anti-immigrant vigilante patrols cause concern in Finland
• Five years on, unrest tests 'Arab Spring' model Tunisia
• Cameron vows to end 'spurious' abuse cases against UK troops
• Senior RAF officer appointed head of Britain's armed forces
• Portugal to field former PM Antonio Guterres for top UN job
• Kerry says governmental corruption fuels extremism
• Congress Takes A Step Toward Declaring War on ISIS
• How to Get Authentic Iraqi Food Cooked By a Refugee Delivered to Your Door
• Q&A: Obama admin announces new rules for visa-free travel
• Iraq to start Mosul offensive against IS in first half of 2016: Minister
• Details about 12 Marines in Hawaii helicopter crash

Sacramento man pleads not guilty to lying about assisting militant group Posted: 22 Jan 2016 04:42 PM PST One of two Iraqi-born men arrested earlier this month on federal terrorism-related charges pleaded not guilty in Sacramento on Friday to a charge of lying about traveling to Syria and assisting a militant group. Aws Mohammed Younis al-Jayab, 23, who was arrested in Sacramento, is accused of making a false statement when he said he had gone to Turkey to visit his grandmother in late 2013 and 2014. Al-Jayab was one of two men from the Middle East who came to the United States as refugees and were arrested on federal terrorism charges earlier this month in California and Texas.

Some anti-IS partners do 'nothing at all': Pentagon chief Posted: 22 Jan 2016 04:21 PM PST Several members of the US-led coalition attacking the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria are doing "nothing at all" to help destroy the jihadists, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Friday. "Many of them are not doing enough, or are doing nothing at all," Carter said in an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In a separate interview with Bloomberg TV, Carter called the anti-IS alliance a "so-called" coalition, highlighting frustrations the Pentagon has with some partners -- particularly Sunni Arab nations -- not doing enough.

Back on the agenda in Washington: a biometric exit system for travelers Posted: 22 Jan 2016 02:47 PM PST In Washington, it's been a rare week of progress on what has been one of Congress's more protracted issues: setting up an exit system to track the departure of people leaving the country. For the first time, the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday released a report on how many people entering the United States overstay their visas. Congress has been requesting such data, repeatedly, over the past 20 years.

US plans to 'further accelerate' ISIS fight: Momentum or mixed messages? Posted: 22 Jan 2016 02:40 PM PST Now, it plans to "further accelerate" its operations, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said this week. ​This pledge comes ​as the Iraqi military prepares to retake Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, from IS fighters.

US acknowledges two more civilian deaths in Syria strikes Posted: 22 Jan 2016 02:29 PM PST Two civilians were "likely" killed in US-led coalition strikes last year near Raqa, the stronghold in Syria of the Islamic State group, and four others were injured in separate incidents, the Pentagon announced Friday. US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East, said the deaths came during four strikes in Syria and one in Iraq, bringing to 16 the total number of civilians the US-led coalition has acknowledged killing in the two countries since operations against IS jihadists began in August 2014. In a statement, CENTCOM said "the preponderance of evidence" indicated the five separate US strikes in July had "likely resulted in the death of two civilians" and injuries to four more.

U.S. military says decisive action needed against Islamic State in Libya Posted: 22 Jan 2016 02:07 PM PST By Phil Stewart PARIS (Reuters) - The top U.S. military officer said on Friday urgent and decisive military action was needed to halt the spread of Islamic State in Libya, warning the jihadist group wanted to use the country as a regional base. Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, avoided detailing any recommendations he might make in Washington. "You want to take decisive military action to check ISIL's expansion and at the same time you want to do it in such a way that's supportive of a long-term political process," Dunford, using an acronym for Islamic State, told a small group of reporters.

France to try 7 jihadists including Paris bomber's brother: judicial source Posted: 22 Jan 2016 02:07 PM PST Seven young men from eastern France, including the brother of one of the jihadists behind the deadly Paris attacks, will face trial for going to Syria to fight in 2013, a judicial source told AFP on Friday. The seven from Strasbourg began returning to France from February 2014 onwards and were arrested in May. Two other men who went to fight in Syria's civil war died there.

Europe's migration crisis claims another 46 lives in Aegean Posted: 22 Jan 2016 01:49 PM PST ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The death toll in Europe's migration crisis rose Friday when two overcrowded smuggling boats foundered off Greece and at least 46 people drowned — more than a third of them children — as European officials remained deeply divided on how to handle the influx.

'Panic' as Europe faces demise over refugees, top officials say Posted: 22 Jan 2016 01:38 PM PST Time is running out to solve Europe's refugee crisis with the unity of the continent hanging in the balance, top officials at the elite World Economic Forum in Davos said Friday. Discussions about the waves of refugees still making their way to Europe were on many people's lips in the Swiss ski resort, with opinions ranging from calls for an ageing Europe to seize an opportunity to stark warnings of impending disaster. "We have a few weeks to concretely deliver our options... otherwise you have country-by-country solutions (and that is) the beginning of the dismantling for sure," Emmanuel Macron, the French economy minister, told an audience of billionaires and business leaders.

U.S. 'hopes' Saudi Arabia may reopen Tehran embassy Posted: 22 Jan 2016 12:06 PM PST The United States hopes that Saudi Arabia may restore diplomatic ties with Iran, a senior State Department official said by phone on Friday ahead of Secretary of State John Kerry's Saturday visit to Riyadh. Tensions between bitter regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran escalated this month after Riyadh's execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric triggered an attack by Iranian protesters on its Tehran embassy, leading the kingdom to cut diplomatic ties.

Firefighters battle Libya oil facility blaze Posted: 22 Jan 2016 12:03 PM PST Firefighters on Friday battled a blaze at an oil facility in northern Libya for a second day, an official said, after an assault by jihadists aiming to seize export terminals. Libya's internationally-recognised government, meanwhile, called for Western air strikes to repel the jihadists. "Four storage tanks together containing around two million barrels of crude oil are on fire," said a security official in the Ras Lanouf region along Libya's northern coast.

The Latest: US top lawyer says tough to halt IS recruitment Posted: 22 Jan 2016 11:51 AM PST DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — The latest developments from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where top executives and world leaders are meeting this week. All times local.

Iran-linked groups focus of Baghdad kidnapping probe: U.S. sources Posted: 22 Jan 2016 11:49 AM PST (In paragraph 5 of Thursday story, story corrects name to Counter Extremism Project) By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence agencies investigating the kidnapping of three Americans in Baghdad, Iraq last week are focusing their probe on three militant Islamic groups closely affiliated with Iran, U.S. government sources said on Thursday. Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah and the Badr Organization are the principle focus of the investigation into the armed kidnapping of the three Americans in the Dora neighborhood, south of Baghdad, the sources said.

Iraqi minister says 'blackmail' behind kidnapping of U.S. citizens Posted: 22 Jan 2016 11:48 AM PST Iraq's defense minister said on Thursday the three Americans who went missing in Baghdad last week had been seized by an "organized gang" that carries out abductions for "blackmail". In an interview with Reuters in Cairo, Khaled al-Obaidi said the kidnappers spotted the three Americans as they repeatedly visited the same place. The three men are employed by a small company that is doing work for General Dynamics Corp, under a larger contract with the U.S. Army, a source familiar with the matter said.

Turkey's Pivotal Role in an Uncertain Global Context Posted: 22 Jan 2016 11:47 AM PST NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A panel discussion on Turkey's current foreign policy challenges will be presented by The American Turkish Society at 5:30pm on Monday, January 25, in New York City. The panel discussion will address the changing geopolitical role of Turkey in the face of current foreign policy challenges, particularly in light of rising tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.  Experts will weigh in on Turkey's strategic options on the international stage. Dr. Bulent Aliriza has been the founding director of the Turkey Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC since 1994.  Aliriza was a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Hungary, Slovenia urge fencing off of Greece to keep migrants out Posted: 22 Jan 2016 11:06 AM PST Hungary and Slovenia on Friday urged the erection of a fence along Greece's northern border, effectively sealing off the EU's passport-free Schengen area to migrants seeking to enter the bloc via the western Balkans. Both countries criticised Greece -- the asylum-seekers' first entry point into the bloc after crossing from Turkey -- for failing to protect its sea borders. "Just complaining that Greece is not protecting its borders isn't enough," Hungary's right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at a joint news conference with Slovenian counterpart Miro Cerar.

Pentagon chief says Turkey could do more in fight against Islamic State Posted: 22 Jan 2016 10:26 AM PST Turkey could do more in the fight against Islamic State militants, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said on Friday. "Turkey is a longtime friend of ours. "But the reality is it shares a big border with Iraq and Syria, which border has been porous to foreign fighters going in both directions and I think the Turks could do more," Carter added.

The Latest: Macedonia shuts border with Greece to refugees Posted: 22 Jan 2016 10:02 AM PST ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The latest developments in Europe's immigration crisis (all times local):

Vice President Biden chides Turkey over freedom of expression Posted: 22 Jan 2016 09:46 AM PST By David Dolan ISTANBUL (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday that Turkey, once vaunted by Washington as a model of Islamic democracy, was setting a poor example for the region in intimidating media, curtailing internet freedom and accusing academics of treason. On a two-day visit to the NATO ally, part of the U.S.-led alliance against Islamic State in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, Biden said the strength of Turkey's democracy had a direct impact on its ties with the United States. Turkey is a vital partner for both Washington and Europe in efforts to combat Islamic State, end Syria's civil war, and curb the flow of migrants and refugees.

Merkel and Davutoglu seek solutions to migrant crisis Posted: 22 Jan 2016 09:33 AM PST BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pledged Friday to continue to work intensively together to solve Europe's migrant crisis — not only to stem the flow of people but to improve conditions in camps in Turkey and to try and bring about a peace deal in Syria.

US confirms additional civilian casualties from airstrikes Posted: 22 Jan 2016 09:04 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says American airstrikes likely killed two civilians near the Islamic State group's defacto capital of Raqqa, Syria, last July. That's on top of eight other civilian deaths the military acknowledged last week.

U.S. military says two more civilians killed, four hurt in air strikes Posted: 22 Jan 2016 09:04 AM PST The U.S. military said on Friday two civilians were likely killed and four others wounded in air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria between July 4 and July 17, 2015. It was only the fourth time since the start of the U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State in 2014 that the U.S. military's Central Command has disclosed civilian casualties following its internal investigations.

NATO 'discussing' use of AWACS in anti-IS operations Posted: 22 Jan 2016 08:38 AM PST NATO member states are discussing a request to use the alliance's AWACS air surveillance aircraft in the battle against the jihadist Islamic State group, an official said Friday. An AWACS commitment would mark a departure for NATO which up to now has had no direct role in combating IS but is increasingly concerned by the threat it poses on its southern flank. "We can confirm there has been a request for concrete support from NATO to the anti-ISIL effort in the form of NATO AWACS surveillance planes," a NATO official said, when asked about reports Washington had raised the issue.

Britain's Cameron fails to get backing on EU welfare reforms Posted: 22 Jan 2016 08:20 AM PST PRAGUE (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday he was confident that his country would be able to reach a deal with the European Union on his government's demands for EU reforms.

AP EXPLAINS: Islamic extremists step up attacks in Africa Posted: 22 Jan 2016 08:12 AM PST KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The number of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists is mounting across Africa, raising questions about the resurgence of armed groups once seen to be in decline. Here is a brief description of the attacks and an explanation of who was behind them and what is driving the surge.

Iraqi PM wants Turkey to pull out troops Posted: 22 Jan 2016 07:23 AM PST Iraq's prime minister appealed Friday to Turkey to pull its troops out of Iraqi territory and instead provide training and equipment to fight the Islamic State group, which he and U.S. Secretary of State ...

Iraqi PM: 3 Americans were abducted by 'criminal gangs' Posted: 22 Jan 2016 07:19 AM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister said Friday that there appears to be no political motivation behind the recent abduction of three Americans in Baghdad, saying the men seem to have been taken by "criminal gangs."

Iraq war veteran creates wheelchair snow plow Posted: 22 Jan 2016 06:08 AM PST An Iraq war veteran in Nebraska has created his own, one of a kind wheelchair snow plow.

Anti-immigrant vigilante patrols cause concern in Finland Posted: 22 Jan 2016 06:05 AM PST HELSINKI (AP) — In the snowy streets of Finland's cities, black-clad vigilantes are on patrol, to the alarm of the police and many residents. They say they're there to keep Finnish people safe from what they say is a new and clear threat — the increasing numbers of asylum-seekers.

Five years on, unrest tests 'Arab Spring' model Tunisia Posted: 22 Jan 2016 05:49 AM PST By Tarek Amara KASSERINE, Tunisia (Reuters) - On Dec. 17, 2010, a young, desperate Tunisian vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself ablaze in a suicide protest over unemployment and police abuse that spread revolt across the Arab world. Five years on, Ridha Yahyaoui, another young Tunisian, has killed himself in frustration after being refused a job, inflaming protests through the same impoverished towns that once brought down the regime of Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali. If Tunisia was hailed as the success story of the Arab Spring revolts for its democratic progress, it has also become an example of the dangers in failing to tackle economic malaise, alienation and frustrations of North African youth.

Cameron vows to end 'spurious' abuse cases against UK troops Posted: 22 Jan 2016 05:11 AM PST LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister David Cameron wants to make it harder for Iraqis to bring claims of abuse against British troops.

Senior RAF officer appointed head of Britain's armed forces Posted: 22 Jan 2016 05:07 AM PST LONDON (AP) — The British government has appointed a senior Royal Air Force officer to head the country's armed forces.

Portugal to field former PM Antonio Guterres for top UN job Posted: 22 Jan 2016 03:58 AM PST Portugal has proposed former prime minister and ex head of the UN refugee agency Antonio Guterres as a candidate for UN secretary general, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said Friday. UN chief Ban Ki-moon's second five-year term expires at the end of the year and some candidatures have already been announced including those of UNESCO chief Irina Bokova -- endorsed by her native Bulgaria -- as well as former Slovenian president Danilo Turk. "The government will present the candidacy of Antonio Guterres," Costa told the Publico newspaper.

Kerry says governmental corruption fuels extremism Posted: 22 Jan 2016 03:37 AM PST DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry took aim Friday at government corruption, saying it fuels crime, violent extremism and disillusionment with society that contributes to the global refugee crisis. He also said the Obama administration will seek a major boost in funding for refugee support this year and press for at least 10 new countries to offer resettlement programs.

Congress Takes A Step Toward Declaring War on ISIS Posted: 22 Jan 2016 03:13 AM PST Congress may be edging closer to formally authorizing the use of military force against the Islamic State. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell quietly introduced a joint-resolution on Wednesday to authorize the use of military force against the terrorist group. It would grant the administration sweeping authority to combat the Islamic State, though it is far from certain that the measure will receive a vote.

How to Get Authentic Iraqi Food Cooked By a Refugee Delivered to Your Door Posted: 22 Jan 2016 03:08 AM PST CEO and cofounder Manal Kahi, who moved to New York from Lebanon to attend graduate school at Columbia University, couldn't find hummus that compared to her Syrian grandmother's recipe. Partnering with The International Rescue Committee, they currently employ chef Nidaa Al Janabi from Iraq, chef Rachana Rimal from Nepal, and chef Mitslal Tedla from Eritrea, who create meals delivered to groups at a starting rate of $20 per person, including dishes such as fried cauliflower served with sweet chili sauce and lentils slow-cooked with Berbere spices.

Q&A: Obama admin announces new rules for visa-free travel Posted: 22 Jan 2016 01:26 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is tightening travel restrictions on Europeans and others who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan in the last five years. At the same time, officials say the new rules might not apply to travelers in certain occupations whose travels were for business.

Iraq to start Mosul offensive against IS in first half of 2016: Minister Posted: 22 Jan 2016 12:33 AM PST Iraq plans to launch the operation to dislodge Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul in the first half of 2016, Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi told Reuters on Thursday. Mosul is the largest city under control of the militants who captured it in 2014 to declare a caliphate over vast swathes of Sunni populated regions of Iraq and Syria.``I can say the battle won't be delayed after the first half of this year, and its end by God's will shall also be swift,'' Obeidi said in an interview in Cairo. ``We can determine when the battle starts, but its end depends on variables.''Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in December said 2016 will be the year of ``final victory'' on Islamic State.

Details about 12 Marines in Hawaii helicopter crash Posted: 21 Jan 2016 06:03 PM PST HONOLULU (AP) — A dozen Marines are missing after two helicopters crashed off Hawaii last week. The Marine Corps has changed their status to deceased after failing to find any sign of them despite five days of searching. They all earned various decorations and were members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Here are their stories:

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