Officials: Suicide bombs rock central Baghdad, 6 dead

BAGHDAD (AP) — Twin suicide bombings hit Iraq’s capital Thursday killing at least six people and wounding at least 25 others, police and state TV said. Three police officials said two explosions hit a commercial center in central Baghdad. Iraqi state television reported they were suicide bombings....

Iraqi State TV reports suicide bombing in central Baghdad, unknown number of casualties

Amid crippling sanctions, Iran traders seek lifeline in Iraq

DOHUK, Iraq (AP) — Piles of plush carpets line the floors of a northern Iraq shopping center hosting traders from neighboring Iran who hope the spangle of their ornate handicrafts might offer a lifeline out of poverty. In their own country, the economy is in tatters amid crippling U.S. sanctions. ...

Macron calls on Biden for greater US military involvement

BREST, France (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron hoped on Tuesday that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will show a greater military commitment to fight against Islamic extremists in several theaters of conflict and especially in the Middle East. Macron, who made his New Year’s speech to the...

Iraq postpones date for early elections by four months

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's Cabinet voted Tuesday to postpone early elections for four months based on a recommendation by the country's electoral commission, which proposed the change citing technical reasons. Elections will now be held in October, according to a statement from the prime minister's office...

Pentagon says US has dropped to 2,500 troops in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has met its goal of reducing the number of troops in Afghanistan to about 2,500 by Friday, a drawdown that may have violated a last-minute congressional prohibition. The reduction could complicate matters for the incoming Biden administration, which must determine how to...

Transcript of Trump's speech at rally before US Capitol riot

President Donald Trump spoke at a rally near the White House on Jan. 6 before a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to try to stop Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Trump was impeached Wednesday by the U.S. House on a single charge of “incitement of...

Minnesota man who trained with Islamic State pleads guilty

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man who traveled to Syria and Iraq where prosecutors say he became a soldier for the Islamic State group pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a terrorism count. Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 24, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court of Minnesota to one count of providing and attempting...

US sanctions controversial deputy of Iraqi paramilitaries

BAGHDAD (AP) — The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on an influential Iraqi militia leader and deputy of a powerful Iran-backed umbrella of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups, designating him a global terrorist figure. The move by the U.S. Treasury against Abdulaziz al-Mohammadawi, known as Abu...

Intense Israeli strikes in east Syria; region on high alert

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli warplanes carried out intense airstrikes in eastern Syria early Wednesday, apparently targeting positions and arms depots of Iran-backed forces as the region is on high alert. At least 57 fighters were killed and dozens were wounded, according to a Syrian opposition war monitoring...