Latest Iraq News

Pilgrims commence the final rites of Hajj as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha

Jun. 16, 2024 08:09 AM EDT

MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Masses of pilgrims on Sunday embarked on a symbolic stoning of the devil in Saudi Arabia under the soaring summer heat. The ritual marks the final days of the Hajj, or Islamic pilgrimage, and the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world. ...

Judge orders retrial of civil case against contractor accused of abuse at Abu Ghraib

Jun. 14, 2024 13:52 PM EDT

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A judge on Friday ordered a retrial over allegations that a Virginia-based military contractor contributed to the abuse and torture of detainees at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison two decades ago. A civil trial earlier this year ended with a hung jury and...

The US fines Middle Eastern airline Emirates $1.8 million for flights that passed too low over Iraq

Jun. 13, 2024 18:04 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Transportation Department said Thursday that it fined Middle Eastern airline Emirates $1.8 million for flights in regions off-limits to U.S. airlines while it allowed JetBlue Airways to sell seats on the planes. The fine involves a “significant number” of...

Firefighters battle massive fire at northern Iraq oil refinery

Jun. 13, 2024 10:42 AM EDT

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — A team of 32 firefighters in northern Iraq was battling to put out a massive fire Thursday, a day after it broke out at an oil refinery, local officials said. The fire broke out late Wednesday at a large refinery in Irbil, in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of...

Members of Congress commemorate D-Day with their own parachute jump over Normandy

Jun. 07, 2024 14:16 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A contingent of U.S. lawmakers from the House of Representatives made a commemorative parachute jump Friday at Normandy marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the historic assault that launched the end of World War II. Organized by Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., and...

Attacks on businesses linked to US brands rattle Baghdad as anger over the war in Gaza surges

Jun. 07, 2024 01:06 AM EDT

BAGHDAD (AP) — A dozen masked men jump out of two SUVs and a white pickup and storm a KFC in Baghdad, smashing everything in sight before fleeing the scene. A few days earlier, similar violence played out at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and Chili House — all American brands popular in the Iraqi...

Today in History: June 7, Supreme Court rejects contraceptive ban in Griswold v. Connecticut

Jun. 07, 2024 00:12 AM EDT

Today in History Today is Friday, June 7, the 159th day of 2024. There are 207 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 7, 1965, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Griswold v. Connecticut, struck down, 7-2, a Connecticut law used to...

Service dogs helped ease PTSD symptoms in US military veterans, researchers say

Jun. 04, 2024 20:22 PM EDT

Specially trained service dogs helped ease PTSD symptoms in U.S. military veterans in a small study that the researchers hope will help expand options for service members. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides talk therapy and medications to veterans with post-traumatic...

UN votes to end Iraq political mission established after 2003 US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein

May. 31, 2024 22:03 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously Friday to end the U.N. political mission in Iraq established in 2003 following the United States-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein to coordinate post-conflict humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, and to help...

Key Republican calls for 'generational' increase in defense spending to counter US adversaries

May. 29, 2024 14:07 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top-ranking Republican on a Senate committee that oversees the military is calling for a “generational investment” in America's defense, saying aggressive and significant spending increases are necessary to deter coordinated threats from U.S. adversaries such as Russia,...