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Middle East
Israel to build new settlement in West Bank
- A key committee has approved construction of the first new Jewish settlement in the West Bank in a decade, an Israeli official said Thursday. The news infuriated Palestinians, who said the decision could cripple peace efforts.The only hurdle that remains is Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who plans to approve the Maskiot settlement within weeks, the official said. Barak had signaled to the national planning committee that it should authorize the plan, the official said.
Turkey bombs 13 Kurdish targets in northern Iraq
- Turkish warplanes bombed 13 Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, the military said Thursday.Turkey has conducted frequent air raids on suspected positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq. Earlier this year, it also launched a weeklong ground offensive there.
- Turkish warplanes bombed 13 Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, the military said Thursday.Turkey has conducted frequent air raids on suspected positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq. Earlier this year, it also launched a weeklong ground offensive there.
Gunmen in Iraq kill 3 US-allied fighters
- A member of a U.S.-allied Sunni group in Iraq says three of its guards have been killed and another wounded in drive-by shootings in northern Baghdad.The official says gunmen in a speeding car opened fire on two different awakening council checkpoints in the Azamiyah neighborhood on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
Turkey bombs Kurdish targets in Iraq
- Turkish warplanes bombed 13 Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, the military said Thursday.Turkey has conducted frequent air raids on suspected positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq. Earlier this year, it also launched a weeklong ground offensive there.
Report: Israel to build settlement in West Bank
- Israel radio reports that Israel has given preliminary approval for the construction of a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank.It would be the first new settlement established by Israel in several years.
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,124
- As of Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at least 4,124 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,360 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
Iraqi presidential council rejects elections law
- Iraq's presidential council on Wednesday rejected a draft provincial elections law and sent it back to parliament for reworking - a major blow to U.S. hopes that the vote can be held this year.The decision was likely to delay the elections until next year because there would not be sufficient time to make the necessary preparations. U.S. officials have pushed hard for the polls, which had been due by Oct. 1, as a key step toward repairing Iraq's sectarian divisions.
- Iraq's presidential council on Wednesday rejected a draft provincial elections law and sent it back to parliament for reworking - a major blow to U.S. hopes that the vote can be held this year.The decision was likely to delay the elections until next year because there would not be sufficient time to make the necessary preparations. U.S. officials have pushed hard for the polls, which had been due by Oct. 1, as a key step toward repairing Iraq's sectarian divisions.
Iran praises US participation in nuclear talks
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that the United States' participation in the latest round of nuclear talks is a step toward recognizing Tehran's right to acquire nuclear technology.A senior diplomat from the U.S. joined envoys from five other world powers in Switzerland at Saturday's talks on Iran's nuclear program. Ahmadinejad told thousands of supporters gathered in the southern Iranian town of Yasouj that U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns "spoke politely and in a dignified manner."
Iraqi president rejects election law
- Iraq's presidential council rejected a draft law paving the way for U.S.-backed provincial elections, returning it to parliament for reworking, an official said Wednesday.President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and his two deputies needed to ratify the law before it can take effect. But deputy parliamentary speaker Khalid al-Attiyah told The Associated Press that Talabani and Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi decided not to approve it while Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi was abroad.
- Iraq's presidential council rejected a draft law paving the way for U.S.-backed provincial elections, returning it to parliament for reworking, an official said Wednesday.President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and his two deputies needed to ratify the law before it can take effect. But deputy parliamentary speaker Khalid al-Attiyah told The Associated Press that Talabani and Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi decided not to approve it while Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi was abroad.