On surprise Iraq visit, Biden urging end to political crisis
By JOSH LEDERMAN Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Thursday to implore the country’s leaders to resolve a crippling political crisis that has hindered efforts…
War and unrest
Airstrikes, shelling kill at least 60 in Syria’s Aleppo city
By SARAH EL DEEB A wave of airstrikes and shelling killed more than 60 people in less than 24 hours in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, monitors and activists…
Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam extradited, charged in France
By ELAINE GANLEY and RAPHAEL SATTER Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam — Europe’s most wanted fugitive until his capture in Belgium last month — has been returned to France and…
Obama boosts Islamic State fight, asks Europe to do the same
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY Evoking history and appealing for solidarity, President Barack Obama on Monday cast his decision to send 250 more troops to Syria as a bid to keep up…
Exclusive: N. Korea to halt nuke tests if US stops drills
By ERIC TALMADGE North Korea is ready to halt its nuclear tests if the United States suspends its annual military exercises with South Korea, the North Korean foreign minister told…
White House poised to release secret pages from 9/11 inquiry
By DEB RIECHMANN The Obama administration will likely soon release at least part of a 28-page secret chapter from a congressional inquiry into 9/11 that may shed light on possible…
Little help for survivors of Central African Republic abuses
By KRISTA LARSON The peacekeepers motioned to the teenage girl weaving through the sprawling camp in the baking afternoon sun selling bananas from a plate atop her head. Soon their…
US to send 200 more troops, Apache helicopters, to Iraq
By LOLITA C. BALDOR The U.S. has agreed to deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq and to send eight Apache helicopters for the first time into the fight…