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US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,324
As of Thursday, July 16, 2009, at least 4,324 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. (AP, 8:41 p.m.)
Ahmadinejad opponents to attend weekly Iran prayers
Opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi plans to attend weekly prayers in Tehran on Friday in his first official public appearance since a disputed vote that provoked mass protests by his pro-reform supporters last month. (Reuters, 8:01 p.m.)
India, Pakistan meet, no formal peace talks yet
But Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, speaking after talks with his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani in Egypt, ruled out a resumption of formal peace talks, known as the "composite dialogue," that Islamabad has been seeking. (Reuters, 5:21 p.m.)
Chad launches air raid on Sudan: state media
Chadian aircraft launched an air raid inside Sudanese territory on Thursday, days after reports the countries were planning reconciliation talks, Sudanese state media reported. (Reuters, 5:22 p.m.)
Anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox Jews visit Gaza
Representatives of an anti-Zionist, ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect paid a brief visit to the Gaza Strip on Thursday on a solidarity mission with the area's militantly anti-Israel Hamas leaders. (Associated Press Writer, 3:53 p.m.)
Iran opposition looking for boost at Friday prayer
The opposition is planning a dramatic show of strength on one of Iran's most important and resonant political stages: the main Islamic prayers Friday in the capital. (Associated Press Writers, 1:51 p.m.)
Ahmadinejad: Iran will "bring down" Western foes
Newly re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday his next government "would bring down the global arrogance," signaling a tougher approach by Tehran toward the West after last month's disputed election. (Reuters, 1:02 p.m.)
UK's Brown calls on Afghan army to pull its weight
Afghanistan needs to do far more to make its troops available on the ground if a U.S.-British offensive to secure territory ahead of elections is to succeed, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Thursday. (Reuters, 11:22 a.m.)
Orthodox Jews trash streets over state interference
Parts of Jerusalem resembled a slum on Thursday after two days of rock-throwing, garbage-burning riots by ultra-religious Jews enraged by state interference in their affairs. (Reuters, 11 a.m.)
Black boxes recovered from crashed Iranian plane
Two badly damaged black box recorders have been recovered from a Tupolev aircraft that crashed in Iran on Wednesday, killing all 168 people on board, official media reported on Thursday. (Reuters, 11 a.m.)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews riot in Jerusalem over arrest
Ultra-Orthodox Jews throwing rocks and firecrackers clashed with police using horses and water cannon in Jerusalem on Thursday, in the third day of rioting over the arrest of a mentally ill Hasidic woman who authorities say was starving her child. (Associated Press Writer, 5:32 p.m.)
Iran opposition leader to attend Friday prayers
Iranian opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi plans to attend Friday prayers this week in his first official public appearance since a disputed election that provoked mass protests by his supporters last month. (Reuters, 9:20 a.m.)
Afghan Taliban says they have missing U.S. soldier
A Taliban commander in southeastern Afghanistan said on Thursday a missing U.S. soldier is being held by insurgents and is unharmed but warned the military he will be killed if they try to find him. (Reuters, 9:01 a.m.)
18 hurt by Baghdad bomb targeting Shiite pilgrims
Eighteen people were injured Thursday in an explosion that targeted a minibus transporting Shiite pilgrims to a holy shrine to commemorate the death of a revered imam. (Associated Press Writer, 8:01 a.m.)
Iranian president casts doubt on US engagement
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad railed against the U.S. in a speech Thursday, showing little indication of embracing Washington's offer of engagement, a day after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said time was running out. (Associated Press Writer, 2:11 p.m.)
Head of Iran's atomic energy body resigns: ISNA
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, has resigned and his resignation has been accepted by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the ISNA news agency reported on Thursday. (Reuters, 7:41 a.m.)
Former U.S. Afghan commander says he was embarrassed
Retiring U.S. Army General David McKiernan said on Wednesday he was "more than a little embarrassed" by his abrupt ouster from his job as top military commander in Afghanistan last spring. (Reuters, 6:41 a.m.)
Pakistan promises to catch India attackers
Pakistan promised India on Thursday that it will do "everything in its power" to bring the Mumbai terror attackers to justice, a key demand by New Delhi to improve relations. (Associated Press Writer, 10:52 a.m.)
Israel: Lebanon blast shows 'flagrant' violations
Israel accused Iran and Syria on Thursday of sending weapons to Lebanon's Hezbollah in violation of U.N. resolutions, after one of the militant group's weapons depots blew up near the Israeli border. (Associated Press Writer, 12:43 p.m.)
Black boxes from Iran's crashed plane recovered
Investigators have recovered the three black boxes belonging to a Russian-made jetliner that crashed in northwest Iran shortly after taking off from the capital, killing all 168 on board, authorities said Thursday. (Associated Press Writer, 1:42 p.m.)
Al Qaeda’s No. 2 asks Pakistanis for help
CAIRO - Al Qaeda’s deputy leader called on Pakistanis to join his group’s holy war against the United States in Pakistan and Afghanistan and warned they could face the destruction of both countries and provoke God’s wrath if they do not do so. (Associated Press, 12 a.m.)
Plane nose-dives in Iran, killing all 168 aboard
TEHRAN, Iran - A Russian-made jetliner carrying 168 people nose-dived into a field after taking off from the Iranian capital yesterday in a fiery crash that shredded the aircraft and killed everyone aboard - Iran’s worst air disaster in six years. Witnesses say the plane’s tail was on fire before it went down. (Associated Press, 12 a.m.)
Israeli veterans of Gaza war call military force excessive
JERUSALEM - Israeli soldiers who fought in last winter’s Gaza war say the military used Palestinians as human shields, improperly fired incendiary white phosphorus shells over civilian areas, and used overwhelming firepower that caused needless deaths and destruction, according to a report released yesterday. (Associated Press, 12 a.m.)
Bombings kill Iraq officer, 10 others
BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber killed six people yesterday, including an Iraqi policeman, in an attack on security forces in a former insurgent stronghold in Iraq’s western Anbar Province, police said. A Baghdad bombing killed five other people. (Associated Press, 12 a.m.)