Baghdad bombings kill at least 30: police, medics
Five bomb attacks killed at least 30 people and wounded around 70 others in several Baghdad districts.
UN takes aim at Islamist oil grab in Syria, Iraq
The UN Security Council backed a Russian initiative to bar trade in oil with Islamists in Iraq and Syria.
US congratulates Iraq on electing new president
The United States on Thursday threw its weight behind the newly elected president of Iraq, Fuad Masum, and urged him to form a "cohesive government" to help fight Islamic militants.
Iraqi jihadists order genital mutilation of all women
Jihadists in Iraq have ordered that all women between the ages of 11 and 46 must undergo female genital mutilation, which could affect up to four million women and girls in the war-ravaged country, a UN official said
Kazakhstan to expand cooperation with OPEC
Kazakhstan, a Central Asian oil producer, will expand its cooperation with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Iraq Kurds claim oilfields as bombings kill 28
Iraq's Kurdish region claimed disputed northern oilfields on Friday in another blow to efforts to forge a united front against a jihadist-led onslaught, as twin bombings killed 28 people.
Trapped Indian nurses on way home from Iraq
A group of 46 Indian nurses who were trapped in an area of Iraq seized by Islamic militants were set to be welcomed home by anxious relatives Saturday after being freed from the rebel-held city of Mosul.
India nurses in Iraq conflict 'to be freed'
A group of 46 Indian nurses trapped in Iraq are to be freed, one of them told AFP Friday, in a rare piece of positive news in a crisis threatening "Syria-like chaos".
Oil extends losses on return of Libyan supplies
Oil extended losses in Asia Thursday on prospects that Libya will begin exporting more crude into a global market flush with supplies, while easing concerns about the Iraqi crisis also weighed on prices.
Obama sends more troops to Baghdad as Iraq battles to stop offensive
President Barack Obama has deployed 200 more troops to Baghdad to protect the US embassy as Iraq's parliament was set to convene Tuesday to seek a solution to the country's sectarian crisis.
ISIS, geopolitics of Iraqi crisis and Central Asian militants: interview
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) is recruiting Kazakhstanis and other Central Asians amid its expansion in Iraq and the big geopolitical game in the Middle East.
ISIL declares 'caliphate' as Iraq presses counter-offensive
The ISIL jihadists whose sweeping Sunni militant offensive has captured swathes of Iraq have declared an "Islamic caliphate" in their territory as Iraqi forces battle to retake Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit.
Obama seeks $500 mn to train, equip Syrian rebels
The White House has asked lawmakers for $500 million to train and equip vetted Syrian rebels, in what would be a significant escalation of US involvement in a conflict that has spilled into Iraq.
Kerry in Iraq as Sunni militants press western front
US Secretary of State John Kerry landed in Baghdad Monday on a surprise trip to push for Iraqi unity and stability, as Sunni militants advanced in west Iraq after security forces retreated.
Danish hostage freed in Syria after 13 months
A Danish freelance photographer has been freed after being held hostage in Syria for 13 months, the Danish government said.
Obama under pressure to respond to Iraq crisis
President Barack Obama has not decided how to respond to rampant Sunni militants grabbing swathes of Iraq, but is looking at every option short of sending US combat soldiers back to war.
40 Indians in northern Iraq 'uncontactable'
Forty Indian employees stranded in violence-hit Iraq are "uncontactable", the foreign ministry said Wednesday, with a newspaper reporting the construction workers have been kidnapped.
About 275 US military personnel to Iraq: Obama
About 275 US military personnel are being deployed to Iraq to help American personnel and protect the embassy in Baghdad, President Barack Obama said Monday in a letter to Congressional leaders.
US mulls air strikes as Iraq militants advance on Baghdad
Militants have seized the Iraqi city of Tikrit as a jihadist offensive sweeps closer to Baghdad, prompting the UN Security Council to convene crisis talks Thursday while the US mulls air strikes on the rebels.
Heavy clashes, suicide bombings kill 36 in north Iraq
Heavy fighting between security forces and militants and twin suicide bombings killed 36 people in north Iraq Friday, as deadly violence shook other parts of the country.