Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BAGHDAD (AP) — Local Iraqi officials say heavily-armed Sunni militants flying black jihadist banners are roaming the streets of Tal Afar (tahl AH'-fur). The town of 200,000 fell today to fighters from the al-Qaida splinter group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The extremists have already captured chunks of northern Iraq and killed hundreds of Shiites in captured areas. Meanwhile, security has been enhanced at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and some staffers have been moved to relatively safer areas.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry says the Obama administration is willing to talk with Iran about the deteriorating security conditions in Iraq. And he says the U.S. is not ruling out military cooperation with Iran in stemming the advance of Sunni extremists. Kerry also says U.S. drone strikes "may well" be an option. In an interview with Yahoo! News, Kerry said Washington is "open to discussions" with Tehran if the Iranians can help end the violence and restore confidence in the Iraqi government.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Officials in Kenya say gunmen from the Somali terror group al-Shabab shot up a small coastal town for hours, killing at least 48 people. Some victims had been watching World Cup matches on TV. Witnesses say some victims were targeted for being non-Muslim and unable to speak Somali.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Fire officials in central California say extra crews will have to be bought in to battle a blaze that has burned through more than three square miles and threatens more than 500 homes. The community at risk is Lake Isabella, about 30 miles northeast of Bakersfield. The situation could worsen because the forecast calls for hotter, drier conditions.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Lawyers for former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez are expected to ask a judge today to dismiss the murder charge Hernandez faces in connection with last June's execution-style killing of Odin Lloyd in North Attleborough. Massachusetts. Hernandez is also scheduled to be arraigned on charges that he attacked a handcuffed inmate and threatened to kill a guard and his family while at the county jail in Dartmouth.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
