US carries out air strikes over Iraq...US flights banned...Nearly two dozen victims identified

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly three years after U.S. combat forces were pulled out of Iraq, the U.S. military is back in action there -- but only from the skies. The Pentagon says U.S. jets today bombed a piece of artillery being used by Islamic militants to attack Kurdish fighters protecting the city of Irbil. The U.S. is also dropping food and water to tens of thousands of people from Iraqi religious minorities who are stranded on a mountain, surrounded by militants.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal aviation authorities are prohibiting U.S. airlines and other commercial carriers from flying over Iraq, saying hostilities there could threaten safety. The FAA announced the ban today, citing the "potentially hazardous situation" created by fighting between militants and Iraqi security forces and their allies. The FAA previously had limited flights over Iraq to altitudes no lower than 30,000 feet. The ban comes just three weeks after a Malaysia Airlines plane with nearly 300 people on board was shot down over eastern Ukraine.

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch-led forensic team working on the remains of those aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 says it has identified 23 victims so far. A Justice Ministry spokesman says they include 18 Dutch, two Malaysians, a Canadian, a German and a Briton. All their families have been notified. In all, 228 coffins have been brought to the Netherlands but it's not known how many victims that represents. The forensic experts at a military base are using DNA samples and dental records in a process expected to take months.

HONOLULU (AP) — No deaths or serious injuries are reported from Tropical Storm Iselle (ee-SEHL') in Hawaii. The center of the storm moved onto Hawaii's Big Island early today with top winds of 60 miles an hour. Authorities say more than 20,000 homes are without power. A second storm, Hurricane Julio, is expected to skirt north of all of the Hawaiian Islands Sunday morning, but forecasters say it should weaken by then.

NEW YORK (AP) — Former congressman Anthony Weiner (WEE'-nur) wants to open a restaurant in New York City. The place would be in the Rockaways, a coastal Queens neighborhood that is still recovering from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. It would be named The Rockaway Restoration Kitchen and offer locally sourced food. Weiner resigned his seat in Congress in 2011 after admitting he sent explicit photos to women who were not his wife. He ran for mayor last year and led the field before more sexting allegations sank his bid.