U.S. lawmakers laud Iraq strikes, question long-term strategy

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• U.S. lawmakers laud Iraq strikes, question long-term strategy
• Big ships can't sail past Venice's main piazza
• A Q&A on changes coming to FICO credit scores
• U.S. officials: New round of airstrikes near Irbil
• Mainstream GOP upbeat after sweeping tea party
• Mainstream GOP upbeat after tea party sweep
• Deadly Gaza conflict reignites as Egypt urges new truce
• Charges dropped in Taylor Swift home disturbance
• US official: US launches second round of airstrikes on targets near Irbil, Iraq
• US doctor with Ebola says he is getting stronger
• WHO declares Ebola epidemic a global emergency
• Correction: Wetlands-Water Reuse story
• Kerry aims to calm South China Sea tensions
• Democrats search for replacement in US Senate race
• New Ukrainian rebel leader gives Moscow distance
• Ryan calls for solutions-based GOP comeback
• Nigeria declares national emergency over Ebola
• Iraq official: Militants hold 100s of Yazidi women
• GM issues 5 more recalls covering 310,000 vehicles
• WHO declares Ebola an international health emergency
• Julio down to Category 2 storm as Iselle lingers
• UN: Ebola outbreak a public health emergency
• FAA prohibits U.S. airlines from flying over Iraq
• NYC music festival to require anti-drug video
• Rory McIlroy surges to lead with 67 at soggy PGA
• ACC, Maryland settle legal dispute for $31.4M
• Iraqis flee militants as US warplanes strike
• NASA Mars test called success despite torn chute
• Suarez appeals FIFA ban, bite verdict next week
• Global turmoil weighing on stocks but US prices up
• Judge to review Facebook posts of rape accuser
• In Gaza, dispute over civilian vs combatant deaths
• Iraqi Kurdistan oil firms pull out staff, shares fall
• Sheriff: Suspect in disappearance likely got muddy
• Iraqi official says hundreds of Yazidi women taken captive by Islamic State militants
• U.S. bombs Islamic State after Obama call to prevent Iraq 'genocide'
• J.K. Rowling writes to girl whose family was slain
• McIlroy surges to lead at soggy PGA Championship
• Lack of experience fuels West Africa Ebola crisis

U.S. lawmakers laud Iraq strikes, question long-term strategy Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:59 PM PDT By Missy Ryan and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lawmakers in Washington welcomed President Barack Obama's decision to attack advancing Islamist militants in Iraq, but some questioned whether his administration has a long-term strategy to arrest Iraq's disintegration. Two U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on Friday on an Islamic State mobile artillery piece used to shell Kurdish forces defending Arbil, the Pentagon said. The United States has a consulate and, since Iraq's latest security crisis erupted in June, a joint military operations center staffed by 40 U.S. servicemen in Arbil, capital of the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Big ships can't sail past Venice's main piazza Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:57 PM PDT ROME (AP) — Italy has moved ahead with plans to block big cruise ships from sailing past Venice's historic center, authorizing an environmental study for an alternate route that it hopes will still satisfy the city's key tourism industry.

A Q&A on changes coming to FICO credit scores Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:55 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — There are changes coming to FICO, a broadly used credit score, that may mean higher credit scores for many consumers. Banks, credit card issuers, auto lenders and other businesses use those scores to decide whether to lend to consumers and how much interest to charge them. A higher score could get you better terms on loans for cars and homes.

U.S. officials: New round of airstrikes near Irbil Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:55 PM PDT American officials say the U.S. launched a second round of airstrikes against Islamic State targets near Irbil on Friday, using drones and fighter jets.

Mainstream GOP upbeat after sweeping tea party Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:54 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Mainstream conservatives ran the table in Senate Republican primaries as tea party upstarts lost all six challenges to GOP incumbents, leaving the establishment upbeat about midterm elections and the insurgent movement beaten but unbowed.

Mainstream GOP upbeat after tea party sweep Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:53 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Mainstream conservatives ran the table in Senate Republican primaries as tea party upstarts lost all six challenges to GOP incumbents.

Deadly Gaza conflict reignites as Egypt urges new truce Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:46 PM PDT Israeli warplanes Friday pounded targets across Gaza, killing at least five Palestinians, and militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel after attempts to extend a three-day truce stalled. The month-long conflict flared once again after mediators tried but failed to extend a ceasefire that expired at 0500 GMT as Palestinian militants shattered the quiet with pre-dawn rocket attacks. Egypt, which is mediating between Israelis and Palestinians, insisted negotiations were making progress and urged a new truce but Israel recalled its delegation and warned it would not negotiate under fire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to retaliate "forcefully" and blamed the Islamist movement Hamas for breaching the ceasefire.

Charges dropped in Taylor Swift home disturbance Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:43 PM PDT SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — Charges have been dropped against three people accused of causing a disturbance outside singer Taylor Swift's beachside home in Rhode Island.

US official: US launches second round of airstrikes on targets near Irbil, Iraq Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:43 PM PDT NEW DELHI (AP) — US official: US launches second round of airstrikes on targets near Irbil, Iraq.

US doctor with Ebola says he is getting stronger Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:42 PM PDT ATLANTA (AP) — An American doctor infected with Ebola says he's getting stronger every day.

WHO declares Ebola epidemic a global emergency Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:41 PM PDT Nigeria became the latest country to declare a national emergency over the deadly Ebola virus on Friday, as the World Health Organisation called the epidemic that has claimed nearly 1,000 lives a global health crisis. The WHO appealed for international aid to help afflicted countries after a rare meeting of the UN health body's emergency committee, which urged screening of all people flying out of the affected countries in west Africa. It stopped short of calling for global travel restrictions, urging airlines to take strict precautions but to continue flying to the west African countries hit by the outbreak.

Correction: Wetlands-Water Reuse story Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:41 PM PDT FAIRFIELD, Texas (AP) — In a story Aug. 3 about a man-made wetland system, The Associated Press erroneously reported the amount of water the system contributes to a local reservoir. It adds 65 million gallons per day, not 65,000 gallons.

Kerry aims to calm South China Sea tensions Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:39 PM PDT NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Myanmar seeking to calm tensions in the South China Sea between China and its smaller neighbors.

Democrats search for replacement in US Senate race Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:39 PM PDT HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Democrats are casting about for a last-minute U.S. Senate candidate to take on Republican Rep. Steve Daines after their chances of prevailing in November suffered a huge blow with the withdrawal of incumbent Sen. John Walsh.

New Ukrainian rebel leader gives Moscow distance Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:39 PM PDT DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian has replaced a Russian at the helm of the insurgency in eastern Ukraine and declared that he wants "only moral support" from Moscow, as the Kremlin apparently tries to rebut Western claims that it is calling the shots among the rebels.

Ryan calls for solutions-based GOP comeback Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:38 PM PDT CHICAGO (AP) — Republican congressman Paul Ryan is telling the party's most active members that criticism of President Barack Obama alone is insufficient to sustain a GOP comeback in this year's elections and in 2016.

Nigeria declares national emergency over Ebola Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:38 PM PDT ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's president has declared the containment of the Ebola virus in Africa's most populous nation a national emergency, his office said in a statement Friday, after the health ministry announced two more confirmed cases.

Iraq official: Militants hold 100s of Yazidi women Posted: 08 Aug 2014 01:02 PM PDT The spokesman for Iraq's human rights ministry says hundreds of women from the Yazidi religious minority have been taken captive by militants from the Islamic State group.

GM issues 5 more recalls covering 310,000 vehicles Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:36 PM PDT DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is issuing five more recalls totaling 310,000 vehicles as the company cleans up past safety issues.

WHO declares Ebola an international health emergency Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:36 PM PDT By Kate Kelland and Felix Onuah LONDON/LAGOS (Reuters) - The world's worst outbreak of Ebola that has killed nearly 1,000 people in West Africa represents an international health emergency and could continue spreading for months, the World Health Organization said on Friday. Nigeria became the third African nation, after Sierra Leone and Liberia, to declare a national emergency on Friday as the region's healthcare systems struggle to cope with the advance of one of the deadliest diseases known to man. "The outbreak is moving faster than we can control it," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told reporters on a telephone briefing from her Geneva headquarters. The U.N. agency said all states where Ebola had passed from one person to another should declare a national emergency.

Julio down to Category 2 storm as Iselle lingers Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:35 PM PDT HONOLULU (AP) — Hurricane Julio has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and is predicted to miss the Hawaiian islands by about 200 miles.

UN: Ebola outbreak a public health emergency Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:32 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization urged nations worldwide to donate money and resources to stop the spread of Ebola as it declared the outbreak in West Africa to be an international public health emergency.

FAA prohibits U.S. airlines from flying over Iraq Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:30 PM PDT The Obama administration ordered U.S. airlines not to fly over Iraq following the first U.S. airstrikes there Friday, while carriers from other nations said they were suspending service to the Iraqi city of Irbil because of the hostilities.

NYC music festival to require anti-drug video Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:26 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Attendees at the New York City music festival where two people died last year will be required to watch an anti-drug video before admission this year.

Rory McIlroy surges to lead with 67 at soggy PGA Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:26 PM PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — On a soggy day at Valhalla, Rory McIlroy put himself in a familiar position: leading the PGA Championship.

ACC, Maryland settle legal dispute for $31.4M Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:26 PM PDT GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference and the University of Maryland have settled their legal dispute over the Terrapins' exit from the league.

Iraqis flee militants as US warplanes strike Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:24 PM PDT KHAZER CAMP, Iraq (AP) — Thousands of displaced Iraqis fled their camp in the face of advancing fighters of the Islamic State group, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the north of the country as the United States carried out its first airstrikes against the militants to blunt their assault.

NASA Mars test called success despite torn chute Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:20 PM PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) — NASA engineers insist a test of a vehicle they hope to one day use above Mars achieved most of its objectives despite a parachute that virtually disintegrated the moment it deployed.

Suarez appeals FIFA ban, bite verdict next week Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:14 PM PDT LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Luis Suarez's appeal of his FIFA ban for biting an opponent at the World Cup will be decided next week.

Global turmoil weighing on stocks but US prices up Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:11 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Fear is creeping into stock and bonds markets around the world against a backdrop of escalating global turmoil.

Judge to review Facebook posts of rape accuser Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:11 PM PDT TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey judge has ordered a teen who accused a man of rape to turn over access to her Facebook account, providing another example of social media's growing use in courtrooms and the resulting privacy concerns.

In Gaza, dispute over civilian vs combatant deaths Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:08 PM PDT GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — In the grisly math of the Israel-Hamas war, conflicting counts of combatants and civilians killed in Gaza are emerging — with the ratio perhaps more important to shaping international opinion of the monthlong conflict than any final toll.

Iraqi Kurdistan oil firms pull out staff, shares fall Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:08 PM PDT By David Sheppard and Karolin Schaps LONDON (Reuters) - Oil companies in Iraqi Kurdistan withdrew more staff on Friday as the United States launched airstrikes to defend the regional capital Arbil from Islamic State militants and Britain told its citizens to leave. London-listed Afren and Toronto-listed Oryx said on Friday they were cutting production at oilfields closest to the fighting. Genel, led by ex-BP CEO Tony Hayward and one of the biggest producers in Iraqi Kurdistan, said it was withdrawing "non-essential" workers but maintaining the combined 230,000 barrel per day output from its large Taq Taq and Tawke fields. U.S. military aircraft bombed Islamic State artillery attacking Kurdish positions southwest of Arbil, the Pentagon said, the first U.S. airstrike since the militants started their advance across northern Iraq in early June.

Sheriff: Suspect in disappearance likely got muddy Posted: 08 Aug 2014 12:05 PM PDT SEATTLE (AP) — The person who might be responsible for the disappearance of a 6-year-old Washington girl would have been "covered in mud," and authorities on Friday asked for the public's help in recalling whether they had seen anyone who fit that description over the weekend.

Iraqi official says hundreds of Yazidi women taken captive by Islamic State militants Posted: 08 Aug 2014 11:57 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi official says hundreds of Yazidi women taken captive by Islamic State militants.

U.S. bombs Islamic State after Obama call to prevent Iraq 'genocide' Posted: 08 Aug 2014 11:56 AM PDT By Raheem Salman and Isabel Coles BAGHDAD/ARBIL Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes bombed Islamist fighters marching on Iraq's Kurdish capital on Friday after President Barack Obama said Washington must act to prevent "genocide". Islamic State fighters, who have beheaded and crucified captives in their drive to eradicate unbelievers, have advanced to within a half hour's drive of Arbil, capital of Iraq's Kurdish region and a hub for U.S. oil companies. They have also seized control of Iraq's biggest dam, Kurdish authorities confirmed on Friday, which could allow them to flood cities and cut off vital water and electricity supplies. Obama authorised the first U.S. air strikes on Iraq since he pulled all troops out in 2011, arguing action was needed to halt the Islamist advance, protect Americans and safeguard hundreds of thousands of Christians and members of other religious minorities who have fled for their lives.

J.K. Rowling writes to girl whose family was slain Posted: 08 Aug 2014 11:55 AM PDT HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas girl who survived a recent attack in which her parents and four siblings were killed has drawn the attention of "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling.

McIlroy surges to lead at soggy PGA Championship Posted: 08 Aug 2014 11:54 AM PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rory McIlroy has shot 4-under 67 in the second round of the soggy PGA Championship for a two-stroke lead over Ryan Palmer.

Lack of experience fuels West Africa Ebola crisis Posted: 08 Aug 2014 11:47 AM PDT KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — When Ebola hit Uganda two years ago — the third outbreak in a dozen years — the president quickly went on TV and urged Ugandans to avoid touching each other. Health officials speedily quarantined people. The quick reactions by authorities and ordinary people helped snuff out that outbreak with only 17 deaths.

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