Baghdad at 10 million: fragile dreams of normality as megacity status beckons

The next 15 megacities #1: Iraq’s capital remains a profoundly damaged place, but the city feels more stable these days – at times even vibrant

After an exhausting journey through Baghdad’s vast and grimy suburbs, the pastel-coloured blocks of Besmaya Dream City rise up above the rushes just beyond one of the modern gates marking the edge of the city.

The orderliness of these dozens of towers – some lived in, some unfinished – is a shock in the otherwise chaotic jumble of low-rise cityscape. The residential complex is being built by a South Korean company, Hanwha, and will house 100,000 people once its delayed construction is complete.

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US navy Seal pleads not guilty to murdering Islamic State prisoner

Special operations chief Edward Gallagher is also accused of shooting at unarmed Iraqi civilians at random

A decorated navy Seal has pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder and other crimes in the stabbing death of a teenage Islamic State prisoner in Iraq and the shooting of unarmed Iraqi civilians.

Special operations chief Edward Gallagher has been jailed since his September arrest, and a judge said he would rule next week whether the 19-year navy veteran should be released before trial. He was due to stand trial 19 February.

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Irony: Nobel Peace Prize for anti-Rape Activist, as US Senate puts Alleged Abuser on Highest Court

If the allegations of Professor Christine Blasey Ford against Brett Kavanaugh are true, then he was a juvenile criminal. He and a friend plotted out how to get girls inebriated, force them into an upstairs side room, turn up the music to drown out screams, jump on top of them, and have their way with them.

District 4 county commission candidate addresses Tea Party

Historic City News readers are patriotically invited to attend the open meeting of the Saint Augustine Tea Party held at the Village Inn located at 900 North Ponce de Leon Boulevard on Tuesday May 22nd at 6:30 p.m. The special guest speaker will be Jeremiah Blocker, Republican candidate for St. Johns County Commission District 4. As a conservative candidate, Jeremiah says that he understands that we need to maintain our great quality of life while keeping our tax burden low through fiscal responsibility. Protecting our citizens and children is top priority.

US anti-IS office gets reprieve as Syria pullout accelerates

The Trump administration will keep open the Stat... WASHINGTON - The State Department unit overseeing the fight against the Islamic State group will stay in business for at least six more months, reversing an administration plan for the unit's imminent downgrade even as President Donald Trump presses ahead with a speedy U.S. exit from Syria. A plan initiated by Rex Tillerson before he was fired as secretary of state in March would have folded the office of the special envoy to the global coalition into the department's counterterrorism bureau as early as spring, officials said.

Travis 75th: Today: Travis remains hub of military, humanitarian activity

Travis opened its most-recent half-decade with significant base improvements and an ongoing high operations tempo supporting American operations around the world. Its capabilities took a large jump forward in March 2013 when the base opened up its reconstructed runway and adjacent landing zone, which not only gave Travis one of the best runways in the Air Force, but was also a model of recycling.

Polls close across Iraq in first vote since victory over IS

Four years in office, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has racked up a list of achievements t... . In this Monday, April 23, 2018 photo, campaign poster of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is displayed in Baghdad, Iraq.

Benefits cheat caught trotting up stairs at work in Birmingham

Devastating moment Israeli missile obliterates Iranian rocket launcher and nearby soldiers in Syria as Netanyahu tells Tehran they 'crossed a red line' when they shelled the Golan Heights 'Lying, negligent' nurse is charged in death of ex-national security adviser H.R. McMaster's father at Philadelphia senior care facility in shocking abuse case Mother, 43, admits letting her blind, autistic son die in a field in his underwear, but could serve just 120 days behind bars after murder charge was dropped 'I think it's time to wrap it up': Pence tells Mueller he's had a year to run his Russia probe but won't say it's a 'hoax' Now Avenatti obtains Michael Cohen's EMAILS and posts one showing how he still identified as Trump's lawyer in April - despite Giuliani saying he no longer represented the President Rudy Giuliani leaves his law firm permanently to fight for Trump - the day after ... (more)

Years after son was beheaded in Iraq, dad still seeks peace

In this May 7, 2005 file photo, Michael Berg is hugged by a supporter at a gathering in memory of his son, Nicholas Berg, in West Chester, Pa. On what would have been Nick Berg's 40th birthday next week, his father will be where he's been nearly every April 2 since his son was beheaded in Iraq: Lake Drummond.

Saudi Prince: War with Iran in 10-15 Years w/out new Sanctions

The Arabic press is reacting to remarks of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Wal Street Journal warning of war with Iran unless more severe economic and military sanctions are applied to that country. He is licking his wounds after having been outmaneuvered by Iran in Syria ; Iraq, where Iranian forces were key to defeating ISIL while the Saudis offered almost no help; Qatar, where the illegal Saudi blockade gave Iran the opportunity to strengthen ties with Doha; and Lebanon, where Bin Salman's brazen kidnapping of the sitting prime minister late last year failed to dislodge him or to weaken the political clout of Iran-Allied Hizbullah.

BAE, GDLS enter Army’s MPF vehicle competition | DSCA…

Qatar and Jordan are the latest customers for the DB-110 reconnaissance pod with a US Department of Defense contract post welcoming the Gulf nations to the program. Valued at $51.2 million, the sale falls under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract awarded by the US Air Force on March 5 and expects to run until March 1, 2021.