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U.S. Special Forces Face Complex Challenge in Iraq

U.S. teams of special forces going into Iraq after a three-year gap will face an aggressive insurgency, a splintering military and a precarious political situation as they help Iraqi security forces improve their ability to battle Sunni militants.

UN: At Least 1,075 Killed in Iraq in June

At least 1,075 people, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed in Iraq during June as a Sunni insurgency overtakes key areas of the country, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Putin Withdraws Request to Use Force in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin asked parliament Tuesday to cancel a resolution sanctioning the use of military force in Ukraine, a move his Ukrainian counterpart heralded as a "practical step" toward bringing peace to a region roiled by a separatist insurgency.

OSC Closes Investigation at Jackson VA

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel says investigations are closed into whistleblower disclosure about radiology and patient care practices at the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.

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Animal Rights Group Alleges Mistreatment in Miss.

An animal rights group said Monday that it is filing complaints in courts in Forrest and Pontotoc counties against two livestock auctions sites where it alleges cows, sheep and other animals are being mistreated.

Israeli Leader Threatens More Attacks in Syria

Israel's prime minister on Monday warned the warring parties in Syria against any attempt to heat up tensions with Israel, hours after the Israeli air force carried out a string of airstrikes in Syria in response to a deadly cross-border attack.

Justices Limit Existing EPA Global Warming Rules

The Supreme Court on Monday placed limits on the sole Obama administration program already in place to deal with power plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming.

EU Ministers: Sanctions if Russia Won't Cooperate

Several European foreign ministers on Monday threatened to impose further sanctions against Russia if it fails to cooperate with Ukraine's proposed peace plan and doesn't stop the flow of arms and militants across its border into eastern Ukraine.

Education Leaders Back Common Core

Mississippi education leaders remain supportive of the Common Core academic standards.

Congress Probes How IRS Emails Could Go Missing

The Internal Revenue Service commissioner said Friday the agency will not share with Congress additional details about its lost emails related to the ongoing tea party investigation until its own review is finished because he said Republicans are releasing inaccurate, interim information.

VA: 80 Percent of Senior Executives Got Bonuses

Nearly 80 percent of senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs got performance bonuses last year despite widespread treatment delays and preventable deaths at VA hospitals and clinics, a top official said Friday.

Ukraine's Leader Orders 1-Week Govt Cease-Fire

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered his forces to cease fire Friday and halt military operations for a week against pro-Russia separatists in the country's east—the first step in a peace plan he hopes will end the conflict that has cost hundreds of lives.

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Judge Blocks Miss. Offshore Drilling Rules

A Hinds County judge says the state must write a better economic impact statement on proposed offshore natural gas and oil exploration in parts of the Mississippi Sound before it can enact rules to lease areas that could be drilled.

UN: Number of World's Displaced Over 50 Million

For the first time since the World War II era, the number of people forced from their homes worldwide has surged past 50 million, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday.

Top Shiite Cleric Calls for New Government in Iraq

The spiritual leader of Iraq's Shiite majority called for a new, "effective" government Friday, increasing pressure on the country's prime minister as an offensive by Sunni militants rages on.