Kirkuk lawmaker wary of city's status BAGHDAD, May 13 (UPI) -- A Kurdish lawmaker Tuesday said Baghdad is so divided over a constitutional provision concerning the legal status of Kirkuk that it won't address the issue.

Iraqi NGO calls for international funds BAGHDAD, May 13 (UPI) -- The head of a consortium of Iraqi aid groups appealed to international donors to help displaced Iraqis and called on Baghdad to do better in helping its own.

Iraqi girls' school gets upgrade BAGHDAD, May 13 (UPI) -- Iraqi citizens, local leaders and a representative from the Ministry of Education attended a ceremony marking the completion of a girls' school in Mahmudiyah.

Fallujah hit by rising food prices FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 13 (UPI) -- High food prices and fuel and electricity shortages are fomenting contempt for the United States among people in the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

Clashes erupt in Sadr City despite truce BAGHDAD, May 13 (UPI) -- U.S. officials Tuesday said they killed several militants in Baghdad's Sadr City during clashes following a truce by the Mehdi Army of cleric Moqtada Sadr.

State Department extends RFJ program WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- A program designed to bring to justice individuals indicted for committing genocide and other war crimes has been renewed by the U.S. State Department.

British soldier survives RPG attack LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, May 13 (UPI) -- A British lieutenant in Afghanistan narrowly escaped a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade attack after an RPG bounced off the soldier's chest and exploded nearby.

ICTY transfers Bosnian Croat war criminal THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 13 (UPI) -- The U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has transferred Vinko Martinovic to Italy to serve out his war crimes sentence.

U.N. to develop security sector reforms UNITED NATIONS, May 13 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the United Nations to develop a holistic approach to support security sector reform in rebuilding countries.

Defense Dept., ODNI to share information WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced plans to integrate computer networks for seamless communication.

India to test-fire 3,000-mile missile NEW DELHI, May 13 (UPI) -- India said it is ready to test-fire a more than 3,000-mile range ballistic missile early next year.

India: Anti-Maoist drive won't stop soon NEW DELHI, May 13 (UPI) -- Police in India's Chhattisgarh state said a government-backed offensive against Maoist rebels would continue despite strong opposition.

Sadr truce amended BAGHDAD, May 13 (UPI) -- A ruling member of the Shiite coalition United Iraq Alliance and the Sadrist bloc added two additional points to a formal truce.

Sadr truce increases Iranian influence BAGHDAD, May 13 (UPI) -- Tehran's brokering of a cease-fire between Iraqi religious leader Moqtada Sadr and the Iraqi government has increased Iran's political influence in Baghdad.

Iraqis to secure Kirkuk KIRKUK, Iraq, May 12 (UPI) -- U.S. officials look to turn over security operations to Iraqi forces in Kirkuk as reconstruction takes place of security details with al-Qaida on the run.

Aid groups welcome Sadr cease-fire BAGHDAD, May 12 (UPI) -- The top official with a consortium of Iraqi nongovernmental organizations said the prospect of peace in Baghdad's Sadr City opened the area to much needed aid.

Kirkuk waste services get upgrade KIRKUK, Iraq, May 12 (UPI) -- U.S. airmen stationed in northern Iraq coordinated with reconstruction teams to teach Iraqis preventive maintenance techniques on waste management equipment.

India special force to fight Maoists NEW DELHI, May 12 (UPI) -- India's Interior Ministry is planning to set up a special action force to combat Maoist violence in the country.

India border force foils infiltration bid JAMMU, India, May 12 (UPI) -- Indian border guards say they killed two militants who crossed the border from Pakistan, took hostages and killed six people in a 13-hour shootout.

Serbia backs pro-Western parties BELGRADE, Serbia, May 12 (UPI) -- Western observers are relieved because of the victory of pro-EU parties in the general elections in Serbia.

Hugo Chavez insults Angela Merkel CARACAS, Venezuela, May 12 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has lashed out at German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of her trip to Latin America.

Iraq investigates cross-border raids RAMADI, Iraq, May 9 (UPI) -- Iraq called on Damascus to examine the deaths in Anbar province of 13 police allegedly killed by foreign fighters entering the country from Syria.

Iranian weapons causing Iraqi rift BAGHDAD, May 9 (UPI) -- The decision by the Iraqi government to launch an investigation into Iranian weapons in the country raises questions about political motives.

Saudis solicit bid for Iraqi border fence RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 9 (UPI) -- Scholars in Saudi Arabia warned against extremist ideologies urging men to enter Iraq to join the insurgency while officials solicit bids for a border fence.

Iraqi water supply in jeopardy BAQUBAH, Iraq, May 9 (UPI) -- Conflict, warm summer weather and a lack of electricity forced many agricultural sectors of Iraq's Diyala province into near-drought conditions.

Revolt in ULFA ranks over peace talks NEW DELHI, May 9 (UPI) -- Indian intelligence agencies said a revolt is brewing in the insurgent United Liberation Front of Assam with a faction calling for talks with the government.

India protests heavy firing from Pakistan NEW DELHI, May 9 (UPI) -- India Friday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan Rangers following heavy firing from across the border that India says was used to send in militants.

Turkey and Iraq hold bilateral talks BAGHDAD, May 9 (UPI) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani welcomed a high-level delegation of Kurdish lawmakers from the Turkish Parliament Thursday in Iraqi Kurdistan.

U.S., British integrate UAV units BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 8 (UPI) -- The growing reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles in Afghanistan has resulted in a close collaboration between U.S. and British units.

Gunman kills WFP truck driver in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 8 (UPI) -- Militiamen in Somalia killed a U.N. World Food Program truck driver at an illegal checkpoint as the driver was attempting to deliver aid.

Austria pledges funds to UNODA UNITED NATIONS, May 8 (UPI) -- The U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs says it has been pledged more than $150,000 for a project to halt the trafficking of arms in the Asia-Pacific region.

Border initiative to stop drug flow TEHRAN, May 8 (UPI) -- Officials from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan have announced plans to strengthen border cooperation to stop the flow of drugs and crime.

Influenza pandemic meetings held GENEVA, Switzerland, May 8 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization is gathering influenza and planning experts for meetings to address the continued threat of a global influenza pandemic.

Iraqi fish industry boosted by microgrants BAGHDAD, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. reconstruction officials said microgrants supplied to the Iraqi fish industry generate enough momentum to restart the struggling sector.

Iran recalls ambassador to Iraq TEHRAN, May 8 (UPI) -- Iran recalled its ambassador to Iraq in protest of Baghdad's support for a move by the United Arab Emirates to take ownership of three Persian Gulf islands.

Maliki closes Sadr radio station BAGHDAD, May 8 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered a halt Thursday to broadcasts from the al-Ahad radio station of Moqtada Sadr as residents flee escalating violence.

India: Talks with Bodos haven't started NEW DELHI, May 8 (UPI) -- India's Interior Ministry said peace talks with the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland have yet to begin.

Iran invites Maliki for talks TEHRAN, May 8 (UPI) -- A top official with the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council said Tehran invited Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for talks on Iraqi national security.

TSA begins new employee screening programs WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has begun an examination of airport employee screening programs at seven airports.

Troops push security south in Helmand LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, May 7 (UPI) -- British and American troops combined their strengths in Afghanistan during a recent push to extend security south towards the Pakistan border.

U.N. calls for release of child soldiers BUJUMBURA, Burundi, May 7 (UPI) -- A recent surge in violence between rebel groups and the Burundi government has prompted calls for the release of children recruited to fight in the conflict.

Council hears counter-terror reports UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council heard reports Tuesday from its counter-terrorism committees with updates on the handling of several U.N. resolutions.

NATO, Afghanistan sign munitions deal BRUSSELS, May 7 (UPI) -- Officials from NATO and Afghanistan signed an agreement Wednesday to establish greater security at munitions depots in Afghanistan.

Iraqi engineers brief U.S. on progress KUT, Iraq, May 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi engineers briefed their U.S. counterparts on the progress of a healthcare facility and water-treatment plant.

Joint patrols helping Iraqi police BAGHDAD, May 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi police units conduct joint patrols with U.S. Marine training officers every day in an effort to evolve to a stand-alone police force.

Sadrists inch toward reconciliation BAGHDAD, May 7 (UPI) -- The Iraqi National Security Council called on Moqtada Sadr's fighters and his Mehdi Army to honor legislation calling on political blocs to disarm.

India to hold naval security conference NEW DELHI, May 7 (UPI) -- A three-day Naval Commanders' Conference began Wednesday in Mumbai to discuss issues relating to India's defense and coastal security.

India to build 61 roads bordering China NEW DELHI, May 7 (UPI) -- India's Border Road Organization said it will construct 61 roads in states bordering China in order to provide easy access for armed forces.

Shiite official warns U.S. on SOFA BAGHDAD, May 6 (UPI) -- An adviser to the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council said any U.S. violations of Iraqi sovereignty in the pending status of forces agreement are unacceptable.

Jordan hosts Iraqi business expo AMMAN, Jordan, May 6 (UPI) -- More than 31 nations visited Jordan for the launch of Project Rebuild Iraq 2008 featuring exhibitions by nearly 500 Arab and international companies.