Top militants killed; more US troops going to Iraq

Top militants killed; more US troops going to Iraq

WASHINGTON

Two senior Islamic State group leaders were killed in U.S. and coalition airstrikes in northern Iraq over the past week, U.S. officials said Thursday, as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel approved new orders for several hundred troops to deploy to Iraq to train Iraqi forces.

According to one of the U.S. officials, airstrikes killed a key deputy of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State militants, and one of al-Baghdadi’s military chiefs. A third militant, described as a mid- level leader, also was killed.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the identification details publicly. According to one official, the names of those killed were Haji Mutazz, al-Baghdadi’s deputy; Abd al (or Abdul) Basit, the military chief; and Radwin Talib.

2 states challenge legalization of pot in Colorado

LINCOLN, Neb.

Nebraska and Oklahoma on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to declare Colorado’s legalization of marijuana unconstitutional, saying the drug is being brought from Colorado into the neighboring states.

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said the states filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to prevent Colorado from enforcing the measure known as Amendment 64, which was approved by voters in 2012. The complaint says the measure runs afoul of federal law and therefore violates the Constitution’s supremacy clause, which says federal laws trump state laws.

“This contraband has been heavily trafficked into our state,” Bruning said at a news conference in Lincoln. “While Colorado reaps millions from the sale of pot, Nebraska taxpayers have to bear the cost.”

Arizona sheriff backs off effort on immigration

PHOENIX

An Arizona sheriff known for crackdowns on people living in the country illegally is giving up his last major foothold in immigration enforcement efforts that won him popularity among voters but gradually were reined in by Washington and the courts.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office revealed late Wednesday that it was agreeing to disband a controversial squad that has raided businesses to arrest more than 700 immigrants who were charged with using fake or stolen IDs to get jobs.

Brooklyn man arrested in assault on police officers

NEW YORK

The New York Police Department says a Brooklyn man has been arrested in connection with an assault on officers during a protest over the apparent chokehold death of Eric Garner.

Forty-three-year-old Robert Murray, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in Thursday. He faces charges including two counts of assault on a police officer.

Thousands of demonstrators marched Saturday, after a grand jury decision not to indict a police officer in Garner’s death. Amateur video shows suspects pushing, kicking and punching officers on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Police Commissioner William Bratton says they will spare no expense in the probe, especially since officers have shown “extraordinary restraint” when dealing with demonstrators.

Associated Press