Yahoo! News: Iraq

Citing sarin use, US seeks Congress' OK for action
Syria dismisses Obama as confused, moves troops
German candidates clash on euro and taxes in tight TV duel
Iranian exiles report deaths in Iraq camp
Arab states urge action against Syrian government
Iranian dissidents killed in Iraq camp, U.N. demands inquiry
Syria opposition chief, Saudi plead for Syria strikes
Tavis Smiley: U.S. 'Dishonoring' MLK with 'Deeds in Syria'
As Obama mulls Syria attack, high stakes for Israel
Analysis: Putin sees chance to turn tables on Obama at G20
Clashes as Iran exiles claim dozens dead in Iraq raid
Citing sarin use, US seeks to bolster Syria case
Obama's bid to Congress on Syria part of push for global backing: U.N.
Pope announces day of fasting for peace for Syria
Syrians relieved, disappointed at Obama strike delay
Syria becomes high-stakes gamble for Obama, Congress
Iranian agency drops Rafsanjani remarks critical of Syrian government
As US weighs war, fears of power of jihadis in Syria
Pope announces world day of fasting, prayer for Syria
Obama's history-defying decision to seek Congressional approval on Syria
Iraq oil exports 'rebound in August'
UN says over 800 people killed in Iraq in August
Attacks killed 800 Iraqis in August: U.N.
Hard trail for Syria refugees desperate to reach Europe
Pope asks other faiths to join day of prayer for peace in Syria
Obama goes to Congress on Syria: Big mistake
Today in History
President Obama Seeks Congressional Approval for Syria Action

Citing sarin use, US seeks Congress' OK for action

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 03:40 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration geared up for the biggest foreign policy vote since the Iraq war by arguing Sunday that new physical evidence shows the Syrian government used sarin gas in a deadly August attack. With its credibility on the line, the United States must respond, the country's top diplomat said.

Syria dismisses Obama as confused, moves troops

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 03:29 PM PDT

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria on Sunday derided President Barack Obama's decision to hold off on punitive military strikes, but also took precautions by reportedly moving some troops and military equipment to civilian areas.

German candidates clash on euro and taxes in tight TV duel

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 02:55 PM PDT

By Noah Barkin and Stephen Brown BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrat challenger in this month's German election clashed over the euro, tax policy and U.S. spying in a television debate on Sunday that produced no clear winner. The only TV duel of the campaign, watched by an estimated 15 million viewers, was one of SPD candidate Peer Steinbrueck's last chances to change the momentum in a race in which he has trailed the popular Merkel from the very start. ...

Iranian exiles report deaths in Iraq camp

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 01:53 PM PDT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Deadly violence erupted at a contentious Iranian exile camp inside Iraq early Sunday, leaving international observers scrambling to determine the cause of the bloodshed and the number of casualties.

Arab states urge action against Syrian government

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 01:53 PM PDT

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab states on Sunday urged the international community to take action against the Syrian government over a chemical gas attack that killed hundreds of civilians. The final resolution passed by an Arab League meeting in Cairo urged the United Nations and international community to "take the deterrent and necessary measures against the culprits of this crime that the Syrian regime bears responsibility for". The League foreign ministers also said those responsible for the attack should face trial, as other "war criminals" have. ...

Iranian dissidents killed in Iraq camp, U.N. demands inquiry

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 01:47 PM PDT

By Kareem Raheem and Sylvia Westall BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 47 people were reported killed at an Iranian dissident camp in Iraq on Sunday, the United Nations said, urging Baghdad to investigate the "tragic events" at a site north of the capital. The violence took place hours after a mortar bomb attack on the camp which the dissent group Mujahadin-e-Khalq (MEK) blamed on the Iraqi army. Two Iraqi security sources said that army and special forces had opened fire on residents who had stormed a post at the entrance to Camp Ashraf, a site that Iraq's government wants closed down. ...

Syria opposition chief, Saudi plead for Syria strikes

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 12:30 PM PDT

Saudi Arabia and the head of the Syrian opposition National Coalition on Sunday made passioned appeals for US-led strikes on Syria, urging Arab nations to back them.

Tavis Smiley: U.S. 'Dishonoring' MLK with 'Deeds in Syria'

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 12:09 PM PDT

Reflecting on the 50-year anniversary of the March on Washington, radio host Tavis smiley said on the "This Week" powerhouse roundtable that the U.S. was days away from "dishonoring" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with "deeds in Syria." "Just days ago we were celebrating 50...

As Obama mulls Syria attack, high stakes for Israel

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 11:52 AM PDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli leaders remained mum a day after President Barack Obama's surprise announcement he would seek congressional approval for a proposed punitive strike on Syria. But their silence today is not out of disinterest.

Analysis: Putin sees chance to turn tables on Obama at G20

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 11:32 AM PDT

By Timothy Heritage MOSCOW (Reuters) - Less than three months after Vladimir Putin was cast as a pariah over Syria at the last big meeting of world leaders, the Russian president has glimpsed a chance to turn the tables on Barack Obama. The U.S. president's dilemma over a military response to an alleged poison gas attack in Syria means Obama is the one who is under more pressure going into a G20 summit in St Petersburg on Thursday and Friday. Obama stepped back from the brink on Saturday, delaying any imminent strike to seek approval from the U.S. Congress. ...

Clashes as Iran exiles claim dozens dead in Iraq raid

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 10:04 AM PDT

Clashes and explosions were reported in a camp housing Iranian exiles on Sunday, with the group claiming Iraqi troops killed more than 50 of their members, charges officials steadfastly denied.

Citing sarin use, US seeks to bolster Syria case

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 09:53 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Sunday confidently predicted congressional backing for limited military action in Syria and asserted that the Assad government used sarin gas in the deadly chemical attack that threatens to draw the U.S. into another Mideast conflict.

Obama's bid to Congress on Syria part of push for global backing: U.N.

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 09:46 AM PDT

By Louis Charbonneau and Edith Honan UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to seek congressional approval for possible military action against Syria can be seen as part of an effort to forge a global consensus on responding to the use of chemical arms anywhere, the United Nations said on Sunday. The world body was responding to Obama's announcement on Saturday that he will ask for congressional consent before taking military action against Syria for a poison gas attack on Syrian civilians that he blames on President Bashar al-Assad's forces. ...

Pope announces day of fasting for peace for Syria

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 09:38 AM PDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the use of chemical weapons, but he called for a negotiated settlement of the civil war in Syria, and announced he would lead a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace there on Sept. 7.

Syrians relieved, disappointed at Obama strike delay

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 09:06 AM PDT

(The reporter's name has been withheld for security reasons) DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syrians reacted with a mixture of relief, disappointment and scorn to U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to seek Congressional approval before any strike on their country. Some concluded an attack would never happen. "I have to admit this morning was the first time I felt I could sleep in," said Nawal, a mother-of-five who works as a housekeeper in Damascus. "I felt so relieved after hearing his speech. But I don't understand why he put us through all that suspense," she said. ...

Syria becomes high-stakes gamble for Obama, Congress

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 08:34 AM PDT

The civil war in Syria has become a high-stakes political gamble for President Obama and for the United States Congress.

Iranian agency drops Rafsanjani remarks critical of Syrian government

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 08:24 AM PDT

DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iranian news agency quoted former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as saying Syria's government had attacked its own people with chemical weapons, but later replaced the report with a different version that did not attribute blame for the raid. The second version by the semi-official Iranian Labour News Agency reported him as saying on Sunday: "On the one hand the people of Syria are the target of a chemical attack, and now they must wait for an attack by foreigners. ...

As US weighs war, fears of power of jihadis in Syria

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 08:13 AM PDT

When Mahmoud al-Ahmed returned to his battle-scarred village in the Aleppo countryside after seven months away, he found it filled with people he didn't recognize – some of them foreigners, and almost all of them conservative Islamists.

Pope announces world day of fasting, prayer for Syria

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 08:00 AM PDT

Pope Francis called Sunday for the world to unite in a day of fasting and prayer for Syria and said "God and history" would judge anyone using chemical weapons.

Obama's history-defying decision to seek Congressional approval on Syria

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 07:32 AM PDT

It may be the most important presidential act on the Constitution and war-making powers since Harry Truman decided to sidestep Congress in 1950.

Iraq oil exports 'rebound in August'

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 06:16 AM PDT

Iraq's oil exports rebounded in August from a 16-month low, as increased sales and rising prices lifted revenues to their highest level this year, a spokesman said on Sunday.

UN says over 800 people killed in Iraq in August

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 05:34 AM PDT

BAGHDAD (AP) — More than 800 people were killed in Iraq in violence throughout August, the UN said Sunday. That was down somewhat from July, but still one of the highest monthly tolls in recent years.

Attacks killed 800 Iraqis in August: U.N.

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 05:25 AM PDT

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - About 800 Iraqis were killed in August, the United Nations said on Sunday, condemning a wave of violence in the country that has reached levels not seen since 2008. Most of the 804 killed were civilians, targeted in shootings and bombings mainly claimed by the Iraqi wing of al Qaeda. More than 2,000 people were wounded, the U.N. figures showed. The number of people who were killed last month was however lower than in July, when the U.N. reported that there were 1,057 victims, the highly monthly toll since 2008. ...

Hard trail for Syria refugees desperate to reach Europe

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 05:20 AM PDT

By Valerie Hopkins and Tsvetelia Tsolova PRESEVO, Serbia/SVILENGRAD, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Oliver Ivanovic's patience paid off. Shortly before midnight, on a hilltop in no-man's land between Serbia and Macedonia, dozens of grainy figures shuffled through the sights of his thermal goggles. "I have a feeling we're going to get lucky tonight," the Serbian border patrol officer said with a grin. Among the 34 illegal immigrants netted that night trying to steal into Serbia was Mohammad Bakr. ...

Pope asks other faiths to join day of prayer for peace in Syria

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 04:58 AM PDT

By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday invited people of all faiths to join him and the world's Catholics in a day of prayer and fasting on September 7 to end the conflict in Syria. Addressing tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, he issued a long, impassioned appeal for peace in Syria and across the Middle East, saying God and history would be the judge of those who promoted violence or prevented peace. Francis condemned the use of chemical weapons, blamed by Western powers on Syrian government forces, but added: "War, never again". ...

Obama goes to Congress on Syria: Big mistake

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 02:12 AM PDT

On its face, it might seem like a good idea to ask Congress for permission to strike Syria over Bashar al-Assad's reported use of chemical weapons on his own people. It's not. Here's why: