Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• UN official: world's displaced population now 60 million
• 'Fire hose' of moisture slams South Carolina; 12 killed
• Air strike on Kunduz hospital tests cozier Afghan-U.S. ties
• With free trade deal, Obama solidifies US pivot to Asia
• Why did US attack a hospital? Kunduz's troubling questions
• NATO denounces Russia for violating Turkish airspace
• EU and Turkey's Erdogan try to hammer out migrant crisis plan
• Iraq car bombs kill 50, rare attack in south
• The Latest: Asylum applications up across the Nordics
• Iraq militia boss says US not serious about fighting IS
• Turkey warns Russia over airspace violations from Syria
• Iraq officials: car bombs across Iraq kill 56, wound dozens
• UNESCO says IS 'terrified by history' after Palmyra destruction
• Car bomb attacks kill 57 people in Iraq: police
• Erdogan presses EU to act in Syria over migrant crisis
• Turkey's Erdogan, EU's Tusk say they discussed Syria 'safe zone'
• Turkey seeks EU backing for Syria no-fly, buffer zones
• Iraq officials: car bomb in eastern Diyala province kills 13 people, wounds 30
• Iraq official: Car bomb on busy commercial street near city of Basra kills 10, wounds 25
• Islamic State militants blow up ancient Arch of Triumph in Palmyra
• Split over Assad, Arab states mum on Russia's Syria strikes
• US defence chief warns Russia has 'losing strategy' in Syria
• Russian strikes were planned for months: Syria minister
• Murders underline rise of Bangladesh Islamist militants
• Greek, Austrian leaders to visit Lesbos over refugee crisis
• Minnesota Leads in Terrorist Recruits, Lags in Driver's License Security
• Iraq's leading Shi'ite force would welcome Russian action against IS on Iraq soil
• Iraqi Shi'ite militia welcomes Russian action against Islamic State, criticizes U.S
• U.S. leads 21 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq
• Polish PM candidate backs closer ties with neighbors on refugee crisis
• Why Donald Trump Is Vladimir Putin’s Favorite Presidential Candidate
• Baghdad hasn't asked Moscow to conduct strikes on IS in Iraq: RIA
• Obama’s Syria Strategy: ‘Scrambling’ and ‘Desperate’ as Putin Takes Charge
• Boko Haram claims Abuja bombings
• Syria air strikes must target all 'groups considered as terrorists': Fabius
• Militants loyal to Islamic State claim suicide bombings in Nigerian capital
• Australia to spend $1 bln on 'world leader' armoured vehicles
• Syrian activists: IS group destroys ancient Palmyra arch

UN official: world's displaced population now 60 million Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:48 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — When Antonio Guterres became the U.N. refugee chief almost 10 years ago, the world counted 38 million people displaced by conflict and persecution and the number was declining. Today, it's more than 60 million and rising.

'Fire hose' of moisture slams South Carolina; 12 killed Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:30 PM PDT COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — People across South Carolina got an object lesson Monday in how you can dodge a hurricane and still get hammered.

Air strike on Kunduz hospital tests cozier Afghan-U.S. ties Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:13 PM PDT By Krista Mahr and Hamid Shalizi KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's reticence since a suspected U.S. air strike hit a hospital in the provincial capital of Kunduz on Saturday speaks volumes about how much he relies on Washington after 14 years of war. The air strike, which killed 22 people at a clinic run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), fueled Afghan anger over Ghani's close relationship with Washington, which contrasts sharply with the strained ties under his predecessor, Hamid Karzai.

With free trade deal, Obama solidifies US pivot to Asia Posted: 05 Oct 2015 03:59 PM PDT The conclusion of an oft-delayed free trade agreement with Asia-Pacific nations is timely for Barack Obama, as it embodies the American president's earlier commitment: a pivot towards the globe's most populous continent. With dithering in the Middle East and in particular Syria triggering an avalanche of criticism, Obama can claim a genuine diplomatic success fewer than 16 months before the end of his presidency, provided that he can overcome the obstacle known as the US Congress. The centerpiece of his foreign policy, the rebalance or "pivot" to Asia popularized by Hillary Clinton when she served as secretary of state, is intended to devote more diplomatic, security and economic resources and attention to the continent after a decade monopolized by Middle East crises and costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why did US attack a hospital? Kunduz's troubling questions Posted: 05 Oct 2015 03:34 PM PDT On one hand, the United States is being accused of being too scared of civilian casualties to take the fight to the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. On the other, the US is being accused of razing a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, killing 19 – including three children – and even continuing the attack for 30 minutes after being told what the building was. Recommended: How well do you know Afghanistan?

NATO denounces Russia for violating Turkish airspace Posted: 05 Oct 2015 02:48 PM PDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — In a signal of new tensions raised by Moscow's airstrikes in Syria, NATO denounced Russia on Monday for "irresponsible behavior" after its warplanes violated Turkish airspace, and Turkey warned that any future aerial intruder would be treated like an enemy.

EU and Turkey's Erdogan try to hammer out migrant crisis plan Posted: 05 Oct 2015 02:23 PM PDT Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top EU officials discussed a plan to tackle the spiralling migrant crisis during talks in Brussels Monday, including a "safe zone" in northern Syria. The European Union pushed Erdogan to do more to stop the flow of hundreds of thousands of refugees who have landed on Europe's shores from Turkey in the worst crisis of its kind since World War II. "It is indisputable that Europe has to manage its borders better.

Iraq car bombs kill 50, rare attack in south Posted: 05 Oct 2015 12:54 PM PDT Three car bombs killed at least 50 people in Iraq Monday, including 35 in a single blast north of Baghdad and 10 in a rare attack in the south, officials said. The bombing in Zubayr, near Basra in southern Iraq, was claimed by the Sunni extremist Islamic State group, which has controlled swathes of the country since last year but was thought to have little reach in the deep Shiite south. The explosion, which occurred around 5:30 pm (1430 GMT), rocked a market area known as Souk al-Halaqin in Zubayr, just 10 kilometres (six miles) southwest of the oil hub of Basra, he said.

The Latest: Asylum applications up across the Nordics Posted: 05 Oct 2015 12:32 PM PDT GENEVA (AP) — The latest developments in the hundreds of thousands of refugees and other migrants passing through Europe on their way west. All times local.

Iraq militia boss says US not serious about fighting IS Posted: 05 Oct 2015 12:04 PM PDT A top leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation paramilitary organisation said Monday that Baghdad had turned to Russia because the US-led coalition was not serious about fighting the Islamic State group. The government in Baghdad has since said it might consider allowing Russia to bomb IS targets in Iraq as well.

Turkey warns Russia over airspace violations from Syria Posted: 05 Oct 2015 11:39 AM PDT Turkey warned Russia on Monday against violating its airspace during raids in Syria, as NATO condemned the "extreme danger" of such intrusions and urged Moscow to stop targeting civilians. Turkey, a NATO member, protested to Moscow after its F-16 jets intercepted a Russian fighter that violated its airspace near the Syrian border at the weekend.

Iraq officials: car bombs across Iraq kill 56, wound dozens Posted: 05 Oct 2015 11:23 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — A series of car bombings across Iraq Monday killed at least 56 people and wounded dozens as the government continued its efforts to combat extremism across the country.

UNESCO says IS 'terrified by history' after Palmyra destruction Posted: 05 Oct 2015 10:41 AM PDT UNESCO's director-general on Monday condemned the destruction of the Arch of Triumph in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra by Islamic State jihadists, saying "extremists are terrified by history and culture". Irina Bokova said the UN's scientific and cultural body would make every effort to ensure that the perpetrators of the destruction are brought to justice. The Palmyra site is listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List and before this year, attracted an annual 150,000 tourists.

Car bomb attacks kill 57 people in Iraq: police Posted: 05 Oct 2015 10:26 AM PDT At least 57 people were killed on Monday in car bomb attacks in Baghdad and the north and south of Iraq, police and medical sources said. One attack took place near a crowded market in the town of Khalis, about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Baghdad, killing 35 people, police said. "The driver begged police to be allowed to park his vehicle in order to buy medication from a nearby pharmacy and five minutes later it (the bomb) went off and caused huge destruction," police captain Mohammed al-Tamimi said.

Erdogan presses EU to act in Syria over migrant crisis Posted: 05 Oct 2015 10:11 AM PDT By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged the European Union on Monday to consider safe havens and no-fly zones in Syria as a way to resolve the bloc's migrant crisis but signaled a readiness to discuss Europe's calls for more camps in Turkey. In a historic trip that was overshadowed by Russia's incursions into Turkey's airspace near Syria, Erdogan sought to shift the focus onto what he sees as Europe's failure to take in more refugees or intervene in the Syrian civil war.

Turkey's Erdogan, EU's Tusk say they discussed Syria 'safe zone' Posted: 05 Oct 2015 10:07 AM PDT Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and EU head Donald Tusk said Monday they had discussed Ankara's controversial plan for a safe zone cleared of Islamic State jihadist fighters in northern Syria. "The European Union is ready to take up all issues with Turkey so we also discussed a possible buffer zone in Syria," Tusk said after meeting Erdogan for talks in Brussels dominated by the migrant crisis and the Syrian conflict.

Turkey seeks EU backing for Syria no-fly, buffer zones Posted: 05 Oct 2015 09:37 AM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — Turkey's president sought European backing on Monday for the creation of buffer and no-fly zones on the Syrian border, saying that such moves are key to ending the refugee crisis.

Iraq officials: car bomb in eastern Diyala province kills 13 people, wounds 30 Posted: 05 Oct 2015 09:33 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq officials: car bomb in eastern Diyala province kills 13 people, wounds 30.

Iraq official: Car bomb on busy commercial street near city of Basra kills 10, wounds 25 Posted: 05 Oct 2015 09:23 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq official: Car bomb on busy commercial street near city of Basra kills 10, wounds 25.

Islamic State militants blow up ancient Arch of Triumph in Palmyra Posted: 05 Oct 2015 08:57 AM PDT By Kinda Makieh DAMASCUS (Reuters) - The United Nations cultural organization condemned the latest destruction by Islamic State of ancient monuments in Syria's 2,000-year-old Roman city of Palmyra, saying it showed they were terrified of history. Islamic State militants blew up the Arch of Triumph, a jewel in the exquisite collection of ruins in the oasis city, Syria's antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim said on Sunday. The militants had earlier destroyed temples at the Roman-era UNESCO World Heritage site, which it has controlled since capturing Palmyra from Syrian government forces in May, and mined other monuments and historic buildings.

Split over Assad, Arab states mum on Russia's Syria strikes Posted: 05 Oct 2015 08:19 AM PDT Divided over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad, Arab countries have kept silent over Russian air strikes in Syria, apart from Cairo which openly supports Moscow's campaign, experts said. "The Arab world has lacked regional leadership for years from within the region, and in that void, the US and Russia have been engaging," said H.A. Hellyer, Middle East policy expert at the Washington-based Brookings Center. "There are some signs that some wish to change that from within the region, but the first example of leadership is being shown in the multilateral Arab intervention into the Yemen (conflict) -- and it is not a promising example at all," he said referring to a Saudi-led coalition against Shiite rebels backed by Iran, a regional heavyweight.

US defence chief warns Russia has 'losing strategy' in Syria Posted: 05 Oct 2015 07:21 AM PDT US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said Monday that Moscow is pursuing a "losing strategy" in Syria amid rising tensions after a Russian fighter jet violated Turkey's air space. Moscow last week began bombing in Syria, claiming it was hitting Islamic State jihadists. "Russia has escalated the civil war, putting further at risk the very political resolution and preservation of Syria's structure of future governance it says that it wants," Carter said in Madrid at the start of a five-day trip to Europe.

Russian strikes were planned for months: Syria minister Posted: 05 Oct 2015 07:19 AM PDT Russian airstrikes in Syria had been planned months in advance and will be successful because of their coordination with the Syrian military, Syria's foreign minister was quoted as saying by state news agency SANA on Monday. "Without a doubt, Russia will win this race," Walid al-Moualem said in an interview with Lebanon-based channel al-Mayadeen, according to a preview of his comments published on SANA. "I have no doubt at all and the reason behind that is practical and simple, it is because Russia is coordinating with the Syrian Arab Army, which is the only force in Syria that is confronting terrorism," Moualem said.

Murders underline rise of Bangladesh Islamist militants Posted: 05 Oct 2015 07:00 AM PDT The assassination of two foreigners in a week has highlighted the growing danger posed by Islamist militants in Bangladesh, with experts warning that a long-running political crisis has radicalised opponents of the government. While experts are dubious about the Islamic State organisation's claim of responsibility for the latest killings, they say hardliners who have been shut out of the political mainstream are opting for increasingly desperate measures in a country known for its religious tolerance.

Greek, Austrian leaders to visit Lesbos over refugee crisis Posted: 05 Oct 2015 06:25 AM PDT Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann will become the first European Union leader on Tuesday to visit the Greek island of Lesbos to see the impact of Europe's migrant crisis on one of the refugees' preferred entry points into the EU. Lesbos, just 4.4 km (2.8 miles) off the Turkish coast, is struggling to cope with tens of thousands of migrants fleeing war, persecution and poverty in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere and seeking a better life in Europe. Austria and Germany have committed to backing Greek efforts to secure more EU funds to cope with the influx and to boost staff on the ground.

Minnesota Leads in Terrorist Recruits, Lags in Driver's License Security Posted: 05 Oct 2015 06:00 AM PDT WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minnesota leads the states in the number of foreign fighters recruited to Iraq and Syria, according to a bipartisan Congressional report released last week. The Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel reported that 26% of foreign fighters recruited from the U.S. were from Minnesota.  At the same time, Minnesota legislators are debating whether to implement the REAL ID Act, a 2005 antiterrorism law aimed at making it more difficult for terrorists to travel undetected with fraudulently obtained driver's licenses. Brian Zimmer, President of Keeping IDentities Safe stated, "The fact that Minnesota is first on exporting foreign fighters and one of the last on REAL ID illustrates Minnesota legislators' lack of understanding the link between terrorism and fraudulently obtained driver's licenses.

Iraq's leading Shi'ite force would welcome Russian action against IS on Iraq soil Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:53 AM PDT BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's most powerful Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia said on Monday it would welcome Russian air strikes on Islamic State militants in the country, in comments likely to raise American concern over Moscow's growing influence in the Middle East. "We are looking forward to seeing Russian war planes bombing the positions and headquarters of Daesh (Islamic State) in Iraq and all its joint supply routes with Syria," Muen al-Khadhimi, a senior aide to the leader of the Badr Brigade, told Reuters. "We will highly welcome such intervention by the Russians to take out Daesh in Iraq. ...

Iraqi Shi'ite militia welcomes Russian action against Islamic State, criticizes U.S Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:39 AM PDT One of Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite Muslim militias said on Monday it fully supported Russia's intervention and air strikes against Islamic State in the Middle East and accused the United States of being indecisive in its campaign against the group. Naim al-Uboudi, a spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, said Russia's air strikes in Syria had already produced results. "We know that the United States, during the past year and a half was not serious about putting an end to Daesh," he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

U.S. leads 21 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:26 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.-led coalition targeted Islamic State with 13 airstrikes in Iraq and eight in Syria on Sunday, the Combined Joint Task Force leading the operation said in a statement released on Monday. In Syria, the strikes hit eight units centered near three cities - Al Hasaka, Al Hawl and Palmyra - and hit several Islamic State tactical units, according to the statement. The single strike near Palmyra "produced inconclusive results," it said. ...

Polish PM candidate backs closer ties with neighbors on refugee crisis Posted: 05 Oct 2015 04:10 AM PDT By Marcin Goclowski WARSAW (Reuters) - An opposition lawmaker tipped to become Poland's next prime minister after an Oct. 25 national election said Warsaw must work much more closely with its central European neighbors on issues such as migration despite their warm ties with Russia. Last month Poland broke ranks with its ex-communist partners from the 'Visegrad group' - Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia - by backing a European Union plan to share out 120,000 refugees across the 28-nation bloc. Under the plan Poland will take in 4,500 refugees, adding to some 2,000 it has already accepted.

Why Donald Trump Is Vladimir Putin’s Favorite Presidential Candidate Posted: 05 Oct 2015 03:30 AM PDT Donald Trump has spent the last several months leading the polls in the race to be the Republican presidential nominee in the 2016 election. Nearly all Russian media these days is controlled directly or indirectly by the Kremlin, which means that in general, if something appears in any of the numerous government-run media outlets in Russia, it has the tacit approval of Putin's administration.

Baghdad hasn't asked Moscow to conduct strikes on IS in Iraq: RIA Posted: 05 Oct 2015 03:14 AM PDT MOSCOW (Reuters) - Iraq has not officially asked Russia to conduct air strikes on its territory to fight Islamic State, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying on Monday by Russian news agencies. He added that Russia was ready to establish contacts with opposition grouping the Free Syrian Army. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Christian Lowe)

Obama’s Syria Strategy: ‘Scrambling’ and ‘Desperate’ as Putin Takes Charge Posted: 05 Oct 2015 03:00 AM PDT What a week for President Obama and his toe-in-the-water strategy to stabilize the riotous anarchy that is Syria. It's somewhere between ironic and perfectly predictable that this news was delivered by Vladimir Putin—Obama having spent the past several years fashioning the Russian president as America's archenemy. Since Moscow began moving materiel into Syria—and, as of Wednesday, started bombing runs—it's just too obvious that the initiative in Syria has slipped from this administration's grip.

Boko Haram claims Abuja bombings Posted: 05 Oct 2015 01:38 AM PDT Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for twin bomb attacks on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, the group said in a message posted on social media on Sunday evening. At least 18 people were killed and 41 injured in the bombings on Friday night, in Kuje, to the west of Abuja, and in Nyanya, to the east, the authorities said. Suspicion immediately fell on the Islamist militants, who last year said they were behind two attacks in Nyanya that left more than 90 dead.

Syria air strikes must target all 'groups considered as terrorists': Fabius Posted: 05 Oct 2015 12:53 AM PDT Fabius said a statement by President Francois Hollande on Friday that Russian air strikes must target "Daesh and only Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS)", did not exclude other groups like the Al-Nusra Front. "Of course, it is a concise formulation, it is Daesh and groups considered as terrorists," Fabius told Europe 1 radio in an interview, referring to Hollande's statement. Moscow, which has launched more than 70 air strikes in Syria since last Wednesday, has come under fire for targeting Western-backed moderate opposition and IS fighters alike in their bid to bolster President Bashar Al-Assad.

Militants loyal to Islamic State claim suicide bombings in Nigerian capital Posted: 05 Oct 2015 12:18 AM PDT Militants claiming loyalty to Islamic State said they were behind suicide bombings near the Nigerian capital Abuja which killed at least 15 people, a statement on Twitter said on Sunday. On Friday, suicide bombers attacked two suburbs of Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari had blamed Boko Haram, which has waged a six-year campaign to carve out an Islamist state in northern Nigeria, for the Abuja attack.

Australia to spend $1 bln on 'world leader' armoured vehicles Posted: 04 Oct 2015 10:45 PM PDT Australia will spend Aus$1.3 billion (US$1 billion) on next-generation armoured land vehicles for its army, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Monday as he announced the latest update to modernise the nation's military. Australian forces are part of the coalition fighting Islamic State group jihadists in Iraq and Syria, but Turnbull denied that the procurement of 1,100 blast-resistant Hawkei's from Thales Australia suggested a greater global engagement. "I am not signalling that," Turnbull told reporters at a joint press conference with Defence Minister Marise Payne at a test facility for the Hawkei vehicles north of Melbourne.

Syrian activists: IS group destroys ancient Palmyra arch Posted: 04 Oct 2015 08:03 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian activists said late Sunday that Islamic State militants have destroyed a nearly 2,000-year-old arch in the ancient city of Palmyra, the latest victim in the group's campaign to destroy historic sites across the territory it controls in Iraq and Syria.

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