Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT
• French government condemns 'Christian refugees only' mayors
• Turkish forces enter northern Iraq as PKK violence spirals
• US vows to help Europe, but will it take in more migrants?
• U.N. says 850,000 to cross sea to Europe in 2015 and 2016
• Syria routs Cambodia 6-0 in World Cup qualifying
• 'Annoying' But Deadly? The Debate Over Killing ISIS's 'Twitter Tough Guys'
• Why Scott Walker Won’t Take a Position on the US Accepting Refugees
• Bombs kill 15 Turkish police officers as jets strike PKK in Iraq
• New Hungarian migrant laws could cause chaos, UN warns
• Clashes and curfews cast doubt on free election in southeast Turkey
• Canadians prepare to take in more Syrian migrants
• Angelina Jolie warns Islamic State using rape on unprecedented scale
• As violence in Turkey soars, concern for election security
• Turkey deploys forces into Iraq to hunt down PKK rebels
• US warns Russia moves in Syria risk 'confrontation'
• US mulling more help to stanch refugee crisis
• Multi-millionaires of world football take action on refugee crisis
• France cash pledge for persecuted Mideast minorities
• Middle East sandstorm kills eight
• UN chief urges European leaders to respond to migrant crisis
• Angry fans wreck Malaysian World Cup qualifier
• Hungary should improve conditions for arriving refugees: UN
• Top Asian News at 5:30 p.m. GMT
• U.S., allies conduct 19 air strikes in Syria and Iraq: military
• Soccer-Crowd trouble mars Asian World Cup qualifiers
• Chaos, boredom await refugees at crowded German centre
• Iran says democracy not a 'priority' in Syria now
• Islamic State group loyalists eye a presence in Afghanistan
• Turkish film depicts democracy under fire
• Iraq's deputy justice minister kidnapped in Baghdad
• Gunmen in Iraq kidnap deputy justice minister
• Merkel says Europe needs joint asylum system, refugee quotas
• Cameron challenged over Syria drone killings
• France makes 1st reconnaissance forays over Syria against IS
• Gunmen kidnap senior Iraqi official in Baghdad
• Save the Children Appeals for Help in Assisting Refugee Children in Europe
• Dutch government says taking more refugees is only temporary fix
• Britain 'wouldn't hesitate' to carry out another drone strike in Syria

Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2015 03:32 PM PDT NARAHA, Japan (AP) — A few signs of life are returning to this rural town made desolate by the Fukushima nuclear disaster four-and-a-half years ago: Carpenters bang on houses, an occasional delivery truck drives by and a noodle shop has opened to serve employees who have returned to Naraha's small town hall. But weeds cover the now rusty train tracks, there are no sounds of children and wild boars still roam around at night. On the outskirts of town, thousands of black industrial storage bags containing radiation-contaminated soil and debris stretch out across barren fields.

French government condemns 'Christian refugees only' mayors Posted: 08 Sep 2015 04:33 PM PDT The French government on Tuesday condemned two mayors who said they would only take in Christian refugees, as the country prepares to receive the first tranche of some 24,000 migrants. The right to asylum is a universal right," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Tuesday evening, hours before some 200 are expected to arrive from Germany. Under pressure to respond to Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War II, President Francois Hollande announced Monday that France would take in 24,000 people over two years.

Turkish forces enter northern Iraq as PKK violence spirals Posted: 08 Sep 2015 03:08 PM PDT Turkish forces crossed into northern Iraq to pursue Kurdish militants on Tuesday after the deadliest rebel attacks in years left dozens dead in a new escalation of the decades-long conflict. Thirteen Turkish police were killed on Tuesday in a new attack by Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants as violence in the east threatened to spiral out of control. Early on Tuesday, the Turkish air force pounded PKK targets in northern Iraq while special forces crossed the border in a rare land incursion, a Turkish government source told AFP.

US vows to help Europe, but will it take in more migrants? Posted: 08 Sep 2015 02:51 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration wants to help its allies across the Atlantic with an escalating migrant crisis, but is unlikely to open America's doors to vast numbers of Syrian and other refugees arriving each day by the thousands in Europe.

U.N. says 850,000 to cross sea to Europe in 2015 and 2016 Posted: 08 Sep 2015 02:49 PM PDT By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - At least 850,000 people are expected to cross the Mediterranean seeking refuge in Europe this year and next, the United Nations said on Tuesday, giving estimates that already look conservative. The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR called for more cohesive asylum policies to deal with the growing numbers. Many are refugees from Syria, driven to make the voyage by intensified fighting there and worsening conditions for refugees in surrounding countries due to funding shortfalls in aid programs, UNHCR said.

Syria routs Cambodia 6-0 in World Cup qualifying Posted: 08 Sep 2015 02:42 PM PDT TOKYO (AP) — War-torn Syria's national soccer team won its third consecutive World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, routing Cambodia 6-0 in Phnom Penh, while the game between Malaysia and visiting Saudi Arabia was suspended three minutes from the end after fans hurled flares onto the field.

'Annoying' But Deadly? The Debate Over Killing ISIS's 'Twitter Tough Guys' Posted: 08 Sep 2015 02:20 PM PDT A year into the U.S. strategy to "degrade and destroy" ISIS, a debate has erupted among some counter-terrorism officials and experts over the value of hunting down the extremist group's propagandists and "Twitter tough guys" alongside the most senior leaders in Syria and Iraq. In recent weeks the American government hailed the targeted killings in airstrikes of both the important number two leader of ISIS, a longtime veteran jihadi named Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali, as well as social media taunter Junaid Hussain, who some officials called a "senior" propagandist in ISIS -- though he was only nine years old when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003.

Why Scott Walker Won’t Take a Position on the US Accepting Refugees Posted: 08 Sep 2015 02:20 PM PDT As Europe grapples with the mass migration of more than 300,000 refugees fleeing war in Syria, Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker won't say whether the United States should open its doors to absorb more of the migrants. Walker's reason for not taking a stand is that he says it would be hypothetical for him to do so since he is not currently the president. "I'm not president today and I can't be president today," the Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin governor said when asked by ABC News on Monday what he would to address the current refugee crisis if he were president currently.

Bombs kill 15 Turkish police officers as jets strike PKK in Iraq Posted: 08 Sep 2015 02:00 PM PDT Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu appealed for calm on Tuesday after crowds angered by renewed Kurdish militant violence attacked newspapers and offices of a pro-Kurdish political party. The unrest took place after Kurdish militants killed 15 police officers in two bombings in eastern Turkish provinces. More than 40 Turkish warplanes also hit Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets overnight in northern Iraq, where the group has bases, in response to Sunday's killing of 16 soldiers near the Iraqi border -- the deadliest attack since a two-year-old ceasefire ended.

New Hungarian migrant laws could cause chaos, UN warns Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:40 PM PDT The UN refugee agency warned Tuesday that Hungary's tough new emergency migrant laws, which are due to go into effect next week, could cause further chaos in the EU member state. Speaking to journalists in Budapest, UNHCR's Europe director Vincent Cochotel also warned that criminalising illegal border crossings could violate the UN Convention on Refugees if it involved asylum seekers. The new penalties include three years in prison for anyone climbing over the newly-built razor wire fence along the border with Serbia, and also allow for new border "transit zones" to hold asylum seekers while their applications are being processed.

Clashes and curfews cast doubt on free election in southeast Turkey Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:38 PM PDT By Humeyra Pamuk DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Daily clashes between Kurdish militants and security forces in southeast Turkey have cast doubt on whether a credible election can be held in two months' time, with the fear of violence likely to haunt campaign rallies and voting day itself. Kurds seemed to hold the keys to Turkey's political future three months ago when the pro-Kurdish opposition won enough votes to enter parliament as a party for the first time. More than 100 temporary military zones have been declared in the region as fighting rages between militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the armed forces.

Canadians prepare to take in more Syrian migrants Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:26 PM PDT Canadians prepared to take in more Syrian migrants Tuesday as provincial and municipal leaders pledged more help, from sponsoring families to earmarking additional funds to resettle refugees. British Columbia Premier Christie Clark put up Can$1 million (US750,000) to help private sponsors bring refugees to the province, while Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Toronto mayor John Tory said they would each personally sponsor a Syrian family. As the migrant crisis unfolds in Europe, with a record influx of people fleeing war and misery in Syria, their plight has become a top issue in the Canadian election campaign ahead of voting on October 19.

Angelina Jolie warns Islamic State using rape on unprecedented scale Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:23 PM PDT By Kieran Guilbert LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie warned on Tuesday that Islamic State was using rape as a weapon of war on a scale never seen before and called for greater action against those responsible. Jolie, a special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and active campaigner against the use of sexual violence in conflict, said Islamic State was using rape as a "policy" and urged a "very strong response". Thousands of women and girls have been abducted, raped and sold into sexual slavery by Islamic State since the militant group declared a caliphate across swathes of Syria and Iraq last summer, according to the United Nations and rights groups.

As violence in Turkey soars, concern for election security Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:18 PM PDT The conflict between Turkey and Kurdish separatists is seeing a surge of violence that far exceeds the last such outbreak in hostilities, fueling concerns it cannot be contained before snap Turkish elections in November. In an echo of the darkest days of the long-running Kurdish insurgency, 14 Turkish police officers were killed Tuesday in a roadside bomb attack near the Azerbaijan border, and the government stepped up its campaign against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) with intensive airstrikes and a rare ground incursion into northern Iraq. On Sunday, PKK attacks also claimed the lives of 16 Turkish soldiers, the military said, the highest losses in Army ranks since the peace process collapsed in July.

Turkey deploys forces into Iraq to hunt down PKK rebels Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:12 PM PDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey deployed ground forces across the border into northern Iraq on Tuesday for the first time since 2011, stepping up its battle against Kurdish rebels who have stung the Turkish military with a string of attacks in recent weeks.

US warns Russia moves in Syria risk 'confrontation' Posted: 08 Sep 2015 12:38 PM PDT The White House on Tuesday warned that a Russian military buildup in Syria could spark a "confrontation" with US-led forces carrying out an air campaign against the Islamic State group. Amid reports that Russia is readying to step up its support for Bashar Al-Assad's regime by deploying its own military, the White House expressed grave misgivings. "We've indicated that the United States is concerned by reports that Russia may have deployed additional military personnel and aircraft to Syria," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

US mulling more help to stanch refugee crisis Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:58 AM PDT President Barack Obama's administration on Tuesday said it was looking at further measures to address the Syrian refugee crisis, amid criticism the world's largest economy is not doing enough. "The administration is actively considering a range of approaches to contribute to the solution to this very difficult challenge," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. The measures could include more funding to help house and feed refugee camps in Jordan, Turkey and other countries, and admitting more refugees into the United States.

Multi-millionaires of world football take action on refugee crisis Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:34 AM PDT The world of football continued to mobilise on Tuesday as wealthy European clubs proposed a series of money-raising projects to help the on-going refugee crisis. Following AS Roma's gesture to donate 575,000 euros ($643,000) as well as jerseys worn by stars Francesco Totti, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic to the newly-launched "Football Cares" auction site, the European Association of football clubs (ECA) announced a generous plan involving teams playing the Champions League and Europa League competitions.

France cash pledge for persecuted Mideast minorities Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:34 AM PDT France will contribute 25 million euros to a global "action plan" for the protection of minorities in the Middle East that are persecuted by the Islamic State group and other extremists, Paris announced Tuesday. Speaking at a conference on the issue that gathered some 60 countries and representatives of around 15 NGOs in Paris, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the plan aimed to help displaced minorities, fight against extremists and maintain religious and ethnic diversity in the region. "We will not sit back and let the historic diversity of the Middle East disappear," Fabius said.

Middle East sandstorm kills eight Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:32 AM PDT A dense sandstorm engulfing parts of the Middle East left at least eight people dead and hundreds suffering from respiratory problems on Tuesday, as officials warned residents to stay indoors. Large parts of Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Cyprus were shrouded in a thick cloud of dust from the storm that began sweeping into the region on Monday. Refugees from Syria now living in basic conditions in Lebanon were badly affected.

UN chief urges European leaders to respond to migrant crisis Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:16 AM PDT UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged European leaders Tuesday to act responsibly and humanely toward refugees arriving at their borders and invited leaders to a meeting on migration at the end of this month. Ban has called the leaders of seven European governments over the past several days as the rush of refugees from war-torn Syria, Iraq and elsewhere has reached a crisis level, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. In those conversations, Ban has emphasized "that the large majority of people arriving in Europe are refugees fleeing war and violence, who have a right to seek asylum without any form of discrimination," according to Dujarric.

Angry fans wreck Malaysian World Cup qualifier Posted: 08 Sep 2015 10:50 AM PDT The game isn't going to continue," Malaysia's interim coach Ong Kim Swee told AFP. The ugly scenes heap further woe on soccer in Malaysia, which despite hosting the Asian Football Confederation headquarters, has been plagued by fan violence and match-fixing. The UAE, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw by Palestine but still topped Group A on goal difference courtesy of their 10-0 win over Malaysia last week.

Hungary should improve conditions for arriving refugees: UN Posted: 08 Sep 2015 10:46 AM PDT The United Nations refugee agency urged Hungary on Tuesday to improve conditions for the thousands of refugees and migrants arriving in the country each day and offered assistance in coping with the flood of people. More than 150,000 refugees and migrants have crossed into Hungary from Serbia since January, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said. Most are from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq and have traveled through the Balkans towards western and northern Europe.

Top Asian News at 5:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 08 Sep 2015 10:32 AM PDT NARAHA, Japan (AP) — A few signs of life are returning to this rural town made desolate by the Fukushima nuclear disaster four-and-a-half years ago: Carpenters bang on houses, an occasional delivery truck drives by and a noodle shop has opened to serve employees who have returned to Naraha's small town hall. But weeds cover the now rusty train tracks, there are no sounds of children and wild boars still roam around at night. On the outskirts of town, thousands of black industrial storage bags containing radiation-contaminated soil and debris stretch out across barren fields.

U.S., allies conduct 19 air strikes in Syria and Iraq: military Posted: 08 Sep 2015 10:16 AM PDT A coalition led by the United States bombarded the Islamic State militant group on Monday with 14 air strikes in Iraq and five in Syria, according to a statement released on Tuesday. The air strikes in Iraq were concentrated near Baji, where three hit tactical units and also destroyed six vehicles and five buildings belonging to the militant group, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement.

Soccer-Crowd trouble mars Asian World Cup qualifiers Posted: 08 Sep 2015 10:08 AM PDT (Refiles to fix typo in headline) By Julian Linden SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - War-torn neighbours Syria and Iraq continued their unbeaten starts to the Asian World Cup qualifying competition on Tuesday as crowd trouble reared its ugly head in Malaysia, forcing the abandonment of the match with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia were leading 2-1 in the Group A Asian qualifier at Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor when play was stopped in the 87th minute after fans launched flares and fireworks onto the pitch. Malaysia suffered a record 10-0 loss to United Arab Emirates last week, infuriating fans and prompting the resignation of head coach Dollah Salleh.

Chaos, boredom await refugees at crowded German centre Posted: 08 Sep 2015 09:52 AM PDT They have fled the hell of war for the safety of Germany, only to be plunged into a bureaucratic nightmare at a desperately crowded and overstretched refugee centre. Chaotic scenes await those who make it to Berlin's registration office for new arrivals, two kilometres (just over a mile) west of the chancellery of Angela Merkel, who has opened German borders to a wave of refugees. Hundreds who have come from as far as Syria, Iraq and Somalia wait here for days, sometimes over a week, they say, for a bed and a chance to register their asylum requests.

Iran says democracy not a 'priority' in Syria now Posted: 08 Sep 2015 09:50 AM PDT Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that democracy was currently not a priority in Syria when people in the Islamic republic's key ally are being killed. "Is it a priority to discuss democracy in Syria today?" Rouhani asked at a news conference with visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Iran provides financial and military support to Syria and has military advisers on the ground there.

Islamic State group loyalists eye a presence in Afghanistan Posted: 08 Sep 2015 09:24 AM PDT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Homegrown militants loyal to the Islamic State group are making inroads into Afghanistan, controlling territory in some parts of the country and ruling with the harsh hand the group is notorious for in Iraq and Syria, according to officials, military leaders and analysts.

Turkish film depicts democracy under fire Posted: 08 Sep 2015 08:50 AM PDT By Francis Maguire VENICE (Reuters) - "Abluka", a dark and sinister film depicting Istanbul in the throes of a terrorist bombing campaign, is intended as a warning about the fragility of democracy, its Turkish director said on Tuesday. "I think mainly it's about how the political atmosphere can drive people paranoid and crazy and create the destruction of the society," Emin Alper told Reuters in an interview at the Venice Film Festival "The political polarization, the political tensions and the idea of a polarized society between enemy and friends can destroy our identities, our confidence," he added. The film, which means "Frenzy" in English, shows this societal disintegration through the eyes of two brothers, Kadir, played by Mehmet Ozgur, who has been released from prison on parole after years inside, and his younger brother Ahmet, played by Berkay Ates, whose wife has just left him.

Iraq's deputy justice minister kidnapped in Baghdad Posted: 08 Sep 2015 08:10 AM PDT Iraq's acting deputy justice minister was kidnapped from his vehicle on Tuesday by black-clad gunmen in northern Baghdad, security sources said, the second high-profile abduction in the capital in less than a week. Baghdad has seen a proliferation in recent years of well armed criminal gangs that carry out contract killings, kidnappings and extortion. Ministry spokesman Haider Saadi confirmed the abduction of acting deputy minister Abdel Karim Faris.

Gunmen in Iraq kidnap deputy justice minister Posted: 08 Sep 2015 08:03 AM PDT Gunmen in Baghdad kidnapped an acting deputy justice minister of Iraq on Tuesday and wounded his driver, officials said. A justice ministry official identified the man seized as Abdulkarim Fares, saying he is director general for financial and administrative affairs at the ministry as well as an acting deputy minister. Kidnappings for political reasons or money are a persistent problem in Baghdad, with Shiite militias or their affiliates seen as the main culprits.

Merkel says Europe needs joint asylum system, refugee quotas Posted: 08 Sep 2015 07:57 AM PDT German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that Europe needed to implement a joint system for dealing with asylum seekers and agree to binding quotas on how to distribute refugees across the continent. Sweden, with one of Europe's most generous policies on immigration, expects to receive 74,000 refugees this year.

Cameron challenged over Syria drone killings Posted: 08 Sep 2015 07:49 AM PDT The legality of an unprecedented RAF drone attack that killed two British jihadists in Syria came under scrutiny Tuesday, as the defence minister indicated Britain could target more militants in future. Prime Minister David Cameron was challenged to shed light on specific threats that led to the killing of Islamic State (IS) militants Reyaad Khan and Ruhul Amin in the Syrian city of Raqqa, which he declared "an act of self-defence". As debate raged in British media, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Tuesday Britain would readily strike again to prevent attacks on home soil.

France makes 1st reconnaissance forays over Syria against IS Posted: 08 Sep 2015 07:25 AM PDT PARIS (AP) — French officials say two French jets have made their first reconnaissance forays over Syria.

Gunmen kidnap senior Iraqi official in Baghdad Posted: 08 Sep 2015 07:09 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi military spokesman says gunmen have kidnapped a senior Justice Ministry official in Baghdad.

Save the Children Appeals for Help in Assisting Refugee Children in Europe Posted: 08 Sep 2015 06:55 AM PDT FAIRFIELD, Conn., Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more people around the world forced out of their homes than any time since World War II, Save the Children has launched a Child Refugee Crisis Appeal aimed at helping support and protect homeless children and their families fleeing conflict, wars and persecution in the Middle East and Africa in unprecedented numbers.  Hundreds of thousands are risking death seeking refuge in Europe. "Every day, more and more traumatized children – including many children who have seen their homes destroyed and their loved ones killed -- are now streaming into Greece, Serbia and Hungary in hopes of ultimately finding safety and relief in Germany  and other European countries," said Save the Children President and CEO Carolyn Miles. "These children have been on the move for months.

Dutch government says taking more refugees is only temporary fix Posted: 08 Sep 2015 06:48 AM PDT The Netherlands is willing in principle to accept a share of the flood of asylum seekers arriving in Europe, but only as a "temporary solution", the government said on Tuesday. European Union governments are divided in their response to the continent's biggest refugee crisis since World War Two, as hundreds of thousands of people flee nations like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The government plans to toughen its stance by cutting off food and shelter after a few weeks for those whose claims for refugee status are turned down.

Britain 'wouldn't hesitate' to carry out another drone strike in Syria Posted: 08 Sep 2015 06:44 AM PDT Britain is ready to launch more drone strikes in Syria to thwart potential terrorism plots, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon vowed Tuesday, adding fuel to the debate over the extent of British operations in the Middle East. The strike killed three suspected members of the so-called Islamic State, including two British citizens.

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