Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Japan set for historic defense shift, but still not 'normal nation'
• Factbox: Main elements of Japan's security legislation
• Why Bernie Sanders spoke at conservative Liberty University
• Russia positioning tanks at Syria airfield: U.S. officials
• Hollande says French air strikes will be needed in Syria
• Egypt kills Mexican tourists in desert strike error
• Analysis: Russia gambles in Syria, ramping up involvement
• France to conduct airstrikes in Syria
• British PM urges more aid to Syria refugees in Mideast
• Hollande says air strikes against IS in Syria 'necessary'
• Britain's Cameron urges support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan
• Turkey again lifts curfew in restive Cizre
• UK's Jeremy Corbyn offers a socialist alternative. Is anyone buying it?
• Turkey lifts curfew in southeast city of Diyarbakir
• Why is Germany embracing refugees? It's not simply post-Nazi guilt.
• Why Exactly Is Putin Sending Troops and Weapons Into Syria?
• Turkey raids critical magazine for 'Erdogan selfie' cover
• The Upside of Falling Energy Prices
• Kuwait telco Zain eyes technology investments: CEO
• U.S. Consumers See Upside of Falling Energy Prices
• UK's Cameron to seek consensus on striking Islamic State in Syria: spokeswoman
• Taliban's Mullah Omar died of natural causes in Afghanistan, son says
• OMG—Could Bernie Sanders Be the Democratic Frontrunner?
• EU on collision course over plans to share out migrants
• Turkish forces clash with militants in southeast city under curfew
• GOP candidates to attend pope events despite differences
• US effort to close Guantanamo prison still facing roadblocks
• Syria crisis tests Obama's legacy
• Syria group: Russia expanding major Syrian airport

Japan set for historic defense shift, but still not 'normal nation' Posted: 14 Sep 2015 04:11 PM PDT By Linda Sieg and Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and ally the United States can start making plans for a possible conflict with China after the expected enactment of defense legislation this week, but Japan will not be sending troops to back up U.S.-led operations against Islamic State. Some in Japan worry that the gap between what Japan can or will do and what the United States hopes for could cause friction with Washington if a failure to meet overblown expectations means it becomes disillusioned with its Asian partner. "With these legal changes, we will be able to do almost everything the United States has asked.

Factbox: Main elements of Japan's security legislation Posted: 14 Sep 2015 04:11 PM PDT The upper house of Japan's parliament is expected to enact into law this month legislation that could enable Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the changes are needed to address new challenges such as China's growing military assertiveness. Critics say the laws violate the pacifist constitution and could entangle Japan in U.S.-led conflicts.

Why Bernie Sanders spoke at conservative Liberty University Posted: 14 Sep 2015 03:53 PM PDT Bernie Sanders, who's been electrifying liberal Democrats on the presidential campaign trail, spoke Monday morning in a decidedly unlikely setting: Liberty University, a longtime political bastion for conservative Evangelicals. True, the audience for Senator Sanders's speech erupted in cheers when, afterward, a college official promoted an antiabortion stance.

Russia positioning tanks at Syria airfield: U.S. officials Posted: 14 Sep 2015 02:58 PM PDT By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia has positioned about a half dozen tanks at an airfield at the center of a military buildup in Syria, two U.S. officials said on Monday, adding that the intentions of Moscow's latest deployment of heavy military equipment were unclear. Moscow has come under increased international pressure in recent days to explain its moves in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a 4-1/2-year war. The Pentagon declined to directly comment on the Reuters report, saying it could not discuss U.S. intelligence.

Hollande says French air strikes will be needed in Syria Posted: 14 Sep 2015 02:58 PM PDT President Francois Hollande said on Monday that French air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria would be necessary. "We are part of the coalition in Iraq (against Islamic State)," Hollande said in a news conference with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. "We started reconnaissance flights (in Syria) to enable us to consider air strikes if they were necessary and they will be necessary in Syria." France until now had only taken part in air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq because it feared such action against the group in Syria could strengthen Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Egypt kills Mexican tourists in desert strike error Posted: 14 Sep 2015 01:26 PM PDT Egyptian security forces have killed 12 people including Mexican tourists in error while chasing jihadists in the vast Western Desert, sparking condemnation of what Mexico called a "deplorable" air attack. In Mexico, President Enrique Pena Nieto said 14 Mexicans were involved in Sunday's "grave incident". Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu told reporters that an air strike killed at least two Mexicans.

Analysis: Russia gambles in Syria, ramping up involvement Posted: 14 Sep 2015 12:52 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — In ramping up its military involvement in Syria's civil war, Russia appears to be betting that the West, horrified by the Islamic State group's spread and an escalating migrants crisis, may be willing to quietly tolerate President Bashar Assad for a while, perhaps as part of a transition.

France to conduct airstrikes in Syria Posted: 14 Sep 2015 12:14 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — French President Francois Hollande says his country will conduct airstrikes in Syria to fight the Islamic State group.

British PM urges more aid to Syria refugees in Mideast Posted: 14 Sep 2015 12:10 PM PDT AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron urged the international community on Monday to send more aid to Syrian refugees in Middle Eastern host countries as a way of stemming mass migration to Europe.

Hollande says air strikes against IS in Syria 'necessary' Posted: 14 Sep 2015 11:51 AM PDT French President Francois Hollande, whose country is carrying out surveillance flights over Syria, said Monday it would be "necessary" to carry out air strikes against Islamic State militants there. "We announced surveillance flights that would allow us to prepare air strikes if they were necessary, and they will be necessary in Syria," he told journalists after talks with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. France has been part of a US-led coalition bombing IS positions in Iraq for the past year, but Hollande changed strategy last week to expand action to Syria as political pressure mounts over the jihadist threat faced by France.

Britain's Cameron urges support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan Posted: 14 Sep 2015 11:17 AM PDT By Sylvia Westall and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on a visit to Lebanon and Jordan on Monday that it was vital to provide support for refugees from Syria's civil war within the region to discourage them from risking their lives in trying to reach Europe. Under pressure from Europe to take in far more refugees to help with a migrant crisis in the European Union, Cameron pledged last week that Britain would take in up to 20,000 people from refugee camps in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region.

Turkey again lifts curfew in restive Cizre Posted: 14 Sep 2015 10:09 AM PDT Turkish authorities on Monday lifted a curfew in the mainly Kurdish southeastern city of Cizre after reimposing it for 12 hours following a deadly nine-day military lockdown, the regional governor's office said. The curfew, enforced as the army battles Kurdish militants, had first been put in place on the evening of September 4 and then lifted last Friday amid concerns of a humanitarian crisis in the battered city. Local residents on Saturday ventured outside for the first time, stocking up on supplies and burying victims who they say were killed by the army during the curfew.

UK's Jeremy Corbyn offers a socialist alternative. Is anyone buying it? Posted: 14 Sep 2015 10:01 AM PDT The weekend election of socialist firebrand Jeremy Corbyn to lead Britain's Labour Party underscores a broader trend in Europe: left-leaning voters are looking for more leftism from their politicians. Among them is Ian McPherson, a media consultant and Londoner who says he stopped voting Labour in 2003 after former Prime Minister Tony Blair joined the US-led invasion of Iraq. "This is almost a sanitation of daily politics, we are going to a new realm of more honest, clean politics in the benefit of the people,'' he says.

Turkey lifts curfew in southeast city of Diyarbakir Posted: 14 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT Turkey lifted a 36-hour curfew in two districts of Diyarbakir, the largest city in the mainly Kurdish southeast, on Monday after an apparent lull in violence between militants and security forces. The Sur and Silvan districts had been under curfew while police had imposed tight security elsewhere in the city, firing tear gas at small groups of youths protesting overnight, local witnesses said. "As a result of the work carried out in Sur district, the curfew has been lifted as of Monday 1700.

Why is Germany embracing refugees? It's not simply post-Nazi guilt. Posted: 14 Sep 2015 09:54 AM PDT "I felt so ashamed to be an Elchingener," says Renate Willbold-Vajagic, a local. Recommended: Take Action:Learn who's working on problems like bullying, gangs, congressional gridlock, refugees, wars, and violent conflicts.

Why Exactly Is Putin Sending Troops and Weapons Into Syria? Posted: 14 Sep 2015 09:45 AM PDT Weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled he would redouble his efforts to end the bloody, years-long civil war in Syria, developments on the ground show Moscow may have pulled a double-cross and systematically provided additional military assistance to the Assad regime to keep it in power. The latest evidence came Monday, when Reuters reported Russia has positioned more than a half-dozen tanks at a Syrian airfield, indicating that a significant military build-up might take place soon. Related: How Can You Tell There Are Russian Troops in Syria?

Turkey raids critical magazine for 'Erdogan selfie' cover Posted: 14 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT Turkish police on Monday raided a liberal news magazine and detained one of its senior editors over a photomontage on its cover portraying President Recep Tayyip Erdogan taking a selfie at a soldier's funeral. Police then returned early Monday, breaking into and searching the offices of Nokta and confiscating items and documents, the magazine's editor-in-chief Cevheri Guven wrote on his Twitter account. Nokta (Full Stop) said on Twitter that the magazine's managing editor Murat Capan had been detained in a third police raid and was due to appear in court later Monday.

The Upside of Falling Energy Prices Posted: 14 Sep 2015 07:48 AM PDT The markets are heaving over fears of a China-fueled global slowdown, but for consumers there's good news here: They will be paying less as a percentage of disposable income for their energy than they did in 1960. This year, American households are expected to pay an estimated $700 less on average for energy expenditures than in 2014—a windfall that is expected to last through 2016, according to economists at the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy. "We're forecasting the average retail price of gasoline will be $2.11 a gallon in the last quarter of this year," says Timothy Hess, with the EIA's petroleum market analysis team.

Kuwait telco Zain eyes technology investments: CEO Posted: 14 Sep 2015 07:43 AM PDT By Matt Smith DUBAI (Reuters) - Kuwait's Zain will investment more in technology firms in parallel industries and is considering buying into two digital advertising companies, the telecom operator's chief executive said on Monday. Zain, like many Gulf telecoms operators, has suffered as subscriber growth stagnated and replacement services such as instant messaging and Internet-based calls replaced higher-margin text messages and conventional phone calls. Last week, it announced a link-up with Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] and has also invested in three venture capital funds focusing on digital services.

U.S. Consumers See Upside of Falling Energy Prices Posted: 14 Sep 2015 06:52 AM PDT The last time energy was this cheap, Eisenhower was president.

UK's Cameron to seek consensus on striking Islamic State in Syria: spokeswoman Posted: 14 Sep 2015 04:15 AM PDT Prime Minister David Cameron will seek to reach a consensus on striking Islamic State militants in Syria despite the election of an anti-war leader of Britain's opposition Labor Party, his spokeswoman said on Monday. "The PM thinks there is a strong case for taking action against ISIL in Syria in the way that the UK is taking action against ISIL next door in Iraq," his spokeswoman said. It hasn't changed because there has been a new leader of the opposition elected but, as he has said before, he wants to proceed with consensus on this matter and I think that is how he will continue to approach the issue." Jeremy Corbyn, who Labor supporters elected as leader on Saturday, favors scrapping Britain's nuclear weapons and has said he would oppose any attempt to extend the mission in Syria.

Taliban's Mullah Omar died of natural causes in Afghanistan, son says Posted: 14 Sep 2015 04:09 AM PDT By Jibran Ahmad PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Mullah Omar, founder of the Afghan Taliban, died of natural causes in Afghanistan, his son said in a statement calling for unity and quashing rumors about his father's mysterious death amid a leadership dispute. The dispute within the Taliban threatens a fledgling peace process with the Afghan government and may open the way for Islamic State to expand its toehold of influence. The Taliban in July officially confirmed Mullah Omar had been dead for more than two years, after the Afghan spy agency leaked the news.

OMG—Could Bernie Sanders Be the Democratic Frontrunner? Posted: 14 Sep 2015 03:15 AM PDT A new poll shows that enthusiasm among Democrats for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) shows no signs of waning any time soon, much to Hillary Clinton's chagrin. A CBS News poll, conducted with YouGuv, released on Sunday found Sanders has become the Democratic frontrunner among likely presidential voters in the crucial states of New Hampshire and Iowa. Related: Surprised Bernie Sanders Is Leading the Polls?

EU on collision course over plans to share out migrants Posted: 14 Sep 2015 02:49 AM PDT By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union members were on collision course on Monday over proposals to distribute asylum-seekers across the continent, a plan back by safe-haven Germany but resisted by several ex-Communist states in the east. Interior ministers will meet on Monday afternoon in an emergency council called to deal with the unprecedented influx of migrants, which has overburdened Italy, Greece and Hungary. Diplomats said after talks in Brussels on Sunday that Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic were refusing to accept the compulsory distribution of 120,000 asylum seekers - even though Hungary, which has taken in large numbers, would benefit.

Turkish forces clash with militants in southeast city under curfew Posted: 14 Sep 2015 02:40 AM PDT Gunfire rang out intermittently overnight in a district of Diyarbakir, the largest city in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast, where a curfew remained in force as police clashed with militants, witnesses said on Monday. While only the historic Sur district was under curfew, police imposed tight security elsewhere in the city, firing tear gas at small groups of youths protesting during the night, local witnesses said. More than 100 police and soldiers have been killed, along with hundreds of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters, since a ceasefire collapsed in July, shattering a peace process launched in 2012.

GOP candidates to attend pope events despite differences Posted: 14 Sep 2015 01:08 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — To some Republican presidential candidates, it's better to be with the popular pope than against him.

US effort to close Guantanamo prison still facing roadblocks Posted: 14 Sep 2015 12:59 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration's struggling quest to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is mired in state and federal politics.

Syria crisis tests Obama's legacy Posted: 13 Sep 2015 08:51 PM PDT US presidents are just as likely to be remembered for their foreign policy failures as their successes. Jimmy Carter sealed the Camp David accords, bringing peace between Israel and Egypt, but his presidency wilted with every passing day of the Iran hostage crisis. Bill Clinton failed to stop the horrors of Rwanda's genocide and George W. Bush will forever be remembered as the president who took the United States to a costly war in Iraq.

Syria group: Russia expanding major Syrian airport Posted: 13 Sep 2015 12:37 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Russian forces are expanding the tarmac of a major airport in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar Assad and his minority sect, a prominent Syrian monitoring group said Sunday.

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