Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• New tally in Saudi hajj disaster shows at least 1,399 killed
• 4 Russian Cruise Missiles Crash in Iran En Route to Syria
• U.N.'s Ban rejects calls to keep refugee chief amid crisis
• French MPs adopt bill to block minors from leaving for jihad
• U.S. officials say Russian cruise missiles aimed at Syria crashed in Iran
• Europe’s test of tolerance over Muslim influx
• FBI says it disrupted activities of dozens of potential IS recruits
• Clashes intensify in Syria from Russian-backed offensive
• US: Several Russian cruise missiles landed in Iran
• Austrian prosecutors want to hand case of 71 dead migrants to Hungary
• EU gets tough on expelling migrants, talks to neighbors
• Ancient Ethiopian man's genome illuminates ancestry of Africans
• Russia denies US claim that four Syria-bound missiles crashed in Iran
• Trade deal, Keystone open Clinton to flip-flop charges
• Four Syria-bound Russian missiles crashed in Iran: US official
• Jordan scores 2-0 upset win v Australia, leads Group B
• Popularity of 'Putin the Shiite' sky high in Iraq
• Soccer-Jordan beat Asian champions Australia, Iran held
• Russian cruise missile strikes fired without advanced notice: U.S.
• After Suffering Multiple Head Injuries, an Army Veteran Finds Peace in Ceramics
• Mortar attacks kill 27 in Iraq: police
• Wars the World Over Leave Many Fighting PTSD at Home and Abroad
• Protesters scuffle with police in Iraq's Kurdistan region
• Mahmoud rescues Iraq with late penalty against Vietnam
• Edie Falco chosen for sniffer dog biopic
• NATO says it's ready to defend Turkey amid 'troubling escalation' in Syria
• Tunisian lawmaker escapes assassination attempt by gunman
• Empowering Injured Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers to Successfully Transition to Life after Injury
• Toyota willing to help probe over IS truck fleet
• Obama and Congress Playing High-Stakes Poker over War Funding
• Shakespeare acting program helps veterans deal with emotions
• Clinton message rises: She won't be Obama 2.0
• Syrian militant group recasts itself as moderate option
• Iran lobbied for Russian campaign in Syria , officials say
• AFM: Henry Cavill, Luke Evans Join Nicholas Hoult in War Drama 'Sand Castle'
• Mideast countries call for IMF help on refugee crisis
• Three held over Australia terror shooting set free

New tally in Saudi hajj disaster shows at least 1,399 killed Posted: 08 Oct 2015 03:32 PM PDT DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The crush and stampede last month outside of Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca killed at least 1,399 people during the hajj pilgrimage, a new tally Thursday showed, 630 more than the kingdom's official toll.

4 Russian Cruise Missiles Crash in Iran En Route to Syria Posted: 08 Oct 2015 03:20 PM PDT On Wednesday, Russia fired 26 cruise missiles at what it said were ISIS targets in Syria, assisting a ground offensive launched by the Syrian military in central western Syria. U.S. officials said that it was unclear if the Russian missiles caused any damage or casualties as they crashed in Iranian territory. A video released by the Russian Defense Ministry of the missile launches also included an animation detailing the trajectory the missiles took flying over northwestern Iran and northern Iraq en route to their targets in Syria.

U.N.'s Ban rejects calls to keep refugee chief amid crisis Posted: 08 Oct 2015 03:13 PM PDT By Louis Charbonneau and Tom Miles UNITED NATIONS/GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has disregarded a request from a large number of member states to keep the U.N. high commissioner for refugees in his job for an extra year to cope with the worsening refugee crisis, diplomats said. Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres was elected by the U.N. General Assembly in 2005 and re-elected in 2010. Many countries, including those hit by the surge of refugees in the Middle East that has spilled over into Europe, backed an extension for Guterres, concerned his departure could leave a temporary leadership vacuum at a time of crisis, diplomats said.

French MPs adopt bill to block minors from leaving for jihad Posted: 08 Oct 2015 01:53 PM PDT French lawmakers adopted a draft law Thursday that will require minors to have permission from their parents or legal guardians before leaving the country in a bid to curb departures for jihad in Iraq or Syria. At the moment, children in France only need their identity card or passport to travel, making it easy for them to fly to Turkey and make their way to Syria to join the ranks of the Islamic State group (IS). Parents can currently request that their children be blocked from leaving the country, but this is of no use if they are unaware of their plans.

U.S. officials say Russian cruise missiles aimed at Syria crashed in Iran Posted: 08 Oct 2015 01:30 PM PDT WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - U.S. officials said four Russian cruise missiles fired at Syria from a warship in the Caspian Sea on Wednesday had crashed in Iran while Russia insisted they had reached their targets in Syria. The White House declined to comment on the report from the officials, who asked not to be identified, and the State Department said it could not confirm it.

Europe’s test of tolerance over Muslim influx Posted: 08 Oct 2015 01:24 PM PDT Europe, which has long had a Muslim minority, was not prepared for this summer's wave of asylum seekers, mainly from Syria. Now with Russian military strikes escalating the war in Syria, Europe anticipates millions more fleeing toward its borders. Germany, which is accepting nearly a million new entrants, is facing a test more severe than its post-cold-war reunification 25 years ago, says President Joachim Gauck.

FBI says it disrupted activities of dozens of potential IS recruits Posted: 08 Oct 2015 01:12 PM PDT FBI counterterrorism agents followed dozens of potential militants around the United States full time over the summer and disrupted activities pursued by many of them, FBI Director James Comey told a congressional committee on Thursday. Comey also told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that U.S. investigators knew of many U.S.-based Islamic militant suspects who used encrypted communications. Nick Rasmussen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, also speaking to the panel, estimated that about 250 Americans had traveled to fight or train in parts of Iraq and Syria where Islamic State militants have declared a caliphate.

Clashes intensify in Syria from Russian-backed offensive Posted: 08 Oct 2015 01:10 PM PDT DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Clashes intensified Thursday between Syrian troops and insurgents in central and northwestern Syria, part of what a top general called a "wide-ranging" offensive aided by Russian airstrikes and apparently aimed at clearing positions near government strongholds on the coast.

US: Several Russian cruise missiles landed in Iran Posted: 08 Oct 2015 01:09 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — As many as four of the 26 long-range cruise missiles that Russia said it fired at Syrian targets landed instead in Iran, U.S. defense officials said Thursday.

Austrian prosecutors want to hand case of 71 dead migrants to Hungary Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:56 PM PDT Austrian prosecutors want their Hungarian counterparts to take over the case of 71 dead migrants who were found abandoned in a lorry on an Austrian motorway in August, saying their work on the case has more or less been completed. The Austrian prosecutors said that "after the good progress of the investigation into the discovery of the 71 bodies ... the (Austrian) prosecutors' office ... is seeking to focus the entire criminal proceedings in the hands of the Hungarian judiciary." It added: "The collection of evidence in relation to this case in Austria has essentially been finished or is about to." Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban has gained notoriety for its tough treatment of migrants. On Thursday Amnesty International said the European Commission should launch legal action against Budapest to ensure its respect for the rights of refugees and migrants.

EU gets tough on expelling migrants, talks to neighbors Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:56 PM PDT By Alastair Macdonald and Tom Körkemeier LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - European Union governments agreed on Thursday to step up deportations of illegal immigrants and discussed creating an EU border force among measures to cope with hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria's civil war. Underlining the havoc brought by chaotic mass treks across Europe's open borders over recent months, the German state of Bavaria threatened to break ranks with Berlin and send back to Austria migrants who cross its Alpine frontier. Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose welcome for refugees has taken a toll on her ratings, insists she will not shut the door.

Ancient Ethiopian man's genome illuminates ancestry of Africans Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:54 PM PDT By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - DNA extracted from the skull of a man buried 4,500 years ago in an Ethiopian cave is providing new clarity on the ancestry of modern Africans as well as shedding light on an influx of people from the ancient Middle East into the Horn of Africa. Until now, genome sequencing efforts on ancient people have focused on remains from cooler, drier climes that tend to better preserve DNA. The cave, sitting 6,440 feet (1,963 meters) above sea level in southwestern Ethiopia's Gamo highlands, was discovered in 2011, University of Cambridge geneticist Andrea Manica said.

Russia denies US claim that four Syria-bound missiles crashed in Iran Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:47 PM PDT Russia's defence ministry denied a claim by a US official Thursday that four Syria-bound Russian cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea had crashed in Iran. "Any professional knows that during these operations we always fix the target before and after impact. All our cruise missiles hit their target," ministry spokesman General Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

Trade deal, Keystone open Clinton to flip-flop charges Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:47 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Martin O'Malley was blunt when he learned Hillary Rodham Clinton had announced her opposition to a Pacific Rim trade deal. "Wow, that's a reversal," he told reporters minutes after Clinton announced her shift.

Four Syria-bound Russian missiles crashed in Iran: US official Posted: 08 Oct 2015 11:58 AM PDT Four Russian cruise missiles aimed at targets in Syria instead crashed in Iran, a US official said Thursday, declining to comment on whether there were any casualties. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the missiles landed in Iran on Wednesday, but did not provide details about where they might have landed or whether they caused any damage. The Russian Defense Ministry posted a graphic on its website showing 26 missiles overflying Iran and Iraq before striking inside Syria.

Jordan scores 2-0 upset win v Australia, leads Group B Posted: 08 Oct 2015 10:34 AM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Jordan scored twice in the second half to upset continental champion Australia 2-0 on Thursday and move to the top of Group B in the second round of Asian qualifying for the World Cup.

Popularity of 'Putin the Shiite' sky high in Iraq Posted: 08 Oct 2015 10:25 AM PDT Russian President Vladimir Putin's bullish entry into the Syrian conflict has worked wonders for his popularity in neighbouring Iraq, where some await "Hajji Putin" like a saviour. Sitting at his easel in his central Baghdad workshop, painter Mohammed Karim Nihaya touches up a portrait of Putin he copied from the Internet. "I have been waiting for Russia to get involved in the fight against Daesh," he says, referring to the Islamic State group that last year declared a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria.

Soccer-Jordan beat Asian champions Australia, Iran held Posted: 08 Oct 2015 10:15 AM PDT By Patrick Johnston SINGAPORE, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Jordan stunned Asian champions Australia 2-0 on Thursday to throw open their World Cup qualifying group after handing the Socceroos their first loss of the campaign. Ange Postecoglou's side were the big casualties on another tricky night of qualifying for Asia's elite, with Iran producing a scratchy display before salvaging a 1-1 draw against Oman in Group D, while South Korea only edged Kuwait 1-0 away in Group G. Four-times Asian champions Japan also encountered some problems against Syria before a second half flurry handed them a 3-0 win in Muscat, while Iraq snatched a 1-1 draw in Vietnam after a 97th-minute penalty by Younis Mahmoud.

Russian cruise missile strikes fired without advanced notice: U.S. Posted: 08 Oct 2015 09:28 AM PDT Russia fired cruise missiles at Syrian targets this week without giving any advanced notice, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday, describing a trend of unpredictable military action that has put the United States and its allies on edge. A U.S.-led coalition is carrying out air strikes against Islamic State militants in both Iraq and Syria, a campaign that Washington has vowed will continue despite Russia's escalating military activity in Syria.

After Suffering Multiple Head Injuries, an Army Veteran Finds Peace in Ceramics Posted: 08 Oct 2015 09:25 AM PDT It wasn't until the third time Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jon Meadows was hit by a blast that he realized something was wrong."My whole lower part of my body was going numb. I was starting to not feel anything," Meadows told ABC News.Meadows' convoy had felt hits twice before on tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, but he summed up his new forgetfulness and blurred vision to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. ...

Mortar attacks kill 27 in Iraq: police Posted: 08 Oct 2015 09:22 AM PDT BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Twenty seven people were killed in Iraq on Thursday when mortars landed in the provincial capital of Baquba, police and medics said. It was not clear who fired the mortars at the northern town. Iraq is facing a multitude of security challenges, including ultra-hardline Sunni Islamic State militants who control a third of the country and have fueled sectarian tensions. (Reporting by Baghdad bureau; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Wars the World Over Leave Many Fighting PTSD at Home and Abroad Posted: 08 Oct 2015 08:54 AM PDT "Normally you have a sense that you have a future in front of you," says Dr. Barbara Lopes Cardozo, a psychiatrist and medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lopes Cardozo's work is focused on mental health in "emergency settings" overseas -- in conflict and war zones and areas where disasters have taken place. "For the Syrian refugees, there's been a huge amount of violence.

Protesters scuffle with police in Iraq's Kurdistan region Posted: 08 Oct 2015 08:43 AM PDT Protesters hurled stones and scuffled with riot police in the second largest city in Iraq's Kurdish north on Thursday, in the most intense show of discontent since an economic crisis hit the region. Teachers, hospital workers and other public sector employees have taken to the streets and gone on strike for a week, demanding their salaries from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which is three months in arrears. Thursday's protest focused on a five-star hotel in the center of Sulaimaniyah, where political parties were meeting to resolve a deadlock over the presidency that has compounded the economic crisis.

Mahmoud rescues Iraq with late penalty against Vietnam Posted: 08 Oct 2015 08:13 AM PDT Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud rescued a point for Iraq with a last-ditch penalty as the former Asian champions drew 1-1 with Vietnam in Hanoi on Thursday in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A first-half strike by Le Cong Vinh gave the hosts the lead at My Dinh Stadium but Mahmoud converted a spot kick deep into stoppage time, which kept his side unbeaten in Group F and boosted their hopes of advancing to the third round of the Asian Qualifiers. Palestine also needed a late equaliser as they drew 1-1 with Timor Leste in Group A, while North Korea dropped their first points in Group H when they were held to a goalless draw by the Philippines in Pyongyang.

Edie Falco chosen for sniffer dog biopic Posted: 08 Oct 2015 07:26 AM PDT Co-star of "The Sopranos," Edie Falco is to appear opposite Kate Mara in biographical war film "Megan Leavey."

NATO says it's ready to defend Turkey amid 'troubling escalation' in Syria Posted: 08 Oct 2015 05:47 AM PDT NATO's chief today described a "troubling escalation" of fighting in Syria a week after Russia entered the four-year civil war. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO had increased "our capacity, our ability, our preparedness to deploy forces … including in Turkey." Last weekend, two Russian jets violated Turkish air space, which Russia said was a mistake and Turkey called a provocation.

Tunisian lawmaker escapes assassination attempt by gunman Posted: 08 Oct 2015 05:43 AM PDT A lawmaker from Tunisia's ruling secular party escaped an assassination attempt on Thursday when a gunman riddled his car with automatic rifle fire from a passing vehicle. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting but Tunisia is caught up in a growing battle against Islamist militants who have carried out two major attacks this year and in 2013 assassinated two opposition leaders.

Empowering Injured Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers to Successfully Transition to Life after Injury Posted: 08 Oct 2015 05:00 AM PDT JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When Robert Williamson was injured in combat during an extremely difficult deployment in Al Taji, Iraq, in 2004, the physical injuries were extensive: a back injury, an arm injury, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After being wounded and medically separating from the Army, Robert struggled to navigate his way through the complex disability application claims process at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). After a series of confusing and frustrating VA encounters, a fellow veteran recommended he contact Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to work on his claim with a WWP benefits liaison.

Toyota willing to help probe over IS truck fleet Posted: 08 Oct 2015 04:41 AM PDT Toyota Thursday said it was willing to help the United States probe how the Islamic State group has managed to get hold of so many of its notoriously tough trucks. The Japanese manufacturer responded after an ABC News report on Wednesday said counter-terrorism officials at the US Treasury have been in contact with the auto giant over the issue. Fleets of Toyota trucks are a common feature of IS propaganda videos out of Syria, Iraq and Libya -- many converted into fast moving heavy gun platforms known as "technicals".

Obama and Congress Playing High-Stakes Poker over War Funding Posted: 08 Oct 2015 02:15 AM PDT In a move steeped in election year politics and growing concern about upheaval and warfare in the Middle East, many Senate Democrats joined with their Republican colleague to pass a $612 billion National Defense Authorization Act despite strong opposition from President Obama. The massive legislation, crafted by Armed Services Committee Chair John McCain (R-AZ) and other defense hawks, provides overall defense policy directives and spending priorities for the Department of Defense for the coming year. While the administration and Republicans clashed on a number of issues, the central argument was over the Republicans efforts to raise the defense spending cap by $38 billion next year without providing comparable new spending for Obama's signature domestic programs.

Shakespeare acting program helps veterans deal with emotions Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:04 AM PDT MILWAUKEE (AP) — William Shakespeare's words from more than 400 years ago are proving to be healing for modern-day veterans.

Clinton message rises: She won't be Obama 2.0 Posted: 07 Oct 2015 11:20 PM PDT As Barack Obama's secretary of State, Hillary Clinton loyally carried out his agenda, but since mounting her presidential bid she has split with the White House on several key issues, including global trade. The administration's record rate of sending undocumented immigrants home is unnecessarily "breaking up families," according to Clinton. The White House has dilly-dallied long enough on whether to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, and Clinton recently came out against it.

Syrian militant group recasts itself as moderate option Posted: 07 Oct 2015 11:11 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — The militants brought the two men into a square in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, then announced their punishment for failing to attend Friday prayers: 25 lashes delivered by a hose-wielding militant that left their backs covered in welts and dark bruises.

Iran lobbied for Russian campaign in Syria , officials say Posted: 07 Oct 2015 10:52 PM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iran played an integral role leading up to Russia's move to launch its air campaign in Syria and play a stronger role in Iraq, with one of Tehran's most powerful generals meeting for three hours with President Vladimir Putin to push for intervention, Iraqi government officials tell The Associated Press.

AFM: Henry Cavill, Luke Evans Join Nicholas Hoult in War Drama 'Sand Castle' Posted: 07 Oct 2015 09:00 PM PDT Mark Gordon, Justin Nappi and Ben Pugh will produce the true life-based film, set in Iraq circa 2003.

Mideast countries call for IMF help on refugee crisis Posted: 07 Oct 2015 07:54 PM PDT Middle Eastern countries urged the International Monetary Fund to help them deal with the massive influx of refugees from conflicts in Syria and beyond, including with low-interest loans. The comments came in a prepared statement to be delivered Friday by the United Arab Emirates' representative at the IMF meeting on behalf of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, the Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Syria and Yemen. Many Middle Eastern countries are also struggling to deal with internally displaced people uprooted by conflict, including Iraq, Yemen and Libya.

Three held over Australia terror shooting set free Posted: 07 Oct 2015 07:33 PM PDT Three of four people arrested in Australia over a terror-linked murder by a radicalised teenager have been released without charge in a move police admitted Thursday was "incredibly frustrating". The four, aged between 16 and 22, were seized during large-scale dawn raids across Sydney on Wednesday after police employee Curtis Cheng was shot outside New South Wales state police headquarters last week. Farhad Jabar, 15, shot the 58-year-old in the back of the head while reportedly shouting religious slogans before being gunned down in an exchange of fire with police.

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