Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Britain's Cameron warned off air strikes in Syria
• No coherent strategy for Syria air strikes, UK MPs say
• No coherent strategy for Syria air strikes, UK lawmakers say
• UK lawmakers wary of government plan for Syria airstrikes
• American Steve Silberman's 'Neurotribes' win British book prize
• How 50 US troops in Syria could actually make a difference
• Autism study 'Neurotribes' wins Samuel Johnson book prize
• Pentagon spends $43 million to build gas station, won't say why
• Refugees perish at sea, as total migrants to Europe in October hit record high
• White House hits Turkey over vote 'intimidation'
• French court orders toilets, trash collection at Calais migrant camp
• Analysis: Erdogan buoyed by election, faces challenges
• Bernie Sanders Starts to Name Names to Set Himself Apart From Hillary Clinton
• Two contractors held in Yemen do not work for United Nations
• October flow of migrants across Med exceeds 2014 figure
• Even as winter looms in Aegean, refugees brave Turkey-Greece crossing
• Kuwait court sentences five to prison for militant funding
• Iraq parliament pushes back against PM over reforms
• US first lady Michelle Obama arrives in Qatar for speech
• Michelle Obama arrives in Qatar for education trip
• Flight recorders show crashed Russian jet not struck from outside - investigator
• Toby Keith Gives his Support to the Wounded Warrior Project Believe in Heroes Campaign
• Four refugees drown, six missing off Greece: coastguard
• Iran says may quit Syria talks, in worsening spat with Saudi rival
• Swiss gov't: Authorities facing 70 'jihadi terrorism' cases
• Sinai: centre of Egypt's fight against jihadists
• OSCE says Turkey vote hindered by violence, media crackdown
• U.S., allies conduct 10 air strikes in Syria, 17 in Iraq: U.S. military
• Christians ready to leave an Iraqi homeland that 'doesn't love us'
• "Middle East Christian Committee" Advocate at the UN for Yezidis and Christians Facing Genocide
• Iraq parliament bars Abadi government from passing reforms unilaterally
• Here’s Why Congress Still Won’t Okay the Wars in Iraq and Syria
• Kuwait court jails five over IS fundraising
• Analysis: Russian goals in Syria defined by timing
• Afghan Taliban splinter faction picks rival leader
• From the Iranian Revolution to the Video Revolution
• Mongolia, between big neighbors, seeks permanent neutrality
• Iran's Rouhani urges end to Saudi 'intrusions' in Mideast

Britain's Cameron warned off air strikes in Syria Posted: 02 Nov 2015 05:00 PM PST Britain should not join air strikes on Syria until there is a clear strategy to defeat the Islamic State group and bring peace to the country, an influential committee of MPs said Tuesday. Prime Minister David Cameron's government wants to extend Britain's current involvement in US-led air strikes on targets in Iraq into Syria if it can get support from across the political spectrum in a House of Commons vote.

No coherent strategy for Syria air strikes, UK MPs say Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:21 PM PST By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Britain should not extend its air strikes against Islamic State fighters into Syria until there is a clear strategy to defeat the militants, a committee of MPs said, dealing a blow to Prime Minister David Cameron. Cameron has said he wants to do more to tackle Islamic State and hopes to seek parliamentary approval to carry out attacks in Syria. Britain is already involved in bombing IS targets in Iraq and has provided allies with surveillance over Syria.

No coherent strategy for Syria air strikes, UK lawmakers say Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:21 PM PST By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Britain should not extend its air strikes against Islamic State fighters into Syria until there is a clear strategy to defeat the militants, a committee of British lawmakers said, dealing a blow to Prime Minister David Cameron. Cameron has said he wants to do more to tackle Islamic State and hopes to seek parliamentary approval to carry out attacks in Syria. Britain is already involved in bombing IS targets in Iraq and has provided allies with surveillance over Syria.

UK lawmakers wary of government plan for Syria airstrikes Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:04 PM PST LONDON (AP) — An influential group of lawmakers says launching British airstrikes against Islamic State group militants in Syria would be "incoherent" and ineffective without a plan to end the country's civil war.

American Steve Silberman's 'Neurotribes' win British book prize Posted: 02 Nov 2015 02:52 PM PST By Michael Roddy LONDON (Reuters) - American writer Steve Silberman's book "Neurotribes", about the history of autism and how people and society deal with it, was named the winner on Monday of the 2015 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. Silberman's is the first work of popular science to win the prestigious British award in its 17-year history and comes at a time of growing public awareness of the neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people around the world, the prize committee said in a statement. Silberman became interested in autism when he wrote a ground-breaking article for Wired magazine in 2001 about the seemingly high incidence of the condition among the children of successful tech couples in Silicon Valley.

How 50 US troops in Syria could actually make a difference Posted: 02 Nov 2015 02:40 PM PST The announcement that President Obama has authorized a busload-sized contingent of United States Special Operations Forces to deploy to Syria to "advise and assist" rebel forces has raised questions about what difference 50 people can really make in the Syrian war. After all, they are essentially arrayed against the Syrian government, with its own army and Russian troops in direct support, not to mention Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. The Islamic State, meanwhile, has thousands of soldiers and a basic government infrastructure at its disposal.

Autism study 'Neurotribes' wins Samuel Johnson book prize Posted: 02 Nov 2015 02:20 PM PST LONDON (AP) — A book that challenges readers to think differently about autism has won Britain's leading literary award for nonfiction.

Pentagon spends $43 million to build gas station, won't say why Posted: 02 Nov 2015 01:26 PM PST A gas station in Afghanistan sponsored by the US government cost tens of millions in tax dollars to construct, but so far the federal government is refusing to say why. A federal watchdog report showed the natural gas filling station totaled a whopping $43 million to build, a rate far exceeding a similar Pakistani project that cost just $500,000, or about $306,000 at current exchange rates, The Washington Post reports. Overhead costs along for the project in Afghanistan's came in at $30 million, a figure that remains unaccountable because of an uncooperative federal agency, according to John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

Refugees perish at sea, as total migrants to Europe in October hit record high Posted: 02 Nov 2015 01:09 PM PST As news broke of the 11 migrants, including six infants, who drowned off the Greek island of Samos Sunday, the prevalence of such tragedy can now be put into a disturbing context. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of refugees who arrived in Europe in October alone equals nearly the total number for all of 2014. By sea alone, 218,394 migrants and refugees reached the shores of Europe last month.

White House hits Turkey over vote 'intimidation' Posted: 02 Nov 2015 12:32 PM PST The White House on Monday voiced displeasure at the "intimidation" of Turkish journalists during an election that bolstered the already strong hand of longtime leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sunday's election delivered a clear victory to Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), a dramatic turnaround after it lost its parliamentary majority in June.

French court orders toilets, trash collection at Calais migrant camp Posted: 02 Nov 2015 12:04 PM PST A French court has ordered the authorities to build new toilets and water standpipes at the makeshift camp in Calais where thousands of migrants are living, hoping to reach Britain, a document seen by Reuters said. Outraged at the living standards, medical charity Medecins du Monde and Secours Catholique, part of the Catholic charity Caritas, brought a lawsuit at the Lille administrative court - with a small group of migrants from Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan and Syria - to demand improvements. In the referral order seen by Reuters on Monday, the court said the Calais region, in northwestern France, would have to put in place emergency measures such as a garbage collection system as well as the water taps and toilets within eight days.

Analysis: Erdogan buoyed by election, faces challenges Posted: 02 Nov 2015 11:45 AM PST ISTANBUL (AP) — The surprising margin of victory for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party in parliamentary elections marks a remarkable turnaround and puts him firmly in control of Turkish politics.

Bernie Sanders Starts to Name Names to Set Himself Apart From Hillary Clinton Posted: 02 Nov 2015 11:26 AM PST The first event of Bernie Sanders's swing through New Hampshire this weekend was uncharacteristically small. But it was not just the setting that was unusual for Sanders, something had changed in his remarks too. "Let me tell you a word about Social Security.

Two contractors held in Yemen do not work for United Nations Posted: 02 Nov 2015 11:16 AM PST The United Nations said on Monday that two contractors detained by authorities in Yemen's capital Sanaa were not working for the world body, but were instead employed by a company that manages a facility used by the United Nations. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the two contractors arrived in Sanaa from Djibouti on a U.N. plane on Oct. 20 and were detained by the authorities at the airport.

October flow of migrants across Med exceeds 2014 figure Posted: 02 Nov 2015 10:46 AM PST GENEVA (AP) — More than 218,000 refugees and other migrants crossed the Mediterranean in October — a record monthly tally this year and more than in the whole of last year, the U.N. refugee agency said Monday.

Even as winter looms in Aegean, refugees brave Turkey-Greece crossing Posted: 02 Nov 2015 10:26 AM PST Asked why he risked his life and those of five members of his family by crossing the sea in a rubber dinghy from Turkey to Greece, Ghassan Badar's answer is disarmingly simple. "Daesh [an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State] has taken our town," he says. Recommended: Think you know Turkey?

Kuwait court sentences five to prison for militant funding Posted: 02 Nov 2015 10:19 AM PST A Kuwaiti court sentenced five people to 10-year prison terms on Monday on charges of collecting money for the Islamic State group, the court said, the first verdict of its kind in the conservative Gulf monarchy. The defendants admitting transferring $400,000 to Islamic State, senior Kuwaiti sources said. The United States and other Western countries have criticized Kuwait for what they have described as a permissive approach to militant financing.

Iraq parliament pushes back against PM over reforms Posted: 02 Nov 2015 10:10 AM PST Iraq's parliament on Monday pushed back against Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's execution of reforms to curb corruption and streamline the government, issuing a statement rejecting any usurpation of its powers. A dispute between parliament and Abadi could further hinder reform efforts by the premier, who has already struggled to effect signficant or lasting changes. The endemic nature of corruption in Iraq and the fact that officials are limiting their own privileges by implementing some changes are already major obstacles to reform.

US first lady Michelle Obama arrives in Qatar for speech Posted: 02 Nov 2015 09:56 AM PST DOHA, Qatar (AP) — U.S. first lady Michelle Obama arrived in Qatar on Monday as part of a two-country Mideast tour, with plans to visit a crucial air base in America's war against the Islamic State group and give a speech on the importance of girl's education.

Michelle Obama arrives in Qatar for education trip Posted: 02 Nov 2015 08:59 AM PST Michelle Obama arrived Monday in Qatar on the opening stage of her first solo Middle East tour, where she is expected to call for addressing "cultural beliefs" obstructing girls' education. The US first lady is set to speak at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) on Wednesday, as part of her well-publicised efforts to promote girls' education globally. Obama will speak to an audience of education leaders from the region at the conference, which will also be addressed by Qatar's former first lady, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

Flight recorders show crashed Russian jet not struck from outside - investigator Posted: 02 Nov 2015 07:56 AM PST By Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Polina Devitt CAIRO/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian plane that crashed in Egypt was not struck from the outside and the pilot did not make a distress call before it disappeared from radar, a source in the committee analyzing the flight recorders said on Monday. The source declined to give more details but based his comments on the preliminary examination of the black boxes recovered from the Airbus A321 which crashed in the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday killing all 224 people on board. The Egyptian government said the black boxes were being examined by Egyptian and Russian experts along with German and French specialists from Airbus and from Ireland where the aircraft was registered.

Toby Keith Gives his Support to the Wounded Warrior Project Believe in Heroes Campaign Posted: 02 Nov 2015 07:33 AM PST NORMAN, Okla., Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith is no stranger to supporting charitable causes.  As a result, when the opportunity to lend his support to promote Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), Toby was keen to help the not-for-profit organization that honors and empowers Wounded Warriors through two new Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring injured veterans who have benefited from the support of WWP. "I'm honored to give back to these brave men and women who risk their lives for our country every day," said Toby. "Wounded Warrior Project shows their commitment to this nation's wounded service members with their programs and services that save lives and positively impact this nation's injured veterans.

Four refugees drown, six missing off Greece: coastguard Posted: 02 Nov 2015 06:57 AM PST Four refugees drowned, four were rescued and a further six were still missing off the Greek island of Farmakonisi after their boat sank, the Greek coastguard said on Monday. The toll from drowning among thousands of refugees making the short but dangerous crossing from Turkey to Greece's outlying eastern islands has risen in recent weeks with the onset of colder weather. There were near-gale force winds blowing in the Aegean Sea at the weekend.

Iran says may quit Syria talks, in worsening spat with Saudi rival Posted: 02 Nov 2015 06:41 AM PST By Yara Bayoumy and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday it would quit Syria peace talks if it found them unconstructive, citing the "negative role" of Saudi Arabia, in the latest twist in a spat between the regional rivals that bodes ill for efforts to ease turmoil across the Middle East. Increasingly bad-tempered exchanges between the conservative Sunni-ruled kingdom and the revolutionary Shi'ite theocracy have dampened hopes of improved ties after the adversaries sat down for their first meeting to discuss the Syria war last week. "In the first round of talks, some countries, especially Saudi Arabia, played a negative and unconstructive role … Iran will not participate if the talks are not fruitful," ISNA cited deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian as saying.

Swiss gov't: Authorities facing 70 'jihadi terrorism' cases Posted: 02 Nov 2015 06:26 AM PST GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss government says the terrorism threat has increased this year, and police and intelligence services are now handling about 70 cases involving "jihadi-motivated terrorism."

Sinai: centre of Egypt's fight against jihadists Posted: 02 Nov 2015 05:27 AM PST The Sinai Peninsula, where a Russian passenger jet crashed Saturday killing all 224 people on board, is home to jihadists and local tribes hostile to central government. Covering about 60,000 square kilometres (23,000 square miles) of desert and rocky mountains, the Sinai Peninsula is set between the Suez Canal to its west and the Gaza Strip and Israel to its east. Its southeastern coast along the Red Sea is dotted with holiday resorts, from its largest town Sharm el-Sheikh on the peninsula's southern tip to Taba on the Israeli border.

OSCE says Turkey vote hindered by violence, media crackdown Posted: 02 Nov 2015 05:26 AM PST The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) charged in a damning report on Monday that Turkey's election was marred by a media crackdown, violence and other security concerns. The election delivered a clear victory to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a dramatic turnaround after it lost its parliamentary majority in June. "While Turkish citizens could choose between genuine and strong political alternatives in this highly polarised election, the rapidly diminishing choice of media outlets, and restrictions on freedom of expression in general, impacted the process and remain serious concerns," Ignacio Sanchez Amor, special coordinator and leader of the OSCE observer mission, said in a statement.

U.S., allies conduct 10 air strikes in Syria, 17 in Iraq: U.S. military Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:48 AM PST The U.S.-led coalition conducted 10 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria on Sunday and 17 in Iraq, the U.S. military said, stepping up its air assault in Syria as fighting on the ground escalated. Two air strikes destroyed a vehicle and wounded three Islamic State fighters near the militant stronghold of Raqqa, while one strike each targeted militants near al Hawl and al Hasakah, it said.

Christians ready to leave an Iraqi homeland that 'doesn't love us' Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:30 AM PST When Islamic State militants began attacking the Assyrian Christian village of Qaraqosh in August of last year, many residents thought it was another false alarm. The friend warned that the Islamic State (IS) was on its way to Qaraqosh, and begged him to flee immediately. Mr. Yousif and his wife, Naghm Yousif Abdel Meseeh, gathered their two daughters, some clothes, and their passports.

"Middle East Christian Committee" Advocate at the UN for Yezidis and Christians Facing Genocide Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:00 AM PST WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ten leaders representing member organizations of the Middle East Christian Committee (MEHCRIC), recently met with the United Nations permanent missions of Russia, France, and the US, and with Ambassador Terje Roed-Larsen to advocate for Yezidis and Christians, many of whom are undergoing genocide in Iraq and Syria at the hands of ISIS. ...

Iraq parliament bars Abadi government from passing reforms unilaterally Posted: 02 Nov 2015 03:40 AM PST By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament voted unanimously on Monday to bar the government from passing important reforms without its approval in an effort to curb Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi amid discontent over his leadership style, lawmakers said. The chamber acted after Abadi unilaterally enacted reforms in August that it deemed a violation of the constitution including his dismissal of the vice presidents and deputy prime ministers and cuts to salaries of government employees. "Under this resolution no more absolute authorities for the prime minister," one member of parliament, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters.

Here’s Why Congress Still Won’t Okay the Wars in Iraq and Syria Posted: 02 Nov 2015 03:15 AM PST Congressional lawmakers--Democrats and Republicans alike--found little to like about the Obama administration's announcement last Friday that it would send at least 50 U.S. troops into Syria. While the deployment means Washington will soon oversee military operations against ISIS in another Middle East country, Congress is unlikely to get in the White House's way. The U.S. Constitution mandates that Congress, not the executive branch, declare wars.

Kuwait court jails five over IS fundraising Posted: 02 Nov 2015 03:06 AM PST Kuwait City (AFP) - A lower court in Kuwait on Monday sentenced five men to 10 years in jail each for raising funds for the Islamic State jihadist group.

Analysis: Russian goals in Syria defined by timing Posted: 02 Nov 2015 12:26 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — There's much speculation about Russian motives for intervening in Syria. The root answer lies in the timing.

Afghan Taliban splinter faction picks rival leader Posted: 02 Nov 2015 12:25 AM PST By Jibran Ahmad PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A splinter faction of the Afghan Taliban has selected its own leader to challenge the new chief of the militant group, two insurgent commanders said on Monday, raising fresh doubts about chances of breathing life into stalled peace talks. The Taliban, battling to oust foreign forces and the U.S.-backed government from Afghanistan, were thrown into turmoil in July when the death of their long-term leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, was announced. Omar's deputy, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, took charge but there was grumbling in the ranks and some analysts have attributed big Taliban attacks in recent months to a bid by Mansour to establish his reputation as leader and stamp his authority over the group.

From the Iranian Revolution to the Video Revolution Posted: 02 Nov 2015 12:00 AM PST Shahrzad Rafati - a young, Iranian immigrant to Canada -- is behind one of the fastest-growing online video networks.

Mongolia, between big neighbors, seeks permanent neutrality Posted: 01 Nov 2015 10:05 PM PST ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Sandwiched between China and Russia, landlocked Mongolia has long tread a middle path, maintaining a balance between Moscow and Beijing while referring to the U.S. and other remote allies as "third neighbors."

Iran's Rouhani urges end to Saudi 'intrusions' in Mideast Posted: 01 Nov 2015 04:35 PM PST Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called Monday on Saudi Arabia to end what he called the kingdom's "intrusions" in the Middle East in order to allow closer ties between the two regional rivals. "If Saudi Arabia's vision on the big regional questions confronts reality and it stops its intrusions, we can solve many problems, especially in our relations," Rouhani told a gathering of Iranian ambassadors in Tehran. Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region's powerhouses, have long had an uneasy relationship and are backing opposing sides in conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

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