KIRKUK, Iraq (AP) - The Latest on Iraq, where federal forces have moved into the disputed northern city of Kirkuk as Kurdish forces have pulled out (all times local): 3 p.m. The U.S.-led coalition battling the Islamic State group says it believes the exchange of fire between Iraqi and Kurdish forces in and around Kirkuk was a “misunderstanding.” A coalition statement says it is monitoring federal and Kurdish military vehicles and believes they are “coordinated movements, not attacks.” It said it was aware of reports of a “limited exchange of fire during predawn hours of darkness,” but “we believe the engagement this morning was a misunderstanding and not deliberate as two elements attempted to link up under limited visibility conditions.” The U.S. has armed, trained and provided vital air support to both federal and Kurdish forces as part of the war against IS. It has urged both sides to remain focused on the extremists. … [Read more...] about The Latest: US military downplays fighting in Iraq’s Kirkuk
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Iraqi Forces Have Begun An Assault On The Kurdish-Held City Of Kirkuk
Iraqi forces began an operation to seize the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk and its surrounding oilfields early Monday, with Iraq’s prime minister calling on residents of the disputed territory to cooperate with troops entering the area.In a statement aired on Iraqi state television, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered security forces to seize control of the northern Iraqi city, which has been in Kurdish hands since 2014.By early Monday morning, Iraqi troops claimed to have taken control of several areas around the city, including a power plant, a police station, an airbase, and the North Gas Company. An Iraqi commander said Kurdish officials had agreed to hand over North Oil and North Gas facilities without conflict, and an Iraqi oil official said there had been no disruption to oil production, according to Reuters.The Kurdistan Regional Council said in a statement that Iraqi forces had launched a “major, multi-pronged operation to enter the city” and take over its … [Read more...] about Iraqi Forces Have Begun An Assault On The Kurdish-Held City Of Kirkuk
Catalonia’s leader won’t give ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer on independence
BARCELONA, Spain — Catalonia's leader called for dialogue with Spain and a meeting with the country's prime minister, complying with a Monday deadline to respond to a request from the central government to state explicitly whether the regional president had declared independence. But Carles Puigdemont's letter, released about two hours before the deadline was set to expire, didn't clarify whether he indeed had proclaimed that Catalonia had broken away from Spain. The central government had explicitly asked him to respond with a simple "yes" or "no" to that question. Instead, Puigdemont replied with a four-page letter seeking two months of negotiations and mediation. … [Read more...] about Catalonia’s leader won’t give ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer on independence
British man hides in the woods for 10 years to escape wife’s nagging
A British man said he hid in the woods for 10 years to escape his wife. Malcolm Applegate, 62, said he left his wife after she continued to argue with him over his increased work hours as a gardener, The Daily Mail reported. “For three years it was alright, we got on with one another and the gardening got too much for her,” Applegate said. He said that the more work he took on, the angrier his wife became. She eventually demanded that he cut back on his work schedule which led Applegate to leaving. “Without a word to … [Read more...] about British man hides in the woods for 10 years to escape wife’s nagging
Christian printer refuses services to LGBTQ activist, says he doesn’t want to ‘make pressure worse’
A Christian printer in Britain reportedly refused to print business cards for a transgender diversity expert, claiming taking up the order would go against his religious views. Nigel Williams denied his printing services to Joanne Lockwood, a consultant at transgender diversity firm SEE Change Happen, which is aimed at offering advice to businesses on inclusion of LGBTQ staff, The Sunday Times reported. Lockwood tried to get her company’s promotional materials printed at Williams’ firm, but he refused, saying taking up the contract would “make pressure worse” for other Christians. “The new model of diversity is used (or misused) to marginalize … [Read more...] about Christian printer refuses services to LGBTQ activist, says he doesn’t want to ‘make pressure worse’
Somalia truck bombing toll over 300 as funerals continue
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The death toll from Saturday’s truck bombing in Somalia’s capital is now over 300, the director of an ambulance service said Monday, as this country reeled from the deadliest single attack it’s ever experienced. More people have died of their wounds in the past few hours, said Dr. Abdulkadir Adam of Aamin Ambulance. Funerals have continued and the death toll is expected to rise further. Saturday’s truck bombing targeted a crowded street in Mogadishu, and about 300 others were injured. Somalia’s government is blaming the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which has not commented. More than 70 critically injured people were being airlifted to Turkey for treatment on Monday as international aid began to arrive, said officials. Nervous relatives stood on the tarmac at the airport, praying for the recovery of their loved ones. Overwhelmed hospitals in Mogadishu were struggling to assist other badly wounded … [Read more...] about Somalia truck bombing toll over 300 as funerals continue
Analysis | Policy on Iran is widening mutual disdain between America, allies
Just before President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would decertify the Iran nuclear deal, French President Emmanuel Macron called his counterpart in Tehran to offer reassurance, Macron’s office said in a statement. No matter what Trump said, he told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Europe would continue to back the agreement. The Europeans were only interested in Iran’s money, Trump scoffed to reporters later that day. Macron, he said, had also called him. “I said: ‘Look, Emmanuel, they just gave Renault a lot of money,‘ “ Trump related, referring to a recent business deal between Iran and the French carmaker. “ ‘Take their money; enjoy yourselves. But we’ll see what happens.‘ “ What has already happened is a widening chasm of mutual disdain between the United States and its traditional allies. Trump sees them as self-interested freeloaders who must be reminded of U.S. power. They see him as an erratic … [Read more...] about Analysis | Policy on Iran is widening mutual disdain between America, allies
As crews gain ground, California fire victims return home
Many residents in Napa, California got the green light to return home on Sunday following a week of devastating wildfires - the worst in the state's history - only to find rubble. (Oct. 16) SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — With the winds dying down, fire crews gained ground as they battled the wildfires that have devastated California wine country and other parts of the state over the past week, and thousands of people got the all-clear to return home. While the danger from the deadliest, most destructive cluster of blazes in California history was far from over, the smoky skies started to clear in some places. People were being allowed to go back home in areas no longer in harm's way, and the number of those under evacuation orders was down to 75,000 from nearly 100,000 the day before. Many began to take the first steps toward rebuilding their lives. "This is my home I'm going to come back without question," said Howard Lasker, 56, who returned Sunday with his daughter to view their … [Read more...] about As crews gain ground, California fire victims return home
A city that’s home to 1 million is in firing line as U.S. allies clash
KIRKUK, Iraq — Iraqi Kurdish officials said early Monday that federal forces and state-backed militias have launched a "major, multi-pronged" attack aimed at retaking the disputed northern city of Kirkuk. The Kurdistan Region Security Council said in a statement that Kurdish forces known as peshmerga have destroyed at least five U.S.-supplied Humvees being used by the state-sanctioned militias following the "unprovoked attack" south of the city. Kurdish peshmerga soldiers take up positions in Kirkuk, Iraq, on Saturday. STR / EPA Inside Kirkuk, a multi-ethnic city that is home to more … [Read more...] about A city that’s home to 1 million is in firing line as U.S. allies clash
Austrian poised to become Europe’s first millennial leader
Caption Close VIENNA (AP) — At age 31, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz is poised to become the first millennial to lead a European country following his party's victory in a national election Sunday. While no party won a majority, the telegenic Kurz is most likely to be sworn in as Austria's next chancellor — and Europe's youngest leader — after the tough coalition government negotiations that lie ahead. Near-final results from Sunday's balloting put his People's Party comfortably in first place, with 31.4 percent of the vote. The right-wing Freedom Party came in second with 27.4 percent. The center-left Social Democratic Party of Austria, which now governs in coalition with People's Party, got 26.7 percent. Becoming head of government would be the next leap in a political career that started eight years ago when Kurz, then studying law, was elected chairman of his party's youth branch. Smart and articulate, he eventually caught the eye of People's Party … [Read more...] about Austrian poised to become Europe’s first millennial leader
