- Obama says he authorized targeted airstrikes to protect American personnel in Iraq on Thursday
- Says I.S. forces have called for destruction of Yazidi people, says US must act and act now
- Says Iraqi government requested help to prevent massacre; says US needs to act to prevent potential act of genocide
- Says American aircraft dropping aid for Yazidi; says he has authorized targeted airstrikes where needed
- Says will not allow US to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq; says combat troops will not return to Iraq
- US can and should support moderate forces that can bring stability to Iraq
- Says once Iraq has new government, US will work with partners to provide more support
- Says when the lives of Americans are at risk, and when thousands of civilians are at risk, US will take action
- Says takes no decision more seriously than use of military force; has been careful to resist calls to turn to military
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Reuters headline
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Added – Obama finishes
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EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, AUD, NZD, EUR/JPY, stock futures, all a little lower.
Oil is higher, gold up a little
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Added, Sydney Morning Herald report: US authorises bombing of Islamist militants in northern Iraq
