From NPR News, in Washington, I am Jack Spear.President Obama is confirming he has authorized targeted air strikes in Iraqand said US planes conducted delivery of humanitarian aid to a wreckage trapped by Islamic militants.The President entered an address from the White House State Dining Room tonight,saying that as the situation continues to go increasingly dire for Iraqis,including a group of Kurds trapped on a mountain there,the administration needed to intervene to combat what he called a potential active genocide.with innocent people facing the prospect of violence on a horrific scale,and when we have the unique capabilities to help avert a massacre,then I believe the United States of America cannot turn a blind eye.President said he will not allow US troops to be dragged back into fighting another war in Iraq.He said he hopes the decision won't be taken more seriously than the use of any military decision.The White House says Russia is only hurting itself by banning the imported food from countries that have imposed sanctions on Moscow.NPR's Michele Kelemen reportsthe US says Russia has another way out.The US has been wretched in up sanctions on Russia, hoping to pressure Moscow to stop supporting separatists in Ukraine,but Russian president Vladimir Putin announces he will ban imports of western food.State Department spokesperson Marie Harfs says thatWashington is studying what impact that will have on US businesses,but it's clear already, she says, that Putin's move will hurt Russian's.
