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WASHINGTON (AP) — Security is being beefed up at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, with the Iraqi capital under threat from Islamic extremists who have captured much of northern Iraq in the past week. A series of explosions in Baghdad killed at least 15 people today. The State Department says some embassy staff are being temporarily moved to other parts of Iraq and to Jordan, but a "substantial majority" will remain and continue to engage with Iraqis.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee says the U.S. may need to join forces with Iran to help keep Iraq together in the face of an onslaught from the Islamic militant group that captured two major cities last week. Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union" and CBS' "Face the Nation," Sen. Lindsey Graham says Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (NOO'-ree ahl-MAHL'-ih-kee) will not be able to do the job without help.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire burning in and around the Sequoia National Forest in Central California has more than doubled in size to 2.8 square miles. The U.S. Forest Service says the blaze is just 5 percent contained. Sheriff's deputies spent the night walking the streets of Wofford Heights with bullhorns and knocking on doors urging residents of about 500 homes to evacuate.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Casey Kasem has died. The cheerful, gentle-voiced radio broadcaster rose to fame as the host of "American Top 40," building a devoted audience with tales of the stars got their starts, long-distance dedications and his signature signoff: "Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars." In his final years, Kasem suffered from dementia, triggering a bitter legal battle between his adult children and his second wife, Jean, over control of his health care. Kasem 's family says he died this morning at age 82.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two bumbling cops have won a summertime battle of sequels over flying dragons at the weekend box office. The R-rated comedy "22 Jump Street" debuted in first place with $60 million, followed by "How to Train Your Dragon 2" which opened with $50 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. "Jump Street" stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as undercover officers who pose as college students to bust a campus drug dealer. Hill also lends a voice to the animated "Dragon."
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