| Iraqi army presses Tikrit assault as lawmakers scramble to fill posts Posted: 29 Jun 2014 12:32 PM PDT  By Ahmed Rasheed and Alexander Dziadosz BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's army sent tanks and armored vehicles to try to dislodge insurgents from the northern city of Tikrit on Sunday, the second day of a pushback against a Sunni militant takeover of large stretches of Iraq. The hardline Sunni group leading the insurgency, until Sunday known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), declared itself a "caliphate" on Sunday and called on factions worldwide to pledge their allegiance - a move analysts saw as a direct challenge to al Qaeda, which disowned ISIL in February, and to Gulf Arab rulers. In Baghdad, which is threatened by the rebel advance, top Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers scrambled to agree cabinet nominations before parliament meets on Tuesday to try to prevent the rebel advance jeopardizing Iraq's future as a unitary state. They are racing against time as ISIL, which loathes Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Shi'ite-led government, consolidates its grip on the north and west.
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| Ukraine's Poroshenko urges Putin to tighten borders after violence Posted: 29 Jun 2014 12:02 PM PDT  By Thomas Grove KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to strengthen Russian control over its borders to prevent militants and arms entering Ukraine after violence broke a truce there. The ceasefire, declared by Poroshenko on June 20 to allow for peace talks with the pro-Russian rebels, is due to expire on Monday, a deadline also set by EU leaders considering new sanctions against Russia. The statement came after a four-way telephone conversation among the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said a statement from Poroshenko's office.
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| Sectarian genie is out of the bottle from Syria to Iraq Posted: 29 Jun 2014 08:11 AM PDT  By Samia Nakhoul BEIRUT (Reuters) - As jihadists storm through the Sunni heartlands of Iraq towards Baghdad, where a Shi'ite government they regard as heretic clings on, they have lifted the veil on deep sectarianism which has also stoked the fires of Syria's civil war and is spilling over into vulnerable mosaic societies such as Lebanon. This indiscriminate encouragement of Sunni Salafism and Shi'ism encouraged "sectarian entrepreneurs who found it very profitable to mobilize people around religion or sect".
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| In peril under India's new PM, a vestige of Soviet-style planning Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:06 PM PDT  By Rajesh Kumar Singh NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi never had a high opinion of the Planning Commission, an institutional vestige of the country's attempts to mimic the Soviet command economy during the infancy of its independence more than half a century ago. In a signal that the end could be nigh for what has remained a sacred cow of policymaking despite many years of market-oriented economic reforms that began in the 1990s, a government-backed report last week suggested dismantling the Planning Commission and replacing it with a think tank. "Since the Planning Commission has defied attempts to reform it to bring it in line with the needs of a modern economy and the trend of empowering the states, it is proposed that the Planning Commission be abolished," the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) said in a report. A Planning Commission spokesman declined to comment.
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| Israel cranks up media campaign ahead of Iran nuclear deal deadline Posted: 29 Jun 2014 09:20 AM PDT  By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged international negotiators on Sunday not to "surrender" to Tehran, as he launched a media blitz three weeks ahead of a deadline for an Iranian nuclear deal. In interviews to broadcasters from the six world powers involved in the talks, Netanyahu reiterated Israel's long-held demand Iran be stripped of its uranium enrichment and other technologies, saying that to do otherwise would leave nuclear weaponry within reach. "What it would mean is Iran at any time could kick the (foreign nuclear) inspectors aside or deceive them – it's done that in the past – and go rush to make the enriched uranium that is necessary to make atomic bombs," he told Britain's Sky News, according to a transcript published by his office.
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| Jailed Benghazi suspect 'not cooperative': congressman Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:36 PM PDT  The Libyan militia leader accused of being part of the deadly 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, has been "compliant but not cooperative" with U.S. interrogators, Representative Mike Rogers said on Sunday. Ahmed Abu Khatallah, captured in Libya earlier this month by U.S. forces and held for nearly two weeks aboard a U.S. Navy vessel, was transferred to federal custody on Saturday. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Washington and, through a translator, pleaded not guilty to a terrorism charge in the attack that killed Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans. Rogers, a Republican and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said on CNN's "State of the Union" program that Khatallah was being held in the Washington, D.C., area after his arraignment.
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| BRAZIL BEAT: Teacher makes history for Australia Posted: 29 Jun 2014 05:01 PM PDT  RECIFE, Brazil (AP) — Ben Williams sacrificed his salary as a teacher for six months so he could prepare for the World Cup. On Sunday, it paid off. Williams became the first Australian referee to control a second-round match at a World Cup during the game between Costa Rica and Greece.
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| Costa Rica celebrates World Cup win over Greece Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:52 PM PDT  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Costa Ricans are pouring into the streets to celebrate the national team's historic World Cup victory over Greece that will put the team in the quarter finals for the first time.
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| Huntelaar's late penalty gives Dutch 2-1 win Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:49 PM PDT  FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) — The Dutch were worried about the oppressive heat at Arena Castelao, and they left it with the stifling hot conditions to thank for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals.
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| Navas carries Costa Rica to World Cup quarters Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:30 PM PDT  RECIFE, Brazil (AP) — When Costa Rica sealed its first berth in the World Cup quarterfinals, the celebrating Ticos sprinted straight for Keylor Navas and mobbed him in celebration.
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| Lebanese cheer Mexico defender of Lebanese origin Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:26 PM PDT  BEIT MILLEIT, Lebanon (AP) — The Lebanese have few things to celebrate these days. The country has been gripped for the past weeks by a spate of suicide bombings, political upheaval and a raging civil war next door in Syria. But at least for few hours Sunday, this tiny Mediterranean country had something to cheer about.
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| Halilhodzic slams reporters' Ramadan questions Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:26 PM PDT  Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic on Sunday turned on reporters repeatedly asking whether his players are observing Ramadan on the eve of their World Cup clash with Germany. Germany take on the Algerians in Porto Alegre on Monday in their last 16 clash, but repeated questions about the Muslim month of fasting drew the coach's wrath. "Stop asking me about Ramadan or I will get up and leave," fumed the Bosnia-born Halilhodzic as Ramadan started on Saturday. The 61-year-old is riled by criticism from the Algerian press who alleged he had advised his players not to follow Ramadan.
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| Costa Rica beats Greece in penalty shootout Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:20 PM PDT  RECIFE, Brazil (AP) — Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout Sunday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after defending with 10 men for nearly an hour.
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| World Cup: Europe vs Africa in 2nd-round matches Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:15 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Free-scoring France takes on Nigeria and Germany faces Algeria as the second round continues at the World Cup on Monday with two games pitching European teams against African opponents.
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| S.Africa's new party suspends leader: report Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:13 PM PDT  South Africa's newest party has suspended its leader, anti-apartheid veteran Mamphela Ramphele, a year after she founded the group which failed to make inroads in elections and has lurched from crisis to crisis. The Times newspaper reported Sunday the former World Bank managing director had been suspended by her own party, baring divisions that have dogged Agang SA since its formation in June 2013. A respected academic and successful business executive, she had been seen briefly as the best candidate to lure voters away from the dominant African National Congress (ANC) in May elections. Agang SA, which had struggled to gather funds and support in a crowded field, went on to contest the May 7 elections but won only two seats.
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| Bill Clinton tours peanut depot in central Haiti Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:12 PM PDT TIERRA MUSCADY, Haiti (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton on Sunday toured a peanut depot in central Haiti that's part of a new enterprise aimed at helping roughly 12,000 small farmers. |
| Algeria coach: fasting up to players at World Cup Posted: 29 Jun 2014 04:07 PM PDT  PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic says it is up to his players whether or not they choose to observe the Ramadan fast during Monday's World Cup game against Germany.
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| Al-Qaida splinter declares new Islamic caliphate Posted: 29 Jun 2014 03:59 PM PDT  BAGHDAD (AP) — The al-Qaida breakaway group that has seized much of northeastern Syria and huge tracts of neighboring Iraq formally declared the establishment of a new Islamic state on Sunday and demanded allegiance from Muslims worldwide.
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| Ochoa the standout for valiant Mexicans Posted: 29 Jun 2014 03:40 PM PDT  FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) — He'd stopped two of the world's most famous forwards, and on Sunday, Brazilians and Mexicans alike chanted his name.
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| Costa Rica-Greece goes to penalty shootout Posted: 29 Jun 2014 03:39 PM PDT RECIFE, Brazil (AP) — Greece and 10-man Costa Rica will go to a penalty shootout after their World Cup second-round game ended 1-1 following extra time Sunday. |
| Algerian ref Haimoudi picked for US-Belgium match Posted: 29 Jun 2014 03:38 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — FIFA has picked Djamel Haimoudi to referee the United States vs. Belgium match in the World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday. |
| US World Cup players buoyed by large audience Posted: 29 Jun 2014 03:07 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — The last time the U.S. played in a World Cup in Brazil, just one American reporter was on hand, using vacation time and paying his own way.
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| BRAZIL BEAT: At Sao Paulo club, winning tradition Posted: 29 Jun 2014 03:06 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — Sao Paulo Futebol Clube players run onto the field to AC/DC's "Hell's Bells." It's apparently a favorite of longtime captain Rogerio Ceni.
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| Poll: White, rich fill Brazil World Cup stadiums Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:59 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A poll published Sunday on the wealth and race of fans who attended a World Cup match in Brazil illustrated what any TV viewer in the nation has seen: Those attending games are overwhelmingly white and rich.
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| NZ controls 3rd test vs West Indies, 1 day left Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:58 PM PDT BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Kane Williamson hit a career-best 161 not out to guide New Zealand to a lead of 307 over West Indies on Sunday but the tourists were stalled by heavy rain, which wiped out half the fourth day of the third and final test. |
| Costa Rica-Greece going into extra time at 1-1 Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:57 PM PDT  RECIFE, Brazil (AP) — Greece equalized in injury time to send its second-round game against Costa Rica into extra time at the World Cup after finishing 1-1 in regulation time.
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| 5 things to know about Belgium ahead of US clash Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:50 PM PDT MOGI DAS CRUZES, Brazil (AP) — If Belgium has a reputation for self-indulgence because of its love of chocolate and beer, it is time to look at its World Cup squad and admire discipline, stamina and determination. |
| Netanyahu calls for Jordan support, Kurdish autonomy Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:48 PM PDT  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the international community on Sunday to support Jordan in the fight against "Islamic extremism" and to back the independence of Iraq's Kurds. "We need to support efforts by the international community to strengthen Jordan and support the aspirations of the Kurds for independence," Netanyahu said in a speech to the Institute of National Security Studies think-tank in Tel Aviv.
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| Dolly Parton thrills crowd at Glastonbury Festival Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:33 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Dolly Parton has won over legions of hard rock fans at England's Glastonbury Festival, one of the biggest events on the summer calendar.
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| Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:32 PM PDT NEW DELHI (AP) — Police in southern India detained five construction company officials Sunday as rescuers using gas cutters and shovels searched for dozens of workers believed buried in the rubble of a building that collapsed during monsoon rains. It was one of two weekend building collapses that killed at least 26 people. Nearly 90 contract workers were believed to have been in the basement of the 11-story structure to collect their wages when it collapsed Saturday on the outskirts of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state. |
| West Indies v New Zealand scores Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:30 PM PDT BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Scores at stumps on the fourth day of the third and final test at Kensington Oval between the West Indies and New Zealand: |
| "Thin is in" on final day of Paris menswear Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:26 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — The last day of Paris menswear shows celebrated the young waif Sunday, with Saint Laurent and Lanvin channeling the motto: Thin is in.
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| Bad Tweet: Dutch airline angers Mexico soccer fans Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:25 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — What was meant to be a joke has turned into a PR blunder for Dutch airline KLM after it angered Mexican soccer fans by taking to Twitter to celebrate the Netherlands' dramatic comeback victory in the World Cup.
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| Robben falls theatrically to earn decisive penalty Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:24 PM PDT  FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) — Arjen Robben did little to defuse the debate about his reputation for diving.
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