Yahoo! News: World News

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• Iraq insurgents take Saddam's home town in lightning advance
• Ukraine president ready for talks if pro-Russia rebels lay down arms
• Somalia could slide backwards if world loses interest: U.N.
• Yemenis protest over power cuts, fuel shortages
• Putin accuses Ukraine of sabotaging gas talks
• Suicide bomber hits army checkpoint near Libya's Benghazi: officials
• 10 Things to See in Sports: AP's top sports photos
• Fans invade pitch at Argentina training
• Australian PM's climate stance watched on US visit
• Decriminalize drugs in West Africa to avoid failures of past: report
• Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT
• St Maarten coach arrested on suspicion of rape
• All right on the night? World Cup stadium a worry
• US eyes new aid to Iraq to curb insurgent march
• Rio airport workers strike on eve of World Cup
• McIlroy gets some tips from the old master
• Brazil best be aware of opening day shocks
• Rio airport staff declare partial strike for World Cup kick-off
• Croatia confident it can stun Brazil in opener
• Patchy turf causing concern at Amazonian cup venue
• BRAZIL BEAT: Scolari jokes at least he sleeps well
• Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT
• England revamp backline for second Test
• NZ beat West Indies by 186 runs in 1st test
• US Virgin Islands confirms 1st chikungunya case
• Cystic fibrosis sufferer could make test debut
• U.S. agency urges Myanmar to scrap proposed religion laws
• Israel blames Abbas after rocket fired from Gaza
• OECD urges Canada to hike oil sands taxes
• Costa Rica seizes 4 tons of cocaine at sea
• Al-Qaida breakaway pursuing an Islamic state
• Suicide bombing at security post in Benghazi
• Nigerian state shuts sports bars in bid to stop World Cup attacks
• Blatter coy on FIFA presidential re-election bid
• Supreme Court meets to discuss Argentina debt case
• Injured sea lion set free off Peruvian coast

Iraq insurgents take Saddam's home town in lightning advance Posted: 11 Jun 2014 01:45 PM PDT By Ghazwan Hassan TIKRIT Iraq (Reuters) - Sunni rebels from an al Qaeda splinter group overran the Iraqi city of Tikrit on Wednesday and closed in on the biggest oil refinery in the country, making further gains in their rapid military advance against the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad. The threat to the Baiji refinery comes after militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seized the northern city of Mosul, advancing their aim of creating a Sunni Caliphate straddling the border between Iraq and Syria.

Ukraine president ready for talks if pro-Russia rebels lay down arms Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:58 PM PDT By Timothy Heritage KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's new president signaled on Wednesday he would be ready to hold talks with opponents in eastern Ukraine if pro-Russian separatists waging an insurgency there agreed to lay down their weapons. The rebels show no sign of giving up their arms, but opening talks would be a big step on the road to peace, building on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's meetings this week with Moscow's envoy and with Russian President Vladimir Putin in France last week. Poroshenko, trying to act swiftly after being sworn in as president on Saturday, was quoted by his press office as telling the governor of the Donetsk region of east Ukraine that he would not rule out holding "roundtable" talks with "different parties". Our peace plan must become the basis for further de-escalation of the conflict," a statement on the president's website quoted Poroshenko as saying at a meeting with Governor Serhiy Taruta.

Somalia could slide backwards if world loses interest: U.N. Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:08 PM PDT By Adrian Croft BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Hard-won security gains in Somalia could be undermined unless the rest of the world steps up support to improve Somalis' lives, the United Nations' special representative for the country said on Wednesday. In the struggle against al Shabaab militants in Somalia, the Somali army and African Union forces have seized control of 10 or 11 towns from the Islamists in the last few months, Nicholas Kay told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Brussels for talks with European Union officials. Kay, a British diplomat, voiced concern that Somalia was losing out on attention and resources to other crisis-hit countries such as South Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali and Ukraine. He said funding for humanitarian work in Somalia had "dropped off a cliff" even though a top U.N. official had warned of "worrying parallels" between now and 2010 - the year before a famine which killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Yemenis protest over power cuts, fuel shortages Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:53 PM PDT Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Yemeni president's house in the capital Sanaa on Wednesday to call for the fall of the government, angry at a city-wide power cut about to enter its third day and severe petrol shortages. The blackout in the capital, widely blamed on the sabotage of oil pipelines by armed tribesmen with grievances against the government, is among the longest dark spells in almost three years of patchy electricity supply since Arab Spring protests unseated Yemen's former president in 2011. "Leave us, leave us, down with the corrupt leader!" angry residents chanted in front of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's house. "This failure by the government has turned our lives into hell: no electricity, no gasoline or water.

Putin accuses Ukraine of sabotaging gas talks Posted: 11 Jun 2014 08:32 AM PDT By Barbara Lewis and Alexei Anishchuk BRUSSELS/NOVO-OGARYOVO Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine on Wednesday of forcing gas talks into a "dead end" by rejecting the offer of a cut in duty to resolve a price dispute that threatens supplies not just to Ukraine but to the rest of Europe. Talks ended with Kiev demanding contract changes to bring down the highest prices in Europe for Russian gas supplies, and Moscow suggesting its proposed cut of about one-fifth to around $385 per 1,000 cubic metres was its final offer. Further negotiations could take place by phone before Monday, when Moscow has threatened to halt supplies.

Suicide bomber hits army checkpoint near Libya's Benghazi: officials Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:07 PM PDT A huge explosion likely caused by a suicide bomber at an army checkpoint outside the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi killed the attacker and wounded six others late on Wednesday, army officials said. A car exploded in Barsis, 50 km (30 miles) east of the port city, an army official told Reuters. It appears to be a suicide attack," he said. "There are body parts spread all over ...so we first thought two people had been killed," one army official said.

10 Things to See in Sports: AP's top sports photos Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:16 PM PDT Here's a look at some of the defining moments, exciting scenes, triumphs and defeats from the world of sports.

Fans invade pitch at Argentina training Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:16 PM PDT BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Argentina's open training session ended in disorder on Wednesday as more than a dozen fans invaded the pitch and reached Lionel Messi and his team mates before security guards could intervene.

Australian PM's climate stance watched on US visit Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:13 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has few closer allies than Australia but climate change could prove a touchy issue when Australia's conservative prime minister makes his first White House visit Thursday.

Decriminalize drugs in West Africa to avoid failures of past: report Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:05 PM PDT By David Lewis DAKAR (Reuters) - Governments in West Africa should decriminalize drug use and treat the issue as a health problem, because a "war on drugs" will fail in the region as it has elsewhere, a new report by regional experts said on Thursday. The West Africa Commission on Drugs report says a time of fewer civil wars, booming economies and increased democracy risks being spoiled by the "destructive new threat" of drug trafficking. West Africa has long produced and consumed cannabis but its collection of weak states have over the last decade become a major transit zone for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe. Experts say West Africa is also becoming a producer and exporter of synthetic drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and governments there are not yet responding to the fact that the consumption of hard drugs is on the rise too.

Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:02 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — It has been a week of stunning advances by Islamic militants across a belt from Iraq to Pakistan. In Iraq, jihadi fighters rampaged through the country's second-largest city and swept farther south in their drive to establish an extremist enclave stretching into Syria. Pakistan's largest airport was paralyzed and rocked by explosions as gunmen stormed it in a dramatic show of strength. More than a decade after the U.S. launched its "war on terrorism," Islamic militant groups are bolder than ever, exploiting the erosion or collapse of central government control in a string of nations — Syria, Iraq and Pakistan — that are more strategically vital than the relatively failed states where al-Qaida set up its bases in the past: Somalia, Yemen and 1990s Afghanistan.

St Maarten coach arrested on suspicion of rape Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (AP) — The coach of a youth sports team in St. Maarten was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of rape and sexual abuse of minors, prosecutors in the Dutch Caribbean country.

All right on the night? World Cup stadium a worry Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:56 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — The biggest question for Thursday's opening match of the World Cup isn't whether host Brazil can beat Croatia but how the unfinished and troublesome Itaquerao stadium will hold up in its first ever encounter with a full-capacity crowd.

US eyes new aid to Iraq to curb insurgent march Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:50 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is preparing to send new aid to Iraq to help slow a violent insurgent march that is threatening to take over the nation's north, officials said Wednesday. But the Obama administration offered only tepid support for Iraq's beleaguered prime minister, and U.S. lawmakers openly questioned whether he should remain in power.

Rio airport workers strike on eve of World Cup Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:50 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Workers at Rio de Janeiro's two airports declared a partial work stoppage beginning at midnight Wednesday, on the eve of the opening match of the World Cup.

McIlroy gets some tips from the old master Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:48 PM PDT PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) — The one thing Rory McIlroy won't lack heading into this U.S. Open is advice. In the few weeks since his breakup with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, only some of it has been worth much.

Brazil best be aware of opening day shocks Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:47 PM PDT On opening day in World Cup history: Brazil would be well-served if it looks back at historic shocks.

Rio airport staff declare partial strike for World Cup kick-off Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:45 PM PDT Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Ground staff at Rio de Janeiro's three airports will stage a 24-hour partial strike Thursday, the day Brazil hosts the opening match of the World Cup, their union said.

Croatia confident it can stun Brazil in opener Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:41 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — A confident Croatia is ready to spoil Brazil's party in their World Cup opener and continue a tradition of first match upsets at the tournament.

Patchy turf causing concern at Amazonian cup venue Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:38 PM PDT MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — Visibly dry, white stripes across the grass pitch at the Amazonian World Cup stadium have heightened concerns about the playing surface ahead of Saturday's key Group D match between Italy and England.

BRAZIL BEAT: Scolari jokes at least he sleeps well Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:35 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari got some laughs out of Neymar and journalists in a packed news conference at the Itaquerao Stadium on Wednesday.

Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:32 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — It has been a week of stunning advances by Islamic militants across a belt from Iraq to Pakistan. In Iraq, jihadi fighters rampaged through the country's second-largest city and swept farther south in their drive to establish an extremist enclave stretching into Syria. Pakistan's largest airport was paralyzed and rocked by explosions as gunmen stormed it in a dramatic show of strength. More than a decade after the U.S. launched its "war on terrorism," Islamic militant groups are bolder than ever, exploiting the erosion or collapse of central government control in a string of nations — Syria, Iraq and Pakistan — that are more strategically vital than the relatively failed states where al-Qaida set up its bases in the past: Somalia, Yemen and 1990s Afghanistan.

England revamp backline for second Test Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:32 PM PDT Dunedin (New Zealand) (AFP) - England coach Stuart Lancaster has made five changes to the starting line-up for the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday, calling in backline reinforcements for the must-win encounter. With his entire squad now available, Lancaster selected the backline combination that England used in the Six Nations over the supposedly "second string" line-up that pushed the All Blacks close in a 20-15 first Test defeat. He recalled centres Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell, pivot Owen Farrell and scrum-half Danny Care, as well as naming Tom Wood at blindside flanker in place of James Haskell. Manu Tuilagi switches from the centre to right wing, with Marland Yarde moving to the left wing to accommodate him.

NZ beat West Indies by 186 runs in 1st test Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:29 PM PDT KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Debutant offspinner Mark Craig took 4-97 and legspinner Ish Sodhi added 3-42 as New Zealand completed victory against the West Indies by 186 runs late on day four Wednesday of the opening cricket test.

US Virgin Islands confirms 1st chikungunya case Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:29 PM PDT KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A nasty mosquito-borne virus that has been spreading rapidly in the Caribbean has made its way to the U.S. Virgin Islands, authorities said Wednesday.

Cystic fibrosis sufferer could make test debut Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:26 PM PDT MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia plays France in the second rugby test on Saturday with both teams having made a number of changes to their starting lineups, particularly the visitors.

U.S. agency urges Myanmar to scrap proposed religion laws Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:19 PM PDT By David and Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Draft laws in Myanmar aimed at protecting the country's majority Buddhist identity by regulating religious conversions and marriages between people of different faiths have "no place in the 21st century" and should be withdrawn, a U.S. government agency said on Wednesday. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said the laws risked stoking violence against Muslims and other religious minorities, including Christians. If the laws are passed, it said, Washington "should factor these negative developments into its evolving relationship with Burma (Myanmar)." The U.S. State Department said it had serious concerns about the pending legislation and had expressed them to the government of Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. State Department spokeswoman Jan Psaki told a regular news briefing that any measure that would criminalize interfaith marriages "would be inconsistent with the government's efforts to promote tolerance and respect for human rights." The chairman of the commission, Robert George, called the proposed law against religious conversions "irreparably flawed" and said it would contravene Myanmar's international commitments to protect freedom of religion or belief.

Israel blames Abbas after rocket fired from Gaza Posted: 11 Jun 2014 04:03 PM PDT Palestinian militants fired a rocket on Israel from the Gaza Strip Wednesday, prompting Israel's premier to hold Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas responsible for such attacks. Abbas condemned the rocket fire, which Israeli officials said hit the Eshkol region without causing any casualties or damage. The attack came just over a week after the Palestinians formed a unity government for both Gaza and the West Bank, as part of efforts to end years of division. From 2007, when Hamas drove Abbas's forces from Gaza, the territory was ruled by Islamist movement Hamas, which Israeli routinely blamed for all attacks on the Jewish state.

OECD urges Canada to hike oil sands taxes Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:56 PM PDT The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Wednesday urged Canada to raise taxes on non-renewable resources including its oil reserves, which are the third largest in the world. Western provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan with vast oil and gas reserves have seen a jump in incomes since 2002, while eastern Ontario -- the nation's manufacturing hub -- is facing a massive budget deficit. "Incomes have risen in resource-rich provinces, but the resulting currency appreciation has placed pressures on manufacturing," the OECD said in the report. It urged increasing royalties on non-renewable resources and distributing it more fairly to provinces that are not blessed with an abundance of oil, gas or minerals.

Costa Rica seizes 4 tons of cocaine at sea Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:52 PM PDT SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rican officials say they have seized more than four tons of cocaine from three boats disguised as fishing vessels off the Central American country's Pacific Coast.

Al-Qaida breakaway pursuing an Islamic state Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:51 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — An al-Qaida splinter group that has seized a huge chunk of northern Iraq commands as many as 10,000 fighters and has steadily been consolidating its hold on much of northeastern Syria across the border.

Suicide bombing at security post in Benghazi Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:45 PM PDT Benghazi (Libya) (AFP) - A suicide car bomb exploded at a security post in Libya's second city Benghazi late Wednesday, leaving the bomber dead and a number of people wounded, a security spokesman said.

Nigerian state shuts sports bars in bid to stop World Cup attacks Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:45 PM PDT Soldiers in a Nigerian state at the heart of an Islamist revolt shut down all venues preparing to screen live World Cup matches on Wednesday, hoping to stave off the kind of attacks that have killed more than 20 people in the past two weeks. The Nigerian government also advised residents of Abuja to avoid public viewing centres as the 2014 World cup kicks off in Brazil in case of attacks. Nigeria has seen an increasingly bold series of assaults over the past five years by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, including the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in April. Since then, militants have set off a car bomb that killed 18 people watching a game on television at a centre in the settlement of Gavan, in the northeastern state of Adamawa, on June 1.

Blatter coy on FIFA presidential re-election bid Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:45 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — While there's hardly any doubt, FIFA President Sepp Blatter won't declare himself a candidate for re-election just yet.

Supreme Court meets to discuss Argentina debt case Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:44 PM PDT BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court is meeting privately Thursday to determine how to respond to Argentina's appeal of lower court decisions ordering it to repay more than $1.3 billion in defaulted bonds.

Injured sea lion set free off Peruvian coast Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:43 PM PDT LIMA, Peru (AP) — A young sea lion found severely wounded on a beach in Lima, Peru, has been returned to his Pacific home after six weeks of care by an animal advocacy group.

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