| Obama warns of U.S. action as jihadists push on Baghdad Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:01 PM PDT  By Ahmed Rasheed and Isabel Coles BAGHDAD/ARBIL (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday threatened U.S. military strikes in Iraq against Sunni Islamist militants who have surged out of the north to menace Baghdad and want to establish their own state in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Kurdish forces took advantage of the chaos to take control of the oil hub of Kirkuk as the troops of the Shi'ite-led government abandoned posts, alarming Baghdad's allies both in the West and in neighboring Shi'ite regional power Iran. "I don't rule out anything because we do have a stake in making sure that these jihadists are not getting a permanent foothold in either Iraq or Syria," Obama said at the White House when asked whether he was contemplating air strikes.
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| Ukraine accuses Russia of letting rebels bring in tanks Posted: 12 Jun 2014 10:33 AM PDT  By Natalia Zinets and Timothy Heritage KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of allowing separatist rebels to bring three tanks and other military vehicles across the border into the east of the country to fight the Ukrainian army. Evidence that Russia is sending in weapons or assisting the rebels militarily would implicate Moscow in the uprising against Kiev's pro-Western leaders, making a mockery of its denials that it has played a role in weeks of fighting. Interior Minister Arseny Avakov stopped short of directly accusing Russia of sending the tanks but made clear he held President Vladimir Putin responsible for failing to carry out a promise to tighten controls at the border. In a sign of his concern, President Petro Poroshenko discussed the situation with his defence and security chiefs and then told Putin by phone that the situation was "unacceptable", his spokesman said.
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| Why higher Iran oil exports are not roiling nuclear deal Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:30 PM PDT  By Arshad Mohammed and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - At first glance, Iran appears to have exported more oil than allowed under a nuclear agreement with major powers, but rather than complaining, U.S. officials argue Tehran is skating just inside the deal's ambiguous limits. Iran's higher exports reflect its exploitation of a loophole in U.S. law that allows its customers to buy condensates, a very light oil, without fear of U.S. sanctions. Rising gifts of crude oil to Syria are not covered by the deal. The major powers and Iran resume talks in Vienna on Monday aimed at reaching a comprehensive deal by July 20 for Iran to curtail its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions that have crippled its economy.
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| Spooked by probes, pharma executives ask: should I leave China? Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:10 PM PDT  By Adam Jourdan SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's crackdown on corruption in the pharmaceutical sector has frightened foreign executives so much that some fear they could be jailed and have asked their lawyers if they should leave the country for six months. While the crackdown has been building for a year, Chinese police shocked the foreign business community a month ago when they filed corruption charges against Mark Reilly, former China head of British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc. The Briton, who has been barred from leaving China, could face decades in prison. Even before then, executives were getting worried about a wave of visits from police and regulators to their offices as well as articles in Chinese media alleging corrupt practices against many global drugmakers. The charges against Reilly had prompted some senior executives to look at all contingencies, several legal and industry sources said.
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| U.S. quietly moves detainees out of secretive Afghanistan prison Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:44 PM PDT  By Missy Ryan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration has quietly repatriated a dozen detainees from a small U.S. military prison in Afghanistan, moving a modest step closer toward winding down the United States' controversial post-9/11 detainee system. President Barack Obama, in a letter to Congress released on Thursday, informed U.S. lawmakers that about 38 non-Afghan prisoners remained at the Parwan detention center outside of Kabul, down from around 50 a few months ago. A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a Frenchman, a Kuwaiti and 10 Pakistani prisoners were sent back to their respective home countries at the end of May. The remaining detainees include Yemeni, Tunisian and more Pakistani nationals, and a Russian who the United States is also considering trying in a military or civilian court. The transfers, which are not publicly disclosed, underscore the challenges the Obama administration faces in shutting down Parwan and the larger U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which has been widely criticized by human rights groups since being populated in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
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| U.S. accuses Sudan of deadly attacks on civilians Posted: 12 Jun 2014 01:55 PM PDT  By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday condemned recent attacks by the Sudanese government's Rapid Support Forces on civilians in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, saying they have been deliberately targeting schools and hospitals. The statement from U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power came just days after a coalition of 45 organizations providing humanitarian aid or supporting peace efforts in Sudan wrote to the U.N. Security Council, African Union and Arab League demanding an end to attacks on civilians.
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| Sunni militants vow to march on Iraqi capital Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:28 PM PDT  BAGHDAD (AP) — Islamic militants who seized cities and towns vowed Thursday to march on Baghdad to settle old scores, joined by Saddam Hussein-era loyalists and other disaffected Sunnis capitalizing on the government's political paralysis over the biggest threat to Iraq's stability since the U.S. withdrawal.
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| U.S. contractors in Iraq relocated due to security concerns Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:22 PM PDT Top U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin Corp on Thursday said it was evacuating about two dozen employees from northern Iraq due to security concerns, and the U.S. State Department said other companies were relocating their workers as well. "We can confirm that U.S. citizens, under contract to the Government of Iraq, in support of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in Iraq, are being temporarily relocated by their companies due to security concerns in the area," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. "The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Iraq remain open and continue to operate on a normal status," Psaki said. Lockheed spokesman Michael Rein said about 25 Lockheed employees were being evacuated from the Balad area in northern Iraq as part of a larger effort to ensure their safety given growing violence in the region.He said the employees were in Iraq working with the Iraqi air force as it prepared for the arrival of the first of 36 F-16 fighter jets, which are to be ferried to Iraq later this year. |
| U.N. official tells Security Council: No immediate Baghdad threat Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:22 PM PDT By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The top U.N. official in Iraq told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday there was no immediate danger of violence spreading to Baghdad, but that the northern offensive by Islamist rebels posed a great threat to the country's sovereignty, diplomats said. Nickolay Mladenov, head of the U.N. political mission in Iraq, briefed the council via video link on this week's sudden northern advance by fighters of the al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). "He was quite assured in that Baghdad is well protected and the government is in control, so there is ... no immediate danger of the violence spreading to Baghdad," said Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin after Mladenov's closed-door briefing. |
| US condemns Sudan over Christian woman's death penalty Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:18 PM PDT  US Secretary of State John Kerry criticized Sudan for sentencing a Christian woman to hang for apostasy, urging Khartoum to repeal its laws banning Muslims from converting. Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, who was born to a Muslim father, was sentenced to death on May 15 under Islamic sharia law that has been in place since 1983 and outlaws conversions under pain of death. "The United States remains deeply concerned about the conviction and continued imprisonment of Ms Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag," Kerry said in a statement. The top US diplomat said he was "deeply committed" to a better future for Sudan and its people.
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| Referee Nichimura's decisions in spotlight Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:15 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — Just one game into the World Cup, and referees are already in the spotlight.
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| Clinton backs Scotland to stay in UK Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:14 PM PDT  Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton called upon Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom, echoing the comments made last week by her former boss Barack Obama. Speaking on BBC's Newsnight programme, Clinton said: "I would hate to have you lose Scotland" in the September referendum. "I hope that it doesn't happen but I don't have a vote in Scotland," she added. US President Obama last week suggested that Scotland would be better off remaining part of Britain, ahead of the September 18 vote.
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| Neymar leads Brazil to 3-1 win over Croatia Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:14 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — Neymar showed why he is carrying Brazil's hopes at the World Cup, scoring twice on Thursday to help the underwhelming hosts escape a disappointing start to the tournament.
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| World Cup's opening match mesmerizes Brazilians Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:09 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — They watched at remote cattle ranches on the edge of the Amazon. Thousands gathered before a giant screen on sun-drenched Copacabana beach In Rio. In hole-in-the-wall bars in hillside slums, haughty high society clubs and family living rooms across the country, all eyes were trained on TV sets as the World Cup began Thursday in Brazil.
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| 'Just relief' for Marcelo, Brazil after own goal Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:07 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — It wasn't meant to start this way for Brazil. |
| Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:02 PM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Several thousand police officers — 6,000 on Wednesday and 3,000 on Thursday — were mobilized to raid a sprawling South Korean church compound near Seoul to hunt for Yoo Byung-eun, a fugitive billionaire businessman and member of the church wanted in relation to the deadly ferry sinking in April. Authorities believe Yoo owns the ship and that alleged corruption may have contributed to its sinking. The government is offering a $500,000 reward for tips about his whereabouts. Here are some questions and answers about raid and background factors. |
| Queen's exit could be a blessing says Murray Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:02 PM PDT  Andy Murray insists his shock Queen's Club defeat against Radek Stepanek could be a blessing in disguise because it gives him time to recover for the start of his Wimbledon title defence. Murray's bid for a record-equalling fourth Queen's crown came to an abrupt end on Thursday as Czech veteran Stepanek took advantage of lacklustre display from the world number five to win 7-6 (12/10), 6-2. On the surface the tame third round loss was a major blow to Murray's preparations ahead of Wimbledon, which gets underway on June 23, as it deprives him of valuable time honing his game on grass. But the 27-year-old is confident he can still make any adjustments to his game during his extra practice time with new coach Amelie Mauresmo.
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| Martin Kaymer seizes US Open lead with 65 Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:58 PM PDT  PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Much to his delight, Martin Kaymer discovered that Pinehurst No. 2 was even more different than he imagined in the U.S. Open.
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| McDowell excited at Portrush as British Open site Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:55 PM PDT  Pinehurst (United States) (AFP) - Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell was thrilled to hear reports at the US Open that Portrush in his homeland was to be named a future British Open host course. The course, a familiar tract for both himself and two-time major winner Rory McIlroy, reportedly will be announced Monday by the Royal and Ancient as a 2019 host and a course on the regular rotation of British Open host venues. The club, which hosted the 2012 Irish Open, hosted the most recent British Open staged in Northern Ireland back in 1951. That's extremely exciting," McDowell said when he heard the news.
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| Government to take action on rising house prices: Osborne Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:51 PM PDT  Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne vowed "radical" planning reforms and more powers for the central bank in an attempt to curb the country's spiralling house prices. Making his keynote speech at London's Mansion House, Osborne announced plans to build up to 200,000 homes, heeding the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which warned excessive demand was fuelling the boom. Osborne also revealed plans to strengthen the Bank of England's ability to impose restrictions on mortgage loan-to-value (LTV) and loan-to-income (LTI) ratios. Despite the IMF warning, Osborne insisted that house prices were of "no immediate cause for alarm", pointing out that house prices are still lower in real terms than they were in 2007.
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| Jamaica to relax some restrictions on using pot Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:49 PM PDT KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica's government on Thursday announced a major rethinking of its marijuana laws, including plans to partially decriminalize small amounts of pot and to allow possession for religious, scientific and medical purposes. |
| Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:33 PM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Several thousand police officers — 6,000 on Wednesday and 3,000 on Thursday — were mobilized to raid a sprawling South Korean church compound near Seoul to hunt for Yoo Byung-eun, a fugitive billionaire businessman and member of the church wanted in relation to the deadly ferry sinking in April. Authorities believe Yoo owns the ship and that alleged corruption may have contributed to its sinking. The government is offering a $500,000 reward for tips about his whereabouts. Here are some questions and answers about raid and background factors. |
| 'Just relief' for Marcelo and Brazil Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:31 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — It wasn't meant to start this way for Brazil.
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| Royal Portrush to host British Open in 2019 Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:30 PM PDT PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) — For only the second time, golf's oldest major championship will be played in Northern Ireland when the British Open returns to Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2019. |
| Croatia outraged over penalty in loss to Brazil Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:28 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — Croatia's Dejan Lovren says organizers may as well give the World Cup to Brazil right now after he conceded a controversial penalty in his side's 3-1 defeat to the host nation.
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| It's finally here! Brazil World Cup begins Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:06 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — "Tudo bem" — all good — as the Brazilians say.
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| BRAZIL BEAT: Van Gaal not thinking much about club Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:56 PM PDT  SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says that while he's at the World Cup he is not thinking about his job next season. Well, not very much.
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| McDowell misses in all the right places at US Open Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:47 PM PDT  PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) — Graeme McDowell watched countryman and playing partner Rory McIlroy boom shot after shot, attacking the treacherous greens at Pinehurst No. 2 every chance he got.
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| US mulls 'all options' as militants move nearer Baghdad Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:46 PM PDT  Jihadists moved nearer to Baghdad Thursday after capturing a town just hours to the north, as President Barack Obama said Washington was exploring all options to save Iraq's security forces from collapse. With the militants closing in on the capital, forces from Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region took control of Kirkuk, an ethnically divided northern city they have sought to rule for decades against the objections of successive governments in Baghdad. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hosyhar Zebari acknowledged the security forces which Washington invested billions in training and equipping before withdrawing its own troops in 2011, had simply melted away.
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| Sanchez carrying Chile's hopes at World Cup Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:43 PM PDT  CUIABA, Brazil (AP) — In the shadow of Lionel Messi at Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez is undoubtedly the main man for Chile as the fleet-footed forward attempts to cap the most prolific season of his career by playing a starring role at the World Cup.
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| BRAZIL BEAT: Sao Paulo subways lost in translation Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:43 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — In Sao Paulo, a city that sees far fewer international tourists than the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, subway passengers marveled at the new bilingual public address announcements.
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| Man charged in Virginia in Bush family email hack Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:40 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — A Romanian hacker is facing charges that he hacked into the Facebook or email accounts of high-ranking U.S. government officials and a relative of two former presidents. |
| Fear, sectarianism behind Iraq army collapse Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:30 PM PDT  CAIRO (AP) — The video, set to sweetly lilting religious hymns, is chilling. Islamic militants are shown knocking on the door of a Sunni police major in the dead of night in an Iraqi city. When he answers, they blindfold and cuff him. Then they carve off his head with a knife in his own bedroom.
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| California migrant kids shelter could soon fill Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:22 PM PDT  PORT HUENEME, Calif. (AP) — The converted warehouse on a Southern California military base that once housed sailors preparing to deploy overseas is now plastered with posters of X-Men and Green Lantern and filled with migrant teens eating applesauce and chatting about World Cup soccer.
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| Dutch play down revenge talk ahead of Spain clash Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:17 PM PDT  SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — Don't mention the final.
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