Yahoo! News: World News

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• Iraq asks United States for air support to counter rebels
• Exclusive: Iran digs in heels on nuclear centrifuges at Vienna talks - envoys
• Freed Bahraini activist urges government to seek reconciliation
• Hong Kong's democracy 'referendum' likely to rile China's communists
• As Myanmar's Rakhine Buddhists gain strength, so does anti-Muslim apartheid
• With Israeli teens missing, Palestinian unity frays
• Dozens of bodies found in Mexican mass grave
• In Washington, growing chorus calls for Iraq's Maliki to go
• Mandzukic scores 2 as Croatia beats Cameroon 4-0
• Del Bosque says changes in store for Spain
• US says Benghazi 'ringleader' was planning new attacks
• Same course, new cast of players at Pinehurst
• Tehran, world powers 'begin drafting nuclear deal'
• Official: 150 Australians fighting in Syria, Iraq
• Fan arrested for trespassing at Argentina base
• Rampaging Chile World Cup fans bust into Rio venue
• Kieran Read returns to All Blacks for England test
• AP PHOTOS: A look at child immigrant holding cells
• Chile adds more believers after ousting Spain
• Polish authorities try to seize magazine's files
• Zaccheroni wary of tenacious Greeks
• Brazil homeless workers protest in WCup host city
• Iraq's al-Maliki extends overtures to rivals
• Man deported after death linked to Star Wars toys
• GOP leader: Obama may act in Iraq without signoff
• BRAZIL BEAT: Chilean celebration in Belo Horizonte
• West Africa Ebola death toll hits 337
• Olic gives Croatia 1-0 lead at halftime
• Snacks, no banquet, for frugal new Spanish king
• Lawyer: Argentina to negotiate with US hedge funds
• UN: Hundreds killed, detained in Ukraine breakdown
• 10 Things to See in Sports: AP's top sports photos
• Iraqi faces charges after 7 years at Guantanamo
• Palestinian leader defends cooperation with Israel
• Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT
• Titian Renaissance work to be shown in Washington
• Oxlade-Chamberlain out of England World Cup match
• The reign of Spain is over; Netherlands looks good

Iraq asks United States for air support to counter rebels Posted: 18 Jun 2014 01:33 PM PDT By Ghazwan Hassan and Phil Stewart BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraq has asked the United States for air support in countering Sunni rebels, the top U.S. general said on Wednesday, after the militants seized major cities in a lightning advance that has routed the Shi'ite-led government's army. However, General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave no direct reply when asked at a Congressional hearing whether Washington would agree to the request. Baghdad said it wanted U.S. air strikes as the insurgents, led by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), battled their way into the biggest oil refinery in Iraq and the president of neighbouring Iran raised the prospect of intervening in a sectarian war that threatens to sweep across Middle East frontiers. "We have a request from the Iraqi government for air power," Dempsey told a Senate hearing in Washington.

Exclusive: Iran digs in heels on nuclear centrifuges at Vienna talks - envoys Posted: 18 Jun 2014 09:02 AM PDT By Louis Charbonneau and Parisa Hafezi VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran is refusing to significantly cut the number of centrifuges it intends to keep to produce nuclear fuel, making it hard to imagine a compromise at this week's talks with six powers, Western and Iranian officials said on Wednesday. The remarks from diplomats close to the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, came after the initial rounds of meetings in the Austrian capital between Iran and the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia plus Germany. They are striving for a deal that would limit Iran's nuclear program, subject it to stricter U.N. inspections, lift sanctions impairing Iran's oil-based economy and remove the risk of a wider Middle East war over the dispute. Perhaps the biggest hurdle to overcome, six-power diplomats said, is Iran's stance regarding its uranium-enrichment centrifuges, which one negotiator described as a "huge problem".

Freed Bahraini activist urges government to seek reconciliation Posted: 18 Jun 2014 01:50 PM PDT By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - One of the Arab world's best-known human rights activists urged his native Bahrain on Wednesday to look beyond the Sunni-Shi'ite divide to end a political stand-off in the U.S.-allied kingdom. Nabeel Rajab, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights founder released last month after two years in jail, said opposition protests there would continue if the government did not treat its citizens equally. Rajab said the Arab Spring protests had frightened the Arab Gulf states and accused them of using the Sunni-Sunni divide, a religious faultline that has fueled an eruption of violence in Iraq this month, to crack down on dissent. "If the government is willing to treat people equally, I think we could solve half of our problem," he said.

Hong Kong's democracy 'referendum' likely to rile China's communists Posted: 18 Jun 2014 02:39 PM PDT By James Pomfret and Greg Torode HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong holds a controversial "referendum" on democracy on Friday, a prelude to an escalating campaign of dissent that could shut down the former British colony's financial district and further anger China's Communist Party leaders. An affluent city of seven million that returned to Chinese rule in 1997, Hong Kong's longstanding push for full democracy is reaching what could be boiling point with tens of thousands expected to vote in the unofficial referendum for full democracy from Friday until Sunday. While Beijing has allowed Hong Kong to go ahead with a popular vote for the city's top leader in 2017, the most far-reaching experiment in democracy in China since the Communist takeover in 1949, senior Chinese officials have ruled out allowing the public to nominate candidates. Instead, Beijing insists a small committee of largely pro-Beijing loyalists choose who gets on the ballot, which would effectively render the ability to vote meaningless.

As Myanmar's Rakhine Buddhists gain strength, so does anti-Muslim apartheid Posted: 18 Jun 2014 02:25 PM PDT By Aubrey Belford KYAUKPYU Myanmar (Reuters) - A campaign to isolate Muslims living under apartheid-like conditions is gathering steam in western Myanmar, driven by Buddhist activists emboldened by the country's transition from military rule. Religious violence since 2012 has killed hundreds of Rohingya Muslims and displaced more than 140,000 in Rakhine State. In recent months, Buddhist Rakhine activists and politicians have spearheaded a campaign to restrict healthcare and other aid for many of the estimated one million Rohingya living in the state, aid workers say. At the forefront of the movement are the Rakhine Social Network (RSN), an umbrella grouping of activist organizations, and the newly-formed Arakan National Party (ANP).

With Israeli teens missing, Palestinian unity frays Posted: 18 Jun 2014 09:17 AM PDT By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) - The disappearance of three Jewish youths in the occupied West Bank has rocked reconciliation between Palestinian political factions and risks sinking a new unity government, analysts and officials have said. Israel has accused the Islamist group Hamas of orchestrating the kidnapping of the three teenagers last Thursday and has detained at least 240 Palestinians during a massive search mission that has so far failed to uncover the missing trio. Hamas has refused to confirm or deny any involvement in the abduction, but many Palestinians believe that only it has the knowledge or network needed to snatch three young men and keep them hidden from view for almost a week. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas roundly condemned the kidnappers on Wednesday and promised to hold to account those responsible.

Dozens of bodies found in Mexican mass grave Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:54 PM PDT TRES VALLES, Mexico (AP) — At least 28 bodies have been recovered from a mass grave in the Mexican state of Veracruz, the scene of many attacks on migrants and violence between drug traffickers, officials said Wednesday.

In Washington, growing chorus calls for Iraq's Maliki to go Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:51 PM PDT By Patricia Zengerle and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama came under pressure from U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday to persuade Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to step down over what they see as failed leadership in the face of an insurgency threatening his country. As Obama held an hour-long meeting with congressional leaders on U.S. options in Iraq, administration officials joined a chorus of criticism of Maliki, faulting him for failing to heal sectarian rifts that militants have exploited. Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a congressional hearing that Maliki's Shi'ite-led government had asked for U.S. air power to help counter Sunni militants who have overrun northern Iraq.

Mandzukic scores 2 as Croatia beats Cameroon 4-0 Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:51 PM PDT MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — Mario Mandzukic scored two goals Wednesday to keep Croatia in the mix at the World Cup with a 4-0 win over 10-man Cameroon, which cannot now advance from the group stage.

Del Bosque says changes in store for Spain Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:50 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Coach Vicente del Bosque said changes are in store for Spain — and maybe himself — after the team's early World Cup exit on Wednesday.

US says Benghazi 'ringleader' was planning new attacks Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:48 PM PDT United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The suspected ringleader of the deadly 2012 assault on an American compound in Benghazi was planning new attacks on Americans, the United States says, defending the raid that captured the Libyan militant. US commandos seized Ahmed Abu Khatallah near the Libyan city of Benghazi on Sunday, drawing condemnation from Tripoli, which considers the stealth raid an infringement of its sovereignty. But in a letter addressed to the president of the UN Security Council for June, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, US envoy Samantha Power evoked "the United States' inherent right of self-defense." "Following a painstaking investigation, the US government ascertained that Ahmed Abu Khatallah was a key figure" in the September 11, 2012 Benghazi assault, her letter, dated Tuesday, read.

Same course, new cast of players at Pinehurst Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:45 PM PDT PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) — The sounds at Pinehurst No. 2 were the first indication that the second week of U.S. Open golf would not be exactly the same as the first one.

Tehran, world powers 'begin drafting nuclear deal' Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:39 PM PDT Iran and world powers started drafting Wednesday a comprehensive nuclear agreement but still face many sticking points, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said. "This does not mean we have reached an agreement," said Zarif, according to IRNA news agency. "Fundamental disagreements" continue to divide Iran and the P5+1 powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany -- he said. Iran's top negotiator Abbas Araqchi earlier told IRNA news agency that Iran hoped to settle all differences with the six powers by the target date.

Official: 150 Australians fighting in Syria, Iraq Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:38 PM PDT CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Around 150 Australians have fought with radical militants in Syria and Iraq, raising government fears of a terrorist threat to Australia if the fighters return home, the foreign minister said on Thursday.

Fan arrested for trespassing at Argentina base Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:38 PM PDT BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — A Brazilian man who invaded the pitch at Argentina's public training last week was arrested Wednesday as he tried to enter the team camp in Belo Horizonte.

Rampaging Chile World Cup fans bust into Rio venue Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:37 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Nearly 100 rampaging Chilean fans busted through a security checkpoint at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday, rushing through a large media room and breaking down walls as they tried to force their way into the sold-out Spain vs. Chile match at the World Cup.

Kieran Read returns to All Blacks for England test Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:31 PM PDT HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Backrower Kieran Read, who was voted the best rugby player in the world last year, will return to the All Blacks lineup for Saturday's third test against England after a long battle against concussion.

AP PHOTOS: A look at child immigrant holding cells Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:25 PM PDT BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials gave tours Wednesday of Border Patrol facilities in Texas and Arizona that hold thousands of immigrant children waiting to be transferred to shelters across the country.

Chile adds more believers after ousting Spain Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:13 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Chile started the World Cup as rank outsiders. But by eliminating defending World Cup champion Spain with a 2-0 win on Wednesday and reaching the last 16 — with a game to spare — it suddenly has more believers.

Polish authorities try to seize magazine's files Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:11 PM PDT WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish police and state prosecutors on Wednesday raided the headquarters of a magazine that recently published compromising information about the government, in a failed attempt to seize its computers.

Zaccheroni wary of tenacious Greeks Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:10 PM PDT Natal (Brazil) (AFP) - Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni implored his team to take their rare chances against Greece or face an early World Cup exit. Both Japan and Greece are fighting for their Group C survival following respective defeats to Ivory Coast and Colombia. But after being outmuscled in a second half which saw Ivory Coast strike twice in the space of two minutes, the Blue Samurai face another bruising encounter in Natal's Estadio das Dunas on Thursday. Thanks to the likes of Giorgos Samaras, Greece are likely to tower over Japan.

Brazil homeless workers protest in WCup host city Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:08 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — A Brazilian homeless workers group that said it would not stage protests during the World Cup nevertheless held a demonstration in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, a day before the city hosts its second match there.

Iraq's al-Maliki extends overtures to rivals Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:07 PM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi forces and Sunni militants battled fiercely for control of the nation's largest oil refinery on Wednesday as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki went on a diplomatic offensive, reaching out in a televised address to try to regain support from the nation's disaffected Sunnis and Kurds.

Man deported after death linked to Star Wars toys Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:02 PM PDT ANTIOCH, California (AP) — A Mexican citizen suspected in the killing of a man who tried to pay a debt with Star Wars action figures has been deported.

GOP leader: Obama may act in Iraq without signoff Posted: 18 Jun 2014 04:01 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and congressional leaders believe he does not need authorization from Congress for some steps he might take to quell the al-Qaida-inspired insurgency sweeping through Iraq, the Senate's top Republican and Capitol Hill aides said after the president briefed senior lawmakers Wednesday.

BRAZIL BEAT: Chilean celebration in Belo Horizonte Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:54 PM PDT BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Dozens of Chileans paraded through a posh shopping and restaurant district in Belo Horizonte, beating drums, waving flags and dancing in the streets after their team knocked Spain out of the World Cup in Rio De Janeiro.

West Africa Ebola death toll hits 337 Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:53 PM PDT The death toll in west Africa's three-nation Ebola outbreak has risen to 337, the World Health Organisation said Wednesday, making it the deadliest ever outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever. Fresh data from the UN health agency showed that the number of deaths in Guinea, the hardest-hit country, has reached 264, while 49 had died in Sierra Leone and 24 in Liberia. Yet agency spokeswoman Fadela Chaib insisted the far higher number of cases did not mean the virus was spreading faster. A majority of the cases, 398 of them, have surfaced in Guinea, where west Africa's first ever Ebola outbreak began in January.

Olic gives Croatia 1-0 lead at halftime Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:47 PM PDT MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — Ivica Olic gave Croatia a 1-0 lead over Cameroon at halftime Wednesday in their crucial World Cup match.

Snacks, no banquet, for frugal new Spanish king Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:40 PM PDT MADRID (AP) — Crown Prince Felipe ascended to the Spanish throne at midnight Wednesday, but there weren't any ritzy official celebrations.

Lawyer: Argentina to negotiate with US hedge funds Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:40 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities from Argentina will travel to New York next week to negotiate with U.S. hedge funds that are owed a $1.5 billion payment for defaulted bonds, a lawyer for Argentina said Wednesday.

UN: Hundreds killed, detained in Ukraine breakdown Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:40 PM PDT GENEVA (AP) — A steady rise in killings, torture and abductions by pro-Russia armed groups in eastern Ukraine has claimed hundreds of lives since last month, U.N. monitors in the region said Wednesday.

10 Things to See in Sports: AP's top sports photos Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:35 PM PDT Here's a look at some of the defining moments, exciting scenes, triumphs and defeats from the world of sports.

Iraqi faces charges after 7 years at Guantanamo Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:34 PM PDT GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) — A Guantanamo prisoner accused of being an al-Qaida commander who organized deadly attacks in Afghanistan had his first day in court Wednesday more than seven years after he was taken to this U.S. base.

Palestinian leader defends cooperation with Israel Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:32 PM PDT RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Palestinian president on Wednesday defended his policy of security cooperation with Israel in a politically risky speech to senior Arab officials, even as Israeli forces escalated their most extensive West Bank crackdown in years in response to the apparent abduction of three Israeli teenagers.

Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:32 PM PDT NEW DELHI (AP) — Forty Indian citizens working for a Turkish construction company near the Iraqi town of Mosul have been kidnapped, India's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said there had been no contact with the kidnappers, and no ransom demand had been received. Over the past week, militants have overrun Mosul and seized wide swathes of territory as they stormed toward the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Titian Renaissance work to be shown in Washington Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:32 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — An Italian Renaissance painting rarely seen in the U.S. will be displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington to mark the start of Italy's presidency of the European Union.

Oxlade-Chamberlain out of England World Cup match Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:26 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still not fit enough to play for England at the World Cup, with the midfielder ruled out of Thursday's match against Uruguay.

The reign of Spain is over; Netherlands looks good Posted: 18 Jun 2014 03:13 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The king is dead. The World Cup will have a new champion.

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