Yahoo! News: World News

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• Iraqi forces ready push after Obama offers advisers
• Ukraine's Poroshenko declares week-long ceasefire, warns rebels
• Russia opens new criminal case involving Putin critic Navalny
• China sends four oil rigs to South China Sea amid regional tensions
• Ukraine crisis forces U.S. to bolster Europe forces
• Central America presses Biden on migrant rights as U.S. vows aid
• Syria says no aid deliveries without its approval
• Obama, Hollande call on Russia to de-escalate Ukraine tensions
• Swiss defense cracks under French strikes
• BRAZIL BEAT: Van Persie defends Rooney's showing
• Benzema's form could make him a World Cup star
• 7 priests suspended in Mexico pending abuse probe
• Exclusive: Syria warns U.N. - aid delivery without consent is an attack
• Nigerians seek World Cup win to lift somber mood
• France beats Swiss 5-2 to take control of Group E
• BRAZIL BEAT: Belgium's Lukaku has advice for Man U
• World Cup of big surprises smiles on Americas
• Lawyers say UN chief served with Haiti lawsuit in NY
• Honduras breaks drought, level 1-1 at halftime
• Our hearts go out to bomb attack victims: Keshi
• Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT
• BRAZIL BEAT: Fan mail pours in to Brazil players
• Sectarian tensions set stage for Iraq conflict, Obama says: NBC
• Palestinian village wins UNESCO listing against Israel barrier plan
• Peru Congress endorses drug corruption probe
• Sunday's Maracana match beefed up with more police
• Court orders FIFA to implement water breaks
• Fleeing Iraqis join large tide of displaced people
• Good morning, Donetsk -- Ukraine rebels spread the word on radio
• Biden in Central America to discuss migrant crisis
• BRAZIL BEAT: Sinkhole swallows up cars in Natal
• Top Asian News at 10:00 p.m. GMT
• Scotland pip Pumas 21-19, 3rd win on tour
• 4 Dutch players miss full training session
• Iraq's top cleric increases pressure on al-Maliki
• Boko Haram kill 10 in raids on Nigerian villages: official
• Antigua police kill man convicted in Welsh slaying
• U.S. spy agencies warned Maliki was 'alienating' Iraq's Sunnis

Iraqi forces ready push after Obama offers advisers Posted: 20 Jun 2014 11:48 AM PDT By Isra' al-Rubei'i BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi forces were massing north of Baghdad on Friday, aiming to strike back at Sunni Islamists whose drive toward the capital prompted the United States to send military advisers to stiffen government resistance. Iraq's senior Shi'ite religious cleric issued a call for unity, saying Shi'ites and Sunnis should rally behind the authorities to prevent the Sunni militant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from destroying the country. Already, ISIL has started to enact its puritanical vision of Islam in Mosul, which it captured 10 days ago as it swept across northern Iraq. Mosul residents said ISIL members had destroyed symbols of Iraq's rich heritage, razing statues of cultural icons and the tomb of a Mediaeval philosopher.

Ukraine's Poroshenko declares week-long ceasefire, warns rebels Posted: 20 Jun 2014 12:35 PM PDT By Richard Balmforth KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday ordered a seven-day ceasefire in the fight against pro-Russian separatists, but also warned them they could face death if they did not use the time to put down their guns. In Moscow, the Kremlin, whose support Poroshenko needs for his plan to end the insurgency in the rebellious east, denounced the ceasefire as an ultimatum to separatists rather than a peace offering. Poroshenko, installed only three weeks ago as president after seven months of turmoil in the ex-Soviet republic, ordered government forces to cease firing to allow his peace plan for the region to take root.

Russia opens new criminal case involving Putin critic Navalny Posted: 20 Jun 2014 01:54 PM PDT Russian investigators opened a criminal case into the theft of a picture found in the home of a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin on Friday, in what his lawyer described as part of a Kremlin campaign against him. The case is one of several involving Alexei Navalny, an anti-corruption blogger under house arrest in connection with a fraud case after helping lead a wave of mass street protests against Putin in 2011-2012. Investigators said on Friday that the picture seized in a search of Navalny's home had been stolen from its artist, who had hung it outside on central street in the city of Vladimir, some 170 kilometers northeast of Moscow. "An unidentified person secretly stole the painting ... which had been hung for all to see on one of the central streets of the city of Vladimir," the Investigative Committee said in a statement.

China sends four oil rigs to South China Sea amid regional tensions Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:55 PM PDT China has sent four oil rigs into the South China Sea in a sign that Beijing is stepping up its exploration for oil and gas in the tense region, less than two months after it positioned a giant drilling platform in waters claimed by Vietnam. Coordinates posted on the website of China's Maritime Safety Administration showed the Nanhai number 2 and 5 rigs had been deployed roughly between southern China and the Pratas islands, which are occupied by Taiwan. The Nanhai 4 rig was towed close to the Chinese coast. Earlier this week, it gave coordinates for a fourth rig, the Nanhai 9, which it said would be positioned just outside Vietnam's exclusive economic zone by Friday.

Ukraine crisis forces U.S. to bolster Europe forces Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:38 PM PDT By Global Defense Correspondent Peter Apps WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Only last year, the U.S. European Command was facing some of the deepest cuts of any region in the U.S. military. Now, after Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Pentagon finds itself focusing on the continent in a way not seen in decades.     Earlier this month, U.S. President Barack Obama said he would ask Congress for an additional $1 billion to increase Washington's military commitment to the continent.     Last week, the U.S. Air Force said it had deployed two B-2 stealth bombers to England, joining two B-52s sent earlier this month. The two aircraft are America's premier nuclear bombers.     Washington has sent additional warships to the Black Sea and the Baltic, F-15, F-16 jets and early warning AWACS aircraft to join ramped up NATO patrols near Russian airspace and troops to train in Germany and Eastern Europe.     With fighting raging in eastern Ukraine between pro-Moscow forces and troops loyal to Kiev, Washington says Russia has put large numbers of troops on the border and may be preparing to deliver tanks and artillery to the separatists.

Central America presses Biden on migrant rights as U.S. vows aid Posted: 20 Jun 2014 01:31 PM PDT By Mike McDonald GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Central American leaders on Friday pressed visiting U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden to improve migrant rights, even as the United States committed tens of millions of dollars in extra aid to the region in a bid to stem a surge of illegal immigration. The White House said the United States would launch a $40 million program to improve security in Guatemala to reduce pressures forcing migration to United States and a $25 million program to provide services to youth in El Salvador who are vulnerable to organized-crime pressure.

Syria says no aid deliveries without its approval Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:52 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Syria says any attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to rebel-controlled areas without government approval is tantamount to "an attack on the Syrian state" as well as its territorial integrity and political independence.

Obama, Hollande call on Russia to de-escalate Ukraine tensions Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:44 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande agreed that Russia could face further actions by the West if it fails to de-escalate tensions on the border with Ukraine, the French presidency said on Friday. Speaking by phone, the leaders urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to call on separatist militants to stand down and to stop sending military equipment to Ukraine. "Without any progress in this direction, new measures would be taken against Russia," the French presidency said. ...

Swiss defense cracks under French strikes Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:43 PM PDT SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — The referee's final whistle came mercifully for Switzerland after it was completely out-classed in a 5-2 loss to France at the World Cup.

BRAZIL BEAT: Van Persie defends Rooney's showing Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:41 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Don't blame Wayne Rooney for England's early World Cup exit. That's the message from his Manchester United teammate, Robin van Persie, who knows firsthand that when a team plays badly, critics often fault the squad's biggest star.

Benzema's form could make him a World Cup star Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:32 PM PDT SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — Karim Benzema had never scored in a major competition before this World Cup. Now he looks like becoming one of the stars of the tournament.

7 priests suspended in Mexico pending abuse probe Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:29 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Catholic Church in Mexico has suspended seven priests, including one who served in Los Angeles, from its diocese in the border city of Tijuana while it investigates them for alleged sexual harassment and abuse.

Exclusive: Syria warns U.N. - aid delivery without consent is an attack Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:25 PM PDT By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Syria's government warned the U.N. Security Council that delivering humanitarian aid across its borders into rebel-held areas without its consent would amount to an attack, suggesting it would have the right to retaliate against convoys. As the veto-wielding members of the council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - negotiate a draft resolution to boost aid access, Syria circulated to the 15-member council a letter from dozens of Arab and Syrian lawyers. "The sole purpose of the initiative is to use United Nations auspices for the delivery of logistical backing to the terrorists," the lawyers wrote in the letter that was sent to the United Nations by Syrian U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday told the Security Council in a report, obtained by Reuters, that the United Nations was ready to put in place "speedy, pragmatic and practical arrangements at critical border crossings" to deliver more aid.

Nigerians seek World Cup win to lift somber mood Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:25 PM PDT CUIABA, Brazil (AP) — Stephen Keshi's Nigeria squad wants more than just three points against Bosnia-Herzegovina to revive its World Cup campaign on Saturday.

France beats Swiss 5-2 to take control of Group E Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:24 PM PDT SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — France is striking at the World Cup again, this time in a way the fans back home will approve of.

BRAZIL BEAT: Belgium's Lukaku has advice for Man U Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:17 PM PDT MOGI DAS CRUZES, Brazil (AP) — All of 21, Romelu Lukaku is already full of coaching advice for Manchester United on how Belgium teammate Marouane Fellaini should be played.

World Cup of big surprises smiles on Americas Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:15 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The World Cup of surprises is turning into a sweet samba party for teams from the Americas.

Lawyers say UN chief served with Haiti lawsuit in NY Posted: 20 Jun 2014 04:04 PM PDT Lawyers for more than 1,500 victims of Haiti's deadly cholera epidemic said Friday they had served UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with a personal summons to appear in US court. Stanley Alpert, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, accused Ban and the United Nations of "ducking service in these lawsuits for months." A lawsuit was filed against the United Nations in March in US federal court in Brooklyn, demanding the UN take responsibility, compensate the victims and provide critical sanitation. There had been no cholera in Haiti for at least 150 years until it was allegedly introduced by Nepalese UN peacekeepers sent there in the wake of the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

Honduras breaks drought, level 1-1 at halftime Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:53 PM PDT CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — Honduras ended a 32-year wait for a World Cup goal with Carlo Costly scoring in the 31st minute before Enner Valencia equalized for Ecuador to make it 1-1 at halftime in their Group E match on Friday.

Our hearts go out to bomb attack victims: Keshi Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:38 PM PDT Cuiabá (Brazil) (AFP) - Sombre Stephen Keshi said Friday his heart went out to those who had lost loved ones in the bomb attack that killed 21 people watching a World Cup game on a big screen in Nigeria on Tuesday. The atrocity struck as fans were watching the Brazil game against Mexico in Damataru, capital of Yobe state., the day after Nigeria's opening goalless draw with Iran. "It was like a double jeopardy -- after our game most Nigerians weren't very happy we had a tie against Iran, then the bomb blast wasn't pleasant at all. Captaining the Super Eagles on Tuesday is Joseph Yobo, and the Norwich City defender gave his reaction to the attack blamed on Boko Haram militants.

Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:33 PM PDT BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's new ruling junta doesn't like the way the country is portrayed in the movies as a haven for drugs, thugs, lawlessness and ladies of the night. It's not that the movies are entirely wrong. But the junta chief says Thailand should be ashamed of its image, and has embarked on a cleanup campaign.

BRAZIL BEAT: Fan mail pours in to Brazil players Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:33 PM PDT TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian players received nearly 6,000 fan letters before the team's practice Friday.

Sectarian tensions set stage for Iraq conflict, Obama says: NBC Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:31 PM PDT Iraq's conflict is the result of sectarian divisions that have been allowed to fester, President Barack Obama said on Friday. "Some of the forces that have always possibly pulled Iraq apart are stronger now, (and) those forces that could keep the country united are weaker," he told NBC Nightly News. "It is ultimately going to be up to the Iraqi leadership to try to pull the politics of the country back together again." Obama is sending U.S. military advisers to Iraq and has threatened air strikes as Sunni Islamists have seized the north of the country and made a push toward Baghdad.

Palestinian village wins UNESCO listing against Israel barrier plan Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:29 PM PDT By Ali Sawafta RAMALLAH West Bank (Reuters) - A Palestinian village joined UNESCO's world heritage sites list on Friday after an emergency nomination meant to try to block Israel from building a barrier across its ancient farmland. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation said the village was recognized urgently in view of "construction of a separation wall that may isolate farmers from fields they have cultivated for centuries". The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, meeting in Qatar, added the farmed valleys at the village in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem feature picturesque stone terraces that risk "irreversible damage" were the barrier to be constructed. Israel says its barrier of razor wire fences and concrete walls has been built across the West Bank for security reasons.

Peru Congress endorses drug corruption probe Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:24 PM PDT LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru's Congress has endorsed a special commission's findings that former President Alan Garcia broke the law by pardoning or reducing the sentences of more than 3,200 convicted drug traffickers.

Sunday's Maracana match beefed up with more police Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:19 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Six hundred additional military police will be assigned to Sunday's World Cup match at Rio's Maracana stadium after almost 100 un-ticketed Chilean fans rampaged through the stadium media center before the last game.

Court orders FIFA to implement water breaks Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:15 PM PDT TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) — A Brazilian court on Friday ordered FIFA to introduce mandatory breaks for players in World Cup matches played in high temperatures.

Fleeing Iraqis join large tide of displaced people Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:08 PM PDT TAZA KHORMATO, Iraq (AP) — In a battered car loaded with blankets and clothes, Hassan Abbas and his mother left a dusty town in northern Iraq, fleeing this week's violence and joining what the United Nations says is the largest worldwide population of displaced people since World War II.

Good morning, Donetsk -- Ukraine rebels spread the word on radio Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:06 PM PDT If you're channel hopping in the restive eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk these days you can still tune in to the usual soft rock and Russian ballads. Welcome to Radio Republic -- the only official station of the self-proclaimed rebel Donetsk People's Republic, coming at the war-torn region with a blend of patriotic jingles and political diatribes to keep listeners tuned in. Georgy asked that his surname not be reported and his face not to be photographed due to the illegal nature of the operation. I am better at this than I am at shooting," Georgy said.

Biden in Central America to discuss migrant crisis Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:05 PM PDT GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The Obama administration moved Friday to stem a flood of Central American children and families that has overwhelmed the U.S. immigration system, sending Vice President Joe Biden to the region to warn against the perils of the trip and announcing it will start to detain families at the border instead of releasing them on their own recognizance.

BRAZIL BEAT: Sinkhole swallows up cars in Natal Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:04 PM PDT NATAL, Brazil (AP) — A giant sinkhole has swallowed cars and damaged the homes of some 150 families living in a poor neighborhood in a northern Brazilian city that's one of 12 hosting the World Cup matches.

Top Asian News at 10:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:03 PM PDT BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's new ruling junta doesn't like the way the country is portrayed in the movies as a haven for drugs, thugs, lawlessness and ladies of the night. It's not that the movies are entirely wrong. But the junta chief says Thailand should be ashamed of its image, and has embarked on a cleanup campaign.

Scotland pip Pumas 21-19, 3rd win on tour Posted: 20 Jun 2014 03:02 PM PDT CORDOBA, Argentina (AP) — Scotland defeated Argentina 21-19 with a late penalty on Friday to win three successive rugby tests for the first time in two years.

4 Dutch players miss full training session Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:57 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Four regular starters missed full training for the Netherlands on Friday as the team prepared for its final World Cup Group B match against Chile on Monday.

Iraq's top cleric increases pressure on al-Maliki Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:54 PM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — The most respected voice for Iraq's Shiite majority on Friday joined calls for the country's prime minister to form an inclusive government or step aside, a day after President Barack Obama challenged Nouri al-Maliki to create a leadership representative of all Iraqis.

Boko Haram kill 10 in raids on Nigerian villages: official Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:49 PM PDT Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have killed 10 people in raids on five villages in Nigeria's northeast Adamawa state, a local official said on Friday. "We have confirmed that 10 people were killed in the attacks on the five villages by Boko Haram insurgents yesterday (Thursday). Many people sustained injuries while trying to escape," said Maina Ularamu, Madagali local government council chairman. Scores of gunmen dressed in military uniform stormed the villages of Imirsa, Shuwari, Yaza, Humabza and Anguwar Shuwa, burning homes and looting food supplies, he told AFP.

Antigua police kill man convicted in Welsh slaying Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:49 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A man serving a life sentence in the Caribbean island of Antigua for killing a honeymooning Welsh couple was fatally shot by police Friday after escaping from prison, authorities said.

U.S. spy agencies warned Maliki was 'alienating' Iraq's Sunnis Posted: 20 Jun 2014 02:46 PM PDT By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned top government officials that Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki and his policies were gravely antagonizing his country's Sunni population, two U.S. security officials said on Friday. The officials said the warnings were contained in secret intelligence reports and analyses presented in the last two years to policymaking officials, including President Barack Obama. The reports concluded that Maliki and his government were creating so much animosity among Iraq's Sunnis that this would empower and embolden violent militant groups, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Obama is sending 300 military advisers to Iraq to help stop the offensive by the Sunni militant ISIL and is demanding a more inclusive government be formed in Baghdad.

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