Tuesday, June 17, 2014

World News Briefs -- June 17, 2014 (Evening Edition)

The road to Baghdad: Fierce fighting is taking place at Baqubah, the last major city before the capital, as ISIS militants seize control of vast swathes of northern Iraq

Battle For Baquba: Isis Sunnis Wrestle With Shiite Iraqis For Control Of The Last Major Town Before Baghdad As Country Splits Along Sectarian Lines -- Daily Mail

* Isis militants stand just one hour's drive from Baghdad
* Iran pledges to send 5,000 troops to support government-led Shiites
* Shiites fight back in Baquba as around 40 Sunni prisoners found murdered in their cells
* U.S. sends in 275 military personnel to protect embassy staff
* Thousands of Iraqi Shiites enlist to fight back and protect capital

Fierce fighting erupted at the northern approaches to Baghdad today as pro-government Shiite militiamen desperately clung on to the last town before the capital in the face of a lightning-quick assault by Sunni Arab militants.

Meanwhile, in the west, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed it has taken control of the key border areas near Tal Afar and is rounding up Iraqi soldiers after a battle at an undisclosed location near the Syrian/Iraq border.

It is part of their stated aim to mark out the frontiers of a new Islamic state, merging the Iraqi areas they now control with rebel areas in Syria to form a Caliphate.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

UK and US turn to Iran to solve Iraq crisis: As relations with Tehran thaw, Britain announces plan to reopen embassy.

Signs of reprisal killings emerge in Iraq.

Iraq conflict: Clashes on approaches to Baghdad.

Iraq rebels battle for Baquba city. Fighting northeast of Baghdad kills 44 detainees.

Iraq's Maliki defies call to reach out, accuses Saudis of 'genocide'.

Kurdish-Turkmen tension on the rise in Kirkuk.

Iraq conflict: Kurds 'will not help retake Mosul'.

Turkey imposes reporting ban on seizure of consulate staff in Iraq.

Syrian army crushes rebel push near Turkish border.

Iran, six powers seek to salvage momentum for nuclear deal.

Yemeni forces surround Sana'a mosque complex near presidential palace.

Tension in Yemen amid coup fears.

Israel detains dozens more in search for missing teens. Israel considering expelling Hamas leaders from West Bank to Gaza.

ASIA

Seoul willing to consider unified Korea team for Asian Games.

Pakistan army in for long haul in offensive against Taliban.

Pakistan jets hit militant bomb factory: military.

Pakistan and Afghanistan discuss security amid strikes.

Sri Lanka riots prompt international concern.

Deadly clashes rock Pakistan's Lahore.

Top China diplomat to visit Vietnam in possible thaw over oil rig.

Accused South Korea ferry crew say rescue was coastguard's job.

More than 1 in 5 homes in Chinese cities are empty, survey says.

AFRICA

Explosion rocks Nigeria World Cup viewing.

Mass arrest in Nigeria amid fears of growing insurgency.

ICC prosecutor urges support in arresting Darfur suspects.

Al-Shabab claims new deadly attack in Kenya. 'Al Shabaab gunmen' kill 15 in overnight raid on Kenyan coastal villages just 24 hours after killing 50 in nearby Mpeketoni.

Seven million at risk of disease, hunger in South Sudan - UN.

Amnesty urges end to 'reckless shelling' in Libya.

Decay of Libyan state clears desert trail for Africans to Europe.

At least 20 killed in suspected Nigeria Boko Haram attack.

Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak.

Algeria rules out military intervention in Mali.

EUROPE

Putin, Ukraine president discuss possible ceasefire: Kremlin.

Ukrainian forces, rebels clash near Russian border.

Russian troops 'returning to Ukraine border areas' weeks after withdrawing following Western pressure and one day after cutting off gas supply to the country.

Lavrov says West must influence Kiev to implement OSCE road map.

Gas transit pipeline explodes in E. Ukraine.

Ukraine denies using white phosphorus in Slaviansk.

Europe’s swollen gas reserves guard against repeat of ’06 crisis.

UK to re-open Iran embassy says Hague.

AMERICAS

Canada OKs oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast.

Poll: Majority of Cuban Americans support loosening sanctions.

Feds: Armed Mexican troops, police regularly jump border to cross into U.S..

US VP Biden meets Brazil leader Rousseff.

Colombia polls give President Santos 'mandate for peace'.

Argentina vows to service debt despite new legal blow. Argentina: Won't submit to 'extortion' on debt.

American cuts flights to Venezuela 79% on trapped cash.

Deadly US tornadoes strike Nebraska.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. captures Benghazi suspect in secret raid. Captured key Benghazi suspect will face U.S. criminal courts.

Former Guantanamo Bay prisoner among 10 jihadists arrested in Spain: Moroccan man among group suspected of recruiting fighters for ISIS war in Iraq and Syria.

Pentagon prosecutor: Guantánamo detainees in Bergdahl swap couldn’t be successfully prosecuted.

Iraqi Islamists' gains pose challenge to al Qaeda leader.

Spain holds 10 for suspected Jihadist rcruitment.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Apple settles $840m ebook price-fixing case.

NYTIMES: Insider trading rampant on Wall Street.

Rare British Guiana stamp set for New York auction.

Boeing-Lockheed venture eyes alternate rocket engine by 2019.

5 comments:

phill said...

Click the link to see president Hassan Rouhani casually watching soccer in casual clothes.

I think the pic deserves it's own post and a comment from the editor...standing by.

War News Updates Editor said...

Good idea Phil. I will put up a post on this Rouhani pic later tonight .... but only after I have finished watching a tape of today's game between Russia and South Korea. No spoilers please. And no .... I will not be posting a pic of me watching this game.

phill said...

Lol...The thanks .

Sorry is mama well.

War News Updates Editor said...

Thanks for asking about my mother. She may be 88 years old but she is not ready to give up on life. Her broken wrist is healing well but her back pain is killing her. She is now in a physio program, doing weights to gain strength, and looking forward to her Tai Chi classes. She has given up on going to see her sister in Kharkiv (Ukraine) this summer .... not because of the civil war but more because she is not at 100% right now .... but she still wants to go to New York City for a visit this fall, and to Hawaii in January.

My biggest fear right now is that she is going to outlast me.

phill said...

That's good to hear.