Wednesday, June 18, 2014

World News Briefs -- June 18, 2014



Crude Oil Pushes Toward $107 As Iraq’s Biggest Oil Refinery Attacked -- Market Watch

Militants may have 75% control of the oil facility

MADRID (MarketWatch)—Crude-oil prices pushed higher on Wednesday, rising to nearly $107 a barrel before pulling back after news that militants in Iraq attacked the country's biggest oil refinery and may have it largely under their control.

Citing an official at the refinery, Reuters reported Sunni militants have 75% of the biggest oil refinery in Baiji under their control in an attack that came overnight. A British security company helped get Western workers out of the refinery just ahead of it. Meanwhile, CNN reported militants have made big advances towards Baquba, which is less than 40 miles north of Baghdad.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq: Militants attack oil refinery as PM says Baghdad is 'striking back'. Army, insurgents battle for Iraq's largest oil refinery. Iraq says its forces repel insurgent attack on Baiji oil refinery.

Iran vows to defend Iraq Shi'ite sites; insurgents battle for refinery.

Iraqi Kurds battle Sunni fighters in Kirkuk.

Forty Indian construction workers kidnapped in Iraq.

US focus shifting away from airstrikes in Iraq, officials say.

Saudi Arabia warns of civil war in Iraq, opposes foreign intervention.

Syria bombing kills 20 in refugee camp near Jordan border: activists.

Syria conflict: Toxic chemicals 'used systematically' in attacks.

Iran digs in heels on nuclear centrifuges at Vienna talks: envoys.

Turkey 1980 coup leaders sentenced to life in prison.

Israel holds ex-Palestinian prisoners in teenagers hunt.

ASIA

Citing fraud, Afghan candidate calls for end to vote count.

China says told Vietnam to stop 'hyping up' South China Sea oil rig row.

Premier Li says no hard landing for China, expects medium to high growth.

World Bank economist: China may face US-style financial crisis.

Cambodia blames Thailand as 220,000 migrant labourers cross border.

Dozens missing after boat sinks off Malaysia.

Russia’s Gazprom signs 3.5-million-ton LNG supply deal with India's GAIL.

AFRICA

Nigerian bomb attack kills 14 people watching World Cup. Blast at Nigerian soccer viewing center kills men, young boys.

Kenya arrests over coast attacks.

Kenya tourist trade wrecked by terror fears: Numbers plummet after extremist groups warn visitors to the country 'do so at their own peril'.

Kenya's main airport in Nairobi closed due to body on runway.

Libya says fuel smuggling to Malta increasing.

Pentagon: Libya was notified of Benghazi suspect capture, declines to say when.

South Sudan’s UN mission gets new commander.

EUROPE

Ukraine's Poroshenko sets out ceasefire plan after call with Putin. Ukrainian president to order unilateral truce. Ukraine's Poroshenko 'to order unilateral ceasefire'.

UN: 356 killed, incl 257 civilians, in E. Ukraine military campaign.

Lugansk self-defense, Kiev military exchange dead fighters.

Ukrainian President moves to oust Central Bank chief.

Ukrainian gas pipeline blast caused by explosive device – Ukrainian Interior Minister.

Martial law in eastern Ukraine may lead to further violence – Lavrov.

Bosnian tax, customs officials detained over $1 billion scam.

Britain is an old, declining empire, says official Chinese newspaper.

Spanish king and queen to retain titles and immunity after abdication.

AMERICAS

Poll: 37 percent support Obama foreign policy.

As U.S. inflation climbs, all eyes on Yellen.

1st US executions since botched lethal injection.

Mexico's rural landowners pose threat to foreign energy investors.

IMF in warning over Argentina ruling at US Supreme Court.

Northern Gateway pipeline in Canada approved.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Drone attack reported in Pakistan's northwest.

Benghazi attack suspect captured by American team, en route to US. Benghazi suspect won’t be sent to Gitmo. U.S. to U.N.: Benghazi suspect was planning more attacks on Americans.

Afghan President Karzai dismisses 'al-Qaeda comeback'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Exxon carries out major evacuation from Iraq: Oil official.

YouTube to block indie labels as it launches paid music service.

Amazon expected to unveil 3D smartphone to court mobile shoppers.

Rare stamp sells for $9.5 million.

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