News Archive - 23 June 2014

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian police have arrested three people who appeared in an online video of young men and women singing and dancing in support of the country's World Cup football team, the official IRNA news agency reported Monday.

In the 1982 World Cup in Spain, West Germany and Austria played a game that changed the tournament forever. The German-speaking countries have been accused of colluding in a final group game so they both would advance to the next round at the expense of Algeria.

Kurdish Iraqi Peshmerga forces deploy their troops and armored vehicles on the outskirts of Kirkuk, Iraq. Close Kurdish Iraqi Peshmerga forces deploy their troops and armored vehicles on the outskirts of Kirkuk, Iraq.

Australia's soccer squad should be strengthened by a talented trio for the Asian Cup on home soil in January.

Lionel Messi's last-minute wonder goal may have broken Iranian hearts, but it sparked jubiliant scenes in his native Argentina and and turned one radio commentator into an online sensation.

Clint Dempsey scored in the first minute and rookie substitute John Brooks scored a late game winner as the U.S. defeated Ghana 2-1 Monday in the World Cup opener for both.

The number and quality of goals in this year's World Cup is remarkable bordering on incredible, and there have been plenty of theories as to why. The simplest may be the coolest: the mighty Brazuca.

The market is set to get back on track even as whispers continue on how the government will deal with ‘bitter medicines’ it plans to administer to get the economy moving.

Three former British ambassadors are backing a campaign calling for Tony Blair to be sacked as international envoy to the Middle East after his attempts to "absolve himself" of responsibility for the crisis in Iraq.

Vietnam's Ministry of Health will require all passengers entering Vietnam from nine Middle East countries to fill in a medical declaration form at airports from July 1.

>BAGHDAD (Reuters) - In eight years in power, Iraq's prime minister Nuri al-Maliki has never faced such a threat. Swathes of his country have fallen to Sunni insurgents. Rivals are seeking his downfall. Foreign sponsors in Washington and Tehran are wary or worse. Even friends are openly contemplating his demise.

>"The president spoke to President Putin and once again urged him to support peace instead of allowing the provision of arms and materiel across the border and continuing support for militants and separatists who are further destabilizing the situation in Ukraine," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters."Russia will...

>BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday promised "intense and sustained" U.S. support for Iraq, but said the divided country would only survive if its leaders took urgent steps to bring it together. Hours before Kerry arrived in Baghdad, Sunni tribes who have joined a militant...

Top of Group F after two scrappy wins, Argentina will stay there if it gets at least a point against Nigeria in Thursday's final game.

Spain, England, Cameroon, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Australia have all been eliminated from the 2014 World Cup, but before each of those teams can return home to empty airports, 90 minutes of "meaningless" work are required. For one more match, Xavi Hernandez sang the anthem of Spain at the World Cup. Steven...

Bosnia-Herzegovina star Vedad Ibisevic has suggested that some players are more responsible than others for their FIFA World Cup failure.

OPERATOR: Excuse me everyone. We now have all of our speakers in conference. Please be aware that each of your lines are in listen-only mode. At the conclusion of today's presentation, we will open the floor for questions.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- FIFA has picked Nestor Pitana of Argentina to referee Switzerland's final Group E game against Honduras on Wednesday.

ISSUE: While plenty of reason to feel cynical about politics, voting... RIO DE JANEIRO - FIFA has picked Nestor Pitana of Argentina to referee Switzerland's final Group E game against Honduras on Wednesday.

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Diego Maradona has described Argentina's Football Association president as "perverted," stepping up his feud with Julio Grondona.

Stephen Walt is a foreign-policy analyst best known for writing a conspiratorial book about how the Israel lobby has manipulated American foreign policy for its own benefit.

>BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Iraq's prime minister in Baghdad on Monday to push for more inclusive leadership, as Nuri al-Maliki's forces abandoned the border with Jordan, leaving the entire Western frontier beyond government control. Sunni tribes took the Turaibil desert border crossing, the...

>DUBAI (Reuters) - Strong performances from Iran's volleyball and soccer teams have helped restore national pride following decades of isolation but the joy was tempered by a decision to bar women from attending one event in Tehran. "We showed the world that despite all the pressures, Iran's national team has...

>Dealers, however, said the rupee could be under pressure if the United States takes any action against Sri Lanka for importing Iranian crude via third parties, as Sri Lanka's government spokesman says it has done.The rupee ended little changed at 130.25/30 per dollar compared with Friday's close of...

>China, Tehran's largest oil client, has since late 2013 been stepping up purchases from the OPEC country after a landmark November nuclear deal eased some sanctions on Iran, making up the main portion of Asia's higher imports since then. Asian buyers are expected to import about 1.25 million-1.3...

>SALVADOR Brazil (Reuters) - With a solitary 1998 World Cup win to their name, another for Iran against Bosnia on Wednesday would alone be cause for big celebration, but with an improbable last 16 spot also up for grabs the party could really be one to remember. Iran arrive in...