Syrian government forces today recaptured the strategic town of Kasab, near the only border crossing with Turkey in northwestern province of Latakia, state television reported.
	"Units from the army are reestablishing security in the province of Latakia after killing a large number of terrorists and destroying their weapons," the television said, referring to rebels who had been in control of the town for more than two months.
	Kasab, an Armenian town, is strategically important because it is located near the only border crossing with Turkey in sensitive Latakia province, the heartland of the Alawite sect from which Assad hails.
	Rebel fighters including members of Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front withdrew from the town yesterday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, leaving only a small number of men behind.
	As they pulled back, Assad's troops backed by other pro-regime groups, among them Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah, had advanced on the village of Nabaein near to ..

Syria govt retakes strategic town on Turkey border: state TV

PTI Automatic

Ukrainian security services are holding two Russian television journalists working for a defence ministry outlet after they were detained at a government checkpoint leaving the conflict-hit east of the country, the channel said today.
	The journalists from Russia's Zvezda, or Star channel -- Nikita Konashenkov and Yevgeny Davydov -- were detained yesterday by Ukraine's National Guard as they headed to the airport after covering the fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian rebels.
	"The management of the channel appeals to Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko to release (them)," the military broadcaster said in a statement.
	The call followed a statement from Russia's foreign ministry late yesterday slamming Ukraine for "egregiously trampling on the rights of the Russian media."
	Two other journalists from the same channel were released from Ukrainian custody on Monday after being held for several days on suspicion of collecting intelligence about ...

Ukraine holding two Russian state journalists: TV channel

Former UN and Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said today the unrest sweeping Iraq stemmed from the international community's negligence of the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
	Jihadist-led militants launched a lightning offensive on Monday, advancing to within 80 kilometres of Baghdad's city limits and bringing Iraq's security forces to the brink of collapse.
	Brahimi said that the international community's inaction on the conflict in Syria had precipitated the crisis in Iraq.
	"It is a well known rule: a conflict of this kind (in Syria) cannot stay confined within the borders of one country," Brahimi told AFP.
	The international community "unfortunately neglected the Syrian problem and did not help to resolve it. This is the result," said Brahimi, who resigned from his post as UN-Arab League representative to Syria in May.
	The Algerian statesman briefly served as UN special envoy for Iraq in 2004, following the US-led invasion that toppled the regime of executed dictator .

Brahimi says world neglect of Syria behind Iraq unrest

Mortar rounds today smashed into a central Iraq recruitment centre for civilians volunteering to fight a militant offensive, killing six people, police and a doctor said.
	Three soldiers were among the dead in the attack in the town of Khales, north of the Diyala provincial capital Baquba, the sources said.
	Faced with a militant offensive sweeping south toward Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced the Iraqi government would arm and equip civilians who volunteer to fight, and thousands have signed up.
	And on Friday, influential Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a call to arms for people to fight "terrorists," a move that will boost recruitment.
	Security forces performed poorly faced with the offensive, which began on Monday and has been spearheaded by jihadists but also includes supporters of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
	They appear to be recovering from the initial shock of the onslaught, and have pushed back, recovering some areas north of the ...

6 killed as Iraq civilian volunteer centre shelled

Iran warned today that "any foreign military intervention in Iraq" would only complicate the crisis, after the US said it was deploying a warship in the Gulf.
	"Iraq has the capacity and necessary preparations for the fight against terrorism and extremism," foreign ministry spokesman Marzieh Afkham was today quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
	"Any action that complicates the situation in Iraq is not in the interests of the country nor of the region," Afkham said, adding, "The people and government of Iraq will be able to neutralise this conspiracy."
	Iraq is battling an offensive by Sunni militants who have advanced to within 80 kilometres of Baghdad's city limits after seizing a swathe of the country's north.
	Responding to the crisis, the Pentagon said yesterday the United States had ordered an aircraft carrier, the USS George HW Bush, into the Gulf.
	Afkham's comments come a day after President Hassan Rouhani said he believed the Iraqis have the capacity to "repel ...

Iran warns against military intervention in Iraq

Thailand's military is bolstering its self-designated role as protector of the monarchy with increased "cyber patrols" to root out critics of the king following last month's coup.
	The junta has clamped down on any opposition to its overthrow of an elected government, with a crackdown on perceived slurs against the royals at the heart of its online surveillance operations.
	"Lese majeste is our priority," Police Major General Phisit Pao-in, head of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, told AFP.
	Twenty police officials were recently sent to reinforce Phisit's cyber patrol team of 15 civil servants, who trawl the Internet for royal insults.
	"Since the coup, we were asked to intensify our surveillance and to focus on threats to national security," said Phisit.
	Under controversial lese majeste rules, anyone convicted of insulting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.
	Phisit said his team wanted to talk to suspects to ...

Thai cyber police step up royal slur patrols

Japan's government is readying to unfetter its huge public pension fund, freeing managers to dump low-yield sovereign bonds and go in search of higher, but riskier returns, in a move that could see cash flood global markets.
	The nation's pension programme, into which almost all citizens pay, is supported by the world's largest investment fund, worth a staggering USD 1.26 trillion equivalent to one-quarter of the country's entire economy.
	It towers over its nearest competitor, the USD 700 billion belonging to Norway -- and is multiples of the USD 173 billion holdings of Temasek, the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund.
	But, unlike some other more adventurous vehicles, the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) keeps by far the majority of its cash in super-safe -- and super low return -- Japanese government bonds.
	Now all that could be about to change, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shuffles into place the next piece of his "Abenomics" jigsaw puzzle.
	The bid to shake up Japan's ...

Japan readies to unshackle huge pension fund

Japan and North Korea are preparing to hold fresh talks after Pyongyang's surprise pledge to probe the Cold War kidnappings of Japanese nationals, a report said today.
	Japan's Kyodo news agency said the two sides may meet again late this month, after Japan said on May 29 that it would ease sanctions against North Korea if the secretive state delivers on a pledge to reinvestigate the cases of Japanese citizens snatched in the 1970s and 1980s to train spies.
	The announcement, after three days of talks between the two sides in Sweden, marked a major breakthrough in their very strained relationship and the most positive engagement between Pyongyang and the outside world in many months.
	North Korea admitted in 2002 that it had kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens to train its spies in Japanese language and customs. The subject is highly charged in Japan, where there are suspicions that dozens or perhaps even hundreds of others were taken.
	Citing Japanese government sources, Kyodo said both ..

Japan, N Korea to hold talks after kidnap breakthrough: report

Germany kick-off their World Cup campaign tomorrow aiming to continue their domination of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal at recent major tournaments.
     The Germans enjoyed wins over Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, plus both of the last two European championships and want to get their Group G campaign off to a flying start with a fourth consecutive win.
     The Salvador clash is a re-run of Portugal's Euro 2012 opener against Germany, when they went down 1-0 to a second-half Mario Gomez goal.
     The pre-match build-up in Salvador has focused on whether or not Ronaldo will be fit to play at the Arena Fonte Nova after a knee and thigh injury.
     The 29-year-old took a full part in Portugal's training session on Saturday with team-mates William Carvalho and goalkeeper Eduardo both saying he will play.
     Eduardo insists the Portugal squad are highly motivated to erase memories of a "disastrous" 2010 campaign which ended in the last 16 at the hands of eventual winners Spain.
     ..

Germany aim to keep stranglehold on Ronaldo's Portugal

Press Trust of India

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insisted that goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas must not shoulder all the blame for the World Cup holders' 5-1 thrashing by the Netherlands.
     The 33-year-old Casillas made a public apology after the humiliating defeat on Friday night in Spain's first game at the tournament. Del Bosque said the whole team must be held to account however.
     "If a team loses it's not down to the performance of a single player," said Del Bosque when asked if he would drop Casillas for Wednesday's crucial Group B game against Chile at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
     "Defeats happen as a result of weaknesses in the entire squad, but least of all because of the performance of Iker Casillas," added the normally low-key Del Bosque.
     The Dutch claimed emphatic revenge in Salvador for their defeat to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa. Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both struck twice. Van Persie scored one of the best World Cup goals ...

Casillas must not be World Cup scapegoat - Del Bosque

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli hit out at the World Cup organisers after seeing his side overcome England 2-1 amid stifling, humid conditions in Manaus in their opening game.
     The temperature at kick-off in the Amazon rainforest city was 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), with humidity in excess of 60 percent, but because the temperature did not rise about 32 degrees Celsius, referee Bjorn Kuipers was unable to call for any breaks yesterday.
     While the game was initially played at a high tempo, both sides appeared to struggle physically towards the end, with several England players cramping up, and Prandelli felt that it was an unacceptable state of affairs.
     "It's truly absurd we cannot consider a time-out," he told a press conference at the Amazonia Arena after Saturday's game.
     "Luckily the referee intervened every now and again, but it's absurd. If we want entertainment, we need to enable the players to give great performances."
     For all his anger over ..

Prandelli blasts 'absurd' lack of time-outs

An 800-strong caravan of strangers in cars, vans and trucks drawn together by Facebook has wound its intrepid way through snow blizzards in the Andes to get to Brazil to follow Chile at the World Cup.
     After a 4,500 kilometre (2,800 mile) trek, the red white and blue-bedecked convoy headed first for Cuiaba, venue for Chile's first game against Australia on Friday.
     Setting up base in a giant camp outside the city, the 3,200 supporters were rewarded for their pioneering spirit with the Alexis Sanchez-inspired 3-1 defeat of the Socceroos.
     The 'chilenos' painted Cuiaba red after the win, then began packing up and checking fuel levels and tyre pressures for the long drive to Rio de Janeiro, and Wednesday's date with Spain, the wounded world champions reeling from a 5-1 mauling by Holland.
     Chile's second goal was scored by Jorge Valdivia, whose brother is taking part in the World Cup odyssey.
     "I was surprised when he told me he was joining the group with my nephew ...

Chile's World Cup caravan heads for Rio

Spain defender Sergio Ramos claimed the world champions will recover from the historic 5-1 rout they suffered at the hands of the Netherlands,

Defiant Ramos backs humiliated Spain to rise again

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi believes getting the better of his opposite number Carlos Queiroz will be the biggest challenge for his side as they take on Iran in their World Cup opener tomorrow.
     The Super Eagles have taken just two points from six matches in their last two appearances at the World Cup, but have higher hopes this time around after winning the African Nations' Cup last year.
     "I think their coach is their biggest weapon, because he's well experienced, he knows the game well," Keshi told FIFA.Com
     "For the Iran game we have to be focused. We have to concentrate and do our job. We're not going to take Iran lightly because they're not going to take us lightly, so we have to go out with everything that we have.
     "They have a very good coach and I'm sure they also have some quality players. We don't know Iran very well, but we'll see them on Monday."
     Nigeria's campaign will be spearheaded by Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, whilst 

Nigerian boss wary of Queiroz experience

England manager Roy Hodgson defended Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United striker was unable to prevent his team from losing 2-1 to Italy in their opening World Cup match.
     Rooney began yesterday's game in Manaus on the left flank to accommodate Raheem Sterling, and although he teed up Daniel Sturridge for England's equaliser, he occasionally left left-back Leighton Baines exposed.
     The 28-year-old also endured a frustrating night in front of goal, notably lashing one chance wide as England chased the game in the second half. Hodgson however said that he had performed admirably.
     "We wanted to get Raheem Sterling around (Andrea) Pirlo because of his agility and that meant moving Wayne Rooney, and I thought he did well," Hodgson said after the Group D encounter at a humid Amazonia Arena.
     "He set up the goal for us and worked hard, and did well when we moved him into the centre.
     "There's always going to be one player with a big debate around him, but I think ...

Hodgson shields Rooney after opening defeat

Diego Maradona got lost trying to find his seat at the opening game of the World Cup and had to be rescued from a swarm of Brazil fans.
     Newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said the Argentine football great had trouble finding his way around Corinthians Arena at Thursday's kick-off match and was surrounded by a crowd of Brazilians there to cheer on their team -- Argentina's arch-rival -- against Croatia.
     He was extracted from the crowd by an employee of the construction company that built the metal structure for the stadium's roof, said the daily.
     She took him to her VIP box, where Maradona settled in alongside the locals.
     Asked who he was rooting for, the 1986 World Cup champion replied: "Brazil, of course!"
     But when the hosts opened the match with an own goal, the Brazilians in the box moved away, Folha said.
     "Guys, he's a jinx. I'm staying away," said one.
     True to his word, Maradona applauded for Brazil's goals -- but "without much euphoria," Folha ...

Brazil fans swarm Diego Maradona at World Cup

A lawmaker's car crashed into a transport van in northern Haiti, killing 13 people and injuring 10.
	A two-month old infant and his mother, who had been sitting near the front of one of the vehicles, were among those killed in Pont Sonde, police officer Sem Calixte said. About 30 people had been sitting in the van.
	The member of the Chamber of Deputies, who was not named by police, suffered a chest injury and was hospitalized.
	"It's a terrible accident," Calixte said.
	Court official Thielot Catilus said "many people were seriously injured," and at least 10 people were taken by ambulance to hospital.

Road accident leaves 13 dead, 10 injured in Haiti

Malaysia's navy has fought off a pirate attack on a tanker off its east coast in the South China Sea, the International Maritime Bureau said today.
	The Malaysian force was assisted by the Indonesian and Singaporean navies in fending off the attack late yesterday, said Noel Choong, head of the IMB's Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Centre.
	The pirates fled the Singapore-managed tanker after navy patrol boats arrived before they could loot the vessel, the international body said.
	"The Malaysian navy quickly dispatched a patrol boat and managed to intercept the tanker. Pirates managed to escape before the arrival of the naval boat," the IMB said in a report.
	It added that the crew and cargo were safe, but gave no further details about the tanker or the pirates.
	There has been a spate of pirate attacks recently in waters off Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
	The United Nations warned on Thursday that Southeast Asia has become the world's piracy hotspot, after an international ...

Malaysian navy foils pirate attack in South China Sea

Daniel Hirata walked down the street in Sao Paulo's Japanese district wearing a Japan football jersey, but in the World Cup there is no question where his allegiance lies: Brazil.
     Hirata, the 35-year-old son of Japanese migrants, said he was born in Brazil and would root for his beloved Selecao if they face off with the Blue Samurai in the tournament.
     "But if Japan beat Brazil, I wouldn't be sad," said the kung fu academy manager.
     Hirata and other Japanese-Brazilians do not have to worry about such a matchup for now as the two teams are not in the same group and do not risk crossing paths until at least the quarter-finals.
     So on Saturday night, they can put on their blue jerseys and cheer Japan on as they play their first game of the World Cup against Ivory Coast in the northeastern city of Recife.
     Brazil is home to the world's largest Japanese community outside Japan, with some 1.8 million people of Japanese descent. About 60 percent live in Sao Paulo state.
 

In World Cup allegiances, Japanese-Brazilians face dilemma

Brazilian prostitutes and a Christian evangelical group played a football match in World Cup host city Belo Horizonte, taking over a central street to raise awareness about sex workers' rights.
     Gathering just after Colombia played Greece in the southeastern city, the women set up an impromptu pitch using traffic cones for goalposts and played to the enthusiastic cheers of onlookers.
     The prostitutes, calling themselves the Naked Football Club -- though in fact they played in the green and yellow uniforms of Brazil -- teamed up with the visiting evangelicals from the United States to take on a local university team in a match with a message.
     "Rights must be the same for everyone. We're no different from anyone else just because we're sex workers," player Patricia Bonges told AFP.
     "We are finally breaking that prejudice and stigma."
     Her American teammate Jenny Jack said the game was about showing that "you just love people, you don't judge, you don't change ...

Prostitutes play match on World Cup sidelines

Germany's Lukas Podolski has jumped to the defence of his under-fire Arsenal team-mate Mesut Ozil ahead of their opening World Cup match against Portugal on Monday.
     Ozil has suffered from a drop in form this season and ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack has criticised him by saying he has looked "lost" on occasion since joining Arsenal from Real Madrid.
     Joachim Loew is set to name Ozil up front on Monday, replacing him in Germany's attacking midfield role with Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos.
     And Podolski says the German media should get off Ozil's back.
     "Mesut has the quality. He is a world-class player and will bring us plenty of joy in the shirt," Podolski said at Germany's World Cup camp.
     "You shouldn't write him off, just let the boy play football. He is just the way he is."
     Germany are amongst the favourites to win the World Cup, but Podolski says Spain's shock 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Friday served as a warning to other top sides.
     "We're ...

AFP

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