Islamist fighters vow to capture Baghdad

Sunni militants seek to 'settle old scores' with Shiite prime minister

Venezuela orders arrests of alleged coup conspirators

Venezuela's attorney general ordered the arrests on Wednesday of three government opponents wanted for questioning over an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. The men include a former presidential candidate and a former state oil company executive.

Blackwater guards on trial for 2007 shootings

Four former employees of the Blackwater security firm went on trial in the US capital on Wednesday, seven years after allegedly killing at least 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad.

S. Korea steps up search for ferry owner

Thousands of South Korean police and prosecutors raided a sprawling religious compound for a second time on Wednesday in their search for an elderly businessman linked to a ferry disaster that reduced the nation to tears.

Japan, Australia eye sub deal, closer defense ties

Japan and Australia intend to move ahead this week with plans to develop stealth submarine technology, as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushes to give his country a more assertive global military role.

Study: Red meat possibly linked to breast cancer

Women who often indulge their cravings for hamburgers, steaks and other red meat may have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Poppy crop is seen as threat to progress in Afghanistan

Afghans are growing more opium poppies than ever before and it is threatening to wipe out gains made to help the impoverished country improve health, education and governance, the US watchdog for spending in Afghanistan said on Tuesday.

FM: Iraq facing 'mortal threat' from militants

The fall of the major northern Iraqi city of Mosul to insurgents must push the country's leaders to work together and deal with the "mortal threat" facing Iraq, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Syria pledges support against terrorism

The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday it is willing to help Baghdad in the fight against "terrorism", a day after jihadi fighters overran Iraq's second-largest city Mosul.

Brazilian leader backs spending on World Cup

Brazil's president took to the prime-time airwaves on Tuesday night to deliver a prerecorded speech in which she tried to rally the nation behind the World Cup, an event that has stoked countless protests from those angered by the billions spent on it.

Israeli parliament chooses veteran hard-liner as president

Israel's parliament has chosen Reuven Rivlin, a veteran nationalist politician and supporter of the Jewish settlement movement, as the country's next president, putting a man opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state into the ceremonial but influential post.

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