13/06/2014 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today with me, Zeinab Badawi.

the country's most senior Shia cleric issues a call to arms to

As insurgents seize more towns, Iraq's most senior Shia cleric calls

We will not be sending US troops act into combat in Iraq, that we are

arranging other options. Ukrainian government forces regain

control of the eastern city of Mariupol

from pro-Russian separatists. Five insurgents were reported

killed and at least four And attention on day two

of the World Cup is turning to the much anticipated repeat of the

2010 final - the reigning champions The final stage in the presidential

election in Afghanistan on Saturday Abdullah Abdullah is

the front-runner. Thousands of civilian volunteers,

mostly Shias are seeking to take up arms against the militants

from the extremist ISIS group - raising the spectre

of all out sectarian war between after taking Fallujah in January

and they've advanced rapidly seizing Mosul and Saddam Hussein's

home town of Tikrit this week. The city of Samarra is surrounded

by ISIS forces and fighting between Shia militias and jihadists

has broken out in Diyala. They are now just 80 miles from the

Iraqi capital in Diyala Province. Our Defence correspondent

Jonathan Beale is in Baghdad. This was the US military

headquarters in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, now taken over

why ISIS. This unverified video shows the Islamist celebrating as

they continued their advance. They are also strengthening their grip on

Mosul, Iraq's second largest city. No sign yet of a government

fightback. It is religious leaders who URL in the charge. Today, a

representative of the most senior Shia Derek spoke out. People need to

volunteer and join the security forces. And in the south of Iraq,

young men have in signing up to fight the militants linked to

Al-Qaeda. And the cost is not just the human misery of refugees fleeing

their homes. It is hard to see how this cycle of the Aryan violence

will end. ISIS propaganda videos worn they will show no mercy. We

have received reports of the execution of Iraqi soldiers during

the capture of Mosul and 17 civilians in one street. In Baghdad

there is some security and order, but people aren't relying on

government forces to protect them. Militias as well are making their

mark. Even though there are soldiers from the Iraqi army, these militia

have arrived. It shows there is little confidence in the government

and they are taking control of the own security. The Iraqi prime

minister faces his toughest challenge yet to keep this fractured

nation together. The US secretary of state John Kerry says that they are

considering all options. American combat troops on the ground has been

ruled out. Frank Gardner has this report.

Life under ISIS. The show of strength by the Sunni group who are

threatening Baghdad. Washington is considering its response. We will

not be sending US troops back into combat in Iraq, but I have asked by

national security team to arrange other options and I will be

reviewing those options in the days ahead. Iraq is no longer home to US

combat troops, but the Pentagon still has a string of military bases

across the region. It also has the use of airfields in nearby

countries. The fighter jets in Bahrain. There are also undermanned

drones that can loiter for hours over a target. They can carry out

reconnaissance of fire missiles. But it is fast jets like these that Iraq

are requesting. If deployed, they could have a big impact on the

militia's advance. There could be a strikes or the movement of drones.

This would be a disaster. The United States would not know who they are

bombing. They will be driving popular alienation which is that you

read of this problem. The dynamic of the war would also change, putting

America on the side of Iraq's Shia dominated government and potentially

making the West a target for ISIS fighters. In other news the

Ukrainian crisis continues. Tell us more about the fighting today in

Mariupol. It is a significant victory for the government forces if

it holds. Mariupol has changed hands several times. The Ukrainian flag

has been raised over several times. The Ukrainian flag

so many setbacks. The Russians have a hold of the eastern parts of

Ukraine. This could be a turning point, but that is not clear. There

is fighting and tension and tension with Russia as well on the

diplomatic front. You said Mariupol is a strategic city. Why is it

important and where does it fit in relation to other significant places

in the pro-Russian separatist areas? Mariupol is a port. It is the

second-largest city in the Donetsk region. As we know, in the capital

the process but is movement began when they took over the main

government building. Mariupol is seen as an important city as it does

revive the base seen as an important city as it does

separatists. Now that the government has taken back control and move

their operations back to marry Paul, it significant that a back to

Mariupol, it is significant. How much difference will this make?

There is a great deal of tension and there is fighting. We are seeing

tensions with Moscow. The Ukrainians are preparing for the Russians

possibly turning the gas off on Monday. That will escalate tensions

between Moscow and Kiev. There is also ongoing tensions between Kiev

and the separatist. Time now for some of the day 's other news. The

US soldier held captive by the Taliban for five years has arrived

back in the US. He is at an army Taliban for five years has arrived

hospital where he will continue his next phase of recovery. Thailand's

military government has lifted the curfew imposed last month, but

political road tests and criticism of the queue remained banned by the

raging. The committee has voted to retain a constitutional clause that

prevents the poet Laureate from becoming president. The mere of

Venice has designed after allegations of corruption.

held with other officials over bribery claims regarding

construction of barriers to protect the city. The second game of the

World Cup has just finished. The defending champions Spain will take

on the Netherlands in just a few hours. Let us go to a man in the

midst of that exciting action, although it looks pretty calm behind

you. Peter is on Copacabana Beach. That must be some hardship.

Camarillo is a strong African team, but they were defeated by Mexico.

That is right. Cameroon used to be one of the biggest African teams,

but in recent years they have not been performing well and in the

run-up to this World Cup they have had their problems. I do think the

scoreline will be much of a surprise to African fans back home. Some more

dodgy officiating situations. Cameroon had two goals ruled

offside, but replays showed they should have stood. Luckily for

Mexico they scored that goal and they did win by 1-0. The party is

starting here at poke about Hannah -- is starting here at poke her --

Copacabana beach. -- is starting here at poke her --

Tension and passion finally released. This World Cup means so

much to the players. The home team were stunned into silence after an

own goal after ten minutes. There were some fine work in midfield that

followed. Brazil were sluggish were some fine work in midfield that

they were awarded a seemingly fortunate penalty. Neymar scored,

just. Croatia felt aggrieved at half-time and Brazil were relieved.

They will be hoping that fortune continues to favour them.

That game ending 3-1 in favour of the host. Thousands of Brazilian

fans packed the stadium in Sao Paulo for that game, but spare a thought

for the thousands more who have come from all over the world. I mean,

Ozil is not a cheap country to come to an full many fans, it is quite a

distance. My colleague has been looking at the cost to attend this

World Cup. tiring and also expensive. The cost

of flights, hotels would put off many, but not the hardened football

fan. Supporters from all over the world had begged, script and

borrowed to get to this World Cup. They have gone online to check the

cheapest hotels and flights and even though it is set to cost on average

$16,000, they simply don't care about the money. Every penny, it is

worth it, we have been planning this trip for two years. We had feared

Arab money and it is definitely worth it. We got everything last

winter, that is when we went online and booked everything up. We checked

now and some of the flights to get to a city three hours away our

$1500, so we are glad we got in early. At the moment, we had snow on

the grounds in New Zealand so coming here, it is wonderful. You cannot

put a price on having a good time. If your team does well, that is just

a bonus. You pay your money to be able to say, I was there.

A few hours ago, I was on the beach and I saw fans from Argentina, from

Spain, from the Netherlands. My colleagues have seen fans from all

over the world here in Brazil as well. Some of them, spending their

life savings to get here. What we are waiting for now is the next

game, it is a repeat of the final from 40 black years ago, the world

champions Spain against Catalans. That game will be remembered for how

rough the Dutch way, but we hope that this time around, we will see

some good for football because both countries do play some beautiful

football. That game is about to kick off in a few minutes. Back now to

the studio in London. The long drawn out presidential

election in Afghanistan reaches its climax on Saturday - a run-off

vote between the two remaining The front-runner Abdullah Abdullah

survived what appeared to be an assassination attempt a week ago,

but there is hope that this election will mark a major milestone in

the stabilisation of Afghanistan. Donkeys under armed guard, this is

how elections look in Afghanistan. Here in the mountainous north-east

of the country, Here in the mountainous north-east

materials are being delivered by any means possible. Not everyone is

happy to have been hired for their job but with rough tracks instead of

tarmac roads, it is the only way people can exercise their democratic

rights. We are working for one year for the whole election in Monday. On

this issue, we are ready to consult these problems and we have good

plans. This may look like a scene from redeemed times but many here

hope these polls will put the country on a firm footing for

generations to come. About a quarter of all provinces in Afghanistan

generations to come. About a quarter relying on donkeys to get allotment

yield to the right places. This problems have hired 300 donkeys and

they are moving under heavily armed escort. The men with guns here as

much to protect against ambush as to reduce the risk of election fraud.

After three decades of war, this is considered one of the superpowers --

safest parts of Afghanistan. In the capital, security is tighter than

ever. Elite police units are on high alert. They are among the 26,000

Afghan security forces alert. They are among the 26,000

city where life is now overshadowed by the very real risk of suicide

attacks. They were out on patrol today in a robust show of force. The

Taliban, threatening to disrupt the second round of this landmark

presidential race. How much more safe is Afghanistan but this round

of elections, compared to the previous round? TRANSLATION: ahead

of the second round of polling, we have had more threat than before

because the weather is warmer and it is the traditional fighting season

for the Taliban. My men are better prepared. The numbers of checkpoints

have rapidly increased. Weapons, grenades and a suicide vests seized

have rapidly increased. Weapons, night. Afghanistan's security forces

are under orders to deliver a safe presidential race. The world is

hungry for a successful story of transition.

Older people should be encouraged to stay in work longer to boost

their own pensions and to help the economy, according to new guidelines

The number of older workers will increase substantially

in the next decade, and the Pensions Minister says they're an untapped

There is a sea change on their way in the workforce. In the coming

decade, there will be 3.7 million more people between 50 and the state

pension age. Many will be either employed or looking for work, a huge

rise with big indications. We are moving to a world where retiring

early with a big pension is something of the past so we will

need to work longer but it is in business's benefit to retain

productive workers. More of us are living longer, healthier lives but

the government knows that this potentially a bigger burden on the

state in terms of pensions and benefits. It wants as many of us as

possible to expand our working lives too. That includes getting people

back into work. At this job centre in Birmingham, they are piloting

killer provision for job-seekers as those who lose their jobs in their

50s and 60s tend to be an android longer. I have an adviser who looks

after the over 50s and I find that beneficial because I have built a

relationship with her and she understands my needs. There is a job

out there for me, it is just getting to it first, there are so many going

for it. I do get the feeling that when I apply for a job, the look of

my age and thing, he is good for another three for years. To help

encourage more of this, companies who value more advanced stuff, the

government plans to appoint an older workers Champion and firms will be

encouraged to allow flexible working, allowing staff to change

work patterns or find alternative roles but some warn that working

longer will not be suitable for all. Working longer is fine for people

with is a genuine choice and where they are physically and mentally

able but people should not be forced to carry on working simply because

they cannot afford to retire. Working in our 60s and beyond looks

set to become the new norm but that will create challenges when

businesses, workers and the government like.

More now on the developments today in Iraq that we have been reporting

on. The advance by jihadists fighters from the ISIS cine

extremist group are now about 80 miles outside Baghdad and today

there have been clashes between them and Shia fighters. I have been

joined by a professor of international relations at the

London School of economic. Iraq already is in all other sectarian

war, isn't it? The truth is, nobody talks about it. ISIS will not have

done as well as it has by exploiting the sectarian side. Three years ago,

ISIS was basically dying, on the verge of collapse. Now, there are is

a surge. This is because of a deep sectarian fault line has emerged.

The minority community that feels marginalised and excluded, and the

Prime Minister who is accused of being a sectarian lead Prime

Minister. A lot of finger-pointing at Newry malarkey, is there any

possibility that he may just remove himself, seeing to be in the best

interests of the unity of the government? One would hope so, he

has been in power for too long. This is a personal defeat for him. A huge

defeat. He made the fight against ISIS and he's betrayed himself as

the one and only leader. It was under his watch that ISIS has

surged. Under his watch that deep sectarian fault lines have emerged.

It is his personal failure will stop he has mismanaged the economy and

political system on it is broken. Do you think people behind the scenes

like the Americans will quietly put pressure on him to do that,

step-down? Absolutely. The Americans, they are sending messages

differently, they did not even tell President Mubarak to go in Egypt.

One development that might come out of this particular dark moment in

Iraq's history is for the political past to rise up and to find an

inclusive government, new leadership. What about the

mainstream Sunni Arabs, not the Kurds who are obviously sunny but

they are not Arab. Who do they dislike more, ISIS, these extreme

jihadists to go around executing people, or this year led government?

Where are the cine Arab moderates now? They are pressed between the

Iraq of ISIS and a significant segment of cine opinion. That is

deeply polarised and feels marginalised and excluded. The

policies of the Prime Minister did not count. Some tribal leaders,

members of Parliament who basically call on the Americans and said in a

public conference and asked the Americans to come back. This tells

you how desperate they are. ISIS is a very tiny fringe group, it would

not have done as well but the support of the community. We have

seen them cheering ISIS in other places despite the fact they are

still extremist. We know what they are going to do, they did it in

2003. The likelihood of the militias coming out and being armed again? It

was suggested to being a peace brigade rather than a militia. The

aunt -- the most important element is to come and fight ISIS and the

extremists. But for now from me

and the rest of the team, goodbye. There will be some reasonable

weather around for most of us. Generally