13/06/2014 BBC World News

Hello. I'm Sally Bundock with BBC World News. Our top stories:

The UN confirms that Islamist insurgents in Iraq have carried out

summary executions of civilians and Iraqi soldiers.

The football World Cup gets underway in Brazil,

as the home side gets off to a winning start in the opening match.

Thailand's military ruler announces ambitious plans to boost

And the self-styled hubcap artist - we take a look at sculptures made

Within the last hour, disturbing details have been emerging

of the human impact of the rapid Islamist militant advance in Iraq.

The United Nations human rights commission says the number

of summary executions after ISIS overran the city

The militants have taken the cities of Mosul

And the latest reports suggest they seized two more towns overnight

The insurgents have threatened to march on to the capital, Baghdad

and regions further south dominated by Iraq's Shia Muslim majority,

Now, UN human rights spokesman Robert Colville says he's received

reports of the execution of 17 civilians working

The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva and told me what she's been hearing

Well, what the UN human rights office has just told us in Geneva is

that they have verified reports, you know there is the United Nations

Assistance Programme In Iraq, so they have people there, various

reports that civilians have been executed, apparently by Islamist

militants. Just two days ago in Mosul, the Islamist 's overran the

town. 17 civilians, in one street. That is a verified report. They were

apparently working with the Iraqi police. In another incident, 12

members of the security forces also, it seems, executed by Islamist

militants. The many checkpoints that have been set up in and around

Mosul, by the Islamic militant group there, they seem to be being used to

identify, detain anyone connected with the Iraqi government. It

interesting that you say that, because our correspondence in Erbil

say that some people are returning to Mosul because they feel it is

safer than it was. I noticed they were saying that government forces

have also committed excesses as well? That's right, during the

battle for Mosul, which appears to be over for the time being, the UN

believes that Iraqi forces were indiscriminately shelling areas

where civilians were living and that many people died as a result of

that. That in total, hundreds of people have been killed in the last

few days in this fighting. It's true, there are some reports that

some people, not that many, are returning to Mosul because

apparently the electricity and water is back on. If you have nowhere to

go, no water, as we head in that report, you can't afford to buy a

bottle of water, perhaps he will return home. But I would not

underestimate the death of concern of the UN human rights monitors

about the events that have been taking place in Mosul. Imogen

Foulkes in Geneva. With the last few moments, reports from Iraq say the

most senior Shi'ite cleric has urged people to take up arms and defend

their country. So, this situation is escalating now, moment by moment. We

are hearing different elements from different sides of this? Indeed, the

situation is escalating and expected to escalate. I was always saying,

over the past couple of days, the incident, although it is a huge and

significant incident, what is much more significant, in my opinion, is

how this will grow, the implication of it. On the inside of Iraq we have

seen mobilisation. This cleric is calling for mobilisation. On the

other side, the Sunni tribes and militants have aligned with ISIS,

which has created a sort of mess. Kurdish militants are advancing to

secure places where Iraqi forces left behind. There could be

publications in Syria, Turkey and neighbouring countries as well.

Everybody is watching Baghdad now. It would seem that the insurgents

are heading in that direction. Yet, the Iraqi government have been

speaking to the press and saying, we have a plan to defend the capital.

What are you hearing about Baghdad? Indeed, there is anxiety amongst

people in Baghdad. They are expecting clashes. It is because

Baghdad will become an open clash between both parties if it happens.

I doubt if ISIS will launch a major attack on Baghdad. Talking about

their strategic games, in terms of conventional attacks, it would

benefit them more than a conventional attack. The major

gain, they are up to, and I'm talking about ISIS, it is to shake

the confidence of people in government. They will threaten to

attack Baghdad, but I doubt they will put themselves in the middle of

Baghdad, under the fire of the Army. The events this week have

highlighted that the government has major weaknesses in areas. What do

you think the future will hold? Are we looking at a split Iraq? This is

a very important question. We have not seen any calls for separatism,

if you like, even ISIS. They are saying to the Sunnis, this is our

country, we should take over it as United. Nobody is putting it on the

table, the enclaves, so far. The open clashes are however expected in

Iraq. Thanks for coming from our BBC Arabic service, with your specialist

experience. Let's move onto one of the other big events of the 24

hours. Brazilians have been celebrating

after making a winning start Several hundred million people

around the world are thought to have Croatia took the early lead,

when a cross was turned in by Brazil's star player Neymar

responded, with a low, sweeping effort from twenty-five metres that

just evaded the goalkeeper. A controversial goal turned

the game, when Brazil were awarded a penalty

after Fred tumbled in the box. Neymar just beat

the keeper to give Brazil the lead. And, in stoppage time,

it was Oscar who finished And despite earlier unrest,

by kick-off time the streets were largely deserted,

as most Brazilians stopped to watch These children in the Mangueira

slum, in Rio de Janeiro, were dressed in the national colours

as they followed the game Each day of the World Cup,

we'll present a striking image from the tournament, here on BBC World

News and also online at bbc.com. And how's this for dedication to

your favourite football team? A Dutch fan has driven

his 50 year-old pick-up truck from San Francisco

in the US to north-eastern Brazil. But there's just one problem -

he doesn't have a ticket. BBC Brasil's Julio Gomes

has been speaking to him. My name is Ben, coming all the way

from San Francisco. I travelled over 20,000 kilometres with old nearly.

Here I am, in Bahia, Brazil. Beautiful. I made it out here for

one reason, one reason only. Hopefully, the Dutch, one day, will

win the World Cup. Right, let me see if she wants to start today. Like

clockwork. 1955. 1955. 60 years old. When I left San Francisco, I said

goodbye to my friends and family. I drove south towards the Mexican

border. A lot of people say, like... A lot of people say,

Benard, you're crazy. You won't even make Mexico with nearly. I said, OK,

we'll see. I'm going to go and see Holland play Spain. It's almost like

sweet revenge for the World Cup in South Africa. I don't feel sad that

I don't have tickets. I made it, I'm in Bahia a mine where I wanted to

be. I agree, you have to be a little crazy. Otherwise you would not do

stuff like this. Lets hope he gets a ticket! Let's

remind you that a repeat of the last World Cup final, between Spain and

the Netherlands, that gets the second day of the World Cup under

way. That kick-off is at 1900 GMT. We are in GMT, for the international

audience. Now, the military ruler of Thailand,

Prayuth Chan-ocha, has announced ambitious plans to boost the

economy. The general, who seized power

in a coup last month, says he'll cut the cost of living

and re-think farming subsidies. He's also promised to appoint

an interim government within the next three months.

Jonathan Head is in Bangkok. He says the biggest priority

of the military is to reform The political system and, to some

degree, the judicial system is broken. This is a very ambitious

agenda, for what is normally a very temporary form of ruling military

council. That is what makes this a coup very different from the last

one, eight years ago, or even coups before that. They always appointed

interim government is very quickly. They have quick timetables for a

return to democracy. Generally, they had an ambitious agendas. This feels

very different. The military said, we got it wrong last time, the

problems are deep and we are going to fix them. Although he's given a

date for the interim government, it is going to be three four months

after the coup before we have a Prime Minister in the cabinet. Even

at this early stage, the general and his military council are talking

about ramping up infrastructure spending even beyond that of the

Yingluck Shinawatra government. We are talking massive amounts of

money. He's talking about reforming education to make it more

nationalistic. It's talking about price controls, revamping subsidies

for farmers. These are enormous agendas. He does have a problem with

the economy. It has slumped because of political turmoil. Some feel-good

measures were inevitable. But this seems to be going far beyond what

you would expect, normally a temporary military administration,

has an agenda. What is the reaction to this key? People feeling like

there be serious reform, or are they balking at a military ruler? Well, a

lot of people didn't like the previous regime. They held a coup,

even if you don't like one, was one way of rating the turmoil and fix

some of the problems like corruption.

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, the US army Sergeant who was held captive by the

Taliban in Afghanistan for five years has arrived back in the US. He

has been taken to an Army medical Centre in Texas, where the military

says he will continue the next phase of recovery and reintegration.

Stay with us on BBC News. Still to come:

famous pop star and ask what women want from this vote. The Ukraine

President claims Russian tanks have crushed over into his country and

are being used by separatist rebels in the east of the country. Petro

Poroshenko has told resident Putin, it is unacceptable. Russia has

denied the allegation. The US has sent some of its long-range bombers

to Europe for the first time in ten years.

Tensions simmer in the eastern Ukrainian city of done yet. Van

burns outside the headquarters of the pro-Russian separatist movement.

They declare the city Independent from Ukraine last month. The rebels

say the van was deliberately targeted because it is regularly

used by this man. Keira Bull leader. He was not in it at the time.

Tensions have fled between Kiev and Moscow after the Ukrainian interior

minister accused pro-Russian rebels are bringing tanks and other

equipment over the border into Ukraine.

TRANSLATION: according to intelligence and surveillance,

despite the Russian adoration statements it welcomes the peace

process and the order has been given to strengthen border controls, we

have been observing within the past three days, columns passing through

check points captured why terrorists in the area. Moscow has emphatically

denied the allegation and accused the new Ukrainian president of not

following through with a promise to end the violence in the east of the

country. Cities like Sloviansk have suffered where pro-Russian

separatists have continued to engage in East fighting with Ukrainian

forces. It seems for now, with no agreement insight, neither side is

backing down. I'm Sally Bundock.

The latest headlines: The UN says it has evidence

of Islamist insurgents in Iraq carrying out summary executions

of civilians and Iraqi soldiers in the city of Mosul.

The football World Cup gets underway in Brazil as the home side gets

off to a winning start in the opening match.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has given

an exclusive interview to the BBC's Newsnight programme.

As ever, she remained guarded about whether she would run

But high on the agenda was the current escalating violence in Iraq.

Clinton has called on the country's prime minister to do more to create

She is back in the limelight, Hillary Clinton is revelling in the

limelight as she launches her new book and tests the waters for a

potential presidential run. Today in New York she gave the BBC and

exclusive interview, starting with Iraq. Barack Obama said he is ready

to take action to help, but echoing the American president, Hillary

Clinton said Iraq had to up their game as well. That is not a role for

the United States. There needs to be a number of steps the Iraqi

government must take to show commitment to an inclusive Iraq. If

Britain followed the US into the Iraq war, the crisis involving Syria

unfolded differently last year when President Obama was considering

launching military strikes against President Assad's government. If

nothing is done he will conclude he can use these weapons again and

again. After heated debate in the House of Commons in August, the

Prime Minister lost the vote on military action and it had

repercussions across the Atlantic. Individual votes were defeated but

if you add up the individual votes for everything that would have been

a positive, you could have gotten to that. I don't understand the

intricacies of British politics, it was a defeat for the idea there

should be intervention. Hillary Clinton told the BBC the special

relationship with the UK mattered a great deal. She even commented on

the Scottish referendum. There have been legal processes associated with

it and we will see what the people of Scotland decide. I think it would

be a loss for both sides, but I don't have a vote. We asked her what

everybody wants to know. We'll sheet, or won't she? I am about to

be a grandmother and I am excited about that. I want to relish the

experience. I don't want to be passing through it and looking

forward. I want to be in the middle of it. A presidential campaign is

all consuming and I am not ready for that. But it is not the questions,

will you run, can you win? But what is your vision for America and can

you lead it there? If she does run and win, she will be making history

in the US as the first woman president and as the first

residential couple returning to the White House with their roles

reversed. Voters in Afghanistan will head back

to the polls on Saturday, for the final round

of the Presidential Elections. It's a straight contest between the

country's former foreign minister But what do Afghanistan's women

want from the next leader? BBC Persian's Tahir Qadiry talked to

one of the country's most famous pop stars, Ariana Saeed, who lives in

London but regularly travels home. TRANSLATION: I was born in

Afghanistan in the beautiful city of Kabul. Since I was eight years old I

have been living abroad. I started my artistic career five years ago

and I have played about 70 to 80 concerts around the world. Two years

ago, I worked for Afghanistan's channel one and had Mike Jones

show, it was called Night Of Music. I presented it. -- my own television

show. Things like music and art have

progressed in Afghanistan since the Taliban's rule was ended. People

have accepted women as artists. Ten years ago, women would not even have

appeared on stage. It is priceless that after so many years, the people

of Afghanistan now have a voice in the future of their country. They

can vote to choose their own leader. I have three requests for the future

president of Afghanistan. My first request is about women's rights.

Rights should be given to women. My second request is to help Afghan's

street children. They don't have anyone to take care of them. My

third request is to get rid of sectarianism. This is what I hope

the next president will do. The power of art.

Ptolemy Elrington sees animals in everyday objects -

usually unwanted objects that have been discarded and left as rubbish.

The self-styled hubcap artist first became fascinated with scrap when he

found an abundance of plastic car waste near his home in Bradford.

If it apiece I really like, I make it expensive because I don't want to

sell it. Great for the kids, I won't let them drive past a hope Tom and

they have to pick it up. It seems pointless throwing it out when it

all has value. I used to live in Bradford. There is

a bend on the road where I used to live. The cars and when I was

walking by I would see them regularly. I started thinking about

the waste, the time and effort that has gone into designing these things

and in the sunlight they looked really beautiful. I started to

collect them with an idea of making something out of them. The idea was

to make a suit of armour. I never got round to it, the fish got in the

way. I see a lot of detail within the hubcaps. Reminds me of other

things. It is all hand tools, hacksaw and craft knife. Benz, score

and cut. Drill holes. I use galvanised wire which I get from

skips and it does not rust. I make stable shapes and fit the bits

together. When I left Bradford I went to India for a year and saw the

amount of poverty. But everybody used and reused things. If something

was amount of poverty. But everybody

used and reused things. If broke and they did not throw it away and get a

new one like we often do in the West. They mended it or changed it

into something else. I wanted to include that concept into my art. I

don't want to get rid of any of them because I have two but a lot of

myself into these things, but I have to make a living. I could carry on

making these things for the rest of my life and not make a dent on the

amount of stuff there is out there. Amazing. Based in Brighton in the

south of England. The last World Cup, do you remember Paul the

octopus? Sadly no longer with us but rival claimants have emerged from

the animal kingdom to claim his crown for picking winners. So

naturally and octopus is among the contenders. Regina from Berlin will

attempt to emulate Paul when she makes her prediction on Monday's

match. But this sea turtle is off the mark giving do not for Brazil to

beat Croatia. And this panda bear in China is off to a successful start

as she opts for the box of What's the hardest thing

about being a foster parent? You're constantly trying

to build the elusive trust.