| Pentagon orders aircraft carrier to Gulf in case Iraq military option needed Posted: 14 Jun 2014 10:53 AM PDT  U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered an aircraft carrier moved into the Gulf on Saturday, readying it in case Washington decides to pursue a military option after insurgents overwhelmed a string of Iraqi cities this week and threatened Baghdad. "The order will provide the Commander-in-Chief additional flexibility should military options be required to protect American lives, citizens and interests in Iraq," the Pentagon said in a statement. The carrier USS George H.W. Bush, moving from the North Arabian Sea, will be accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun, the statement said. President Barack Obama said on Friday he needed several days to determine how the United States would help Iraq deal with the insurgency.
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| Afghans brave Taliban threats to choose new leader Posted: 14 Jun 2014 09:39 AM PDT  KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghans braved threats of violence and searing heat Saturday to vote in a presidential runoff that likely will mark the country's first peaceful transfer of authority, an important step toward democracy as foreign combat troops leave. The new leader will be challenged with trying to improve ties with the West and combatting corruption while facing a powerful Taliban insurgency and declining international aid.
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| Israeli official says missing teens presumed alive Posted: 14 Jun 2014 10:05 AM PDT  JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's defense minister said Saturday that the military is determined to find three missing teenagers, one of whom is an American, who he said are presumed alive and believed to be held by Palestinian militants.
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| Ukraine prosecutor: 49 dead as rebels down plane Posted: 14 Jun 2014 04:55 AM PDT  Pro-Russian separatists shot down a military transport plane Saturday in the country's restive east, Ukrainian officials said.
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| Iraq slows Islamist rebel advance, regains some territory Posted: 14 Jun 2014 10:53 AM PDT  By Ahmed Rasheed and Raheem Salman BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An offensive by insurgents that threatens to dismember Iraq seemed to slow on Saturday after days of lightning advances as government forces regained some territory in counter-attacks, easing pressure on the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad. As Iraqi officials spoke of wresting back the initiative against Sunni militants, neighbouring Shi'ite Iran held out the prospect of working with its longtime U.S. arch-enemy to help restore security in Iraq. U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday he was reviewing military options, short of sending combat troops, to combat the insurgency. The United States ordered an aircraft carrier moved into the Gulf on Saturday, readying it in case Washington decides to pursue a military option after insurgents overran towns and territories in the north and advanced on Baghdad.
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| Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll dead at 82 Posted: 13 Jun 2014 09:17 PM PDT  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chuck Noll, the Hall of Fame coach who won a record four Super Bowl titles with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died Friday night at his home. He was 82.
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| Kings win Stanley Cup on Martinez's double-OT goal Posted: 13 Jun 2014 10:52 PM PDT  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The longest postseason for the Los Angeles Kings led into the longest game they had ever played. After 94 minutes of impossibly tense hockey, Alec Martinez could scarcely believe it when a rebound off Henrik Lundqvist's pads came straight to his stick.
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| New contender in race for House majority leader Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:29 PM PDT  Idaho Republican Rep. Raul Labrador is running as an alternative to Kevin McCarthy.
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| Joe Biden sends message to UC Santa Barbara graduates Posted: 13 Jun 2014 06:17 PM PDT  The vice president told students their response to the tragedy had served as an inspiration to millions around the nation.
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| Army: 'No timeline' for Bergdahl Posted: 13 Jun 2014 08:31 PM PDT  Officials won't say what soldier knows about uproar surrounding his capture and release.
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| 'Giant slayer' Dave Brat isn't quite ready for his close-up Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:29 PM PDT  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The giant slayer isn't quite ready for his close up.
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| Checker to Rock Hall: Honor me while I can still make money Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:05 AM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — Chubby Checker wants the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to know it's time to induct him into its exclusive club before it's too late.
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