Portal:Current events/2014 June 12

• Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal)
  • The United Nations Security Council meets to discuss the rapid progress of an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant offensive towards Baghdad. (SBS)
  • Iraqi Kurds take over control of the city of Kirkuk as the army flees. (BBC News)
  • The Parliament of Iraq postpones a vote on Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's call for a state of emergency due to a lack of quorum. (BBC News)
• War in North-West Pakistan
  • At least 10 militants are killed in a suspected United States drone attack in North Waziristan. (NBC News)
• 2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine
  • Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov claims that three Russian tanks crossed into eastern Ukraine and were attacked by the Ukrainian Army. (Belfast Telegraph)
• Three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped by Palestinian militants. The Israel Defense Forces and Shin-Bet deployed large forces through the West Bank in order to find and rescue them. (Jerusalem Post)

• For his exploration of Colombia's drug trade Juan Gabriel Vásquez wins the prestigious €100,000 International Dublin Literary Award, the first South American to win the prize. (Independent)

• Tesla Motors announces it will allow competitors to use its patents without paying royalties. (CNBC)

• At least six people are killed and 29 injured in a methane gas leak at the Bhilai Steel Plant in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India. (NDTV)

• Ontario general election, 2014: The Liberal Party of Ontario wins a majority government; Kathleen Wynne will remain the Premier of the province. (CBC News)
• Antigua and Barbuda general election, 2014
  • Voters in Antigua and Barbuda went to the polls with the Opposition Antigua Labour Party led by Gaston Browne winning a 15 of 17 seats. (Near Shore America)

• 2014 FIFA World Cup
  • The opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup is held, followed by the first game in Group A between Brazil and Croatia in Arena de São Paulo with Brazil winning 3-1. (AP)