News Headlines - 20 June 2014

▽300 U.S. advisers heading for Iraq; what will they do? - CNN.com

How big of a threat is ISIS really?
The White House wants to find out and is deploying as many as 300 military advisers to Iraq to assess the might of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

▽China declares Hong Kong democracy referendum ‘illegal’ - FT.com

China has called an unofficial referendum on democracy in Hong Kong “illegal” as activists pushing for universal suffrage in the former British colony said at least 400,000 people had cast ballots on the first day of voting.

▽Red carpet welcome for China leader falls short - FT.com

According to two officials involved in preparing the visit, China expressed concern that the red carpet from the steps of Mr Li’s aircraft to a VIP holding area was not long enough. “They saw a diagram of the arrangements at Heathrow and complained that the carpet was three metres too short,” said one official.

▽Japan says had South Korean input on 'comfort women' apology | Reuters

Japan got input from South Korea on the sensitive wording of a landmark apology in 1993 to women, many Korean, who worked in Japan's wartime military brothels, an expert panel said after reviewing evidence that led to the statement.

▽BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: England knocked out of World Cup

England were eliminated at the group stage of the Fifa World Cup for the first time since 1958 as Italy lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in Recife.
It is the first time the national side have been knocked out after just two matches, with Roy Hodgson's side beaten by Group D rivals Italy and Uruguay.