From Washington, this is VOA news.

U.S Secretary of State Kerry pushes Iraq for a more inclusive government. Egyptian court sentences Al-Jazeera journalists to prison. I am Ray Kouguell, reporting from Washington.

U.S Secretary of State John Kerry is pressing Iraq's top Shiite leaders to create a more inclusive government in the face of a militant Sunni insurgency that’s captured vast territories in northern and western Iraq. Secretary Kerry met for more than an hour and a half with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malakiin Baghdad Monday. Mr. Kerry warned the Iraqis they must act quickly to block the advance of the militants who called themselves the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

“I emphasize that defending Iraq against ISIL depends largely on their ability, all of them, to form a new government and to do it quickly. It is essential that Iraq's leaders form a genuinely inclusive government as rapidly as possible within their own constitutional framework.” Secretary Kerry says he's assured Iraq will meet the July 1stdeadline to start forming a new government.

The International Chemical Weapons watchdog charged with riding Syria of its stockpile says it has received the last of the country's toxic chemicals identified for removal. The head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says it will now take up to 4 months to destroy the 1300 tons of chemicals that have been turned over by Syria.

An Egyptian court sentenced 3 Al-Jazeera television journalists accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood to prison terms of 7 to 10 years. The court convicted Peter Gress, Muhamud Fami and Bahi Muhamud of spreading false news and supporting the banned Islamist group, charges they all denied. Edward Yeranian reports.

The judge looked slowly and deliberately as he pronounced his sentences in the heavily publicized trials of the Al-Jazeera journalists. He put a particular emphasis on the7-year sentence he was giving to Australian Peter Greste. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says her country respects the independence of Egypt’s judiciary but she reacted with shock to the verdict. “We are deeply dismayed by the fact that a sentence has been imposed and we are appalled by the severity of it.” Some Egyptian journalists called the sentences excessive and say they could be thrown out by an appeals court. Edward Yeranian, for VOA news, Cairo.

A court in the United Arab Emirates handed down sentences to 7 men convicted of operating in Al-Qaeda linked terror cell within the country and channeling funds to militants fighting the Syrian government of Barshar Al-Assad. Philip Baltwarman has more from Dubai. According to prosecutors the group tried to recruit U.A.E citizens to the al-Nusra Front militant group in the hope they would provide additional financial backing for its costs. The defendants had also been accused of attempting to carry out bomb attacks in the U.A.E and abroad. A Palestinian tried in absentia was given a life sentence for organizing the cell while 6 other men, all of Arab origin, were given 7-year prison terms. Two others were quitted of all charges. All of the men pleaded innocent but the verdict by the federal Supreme Court is final and not subject to appeal. This is Philip Baltwarman for VOA news, Dubai.

A leader of the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine says rebel forces will observe the unilateral ceasefire that President Petro Porochanco declared last Friday as a first step in a broader peace plan. Alexander Borandi made the announcement in Donetsk where talks opened Monday between rebel leaders and representatives of the Ukrainian government. Borandi, prime minister of the separatist self-declared Donetsk People's Republic says rebel ceasefire will last until this Friday, the same day the government’s week-long ceasefire is set to end.

8 people were killed and 20 injured by a bombing that tore through the groundsof school of Haiji Monday in the Nigerian city of Conol. Police say they havedetained a suspect.

A South Korea army Sergeant accused of killing 5 fellow soldiers is expected to survive a self-inflicted gunshot wound received before his capture on Monday.

And at the football's world cup, the host Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands and Chile all advance to second round play. Brazil defeated winless Cameroon 4-1. Mexico topped Croatia 3-1. The Netherlands got late goals from two substitute players to defeat Chile 2-0. And defending champion Spain finished up with a 3-0victory over Australia, both heading home.

I am Ray Kouguell in Washington. That's the latest world news from VOA.