Iraqi forces say press towards key air base south of Mosul
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s military said it advanced through northern villages held by Islamic State on Wednesday, on its way to an airfield which could serve as the staging ground for a future offensive on Mosul, the biggest city held by the militants…
At least 5 killed in bombing in Kurdish-controlled Syrian town-witnesses
AMMAN (Reuters) – At least five people were killed and scores wounded on Wednesday in a bomb attack on a local administrative office in the Kurdish-held Syrian town of Tel Abyad, near the Turkish border, witnesses said.
Italy raises wreck of migrant boat that sank, killing hundreds, in 2015
ROME (Reuters) – Italy has begun raising the wreck of a fishing boat that sank in April 2015, drowning hundreds of migrants packed on board, its navy said on Wednesday.
New Philippine defense chief says militant threat more pressing than South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters) – Crushing Islamist militants in the Philippines will take precedence over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the incoming defense minister said on Wednesday, and spending on military hardware would reflect that.
Flagship Belgrade development plan draws political flak
BELGRADE (Reuters) – A multi-billion euro plan to turn a rundown area of Belgrade’s riverfront into a glitzy business and tourism hub has turned into a political headache for the Serbian government.
India’s top court refuses to hear gay-sex ban challenge
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s Supreme Court refused on Wednesday to hear a petition challenging a law criminalizing gay sex, a setback for gay rights activists battling in the country’s courts to get the ban overturned.
Malaysian police probe grenade attack, checking credibility of IS claim
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian police remained doubtful that militants were behind a grenade attack on a nightspot that wounded seven people, but were forced to reassess the possibility on Wednesday after an Islamic State claim of responsibility wa…
Crabb, candidate to lead Britain, says immigration control a top priority
LONDON (Reuters) – The first candidate to put himself forward to succeed David Cameron as British prime minister, Stephen Crabb, has said a top priority for him would be to take back control of immigration policy.
Scotland’s Sturgeon to meet EU’s Juncker on Wednesday
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday afternoon, Juncker’s spokeswoman said.
EU leaders tell Britain to exit swiftly
LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European leaders told Britain on Tuesday to act quickly to resolve the political and economic confusion unleashed by its vote to leave the European Union last week, after the IMF said the uncertainty could put pressure on gl…
