Kurds’ advance in Syria divides U.S. and Turkey as Russia bombs
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The rapid advance of U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, taking advantage of Russian air strikes to seize territory near the Turkish border, has infuriated Ankara and threatened to drive a wedge between NATO allies.
Former Italy PM Monti chides incumbent Renzi for criticizing EU
ROME (Reuters) – Former Italian prime minister Mario Monti on Wednesday warned current premier Matteo Renzi that his repeated criticism of Brussels risked alienating Italy from the bloc.
Helicopter downed in Iraq; Islamic State claims responsibility
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – An Iraqi army helicopter crashed on Wednesday due to “hostile fire” west of Baghdad where security forces were fighting Islamic State militants, who claimed responsibility for downing it.
Six die as protesters burn Bolivian government office
LA PAZ (Reuters) – Six local government workers died of asphyxiation in the Bolivian city of El Alto after a group of protesters occupied and set fire to the municipal offices on Wednesday, El Alto’s local government said.
Obama plans to sign North Korea sanctions bill: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama does plan to sign a North Korea sanctions bill, the White House said on Wednesday.
Britain scrambles fighters to intercept Russian bombers
LONDON (Reuters) – British Typhoon fighter jets intercepted two Russian Tu-160 bomber planes heading toward British airspace on Wednesday, a spokeswoman from the Ministry of Defence said.
Brazil’s Rousseff bolstered by allied whip victory in house
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff’s main coalition partner, the fractious Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PDMB), re-elected an ally of hers as its leader in the lower house of Congress on Wednesday, enhancing her chances of blocking a …
EU refines Cameron deal, preparing summit ‘English breakfast’
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union governments haggled over reform proposals on Wednesday, with pressure mounting on leaders to close remaining gaps and produce a summit deal on Friday that can help keep Britain in the EU.
Belgium find video of nuclear official in search for Paris attack clues
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgian investigators searching houses linked to suspects in the Islamist militant attack on Paris in November found a video tracking movements of a man linked to the country’s nuclear industry, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
U.S. expects ‘very serious’ talks with China after missile reports
WASHINGTON/TAIPEI (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday the United States expects to have “very serious” talks with China about militarization of the South China Sea after reports that Beijing deployed advanced surface-to-air…
