Turkey digs in heels over terrorism law, to EU’s chagrin
ANKARA/STRASBOURG (Reuters) – Turkey refused again on Wednesday to make changes to its anti-terrorism laws demanded by Brussels in a hardening of its stance that could jeopardize a major deal with the bloc covering migrants, free travel and militants.
Venezuela opposition protests for Maduro recall referendum amid clashes
CARACAS/PUNTO FIJO (Reuters) – Soldiers fired tear gas at stone-throwing protesters on Wednesday as Venezuela’s opposition marched to pressure electoral authorities into allowing a recall referendum against unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. probes reports of fraud in obtaining aid for Syria
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The activities of several vendors obtaining humanitarian aid for Syria for the International Rescue Committee have been halted amid an investigation by the U.S. government into reports of corruption, officials sa…
Algerian army kills seven Islamist fighters east of capital: ministry
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian troops on Wednesday killed seven armed Islamist fighters and captured weapons during a search operation in a mountainous area of Bouira province east of the capital Algiers, the ministry of defense said.
Four Tunisian police killed by suicide bomb blast: government
TUNIS (Reuters) – Four Tunisian policemen were killed on Wednesday when an Islamist militant detonated his explosive belt during a security forces raid on a house in the south of the country, the Interior Ministry said.
Islamic State bombs kill 80 in deadliest Baghdad attacks this year
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Three suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State across Baghdad killed at least 80 people on Wednesday, Iraqi police and hospital sources said, in the deadliest attacks in the Iraqi capital this year.
After British corruption slip, Nigeria demands stolen assets back
LONDON (Reuters) – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari demanded on Wednesday that Britain return assets held there by corrupt Nigerians, pointing the finger back at London after Britain’s prime minister suggested Nigeria was “fantastically corrupt”.
Quietly, Vietnam hosts arms gathering attended by U.S. companies
HANOI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Vietnam hosts a defense symposium this week attended by top American arms manufacturers, ahead of a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama and as Washington weighs whether to lift an arms embargo on its former enemy.
European rights watchdog complains about Greek migrant camps conditions
STRASBOURG (Reuters) – Urgent measures are need to address overcrowding and poor living conditions in refugee and migrant camps in Greece, Europe’s top rights watchdog warned on Wednesday.
Western Libyan forces prepare attack on Islamic State stronghold
MISRATA, Libya (Reuters) – Forces in western Libya are preparing to advance on the city of Sirte, seized by Islamic State last year, their spokesman said, pushing ahead with plans for a counter-attack after the Islamists made territorial gains in the l…
