U.S. contractors in Bulgaria blast were working on Syria contract: embassy
SOFIA (Reuters) – The U.S. government contractors caught in a blast at a firing range in Bulgaria last week were working on a U.S. military program to train and equip moderate rebels in Syria, the U.S. embassy in Sofia said on Wednesday.
Obama approves up to 450 additional military personnel for Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama has approved a plan to deploy up to 450 additional military personnel to a base in Iraq’s Anbar province to train and advise Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State militants, the White House said on Wedne…
Burundi opposition figures call for boycott of delayed vote
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – Several leading opposition figures in Burundi called on Wednesday for a boycott of next month’s presidential vote, saying it would be impossible to hold it during unrest triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek …
Thousands flee into Turkey from Syria as Kurds fight Islamic state
AKCAKALE, Turkey/ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Thousands of people fled from Syria into Turkey on Wednesday as moderate rebels and Kurdish forces fought Islamic State insurgents holding the Syrian border town of Tel Abyad.
Cyberattack targeted Iran nuclear talks venues: Kaspersky Lab
GENEVA/BERLIN (Reuters) – A computer virus was used to hack into venues linked to international talks on Iran’s nuclear program, Russian computer security company Kaspersky Lab said on Wednesday.
JPMorgan warns Brexit could trigger Scottish independence vote
LONDON (Reuters) – If Britain votes to leave the European Union in a referendum, Scottish nationalists would push for another independence vote as the world’s fifth-largest economy grappled with exiting the EU, JPMorgan said in a research note.
Pope backs new tribunal to probe bishops over sexual abuse
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis approved on Wednesday an unprecedented Vatican tribunal to judge bishops accused of covering up or failing to prevent sexual abuse of minors, but one victims’ group branded the move as too little too late.
Turkey’s Kurdish party accuses government of inaction over violence
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition party accused the government on Wednesday of standing aside in the face of attempts to “push the country into a civil war” by fomenting violence in the mainly Kurdish southeast.
Orange CEO due for Israel visit at week’s end following spat: official
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Orange CEO Stephane Richard is expected to visit Israel at the end of the week, a senior government official said on Wednesday, after sparking a diplomatic spat over his remarks about ending a licensing deal there.
U.S., allies target Islamic State in Iraq with 16 air strikes: military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. and allied forces targeted Islamic State militants in Iraq with 16 air strikes since Tuesday, the U.S. military said, including five near Baiji, site of the country’s biggest oil refinery.
