Iraqi Kurds plan independence referendum on Sept. 25 - Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on Wednesday announced it would hold a referendum on independence, in a move the central government in Baghdad is likely to oppose strongly (Reuters).
Turkey throws support behind Qatar in rift among Arab Nations - Turkey signaled support for Qatar on Wednesday after the tiny Gulf country was isolated by several of its neighbors in a major rift among Arab nations. Meeting in a special night session of Parliament, Turkish lawmakers rushed through new laws that will allow the Turkish Army to conduct joint military exercises with Qatar and members of the Turkish gendarmerie to train their Qatari counterparts (The New York Times).
London attack: Three arrested in east London - Police investigating the London terror attack have made three fresh arrests, following raids involving armed officers in east London (BBC News).