More US Forces Heading to Iraq

U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday ordered 450 more military trainers to go to Iraq. The deployment is part of a new effort to support Iraqi troops as they try to retake Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province.

Islamic State militants seized the city last month.

The Obama administration said the extra troops will not fight. Officials say they will join the 3,100 U.S. soldiers already there to "train, advise and assist" Iraqi forces and Sunni fighters.

A White House statement said Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi requested the additional troops.

Suicide bomber attacks in Luxor, Egypt

A suicide attacker exploded a bomb Wednesday near the ancient Karnak temple in southern Egypt. Four people were wounded, including two police officers.

Officials said police killed two other people involved in the attack.

The temple in the city of Luxor is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site along the Nile river. The site is popular with foreign and Egyptian visitors.

FIFA suspends bidding for 2026 World Cup

The world soccer organization, FIFA, said it has suspended the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA said it would not continue the process because of a corruption investigation involving the group.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke announced the decision at a news conference in Russia Wednesday. He said it would be "nonsense to start any bidding process for the time being."

FIFA members were to choose the host country at a meeting in Malaysia in 2017.

The United States, Canada, Mexico, and European countries are thought to be among the likely candidates to hold championship series.

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Words in the News

temple – n. a building for worship

bid – v. to attempt to win, get, or do something

nonsense - n. words or ideas that are foolish or untrue

host – n. a person or group that organizes and holds an event