The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for an attack in Afghanistan overnight that killed four US troops, just hours after Washington said its officials would met the insurgents for talks. "Last night two big rockets were launched at Bagram (air base) which hit the target. Four soldiers are dead and six others are wounded. The rockets caused a major fire," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP by telephone. str-sak/bgs/mtp

The Taliban will open an office later Tuesday in Qatar, a spokesman said, offering a boost to possible peace talks after 12 years of fighting in Afghanistan. "Yes, I can confirm the office will open later today in Qatar," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP. "The office is to open dialogue between the Taliban and the world." emh-sak/bgs/jm/ia

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. - A complaint has been filed with Ontario's integrity commissioner against Progressive Conservative MPP Laurie Scott. It was filed by Liberal Phil McNeely, who alleges Scott was using her website to promote both constituency services and the Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Brock PC Riding Association. Members of the Provincial Parliament are not allowed to use publicly-funded websites to advertise partisan events. McNeely is calling on the integrity commissioner to conduct a thorough investigation. (CKRU)

A White House lawyer who advised President Barack Obama on "sensitive" intelligence operations will be the CIA's new deputy director, the first woman to hold such a senior post at the agency, officials said Wednesday. Avril Haines, who worked as deputy assistant to Obama and legal adviser to the National Security Council, will replace Michael Morell, a veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency who had twice held the post of acting director.