Iraqi forces and militia seize most of Baiji refinery: officials
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi forces and Shi’ite militia fighters recaptured most of the country’s largest oil refinery from Islamic State militants on Thursday, security officials said.
France says it’s discussing new Central African U.N. sanctions list
PARIS (Reuters) – France said on Thursday it was working with partners at the United Nations Security Council to impose new sanctions on individuals threatening peace and blocking political transition in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Hungary says fence finished on Croatian border
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s fence on its border with Croatia is finished and the army and police are capable of sealing off the border once a decision to do so is made, a top government official said on Thursday.
Hong Kong police, democracy activist charged over beating
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Seven Hong Kong police officers have been charged in connection with the beating of a protester during pro-democracy demonstrations in the Chinese-ruled city late last year that brought large parts of the financial center to a hal…
U.N. hopes Yemen peace talks can start by month-end: Eliasson
GENEVA (Reuters) – U.N. Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said on Thursday he hoped peace talks to end the war in Yemen could start by the end of October despite “deep mistrust” between Saudi Arabia and Iran who back opposing sides.
Germany tightens asylum rules to cope with refugee influx
BERLIN (Reuters) – German lawmakers approved a raft of measures on Thursday to tackle the refugee crisis, including speeding up asylum and deportation procedures, facilitating the construction of asylum shelters and lowering cash incentives for economi…
Ten more people detained in Ankara bombing probe: PM
ANKARA (Reuters) – Ten more people have been detained in connection with messages they wrote on Twitter about the suicide bombings which killed 99 people in Ankara, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday, bringing the number held to 12.
Polish opposition warns refugees could spread infectious diseases
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland’s largest opposition party, tipped to win the country’s Oct. 25 election, rallied behind its leader on Thursday after he warned that refugees from the Middle East could bring diseases and parasites to Poland.
Russia mulls re-establishing control of Tajik-Afghan border
ASTANA (Reuters) – Russia, alarmed by increased activity by Islamist insurgents near its borders with Central Asia, may act to re-establish its control over Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan, a senior Russian defense official said on Thursday.
China charges second former head of regional lender with graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – A former head of a local lender in China’s northern region of Inner Mongolia will be prosecuted for suspected corruption, the state prosecutor said on Thursday, following in the footsteps of another former head of the same bank.
