Iraqi Shi’ite groups deepen control in strategic Sunni areas
The only sign that Sunni-majority Mosul’s newest and busiest marketplace is in Shi’ite Muslim hands is a small plaque in the office of its leaseholder from Baghdad.
Protesters scuffle with Hong Kong police, government offices shut
Scuffles broke out between demonstrators and police in Hong Kong on Thursday as hundreds of people kept up a protest against a planned extradition law with mainland China, a day after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up big crowds.
Hong Kong police arrest 11 during protests against extradition bill
Hong Kong authorities arrested 11 people during protests against an extradition bill that would allow people to be sent to China for trial, police chief Stephen Lo said on Thursday.
Slovakia to host EU’s new labor agency
The Slovak capital Bratislava on Thursday won the right to host a new European Union agency to oversee the labor market that is due to start operating this autumn.
Nearly 1,000 Kazakhs detained over protests: authorities
Kazakh authorities said on Thursday they had detained nearly 1,000 people for taking part in protests over last weekend’s presidential election that was won by veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev’s hand-picked successor.
Tanker sinks after attack in Gulf, 44 crew picked up by Iran: IRNA
The Iranian news agency IRNA reported on Thursday that the Front Altair, an oil tanker damaged in an attack in the Gulf of Oman, had sunk.
Latest on suspected attacks on tankers in Gulf of Oman
Here is the latest from Reuters on suspected attacks on two tankers on Thursday south of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the Middle East’s oil is shipped:
Britain “deeply concerned” about reports of explosions on vessels in Gulf of Oman
Britain said on Thursday it was deeply concerned by reports of explosions and fires on vessels in the Gulf of Oman.
Frontline oil tanker still on fire, has not sunk: spokesman
Frontline’s Front Altair oil tanker is still on fire in the Gulf of Oman and has not sunk, a spokesman for the company said on Thursday, citing information from a nearby vessel.
U.N. rights boss welcome in China, including Xinjiang: envoy
China’s envoy in Geneva said on Thursday that he hoped U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet would visit China, including Xinjiang region, where he said “education training centers” were helping to stamp out extremism and give people new skills.
