Turkey detains journalist over Syria operation coverage
AFP, Istanbul
The head of a Turkish opposition news site was arrested Thursday, his employer said, as part of a crackdown on critics of the military operation launched in Syria a day earlier.
The Anadolu state news agency said Hakan Demir, head of the leftist Birgun website, was detained for “inciting the people to hatred and enmity” over a message on Twitter.
Two killed in
anti-Semitic attack in Germany
AFP, Halle (Saale)
At least two people were shot dead in the German city of Halle on Wednesday in an anti-Semitic attack as Jews marked the holy day of Yom Kippur, with the gunman filming the assault and posting a video online.
The suspect has been captured, police said, as security was ramped up at synagogues and other Jewish sites across Germany.
US takes custody of 2 jihadists from Syria Kurds
AFP, Washington
Two “high-value” jihadists held by Syrian Kurds have been taken into US custody and moved out of the country, a defense official said Wednesday, as reports identified them as notorious British fighters dubbed “The Beatles.”
Turkey has launched an assault on the Syrian Kurdish forces-with which the US partnered to combat the Islamic State group-sparking fears that the offensive could lead to captured fighters they held escaping and reconstituting the group.
Romania govt faces collapse in
no-confidence vote
AFP, Bucharest
Romania’s beleaguered left-wing government risks collapse in a no-confidence vote Thursday, just weeks before a presidential election and amid controversy over the country’s nominee for EU commissioner.
Prime Minister Viorica Dancila lost her parliamentary majority in August when the junior coalition partner of her Social Democrats (PSD), Romania’s biggest party, withdrew support, citing major disagreements.
