An Iraqi Airways plane is seen at the Erbil International Airport in Erbil, Iraq September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
Reuters: Last flight departs as Iraq imposes ban for Kurdish independence vote
ERBIL, Iraq/ANKARA (Reuters) - The last international flight left Erbil airport on Friday as the Baghdad government imposed an air ban on Iraqi Kurdistan in retaliation for an independence vote that has drawn widespread opposition from foreign powers.
Iraq's Kurds overwhelmingly backed independence in Monday's referendum, defying neighboring countries, which fear the vote could lead to renewed conflict in the region.
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MIDDLE EAST
At least 1,200 Iraq personnel killed in Mosul operation: coalition.
Iraqi forces to take control of Kurdish regional borders.
Dozens of Islamic State militants uncovered in mass grave in Iraq.
Syrian army battles IS attack in Deir al-Zor. 73 Syria government fighters killed in IS attacks: monitor.
US does not recognize Kurdistan independence referendum: Tillerson.
'Cautious' State Department asks Iran, Iraq to avoid 'violence' with Kurds.
Vladmir Putin meets Erdogan to secure Syria de-escalation zone.
Turkey raises oil threat after Iraqi Kurds' referendum.
Iraqi ban on flights to Kurdish cities begins Friday.
Turkish military kills three PKK militants in north Iraq near border: sources.
Yemen experiences worst cholera outbreak ever.
ASIA
Myanmar refugee exodus tops 500,000 as more Rohingya flee.
rump to travel to 5 countries in Asia in November.
New Taliban propaganda video features Trump calling Afghanistan a ‘complete disaster’.
Report: North Korea, ex-U.S. officials to meet for informal talks.
Japan's defence chief warns of possible N.Korea provocation on Oct. 10.
UN chief urges Myanmar to end military operations in Rohingya crisis.
Up to 63 Rohingya people dead as vessel carrying refugees shipwrecks.
Fear as Myanmar violence hits Bengali Hindus.
Muslims in China say they are being told to hand over Qurans or face 'harsh punishments'.
Bali: Fear of volcanic eruption forces 130,000 to flee.
AFRICA
26 dead in two weeks of clashes in Libya migrant hub: ministry.
Somalia extremists attack military base, kill 10, says army.
Car bomb blast kills seven in Somalia's Mogadishu.
African security officials tackle regional threats.
Cameroon bans pro-independence rallies in Anglophone area.
Libya strongman asks Europe for helicopters to fight migration.
S.Africa court says cannot compel Zuma to set up influence-peddling inquiry.
More than half of Borno schools closed over Boko Haram.
UN rights council extends Burundi abuses probe.
EUROPE
Stalemate over Catalan vote keeps Spain in suspense.
Catalan students rally to defend independence vote.
EU moves ahead faster on new future than on Brexit talks.
'Miracles' needed to advance Brexit talks by October deadline.
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny detained ahead of rally.
Lavrov: Moscow won’t tolerate crusade to blame Russia for everything under the sun in US.
Surge in migration to Greece fuels misery in refugee camps.
Macron’s counter-terror bill risks France’s human rights record, say UN experts .
EU leaders gather in Estonia to discuss Europe's digital future.
AMERICAS
Trump’s health secretary resigns in travel flap.
Crowds jam Puerto Rico dock hoping for place on cruise ship.
US to Americans: Stay away from Cuba after health ‘attacks’.
US 'to pull staff from Cuba over attacks'.
Trump vows to tackle N Korea on Asia trip.
Trump's tax plan is ALREADY in trouble with his own party as plan to axe state and local tax deduction comes under fire from Republicans.
Twitter's Russia briefings 'inadequate' - US senators.
Americans blame Facebook for fake news, new poll finds.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his country should be getting ready to fight the US.
Canadian police seek recalled Vatican envoy for child porn.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
ACLU presses Pentagon over captured American IS fighter.
Pentagon: Airstrikes killed 3 Islamic State drone experts.
US conducts more air strikes against Islamic State in Libya.
IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi 'resurfaces' in audio clip.
FBI investigating as many cases of domestic extremism as foreign terrorism.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Technology firms and small companies lead US stocks higher.
Global stocks finish 3rd quarter on upbeat note.
OPEC oil output edges higher in Sept as Iraq, Libya pump more.
Volkswagen diesel emissions fixing bill hits $30bn.
U.N. report: Pollution is controllable and avoidable.
