Twitter suspends 235k accounts linked to terror

SAN FRANCISCO • Twitter said it has suspended 235,000 accounts during the past six months in a heightened crackdown on use of the global messaging service to promote violent extremist causes.

The move raised to 360,000 the total number of accounts sidelined since the middle of last year and was helping "drive meaningful results" in curbing the activity, according to the San Francisco-based company.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

German interior minister calls for partial burqa ban

BERLIN • Germany's interior minister yesterday proposed partially banning the full-face burqa Islamic veil as a debate on integration rages after two militant attacks and ahead of key state elections.

The call by Mr Thomas de Maiziere comes as Chancellor Angela Merkel's government attempts to address public fears surrounding last year's record influx of nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees, most from predominantly Muslim countries.

It also echoed a controversial decision by several French towns in recent weeks to outlaw burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Initial results of MH17 probe out next month

THE HAGUE • Initial results from a criminal probe into the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over war-torn Ukraine two years ago will be revealed on Sept 28, Dutch prosecutors said yesterday .

The results are expected to shed light on the exact type of missile used to shoot down the jetliner on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board, and exactly where it was fired from.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE