IRBIL - Kurdistan's Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission says stage set for referendum on independence.
BAGHDAD - The Iraqi government calls on Kurdistan to hand over the oil facilities, airports and border crossings.
TERHAN - Iran's Supreme National Council shuts the country's airspace to flights from and to Kurdistan region.
WASHINGTON - US fighter jets conduct six precision airstrikes on IS camp in Libya, killing 17 militants.
BERLIN - Angela Merkel's Christian Democrat Union wins the general elections despite remarkable drop in popularity. (end) gb