6.5 magnitude quake hits South Philippines' Mindanao after deadly tremor this week

MANILA (AFP) – A 6.5-magnitude quake struck on Thursday (Oct 31) in the southern Philippines, geologists said, the second powerful tremor to hit the area this week.

The quake hit the island of Mindanao, the US Geological Survey said, in the same area where a strong tremor killed at least six people on Tuesday.

USGS originally said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8.

There was no threat of a tsunami, USGS added.

This story is developing

Germany shooting: Police criticised for slow response

While security is being stepped up across the country, local Jewish community accuses police of being too slow to respond.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is promising “zero tolerance” for hate after Wednesday’s shooting in the eastern city of Halle. On protection from such attacks, the leader of the Jewish community says it was scandalous that Halle’s synagogue, unlike others in Germany, did not have police guards. A police union leader said police cover was spread too thinly, and the response time was too long.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Simmons reports from Halle.

Dressbarn store closings: Liquidation starts Friday at all locations, new website planned

Liquidation sales at the remaining Dressbarn stores will start Friday, the struggling retailer announced Wednesday.

While the 544 stores will close no later than Dec. 26, the women’s clothing website is expected to relaunch in 2020 with a new owner, the company said in a news release.

“As part of our planned wind down, which has received overwhelming support from our landlord and vendor community, we are starting store closing sales at the balance of our 544 brick and mortar retail stores on Friday,” Steven Taylor, Dressbarn chief financial officer, said in the release.

Some stores have already closed since the company announced its plans in May to shutter all locations. Dressbarn is part of New Jersey-based Ascena Retail Group, whose other brands include Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Cacique and Justice. 

Forever 21 store closings: 100-plus stores will close as part of bankruptcy. See the list

More store closings coming: The list of retailers closing locations in 2019

Refugees in Greece: Record number in overcrowded camps

As frustration grows, government urges European Union and Turkey to help stop new arrivals.

The number of refugees and migrants the Greek government is housing in camps on islands in the Aegean Sea has reached a record 31,000.

The government wants the European Union and Turkey to do more to relieve overcrowding.

Sixty percent of refugees crossing the Mediterranean to Europe this year have arrived via Greece. EU officials say solving the problem is now a priority.

Al Jazeera’s John Psaropoulos reports.

Turkish troops 'seize centre of key Syrian border town'

Turkish forces take control of Ras al-Ain, defence ministry says in claim rebutted by Kurdish forces.

Turkish forces and their allies say they have seized control of the centre of Ras al-Ain, a key Syrian border town, after four days of heavy fighting. Kurdish forces are disputing the claim.

But advances on the ground have meant a setback in relations with some countries especially the United States.

And Iran, which had urged Turkey to pull its troops, is now offering to mediate between Turkey and the Kurds.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from the Turkey-Syria border.

China factory activity shrinks for sixth straight month in October

BEIJING (REUTERS) – Factory activity in China shrank for the sixth straight month in October, official data showed on Thursday (Oct 31), pointing to further pressure on its manufacturers as they grapple with the weakest economic growth in nearly 30 years.

The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was at 49.3 in October, dipping from 49.8 in September, the survey from the statistics bureau showed. The 50-point mark separates expansion from contraction on a monthly basis.

Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast the PMI would remain flat at 49.8 from September.

Myanmar conflict: civilians caught in battle in north

As fighting again flares in Myanmar’s restive Shan State, civilians caught in battle between army and armed groups.

More than 2,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic Palaung armed group and the Myanmar army staged tit-for-tat attacks.

That’s despite unilateral ceasefire announcements by both sides in the past two months.

And civilians caught in the middle of that fighting are bearing the brunt.

Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi reports.

Japan's justice minister Kawai resigns — the second minister to quit in a week

• Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai resigned on Thursday following media reports of election irregularities by his wife, who is a ruling party lawmaker.
• He is the second cabinet minister to step down in less than a week.

Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai resigned on Thursday following media reports of election irregularities by his wife, who is a ruling party lawmaker, becoming the second cabinet minister to step down in less than a week.

Kawai told reporters he had offered his resignation and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had accepted it. Kawai said he was stepping down to avoid harm to public trust in the justice system and would be looking into allegations against his wife's campaign.

Philippines town replaces all-male police force with women

The move is part of a wider government effort at promoting women in the workplace.

A town in the central Philippines has replaced an almost all-male police force with women officers.

It is part of a wider government effort at promoting women in the workplace.

Al Jazeera’s Jamela Alindogan reports from Maria in Siquijor province.