In Iraq, Islamist militants have reportedly taken effective control of the second largest city, capturing key buildings in Mosul and liberating more than 1,000 inmates from the central prison. Hundreds of fighters, believed to be part of the al-Qaeda splinter group the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, launched the assault overnight, causing police and soldiers to flee from their posts. The militants have overrun the provincial government headquarters, local TV stations and the airport.