NEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The prime minister of Libya's U.N.-backed government said on Thursday he was open to talks with an eastern Libyan commander despite his self-styled army's offensive on oil facilities that threatens to plunge the country backwards.

SIRTE, Libya (Reuters) - Libyan forces said they foiled three attempted car bombings in renewed heavy fighting against Islamic State holdouts in the group's former stronghold of Sirte on Thursday.

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam is trying to raise the retirement age of both men and women to mitigate the economic impact of a rapidly aging population and take pressure off of its depleted social welfare funds.

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Attila Behovits launched his street food business during hard times for Hungary but four years on, the economy - like demand for his traditional spicy sausages - is growing well.

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada and China said on Thursday they will launch exploratory talks on a free trade agreement and explore a possible extradition treaty for Chinese fugitives from Canada, even as they announced agreements on beef and canola exports to China.

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Thursday called for a "peaceful way forward" after violent protests in Charlotte, North Carolina, and she offered local officials support from the FBI and other arms of the Justice Department.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Banks must turn over Sudanese funds to victims of al Qaeda's 2000 bombing of the USS Cole who had won a $314.7 million judgment, a U.S. appeals court ruled, as it rejected U.S. arguments that this could interfere with treaties and its dealings with foreign governments.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Journalism based on gossip or rumors is a form of "terrorism" and media that stereotype entire populations or foment fear of migrants are acting destructively, Pope Francis said on Thursday.

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama awarded 24 American giants of the arts and humanities with medals on Thursday, lauding their accomplishments - and sharing some laughs.