Budapest, September 16 (RHC)-- In news from Europe, about 150 refugees have crossed into Croatia after they were blocked at the Hungarian-Serbian border. Hungary has sealed its border with Serbia and enacted new laws that criminalize border crossings with up to three years’ imprisonment.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the growing global refugee crisis during a meeting with Spain’s King Felipe VI, saying the U.S. needs to take in Syrian refugees.

In related news, Barack Obama’s remarks come as he is reportedly weighing a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing crisis in Syria. The two countries have long been at odds in their response to the Syrian conflict, with Russia backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the U.S. calling on him to step down.

Meanwhile, Australia has launched its first airstrikes inside Syria Monday targeting ISIL. France says it will also begin airstrikes inside Syria against ISIL in the coming weeks.