Bulgaria to propose immediate closure of EU borders to migrants
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria will propose the immediate closure of the European Union’s external borders to migrants and the setting up of centers for war refugees outside its territory at the EU’s weekend mini-summit on migration.
Under pressure, Merkel downbeat on EU migration breakthrough on Sunday
BEIRUT (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel played down expectations of a major breakthrough being reached at hastily-arranged talks between some EU leaders on Sunday on the migration dispute dividing Europe.
Turkey’s master campaigner, Erdogan faces biggest election challenge
ANKARA (Reuters) – After dominating Turkish politics for a decade and a half, President Tayyip Erdogan now faces his biggest electoral challenge, from a combative former teacher who has revitalized a dispirited opposition in less than two months.
Syria’s Assad defies U.S., presses southwest assault
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government helicopters dropped barrel bombs on opposition areas of the southwest on Friday for the first time in a year, a war monitor and rebel officials said, in defiance of U.S. demands that President Bashar al-Assad halt t…
Release of ‘Wolf Pack’ behind Pamplona sexual assault sparks outcry in Spain
MADRID (Reuters) – Five men convicted of sexually assaulting a young woman at the Pamplona bull running festival in 2016 are due to be released on bail on Friday, re-igniting outrage over the case which has led to mass protests calling for tougher puni…
Prince Charles visits UK site of nerve agent attack
SALISBURY, England (Reuters) – Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited Salisbury on Friday to support the city as it tries to recover from the impact of this year’s poison attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter.
North and South Korea agree to round of reunions of divided families
SEOUL (Reuters) – Delegations from North and South Korea agreed on Friday to arrange the first reunions in three years of some of the families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
Czech government backs bill on same-sex marriage
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech government gave its backing on Friday to a bill which would make the country the first in formerly communist Europe to allow same-sex marriage.
Italy asks Malta to take in, seize migrant rescue ship
ROME (Reuters) – Italy on Friday urged Malta to take in a ship carrying more than 200 rescued migrants as the new government pressures European partners to shoulder more of the burden of immigration from North Africa.
Turkey’s Erdogan, presidential rival both vow to send Syrians home
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan and his main rival in Sunday’s presidential election have both pledged to send millions of Syrian refugees home, responding to growing unease among voters about the number of migrants in Turkey.
