Syrian opposition rejects Assad’s statements about new Syrian government
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian opposition said on Wednesday Syria needs a transitional ruling body with full executive powers and not a participatory government under President Bashar al-Assad, responding to comments made by Assad to Russian state media…
Migrant arrivals to Greece rise sharply despite EU-Turkey deal
ATHENS (Reuters) – Arrivals of refugees and migrants to Greece from Turkey rose sharply on Wednesday, just over a week since the European Union and Turkey struck a deal intended to cut off the flow.
Cyprus remands suspected hijacker who wanted to see ex-wife
LARNACA, Cyprus (Reuters) – An Egyptian man accused of hijacking a passenger plane and diverting it to Cyprus has told police he acted because he wanted to see his estranged wife and children, saying “what should one do?”.
European court clears UK authorities in 2005 de Menezes shooting case
STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) – Europe’s top human rights court ruled on Wednesday that British prosecutors were right not to charge police officers involved in the shooting 11 years ago of a Brazilian electrician they thought was a suicide bomber.
Brussels police investigate “drunk” officer after attacks
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Brussels police have launched a disciplinary inquiry following last week’s suicide bombings, after a newspaper reported that a senior officer appeared drunk and incapable at a crisis meeting just after the attacks.
Assad says Damascus to base Geneva talks on U.N. document: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Damascus will base its dialogue on solving the Syrian conflict at the next round of talks in Geneva on the United Nations basic principles document, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with Russia’s RIA news agency …
Venezuela parliament approves amnesty law, Maduro vows to veto
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition-controlled Congress late on Tuesday approved an amnesty law to free jailed opposition activists and end legal proceedings against others, a measure President Nicolas Maduro promised to veto.
Turkish police detain 16 suspected Nusra Front members: news agency
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police detained 16 people in the southeastern province of Adiyaman on Wednesday on suspicion of belonging to the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, state-run Anadolu Agency said.
Assad calls on U.N. to help restore ancient Palmyra
BEIRUT (Reuters) – President Bashar al-Assad called on the United Nations and other international organizations on Wednesday to help Syria to restore Palmyra after government forces drove Islamic State militants out of the ancient city.
Brazil’s biggest party quits ruling coalition, Rousseff isolated
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s largest party announced on Tuesday it was leaving President Dilma Rousseff’s governing coalition and pulling its members from her government, a departure that sharply raises the odds she could be impeached in a matter of m…




