For veteran Turkish smuggler, only an army could stop migrant flow
IZMIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Demand has never been higher for the services of Turkish smuggler Dursun, who has taken migrants to Europe for more than decade, and he says nothing short of an army could stamp out his illicit trade.
Europe ends sanctions on Belarus, seeks better ties
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union ended five years of sanctions against Belarus and its authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, citing improving human rights as the bloc seeks more friends in Russia’s back yard.
Italy sends more troops to Naples after jump in killings
NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) – The Italian government sent 250 more troops to Naples on Monday to help fight an upsurge of violence in the crime-plagued city.
Investigator asks U.N. to notify North Korea’s Kim of possible probe for crimes against humanity
GENEVA (Reuters) – A U.N. expert on human rights in North Korea has asked the United Nations to officially notify North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he may be investigated for crimes against humanity.
Lebanon presidency deadlock persists as Hariri stands by Franjieh
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Former Lebanese prime minister Saad al-Hariri said on Monday he was committed to backing his rival Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency, indicating an almost two-year deadlock over the job will not be resolved soon.
Turkey, Israel close to deal on compensation over Mavi Marmara: Turkish official
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Talks between Turkey and Israel have reached the point at which both sides can now sign an agreement on compensation for the killing of 10 Turkish activists by Israeli commandos in 2010, a Turkish ruling party official said on Mond…
Exclusive: Samples confirm Islamic State used mustard gas in Iraq – diplomat
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Islamic State militants attacked Kurdish forces in Iraq with mustard gas last year, in the first known use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a diplomat said, after tests by the global chemical arms watc…
Nearly 5,700 buildings in Iraq’s Ramadi need repair, U.N. says
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Around 5,700 structures in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi and its outskirts have incurred some level of damage since mid-2014, and almost 2,000 buildings have been destroyed, the United Nations said on Monday, citing satellite ima…
Samarra’s Sunnis fear displacement a decade after Iraq shrine attack
SAMARRA, Iraq (Reuters) – Sunlight once again glints off the golden dome of one of Shi’ite Islam’s holiest shrines, almost fully restored 10 years after suspected al Qaeda militants blew it up in northern Iraq.
Israel cabinet vote imminent on plan to increase Palestinian workers
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s cabinet will likely vote within two weeks on a proposal to allow another 33,000 Palestinian construction workers into Israel as the government seeks to ease the economic hardship that officials say has fueled a wave of Pa…
