Migrant arrivals in Europe jump by two-thirds in early 2015, EU seeks deal
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The number of migrants seeking protection in the European Union soared by 68 percent in the first five months of 2015 compared with the year-earlier period, the EU said on Wednesday at a time of haggling between member states over …
Russia blocks U.N. condemnation of Srebrenica as a genocide
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday that would have condemned the Srebrenica massacre as a genocide to mark the 20th anniversary of the killing of 8,000 Muslim men and boys.
Iraq celebrates return of antiquities, appeals for world help
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq celebrated on Wednesday the return of hundreds of historical artefacts, from an ancient Assyrian statue to a 20th century presidential tea set, which were looted, lost or loaned abroad over recent decades.
Syrian Kurds reclaim town from Islamic State: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian Kurdish militia on Wednesday recaptured a town that had been stormed by Islamic State fighters earlier this week north of the jihadist group’s base of operations in Raqqa city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporte…
For Spain, Greek risk is political, not economic
MADRID (Reuters) – The Greek crisis may not end up spilling over to Spain’s economy, but it is shaking up its already volatile politics months before an election.
Israeli blockade makes Gaza recovery ‘impossible’: aid agency
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Israel’s blockade of building materials for Gaza has created one of the highest levels of unemployment in the world and made it impossible for the small coastal enclave to recover from the war a year ago, aid agenc…
Syria ratifies fresh $1 billion credit line from Iran
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has signed a law ratifying a $1 billion credit line from top regional ally Iran, Syria’s state news agency SANA said in a newsflash on Wednesday, funds which will help ease economic strains from the c…
Islamic State supporters hack website of Syria rights watchdog
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Purported supporters of the hardline Islamic State group hacked the website of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog on Wednesday and threatened its Syrian director who has documented abuses on all sides of Syria’s war.
Islamic State targeted in 25 air strikes by U.S.-led coalition: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies staged 25 air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq on Tuesday in the latest round of daily attacks on the militant group, a coalition statement said.
Yemen critically short of food, fuel imports as war cuts supply lines
DUBAI/LONDON (Reuters) – Yemen is running critically short of imported food and fuel as war has cut internal supply lines and a near-blockade by Saudi-led naval forces has held up shipping to the country, the Arab world’s poorest even before fighting e…
