Syrian army announces recapture of Palmyra from Islamic State
BEIRUT – The Syrian army says it has recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra from Islamic State for the second time in a year, with help from allied forces and Russian…
Scores of detained asylum seekers take Australian cash and return home
SYDNEY – Dozens of asylum seekers held in a detention centre in Papua New Guinea have elected to accept cash from Australia to return to their home countries, officials and…
Malaysia to cancel visa-free entry for North Koreans – agency
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will cancel visa-free entry for North Koreans entering the country from March 6, state news agency Bernama reported today, as diplomatic ties between the two countries…
US judge approves release of Florida nightclub shooter’s widow
OAKLAND, Calif., – A judge has cleared the way for the widow of the gunman who killed 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, to be released from…
Arrested journalist says conditions in Turkish detention improve
BERLIN – A German-Turkish journalist whose arrest in Turkey has jolted relations between Ankara and Berlin has been quoted as saying the conditions of his detention had improved markedly since…
How much urine is in a swimming pool? Canadian study has the answer
CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian researchers studying urine levels in swimming pools have discovered just how high the levels are, and the results are not pretty, according to an article published…
Greeks protest as government, lenders discuss new austerity
ATHENS – Thousands of people have protested in central Athens against new austerity measures that the Greek government and its lenders have been discussing in an effort to conclude a…
France’s Fillon stays in presidential race despite deepening legal probe
PARIS – Conservative French presidential candidate Francois Fillon has vowed to stay in the presidential race despite a magistrate’s intention to place him under formal investigation for alleged misuse of…
Saudi king signs range of deals in Indonesia at start of visit
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has held talks with Indonesia’s president and signed a range of cooperation agreements at the beginning of a 12-day visit to the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.…
Philippines’ Duterte signs Paris pact on climate change
MANILA – Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change restricting greenhouse gas emissions, putting the deal one step closer to ratification in the country, a…
