UN urges deal on refugees as 68.5m displaced

ROME - A global deal on refugees is urgently needed as the number of people forcibly driven from their home by war, persecution and violence reached 68.5 million in 2017, the UN refugee agency said on Wednesday.

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Russia to slap duties on US goods after higher metals tariffs

MOSCOW - Russia will soon impose duties on imports of United States goods in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin said on Tuesday.

Iran refuses to increase OPEC crude oil output

VIENNA - Iran will not accept Saudi Arabia's proposal to increase crude output of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Iran's representative to the OPEC was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Number missing in Indonesia ferry disaster jumps to 192

SIMALUNGUN, Indonesia - As many as 192 passengers could be missing after a ferry sank into the depths of a volcanic lake in Indonesia, the search-and-rescue agency said on Wednesday, tripling initial government estimates.

Half of Australia adults have chronic condition

CANBERRA - A half adult Australians have at least one chronic condition which impacts their daily life, according a government health report released on Wednesday.

Prospects for US-Taliban talks rise after Ghani 'does his bit' with Afghan cease-fire

KABUL/WASHINGTON - Prospects have risen for negotiations between the Taliban and the United States after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called a cease-fire and allowed militants to roam into cities in a gamble to encourage peace talks.

Trump backs bills as crisis deepens

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump told Republican lawmakers on Tuesday he would back either of the immigration bills making their way through the House of Representatives, as the outcry grew over his administration's separation of immigrant parents and children at the United States-Mexico border.

Merkel, Macron welcome 'new chapter'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached agreement on what Merkel has called "a new chapter" in the history of Europe's single currency after lengthy discussions ahead of the upcoming European Union summit later this month.

EU increases Africa spending to help stem flow of migrants

In an attempt to reduce the number of migrants and refugees crossing the Mediterranean, the European Union is set to increase its spending in Africa by more than 20 percent over the next seven years to a minimum of 36 billion euros ($42 billion).

Yemen pro-govt forces seize airport from rebels

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Yemeni government forces said they had seized Hodeidah airport from Houthi rebels on Wednesday, in a major step toward retaking the key Red Sea port city.

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