Latest Political refugees News

Hundreds of Syrians line up at Turkish border crossings as Erdogan expects more to go home

Dec. 09, 2024 23:24 PM EST

CILVEGOZU BORDER CROSSING, Turkey (AP) — Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkey on Monday, eagerly anticipating their return home following the fall of Bashar Assad’s government. Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar gates at...

Ukrainian man fleeing war rescued with his kitten on a perilous journey through Romanian mountains

Dec. 09, 2024 21:28 PM EST

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Ukrainian man who embarked on a perilous journey fleeing his war-torn country into Romania was rescued from a deep mountain ravine in subzero temperatures with an unlikely companion: his months-old kitten named Peach. More than a dozen rescuers worked in...

US says terror designation doesn't bar talks with Syrian rebel group

Dec. 09, 2024 17:32 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department said Monday it is not actively reviewing the “foreign terrorist organization” designation of the main Syrian rebel group that overthrew Bashar Assad’s government this weekend. But, it said such designations are constantly under review, and that even...

Germany and other European countries suspend decisions on Syrians' asylum bids after Assad's fall

Dec. 09, 2024 12:11 PM EST

BERLIN (AP) — Germany and several other European countries said Monday they are suspending decisions on asylum claims by Syrian nationals because of the unclear situation in their homeland following the fall of Bashar Assad. Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said...

Where Turkey stands as Syrian government falls to opposition insurgents

Dec. 08, 2024 07:13 AM EST

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Syrian refugees across Turkey jubilantly welcomed the downfall of Bashar Assad’s government Sunday, with many embracing the chance to return to their homeland. Large crowds waving Syrian and Turkish flags gathered in the main square of Kilis, a border city...

New UN aid chief vows 'ruthlessness' to prioritize spending as funding for world's crises shrinks

Dec. 04, 2024 11:50 AM EST

GENEVA (AP) — The new head of the U.N. humanitarian aid agency says it will be “ruthless” when prioritizing how to spend money, a nod to challenges in fundraising for civilians in war zones like Gaza, Sudan, Syria and Ukraine. Tom Fletcher, a longtime British diplomat who took...

Pope Francis discusses Ukraine with Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban

Dec. 04, 2024 05:45 AM EST

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis met Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Vatican on Wednesday and discussed with him the war in Ukraine, focusing on the humanitarian situation and efforts to promote peace in the region. Francis also discussed other themes with Orban,...

Syrian insurgents capture four central towns as government forces reclaim some territory

Dec. 04, 2024 00:37 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian insurgents captured four new towns early Tuesday, bringing them closer to the central city of Hama, opposition activists said, while government forces retook some territory they lost last week. The new push came as Turkey's president — whose country is a main...

Turkey calls for reconciliation between Syrian government and the opposition to end conflict

Dec. 02, 2024 22:38 PM EST

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The recent rapid advance by opposition fighters in Syria shows that Syrian President Bashar Assad must reconcile with his own people and hold talks with the opposition, the Turkish foreign minister said Monday. At a joint news conference in Ankara with his...

Today in History: December 1, Rosa Parks refuses to give up bus seat

Dec. 01, 2024 00:07 AM EST

Today is Sunday, Dec. 1, the 336th day of 2024. There are 30 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a Black seamstress, was arrested after refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus; the incident...