This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2015/03/26/85710816-d3cc-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
World Digest: March 26, 2015 World Digest: March 26, 2015
(about 3 hours later)
A new United Nations report says the world’s number of asylum claims is at its highest point in 22 years, with Syrians and Iraqis leading the way.A new United Nations report says the world’s number of asylum claims is at its highest point in 22 years, with Syrians and Iraqis leading the way.
The report by the U.N. refugee agency, which was released Thursday, estimates that applications for asylum in industrialized nations reached 866,000 last year, up 45 percent from 2013.The report by the U.N. refugee agency, which was released Thursday, estimates that applications for asylum in industrialized nations reached 866,000 last year, up 45 percent from 2013.
The report says Syrians fleeing their country’s four-year civil war easily topped asylum applications last year with almost 150,000. Iraqis made about 68,700 such claims, and Afghans were third with about 60,000.The report says Syrians fleeing their country’s four-year civil war easily topped asylum applications last year with almost 150,000. Iraqis made about 68,700 such claims, and Afghans were third with about 60,000.
Germany received the most asylum requests among industrialized countries with more than 173,000. The United States received more than 121,000. Turkey received more than 87,000. The U.N. report is based on data from 44 industrialized countries.Germany received the most asylum requests among industrialized countries with more than 173,000. The United States received more than 121,000. Turkey received more than 87,000. The U.N. report is based on data from 44 industrialized countries.
The United Nations also said Thursday that it had more than doubled to roughly 440,000 its estimate of Syrians who are living in besieged areas of their country and risk death by starvation, dehydration and the lack of medical care. U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos announced the new number while briefing the Security Council. The United Nations also said Thursday that it had more than doubled to roughly 440,000 its estimate of Syrians who live in besieged areas of their country and are at risk of death by starvation, dehydration and lack of medical care. U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos announced the new number while briefing the Security Council.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
A federal appeals court in ­Argentina has thrown out a case that accused President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of orchestrating a coverup of the alleged role of Iranian officials in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.A federal appeals court in ­Argentina has thrown out a case that accused President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of orchestrating a coverup of the alleged role of Iranian officials in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.
The decision Thursday upholds the ruling of Judge Daniel Rafecas, who in February threw out the case, saying it wasn’t strong enough to warrant investigation. His ruling was appealed by prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita.The decision Thursday upholds the ruling of Judge Daniel Rafecas, who in February threw out the case, saying it wasn’t strong enough to warrant investigation. His ruling was appealed by prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita.
Prosecutor Alberto Nisman made the accusations against Fernández on Jan. 14, and four days later he was found fatally shot in his home. His unsolved death has rocked the South American country.Prosecutor Alberto Nisman made the accusations against Fernández on Jan. 14, and four days later he was found fatally shot in his home. His unsolved death has rocked the South American country.
Fernández has denied Nisman’s allegations, and her government has struggled to handle the fallout from his death.Fernández has denied Nisman’s allegations, and her government has struggled to handle the fallout from his death.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
Cuba and the United States will debate human rights at a meeting in Washington on Tuesday in another sign of the thaw between the two nations, which are trying to reestablish normal diplomatic ties after 50 years.Cuba and the United States will debate human rights at a meeting in Washington on Tuesday in another sign of the thaw between the two nations, which are trying to reestablish normal diplomatic ties after 50 years.
The discussions seem unlikely to lead to short-term changes in the way either country views rights issues. The United States is expected to press Cuba to allow its citizens greater freedom of speech, assembly and political activity. Cuba likely will respond with its own critiques of poverty, insufficient health-care coverage and excessive police force in the United States.The discussions seem unlikely to lead to short-term changes in the way either country views rights issues. The United States is expected to press Cuba to allow its citizens greater freedom of speech, assembly and political activity. Cuba likely will respond with its own critiques of poverty, insufficient health-care coverage and excessive police force in the United States.
But observers say even the start of a dialogue is an indication of progress in the countries’ broader move to normalize ties.But observers say even the start of a dialogue is an indication of progress in the countries’ broader move to normalize ties.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
Heavy rains cause flooding in northern Chile: Communities in a desert region of northern Chile struggled Thursday to cope with flooding that has claimed the lives of at least seven people, knocked out power and cut off roadways. Torrential rains hit the Atacama desert region Tuesday, causing the Copiapo River to overflow its banks and prompting authorities to evacuate thousands from their homes. Nineteen people were listed as missing in three communities hit by floods. The government declared a state of emergency, puttingthe region under military control, and President Michelle Bachelet flew there Wednesday evening.Heavy rains cause flooding in northern Chile: Communities in a desert region of northern Chile struggled Thursday to cope with flooding that has claimed the lives of at least seven people, knocked out power and cut off roadways. Torrential rains hit the Atacama desert region Tuesday, causing the Copiapo River to overflow its banks and prompting authorities to evacuate thousands from their homes. Nineteen people were listed as missing in three communities hit by floods. The government declared a state of emergency, puttingthe region under military control, and President Michelle Bachelet flew there Wednesday evening.
Kenyan president apologizes to nation: Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta told parliament during his state of the nation address Thursday that the time has come to bring closure to the country’s painful past. He mentioned the 2007-08 post-election violence, the 1984 massacre of hundreds of Kenyan-Somalis and unsolved murders, among other historical injustices. Kenya’s Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission report had urged that the president apologize to the public. The report names the president and his deputy among those suspected of planning and financing Kenya’s 2007-08 post-election violence, in which more than 1,000 people died. The International Criminal Court this month dropped charges against Kenyatta in the case, citing a lack of evidence, but it continues to pursue charges against his deputy. Kenyan president apologizes to nation: Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta told parliament during his state of the nation address Thursday that the time has come to bring closure to the country’s painful past. He mentioned the 2007-08 post-election violence, the 1984 massacre of hundreds of Kenyan Somalis and unsolved murders, among other historical injustices. Kenya’s Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission report had urged that the president apologize to the public. The report names the president and his deputy among those suspected of planning and financing Kenya’s 2007-08 post-election violence, in which more than 1,000 people died. The International Criminal Court this month dropped charges against Kenyatta in the case, citing a lack of evidence, but it continues to pursue charges against his deputy.
Libyan talks to continue: The U.N. envoy to Libya has sounded a positive note as peace talks between the country’s rival governments take another break with a firm deal remaining elusive. Bernardino León said Thursday in Morocco that the two sides would return by next week to continue discussing proposals for a unity government and security arrangements. During the talks, held in Skhirat, near the Moroccan capital, the U.N. presented a plan for bringing together the warring parties, including maintaining the internationally recognized elected parliament based in the eastern city of Tobruk. Libya is torn by warring militias with two governments on either end of the country that claim legitimacy.Libyan talks to continue: The U.N. envoy to Libya has sounded a positive note as peace talks between the country’s rival governments take another break with a firm deal remaining elusive. Bernardino León said Thursday in Morocco that the two sides would return by next week to continue discussing proposals for a unity government and security arrangements. During the talks, held in Skhirat, near the Moroccan capital, the U.N. presented a plan for bringing together the warring parties, including maintaining the internationally recognized elected parliament based in the eastern city of Tobruk. Libya is torn by warring militias with two governments on either end of the country that claim legitimacy.
— From news services— From news services