Mediterranean migrant deaths in 2016 reach record 3,800

The UN refugee agency said Wednesday that at least 3,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean Sea so far this year in an attempt to reach Europe, making 2016 the deadliest year on record.

Cockpit voice recorder from EgyptAir jet found

The cockpit voice recorder from the EgyptAir plane that crashed into the Mediterranean last month has been found and pulled from the waters, Egypt’s investigation committee said on Thursday.

UN backs EU military action against migrant smugglers

The UN Security Council on Friday gave its approval to a European military operation to seize and dispose of boats run by migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean off Libya's coast.

Pope urges global response to migrant crisis

Pope Francis has urged the international community to act over a surge in the numbers of migrants attempting to reach Italy in dangerous sea crossings from north Africa.
The pontiff's appeal came at the end of a week in which more than 450 people are feared to have drowned in the Mediterranean.

US Offers to Destroy Part of Syrian Chemical Arsenal – OPCW

BRUSSELS, November 30 (RIA Novosti) - The United States has offered to destroy the most lethal of Syria's chemical weapons on a naval vessel at sea using hydrolysis, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical weapons said Saturday.
Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü announced in a statement to the OPCW Executive Council on Friday that Washington will “contribute a destruction technology, full operational support and financing to neutralize Syria’s priority chemicals, which are to be removed from the country by December 31.”

Russian Navy to hold biggest war games in decades

The four major Russian Navy fleets will hold a joint exercise in late January in the Mediterranean and Black seas. It will be the biggest such event in decades.
­Commands for the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific fleets have been preparing for the exercises since December of last year, the Russian Defense Ministry has announced. Warships detached for the event are currently sailing to those regions.