BEIRUT / AP Backed by Russian aircraft, Syrian troops pushed towards the historic central town of Palmyra in an offensive to recapture it from the IS group whose fighters have damaged some of the world’s most precious archaeological sites since they overran the town last May. After night fell, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that the offensive advanced toward …

WASHINGTON / AFP The United States views a deal by Turkish and EU leaders to curb the influx of migrants into Europe as an “important step,” the State Department said. Under the deal all migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey as early as Sunday will be turned back. “We strongly endorse action to shut down the illegal smuggling operations that …

BAGHDAD / AFP Iraqi forces have launched a broad offensive to retake the city of Hit from the IS group in the western province of Anbar, a top commander said on Saturday. Led by the elite Counter-Terrorism Service, forces from the police, army and local tribal fighters were making a final push to retake Hit, 145 kilometres (90 miles) west …