ABC News Online: Syria: United Nations says number of displaced in south-west has reached 270,000
The number of people forced to flee their homes in south-west Syria as a result of the two week escalation in fighting has climbed to 270,000 people, according to the United Nations' refugee spokesman in Jordan.
The UN said last week 160,000 had been displaced as they fled heavy bombardment and mostly took shelter in villages and areas near the Israeli and Jordanian borders.
"Our latest update shows the figure of displaced across southern Syria has exceeded 270,000 people," Mohammad Hawari, UNHCR's Jordan spokesman said.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria war: 270,000 displaced by fighting in south-west.
Jordan to keep border closed to Syria's displaced.
Israel, Jordan send aid to Syrian refugees across closed border.
US Army quietly begins pounding ISIS in Syria from new fire base.
Yemeni, Saudi and UAE forces hit rebel positions outside Hudaida.
UN agency says UAE soldiers tortured detainees in Yemen: report.
Rouhani says Iran sticking to nuclear deal, U.S. can't cut oil exports.
Iran diplomat's detention overshadows Rouhani's Europe tour.
Israel freezes Palestinian funds over attacks payouts. PA: Israel's freeze of prisoner family money 'declaration of war'.
ASIA
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to return to North Korea for denuclearization talks.
China dismisses report about North Korean missile factory upgrades.
Report: North Korea's Kim Yong Chol said Japan abduction issue 'resolved'.
Donald Trump says without him, 'we would now be at War with North Korea'. Trump says N. Korea talks 'going well,' lashes critics.
US troops unhurt in suicide bombing that reportedly killed Afghan civilians.
Afghan civilian casualties rose over winter: Pentagon.
China lends US$1 billion to Pakistan as speculation over IMF bailout grows.
Assassination of second Philippine town mayor caught on camera.
Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak arrested over 1MDB investigation. Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Razak arrested in corruption probe.
Thai boys supplied with food as military weighs rescue options.
AFRICA
African Union summit: Macron addresses security in Sahel.
Mediterranean: more than 200 migrants drown in three days.
South Sudan opposition rejects plans to extend Kiir's tenure.
Nigeria faces calls for security revamp over rising violence.
Uganda's new social media tax 'attacks free speech' say rights groups.
Embattled Malawi president will fight 2019 election.
Islamist-supported candidate becomes first female mayor of Tunis.
Thousands of Kenyans still displaced two months after floods.
EUROPE
Russia, U.S. discuss preparations for Putin-Trump summit in Helsinki.
Germany's SPD makes Angela Merkel wait for approval on migrant deal.
Amid asylum row, EU looks to Hungary's transit zones.
Days from Brexit crunch meeting, Britain's May calls for unity.
Firms 'running out of patience' on Brexit.
Top Poland judge Gersdorf vows to defy retirement rule.
Saakashvili launches fight to regain Georgian citizenship.
Italian Wikipedia shuts down in protest of proposed EU copyright law.
AMERICAS
US Senate panel upholds finding that Russia backed Trump, contradicting House.
US and Russian officials hold 'frank' talks before Trump-Putin summit. Republicans meet with Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow ahead of Trump-Putin summit.
Affirmative action: Trump 'to scrap' college racial bias policy.
Doug Ford scraps carbon tax plan and sets up climate fight with Trudeau.
Toronto left reeling after long weekend gun violence.
Venezuela promotes 16,900 soldiers for 'loyalty'.
Eike Batista: Brazilian ex-billionaire jailed for bribery.
Argentina pressured to find crew members of missing submarine.
San Francisco's Golden gate Bridge under eerie golden glow as wildfires spread across western US.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Islamic State says leader's son died in Syria.
What do we know about the 'plot' to bomb Iran opposition in Paris?
Investigators name terrorist group behind St. Petersburg metro attack.
Trump administration considering labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group: Report.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Dips in Facebook and Apple leave Wall Street lower.
Trump era ramps up tech worker revolt.
Saudi agrees to US request to pump more oil.
Oil prices chart new territory on supply-side concerns.
Trump administration seeks to block China Mobile in the US.
