United Nations

Germany on Sept.11 will seek to mend bitter divisions over how to handle Europe's spiralling migrant crisis, pushing eastern states to accept a quota system it says is still only a "drop in the ocean".

Turkish authorities intercepted on Wednesday 712 refugees headed for the EU in the northwestern province of Edirne near the border with Bulgaria.

The usual number of refugees intercepted in Edirne on a daily basis is 100-150, but the recent surge in their number was due to the announced plans of EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to relocate 160 000 people.

The price of international food commodities registered their largest monthly drop in seven years in August, the U.N. food agency said on Sept. 10, a slide likely to further hurt the struggling farming sector.

Ireland has agreed to take part in a refugee quota system proposed by the European Commission and will take in 2,900 additional refugees, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed on Sept.10.

The UN Security Council is considering allowing European naval forces to board and search ships on the high seas in an effort combat the smuggling of migrants, diplomats said on Sept.9.

The United Nations is expected on Sept.10 to allow the Palestinians to raise their flag at its headquarters in New York in a symbolic move highlighting Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

A Guatemalan court indicted former president Otto Perez on corruption charges on Sept.8, days after he resigned over a customs fraud scandal that has stoked outrage in the Central American country.
    
Judge Miguel Angel Galvez granted prosecutors' request to try Perez on charges of customs fraud, racketeering and bribery, and remanded the fallen conservative leader in custody.

At least 850,000 people are expected to cross the Mediterranean seeking refuge in Europe this year and next, UNHCR said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

The UN refugee agency also "called for more cohesive asylum policies to deal with the growing numbers."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sept. 8 condemned the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) recent attacks in Turkey which have killed dozens of soldiers and police officers since Sept. 6.

"[Ban] conveys his condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his deep sympathy to the government and people of Turkey," read a statement issued by his spokesperson.

At least 850,000 people are expected to cross the Mediterranean seeking refuge in Europe this year and next, the United Nations said on Sept.8, giving estimates that already look conservative. 

The UN refugee agency UNHCR called for more cohesive asylum policies to deal with the growing numbers.