A Civil Defence member tries to put out a fire at a site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the al-Maadi neighbourhood of Aleppo
A Civil Defence member tries to put out a fire at a site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the al-Maadi neighbourhood of Aleppo June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Hosam Katan (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
More than 50 million displaced worldwide, UN says
Syrians fleeing conflict accounted for most of the world's 2.5 million new refugees last year
Danish government says hostage held in Syria freed
DENMARK-SYRIA/:Danish government says hostage held in Syria freed
World Refugee Day: Global forced displacement tops 50 million for first time in post-World War II era
The increase was driven mainly by the war in Syria. Major new displacement was also seen in Africa - notably in Central African Republic and South Sudan.
Obama sends U.S. military advisers to Iraq as battle rages over refinery
Obama is sending up to 300 military advisers to Iraq but he insists American troops are not returning to combat there
Ancient parasite highlights humans' role in spread of disease
HEALTH-SCHISTOSOMIASIS/EGG:Ancient parasite highlights humans' role in spread of disease
Obama says U.S. military plans for Iraq strictly limited
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that Americans overwhelmingly oppose U.S. intervention in Iraq in the face of the Sunni insurgency