MIGRANTS-DEATHS AT SEA

PARIS — Nearly nine times more migrants have died so far this year in Mediterranean crossings compared to last year at this time — swallowed by the sea as Europe beckons. Why is this the year of so many deaths? There is no single reason. A chain of factors interlock, overlap and unfold into catastrophe on the high seas. 

BALTICS-NATO

VILNIUS, Lithuania — The three Baltic countries are asking NATO to permanently deploy an army brigade to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as a deterrent against an increasingly assertive Russia. 

PORTUGAL-POLITICS

LISBON, Portugal — An opinion poll in Portugal puts the governing Social Democrat Party roughly level with the main opposition Socialist Party five months ahead of a general election, confounding predictions that the government's austerity policies would bring a voter backlash. 

SERBIA-WWII GUERRILLA

BELGRADE, Serbia — A Belgrade court has quashed the treason conviction of Gen. Draza Mihailovic for his collaboration with Nazis during World War II, politically rehabilitating the controversial Serbian guerrilla commander almost 70 years after he was sentenced and shot to death by communists. 

BRITAIN-POLITICS-LABOUR

LONDON — Four British politicians are in the race to replace Labour leader Ed Miliband, who resigned last week following the party's election defeat. 

BRITAIN-NIGEL FARAGE

LONDON — All is not well in the UK Independence Party headed by Nigel Farage. A rift has surfaced with a warning from UKIP's economic spokesman that Farage risks turning the party into a personality cult. 

MOLDOVA-ROMANIA

CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldova has expelled one of the organizers of a rally in favor of the country's reunification with Romania. The rally will take place on Saturday.