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UN Syria envoy warns Aleppo could be ‘destroyed’ this year

8 October 2016

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. envoy for Syria called on al-Qaida-linked militants to leave the embattled city of Aleppo in exchange for an end to government and Russian bombardment, warning Thursday that thousands of civilians could be killed and the historic city “destroyed” by year […]

US Condemns New Israeli Plan on Settlements

8 October 2016

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM — The United States sharply criticized Israel on Wednesday over plans to build a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank that it said would damage prospects for peace with the Palestinians and contradicted assurances made to Washington. The White House and State Department […]

Russia warns US on airstrikes; Pentagon preps for hurricane help; B-2s test-drop fake nukes; Army seeks pocket-sized drones; and just a bit more…

8 October 2016

Russia’s defense ministry has warned the U.S. against striking Assad’s forces in Syria—in particular, launching “any missile or air strikes on the territory controlled by the Syrian government,” adding Russia’s air defense systems will respond immediately despite not knowing where airstrikes come from. That word […]

UN: Aleppo Could be ‘Totally Destroyed’ in Coming Months

8 October 2016

The United Nations special envoy for Syria says eastern Aleppo could be “totally destroyed” by the end of the year due to the “cruel, constant” military activities in the city, where some 275,000 civilians are besieged. At a news conference Thursday, U.N. envoy Staffan de […]

Islamic State Hold on Eastern Syria Still Strong

8 October 2016

Losing territory in northern Syria and north-west Iraq, and with assaults looming on the Islamic State’s city strongholds of Raqqa and Mosul, the terror group may be left next year with control just of the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor. But defeating the jihadists […]

Syrian Native Smuggles Toys to Children Trapped in Aleppo

8 October 2016

Haunted by images of terrified children living in the mist of war in his hometown of Aleppo, Syrian native Rami Adham wanted to help them. And so in 2012, he began a series of perilous journeys to smuggle toys into Aleppo. “Initially, I traveled to […]

The United States and Russia Are Prepping for Doomsday

8 October 2016

The other day, a little present arrived in the mail. It was book, or rather a pair of doorstops. Titled Doomed to Cooperate, the massive two-volume set is about 1,000 pages of essays, interviews, and vignettes from more than 100 participants in the remarkable period […]

FPM urges support for Hariri’s bid to end presidential vacuum

6 October 2016

BEIRUT: The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) urged Wednesday rival political factions to facilitate former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s efforts to end the presidential vacuum as the Maronite church reiterated its opposition to Speaker Nabih Berri’s call for a comprehensive political deal prior to the election […]

Aoun: National unity is first weapon to defend Lebanon

6 October 2016

NNA – Free Patriotic Movement leader, Deputy Michel Aoun said on Tuesday “national unity is the strongest weapon to defend Lebanon”. He described his recent meeting with former Prime Minister, Saad Hariri on the presidential vacuum as “positive”. “Hariri is the leader of the Lebanese […]

Bassil from Bkerke snubs ‘conditional’ election of president

6 October 2016

NNA – Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil, on Tuesday utterly refused any set of conditions in return for the election of a President. “Every condition that has been set to elect a president has been countered with Bkerke’s objection,” Bassil said in the […]

FPM, LF oppose tying presidential election to comprehensive deal

6 October 2016

BEIRUT: The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the Lebanese Forces (LF), Lebanon’s major Christian parties, opposed Tuesday tying the election of president to a comprehensive political settlement that includes an agreement over a new electoral law and the make-up of the upcoming Cabinet. FPM President […]

Pope Francis Makes Surprise Visit to Earthquake-Hit Towns in Italy

6 October 2016

ROME — When Amatrice and several other small Italian towns were ravaged by an earthquake six weeks ago, Pope Francis made a promise to the residents there. On Tuesday, he kept it. Catching even local officials by surprise, the pope made an unexpected trip to […]