Middle East

Syria

Aleppo: conflicting reports over a halt in the offensive

There are conflicting reports over whether the Russian-backed Syrian government has halted its military push to retake the rebel-held eastern Aleppo.

09/12/2016

Syria

Syria's army pauses military operations in Aleppo - Russia

Syria’s army has suspended “active” military action in eastern Aleppo, according to Russia’s foreign minister.

09/12/2016

Syria

Syrian army 'stops operations' in east Aleppo to evacuate civilians - Lavrov

The move comes amid strong international criticism over the failure to secure aid for civilians, as the Syrian army closes on the last rebel-held areas of Aleppo.

08/12/2016

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Beard of bees

Egyptian beekeeper Mohamed Hagras grows a “beard of bees” to demonstrate the usefulness of the honey-producing insects and to show that they aren’t aggressive.

08/12/2016

Syria

Syrian forces reject rebel call for truce in Aleppo

Syrian forces in Aleppo take control of the 'Old City' and sense a pivotal victory in the five-year conflict against rebels

08/12/2016

Europe News

Fresh Cyprus talks set for next month

The leaders of Cyprus and the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will meet in Geneva next month for a fresh round of talks on reuniting the island.

07/12/2016

Syria

Aleppo: Syrian army "seizes all of Old City"

Syrian government forces have reportedly recaptured all of Aleppo’s historic ‘Old City’, pushing the last remaining rebels there out.

07/12/2016

Israel

Netanyahu statue toppled

A golden statue of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given a mixed reception by onlookers as it made a brief appearance in Tel Aviv.

07/12/2016

Syria

Syrian forces capture key parts of rebel-held eastern Aleppo, state media says

Syrian government forces have seized several areas of eastern Aleppo, including the key-rebel-held district of Al Sharr, state media and monitors are reporting.

06/12/2016

Cyprus

The city in Cyprus where time travel is possible

When the clocks went back in October most Europeans were happy to gain an extra hour of sleep.

06/12/2016

Syria

Russia and China block UN call for Aleppo truce

Discord at the UN as Russia and China block moves for a temporary truce in the Syrian city of Aleppo

06/12/2016

Turkey

Turkey receives first Israeli ambassador since Mavi Marmara row

Turkey has received its first ambassador from Israel since the two countries broke off ties six years ago after an attempt to break the blockade of Gaza ended in…

05/12/2016

Syria

Russia and US to talk Aleppo rebel withdrawal as Syrian army advances

Syrian government forces and their allies have advanced into another rebel-held part of eastern Aleppo – according to an opposition official and the UK-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory f

05/12/2016

Syria

Syrian army advances on Aleppo airport

The Syrian army and its allies have advanced deeper into rebel-controlled areas, taking over a major access road leading to Aleppo International Airport.

05/12/2016

Syria

Gains made by both sides in battle for Aleppo while evacuation deals have been brokered in southern Syria

Gains are believed to have been made both by rebels and regime forces in the battle for Aleppo.

03/12/2016

Syria

Clown of Aleppo 'killed in Syrian or Russian air strike'

Reports from Syria say a social worker known as the “Clown of Aleppo” who helped the besieged city’s children has been killed in an air strike.

02/12/2016

Syria

Fresh fears for civilians as fighting rages in Aleppo

Syrian government forces say they gained more ground in Aleppo on Thursday.

01/12/2016

Turkey

Russia and Turkey find common ground on Syria

They are on opposing sides of Syria’s civil war.

01/12/2016

Syria

UN warns Aleppo risks becoming a 'graveyard'

At least 26 people are killed in latest artillery bombardments on Aleppo's rebel zone including some who had fled from frontline area.

01/12/2016

Yemen

Chorus of condemnation greets Houthi government in Yemen

Many international organisations including the UN have criticised the move by Yemen's Shi'ite Houthi rebels to form a government in Sana'a.

30/11/2016

Syria

Aleppo: 'Dozens of civilians killed' fleeing Syrian army advance

Syria’s army and its allies are tightening their grip on rebel-held parts of eastern Aleppo.

30/11/2016

Syria

Two Turkish soldiers go missing in Syria

ISIL fighters claim to have captured two Turkish soldiers in northeren Syria.

30/11/2016

Europe News

The Brief from Brussels: EU-Turkey ties face test and Brexit notes cause stir

This is the Brief from Brussels, a round-up of the top stories from Europe’s de facto political capital.

29/11/2016

Turkey

Turkey: Fire at schoolgirls' dormitory kills 12

A fire at a dormitory for schoolgirls in southern Turkey on Tuesday left twelve people dead, eleven of them teenagers.

29/11/2016

West Bank

Fatah re-elects Mahmoud Abbas

The Palestinian President has opened the first congress of his Fatah party for seven years. An estimated 1,300 delegates gathered to elect new leaders and discuss longer-term policy.

29/11/2016

Syria

Thousands flee Aleppo fighting

An estimated 16,000 people have been displaced as a result of Syrian government advances on rebel-held districts of Aleppo.

29/11/2016