Old school
A rebel fighter aims a make-shift slingshot at pro-regime fighters, during clashes in the eastern Syrian town of Deir Ezzor on Thursday. Syria’s parliament approved a new election law on Friday, which for the first time in decades allows multiple candidates to run for president, just months before the war-torn nation heads to the polls. Photo: AFP
Iran president discusses nuclear issue with Putin on phone
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed Iran's nuclear issue as the West aims to curb sensitive part of Iran's nuclear program, Press TV reported on Friday.
12 killed, 18 wounded in violent attacks across Iraq
At least 12 people were killed and 18 others wounded in separate violent attacks across Iraq on Friday, police said.
Death toll rises to 3 in Lebanon's Tripoli
A security source told Xinhua Friday that three people were killed and 36 others were injured during the clashes that renewed in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli since Thursday.
Financial challenges facing WFP mission in Syria: spokesperson
The World Food Program (WFP) in Syria needs a fund of two billion US dollars in 2014 to cover the needs of seven million displaced Syrians in and outside the country, a WFP spokesperson said, noting that securing the fund is one of the major challenges facing the UN program in conflict-torn Syria.
Iran dismisses "claims" on its human rights situation
Iran on Thursday dismissed a recent UN report on its human rights situation, saying the report was "unacceptable and politically-motivated."
Palestinians not asked to extend peace talks: president
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that the Palestinian side was not asked to extend the current US-mediated peace talks with Israel beyond the nine-month deadline.
Violent attacks kill 21 in Iraq
Violent attacks, mainly targeting security forces, killed 21 people and injured seven across Iraq on Thursday, police said.
Israeli army prepares for escalation with Gaza
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Thursday ordered the military to prepare for a further escalation on the border with Gaza, after two days of massive rocket fire at southern Israel and retaliatory Israeli strikes.
Israel launches attack on targets in Gaza
Israel pounded nearly 30 targets in Gaza overnight after militants fired scores of rockets into the south, prompting Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas to demand Thursday that it halt its “escalation.”