Russia says kills 300 insurgents in latest Syria strikes: RIA:
Russia's Defense Ministry said on Friday its planes had struck the headquarters of the Liwa al-Haqq militant group in Syria, killing 200 insurgents, including two Islamic State field commanders, the RIA news agency reported. In separate attacks in the Aleppo region, the ministry said its planes had killed a further 100 insurgents.
ISIL kills top Iranian commander in Syria:
An Iranian Revolutionary Guards general has been killed near Aleppo, where he was advising the Syrian army on their battle against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters, the guards said in a statement.
IS advances near Syria's Aleppo despite Russian strikes:
Islamic State militants captured a string of villages near Aleppo on Friday in a lightning attack that brought them closer to the prized city in northern Syria, despite a major increase in Russian airstrikes that Moscow insists are targeting the extremists.
In Syria, hints of Soviet helicopter tactics from Afghanistan:
New video footage posted online shows what easily could be Russian Mi-24 Hind gunships engaging targets on the ground as well as one being potentially shot down.
Syrian Army Shoots Down Spy Drone in Lattakia Governorate:
A hostile surveillance aircraft operated by the terrorist groups was shot down by the Syrian troops as it was flying over the coastal province of Lattakia, the sources said.
Russia Blasts CNN, Demands the US Back Claims with Facts:
Moscow demanded Thursday that the U.S. back up its claims - that Russian missiles were mistakenly dropped in Iran - with facts and hard evidence. The Russian government also blasted CNN for distributing information by citing anonymous sources.
Ashton Carter: U.S. to end Syrian rebel training program:
U.S. officials have said the new effort would focus more on embedding recruits with established Kurdish and Arab units, rather than sending them directly into front-line combat. Last week, a commander of one of the U.S.-trained rebel units turned over a half-dozen U.S. vehicles to extremist militants.
Saudi clerics make call to jihad against Syria's government, Iranian and Russian:
"The holy warriors of Syria are defending the whole Islamic nation. Trust them and support them ... because if they are defeated, God forbid, it will be the turn of one Sunni country after another," the statement said.
Saudi Increases Arms Supplies to 3 Syrian Terrorist Fronts:
Saudi government official did not rule out supplying surface-to-air missiles to the rebels, a move resisted by many in the West for fear that they would fall into the hands of ISIL and end up being used to shoot down warplanes of the US-led coalition or even civilian airliners.
Saudi Arabia Said to Order Spending Curbs Amid Oil Price Slump:
With oil accounting for about 90 percent of revenue in the Arab world's largest economy, a drop of more than 40 percent in crude prices in the past 12 months has combined with wars in Yemen and Syria to pressure Saudi Arabia's finances.
US withdraws Patriots despite Turkey's appeal to keep them:
The US began withdrawing its Patriot batteries from the country, on Friday, in line with its earlier announcement of pulling out on technical grounds -- for updating its systems -- and its assessment of the downgrading threat level from Syria.
Iraq : Mortar attack in eastern Diyala province kills 35, wounds 45:
A police official from the city of Baquba told The Associated Press that at least 35 civilians were killed late Friday when the mortars landed on their villages in the nearby suburbs. At least 45 people were wounded in the attack.
Protester killed in unrest in Iraq's Kurdistan region:
Protesters torched an office of the main political party in Iraq's Kurdish north on Friday after at least one demonstrator was killed in the worst unrest the region has seen for several years.
Popularity of 'Putin the Shiite' sky high in Iraq:
Russian President Vladimir Putin's bullish entry into the Syrian conflict has worked wonders for his popularity in neighbouring Iraq, where some await 'Hajji Putin' like a saviour.
5 Palestinians killed as Israeli forces open fire at Gaza demo:
Five Palestinians were killed and 19 others injured as Israeli military forces opened fire at a demonstration by the border fence east of Gaza City and near Khan Younis on Friday, medics said.
Israeli stabs Palestinians in 'nationalistic' attack:
An Israeli has stabbed and wounded four Palestinians in an attack in city of Dimona in southern Israel, according to police, who described the motive as "nationalistic".
Video: Palestinian woman shot after alleged stab attack in Afula:
Amid shouting, the security forces open fire multiple times at the woman, who drops to the ground. She appears to pose no threat to the heavily armed forces when she was shot.
Hamas leader in Gaza declares intifada as deadly attacks continue:
In a sermon for Friday prayers at a mosque in Gaza City, Haniyeh said: "We are calling for the strengthening and increasing of the intifada. It is the only path that will lead to liberation. Gaza will fulfil its role in the Jerusalem intifada and it is more than ready for confrontation."
Abbas to Israeli government: Stay away from our Islamic and Christian holy sites:
"We want peace and our hands will continue to be extended towards peace despite all our suffering at your hands," PA leader says.
Coalition warplanes bomb Yemen rebels:
The air strikes targeted Huthi rebels in the west of Marib province, amid ongoing clashes between them and forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
Clash leaves 28 killed in W. Afghanistan: -
Clash between security forces and Taliban militants have claimed the lives of 28 people including a civilian in the western Herat and Farah provinces since Thursday night, officials said on Friday.
MSF says 33 staff, patients still missing after US air strike:
Of the missing, nine are patients and 24 are staff, according to Guilhem Molinie, country representative for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Afghanistan.
US airstrike on Afghan hospital probably exceeded rules of operation:
The U.S. airstrike on a hospital in Afghanistan, which U.S. officials have called a "mistake," may have exceeded the rules American forces have operated under since their combat mission ended nearly a year ago, officials say.
Nigeria: I7 civilian, scores of insurgents killed in Borno attack:
The troops of 7 Division, Nigerian Army, have killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to attack Gubio town, the headquarters of Gubio local government area of Borno State.
Russia voices concern about UN sanctions, spy drones in South Sudan:
The United Nations Security Council on Friday voted to amend the mandate of a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan so it can back implementation of a recent peace deal, but Russia and Venezuela abstained over concerns about sanctions and surveillance drones.
U.N. council authorises mission against human trafficking off Libya:
The United Nations Security Council on Friday authorized European Union naval operations for one year to seize and dispose of vessels operated by human traffickers in the high seas off Libya. The 15-member council adopted the British-drafted resolution with 14 votes in favor. Venezuela abstained.
China will not allow violations of its territorial waters: -
China said on Friday it would not stand for violations of its territorial waters in the name of freedom of navigation, as the United States considers sailing warships close to China's artificial islands in the South China Sea.
North Korea could hit US homeland with nuclear weapon, says top admiral:
Admiral Bill Gortney, commander of US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said he agreed with US intelligence assessments that North Korea had nuclear weapons, as well as the ability to miniaturise them and put them on a rocket that could reach the United States.
Ex-CIA agent convicted in Italy fights to stay in Portugal:
A former CIA operative convicted of kidnapping an Egyptian cleric in Milan as part of the U.S. extraordinary renditions program is fighting against being sent to Italy to serve the six-year sentence she received in absentia there, a Portuguese court official said Friday.
Pinochet directly ordered killing on US soil of Chilean diplomat, papers reveal:
The Obama administration has declassified documents showing that the Chilean dictator personally ordered the assassination of Orlando Letelier in 1976
1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting at Northern Arizona University:
An overnight confrontation between two groups of students escalated into gunfire Friday when a freshman at Northern Arizona University killed one person and wounded three others, authorities said.
Did Someone At DHS Edit The Wikipedia Pages Of Kevin McCarthy And Renee Ellmers?:
An Internet address originating from the Department of Homeland Security was tied to entries made on the Wikipedia pages of North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, alleging that the two Republicans were having an affair.
Bernie Sanders to oppose Obama's nominee to lead the FDA:
"At a time when millions of Americans cannot afford to purchase the prescription drugs they need, we need a new leader at the FDA who is prepared to stand up to the pharmaceutical companies and work to substantially lower drug prices," Sanders said in a statement. "Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that Dr. Califf is not that person."
