Trump praises 'very smart' Putin for response against US

 U. S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for not reacting immediately to Washington's move to punish it over alleged election-related interference.

US expels 35 Russian diplomats over cyber attack allegations

Thirty-five Russian diplomats have been expelled from the US, according to a statement from State Department.

Israel postpones settlement approval in bid to calm relations with U.S.

Israel postponed a vote Wednesday to authorize construction of additional Jewish settlement homes in East Jerusalem to avoid straining U.S.-Israeli relations, a local official said.

Lavrov warns Kerry against bringing US’ domestic agenda to UN SC

Attempts to use the Middle East Quartet and the United Nations Security Council is bickering between the Democrats and the Republicans are harmful, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday.

Turkey complains of a lack of international coalition aerial support in Syria

Turkey complained on Monday about an alleged lack of air support from the international coalition in its operation against the Islamic State, which has been concentrated for several weeks in the Syrian city of al-Bab.

Defense Ministry: Crashed Tu-154 plane flown by experienced pilot

The Tu-154 plane that crashed off the Black Sea coast near Sochi on Sunday was manufactured more than 30 years ago and was last time repaired in December 2014, and was flown by an experienced pilot, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.

Israel recalls envoys from 2 states over UN resolution

Israel has summoned ambassadors from Senegal and New Zealand following their support for a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories.

UN Security Council demands end to Israeli settlements after US abstains from vote

After the United States abstained from voting, the UN Security Council on Friday passed a resolution demanding Israel stop building settlements on occupied Palestinian territory, a reversal of the usual US practice of protecting Israel.

Egypt delays U.N. resolution aimed at Israeli settlements

Egypt on Thursday asked to delay a vote on a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at halting Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian land after President-elect Donald Trump called for the measure to be vetoed.

Warplanes of Turkish and US-led Coalition commit two massacres in al-Bab and al-Tabqa cities

Turkish warplanes committed a new massacre in al-Bab city to the northeast of Aleppo city, calming the lives of at least 7 persons.

Berlin crash treated as terror attack; detained suspect cleared

Berlin prosecutors said Tuesday they released the person they initially detained as a suspect in a truck crash that killed 12 people at a Christmas market.

Russian ambassador shot in Turkey confirmed dead

The Russian ambassador to Turkey shot in Ankara was confirmed dead by Turkish and Russian officials on Monday.

China decides to return seized underwater drone to US

China has decided to return a US underwater drone seized by a Chinese warship during a security check in the South China Sea, a defense ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

Russian Military: All Women, Children out of Militant-Controlled Aleppo Areas, Only Radicals Remain

All women and children have been evacuated from terror/militant-controlled parts of Eastern Aleppo, and only radicals now remain there and are firing at the Syrian army forces, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed.

U.S. sues ISIS to recover stolen Syrian antiquities

The U.S. government filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking the return of antiquities plundered by the ISIS.

Kerry assures Lavrov US is working with opposition groups that sabotage intra-Syrian talks

US Secretary of State assured Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Washington has been working with opposition groups that sabotage intra-Syrian talks, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Military Operation in Eastern Aleppo Ends, Syrian Gov't Regains Control

The fighting in Eastern Aleppo has stopped and the Syrian government has regained control over the territory after the withdrawal of militants from the city was agreed, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin told the UN Security Council meeting in New York on Tuesday.

Russian Defense Ministry: ISIS attacked Palmyra after US-led coalition stopped operations in Raqqa

Russian Defense Ministry affirmed on Monday that ISIS terrorists exploited the suspension of the operations of the US-led coalition in Raqqa to attack Tadmur (Palmyra) city.

Ancient city of Palmyra on the verge of capture by ISIS

The so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" (ISIS) has reportedly seized the Tar Mountains and Al-'Amariyah District in Palmyra after a swift assault that began on Thursday.

Russia: Syrian Army Suspends Active Military Operation in Aleppo for Days

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday that Syrian government forces have suspended “active military activities” against militants in Eastern Aleppo to enable the withdrawal of civilians from the city.

Park to calmly accept impeachment if passed

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she will calmly accept the impeachment if it is passed in the scheduled parliamentary vote three days later.

Russian Foreign Ministry: Western calls to stop combating terrorism in Aleppo a desperate attempt to save terrorists

Russian Foreign Ministry expressed astonishment at London’s and Paris’ calls to stop the counter- terrorism operation launched in Eastern Aleppo under humanitarian pretext, describing the move as an attempt to shelter and rescue terrorists.

Italian PM Renzi vows to resign after referendum defeat

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced his resignation hours after learning he had suffered a crushing defeat in a referendum on constitutional reform.

Javad Zarif: Extension of sanctions discredits US

Extension of Iran's Sanctions Act (ISA) for another decade by US will discredit Washington at the international level, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday.

Russian Defense Ministry: Aleppo eastern neighborhoods haven’t received any UN aid yet

The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the areas in Aleppo eastern neighborhoods, which were regained by the Syrian Arab Army, haven’t received any UN aid yet.

Kremlin asks Erdogan to clarify ‘anti-Assad’ goals in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that his goal in Syria was to end the rule of Bashar Assad has caused consternation in the Kremlin, with officials saying it contradicted previous assurances and was out of sync with Moscow’s take on the situation.

US: Air strikes killing dozens of Syrian troops legal

An investigation has found air strikes by the US-led coalition that reportedly killed dozens of troops fighting for the Syrian government did not violate international law, the US military said.

They Are Terrorist Pets: Stop Romanticizing “Moderates” in Aleppo

It’s the final countdown for Jeish Al-Fatah (previously known as Al-Nusra Front) and other “moderate” jihadi lunatics in Eastern Aleppo.

About 1,500 manage to leave Eastern Aleppo on Sunday

About 1,500 people have managed on Sunday to leave eastern districts of Syria’s city of Aleppo that are occupied by terrorists, SANA news agency said.

Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro has passed away at 90

Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro has passed away at 90.

Pentagon chief Carter offers condolences for soldier killed in Syria

Defense Secretary Ash Carter offered condolences Friday to the family of a U.S. soldier killed in northern Syria on Thanksgiving.

Colombia's president, FARC leader sign revised peace agreement

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC Commander Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, better known as "Timochenko," signed the revised peace agreement Thursday in Bogota, ending a 52-year-old internal armed conflict.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran will retaliate if U.S. violates nuclear deal

Ayatollah Khamenei warned the United States on Wednesday that Iran would be forced to retaliate if sanctions are extended, which it said is a violation of the Iranian nuclear deal.

European lawmakers call for freeze on Turkey’s EU bid

The leaders of the European Parliament's two largest groups called on Tuesday for the European Union to halt membership talks with Turkey because of its post-coup purges.

Iraqis Confim Civilians Used by ISIL Militants as Human Shields near, inside Mosul

Iraqi civilians who escaped from the ISIL terror group stronghold of Mosul said militants forcibly used them as human shields.

Swiss fighter jets seen escorting Russian government plane

Russia's government sought an explanation after Swiss fighter jets flew alongside a government airliner on its way to Peru.

Russian military delivers aid to refugees from rebel/terrorist-held eastern Aleppo

The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria has delivered more than a tonne of relief aid to refugees from the rebel/terrorist-held area of eastern Aleppo, the center’s representative Danil Rychkov said.

US "values and international norms": Obama urges Trump to stand up to Russia's Putin

President Barack Obama has urged his successor Donald Trump to stand up to Russia if it deviates from US "values and international norms", and not simply "cut some deals" with Russian leader Vladimir Putin when convenient.

Arab League urges political solution to Yemeni crisis as cease-fire declared

The Arab League on Wednesday urged a political solution to the Yemeni crisis and welcomed a U.S.-brokered truce between Yemen's Shiite Houthi group and the Saudi-led Arab military coalition, said a senior official with the pan-Arab body.

Unified Europe 'good' for the US, says Obama

A strong and unified Europe is "good" for the United States and NATO is "absolutely vital" for US security and prosperity, US President Barack Obama said as he launched his final European trip.

FBI: Hate crimes against Muslims up 70 percent in 2015

Hate crimes against Muslims in the United States in 2015 climbed nearly 70 percent -- and hate crimes in general were up about a tenth of that, FBI statistics said Monday.

Taliban bomber kills four Americans at NATO base in Afghanistan

A Taliban suicide bomber dressed as a labourer blew himself up at the NATO air base at Bagram north of the Afghan capital Kabul today, killing four Americans and wounding at least 17 people in one of the bloodiest attacks against US forces since US President Barack Obama took office.

Trump election: Juncker warns president may upset US ties with Europe

Donald Trump's election as US president risks upsetting US ties with Europe, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned.

Russian Defense Ministry: Humanitarian pause in Aleppo is constructive when real assistance can be provided to civilians

The Russian Defense Ministry affirmed on Thursday that the humanitarian pause in Aleppo will be constructive when a real assistance can be provided to civilians and terrorists are prevented from exploiting it to regroup their forces.

Donald Trump wins U.S. presidential election

Republican Donald Trump has won the U.S. presidential election, according to projections by media outlets early Wednesday.

Battle for Mosul: Investigators examine mass grave site

Iraqi investigators have carried out an initial examination on Tuesday of a mass grave site discovered in an area south of Mosul that was recently retaken from ISIL control.

Israel rejects French proposal to host Palestinian-Israeli peace talks

Israel rejected on Monday to participate in an international peace summit proposed by France, asking Paris to refrain from promoting the conference, two high ranking Israeli officials told a French EU special envoy currently on a visit to Jerusalem.

US Texas governor warns of possible terror attack

The governor of the U.S. state of Texas on Friday warned of a possible terrorist threat against the state, urging the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious over the coming days.

US 'deeply concerned' about Turkish arrests of lawmakers

The United States said Friday it was "deeply concerned" by the Turkish government's arrest of the leaders of the country's main pro-Kurdish opposition party and its move to limit the country's access to the internet.

NATO-Afghan anti-Taliban operation in Kunduz kills 30 civilians, injures 25

At least 30 civilians were killed and 25 others injured late Wednesday during NATO-Afghan Army airstrikes and land combat operations in Kunduz province, north Afghanistan, official sources told EFE.