A total of 657 children have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the year, UNICEF said on Thursday (November 21), making 2019 another bleak year for Syrian children after more 8 years of conflict.

Nearly 700 children killed in Syria since beginning of 2019 - UNICEF

Mohammed Manea has tended honey bees northeast of Sanaa for years, but despairs that the production of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/yemen-government-separatists-sign-deal-to-end-power-struggle-in-south-260295">"Yemen's gold"</a> is under threat as the war engulfing the country drags on.

The conflict has blighted millions of lives and brought the economy to the brink of collapse. Cottage industries such as beekeeping, coffee growing and artisan manufacturing have been hit particularly hard.

Beekeepers say clashes between the Saudi-supported government and Iran-backed rebels, alongside a humanitarian crisis that the United Nations has called the world's worst, have throttled their livelihoods.

"When we recently arrived in this part of Hajjah province on the front line between the aggressors (the Saudi-led coalition) and the Huthis, the trucks were hit by an airstrike," Manea told AFP.

"One was carrying the honey, and the other was carrying the bees," he added as he used his bare hands to remove a honeycomb frame crawling with bees from a hive in the rural region of Aslam.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-rebels-seize-two-south-korean-one-saudi-vessel-263173">Yemen is renowned</a> for its Sidr honey, named after the tree from which the nectar is gathered. The honey is referred to informally as "Middle Eastern manuka", a bow to its famed market rival from New Zealand.

Watch: Yemen government, separatists sign deal to end power struggle

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/yemen-government-separatists-sign-deal-to-end-power-struggle-in-south-260295/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'Production has dropped'

Sidr honey is said to have medicinal properties and is a bestseller in the souks and bazaars of the Gulf where it retails at a premium.

It is also a natural product that is traditionally recommended to new mothers to augment breast milk production.

Manea's fellow beekeeper, Ali Kabsh, agreed that the business was suffering badly.

"Honey production has dropped," he said pointing to the challenges of exporting during wartime and the logistical difficulties of keeping bees.

He estimated that the number of hives had dropped from between 800 and 1,000 when the war broke out in 2014 to between 100 and 150 currently. There are no official statistics that highlight the full damage suffered by the country's once-proud producers of honey.

Kabsh said that among the most significant problems he faced was travelling to find fresh flowers in bloom for his bees to harvest the nectar.

"A beekeeper's work depends on the seasons. Each region has its flowering season, so they have to move around to produce the honey," he told AFP.

In Abs, another region in Hajjah province, beekeeper Ahmed Ali al-Adili said he had struggled to export honey to Gulf states including Saudi Arabia.

The international airport in the capital Sanaa is under Huthi control and remains dormant, while most border crossings are closed, he said.&nbsp;

"My production has decreased by 90 per cent," Adili said.&nbsp;

Other traditional trades in Yemen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/yemen-houthis-claim-capture-of-saudi-troops-252676">have also suffered</a>. The Al-Shinayni market in third city Taez once overflowed with handicrafts including products made by blacksmiths, potters and tailors. Now it is an arms bazaar in which a Kalashnikov assault rifle retails for little more than $1,000.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the conflict to support the internationally-recognised government against the Huthis.

Around 3.3 million people have been displaced by the war and about 20 million people,&nbsp;more than two-thirds of the population,&nbsp;need humanitarian support to survive.&nbsp;

Mohammed Manea has tended honey bees northeast of Sanaa for years, but despairs that the production of "Yemen's gold" is under threat as the war engulfing the country drags on.

Mohammed Manea has tended honey bees northeast of Sanaa for years, but despairs that the production of "Yemen's gold" is under threat as the war engulfing the country drags on. The conflict has blighted millions of lives and brought the economy to the brink of collapse. Cottage industries such as beekeeping, coffee growing and artisan manufacturing have been hit particularly hard. Beekeepers say clashes between the Saudi-supported government and Iran-backed rebels, alongside a humanitarian crisis that the United Nations has called the world's worst, have throttled their livelihoods. "When we recently arrived in this part of Hajjah province on the front line between the aggressors (the Saudi-led coalition) and the Huthis, the trucks were hit by an airstrike," Manea told AFP. "One was carrying the honey, and the other was carrying the bees," he added as he used his bare hands to remove a honeycomb frame crawling with bees from a hive in the rural region of Aslam. Yemen is renowned for its Sidr honey, named after the tree from which the nectar is gathered. The honey is referred to informally as "Middle Eastern manuka", a bow to its famed market rival from New Zealand. Watch: Yemen government, separatists sign deal to end power struggle 'Production has dropped' Sidr honey is said to have medicinal properties and is a bestseller in the souks and bazaars of the Gulf where it retails at a premium. It is also a natural product that is traditionally recommended to new mothers to augment breast milk production. Manea's fellow beekeeper, Ali Kabsh, agreed that the business was suffering badly. "Honey production has dropped," he said pointing to the challenges of exporting during wartime and the logistical difficulties of keeping bees. He estimated that the number of hives had dropped from between 800 and 1,000 when the war broke out in 2014 to between 100 and 150 currently. There are no official statistics that highlight the full damage suffered by the country's once-proud producers of honey. Kabsh said that among the most significant problems he faced was travelling to find fresh flowers in bloom for his bees to harvest the nectar. "A beekeeper's work depends on the seasons. Each region has its flowering season, so they have to move around to produce the honey," he told AFP. In Abs, another region in Hajjah province, beekeeper Ahmed Ali al-Adili said he had struggled to export honey to Gulf states including Saudi Arabia. The international airport in the capital Sanaa is under Huthi control and remains dormant, while most border crossings are closed, he said. "My production has decreased by 90 per cent," Adili said. Other traditional trades in Yemen have also suffered. The Al-Shinayni market in third city Taez once overflowed with handicrafts including products made by blacksmiths, potters and tailors. Now it is an arms bazaar in which a Kalashnikov assault rifle retails for little more than $1,000. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the conflict to support the internationally-recognised government against the Huthis. Around 3.3 million people have been displaced by the war and about 20 million people, more than two-thirds of the population, need humanitarian support to survive.

Yemen: Tough times ahead for honey trade as war cripples country

NATO foreign ministers are set on Wednesday to make space a domain of warfare and agree to closely monitor China’s growing military might in decisions that many allies say shows the alliance is not dying, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-says-nato-experiencing-brain-death-260582">France</a> has suggested.

Two weeks before the Western alliance meets for a summit in London to mark 70 years since its foundation, ministers aim to show they are rising to challenges despite tensions over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-attend-nato-summit-in-london-days-before-uk-vote-262476">US President Donald Trump’s </a>leadership, alarm at Turkey’s ties with Russia and French doubts about NATO’s viability.

“Reports of NATO’s death are greatly exaggerated,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Reuters, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron’s November 7 comments about “the brain death of NATO”.

Envoys hope two major policies - on space as a new frontier in defense and on China - will show that NATO is not a Cold War relic but a shield against threats including Russia’s decision to develop missiles capable of hitting Europe at short notice.

First reported by Reuters in June, the space policy, which has been months in negotiation, will mean that battles can be waged not only on land, in the air, at sea and on computer networks, but also in space.

NATO will not deploy weapons to space. It will begin work on protecting satellites crucial for modern communications.

NATO diplomats deny the alliance would be on a war footing in space, but say declaring it a domain would begin a debate over whether NATO should eventually use space weapons that can shut down enemy missiles and air defenses or destroy satellites.

China and Russia are also active in space.

BRAIN DEAD?

A new policy to be agreed on China will also lay the ground for NATO to focus closely on Beijing’s military ambitions and to ensure allied communications networks and infrastructure are safe from any possible foreign interference.

China had the second-largest defense budget after the United States in 2018 and has added 80 ships and submarines to its navy, the equivalent of the entire British navy, in the past five years, NATO says.

“When there is a military build-up, you have to see what you need to defend against,” U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison told reporters. “We are not provocative in any way.”

NATO diplomats say Macron has prompted soul-searching after expressing doubt in his interview with The Economist about US-led NATO’s security maxim. NATO allies promise that an attack on one is an attack on all. That has underpinned transatlantic ties since the alliance’s 1949 foundation.

Still, diplomats concede the Western military alliance needs to be more consistent. Macron’s comments, Trump’s confusing policy in Syria and Turkey’s decision to defy allies and invade northern Syria last month have strained the mood.

Foreign ministers, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the NATO security guarantee at the Brussels meeting.

NATO foreign ministers are set on Wednesday to make space a domain of warfare and agree to closely monitor China’s growing military might in decisions that many allies say shows the alliance is not dying, as France has suggested.

NATO foreign ministers are set on Wednesday to make space a domain of warfare and agree to closely monitor China’s growing military might in decisions that many allies say shows the alliance is not dying, as France has suggested. Two weeks before the Western alliance meets for a summit in London to mark 70 years since its foundation, ministers aim to show they are rising to challenges despite tensions over US President Donald Trump’s leadership, alarm at Turkey’s ties with Russia and French doubts about NATO’s viability. “Reports of NATO’s death are greatly exaggerated,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Reuters, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron’s November 7 comments about “the brain death of NATO”. Envoys hope two major policies - on space as a new frontier in defense and on China - will show that NATO is not a Cold War relic but a shield against threats including Russia’s decision to develop missiles capable of hitting Europe at short notice. First reported by Reuters in June, the space policy, which has been months in negotiation, will mean that battles can be waged not only on land, in the air, at sea and on computer networks, but also in space. NATO will not deploy weapons to space. It will begin work on protecting satellites crucial for modern communications. NATO diplomats deny the alliance would be on a war footing in space, but say declaring it a domain would begin a debate over whether NATO should eventually use space weapons that can shut down enemy missiles and air defenses or destroy satellites. China and Russia are also active in space. BRAIN DEAD? A new policy to be agreed on China will also lay the ground for NATO to focus closely on Beijing’s military ambitions and to ensure allied communications networks and infrastructure are safe from any possible foreign interference. China had the second-largest defense budget after the United States in 2018 and has added 80 ships and submarines to its navy, the equivalent of the entire British navy, in the past five years, NATO says. “When there is a military build-up, you have to see what you need to defend against,” U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison told reporters. “We are not provocative in any way.” NATO diplomats say Macron has prompted soul-searching after expressing doubt in his interview with The Economist about US-led NATO’s security maxim. NATO allies promise that an attack on one is an attack on all. That has underpinned transatlantic ties since the alliance’s 1949 foundation. Still, diplomats concede the Western military alliance needs to be more consistent. Macron’s comments, Trump’s confusing policy in Syria and Turkey’s decision to defy allies and invade northern Syria last month have strained the mood. Foreign ministers, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the NATO security guarantee at the Brussels meeting.

NATO says death 'greatly exaggerated'; to adopt new strategies on space, China

On the road where they say nine local people were shot by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-announce-transparent-elections-soon-bolivias-interim-president-jeanine-anez-262795">Bolivian security</a> forces last week, coca growers mourn the dead and vow to resist interim president Jeanine Anez.

The farmers are supporters of ex-president Evo Morales, who was forced to resign in what he said was a coup as Bolivia has been rocked by violent protests after a disputed election.

The farmers say the military and police opened fire when pro-Morales protesters tried to enter the central city of Cochabamba on Friday, in the deadliest incident of the month-long wave of demonstrations.

Shortly before, Anez had issued a presidential decree granting security forces immunity from prosecution.

"Before this, there were protests, but they did not use bullets... now anyone can come, fire bullets and not get punished," said Jaime Marcas, 26, wearing a woollen cap with earmuffs.

The road from Sacaba, the site of the killings, to Cochabamba,&nbsp;a Morales stronghold,&nbsp;has been blocked by security forces.

"They don't let us into the city. They check everything, as if it were a border," Leonor Gonzalez told AFP, her face full of fury.

She said the security forces on Friday deceived them by saying that they would let women go first into the city, but then they shot the men who were kept behind.

Watch: Bolivia - When chemistry sparked a political crisis

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Interior Minister Arturo Murillo has hinted that the farmers may have fired at each other, but they deny being armed.

Scattered stones, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivians-queue-for-chicken-and-fuel-as-protests-cripple-highways-262779">burnt tires and bundles of abandoned hats</a> and shoes mark the scene of the incident.

"These are from those people who managed to run," said one of the farmers standing guard amid the crowd.

Nearby, nine black metal crosses with floral tributes wilting in the heat have been erected to remember the dead.

The unrest in Bolivia first erupted after Morales,&nbsp;the country's first indigenous president,&nbsp;was accused of rigging the results of the October 20 polls to gain reelection to a fourth term.

He resigned and fled to Mexico after losing the support of the security forces.

Anez, the former deputy speaker of the Senate, declared herself the interim president and has pledged to call elections soon.

But in Sacaba, nobody wants to hear about new elections until Anez steps down.

"We do not want this government, we do not know it. We feel anger, all the people in general. Now people are not afraid,&nbsp;the government have reneged (on its promises), and we push through to the end," warned Marcelo Pacchi, 42.

When one person in the crowd mentioned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-crisis-could-spin-out-of-control-as-death-toll-keeps-increasing-united-nations-262639">all-party talks as the way forward for Bolivia</a>, it sparked fury in the crowd.

"No dialogue!" shouted another, earning loud applause.

On the road where they say nine local people were shot by Bolivian security forces last week, coca growers mourn the dead and vow to resist interim president Jeanine Anez.

On the road where they say nine local people were shot by Bolivian security forces last week, coca growers mourn the dead and vow to resist interim president Jeanine Anez. The farmers are supporters of ex-president Evo Morales, who was forced to resign in what he said was a coup as Bolivia has been rocked by violent protests after a disputed election. The farmers say the military and police opened fire when pro-Morales protesters tried to enter the central city of Cochabamba on Friday, in the deadliest incident of the month-long wave of demonstrations. Shortly before, Anez had issued a presidential decree granting security forces immunity from prosecution. "Before this, there were protests, but they did not use bullets... now anyone can come, fire bullets and not get punished," said Jaime Marcas, 26, wearing a woollen cap with earmuffs. The road from Sacaba, the site of the killings, to Cochabamba, a Morales stronghold, has been blocked by security forces. "They don't let us into the city. They check everything, as if it were a border," Leonor Gonzalez told AFP, her face full of fury. She said the security forces on Friday deceived them by saying that they would let women go first into the city, but then they shot the men who were kept behind. Watch: Bolivia - When chemistry sparked a political crisis Interior Minister Arturo Murillo has hinted that the farmers may have fired at each other, but they deny being armed. Scattered stones, burnt tires and bundles of abandoned hats and shoes mark the scene of the incident. "These are from those people who managed to run," said one of the farmers standing guard amid the crowd. Nearby, nine black metal crosses with floral tributes wilting in the heat have been erected to remember the dead. The unrest in Bolivia first erupted after Morales, the country's first indigenous president, was accused of rigging the results of the October 20 polls to gain reelection to a fourth term. He resigned and fled to Mexico after losing the support of the security forces. Anez, the former deputy speaker of the Senate, declared herself the interim president and has pledged to call elections soon. But in Sacaba, nobody wants to hear about new elections until Anez steps down. "We do not want this government, we do not know it. We feel anger, all the people in general. Now people are not afraid, the government have reneged (on its promises), and we push through to the end," warned Marcelo Pacchi, 42. When one person in the crowd mentioned all-party talks as the way forward for Bolivia, it sparked fury in the crowd. "No dialogue!" shouted another, earning loud applause.

Bolivian farmers protest against interim president at site of killings

The Strike Corps of the Indian Army began exercise 'Sindhu Sudarshan' in Barmer on Saturday. 
 
As many as 40,000 jawans are taking part in the exercise. 
 
A statement from the Indian Army said, "The Strike Corps of Southern Army is conducting exercise 'Sindhu Sudarshan' in the open deserts of Rajasthan to hone their combat skills for executing a swift, intense and deep strike in deserts and semi-developed terrain." 
 
"Approximately 40,000 troops, 700 'A' Vehicles and 300 Guns of Sudarshan Chakra Corps of Southern Command are undertaking a massive exercise in the deserts of Rajasthan showcasing their ability to undertake large scale offensive manoeuvres as part of an integrated air-land battle. 
 
The synergy of information and technology to attain battlefield transparency and situational awareness along with numerous other force multipliers are being exploited during the exercise," the statement said. 
 
It further said, "In this exercise, the newly inducted armed helicopter Rudra, equipped with electro-optical pods, helmet-mounted sights and night vision goggles is being integrated with the manoeuvres of the mechanised formations. The recently inducted 155 mm K9Vajra endowed with rapid mobility, quick deployment and high rates of accurate fire is also being op validated by integrating it with the operational manoeuvres of other mechanized elements." 
 
The various battle groups participating in the ongoing exercise have undergone extensive training for the past two months to validate their operational plans. 
 
"The operational readiness showcased by the mechanised battle groups of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps in a network-enabled environment using multiple, state of the art force multipliers, has reaffirmed the tremendous asymmetry enjoyed by the Indian Army in Southern theatre over its adversary," the statement added.

The Strike Corps of the Indian Army began exercise 'Sindhu Sudarshan' in Barmer on Saturday. As many as 40,000 jawans are taking part in the exercise. A statement from the Indian Army said, "The Strike Corps of Southern Army is conducting exercise 'Sindhu Sudarshan' in the open deserts of Rajasthan to hone their combat skills for executing a swift, intense and deep strike in deserts and semi-developed terrain.

The Strike Corps of the Indian Army began exercise 'Sindhu Sudarshan' in Barmer on Saturday. As many as 40,000 jawans are taking part in the exercise. A statement from the Indian Army said, "The Strike Corps of Southern Army is conducting exercise 'Sindhu Sudarshan' in the open deserts of Rajasthan to hone their combat skills for executing a swift, intense and deep strike in deserts and semi-developed terrain." "Approximately 40,000 troops, 700 'A' Vehicles and 300 Guns of Sudarshan Chakra Corps of Southern Command are undertaking a massive exercise in the deserts of Rajasthan showcasing their ability to undertake large scale offensive manoeuvres as part of an integrated air-land battle. The synergy of information and technology to attain battlefield transparency and situational awareness along with numerous other force multipliers are being exploited during the exercise," the statement said. It further said, "In this exercise, the newly inducted armed helicopter Rudra, equipped with electro-optical pods, helmet-mounted sights and night vision goggles is being integrated with the manoeuvres of the mechanised formations. The recently inducted 155 mm K9Vajra endowed with rapid mobility, quick deployment and high rates of accurate fire is also being op validated by integrating it with the operational manoeuvres of other mechanized elements." The various battle groups participating in the ongoing exercise have undergone extensive training for the past two months to validate their operational plans. "The operational readiness showcased by the mechanised battle groups of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps in a network-enabled environment using multiple, state of the art force multipliers, has reaffirmed the tremendous asymmetry enjoyed by the Indian Army in Southern theatre over its adversary," the statement added.

Indian Army showcases its striking capabilities with wargame 'Sindhu Sudarshan'

After delivering back to back hits like 'Super 30'&nbsp;and 'Kaabil'&nbsp;Hrithik Roshan who is known for his dancing prowess feels that there is no need to flaunt your moves when it comes to certain movies which are content-heavy just because one is known for dancing and the script does not call for it. 
 
From giving us all the timeless hook steps to delivering phenomenal performances, the actor who has been the ultimate dance icon to generations of the audience did not have him in a well-choreographed, groovy dance in his last two films. 
 
Sharing his thoughts on the same, he said, "See, our films are also evolving. And when you look at movies through that filter then you won't expect an actor, who is known for dancing to dance just because he knows how to, especially in films like 'Super 30'&nbsp;or 'Kaabil'. 
 
"Going back in time, with his ageless dance numbers, Hrithik who was loved for his dance moves in films such as 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', 'Lakshya', 'Dhoom 2'&nbsp;and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'&nbsp;among others further added, "Filmmakers are only going by the audience's instincts. I don't think anyone is saying, 'Oh, Hrithik hasn't danced in 'Super 30'. Why hasn't he?'&nbsp;That's why, at the end of the day, it doesn't affect anything or translate into anything''. 
 
The actor is basking in the glory of his two back to back hits and has definitely emerged as the gamechanger of the year. 'Super 30'&nbsp;was critically acclaimed for the stellar performance as he portrayed the character of Bihari teacher Anand Kumar while he was showered loved by fans for his spectacular action-sequences in 'War'&nbsp;alongside Tiger Shroff.&nbsp;

After delivering back to back hits like 'Super 30' and 'Kaabil' Hrithik Roshan who is known for his dancing prowess feels that there is no need to flaunt your moves when it comes to certain movies which are content-heavy just because one is known for dancing and the script does not call for it.

After delivering back to back hits like 'Super 30' and 'Kaabil' Hrithik Roshan who is known for his dancing prowess feels that there is no need to flaunt your moves when it comes to certain movies which are content-heavy just because one is known for dancing and the script does not call for it. From giving us all the timeless hook steps to delivering phenomenal performances, the actor who has been the ultimate dance icon to generations of the audience did not have him in a well-choreographed, groovy dance in his last two films. Sharing his thoughts on the same, he said, "See, our films are also evolving. And when you look at movies through that filter then you won't expect an actor, who is known for dancing to dance just because he knows how to, especially in films like 'Super 30' or 'Kaabil'. "Going back in time, with his ageless dance numbers, Hrithik who was loved for his dance moves in films such as 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', 'Lakshya', 'Dhoom 2' and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' among others further added, "Filmmakers are only going by the audience's instincts. I don't think anyone is saying, 'Oh, Hrithik hasn't danced in 'Super 30'. Why hasn't he?' That's why, at the end of the day, it doesn't affect anything or translate into anything''. The actor is basking in the glory of his two back to back hits and has definitely emerged as the gamechanger of the year. 'Super 30' was critically acclaimed for the stellar performance as he portrayed the character of Bihari teacher Anand Kumar while he was showered loved by fans for his spectacular action-sequences in 'War' alongside Tiger Shroff.

Hrithik Roshan feels no need to flaunt his dance moves for content-heavy movies

US troop levels in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eight-killed-in-bombing-in-turkish-controlled-northeast-syria-261218">northern Syria</a> will probably stabilize around 500, a top American military leader said Sunday, weeks after President Donald Trump had announced a complete withdrawal.

"There will be less than 1,000, for sure," General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on ABC's "This Week." "Probably in the 500ish frame, maybe six."

Trump's abrupt announcement last month that he had ordered a full troop withdrawal drew angry rebukes at home and abroad, with critics saying it could allow a resurgence of the Islamic State group while leaving US-allied <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/everyone-deserves-second-chance-us-born-islamic-state-bride-appeals-again-to-come-home-from-syria-261101">Kurdish fighters in Syria</a> vulnerable to a Turkish invasion.

The US president later relented in part, saying he would leave some troops in the region to protect valuable oil fields.

Milley, who has commanded troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, told ABC that it was important for US troops to remain in Syria so long as IS has a presence there.

"There are still ISIS fighters in the region," he said, using an alternate term for IS. "Unless pressure is maintained unless attention is maintained on that group, there's a very real possibility there could be a re-emergence of ISIS."&nbsp;

Asked about the killing October&nbsp;26 of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by a US special forces unit, Milley said it would have a "significant disruptive effect on the organization." He said the US had "a considerable amount of information on his successor," Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi.

"Where opportunities arise," Milley said, "we'll go after him."

Trump has said he wants to wind down US military entanglements abroad where possible, but Milley predicted that American troops, already in Afghanistan for 18 years, would remain there "for several more years."

He was also asked whether he knew Alexander Vindman, the army lieutenant colonel and White House Ukraine expert who has testified about his concerns over a controversial phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Milley declined to comment "on a witness to an active investigation", the House of Representatives' impeachment enquiry into Trump.

US troop levels in northern Syria will probably stabilize around 500, a top American military leader said Sunday, weeks after President Donald Trump had announced a complete withdrawal.

US troop levels in northern Syria will probably stabilize around 500, a top American military leader said Sunday, weeks after President Donald Trump had announced a complete withdrawal. "There will be less than 1,000, for sure," General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on ABC's "This Week." "Probably in the 500ish frame, maybe six." Trump's abrupt announcement last month that he had ordered a full troop withdrawal drew angry rebukes at home and abroad, with critics saying it could allow a resurgence of the Islamic State group while leaving US-allied Kurdish fighters in Syria vulnerable to a Turkish invasion. The US president later relented in part, saying he would leave some troops in the region to protect valuable oil fields. Milley, who has commanded troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, told ABC that it was important for US troops to remain in Syria so long as IS has a presence there. "There are still ISIS fighters in the region," he said, using an alternate term for IS. "Unless pressure is maintained unless attention is maintained on that group, there's a very real possibility there could be a re-emergence of ISIS." Asked about the killing October 26 of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by a US special forces unit, Milley said it would have a "significant disruptive effect on the organization." He said the US had "a considerable amount of information on his successor," Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi. "Where opportunities arise," Milley said, "we'll go after him." Trump has said he wants to wind down US military entanglements abroad where possible, but Milley predicted that American troops, already in Afghanistan for 18 years, would remain there "for several more years." He was also asked whether he knew Alexander Vindman, the army lieutenant colonel and White House Ukraine expert who has testified about his concerns over a controversial phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Milley declined to comment "on a witness to an active investigation", the House of Representatives' impeachment enquiry into Trump.

'500 troops to remain in Syria,' says United States military official

The Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists on Saturday launched the last phase of a troop pullback ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russia, the warring sides said.

The long-awaited withdrawal of troops in the conflict-riven Donetsk and Lugansk regions is a precondition for the first face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Paris summit, whose date has yet to be confirmed, will be mediated by the leaders of France and Germany.

"The disengagement of troops and weaponry has begun" between the villages of Petrivske in the separatist-controlled zone and Bogdanivka in Kiev-controlled territory in the Donetsk region, said a senior Ukrainian army representative, Bogdan Bondar.

Donetsk separatists also confirmed the start of the withdrawal of forces.

The warring sides signalled their intention to withdraw by firing flares, an AFP correspondent said from the scene.&nbsp;

OSCE monitors were observing the disengagement which could be spread over several days.

The warring sides held a similar pullback in the Lugansk region in October.&nbsp;

Since coming to power in May, comedian-turned-president Zelensky has sought to establish dialogue with Russian leader Putin and revive a peace process to end a five-year-old separatist conflict.

The war in eastern Ukraine broke out a month after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and has claimed some 13,000 lives.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of giving financial and military backing to separatists, which Russia denies.

"The Normandy format aims to renew dialogue, which can bring us closer to the complete end of the war," Zelensky said this week, referring to the four-way talks.

The summit has been repeatedly postponed for a number of reasons including the failure of earlier attempts to disengage forces.

The withdrawal of forces would be the "final precondition" for organising the four-way summit, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said this week.

He has expressed hope that the meeting, the first at such a high level since 2016, could take place in Paris in November.

Russia has said it backs a new summit but refused to commit to a timetable.

"We want to hold the summit as soon as possible, but at the same time we consider this summit has to be well organised to ensure it gets the necessary results," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He added it was "too early to say" whether the meeting could take place this year because "many questions" remained unresolved.

Zelensky's peace plan including the troop pullback has been strongly criticised by many in Kiev, especially war veterans and nationalists.

In the run-up to the planned summit, Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators also agreed on a roadmap that envisages a special status for the separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution.

The Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists on Saturday launched the last phase of a troop pullback ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russia, the warring sides said.

The Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists on Saturday launched the last phase of a troop pullback ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russia, the warring sides said. The long-awaited withdrawal of troops in the conflict-riven Donetsk and Lugansk regions is a precondition for the first face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. The Paris summit, whose date has yet to be confirmed, will be mediated by the leaders of France and Germany. "The disengagement of troops and weaponry has begun" between the villages of Petrivske in the separatist-controlled zone and Bogdanivka in Kiev-controlled territory in the Donetsk region, said a senior Ukrainian army representative, Bogdan Bondar. Donetsk separatists also confirmed the start of the withdrawal of forces. The warring sides signalled their intention to withdraw by firing flares, an AFP correspondent said from the scene. OSCE monitors were observing the disengagement which could be spread over several days. The warring sides held a similar pullback in the Lugansk region in October. Since coming to power in May, comedian-turned-president Zelensky has sought to establish dialogue with Russian leader Putin and revive a peace process to end a five-year-old separatist conflict. The war in eastern Ukraine broke out a month after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and has claimed some 13,000 lives. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of giving financial and military backing to separatists, which Russia denies. "The Normandy format aims to renew dialogue, which can bring us closer to the complete end of the war," Zelensky said this week, referring to the four-way talks. The summit has been repeatedly postponed for a number of reasons including the failure of earlier attempts to disengage forces. The withdrawal of forces would be the "final precondition" for organising the four-way summit, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said this week. He has expressed hope that the meeting, the first at such a high level since 2016, could take place in Paris in November. Russia has said it backs a new summit but refused to commit to a timetable. "We want to hold the summit as soon as possible, but at the same time we consider this summit has to be well organised to ensure it gets the necessary results," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He added it was "too early to say" whether the meeting could take place this year because "many questions" remained unresolved. Zelensky's peace plan including the troop pullback has been strongly criticised by many in Kiev, especially war veterans and nationalists. In the run-up to the planned summit, Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators also agreed on a roadmap that envisages a special status for the separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution.

Ukraine foes begin key troop pullback in war-torn east before summit with Russia

The U.N.'s top court said on Friday it had jurisdiction to hear a case brought by Ukraine accusing Russia of supporting rebels in war-torn eastern Ukraine.

Russia had asked the International Court of Justice in September 2018 to throw out Kiev's case, saying the tribunal had no right to deal with the matter.

Ukraine dragged Russia to the Hague-based court in 2017 saying it had breached a U.N. convention on the financing of terrorism by funnelling arms and cash to pro-Russian fighters.

ICJ President Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said the court "finds that it has jurisdiction... to entertain the claims made by Ukraine."

Kiev is seeking damages for attacks blamed on the pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have died since the war broke out more than five years ago.

These include 298 people killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over rebel territory in July 2014.

A Dutch court is due in March 2020 to begin the trial of three Ukrainians and one Russian over the MH17 crash.

The ICJ judgement came as Ukraine's army and Kremlin-backed separatists were set to complete the last phase of a troop pullback in war-torn eastern Ukraine on Saturday.&nbsp;

The ICJ was set up in 1946 to rule in disputes between countries in a bid to create a new global era of harmony after World War II.

The U.N.'s top court said on Friday it had jurisdiction to hear a case brought by Ukraine accusing Russia of supporting rebels in war-torn eastern Ukraine. Russia had asked the International Court of Justice in September 2018 to throw out Kiev's case, saying the tribunal had no right to deal with the matter.

The U.N.'s top court said on Friday it had jurisdiction to hear a case brought by Ukraine accusing Russia of supporting rebels in war-torn eastern Ukraine. Russia had asked the International Court of Justice in September 2018 to throw out Kiev's case, saying the tribunal had no right to deal with the matter. Ukraine dragged Russia to the Hague-based court in 2017 saying it had breached a U.N. convention on the financing of terrorism by funnelling arms and cash to pro-Russian fighters. ICJ President Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said the court "finds that it has jurisdiction... to entertain the claims made by Ukraine." Kiev is seeking damages for attacks blamed on the pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have died since the war broke out more than five years ago. These include 298 people killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over rebel territory in July 2014. A Dutch court is due in March 2020 to begin the trial of three Ukrainians and one Russian over the MH17 crash. The ICJ judgement came as Ukraine's army and Kremlin-backed separatists were set to complete the last phase of a troop pullback in war-torn eastern Ukraine on Saturday. The ICJ was set up in 1946 to rule in disputes between countries in a bid to create a new global era of harmony after World War II.

Ukraine case against Russia over war can proceed: United Nations court

The massacre of nine women and children in northern Mexico could test breakaway Mormon families' attachment to communities that for decades have been a haven for a way of life shunned by the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Faith in Mexico shaken for 'true believer' Mormon communities

The commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said he mistrusted both the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-registers-16-ceasefire-violations-in-syria-over-last-24-hours-259540">Syrian government and Russia</a>, but said in remarks published Saturday that he would follow "a political path" for the sake of peace.

Mazlum Abdi, also known as Kobani, told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper that future negotiations required guarantees from the international community, including Europe.

"We have no confidence, but it's not possible to solve Syria's problems without using the political path. We must negotiate," he said.

Until the United States pulled out of Syria the SDF, whose members are for the most part Kurds, enjoyed the support of a Washington-led coalition in its fight against the Islamic State group.

In the current negotiations, Abdi said Russia was acting as an intermediary between his group and the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"We will not be party to an agreement that does not include the defence of our people and its political, administrative and cultural liberty," he cautioned.

He said there had also been talks with the US government which had "offered guarantees but there is a certain slowness in applying these guarantees on the ground".

He condemned the US decision to pull out of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-airstrike-kills-six-civilians-in-syria-259490">Syria</a>, saying the move gave "the green light for the Turkish attack against our people" and violated agreements between his group and Washington.

The United States last month announced a pullout from Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria, allowing Damascus, Ankara and Moscow to carve up the Kurds' now-defunct autonomous region.

Asked about Turkish President Recep Erdogan's wish to have him arrested, Abdi said "what else do you expect from a person who doesn't hide from the world his project to massacre our people".

Turkey and its Syrian proxies on October 9 launched a cross-border attack against Kurdish-held areas, grabbing a 120-kilometre-long&nbsp;swathe of Syrian land along the frontier.

The incursion killed hundreds and caused 300,000 people to flee their homes in the latest humanitarian disaster in Syria's brutal eight-year war.

Turkey and Russia then struck a deal in Sochi for more Kurdish forces to withdraw from the frontier on both sides of that Turkish-held area under the supervision of Russian and Syrian forces.

The commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said he mistrusted both the Syrian government and Russia, but said in remarks published Saturday that he would follow "a political path" for the sake of peace.

The commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said he mistrusted both the Syrian government and Russia, but said in remarks published Saturday that he would follow "a political path" for the sake of peace. Mazlum Abdi, also known as Kobani, told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper that future negotiations required guarantees from the international community, including Europe. "We have no confidence, but it's not possible to solve Syria's problems without using the political path. We must negotiate," he said. Until the United States pulled out of Syria the SDF, whose members are for the most part Kurds, enjoyed the support of a Washington-led coalition in its fight against the Islamic State group. In the current negotiations, Abdi said Russia was acting as an intermediary between his group and the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "We will not be party to an agreement that does not include the defence of our people and its political, administrative and cultural liberty," he cautioned. He said there had also been talks with the US government which had "offered guarantees but there is a certain slowness in applying these guarantees on the ground". He condemned the US decision to pull out of Syria, saying the move gave "the green light for the Turkish attack against our people" and violated agreements between his group and Washington. The United States last month announced a pullout from Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria, allowing Damascus, Ankara and Moscow to carve up the Kurds' now-defunct autonomous region. Asked about Turkish President Recep Erdogan's wish to have him arrested, Abdi said "what else do you expect from a person who doesn't hide from the world his project to massacre our people". Turkey and its Syrian proxies on October 9 launched a cross-border attack against Kurdish-held areas, grabbing a 120-kilometre-long swathe of Syrian land along the frontier. The incursion killed hundreds and caused 300,000 people to flee their homes in the latest humanitarian disaster in Syria's brutal eight-year war. Turkey and Russia then struck a deal in Sochi for more Kurdish forces to withdraw from the frontier on both sides of that Turkish-held area under the supervision of Russian and Syrian forces.

Kurdish commander in talks with Russia, Syria but has 'no confidence'

A shoot-out in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus between police and suspected drug traffickers left 17 people dead, local authorities announced Wednesday.

"The individuals exchanged fire with the police, 17 were hit by bullets and transported to a hospital, where they were confirmed dead," the state security secretariat said of the clash late Tuesday.

The aim of the police operation had been "to intercept a group of drug traffickers from a criminal faction that was preparing to murder rivals to take control of drug selling positions" in the city.

Police seized 17 weapons, including an Uzi submachine gun, as well as a huge amount of ammunition.

Military police commander Ayrton Norte told reporters that authorities were tipped off that 50 armed people were in a truck heading to attack a rival gang.

Various groups are fighting for control of the drug trafficking business in the north of Brazil, a strategic area for the transport of cocaine from neighbouring countries such as Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.

"We intervened to save lives, to apply the law and unfortunately they instigated a confrontation and were defeated," said Norte.

"Good always overcomes evil. Whomsoever dares to take on the police will face the appropriate response."

Local news website Portal do Holanda said a 14-year-old and 17-year-old were among those killed, although authorities have not confirmed that.

Gang rivalries frequently have flared into gruesome prison massacres in recent years.

At the end of July, 57 inmates were killed during a riot at a prison in Para state, which neighbours Amazonas, whose capital is Manaus.

In January 2017, more than 100 inmates were killed in a spate of prison clashes, the bloodiest of which was in Manaus.

Prison conditions in Brazil have been widely condemned due to chronic overcrowding, while riots and attempted breakouts are common.

A shoot-out in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus between police and suspected drug traffickers left 17 people dead, local authorities announced Wednesday. "The individuals exchanged fire with the police, 17 were hit by bullets and transported to a hospital, where they were confirmed dead," the state security secretariat said of the clash late Tuesday.

A shoot-out in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus between police and suspected drug traffickers left 17 people dead, local authorities announced Wednesday. "The individuals exchanged fire with the police, 17 were hit by bullets and transported to a hospital, where they were confirmed dead," the state security secretariat said of the clash late Tuesday. The aim of the police operation had been "to intercept a group of drug traffickers from a criminal faction that was preparing to murder rivals to take control of drug selling positions" in the city. Police seized 17 weapons, including an Uzi submachine gun, as well as a huge amount of ammunition. Military police commander Ayrton Norte told reporters that authorities were tipped off that 50 armed people were in a truck heading to attack a rival gang. Various groups are fighting for control of the drug trafficking business in the north of Brazil, a strategic area for the transport of cocaine from neighbouring countries such as Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. "We intervened to save lives, to apply the law and unfortunately they instigated a confrontation and were defeated," said Norte. "Good always overcomes evil. Whomsoever dares to take on the police will face the appropriate response." Local news website Portal do Holanda said a 14-year-old and 17-year-old were among those killed, although authorities have not confirmed that. Gang rivalries frequently have flared into gruesome prison massacres in recent years. At the end of July, 57 inmates were killed during a riot at a prison in Para state, which neighbours Amazonas, whose capital is Manaus. In January 2017, more than 100 inmates were killed in a spate of prison clashes, the bloodiest of which was in Manaus. Prison conditions in Brazil have been widely condemned due to chronic overcrowding, while riots and attempted breakouts are common.

Brazil says 17 killed in police action in Manaus

Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff starrer `War` is unstoppable! The film which has been produced by Yash Raj Films has set the box office on fire. The film has crossed the 300 crore mark and become this year`s highest grosser. 
 
Film critic and analyst Taran Adarsh shared the movie poster on Twitter quoting "Abki baar 300 paar... #War hits triple century.The flick on its opening day minted Rs 51.60 crore followed by Rs 23.10 crore on the second day.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/War?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#War</a> is 300 Not Out... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YRF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YRF</a>’s third film to cross ₹ 300 cr, after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sultan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sultan</a> [2016] and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TigerZindaHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TigerZindaHai</a> [2017]... [<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hindi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hindi</a>; Week 3] Fri 2.80 cr, Sat 4.35 cr, Sun 5.60 cr. Total: ₹ 287.90 cr. Including <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tamil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tamil</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Telugu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Telugu</a>: ₹ 301.75 cr. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> biz.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1186200818321477632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/War?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#War</a> biz at a glance... 
Week 1: ₹ 238.35 cr [9 days] 
Week 2: ₹ 49.65 cr 
Weekend 3: ₹ 13.75 cr 
Total: ₹ 301.75 cr<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> biz. 
BLOCKBUSTER.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/War?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#War</a> language-wise breakup...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hindi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hindi</a>: ₹ 287.90 cr<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tamil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tamil</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Telugu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Telugu</a>: ₹ 13.85 cr 
Total: ₹ 301.75 cr<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> biz.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1186200942409945088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The film released on October 2 and has been doing great business ever since. 'War` has created seven new records including one for a Gandhi Jayanti release, a film released in Navratri and the highest-grossing first 3-day for Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Siddharth Anand, who is the director of the film. 
 
`War` is also the fifth Yash Raj Films to cross Rs 100 crore plus net box-office collection over the third day after `Dhoom 3`, `Sultan`, `Tiger Zinda Hai` and `Thugs of Hindostan`. The film also co-stars Vani Kapoor in a pivotal role.&nbsp;

Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff starrer `War` is unstoppable! The film which has been produced by Yash Raj Films has set the box office on fire. The film has crossed the 300 crore mark and become this year`s highest grosser.

Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff starrer `War` is unstoppable! The film which has been produced by Yash Raj Films has set the box office on fire. The film has crossed the 300 crore mark and become this year`s highest grosser. Film critic and analyst Taran Adarsh shared the movie poster on Twitter quoting "Abki baar 300 paar... #War hits triple century.The flick on its opening day minted Rs 51.60 crore followed by Rs 23.10 crore on the second day. #War is 300 Not Out... #YRF’s third film to cross ₹ 300 cr, after #Sultan [2016] and #TigerZindaHai [2017]... [#Hindi; Week 3] Fri 2.80 cr, Sat 4.35 cr, Sun 5.60 cr. Total: ₹ 287.90 cr. Including #Tamil + #Telugu: ₹ 301.75 cr. #India biz. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 21, 2019 × #War biz at a glance... Week 1: ₹ 238.35 cr [9 days] Week 2: ₹ 49.65 cr Weekend 3: ₹ 13.75 cr Total: ₹ 301.75 cr#India biz. BLOCKBUSTER.#War language-wise breakup...#Hindi: ₹ 287.90 cr#Tamil + #Telugu: ₹ 13.85 cr Total: ₹ 301.75 cr#India biz. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 21, 2019 × The film released on October 2 and has been doing great business ever since. 'War` has created seven new records including one for a Gandhi Jayanti release, a film released in Navratri and the highest-grossing first 3-day for Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Siddharth Anand, who is the director of the film. `War` is also the fifth Yash Raj Films to cross Rs 100 crore plus net box-office collection over the third day after `Dhoom 3`, `Sultan`, `Tiger Zinda Hai` and `Thugs of Hindostan`. The film also co-stars Vani Kapoor in a pivotal role.

Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff's 'War' crosses Rs 300 crore mark, becomes highest grosser of 2019

United States troops crossed into Iraq early on Monday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kurdish-fighters-leave-besieged-syria-town-257126">part of a withdrawal from northeast Syria</a> ordered by President Donald Trump that opened the way for Turkish troops to launch an offensive against Kurdish fighters in the area.

A Reuters cameraman saw more than 100 vehicles crossing from the northeast tip of Syria, where Turkey has agreed to pause its offensive for five days under a deal agreed between Washington and Ankara. The truce expires late on Tuesday.

Reuters video images showed armoured vehicles carrying US&nbsp;troops through the Sahela border crossing into Iraq's northern province of Dohuk.

US&nbsp;Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that all of the nearly 1,000 troops withdrawing from northern Syria are expected to move to western Iraq to continue the campaign against Islamic State militants and "to help defend Iraq".

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Ankara will resume its military assault in Syria when the deadline expires if the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have not pulled back from its proposed "safe zone" area spanning the border.

Erdogan has also said Turkey will set up a dozen observation posts in the planned "safe zone". A witness in the region said Turkish forces had already begun establishing two such posts on Sunday, drawing criticism from Iran on Monday.

"We are against Ankara's establishing of military posts in Syria," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told a weekly news conference broadcast live on state TV.

"The issues should be resolved by diplomatic means ... Syria's integrity should be respected," said Mousavi, whose country is a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

 
Offensive

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-officials-optimistic-about-syria-ceasefire-holding-257122">Turkey launched its offensive after Trump announced he was withdrawing US&nbsp;troops</a> from northeastern Syria. Trump's move was criticised in Washington and elsewhere as a betrayal of Kurdish allies who had fought for years alongside US&nbsp;troops against Islamic State.

However, Trump is now leaning in favour of a new military plan to keep about 200 US&nbsp;troops in eastern Syria near the Iraq border, the New York Times said late on Sunday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ankara is seeking to set up the "safe zone" as a buffer as it regards the YPG militia, the main component of the SDF, a terrorist group because of its links to Kurdish insurgents in southeast Turkey. The YPG has been a close US&nbsp;ally in the fight against Islamic State.

On Sunday, the SDF said they had withdrawn from the border town of Ras al-Ain under the US-brokered ceasefire deal, but a spokesman for Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said the withdrawal was not yet complete.

US&nbsp;troops have crossed into the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, an Iraqi Kurdish security source told Reuters on Monday.

About 30 trailers and Hummers carrying heavier duty equipment crossed, with troops in cars coming through, the source added. A second security source in Mosul also said US&nbsp;troops had crossed into Iraq from Sahela.

The US&nbsp;pullout has also created a vacuum that Russia, Assad's most powerful backer, has looked to fill. Syrian and Russian forces, invited by Kurdish authorities, last week entered the two border cities of Manbij and Kobani vacated by US&nbsp;troops.

Erdogan has backed rebels fighting to oust Assad in the eight-year Syrian conflict but has said Turkey had no problem with Syrian government forces deploying near the border if the YPG militia were removed.

At a planned meeting on Tuesday in the Russian city of Sochi, Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the issue of YPG withdrawal from Manbij and Kobani, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday.

While Erdogan and Putin have close ties on defence and energy, Moscow has called the Turkish offensive into Syria "unacceptable" and said it should be limited.

United States troops crossed into Iraq early on Monday, part of a withdrawal from northeast Syria ordered by President Donald Trump that opened the way for Turkish troops to launch an offensive against Kurdish fighters in the area.

United States troops crossed into Iraq early on Monday, part of a withdrawal from northeast Syria ordered by President Donald Trump that opened the way for Turkish troops to launch an offensive against Kurdish fighters in the area. A Reuters cameraman saw more than 100 vehicles crossing from the northeast tip of Syria, where Turkey has agreed to pause its offensive for five days under a deal agreed between Washington and Ankara. The truce expires late on Tuesday. Reuters video images showed armoured vehicles carrying US troops through the Sahela border crossing into Iraq's northern province of Dohuk. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that all of the nearly 1,000 troops withdrawing from northern Syria are expected to move to western Iraq to continue the campaign against Islamic State militants and "to help defend Iraq". Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Ankara will resume its military assault in Syria when the deadline expires if the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have not pulled back from its proposed "safe zone" area spanning the border. Erdogan has also said Turkey will set up a dozen observation posts in the planned "safe zone". A witness in the region said Turkish forces had already begun establishing two such posts on Sunday, drawing criticism from Iran on Monday. "We are against Ankara's establishing of military posts in Syria," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told a weekly news conference broadcast live on state TV. "The issues should be resolved by diplomatic means ... Syria's integrity should be respected," said Mousavi, whose country is a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Offensive Turkey launched its offensive after Trump announced he was withdrawing US troops from northeastern Syria. Trump's move was criticised in Washington and elsewhere as a betrayal of Kurdish allies who had fought for years alongside US troops against Islamic State. However, Trump is now leaning in favour of a new military plan to keep about 200 US troops in eastern Syria near the Iraq border, the New York Times said late on Sunday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ankara is seeking to set up the "safe zone" as a buffer as it regards the YPG militia, the main component of the SDF, a terrorist group because of its links to Kurdish insurgents in southeast Turkey. The YPG has been a close US ally in the fight against Islamic State. On Sunday, the SDF said they had withdrawn from the border town of Ras al-Ain under the US-brokered ceasefire deal, but a spokesman for Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said the withdrawal was not yet complete. US troops have crossed into the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, an Iraqi Kurdish security source told Reuters on Monday. About 30 trailers and Hummers carrying heavier duty equipment crossed, with troops in cars coming through, the source added. A second security source in Mosul also said US troops had crossed into Iraq from Sahela. The US pullout has also created a vacuum that Russia, Assad's most powerful backer, has looked to fill. Syrian and Russian forces, invited by Kurdish authorities, last week entered the two border cities of Manbij and Kobani vacated by US troops. Erdogan has backed rebels fighting to oust Assad in the eight-year Syrian conflict but has said Turkey had no problem with Syrian government forces deploying near the border if the YPG militia were removed. At a planned meeting on Tuesday in the Russian city of Sochi, Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the issue of YPG withdrawal from Manbij and Kobani, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday. While Erdogan and Putin have close ties on defence and energy, Moscow has called the Turkish offensive into Syria "unacceptable" and said it should be limited.

United States troops cross into Iraq as part of withdrawal from Syria

&nbsp;After registering its name as this year's second-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hrithik-roshan-and-tiger-shroffs-war-is-now-the-biggest-bollywood-release-of-2019-256268">highest grosser</a>, Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War'&nbsp;is continuing to rake in moolah at the box office. 
 
Earning Rs 4.70 crore on its third Friday, the movie's collection including the Hindi, Tamil, and Telegu versions was Rs 295.75 crore. The flick which is now inching closer to the Rs 300 crore mark, crossed Rs 275 crore marks on Monday with a total collection standing at Rs 276.40 crore. 
 
The film, on its opening day, minted Rs 51.60 crore followed by Rs 23.10 crore on the second day. 'War'&nbsp;has created seven new records including one for a Gandhi Jayanti release, a film released in Navratri and the highest-grossing first 3-day for Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Siddharth Anand, who is the director. 
 
'War'&nbsp;is also the fifth Yash Raj Films to cross Rs 100 crore plus net box-office collection over the third day after 'Dhoom 3', 'Sultan', 'Tiger Zinda Hai'&nbsp;and 'Thugs of Hindostan'. 
 
The high-octane film that also stars Vaani Kapoor opposite Hrithik&nbsp;shows the two male superstars pitted in a massive showdown.&nbsp;

After registering its name as this year's second-highest grosser, Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War' is continuing to rake in moolah at the box office.

After registering its name as this year's second-highest grosser, Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War' is continuing to rake in moolah at the box office. Earning Rs 4.70 crore on its third Friday, the movie's collection including the Hindi, Tamil, and Telegu versions was Rs 295.75 crore. The flick which is now inching closer to the Rs 300 crore mark, crossed Rs 275 crore marks on Monday with a total collection standing at Rs 276.40 crore. The film, on its opening day, minted Rs 51.60 crore followed by Rs 23.10 crore on the second day. 'War' has created seven new records including one for a Gandhi Jayanti release, a film released in Navratri and the highest-grossing first 3-day for Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Siddharth Anand, who is the director. 'War' is also the fifth Yash Raj Films to cross Rs 100 crore plus net box-office collection over the third day after 'Dhoom 3', 'Sultan', 'Tiger Zinda Hai' and 'Thugs of Hindostan'. The high-octane film that also stars Vaani Kapoor opposite Hrithik shows the two male superstars pitted in a massive showdown.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War' sees jump on third Friday, mints Rs 295.75 crore

Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies attacked Kurdish militia in northeast Syria, pounding them with airstrikes and artillery before starting a cross-border ground operation that could transform an eight-year-old war.

World reacts to Turkey's offensive

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s film ‘War’ is on its way to break a number of records as it crossed Rs 100 crore in merely 4 days of running in the theatres. It has now recorded the highest Sunday box office collection of 2019.&nbsp;

It registered an estimated collection of Rs 21 crore on its first Friday and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hrithik-roshan-and-tiger-shroffs-war-smashes-records-mints-whopping-on-day-1-253479">opened nationwide with Rs 51.50 crore by the end of it.&nbsp;</a>

The industry insiders claim that owing to Hrithik and Tiger’s war scenes, the film continues to remain strong at the box office. They also suggest that now with Dussehra holiday falling next week, it has a good chance to add more numbers to its total collections.&nbsp;

'War' released across 3800 plus screens in Hindi and was also released in English and Telugu.&nbsp;

The film is helmed by Siddharth Anand and features Vaani Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana in pivotal roles. It has been shot across seven countries.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s film ‘War’ is on its way to break a number of records as it crossed Rs 100 crore in merely 4 days of running in the theatres. It has now recorded the highest Sunday box office collection of 2019.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s film ‘War’ is on its way to break a number of records as it crossed Rs 100 crore in merely 4 days of running in the theatres. It has now recorded the highest Sunday box office collection of 2019. It registered an estimated collection of Rs 21 crore on its first Friday and opened nationwide with Rs 51.50 crore by the end of it. The industry insiders claim that owing to Hrithik and Tiger’s war scenes, the film continues to remain strong at the box office. They also suggest that now with Dussehra holiday falling next week, it has a good chance to add more numbers to its total collections. 'War' released across 3800 plus screens in Hindi and was also released in English and Telugu. The film is helmed by Siddharth Anand and features Vaani Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana in pivotal roles. It has been shot across seven countries.

'War' box office: Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff film records highest Sunday collection of 2019

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War'&nbsp;struck gold at the box office by surpassing Rs 100 crore mark in just three days. 
 
The action-thriller registered a fantastic hold again on Day 3, which was a normal working day across India. The film raked in Rs 22.45 crore net (Hindi - Rs 21.30 crore and Tamil and Telugu - Rs 1.15 crore) to take the total three-day collection to a whopping Rs 100.15 crore net in India. 
 
"For all of us what matters, the most is that our film is receiving universal love and appreciation. It is one of the rarest of moments where kids, youth, families, and old age segments are all loving a film and endorsing it incredibly positively," said the makers of the film. 
 
Expressing gratitude for the big success, the filmmakers added: "We are deeply thankful and humbled. We have made 'War'&nbsp;with a lot of passion, belief, and love. It is fantastic to see the audience enjoying themselves to the fullest in the theatres. Our film is a big-screen experience and we hope we entertain people across the length and breadth of our country in the days to come!''. 
 
'War'&nbsp;has created seven new records including a Gandhi Jayanti release, a film released in Navratri and the highest-grossing first 3 Day for Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Siddharth Anand, who is the director of 'War'. 
 
Lastly, this is the fifth Yash Raj Films to cross Rs 100 crore plus net box-office collection over the third day after 'Dhoom 3', 'Sultan', 'Tiger Zinda Hai'&nbsp;and 'Thugs of Hindostan'. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hrithik-roshan-and-tiger-shroffs-war-smashes-records-mints-whopping-on-day-1-253479">On its opening day, 'War'</a>&nbsp;had smashed eight records and made history as it collected Rs 53.35 crore. 'War'&nbsp;was released in 4,000 screens. 
 
The film features two of the biggest action superstars of our country -Hrithik and Tiger -waging war against each other. 
 
The high-octane film that also stars Vaani Kapoor opposite Hrithik, shows the two superstars pitted in a massive showdown.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War' struck gold at the box office by surpassing Rs 100 crore mark in just three days. The action-thriller registered a fantastic hold again on Day 3, which was a normal working day across India.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer 'War' struck gold at the box office by surpassing Rs 100 crore mark in just three days. The action-thriller registered a fantastic hold again on Day 3, which was a normal working day across India. The film raked in Rs 22.45 crore net (Hindi - Rs 21.30 crore and Tamil and Telugu - Rs 1.15 crore) to take the total three-day collection to a whopping Rs 100.15 crore net in India. "For all of us what matters, the most is that our film is receiving universal love and appreciation. It is one of the rarest of moments where kids, youth, families, and old age segments are all loving a film and endorsing it incredibly positively," said the makers of the film. Expressing gratitude for the big success, the filmmakers added: "We are deeply thankful and humbled. We have made 'War' with a lot of passion, belief, and love. It is fantastic to see the audience enjoying themselves to the fullest in the theatres. Our film is a big-screen experience and we hope we entertain people across the length and breadth of our country in the days to come!''. 'War' has created seven new records including a Gandhi Jayanti release, a film released in Navratri and the highest-grossing first 3 Day for Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Siddharth Anand, who is the director of 'War'. Lastly, this is the fifth Yash Raj Films to cross Rs 100 crore plus net box-office collection over the third day after 'Dhoom 3', 'Sultan', 'Tiger Zinda Hai' and 'Thugs of Hindostan'. On its opening day, 'War' had smashed eight records and made history as it collected Rs 53.35 crore. 'War' was released in 4,000 screens. The film features two of the biggest action superstars of our country -Hrithik and Tiger -waging war against each other. The high-octane film that also stars Vaani Kapoor opposite Hrithik, shows the two superstars pitted in a massive showdown.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff  'War' hits century in just three days

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff's action spectacle 'War'&nbsp;has set the box office on fire and created a history by raking in a total of 53.35 crore (Hindi: 51.60 crore and Tamil &amp; Telugu - 1.75 crore) on the first day of its release. 
 
With its massive day 1 collection, 'War'&nbsp;has created eight new milestones and has smashed various records. 'War'&nbsp;has become the biggest opener in the history of Hindi cinema. 
 
The film is also the biggest opener for Hrithik, Tiger, director Siddharth Anand, and Yash Raj Films, said a press release. Not only this, but 'War'&nbsp;has also become the biggest all-time holiday opener. 
 
Besides, it is also the biggest opening for an original film which is not a sequel and biggest opening for a film released on Gandhi Jayanti. Thanking the audience for such a tremendous response, director Siddharth Anand said, "It is truly over whelming and gratifying to get this kind of love from audiences for our hard work in making War a truly big-screen spectacle. 
 
'' Having two of the biggest action superstars of Indian cinema, we had the immense responsibility to give audiences a never seen before visual experience and I feel hugely validated that people across the country have loved our action entertainer that has pushed the envelope of the action genre in India," Siddharth added. 
 
Produced by YRF, 'War'&nbsp;was released in 4000 screens. Siddharth congratulated his lead actors on the opening day numbers. 
 
"I congratulate Hrithik and Tiger on this huge success and thank them for their faith in the vision. I also share this moment with Vaani, all the actors and the entire team that has worked tirelessly on this film to make War a huge winner at the box office," he said 'War', features two of the biggest action superstars of our country, Hrithik and Tiger, waging a war against each other. 
 
The high-octane film that also stars Vaani Kapoor opposite Hrithik, shows the two superstars pitted in a massive showdown.&nbsp;

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff's action spectacle 'War' has set the box office on fire and created a history by raking in a total of 53.35 crore (Hindi: 51.60 crore and Tamil & Telugu - 1.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff's action spectacle 'War' has set the box office on fire and created a history by raking in a total of 53.35 crore (Hindi: 51.60 crore and Tamil & Telugu - 1.75 crore) on the first day of its release. With its massive day 1 collection, 'War' has created eight new milestones and has smashed various records. 'War' has become the biggest opener in the history of Hindi cinema. The film is also the biggest opener for Hrithik, Tiger, director Siddharth Anand, and Yash Raj Films, said a press release. Not only this, but 'War' has also become the biggest all-time holiday opener. Besides, it is also the biggest opening for an original film which is not a sequel and biggest opening for a film released on Gandhi Jayanti. Thanking the audience for such a tremendous response, director Siddharth Anand said, "It is truly over whelming and gratifying to get this kind of love from audiences for our hard work in making War a truly big-screen spectacle. '' Having two of the biggest action superstars of Indian cinema, we had the immense responsibility to give audiences a never seen before visual experience and I feel hugely validated that people across the country have loved our action entertainer that has pushed the envelope of the action genre in India," Siddharth added. Produced by YRF, 'War' was released in 4000 screens. Siddharth congratulated his lead actors on the opening day numbers. "I congratulate Hrithik and Tiger on this huge success and thank them for their faith in the vision. I also share this moment with Vaani, all the actors and the entire team that has worked tirelessly on this film to make War a huge winner at the box office," he said 'War', features two of the biggest action superstars of our country, Hrithik and Tiger, waging a war against each other. The high-octane film that also stars Vaani Kapoor opposite Hrithik, shows the two superstars pitted in a massive showdown.

Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff's 'War' becomes the biggest opener ever, mints Rs 53 crore on day 1

Among the destroyed buildings of&nbsp;Syria's&nbsp;Aleppo, a battered sign between two army checkpoints welcomes visitors to an area earmarked to become a beacon of&nbsp;post-war reconstruction.

"The industrial city of&nbsp;Aleppo&nbsp;thanks you for your visit," it reads.

Once the country's powerhouse,&nbsp;Aleppo&nbsp;was devastated by&nbsp;Syria's ongoing civil war before Russia-backed government forces expelled the last rebels in late 2016 after a devastating siege.

As some of the city is slowly rebuilt, the Russian army this week showed reporters around, as Moscow seeks to highlight its role in the reconstruction&nbsp;of the war-torn country.

Several factories have reopened in the almost three years since the fighting ended in&nbsp;Aleppo, large parts of which were flattened.

At Katerji Engineering and Mechanical Industries, 1,000 people are employed in metalworking jobs.

About a fifth of the workers recently returned to&nbsp;Aleppo.

"We started work again a year ago and today we have four operational warehouses," said Salah Mitar, the engineer in charge.

"We hope to expand to 11 by 2020," he told AFP, as employees bustled around him in one huge warehouse.

But Mitar said international sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's government and associated businessmen meant the factory cannot import sophisticated machinery.

The two main shareholders of Katerji Engineering and Mechanical Industries Hussam and Baraa Katerji are targeted by European Union and US sanctions respectively.

The factory was under rebel control until&nbsp;Aleppo's recapture and production ground to a halt during the fighting.&nbsp;

For the past eight months since the factory re-opened, employee Khaled said he had received a good salary.

But "very high prices in town" still make life difficult for him and his family, said the 38-year-old father of five.

After fuel shortages the government blames on sanctions, the value of the Syrian pound fell to its lowest level ever on the black market earlier this month.

Customers will return

Aleppo's UNESCO-listed historic centre and its centuries-old covered markets are also returning to life.

The frontline once ran through the old souqs, but today large parts of the historical trading centre have been restored.

Workers still shovel rubble in some alleys, like coffee shops and stalls most still empty prepare to receive merchandise.

Among them,&nbsp;59-year-old Abdel Rahman Mahmud could not wait to see shoppers back in his two-decade-old shop, where he will resume selling soap and spice.

"Customers will return. I'm sure of it. We just need to wait a bit," said the trader, who lost a son in the war.

The civil war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.

But, Mahmud said, "our lives have changed a lot these past few years.

Things are a lot better&nbsp;we have electricity, water."

Russian pipes and cables

President Bashar al-Assad's government has won back large parts of the country from rebels and jihadists since Russia intervened militarily on its side in 2015.

After blistering military campaigns and Russia-brokered surrender deals, Damascus now controls more than 60 per cent of&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;and is looking to rebuild with Russian support.

Moscow says it has delivered thousands of tonnes of the water pipe and hundreds of kilometres (miles) of high-tension cable to improve water and power supplies.

Its military police on the ground have deterred looters, Russia says.

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, a longtime Kremlin protege with vast resources, has offered to fund the restoration of&nbsp;Aleppo's centuries-old Umayyad Mosque after it was damaged in the fighting.

But in the east of the city, residential neighbourhoods once under rebel control still largely lie in ruin.

Flattened apartment blocks lie on either side of deserted streets, dotted only by army checkpoints.

And just 10 kilometres (6 miles) away, fighting has continued.

The city lies east of the jihadist-run region of Idlib, where a Russia-announced ceasefire has largely held in recent weeks, despite sporadic bombardment.

The governor of&nbsp;Aleppo&nbsp;province, Hussein Diab, said fighting wounded 123 people in the province in September.

Among the destroyed buildings of Syria's Aleppo, a battered sign between two army checkpoints welcomes visitors to an area earmarked to become a beacon of post-war reconstruction.

Among the destroyed buildings of Syria's Aleppo, a battered sign between two army checkpoints welcomes visitors to an area earmarked to become a beacon of post-war reconstruction. "The industrial city of Aleppo thanks you for your visit," it reads. Once the country's powerhouse, Aleppo was devastated by Syria's ongoing civil war before Russia-backed government forces expelled the last rebels in late 2016 after a devastating siege. As some of the city is slowly rebuilt, the Russian army this week showed reporters around, as Moscow seeks to highlight its role in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. Several factories have reopened in the almost three years since the fighting ended in Aleppo, large parts of which were flattened. At Katerji Engineering and Mechanical Industries, 1,000 people are employed in metalworking jobs. About a fifth of the workers recently returned to Aleppo. "We started work again a year ago and today we have four operational warehouses," said Salah Mitar, the engineer in charge. "We hope to expand to 11 by 2020," he told AFP, as employees bustled around him in one huge warehouse. But Mitar said international sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's government and associated businessmen meant the factory cannot import sophisticated machinery. The two main shareholders of Katerji Engineering and Mechanical Industries Hussam and Baraa Katerji are targeted by European Union and US sanctions respectively. The factory was under rebel control until Aleppo's recapture and production ground to a halt during the fighting. For the past eight months since the factory re-opened, employee Khaled said he had received a good salary. But "very high prices in town" still make life difficult for him and his family, said the 38-year-old father of five. After fuel shortages the government blames on sanctions, the value of the Syrian pound fell to its lowest level ever on the black market earlier this month. Customers will return Aleppo's UNESCO-listed historic centre and its centuries-old covered markets are also returning to life. The frontline once ran through the old souqs, but today large parts of the historical trading centre have been restored. Workers still shovel rubble in some alleys, like coffee shops and stalls most still empty prepare to receive merchandise. Among them, 59-year-old Abdel Rahman Mahmud could not wait to see shoppers back in his two-decade-old shop, where he will resume selling soap and spice. "Customers will return. I'm sure of it. We just need to wait a bit," said the trader, who lost a son in the war. The civil war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests. But, Mahmud said, "our lives have changed a lot these past few years. Things are a lot better we have electricity, water." Russian pipes and cables President Bashar al-Assad's government has won back large parts of the country from rebels and jihadists since Russia intervened militarily on its side in 2015. After blistering military campaigns and Russia-brokered surrender deals, Damascus now controls more than 60 per cent of Syria and is looking to rebuild with Russian support. Moscow says it has delivered thousands of tonnes of the water pipe and hundreds of kilometres (miles) of high-tension cable to improve water and power supplies. Its military police on the ground have deterred looters, Russia says. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, a longtime Kremlin protege with vast resources, has offered to fund the restoration of Aleppo's centuries-old Umayyad Mosque after it was damaged in the fighting. But in the east of the city, residential neighbourhoods once under rebel control still largely lie in ruin. Flattened apartment blocks lie on either side of deserted streets, dotted only by army checkpoints. And just 10 kilometres (6 miles) away, fighting has continued. The city lies east of the jihadist-run region of Idlib, where a Russia-announced ceasefire has largely held in recent weeks, despite sporadic bombardment. The governor of Aleppo province, Hussein Diab, said fighting wounded 123 people in the province in September.

In Syria's Aleppo, reconstruction makes slow start

"We have nothing," says Belen Boureima, a 74-year-old farmer, as his weathered face contemplates a scrap of land in the remote village he and his family must now call home.

"But it's better to be alive here than to stay in Djibo and die", he added.

Djibo, a dusty town in northern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-dead-in-islamist-attack-in-burkina-faso-human-rights-watch-204817">Burkina Faso</a>, has become a byword for suffering in this impoverished country's seven-year-old struggle with jihadism.

More than 580 people have been killed since the insurgency spilled over from neighbouring Mali, according to an AFP tally.

Attacks on emblems of the state, hit-and-run raids on remote villages and brutal interpretation of Islamic law have forced an estimated 300,000 people to flee their homes.&nbsp;

Among them is&nbsp;Boureima, head of a family of 43 people - seven men, 13 women, and 23 children.

They abandoned their village Gassalpalik, 70 kilometres from Djibo, eventually washing up in Yagma, a village about 30 km north of the capital Ouagadougou.

Belen said that he had spent his entire life in Djibo and had never even left the area until now - but "when you are lost, you have to end up somewhere."

In this alien landscape, the family has no friends or contacts. The head of the village has appointed a "tutor" to help the family, who are members of the Mossi ethnic group, get their bearings.

"The attackers took everything from us - cows, sheep, goats... They were armed and came on motorbikes," the patriarch recalled.

"They went into people's homes and took animals and killed the men. I saw people getting killed. Many of them," he said, adding he was unable to give any accurate figure.

"They also took three men from the village, and we have no news of their whereabouts", he added.

The attack happened despite patrols by the security forces, he said.

"I don't understand," he said. "We don't know what they <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-special-forces-rescue-four-hostages-from-burkina-faso-217512">(the jihadists)</a> want. The teachers fled. The health centre closed. We were afraid. The only way out was to flee."

The family hurriedly bundled up its meagre possessions and the little money it had.

"Everyone in the village fled. It was a free-for-all... We don't know what has become of the village -- nobody lives there now, except perhaps for birds", he said.

He added: "We have absolutely nothing here. We have swallowed our shame.... It's desperate."

Sweeping stones 
 
Bintou, an older member of the group said that the family was at least able to sleep peacefully in their beds, but that was little consolation to what they had lost.

"Before the start (of the jihadist) attacks, we had a happy life, we grew crops, we lived in our own home, we had cattle and we were never hungry," she said.

"Here, we sweep stones" to sell to construction sites, she said.

"We sell them at $1.68 a pile, but sometimes you have to wait three days before making a sale. We cannot feed the children", she added.

The family are living in homes which have been made available for free by the villagers, but it has no land - a crucial source of nutrition and income in a place where there is no work.

Nabonswende Zongo, an elderly villager who has been appointed to help the family, said the situation was "difficult."

"If there is peace, they will go back. I am happy to help them. We are all brothers. I hope to do what I can, but have no idea what the future holds. I'm afraid and hope that what happened there won't come here", Zongo added.

"We have nothing," says Belen Boureima, a 74-year-old farmer, as his weathered face contemplates a scrap of land in the remote village he and his family must now call home.

"We have nothing," says Belen Boureima, a 74-year-old farmer, as his weathered face contemplates a scrap of land in the remote village he and his family must now call home. "But it's better to be alive here than to stay in Djibo and die", he added. Djibo, a dusty town in northern Burkina Faso, has become a byword for suffering in this impoverished country's seven-year-old struggle with jihadism. More than 580 people have been killed since the insurgency spilled over from neighbouring Mali, according to an AFP tally. Attacks on emblems of the state, hit-and-run raids on remote villages and brutal interpretation of Islamic law have forced an estimated 300,000 people to flee their homes. Among them is Boureima, head of a family of 43 people - seven men, 13 women, and 23 children. They abandoned their village Gassalpalik, 70 kilometres from Djibo, eventually washing up in Yagma, a village about 30 km north of the capital Ouagadougou. Belen said that he had spent his entire life in Djibo and had never even left the area until now - but "when you are lost, you have to end up somewhere." In this alien landscape, the family has no friends or contacts. The head of the village has appointed a "tutor" to help the family, who are members of the Mossi ethnic group, get their bearings. "The attackers took everything from us - cows, sheep, goats... They were armed and came on motorbikes," the patriarch recalled. "They went into people's homes and took animals and killed the men. I saw people getting killed. Many of them," he said, adding he was unable to give any accurate figure. "They also took three men from the village, and we have no news of their whereabouts", he added. The attack happened despite patrols by the security forces, he said. "I don't understand," he said. "We don't know what they (the jihadists) want. The teachers fled. The health centre closed. We were afraid. The only way out was to flee." The family hurriedly bundled up its meagre possessions and the little money it had. "Everyone in the village fled. It was a free-for-all... We don't know what has become of the village -- nobody lives there now, except perhaps for birds", he said. He added: "We have absolutely nothing here. We have swallowed our shame.... It's desperate." Sweeping stones Bintou, an older member of the group said that the family was at least able to sleep peacefully in their beds, but that was little consolation to what they had lost. "Before the start (of the jihadist) attacks, we had a happy life, we grew crops, we lived in our own home, we had cattle and we were never hungry," she said. "Here, we sweep stones" to sell to construction sites, she said. "We sell them at $1.68 a pile, but sometimes you have to wait three days before making a sale. We cannot feed the children", she added. The family are living in homes which have been made available for free by the villagers, but it has no land - a crucial source of nutrition and income in a place where there is no work. Nabonswende Zongo, an elderly villager who has been appointed to help the family, said the situation was "difficult." "If there is peace, they will go back. I am happy to help them. We are all brothers. I hope to do what I can, but have no idea what the future holds. I'm afraid and hope that what happened there won't come here", Zongo added.

To flee or to die: Life in Jihadi-controlled Burkina Faso remains hard

The new Holi number titled 'Jai Jai Shivshankar' from the film 'War' shows Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff outperforming each other on the dance floor.&nbsp;

Known as two of the best dancers in Bollywood, both the actors will mesmerise you with their amazing dance moves.&nbsp;

In the video, Hrithik and Tiger dance together to the Holi song sung by Vishal Dadlani and Benny Dayal. The music is given by the composer duo Vishal and Shekhar.&nbsp;

"While people were wowed that two of the biggest action heroes of India were coming together for the first time, they were equally excited to see them dance together in 'War'," said Siddharth Anand, director of the film.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0kfLTq57_Y0" width="560"></iframe>

Vishal and Benny Dayal have sung the song which is a recreated version of late superstar Rajesh Khanna’s hit number from the 1974 film, 'Aap Ki Kasam' and&nbsp;the lyrics of the song have been penned by Kumaar.&nbsp;

The dancing stars create magic on the screen as they dance to this Holi number. The song is surely going to be hit among youngsters.&nbsp;

The earlier track of the movie 'Ghungroo' that came out featured Hrithik and Vaani Kapoor and is still trending across all musical platforms.

"Hrithik and Tiger have had very good songs and big hit songs to their credit. Now, we are bringing them together for the first time and so we have all the more responsibility to deliver a song that should become a blockbuster instantly," said the director.

The flick, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, will see the male lead actors push their bodies to pull off jaw-dropping, death-defying stunts in a bid to beat each other.

Four action directors from across the world have been roped in to choreograph the biggest, never-seen-before action spectacle on screen.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/war-trailer-its-a-face-off-between-hrithik-roshan-and-tiger-shroff-in-siddharth-anands-new-film-245951">Watch the movie trailer here</a>

<h2><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qFkNATtc3mc" width="560"></iframe>&nbsp;</h2>

'War' has been shot in seven different countries, spanning 15 cities and the movie is all set to release on October 2, 2019.&nbsp;

The new Holi number titled 'Jai Jai Shivshankar' from the film 'War' shows Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff outperforming each other on the dance floor. Known as two of the best dancers in Bollywood, both the actors will mesmerise you with their amazing dance moves.

The new Holi number titled 'Jai Jai Shivshankar' from the film 'War' shows Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff outperforming each other on the dance floor. Known as two of the best dancers in Bollywood, both the actors will mesmerise you with their amazing dance moves. In the video, Hrithik and Tiger dance together to the Holi song sung by Vishal Dadlani and Benny Dayal. The music is given by the composer duo Vishal and Shekhar. "While people were wowed that two of the biggest action heroes of India were coming together for the first time, they were equally excited to see them dance together in 'War'," said Siddharth Anand, director of the film. Vishal and Benny Dayal have sung the song which is a recreated version of late superstar Rajesh Khanna’s hit number from the 1974 film, 'Aap Ki Kasam' and the lyrics of the song have been penned by Kumaar. The dancing stars create magic on the screen as they dance to this Holi number. The song is surely going to be hit among youngsters. The earlier track of the movie 'Ghungroo' that came out featured Hrithik and Vaani Kapoor and is still trending across all musical platforms. "Hrithik and Tiger have had very good songs and big hit songs to their credit. Now, we are bringing them together for the first time and so we have all the more responsibility to deliver a song that should become a blockbuster instantly," said the director. The flick, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, will see the male lead actors push their bodies to pull off jaw-dropping, death-defying stunts in a bid to beat each other. Four action directors from across the world have been roped in to choreograph the biggest, never-seen-before action spectacle on screen. Watch the movie trailer here 'War' has been shot in seven different countries, spanning 15 cities and the movie is all set to release on October 2, 2019.

Hrithik and Tiger dance face off in 'Jai Jai Shivshankar' from 'War' will leave you spellbound!

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff are owning the internet with their hilarious T-shirt war during the promotions of their much-awaited action spectacle 'War'. 
 
The T-shirt war is getting funnier now and of course, the fans are loving the banter between two of the biggest action superstars of Bollywood. 
 
Tiger began it all when he trolled his co-star and mentor with a picture of Krrish printed on it with a caption that read, "Hiding your fear behind a mask?"Hrithik then stepped out with a super funny comeback to Tiger.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2i98Q7BiFv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@hrithikroshan and @tigerjackieshroff are ready for #WAR #TeamHrithik or #TeamTiger - Whose side are you on? #HrithikVsTiger @_vaanikapoor_ @itssiddharthanand @war_thefilm Reposted from @manav.manglani - Meme War On 😱😱 #HrithikRoshan #TigerShroff are on loggerheads 🔥😎 #instagram #photooftheday #Instalove #wednesday #paparazzi #manavmanglani</a>

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He trolled the 'Student of the year 2'&nbsp;actor wearing a tee with a picture of Tiger in his superhero avatar from 'Flying Jatt'&nbsp;and the caption read, "Flying away from this WAR already?" Not one to take it lying low. 
 
Tiger fired a fresh troll missile at Hrithik this morning as he sported a T-shirt that read, "Khaali Haath Jaane Ko Taiyaar?" 
 
The t-shirt had Hrithik's picture from his iconic 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai'&nbsp;dance number 'Ek Pal Ka Jeena'. Now, all eyes are on Hrithik for the next salvo. 
 
Yash Raj Films&nbsp;'War'&nbsp;promises to be the biggest action spectacle of all times. 
 
The high-octane action entertainer will see Hrithik and Tiger pitted against each other in a massive showdown,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/war-trailer-its-a-face-off-between-hrithik-roshan-and-tiger-shroff-in-siddharth-anands-new-film-245951">Watch the trailer&nbsp;here.</a> 
 
The flick, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, will see the male lead actors push their bodies to pull off jaw-dropping, death-defying stunts in a bid to beat each other. 
 
'War'&nbsp;has been shot in seven different countries, spanning 15 cities. Four action directors from across the world have been roped in to choreograph the biggest, never-seen-before action spectacle on screen. 
 
Produced by Yash Raj Films, 'War'&nbsp;is set to release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on October 2.&nbsp;

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff are owning the internet with their hilarious T-shirt war during the promotions of their much-awaited action spectacle 'War'. The T-shirt war is getting funnier now and of course, the fans are loving the banter between two of the biggest action superstars of Bollywood.

Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff are owning the internet with their hilarious T-shirt war during the promotions of their much-awaited action spectacle 'War'. The T-shirt war is getting funnier now and of course, the fans are loving the banter between two of the biggest action superstars of Bollywood. Tiger began it all when he trolled his co-star and mentor with a picture of Krrish printed on it with a caption that read, "Hiding your fear behind a mask?"Hrithik then stepped out with a super funny comeback to Tiger. View this post on Instagram @hrithikroshan and @tigerjackieshroff are ready for #WAR #TeamHrithik or #TeamTiger - Whose side are you on? #HrithikVsTiger @_vaanikapoor_ @itssiddharthanand @war_thefilm Reposted from @manav.manglani - Meme War On 😱😱 #HrithikRoshan #TigerShroff are on loggerheads 🔥😎 #instagram #photooftheday #Instalove #wednesday #paparazzi #manavmanglani A post shared by Yash Raj Films (@yrf) on Sep 18, 2019 at 1:46am PDT × He trolled the 'Student of the year 2' actor wearing a tee with a picture of Tiger in his superhero avatar from 'Flying Jatt' and the caption read, "Flying away from this WAR already?" Not one to take it lying low. Tiger fired a fresh troll missile at Hrithik this morning as he sported a T-shirt that read, "Khaali Haath Jaane Ko Taiyaar?" The t-shirt had Hrithik's picture from his iconic 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' dance number 'Ek Pal Ka Jeena'. Now, all eyes are on Hrithik for the next salvo. Yash Raj Films 'War' promises to be the biggest action spectacle of all times. The high-octane action entertainer will see Hrithik and Tiger pitted against each other in a massive showdown, Watch the trailer here. The flick, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, will see the male lead actors push their bodies to pull off jaw-dropping, death-defying stunts in a bid to beat each other. 'War' has been shot in seven different countries, spanning 15 cities. Four action directors from across the world have been roped in to choreograph the biggest, never-seen-before action spectacle on screen. Produced by Yash Raj Films, 'War' is set to release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on October 2.

Here's how Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff are making 'War' funny

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random.

A line in one missive, written in Dari and spelt out in huge letters, states simply, "We want peace," Sharifi says.

"By peace, they just mean a ceasefire, just stop this nonsense violence," he explains.

The letters are the fruit of a recent initiative by ArtLords, a not-for-profit group that Sharifi co-founded and runs, which aims to give a voice to young Afghans who feel ignored and powerless as the war rages on.

In a pilot project in Kabul, where more than 30 people were killed by blasts in the past week, ArtLords is building on the Afghan tradition of penning "dard-e-dil" -- letters of pain.

The scheme allows people living in an ultra-conservative society to find freedom by sharing their passions and emotions in written form.

Sharifi and his team have placed six large wooden letter boxes -- painted white and decorated with love hearts -- in high schools, universities and cafes around the Afghan capital and invited people to share their stories.

"Whenever you want to share your deep thoughts, you write letters," Sharifi says.&nbsp;

"So we asked the youngsters to write letters about their fears, about their solutions, about their hopes."

Within the first two weeks of the project, they had more than 300 letters, Sharifi says.

He reads from another, this one addressed to the Kabul government.

"'We are in a very bad situation,'" he quotes.

"'We need your attention because every single day we are dying from the fear of explosions and the fear that I might die today -- in the car, in the office, in the university...' He says nowhere is safe."

Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump

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Angry and ignored

The project launched a few weeks ago, just as talks between the US and the Taliban seemed to be entering their final stages.

They are working on a deal that would see the Pentagon pull about 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by early next year, in return for various security guarantees from the insurgents.

But so far, the negotiations have all but excluded the Afghan government, and many Afghans -- particularly educated young people in urban cores -- feel angry and ignored.

The US says it is up to the Kabul government and Afghan society at large to forge an eventual peace deal with the Taliban that protects basic freedoms.

But many fear a jaded America is selling out their interests in its bid to quit Afghanistan after 18 years of grinding and costly war.

The young letter writers want "an inclusive peace process that takes into consideration all realities of Afghanistan," Sharif told AFP at ArtLords' colourful base in Kabul, where artworks cover the walls and where anyone can walk in and paint a picture.

The 32-year-old artist is well known around Kabul and across Afghanistan thanks to ArtLords' prolific output, which centres mainly on the painting of huge murals on the capital's labyrinth of blast walls that divide the city into militarised ghettos.

The latest mural project ArtLords has undertaken is to paint one red tulip for each and every Afghan civilian killed in the war -- some 35,000 in all since 2001.

Each "one of these tulips is a story of someone," Sharifi said. Many of the flowers will be painted at the scene of the explosion or attack that claimed an innocent life.

Sharifi hopes to expand the letter-writing campaign across Afghanistan. He said the contents of all the letters would be shared with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the US and even the Taliban.

"I know that the president has read all of the letters ... and he is aware of what the young ones are expecting of him in that whole peace process," Sharifi said

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random.

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random. A line in one missive, written in Dari and spelt out in huge letters, states simply, "We want peace," Sharifi says. "By peace, they just mean a ceasefire, just stop this nonsense violence," he explains. The letters are the fruit of a recent initiative by ArtLords, a not-for-profit group that Sharifi co-founded and runs, which aims to give a voice to young Afghans who feel ignored and powerless as the war rages on. In a pilot project in Kabul, where more than 30 people were killed by blasts in the past week, ArtLords is building on the Afghan tradition of penning "dard-e-dil" -- letters of pain. The scheme allows people living in an ultra-conservative society to find freedom by sharing their passions and emotions in written form. Sharifi and his team have placed six large wooden letter boxes -- painted white and decorated with love hearts -- in high schools, universities and cafes around the Afghan capital and invited people to share their stories. "Whenever you want to share your deep thoughts, you write letters," Sharifi says. "So we asked the youngsters to write letters about their fears, about their solutions, about their hopes." Within the first two weeks of the project, they had more than 300 letters, Sharifi says. He reads from another, this one addressed to the Kabul government. "'We are in a very bad situation,'" he quotes. "'We need your attention because every single day we are dying from the fear of explosions and the fear that I might die today -- in the car, in the office, in the university...' He says nowhere is safe." Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump × Angry and ignored The project launched a few weeks ago, just as talks between the US and the Taliban seemed to be entering their final stages. They are working on a deal that would see the Pentagon pull about 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by early next year, in return for various security guarantees from the insurgents. But so far, the negotiations have all but excluded the Afghan government, and many Afghans -- particularly educated young people in urban cores -- feel angry and ignored. The US says it is up to the Kabul government and Afghan society at large to forge an eventual peace deal with the Taliban that protects basic freedoms. But many fear a jaded America is selling out their interests in its bid to quit Afghanistan after 18 years of grinding and costly war. The young letter writers want "an inclusive peace process that takes into consideration all realities of Afghanistan," Sharif told AFP at ArtLords' colourful base in Kabul, where artworks cover the walls and where anyone can walk in and paint a picture. The 32-year-old artist is well known around Kabul and across Afghanistan thanks to ArtLords' prolific output, which centres mainly on the painting of huge murals on the capital's labyrinth of blast walls that divide the city into militarised ghettos. The latest mural project ArtLords has undertaken is to paint one red tulip for each and every Afghan civilian killed in the war -- some 35,000 in all since 2001. Each "one of these tulips is a story of someone," Sharifi said. Many of the flowers will be painted at the scene of the explosion or attack that claimed an innocent life. Sharifi hopes to expand the letter-writing campaign across Afghanistan. He said the contents of all the letters would be shared with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the US and even the Taliban. "I know that the president has read all of the letters ... and he is aware of what the young ones are expecting of him in that whole peace process," Sharifi said

Sidelined young Afghans pen 'letters of pain' as war rages

In a tacit deterrence to Pakistan against any misadventure or war, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu while speaking at an event in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday said that India will not attack anybody but if someone attacks India, it will give a fitting reply that they will not forget in their lifetime.

"Why is the acquisition of all these weapons and technologies? Why DRDO? Why Navy, Army and other Defence forces. It`s because others attack us. All Tom, Dick and Harry attack us. We will not attack anybody, I can assure you but if anybody attacks us, we will give them a fitting reply that they will not forget in their lifetime," said Venkaiah Naidu.

"We are not war-mongers but are peace-loving citizens. We know peace is the prerequisite for progress. If there is tension you cannot have the attention. We are aware of it but if somebody wants to create tension and one of our neighbour is aiding, abetting, funding, training terrorists continuously without realising the damage they are doing to humanity and damage they are doing to themselves in the coming future. We do not want to interfere in anybody`s internal affairs we also want others to not interfere in our internal matter," said Naidu in reference to Jammu and Kashmir.

"What is there to discuss about Kashmir. Kashmir is an integral part of India. From 1954 onwards elections are held, Chief Ministers are elected, there is elected governments at the state, Member of Parliaments are elected. What remains to be discussed is PoK that they should handover," said Naidu.

While speaking in Islamabad on Monday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan is ready for every kind of war, in the wake of simmering tensions in the region over India`s historic move to withdraw the special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

In a tacit deterrence to Pakistan against any misadventure or war, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu while speaking at an event in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday said that India will not attack anybody but if someone attacks India, it will give a fitting reply that they will not forget in their lifetime.

In a tacit deterrence to Pakistan against any misadventure or war, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu while speaking at an event in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday said that India will not attack anybody but if someone attacks India, it will give a fitting reply that they will not forget in their lifetime. "Why is the acquisition of all these weapons and technologies? Why DRDO? Why Navy, Army and other Defence forces. It`s because others attack us. All Tom, Dick and Harry attack us. We will not attack anybody, I can assure you but if anybody attacks us, we will give them a fitting reply that they will not forget in their lifetime," said Venkaiah Naidu. "We are not war-mongers but are peace-loving citizens. We know peace is the prerequisite for progress. If there is tension you cannot have the attention. We are aware of it but if somebody wants to create tension and one of our neighbour is aiding, abetting, funding, training terrorists continuously without realising the damage they are doing to humanity and damage they are doing to themselves in the coming future. We do not want to interfere in anybody`s internal affairs we also want others to not interfere in our internal matter," said Naidu in reference to Jammu and Kashmir. "What is there to discuss about Kashmir. Kashmir is an integral part of India. From 1954 onwards elections are held, Chief Ministers are elected, there is elected governments at the state, Member of Parliaments are elected. What remains to be discussed is PoK that they should handover," said Naidu. While speaking in Islamabad on Monday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan is ready for every kind of war, in the wake of simmering tensions in the region over India`s historic move to withdraw the special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

If anybody attacks us, we will give them reply they won't forget in lifetime: Venkaiah Naidu

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&nbsp;Syria's&nbsp;army&nbsp;has captured a strategically important town in Idlib in the rebels' last major enclave, a war monitor and a military media unit run by its ally Hezbollah reported on Sunday.

The capture of al-Hobeit represents the most significant advance the&nbsp;army&nbsp;has made in Idlib province since the start of its offensive three months ago, the Britain-based Syrian observatory for Human Rights said.

The Hezbollah media unit described the town as the gateway to the southern countryside of Idlib, to the main Damascus-Aleppo highway and to the city of Khan Sheikhoun.

Rebels have not yet commented on the fighting around al-Hobeit but this week acknowledged losing ground nearby as the&nbsp;army&nbsp;ramped up its offensive after a brief ceasefire.

Fighting on Saturday killed more than 100 fighters from both sides as the&nbsp;army&nbsp;and its allies unleashed about 2,000 air and artillery strikes against rebels dug into Syria's northwest, the Observatory said.

The three-month offensive has made slower progress than any by&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;President Bashar al-Assad since Russia entered the war on his side in 2015, prompting a run of military victories that have brought most of Syria back under his rule.

Turkey, a supporter of some rebel groups, has posted military observation posts around the enclave's front lines, complicating&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;army&nbsp;advances.

Rebels fighting to oust him are now concentrated in the northwestern enclave, covering most of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces, though they also have a small presence in the southeast near the border with Jordan.

Assad, who offered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Adha holiday in Damascus on Sunday morning, has sworn to take back every inch of Syria. However, other large areas are still beyond his control, including the Kurdish-controlled northeast and a Turkish-held strip along the frontier.

The northwest offensive has prompted warnings by the United Nations and aid agencies of a new humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people having fled the violence to seek shelter at the border with Turkey.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regime-and-russian-airstrikes-killed-15-civilians-in-northwest-syria-monitor-239097">Syrian&nbsp;military airstrikes</a> have targeted hospitals, schools, water points, markets, bakeries and other civilian infrastructure, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Panos Mumtzis, has said.

Syria's army has captured a strategically important town in Idlib in the rebels' last major enclave, a war monitor and a military media unit run by its ally Hezbollah reported on Sunday.

Syria's army has captured a strategically important town in Idlib in the rebels' last major enclave, a war monitor and a military media unit run by its ally Hezbollah reported on Sunday. The capture of al-Hobeit represents the most significant advance the army has made in Idlib province since the start of its offensive three months ago, the Britain-based Syrian observatory for Human Rights said. The Hezbollah media unit described the town as the gateway to the southern countryside of Idlib, to the main Damascus-Aleppo highway and to the city of Khan Sheikhoun. Rebels have not yet commented on the fighting around al-Hobeit but this week acknowledged losing ground nearby as the army ramped up its offensive after a brief ceasefire. Fighting on Saturday killed more than 100 fighters from both sides as the army and its allies unleashed about 2,000 air and artillery strikes against rebels dug into Syria's northwest, the Observatory said. The three-month offensive has made slower progress than any by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since Russia entered the war on his side in 2015, prompting a run of military victories that have brought most of Syria back under his rule. Turkey, a supporter of some rebel groups, has posted military observation posts around the enclave's front lines, complicating Syrian army advances. Rebels fighting to oust him are now concentrated in the northwestern enclave, covering most of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces, though they also have a small presence in the southeast near the border with Jordan. Assad, who offered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Adha holiday in Damascus on Sunday morning, has sworn to take back every inch of Syria. However, other large areas are still beyond his control, including the Kurdish-controlled northeast and a Turkish-held strip along the frontier. The northwest offensive has prompted warnings by the United Nations and aid agencies of a new humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people having fled the violence to seek shelter at the border with Turkey. Syrian military airstrikes have targeted hospitals, schools, water points, markets, bakeries and other civilian infrastructure, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Panos Mumtzis, has said.

Syrian army takes strategic town from rebels in new advance

With momentum apparently building for a breakthrough in talks between Washington and the Taliban, younger Afghans whose lives have been overshadowed by nearly 18 years of war are sceptical any deal will bring them peace.

Instead many fear that the US, in its haste to exit its longest war, is pushing for a deal that will see the insurgents regaining some level of power in Kabul.&nbsp;

"We cannot trust the Taliban and their commitments because they were cruel and oppressive in their regime," said Abdul Jamil Qureshi, a 23-year-old psychology student at Kabul University.

"We are worried for the lives of women and girls who have fought hard for their rights following the fall of the Taliban."

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading America's push for peace with its longtime adversary, is expected to meet the Taliban in Doha this weekend for the latest in a months-long series of talks, with expectations high.

A peace deal between the US and the Taliban would be built around the premise that America and other foreign forces would slash their Afghanistan presence.

No numbers have been announced, but The Washington Post reported Thursday that an initial deal to end the war could see US troop numbers fall to as low as 8,000 from their current level of around 14,000.

In return, the Taliban would vow to prevent Afghanistan being used as a safe haven for various terror groups including Al-Qaeda, which conducted the September 11, 2001 attacks that triggered the US-led invasion.

Abdul Hadi, 32, who runs a stall selling energy drinks and cigarettes in the capital, worried what would happen to the Afghan army if their American benefactors and trainers leave.&nbsp;

"The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan is not the solution, because the Afghan forces are not prepared to tackle Taliban and Daesh fighters in the country," he said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group.

'Want to be free'&nbsp;

Afghan forces have suffered devastating casualties -- in the tens of thousands -- since they assumed responsibility for their country's security at the end of 2014.&nbsp;

Even after years of training and equipping by foreign experts, many units remain beset with corruption and desertions.

Ahmad Jawed, 25, another Kabul University student, said he saw America as "running away" and ceding Afghanistan to the Taliban, throwing into doubt any number of hard-won gains for ordinary Afghans.

"They are seeking a monopoly of power that is unacceptable for us," Jawed said.&nbsp;

"This is not Afghanistan of the '90s. We live in the 21st century. We do not trust the Taliban and their commitments."

But Abdullah, a 20-year-old who like many Afghans uses only one name, said he would welcome a deal if it leads to durable peace.

"We&nbsp;do not have a military solution for our country, the talks are the only way we can resolve the issues in Afghanistan," said Abdullah, who works for a private firm in Kabul.

We want to be "free from foreign countries' interference. If the Taliban do not oppose women working and the education of girls and leave them to be the way they are now, we will be happy to have them in Afghan society."

Mohammad Ashraf, 27, a Kabul taxi driver said all he wanted was an end to Afghanistan's raging violence.

"We don't care if the Taliban comes or not, we only want peace and security. That is all we want," Ashraf said.

With momentum apparently building for a breakthrough in talks between Washington and the Taliban, younger Afghans whose lives have been overshadowed by nearly 18 years of war are sceptical any deal will bring them peace.

With momentum apparently building for a breakthrough in talks between Washington and the Taliban, younger Afghans whose lives have been overshadowed by nearly 18 years of war are sceptical any deal will bring them peace. Instead many fear that the US, in its haste to exit its longest war, is pushing for a deal that will see the insurgents regaining some level of power in Kabul. "We cannot trust the Taliban and their commitments because they were cruel and oppressive in their regime," said Abdul Jamil Qureshi, a 23-year-old psychology student at Kabul University. "We are worried for the lives of women and girls who have fought hard for their rights following the fall of the Taliban." Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading America's push for peace with its longtime adversary, is expected to meet the Taliban in Doha this weekend for the latest in a months-long series of talks, with expectations high. A peace deal between the US and the Taliban would be built around the premise that America and other foreign forces would slash their Afghanistan presence. No numbers have been announced, but The Washington Post reported Thursday that an initial deal to end the war could see US troop numbers fall to as low as 8,000 from their current level of around 14,000. In return, the Taliban would vow to prevent Afghanistan being used as a safe haven for various terror groups including Al-Qaeda, which conducted the September 11, 2001 attacks that triggered the US-led invasion. Abdul Hadi, 32, who runs a stall selling energy drinks and cigarettes in the capital, worried what would happen to the Afghan army if their American benefactors and trainers leave. "The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan is not the solution, because the Afghan forces are not prepared to tackle Taliban and Daesh fighters in the country," he said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group. 'Want to be free' Afghan forces have suffered devastating casualties -- in the tens of thousands -- since they assumed responsibility for their country's security at the end of 2014. Even after years of training and equipping by foreign experts, many units remain beset with corruption and desertions. Ahmad Jawed, 25, another Kabul University student, said he saw America as "running away" and ceding Afghanistan to the Taliban, throwing into doubt any number of hard-won gains for ordinary Afghans. "They are seeking a monopoly of power that is unacceptable for us," Jawed said. "This is not Afghanistan of the '90s. We live in the 21st century. We do not trust the Taliban and their commitments." But Abdullah, a 20-year-old who like many Afghans uses only one name, said he would welcome a deal if it leads to durable peace. "We do not have a military solution for our country, the talks are the only way we can resolve the issues in Afghanistan," said Abdullah, who works for a private firm in Kabul. We want to be "free from foreign countries' interference. If the Taliban do not oppose women working and the education of girls and leave them to be the way they are now, we will be happy to have them in Afghan society." Mohammad Ashraf, 27, a Kabul taxi driver said all he wanted was an end to Afghanistan's raging violence. "We don't care if the Taliban comes or not, we only want peace and security. That is all we want," Ashraf said.

Young Afghans wary as possible US-Taliban deal nears

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it launched missile and drone attacks on Thursday on a military parade in Aden, the seat of the Saudi-backed government, killing several people including a commander.

Houthi attack on military parade in Yemen kills more than 30: Sources

Sudanese teachers, schoolchildren and parents are beginning to express relief after schools were suspended in the wake of the killing of at least four schoolchildren at a protest in the city of El-Obeid.

School suspension brings relief and worry amongst Sudanese

India remembered its fallen soldiers killed in 1999 war with Pakistan in northern Jammu and Kashmir's Kargil on its 20th anniversary on Friday (July 26).

India pays homage to those killed in Kargil war with Pakistan on 20th anniversary

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