Bloomberg The US is urging Russia to help halt an offensive by President Bashar Al Assad’s forces on rebel-held Aleppo, once the most populous city in Syria, warning that it’s putting an almost seven-week cease-fire under increasing strain. The Obama administration expressed its strong concerns to Russia, which committed to not participate in any attacks on groups which are adhering ...

  Tehran / AFP The European Union’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini arrived in Tehran on Saturday on her first visit since a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers came into force as tensions surface over its implementation. Mogherini, who was the lead negotiator for the six powers who struck the deal, was accompanied by other top EU officials. She ...

  KABUL / AFP Officials say Afghan forces have repelled a Taliban assault on the northern city of Kunduz, which the insurgents had briefly seized last year. Gen. Qasim Jangalbagh, the provincial police chief, said on Saturday that security in Kunduz city has improved and that the Taliban were defeated in other parts of Kunduz province. Abdul Wasay Basil, spokesman for ...