Moscow accuses US of sparing Syria jehadi group
Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei lavrov on Friday accused the United States of protecting a jihadist group in Syria in its effort to overthrow the beleaguered regime of President Bashar al-Assad. In an interview aired Friday on BBC World News, lavrov said Washington had vowed to “take as a priority an obligation to separate the opposition” from the former al-Qaeda affiliate once known as al-Nusra Front, but that it had not done so.
3,800 civilians dead in Russian strikes in Syria
Beirut: More than 3,800 civilians have been killed in one year of Russian airstrikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a monitoring group said on Froday as international outcry mounted. Assad’s regime and its key backer Russia are under growing pressure from world governments to halt a new offensive pounding rebel-held areas of the battleground city of Aleppo.
Dutch summon Russian ambassador
The Hague: Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders has summoned Russia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands over “unacceptable” comments by Moscow criticising a report into the downing of Flight MH17, officials said.
Israel pays Turkey $20 mn compensation
Istanbul: Israel has paid Turkey $20 million in compensation for the deadly storming of an aid ship in 2010, a key pillar of a deal to normalise ties after a six-year rift, a Turkish official said.
80 climbers reach highest peak in Nepal
Kathmandu: At least 80 mountaineers, including one from India have successfully scaled the Mt Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world, in this year’s first autumn ascent of the mountain in western Nepal.
10 killed, 29 missing in China typhoon
Beijing: Ten people were killed in the devastation caused by typhoon ‘Megi’ in China and 29 others were listed as missing, the government said.