An international inquiry found Syrian regime forces responsible for a third toxic gas attack, according to a confidential report submitted to the U.N. Security Council on Friday, setting the stage for a showdown between Russia and western council members over how to respond. The fourth...

(The Daily Star)- A cease-fire to allow wounded civilians and rebels to leave besieged parts of Aleppo has been extended into the weekend by Russia, but hoped-for medical evacuations didn't materialize by Friday evening because of a lack of security guarantees, officials and residents said....

(The Daily Star)- A suspected extremist gunman captured during a shock attack on Kirkuk Friday said the raid was planned to divert attention from a major offensive on ISIS' Mosul stronghold. An AFP reporter attended the interrogation shortly after his arrest by Kurdish forces of a suspected...

The UN refugee agency warned Greek authorities Friday over what it called the illegal return of 10 Syrian refugees to Turkey. "The UNHCR is seriously concerned by the illegal return of Syrian nationals from Greece to Turkey," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news conference at the UN in...