(The New York Times)- When the World Health Organization wanted to know how the war in Syria was affecting the mental health of those forced to flee their homes, the agency hired someone known less for her expertise than for her connections: The consultant, Shukria Mekdad, is the wife of Faisal...

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 15 people, police and medical sources said. A further 50 people were wounded...

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian and Russian warplanes have carried out at least 30 raids on the northern countryside of Homs province, targeting rebel-held areas by internationally banned bombs, activists said Thursday, 48 hours before the provisional planned ceasefire takes into effect. An Ahrar...

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that a recent deal to halt hostilities in Syria does not bind Turkey. "All must know that this ceasefire is only valid for Syria and the warring sides in the country. If any of them poses a threat to Turkey's security, it becomes non-binding for us,"...