Iraqi Kurds shrug off threats to stage independence referendum
The vote, expected to deliver a comfortable "yes" for independence, is not binding
Germany's Syrian refugees celebrate Merkel win but fear rise of far-right
"Merkel put her career on the line to help us"
Russia, Syria intensify bombing of rebel-held Idlib, witnesses say
The bombing campaign in heavily populated civilian areas shattered six months of relative calm
Kurdish city gassed by Saddam hopes referendum heralds better days
Kurdish independence vote will be a bittersweet moment for the people of Halabja, a city of 75,000 people still facing the after-effects of the attack by Iraqi government forces in 1988
Few ideas, less hope leave Syria crisis on back burner at U.N.
"You don't have the U.S. and the Europeans around the table and that is a huge defeat for all of us," said French President Emmanuel Macron
Greek court's rejection of asylum appeals sets bad precedent -Amnesty
"The ruling sets an ominous precedent," said Amnesty International's Europe Director
Syria's Moualem says victory within reach, de-escalation zones temporary
"The liberation of Aleppo and Palmyra, the lifting of the siege of Deir Ezzor and the eradication of terrorism from many parts of Syria prove that victory is now within reach," says Syria's Foreign Minister
Kurds press historic independence vote despite regional fears
Many Kurds see the vote, though non-binding, as a historic opportunity to achieve self-determination a century after Britain and France divided the Middle East under the Sykes-Picot agreement
Syrian pop-up put crisis on the menu
A Syrian pop-up restaurant that opened in London on the International Day of Peace hopes to encourage discussions about peace prospects in the war-torn country while serving some of its traditional delicacies.
Peace, hummus and falafels: London restaurant puts Syrian crisis on the menu
"We are encouraging people to take everyday small actions to help build peace right where they are"