SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
Russia begins withdrawal from Syria
Aircraft prepared for return home after surprise Putin announcement to pull-out Russia's main forces.
| Syrian Civil War, Russia, War & Conflict, Middle East, Syria
Russia's defence ministry announced on Tuesday that its airbase in Syria was preparing aircraft to return home following a pull-out order from President Vladimir Putin.
The statement came a day after Putin announced the withdrawal of most Russian forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the resumption of Syria peace talks in Geneva.
The start of the negotiations in Switzerland on Monday offered Putin an opportune moment to declare an official end to the five-and-a-half-month Russian air campaign, which has allowed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army to win back key ground and strengthen his positions ahead of the talks.
Independent Malaysian news site closes amid government clampdown on media
Editor says he ‘won’t be blinkered or turn a deaf ear’ after authorities blocked Malysian Insider for articles critical of prime minister Najib RazakA leading Malaysian news website that had been blocked by the government following critical coverage of prime minister Najib Razak has shut down
The Malaysian Insider editor Jahabar Sadiq told the Guardian that the news portal had closed for commercial reasons. He said the website had suffered from months of pressure from the government to dissuade advertisers from working with it.
“State-owned companies have been told not to advertise with us,” he said on the phone from Kuala Lumpur.
Jahabar and two other editors from the website were arrested last year on suspicion of sedition and the news portal was blocked in February this year, part of a recent crackdown on the media.
Egypt urged to quash prison sentences of four children convicted of blasphemy after mocking Isis video
Human Rights Watch also called on Egyptian authorities to revoke the penal code used to prosecute blasphemy
Egyptian authorities should drop prison sentences against four Coptic Christian teenagers convicted of blasphemy after mocking an Isis video, Human Rights Watch has said.
In February, three of the children were sentenced to five years in a prison and a fourth placed in a juvenile facility for imitating Islamic prayer.
A 30-second clip showed the students pretending to pray, with one kneeling on the floor while reciting verses from the Quran. One ran his hand on another one's throat, mimicking a beheading.
The video was filmed on a mobile phone by a teacher, who is also a Christian. He was sentenced to three years in prison for insulting Islam in a separate trial.
What's behind Vladimir Putin's surprise move in Syria?
March 15, 2016 - 3:34PMHelen Womack
Budapest: Russian President Vladimir Putin is not one for consulting the rest of the world when he acts. Just as he caught the Americans off guard when he decided to intervene militarily in Syria in September, his announcement on Monday that Russia will begin withdrawing its forces from the war zone with immediate effect has surprised other nations.
Nevertheless, the West is likely to give a cautious welcome to the news, which comes as the Syrian civil war enters its sixth year, and as peace talks resume in Geneva.
The Kremlin leader did telephone Syrian President Bashar-al Assad to inform him that he could no longer count on full military support from Moscow, although Russia will keep its airbase at Latakia and its naval base at Tartus.
In televised remarks, Putin said: "I consider the objectives that have been set for the Defence Ministry to be generally accomplished. That is why I order to start withdrawal of the main part of our military group from the Syrian Arab Republic, starting from tomorrow [Tuesday]."
How a Palestinian teacher from Bethlehem just won $1 million
Named as the world's best teacher, Hanan Al Hroub was honored Sunday for her unique teaching strategies dealing with violence.
Hanan al-Hroub, from Bethlehem in the West Bank, was awarded the $1 million Global Teacher Prize Sunday in Dubai.
Ms. Hroub was recognized for using games and playful activities to help local children learn in their violent environments – a program she calls "No to Violence." Hroub was chosen as the winner Sunday from a group of 10 finalists, which included teachers across all disciplines from Australia, Africa, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
“For an Arab, Palestinian teacher to talk to the world today and to reach the highest peak in teaching could be an example for teachers around the world,” Hroub tells The Associated Press. “The Palestinian teacher can talk to the world now. Hand in hand, we can affect change and provide a safe education to provide peace.”
Mike Durant: More than just the 'Black Hawk Down' guy
By Zachary Cohen, CNN
"I can hear them coming ... they are on their way and they are going to kill me."
Sitting in the cockpit of his downed Black Hawk helicopter, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant looked to the sky and tried to come to terms with his imminent death.
With each passing moment, his fear built until the crowd descended on him, ripping off his gear and beating him mercilessly.
They broke his nose, eye socket and cheekbone, and Durant was certain they were going to beat him to death.
But just when his chances for survival seemed bleakest, he heard it.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
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