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Germany and France launch a direct high-speed train between Berlin and Paris

Muhamad Yehia BERLIN  — Germany and France on Monday launched a direct high-speed train between Berlin and Paris, a connection hailed as a symbol of a close friendship between the two countries and a sign of Europe’s potential to attract more travelers to the rails. The bullet train, however, is …

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Germany warns Assad supporters involved in atrocities in Syria against trying to flee there

Muhamad Yehia BERLIN  — Germany’s foreign minister is warning anyone involved in atrocities for the ousted Syrian government against seeking refuge in her country, saying they would face “the full force of the law.” Germany has been a major destination for Syrian refugees over the past decade, and several hundred thousand Syrian …

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Syrian rebel force deploys to a village near Damascus to stop looters

  Muhamad Yehia HUSSEINIYEH, Syria  — A rebel force deployed to a village in southeastern Damascus to stop looters who swarmed a residential complex and set some apartments on fire. The raid by the rebel force comes a week after the fighters marched on the Syrian capital in their lightening offensive …

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Palestinian security forces launch a rare crackdown on militants in the West Bank

Muhamad Yehia JENIN, West Bank  — Palestinian security forces have launched a rare crackdown against local militant groups in the northern West Bank, sending in armored cars and engaging in fierce gunbattles that have killed at least two people in the volatile area. The raid marks an unusual step for the …

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Negotiators say Israel and Hamas are inching toward a ceasefire deal. This is what it may look like

  Muhamad Yehia After months of deadlock, Israel and Hamas appear to be moving closer toward a ceasefire to end their 14-month war. Top officials from the U.S., Qatar and Egypt have resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to wrap up a deal. In …

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Russian presence in Syria remains. But it’s unclear for how long

Muhamad Yehia HMEIMIM, Syria (AP) — A convoy of Russian military vehicles rolled down the highway towards the Syrian city of Tartus on Monday as soldiers stood guard. Planes periodically descended and rose from Russia’s Hmeimim air base in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia while smoke rose from the base. It …

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A bomb kills the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces and his assistant in Moscow

  Muhamad Yehia MOSCOW — An explosive device planted near an apartment building in Moscow killed the head of Russia’s nuclear and chemical forces early Tuesday, officials said. Russia’s Investigative Committee said the bomb, which was triggered by the device placed in a scooter, killed Lt. General Igor Kirillov and …

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Middle East latest: Assad says he wanted to stay in Syria but Russia evacuated him

Muhamad Yehia Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad says he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus a week ago but the Russian military evacuated him from their base in western Syria after it came under attack. “I did not leave the country as part of …

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Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000

    Muhamad Yehia DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  — Israel said Sunday it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorated over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials said new Israeli airstrikes killed over 46 people including several children. The decision to close the embassy came in …

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Serbia’s main gas supplier that is controlled by Russia faces US sanctions

  Muhamad Yehia BELGRADE, Serbia — The United States plans to introduce sanctions against Serbia’s main gas supplier that is controlled by Russia, Serbia’s president said Saturday. President Aleksandar Vucic told state RTS broadcaster that Serbia has been officially informed that the decision on sanctions will come into force on Jan. …

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