The United States and Russia have pledged to help unblock stalled negotiations between Syria’s two warring sides, international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Thursday. “They have kindly reaffirmed their support for what we are trying to do and promised that they will help both here and in their capitals and elsewhere to unblock

 Turkish riot police on Thursday fired tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of protesters demanding the release of army officers jailed for plotting a coup. “Freedom to patriots, end conspiracies,” the protesters shouted as

Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported the Egyptian army chief’s bid for president even as the two countries agreed to rebuild defence and economic ties. Putin wished Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi victory in Egypt’s presidential elections later this year.