Afghans protest in Kabul against killing of 7 Hazara

1. The Syrian army has made fresh gains in its fight against Daesh terrorists in the northwestern Aleppo province. The army and allied Hezbollah fighters have managed to liberate Kuwayris air base and free hundreds of soldiers. This is the most high-profile victory since Russia launched its air campaign against the terrorists in September.

2. Iran's deputy foreign minister says Tehran has yet to decide whether to participate in the upcoming talks on the Syria crisis in Vienna. Speaking in Beirut, Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Iran’s participation depends on the US response regarding unilateral actions taken by some governments attending the negotiations.

3. Qatar has confirmed the death of one of its soldiers in Yemen. This is the first fatality of Qatari forces since Saudi Arabia launched a war against its impoverished neighbor in March. Thousands of troops from the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain have joined the Saudi war on Yemen.

4. Tel Aviv has strongly condemned the European Union’s support for labeling products made in Israeli settlements inside occupied Palestinian territories. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has called the move a discriminatory step taken for political reasons. The EU says the measure is technical not political.

5. Thousands of Afghans have marched in the capital Kabul to protest the beheading of seven people from the Shia Hazara minority. The protesters carried the bodies of the victims and chanted slogans against the Taliban. They also called for the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah.

6. At least 14 asylum seekers half of them children, have drowned off the shores of Turkey. The Turkish coastguard has retrieved the bodies from a boat packed with dozens of refugees. The tragedy occurred as the flimsy vessel was heading for the Greek island of Lesbos.

7. One more Ukrainian soldier has been killed in clashes with pro-Russian militia in the volatile eastern region. Sporadic clashes continue despite a new truce that took effect in September between Kiev and pro-Russians. The Militia accuse the Ukrainian army of breaching the truce several times over the past two months.

8. Fast-food workers have rallied in US cities demanding a raise in minimum wage and union rights. The protesters have pledged not to vote for presidential candidates that do not support the campaign. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders who are running for presidency have expressed support for the workers’ campaign. 

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