Syria sees US playing an active role
Israeli-Syrian peace talks pick up today after a one-day break as a Monday deadline loomed for the United States to set negotiators on a faster track before Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak leaves for home.



Grozny rebels give Russians a hard time
The plight of a Russian reconnaissance unit working in Grozny highlights the difficulties that Russia is having taking the capital of the rebel republic of Chechnya. Sergei, the commander of the unit, admitted that he faces an impossible task.



Khamenei issues stern warning to Iran's reformers
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has delivered a stern rebuke to reformers for criticising the conservative-dominated body charged with vetting election candidates here. In a keynote sermon marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.



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