Turkey and Russia have agreed on a limited partial Syrian cease-fire between Assad's men and non-Jihadi Arab rebels.

PISSI and al-Nusra are excluded. So, at Turkey's insistence, are the Kurds. Nonetheless, I think this will be a step forward, as long as Turkey doesn't turn it into an opportunity to launch renewed war against the Kurds.

Israel's response to the UN's condemnation of colonizing the West Bank is the usual stupid attempt to put the blame on its critics.

It would be appropriate now for other countries to adopt a first stage of sanctions, to start pressuring Israel to make peace with Palestine.

Obama should give Palestine US recognition now.

Israel can kick Palestinians around with impunity because they are stateless. I agree with Juan Cole that the Palestinians must be able to be citizens of a state that will try defend their human rights, just as Israelis are.

Due to global heating, major floods in the UK are likely to happen every year.

The ministers not only don't have a plan to deal with it, they intend to continue the policies that created it.

Because of overpopulation, millions in Manila live in areas that often flood. But hurricanes are getting stronger and in the future will flood nearly all of Manila. Meanwhile, crop failures will mean food is scarce.

How to cope with this in the future? Condoms and sterilizations will help.

Afghanistan's military aid funds support local militias, ostensibly to fight the Taliban, but they also fight each other and the central government.