Free Republic

At least 20 worshippers have been killed and 52 injured in a suicide bomb attack at a Christian church in Syria. The bomber opened fire as people were praying inside Mar Elias Church, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, before detonating his vest. Some children are thought to be among the wounded, according to state media. Horrifying footage showed blood splattered over the shattered pews and masonry walls following the blast. Syria's interior ministry said a member of the Islamic State group was behind Sunday's attack. 'A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias...

Donald Trump has said his administration is now exploring the possibility of normalising relations with Syria - his comments coming shortly after he met Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose forces ended the decades-long dictatorship of the Assad family. The extraordinary encounter, unthinkable just months ago, was short but significant. "I think he has got the potential," Trump remarked after his meeting in Riyadh, 37 minutes long, with the former Syrian fighter formerly linked to Al-Qaeda. The $10m US bounty on his head was only lifted in December. Video footage of their conversation in a lavish Saudi royal palace showed...