WASHINGTON, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Russia have agreed to extend the fragile truce in Syria to the northern Aleppo city and its surrounding areas in an effort to de-escalate violence in the war-torn country, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday.
""Since this went into effect today at 00:01 in Damascus, we have seen an overall decrease in violence in these areas, even though there have been reports of continued fighting in some locations,"" State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.
Syrian government forces and the opposition have clashed over the past ten days in Aleppo, a major city in northern Syria, despite continued diplomatic efforts to restore the ceasefire agreement reached in February.
The Syrian government has blamed the rebels in Aleppo for violating the truce, while opposition activists accused Syrian warplanes of striking rebel-held areas in the eastern part of the city.
To ensure that the truce continues in a sustainable way, the U.S. is coordinating closely with Russia to finalize enhanced monitoring efforts of the renewed cessation, Toner said.
""It is critical that Russia redouble its efforts to influence the regime to abide fully by the cessation,"" Toner said, adding that ""the United States will do its part with the opposition.""
""Attacks directed against Syria's civilian population can never be justified, and these must stop immediately,"" the spokesman said.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of ""repercussions"" if his government does not adhere to the ceasefire agreement.
""Unequivocally, if Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions,"" Kerry said. ""And one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and they go back to war.""
" "
BRITAIN celebrated the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday with tributes to a popular monarch who has steered it through the decline of empire and a wave of scandals to the Internet age.
The sovereign Frank Ragnow Rush Jersey , on the throne since 1953, emerged from Windsor Castle dressed in a lime green outfit and matching hat to accept presents and flowers from hundreds of well-wishers.
Prime Minister David Cameron praised her achievements in a special “humble address” to parliament while her son and heir Prince Charles read from William Shakespeare in a special broadcast on BBC radio.
Later, the monarch Marvin Jones Jr Rush Jersey , who last year overtook her great-great grandmother queen Victoria to become Britain’s longest-serving monarch, will host a family dinner to celebrate.
She will also light a beacon, the first in a chain of a thousand around the country and the world Golden Tate III Rush Jersey , symbolizing the length of her life and her reign.
In a speech to the House of Commons, Cameron said she had been “steadfast, a rock of strength” adding that Britain was “uniquely blessed” to have her.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Darius Slay Jr Rush Jersey , a rare republican in public life, added that, whatever “different views” people have about the monarchy Matthew Stafford Rush Jersey , most believe the queen “has overwhelming support.”
While still active, the queen has scaled back her duties in recent years as Charles and grandson Prince William plus wife Kate take a more prominent role.
The royals remain popular but some question what will happen when the queen — who is in good health, enjoying regular rides on her favorite pony and walking her corgis — reaches the end of her life.
In an editorial Ziggy Ansah Rush Jersey , The Times newspaper praised her as “a symbol of continuity and the best embodiment we have of a complex national identity.”
But it warned the monarchy “will not long retain its popularity” if Charles, who often writes to ministers about issues close to his heart like the environment, is seen to breach constitutional convention by interfering in politics as king.
To mark the royal birthday Graham Glasgow Jersey , there were two military gun salutes at London’s Hyde Park and the Tower of London and crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace.
Royal officials released new pictures of the queen taken by US celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.
They were shot at Windsor Castle, west of London, where she will host US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama today.
In one photograph Taylor Decker Jersey , she is surrounded by some of the youngest family members, including a great-granddaughter clutching her handbag.
Charles read an extract from Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII” in tribute to his mother on the BBC. It referred to a princess who was “a pattern to all princes living with her And all that shall succeed.”
The queen was also presented with an orange drizzle cake baked by Nadiya Hussain, winner of cookery show The Great British Bake Off.
The monarchy has not always been on as sure a footing as it seems to be now.
It went through what the queen described as an “annus horribilis” or horrible year in 1992 when Prince Charles separated from his first wife Diana Michael Roberts Jersey , while two of her other children also went through breakups and Windsor Castle was hit by fire.
The monarchy’s popularity plunged after Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997 and the queen was accused of reacting coldly. Advisors subsequently steered the royals towards a more modern image.
" " Hilary St John Bower
SHENZHEN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- South China police have arrested three Chinese people for the murder of a British citizen in the city of Shenzhen last month.
Hilary St John Bower, 60, was killed by his girlfriend surnamed Xu and two men on March 22, according to a statement from the Nanshan branch of the public security bureau of Shenzhen.
The suspects were caught a week ago. The police suspect the attack was caused by relationship problems between Xu, 38, and the victim.