Paris - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today expressed his willingness to negotiate to end the conflict in his country, but it must be with the real opposition, he told to the French media in statements released today.

Moscow- President Vladimir Putin praised the role of the Church in the defense and preservation of moral and family values in society by congratulating the Russians on Orthodox Christmas.

Quito- The eight candidates to Ecuador Presidency are carrying today a kind of race to accumulate more followers of their government programs, following the start of the electoral campaign for the general election next February.

Damascus - The death toll in the city of Jableh in the Syrian province of Latakia has risen to 15, the authorities confirmed today.

Caracas - The restructuring of the Cabinet and the start of gasoline trade in foreign currency on the border with Colombia marked the news in Venezuela during the week.

Moscow - Russia today announced the start of the reduction of their military forces in Syria and also the withdrawal of the aircraft carrier Admiral of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov, which is stationed off the Syrian coast.