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Geopolitics

Syria Update: Iran Hosts Talks, Violence Escalates And More Defections

AL ARABIYA (UAE), REUTERS (UK), BBC (UK)

- The Free Syrian Army told Al Arabiya on Thursday that Bashar al-Assad's chief of protocol had defected, amid an escalation of violence across the country.

Muhui al-Din Maslamani is reportedly safe in an undisclosed location in Syria. The rebels are also claiming that more defections in the Syrian regime are imminent.

- Syria's largest city Aleppo has come under fierce attacks from Syrian troops in an attempt to retake various districts of the city through the use of air strikes and shelling, the BBC reports.

A house hundred meters away from us got hit by plane. Huge explosion. Earth trembling. #Aleppo @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 9, 2012

We are trying to get out of #aleppo. Very difficult. Planes in sky. @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 9, 2012

- Iran is hosting a summit for foreign ministers in an attempt to resolve the escalating violence. However, a senior Iranian diplomat said earlier in the week that no nation that supports the opposition would be present, Reuters reported.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the summit would welcome countries that have "a correct and realistic position" on the Syrian conflict.

Russia announced Wednesday that it would be sending a delegate to Tehran. The statement read: "Naturally, we intend to firmly pursue our line calling for an immediate end to bloodshed and the suffering of the civilian population, as well as for achieving a peaceful resolution in the interest of all Syrians through a broad political dialogue."

Russia"s strategic maneuvering in the UN, along with China, has shielded the Syrian regime from sanctions and full-scale international intervention.

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Society

Is Disney's "Wish" Spreading A Subtle Anti-Christian Message To Kids?

Disney's new movie "Wish" is being touted as a new children's blockbuster to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. But some Christians may see the portrayal of the villain as God-like and turning wishes into prayers as the ultimate denial of the true message of Christmas.

photo of a kid running out of a church

For the Christmas holiday season?

Joseph Holmes

Christians have always had a love-hate relationship with Disney since I can remember. Growing up in the Christian culture of the 1990s and early 2000s, all the Christian parents I knew loved watching Disney movies with their kids – but have always had an uncomfortable relationship with some of its messages. It was due to the constant Disney tropes of “follow your heart philosophy” and “junior knows best” disdain for authority figures like parents that angered so many. Even so, most Christians felt the benefits had outweighed the costs.

That all seems to have changed as of late, with Disney being hit more and more by claims from conservatives (including Christian conservatives) that Disney is pushing more and more radical progressive social agendas, This has coincided with a steep drop at the box office for Disney.

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