New Aleppo assault casts fresh cloud over Syria peace talks

By Angus McDowall and Tom Miles BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - Syria's army backed by Russian warplanes launched an assault north of Aleppo on Thursday, threatening to block a vital rebel route into the city in fighting that has cast new clouds over Geneva peace talks. Syria's recent upsurge in fighting, particularly around the northern city of Aleppo, has proven the most acute challenge yet to a cessation of hostilities deal agreed in February and soured an already bleak mood as opposing sides gathe