As fighting subsides, little left in Aleppo

Rebel forces control most of Aleppo, Syria's largest city There is still sporadic fighting there Some residents have returned, others have only retrieved their belongings Food is in short supply and, as a result, prices have skyrocketed Editor's note: CNN's Arwa Damon and crew are some of the few international reporters in Syria, which has been restricting access of foreign journalists and refusing many of them entry. Read more from CNN inside Syria. Aleppo, Syria (CNN) -- In a small village outside of Aleppo where we are hunkered down for the night, our host apologizes profusely. He doesn't have enough blankets for us and it's bitterly cold. He and his family were forced to flee their home in the city to their unfurnished, humble residence in the countryside with nothing but the clothes they could carry. He spent 25,000 Syrian pounds -- around $300 -- to pay a truck driver just to bring out the bedroom furniture and a TV from their Aleppo home. He couldn't afford another run. We went to stay with his brother, who was also full of apologies because he couldn't offer us tea. The power was out and there was no cooking gas. Terror on Syria's front lines No defenses against chemical weapons Syrians return to homes, but is it safe? In the dark, we chatted about the situation in Aleppo, Syria's largest city. There, airstrikes have transformed buildings into heaps of rubble, and most of the city is now under rebel control. Many Aleppo residents fled when the fighting began, finding themselves crowded into relatives' homes or in refugee camps as winter set in. The bitter cold and financial hardships brought them back. Others, like this family, returned only to retrieve some belongings and then quickly left again. In Aleppo, the battle lines are fluid and, in some neighborhoods, snipers are a constant danger. Where the fighting has subsided, there are other threats. "The incredible cost of living is causing a lot of problems," our host's brother told us. "Criminality has gone up significantly. Each day we are catching thieves, even young boys. People are hungry and cold." Syrian refugees face brutal cold in Lebanon The cost of a canister of cooking gas in this village jumped from 450 pounds to 3,500 -- from about $5 to $45 -- and that's when it's available. "If the situation doesn't improve soon, people are going to start tearing each other apart," he laments. Skyrocketing food prices and shortages mean some Syrian children are eating only one small meal a day, if that. Residents in one Aleppo neighborhood have taken matters into their own hands, collecting money to buy food for the neediest -- but it's never enough. Children elbow and shove each other, the smaller ones trying to wiggle through for a ladleful of cracked wheat cooked in a huge vat in the middle of the street by the neighborhood volunteers. Amid the chaos, little hands try desperately to grab small bags of hummus passing overhead. A block away, residents clamor for bread. Fatme waited in line for three hours. She had fled Aleppo with her family, and returned a month ago when they thought it might be safe. They were wrong. Her husband was wounded by shrapnel in an explosion shortly afterward. "Of course I am afraid," Fatme said. "But what can I do? Are my children not going to eat?" Syria's chemical weapons 'deadly serious' A man inspects rubble in a neighborhood of Aleppo on Sunday, December 2. See photos of the conflict from November. The bodies of three children reportedly killed in a mortar shell attack are laid out for relatives to identify at a makeshift hospital in Aleppo on December 2. Smoke rises from fighting in the Hanano and Bustan al-Basha districts of Aleppo on Saturday, December 1. Syrian-Kurdish women and members of the Popular Protection Units, an armed opposition group to the Syrian government, stand guard during a comrade's funeral in a northern Syrian border village on December 1. Photos: Showdown in Syria Across the city, what were once staples are now luxuries. A child carries away two bowls with the burnt remains of the cracked wheat. It's all too much for one of the volunteers, Abu Abdo. "Until when are we going to live like this?" he cries. "Look, people are eating burnt food!" NATO chief echoes warning over chemical weapons Everywhere in Aleppo, there is evidence that the fighting has taken a heavy toll on the most vulnerable. Close to the bombed-out Dar el-Shifa hospital -- once the city's main field clinic, now a pile of debris -- families pick their way through rubble. Some stop and peer up at what is left, expressions of shock and deep sorrow etched across their faces. Few are able to comprehend what has become their reality. Hamza, 14, gathers with other children near a massive crater filled with grimy water from a burst water main, exploded in a blast a few days before. His parents sent him to fill a container with water after an airstrike cut off their supply. He speaks softly, his arm in a sling. "I was wounded in a strike in the village we fled to," he says simply. Gunfire rings out on the streets of Sakhour, an Aleppo neighborhood that regime forces hope to retake so they can cut off a main artery for opposition forces and reopen a route to Aleppo's airport. Amid the street fighting, a group of women invite me into a house, venting their frustrations and anger. "We know freedom has a price, but how long can we keep on living like this?" one woman asks. Another tells of how her roof caved in from an explosion. "Each time I hear one, I look up and expect to die." Syria shut down Internet, security firm says She and her family moved around three times before they ran out of money. "At least if there was work, anything, it would be a little easier," she says. We know freedom has a price, but how long can we keep on living like this? woman from Aleppo, Syria For many children here, gunfire has become background noise. Khawle, 12, sits on the sidewalk, cradling a neighbor's infant daughter. She doesn't move or stop talking as the gunfire intensifies, simply hugging the baby and rocking back and forth. Others flinch at the sound of each pop and blast of weapons. Every time Saleh Hadidi leaves his house, his 4-year-old daugher clutches his leg and begs him not to go. Metal rods protrude from his bandaged arm, a bullet wound he sustained at a government checkpoint that he says was meant for his daughter. "She was sitting in the front (of the car) when the gunfire started and I put my arm around her," he recalled. "She was drenched in my blood, and the soldiers were screaming, accusing me of being a rebel fighter. They held a gun to my head three, four times and she was screaming, 'Daddy!'" The girl flinches and clasps her hands, looking away as her father recounts that day. As we leave a woman whispers to me, "Sometimes I want to die rather than live like this." Journalist Ammar Cheikhomar contributed to this report.

'You killed Jesus' scrawled on Hanukkah menorah

View more videos at: http://nbcmiami.com. By Steve Litz, NBCMiami.com The Hanukkah menorah is a sign of peace and joy, symbolic of a miracle in the Jewish religion. But a menorah in Miami Beach, Fla., has also become an attraction for hate speech, with someone scribbling "you killed Jesus" on the base of the prominent Chabad Hanukkah display. Rabbi Zev Katz, who put up the menorah, is disappointed. "I hoped that people from other religions, we could all get along, we all have what we believe in, respect each other and live with each other," said Katz, of Chabad House in Miami Beach. For more, visit NBCMiami.com At Temple Beth Torah, in the Wellington community near West Palm Beach, there was more anti-Semitism this past weekend. In that incident, somebody painted a swastika along with some offensive words on a dumpster. The Anti-Defamation League condemned both incidents and reported them to the authorities. Desecration cases like these sometimes go unsolved, but authorities use such reports to track any possible hate crime trends. Unfortunately for Rabbi Katz, this isn't the first anti-Semitic attack against his giant menorah. "Twelve years ago someone smashed it, terrible, and we weren't sure if we're going to actually light the menorah the first night of Hanukkah," he said. But they did then, and they will again this Saturday night as Jews ring in the first night of Hanukkah. Organizers said they are expecting 1,000 people to attend. More content from NBCNews.com: Florida guide uses hunting as rustic therapy for combat veterans Police: Kansas City Chiefs linebacker kills girlfriend, then himself Cuba pushes swap: its spies jailed in US for American contractor held in Havana Passengers killed when tour bus hits Miami airport overpass Women warriors pass elite Army training course Teacher lured boys online to get nude pics, cops say 66 species of coral proposed for protection by US

Belcher case: Your reaction

Jovan Belcher had advanced from an undrafted free agent linebacker to NFL starter for the Kansas City Chiefs and played in every game since 2009. On Saturday, December 1, the 25-year-old star allegedly killed his girlfriend, then drove to the Chiefs' practice facility and took his own life. After the tragedy, teammate Tony Moeaki tweeted, "One of everyone's favorite teammates including one of mine." Here's a look at his career with the Chiefs and tragic end: The Kansas City Chiefs kneel and pray before a game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 2, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Natalie Samson wears the No. 59 jersey, which was Jovan Belcher's number, as she stands for a moment of silence on Sunday. Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers gather at midfield Sunday for a prayer after the Chiefs' 27-21 win. A young fan holds a condolences sign for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the team's game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Before their game against the Carolina Pathers on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs pause for a moment of silence. After Belcher and his girlfriend's deaths, flags wave in the wind outside of The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex used by the Kansas City Chiefs next to Arrowhead Stadium, on Saturday, December 1. No. 59 Belcher battles guard Clint Boling of the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 18, 2012 in Kansas City. Belcher stretches before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on September 20, 2009, in Kansas City. The residence of Kasandra Perkins, Belcher's girlfriend, is seen on December 1, 2012, in Kansas City. Belcher during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 9, 2012. Belcher brings down Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller in the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 31, 2010. Belcher cools off from temperatures over 100 degrees during a training camp practice on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, on August 1, 2011. The linebacker after a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 12, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 16-13. Belcher watches from the sidelines during his final game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on November 25, 2012. Belcher in action during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at on November 18, 2012, in Kansas City. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 A CNN.com op-ed by Kevin Powell about Jovan Belcher generated a lot of reactions On Tuesday, Powell will do a live chat on Twitter from 12:30 to 1 p.m. ET on @CNNOpinion Powell addresses some of the reader reactions about violence, manhood and depression What do you think of Belcher's murder and suicide? Join @CNNOpinion for live chat (CNN) -- Readers reacted strongly to a Monday op-ed on CNN.com about Jovan Belcher, the Kansas City Chiefs football player who murdered his girlfriend and then committed suicide. The piece was written by Kevin Powell, an activist, public speaker, and writer, and discussed how the tragedy related to depression and what Powell called "very warped definitions of manhood." It stirred a lot of conversation, including over 1,500 comments and numerous tweets. On Tuesday, Powell will host a live Twitter chat on @CNNOpinion from 12:30 to1 p.m. ET to discuss issues such as domestic violence, depression, gun violence, and the definition of manhood. Please ask questions in advance and join him for the chat by using the hashtag #JovanBelcher and mentioning @CNNOpinion. Here, Powell addresses some of the readers' reactions that he has already received. he very definition of manhood they've (men) embraced is more an emotional prison than anything else - Kevin Powell @cnnopinion — Dr. Victor S Couzens (@bishopVSC) December 3, 2012 As men, we must begin to think about manhood in a very different kind of way. I've gotten two distinct responses to my article so far. The first batch is from men who agree that we've got to go in a different direction -- it's unhealthy to squash our true feelings about issues and to never talk. Some men actually admitted to me in very personal and private e-mails that they are hurting right this very minute. Then there were the angry messages from very angry men, accusing me of being anti-men, of male-bashing, of being on the side of women, of not being willing to let a man be a man. Well, my personal definition of manhood is that it should be rooted in self-love and respect for all people, including women. We should view women and girls as the equals of men and boys. And the foundation of manhood needs to be about peace and nonviolence and communication, not anger, hatred, violence and ugliness. chippy1 comments: If he was just a blue collar worker with access to a gun, killed his girlfriend then himself, this story would be back with the comics. Since he was a "great" football player the whole planet goes into a tailspin, just making his victim a footnote. This demonstrates the American attitude towards its "idols," and the American persona, the more violent and bloody and scandal prone, the better. Kasandra Perkins is the victim's name. Let us always say the names of women who are the victims of violence. I would also add it does not matter whether the man is famous, a professional athlete, or someone nobody has ever heard of. Violence against women is unacceptable. However, when it involves a high-profile individual like Belcher, perhaps the tragedy can be a teachable moment so that more people will pay attention to domestic violence. Otherwise Kasandra Perkins' death will truly be in vain. Become a fan of CNNOpinion Stay up to date on the latest opinion, analysis and conversations through social media. Join us at Facebook/CNNOpinion and follow us @CNNOpinion on Twitter. We welcome your ideas and comments. Mattias Von Bismark comments: I thank you for this comment. It's a hard thing to say. It subjects you to this slander that you are, somehow, supporting the murder of that poor woman. It takes true courage and strength of character to stand up and say, "Yes, what this man did was awful, but there was something at the root of this tragedy which was unaddressed. If this man had received help, his life and the life of the poor woman would have been saved." Those who have never dealt with mental illness need to keep silent on this subject. As we have seen above, they have nothing helpful to add, and denigrate the serious discussion we should all be having. Mattias, I agree with you. Sadly, many of us do not want to deal with contexts for behaviors or situations. We are quick to name-call and judge and write someone off. The fact is that violence is normal in our country. One-fourth of American women have experienced some form of violence at the hands of men. I always challenge men to talk with their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, female cousins, or their wives or girlfriends, and they would be surprised to find out how many women have been assaulted in some way at some point in their lives. Just read your local papers, the crime reports, and note the number of attacks on women. Dissing Jovan Belcher may make you feel good in the short term. But it does nothing to stop this kind of violence. @cnnopinion Sometimes things are THAT simple. #Jovan Belcher had no right to take this girls life. May he rot in Hades; thou shalt not kill. — dana bourgeois (@herfavstuff) December 3, 2012 Dana, I understand completely your feelings. Do I condemn violence? Absolutely. But am I in position to determine who is going to heaven or hell? No. I am Christian. I just think we've got to be careful of passing judgment on anyone at any given time. Kyle Jarvis Chan Wu comments: I get the idea that you are actually sticking up for someone who murdered his wife. He shot her. That is a fact. I don't need to stand in the shoes of someone who would act violently against a woman. There is a difference between someone who takes their own life to depression and someone who goes on a killing spree ending with their own life. One person needs help, the other person doesn't deserve a marker on their grave. Kyle, that is absolutely untrue. I do not condone violence, and I hope for peace and love toward all. But as someone who has overcome personal challenges in grappling with violence and anger, I know that there are some serious issues around manhood and mental illness that we are not fully addressing as a nation. We need to start talking about how to help those in need. @cnnopinion @kevin_powell sad thing is, to the media a woman's life has very little meaning. It's all about the men. — Desiree Steele (@HijabInAmerica) December 3, 2012 Desiree, that is why we must not forget Kasandra Perkins, Jovan Belcher's girlfriend. I'm not a woman but I can certainly empathize with what women and girls deal with every single day of their lives. I can only imagine. Sexism is alive and well, and the fact that Ms. Parker's name is barely mentioned in most media outlets means that there's a lot of work we need to do to change this situation. AB comments: the entire story is horribly sad, BUT why was there a moment of silence for him? he murdered his child's mother, and then, killed himself, leaving a baby with no mother or father. ... He murdered someone and you are giving him a moment of silence? If that was my daughter, it would make me more than angry if you gave her murderer this.. everyone is saying he was a great guy, well this great guy, did a horrendous crime. That is incorrect. There was actually a moment of silence by the Kansas City Chiefs for victims of domestic violence, as it should have been. My hope is that the National Football League, as well as other sports leagues, will take the same kind of very visible stance on domestic violence as it has on breast cancer. Interested in talking with the author, Kevin Powell? Join him for a live chat about his column on Twitter from 12:30 to 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday @CNNOpinion. Tweet your questions or comments by using the hashtag #JovanBelcher and mentioning @CNNOpinion. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kevin Powell.

Judge blocks controversial gay therapy law

Rich Pedroncelli / AP In this combo image from May 8, 2012, State Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, left, and David Pickup, a licensed marriage and family therapist, address lawmakers in favor and opposition, respectively, of a bill to ban a controversial form of psychotherapy aimed at making gay people straight. By Lisa Leff, The Associated Press A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked California from enforcing a first-of-its-kind law that bars licensed psychotherapists from working to change the sexual orientations of gay minors, but he limited the scope of his order to just the three providers who have appealed to him to overturn the measure.  U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb made a decision just hours after a hearing on the issue, ruling that the First Amendment rights of psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals who engage in "reparative" or "conversion" therapy outweigh concern that the practice poses a danger to young people.  "Even if SB 1172 is characterized as primarily aimed at regulating conduct, it also extends to forms of (conversion therapy) that utilize speech and, at a minimum, regulates conduct that has an incidental effect on speech," Shubb wrote.  The judge also disputed the California Legislature's finding that trying to change young people's sexual orientation puts them at risk for suicide or depression, saying it was based on "questionable and scientifically incomplete studies."  The law, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October, states that therapists and counselors who use "sexual orientation change efforts" on clients under 18 would be engaging in unprofessional conduct and subject to discipline by state licensing boards. It is set to take effect on Jan. 1.  Although the ruling is a setback for the law's supporters, the judge softened the impact of his decision by saying that it applies only to three people — psychiatrist Anthony Duk, marriage and family therapist Donald Welch, and Aaron Bitzer, a former patient who is studying to become a counselor who specializes in clients who are unhappy being gay.  The exemption for them will remain in place only until Shubb can hold a trial on the merits of their case, although in granting their request for an injunction, the judge noted he thinks they would prevail in getting the law struck down on constitutional grounds.  Bitzer, Duk and Welch were represented by the Pacific Justice Institute, a Christian legal group. President Brad Dacus said he thought Shubb's ruling would have a chilling effect that would keep the licensing boards that regulate mental health professionals from targeting other practitioners.  "If there are any, we can easily add them to the case as a plaintiff," Dacus said. "We know we will have to have another hearing on the merits, but to be able to get a preliminary injunction at this stage is very telling as to the final outcome, and I'm very encouraged by it."  Complicating the outlook for the law is that another federal judge in Sacramento is considering similar arguments from four more counselors, two families and a professional association of Christian counselors, but has not decided yet whether to keep the ban from taking effect. "We are disappointed by the ruling, but very pleased that the temporary delay in implementing this important law applies only to the three plaintiffs who brought this lawsuit," National Center for Lesbian Rights Legal Director Shannon Minter said. "We are confident that as the case progresses, it will be clear to the court that this law is fundamentally no different than many other laws that regulate health care professionals to protect patients." Lawyers for the state argue that outlawing reparative therapy is appropriate because it would protect young people from a practice that has been rejected as unproven and potentially harmful by all the mainstream mental health associations.  More content from NBCNews.com: More than 20,000 students to miss school as teachers in Chicago suburb strike Witnesses: Man pushed to his death on NYC subway tracks after argument Florida guide uses hunting as rustic therapy for combat veterans Police: Kansas City Chiefs linebacker kills girlfriend, then himself Cuba pushes swap: its spies jailed in US for American contractor held in Havana Passengers killed when tour bus hits Miami airport overpass Women warriors pass elite Army training course 66 species of coral proposed for protection by US Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.