Iran picks Oscar-winning Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ for 2017 Academy Awards

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Warplanes of the so-called US-led coalition against Daesh have conducted airstrikes on positions of the Syrian army near the city of Dayr al-Zawr. A London-based monitor says the assaults have killed at least 83 troops and wounded scores more. The Russian Defense Ministry puts the death toll at over 60.
   
• An Israeli drone has violated Syria’s airspace targeting the positions of the Syrian army in the Golan Heights killing at least 1 person in the province of Quneitra. The strike has left several others wounded. Israel has stepped up airstrikes on the region where the Syrian troops are fighting terrorists.
   
• Russian President Vladimir Putin says militants are exploiting the truce in Syria to regroup. He says militants are changing 1 name for another to keep their military capacity. Putin reminded that this comes as the Syrian army is abiding by the ceasefire and Moscow is holding its part of the truce.
   
• The US has denounced as illegitimate the upcoming Russian parliamentary elections on the Crimean peninsula. The US State Department says Washington won't recognize the results, reiterating that Crimea is not an integral part of Russia. The Ukrainian foreign minister has also said votes cast in Crimea should not be accepted.
   
• People across Germany have joined marches to protest against free trade deals with the US and Canada. A sea of people joined the rallies in 7 German cities to denounce the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP. Protesters are also opposed to a smaller deal between Germany and Canada called CETA.
   
• People in Indian-controlled Kashmir have attended the funeral of a young boy killed by Indian security forces. 11 year old Nasir Shafi was critically wounded during an anti-India protest and later succumbed to his injuries. More than 80 people have been killed in a new wave of protests rocking Kashmir since July 8.
   
• Iran has offered a movie by an Oscar-winning director as the Best Foreign Language film to this year's Academy Awards. Asghar Farhadi's The Salesman has already scooped 2 prizes in the Cannes Festival this year. The movie has been a huge box office success since its premier in Iran weeks ago.
   
• Iran hands over the rotating presidency of Non-Aligned Movement to Venezuela. This took place in Venezuela’s Margarita Island where member states have gathered for the 17th summit of the movement. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani made the announcement after a collective agreement at the opening of the meeting.

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