Blasts near Russia's Syria embassy kill 1

At least one person is killed in shell attacks close to Russia's embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

SYRIA

Palmyra destruction ‘loss to humanity’

UNESCO says the demolition of Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra would be a ‘loss to humanity.’

MILITARY

US spy aircraft defies China warnings

The US military rebuffed multiple warnings by China’s navy and flew a spy aircraft over disputed islands in the South China Sea.

IRAQ

Iraq urges Russia help in ISIL battle

The Iraqi premier urges Moscow to further help the Arab country in the battle against Takfiri ISIL terrorist group.

ECONOMY

Iran opens its largest glass production plant

Iran has launched a glass fabrication plant described as the country’s largest, with President Hassan Rouhani calling on local producers to raise their competitiveness.

KOREAS

N Korea can counteract US: Pyongyang

North Korea says it is capable of counteracting the US administration.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan police kill 7 Taliban militants

Afghan police forces kill seven Taliban militants and injure six others in Badakhshan.

POLITICS

‘Iran aid plane to land in Djibouti’

An Iranian official says Iran’s first cargo plane carrying relief aid to crisis-hit Yemen is set to touch down in Djibouti.

INTERVIEWS

‘Saudi army unable to fight on its own’

An analyst says the Saudi army is incapable of engaging in fighting on its own.

RUSSIA

‘Russia return to G7 unimaginable’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Russia’s return to the Group of Seven (G7) is out of the question unless it commits to international law.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Iran, P5+1 open 2nd day of nuclear talks

Representatives from Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers open the second day of a new round of nuclear talks in Austria's Vienna.

MORE

Ukraine scraps 5 military deals with Russia

The Ukrainian parliament terminates five military cooperation agreements with Russia.

IRAQ

Senior Iraqi cleric warns ISIL

Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warns the ISIL Takfiri group against any attacks on Iraq’s Shia-majority cities.

INDIA

India deploys troops to stop Kashmir demo

India deploys hundreds of troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city to stop a pro-independence rally.

MORE

Saudi jets bombard areas in Yemen

Saudi fighter jets launch new airstrikes against various areas across war-torn Yemen.

BUSINESS

China-Brazil deals fire up BRICS ascent

China’s prime minister has wound up his three-day visit to Brazil after signing 53 trade and investment deals.

PERSIAN GULF

Bahrainis demand Sheikh Salman’s release

Bahrainis take to the streets to demand the release of senior opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman.

SYRIA

‘Syria opposition groups to meet in Astana’

Kazakhstan says Syrian opposition groups are set to meet in Astana next week.