This file photo shows an Emad missile blasted off in Iran. ©IRNA
Here is a round-up of global news developments:
- The US congress and the White House are on lockdown after reports of shooting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Capitol police said the gunman has been captured. One police officer was also reportedly wounded. Capitol Police refused to provide further information.
- A senior Iranian commander has said the country will continue its missile program despite US sanctions. Commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Division Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said Iran is developing its missiles as a defense strategy to guarantee the security of its people.
- Iran and Russia say they agree that Syria’s future can only be decided by the Syrian people. In a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani said Tehran supports the Syria peace talks and believes in political solutions to end the conflict.
- Russia says it will continue helping Syrian forces in the fight against terrorists. A Kremlin spokesman said the Russian air force will support Syrian soldiers fighting on the ground. Dmitry Peskov also noted that Russian soldiers did not take part in the Syrian army's operation in the city of Palmyra.
- Belgium has released the only suspect charged over deadly Brussels attacks, due to lack of evidence. Belgium’s prosecutor said the indications that led to the arrest of Faycal Cheffou were not substantiated. He had been charged with terrorist offenses in connection with the bombings.
- Hundreds of Ukrainian protesters gather outside the presidential office asking for the general prosecutor’s immediate resignation. The protest was triggered by a Kiev court decision to give Victor Shokin full rein to investigate the anti-corruption action center. Shoklin is engulfed in several scandals, including alleged theft of state funds.
- Palestinian Authorities have asked the UN to launch an investigation into Israel’s extrajudicial killings, after an injured Palestinian was shot dead at point blank range. Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Israel has been rewarded with impunity and past investigations into its crimes failed to serve justice.
- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for swift action against terrorists following a massive bombing in Lahore. Sharif said security forces should go after terrorists before they would be able to strike again. Sunday’s bombing in Lahore left 72 people dead and hundreds of others injured.
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