Voicing concern over the recent killing of two foreign nationals, Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander A Nikolaev says two drops of water do not mean that it is raining as a peaceful environment is prevailing in Bangladesh.

Eight senior figures from Islamic State were killed in an air strike while meeting in a town in western Iraq, but the group's reclusive leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi did not appear to be among them.

The Netherlands, who were within a penalty shootout victory of reaching the 2014 World Cup final, now stand on the brink of missing the European Championships for the first time since 1984.

Russia's air force hit 60 Islamic State targets in Syria over the past 24 hours and killed around 300 militants, the Defense Ministry says.

Russia is to hold more talks with the US on air safety during the two countries’ Syrian bombing campaigns, says the Pentagon.

Second-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez saw Chile to a 2-0 win over Brazil in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Nato defence ministers will assess the "troubling escalation of Russian military activities" in Syria, the alliance's secretary-general says, ahead of talks in Brussels.

Russia says it has launched rocket strikes on Islamic State group targets in Syria from warships in the Caspian Sea - about 1,500km (930 miles) away.

Turkey again summons the Russian ambassador after a second violation of its airspace by a Russian warplane operating in Syria in two days.

At last Russia has decided that it will not be in the sidelines any more. After much speculation among western powers about its role in the four-year long Syrian war, Russia has come out full force to defend its long time regional ally, President Assad.

Turkish F-16 fighter jets are scrambled after a Russian warplane violates Turkey's air space on Saturday, the foreign ministry says.

Putin's action is a clear message to the West that Russia is a world power to be reckoned with. He is ready to use his military power to back his diplomatic goals. He is also sending a message to the West to not meddle with Russia over Ukraine.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter will not resign despite major sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald's calling for him to go immediately.

US President Barack Obama says the Russian bombing campaign in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad is driving moderate opposition underground and "only strengthening" Islamic State.

Members of the US-led coalition against Islamic State call on Russia to cease air strikes they say are hitting the Syrian opposition and civilians.

In quest for immortality, a Russian scientist has made a bizarre claim linking ancient bacteria to immortality.

Russia appears to have begun carrying out air strikes in Syria against opponents of President Bashar al-Assad, a US defence official says.

President Vladimir Putin secures parliament's unanimous backing to launch air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria, paving the way for imminent Russian military intervention in its closest Middle East ally.

US President Barack Obama has said defeating Islamic State in Syria would only be possible if President Bashar al-Assad stepped down.

Russia is considering whether to follow the US and its allies in conducting air strikes against Islamic State (IS) targets, President Vladimir Putin says.