Russian warplanes were said to have launched heavy strikes on the Islamic State-held city of Palmyra on Thursday in what may be a prelude to a Syrian government bid to recapture the historic site lost to the jihadist group last May.

• March 10, 2016

China is taking a "distinctly Chinese approach" to national security with a raft of new laws, including one on counterterrorism, the third-ranked leader said on Wednesday, offering a strong rebuttal to Western criticism.

• March 9, 2016

The main Syrian opposition council said on Wednesday the agenda proposed by the United Nations for peace talks was positive and it had noted fewer government violations of a cessation of hostilities agreement in the past day.

• March 9, 2016

Russia's Defense Ministry has said it was ready to give access to its military bases in Syria for humanitarian aid deliveries.

• March 7, 2016

The head of the UN's nuclear agency has suggested that Iran's initial compliance with a nuclear deal is only a first step, saying Tehran must continue to honor its commitments in the years ahead.

• March 7, 2016

Libyan forces based in the city of Misrata have carried out air strikes against Islamic State militants in their stronghold of Sirte, a military source said on Sunday.

• March 6, 2016

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in a phone call on Tuesday, reaffirmed the need for cooperation to ensure the end of hostilities in Syria, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

• March 1, 2016

A senior official from Syria's main opposition group said on Monday that a fragile international attempt to halt nearly five years of fighting was in danger of total collapse because of attacks by government forces.

• February 29, 2016