At least four people were killed and more than 20 others wounded Wednesday by mortar shells which rebels fired into central Damascus during the inauguration of President Bashar al-Assad.

The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the two attacks in Afghanistan earlier in the day, which killed scores of civilians including children. The 15-member UN body “condemned in the strongest terms” the suicide attack in the eastern province of Paktika, which reportedly killed 89 and injured many

The Iraqi security forces fought Sunni militant groups in several areas across the country, while the troops continued a major offensive to free the militant-seized city of Tikrit, security sources said on Wednesday. In Salahudin province, the troops continued their battles with Sunni militants, including those who are linked to …