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DAMASCUS The European Union slapped fresh sanctions on Syria Monday as fierce clashes between government forces and rebels left 23 Syrian soldiers dead and scores of others wounded.

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council are meeting in Riyadh Monday to discuss a Saudi proposal to develop their six-nation council into a union similar to the European Union.

The United States has reportedly intensified its strikes in Yemen and as Washington escalates its war on Al-Qaeda affiliate in the country.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran Monday began two-day talks here with the UN nuclear watchdog urging Tehran to grant access to military sites where the nuclear programmes are being conducted.

In a blow to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her Christian Democratic Union party lost in the country's most populous state North Rhine-Westphalia, but she said the poll defeat would not affect her tough austerity measures for the euro zone.

The disputed town of Abyei was the scene of renewed violence in May 2011 after Sudanese Government forces took over the area.

Thousands of people have again marched through the Russian capital.

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel has suffered a major defeat at the hands of a left wing opposition.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Oceania Affairs Abbas Araghchi has said that Baghdad is safe for upcoming nuclear meeting of Iran and the major powers of the world.