SYRIA: The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed today that up to 7,000 people have been killed since January in infighting among rival Islamist groups across opposition-held territory in northern Syria.

The death toll also includes 650 civilians who were caught in the crossfire between the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham.

The observatory said that its activists on the ground have the names of 5,641 rebels who have been killed by infighting. The names of another 1,200 dead fighters have not been confirmed. 

UNITED STATES: Libyan militant Ahmed Abu Khattala, who is accused of masterminding the 2012 Benghazi attacks on US targets, appeared briefly for the first time in a US courtroom at the weekend.

He pleaded not guilty to a terrorism-related charge nearly two weeks after being captured by US special forces.

He was accused of taking part in a conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists in attacks that killed US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other US citizens.

EGYPT: Al-Qaida-inspired terrorists shot dead four army conscripts who were returning from holidays to their base at Rafah in northern Sinai at the weekend.

They intercepted a small passenger bus and told the passengers to dismount before identifying the four conscripts, who were wearing civilian clothes, and shooting them.

IRAN: Tehran began exporting cars to Russia today for the first time in five years after meeting upgraded emission standards.

Workers at the Iran-Khodro’s factory in Tehran loaded the first shipment. The company plans to export 10,000 cars of various models to Russia by 2015.

Iranian ambassador Mahdi Sanaei said that he expects trade with Russia to increase this year, after plunging from £2.3 billion to £881 million in the four years leading up to 2013.