RUSSIA

International powers are preparing to lift sanctions against Iran following a nuclear deal worked out in July, and states across the region are working to update their defenses.

At the White House Tuesday, France and the U.S. solidified their unity in the fight against the Islamic State group and advocated de-escalation between Russia and Turkey.

Russia has sought to tout the successes of its airstrike campaign against the so-called Islamic State group in Syria, but rights groups charge Russia with targeting civilians.

Russian helicopters are still searching for the pilots.

Protesters reportedly appeared in front of the embassy in Moscow hours after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the shoot-down of a Russian jet a stab in the back, saying it was carried out by "accomplices of terrorists."

NATO's collective defense clause has only been used once before -- after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York and Washington.

The Sukhoi Su-24, also known as a Fencer, is a twin-engine plane designed for low level airstrike missions.

The debacle underscores rising hostilities between Ankara and Moscow, as the two countries –- despite being strong trade partners –- have not seen eye to eye over Syria.

The plane’s two pilots ejected and tried to land in government-held areas. NATO announced Tuesday it has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the situation.

The future of Russia’s leading independent media is in doubt after foreign owners are quitting Russia in the wake of a new law that bans foreign ownership.

Turkish fighter jets downed a Russian warplane over Syria Tuesday after it allegedly violated Turkish airspace. Russia has launched a search and rescue operation for the plane's two pilots.

The state-backed Russian gas giant has suffered a massive decline in its value, losing over $300 billion since May 2008.

Authorities in Brussels have not released the names of the third and fourth people they charged in connection with the Paris terror attacks.

The Church of Scientology was shut down in Moscow after a court decided it was not covered by a freedom-of-religion clause.

Alexei Ulyukaev said he expects Russia to experience 3.9 percent GDP decline in 2015, a rosier forecast than the World Bank's.

François Hollande and David Cameron are presenting a united front against the Islamic State group, but challenges remain, particularly with regard to Syria's Bashar Assad.

With Iran set to join the global oil market in coming months, experts worry prices will remain low amid a market oversupply.

The Syrian president said Russia was working together with his country's ground forces to battle terrorists.

Divisions among Syrian opposition factions are often cited as one of many obstacles facing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

The American president has said that he will not allow the notion that his country is powerless to beat the Islamic State group.