RUSSIA

Meanwhile, global equities lost about $11 trillion in the third quarter, driven by fears that China’s economic slowdown would spread.

The war in eastern Ukraine and a poor global economic environment could see the country's GDP fall by 12 percent this year.

The Ukrainian military began pulling back light artillery from the frontline Monday in the hopes of ending a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of over 8,000.

The Syrian Free Army is a Russian militia group that has been fighting both Assad's regime and the Islamic State group in Syria.

The Turkish president is on a two-day state visit to Belgium where he will hold key talks with EU officials, who are seeking his help to stem the flow of refugees.

In an hourlong interview with an Iranian television station, Bashar Assad blamed Western powers for destroying his country's infrastructure.

Kiev says elections cannot take place in the east because of continued security problems there.

The Middle East would be more stable with Moammar Gadhafi and Saddam Hussein still in power in Libya and Iraq, respectively, Donald Trump says, adding it's "not even a contest."

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a long-awaited trip to Brussels on Sunday, officially a two-day state visit to Belgium, that will be dominated by EU meetings over Europe's migration crisis and the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria.

Russia bombed Syria for a third straight day on Friday, mainly hitting areas held by rival insurgent groups rather than the Islamic State fighters it said it was targeting, and drawing an angry response from the West.

A day after the Oregon shootings, President Barack Obama again called for action against gun violence, while Republican Jeb Bush advised against an impulsive reaction.

Following Russian airstrikes in Syria, the Republican presidential candidate aims to demonstrate his expertise in foreign policy.

Monitors said they saw the new, deadly weaponry system in eastern Ukraine as Russian and Ukrainian leaders met Friday in Paris to discuss a solution to the conflict.

Hillary Clinton's comments indicate a marked departure from the White House's stance and come as the Russian intervention threatens to escalate the multi-pronged conflict in Syria.

In a joint statement with the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Gulf Arab allies, Turkey said Russia's actions constituted a "further escalation" of the conflict and would only fuel more extremism.

With increased Russian military activity in the Arctic, NATO member Norway reacted Thursday to a perceived threat.

The cost of the warring countries' mutual airline bans will be "in the tens, if not hundreds of millions, of U.S. dollars,” says one expert.

With Russian airstrikes in Syria, low oil prices and sanctions, Russian businesses are holding back on construction and expansion plans.

The Association of Muslim Scholars is warning that Russian airstrikes in Syria allegedly targeting ISIS could herald similar operations in Iraq.

The U.S. military was supposed to place new weapons in Germany by yearend, but officials said the transfer would likely take place closer to 2020.

"Washington's willingness to move forward with radars sends a clear signal."