Uzbek authorities on Jan. 17 unilaterally closed several checkpoints on Uzbekistan's border with Kyrgyzstan, AKI Press reported Jan. 18, citing the State Border Service of Kyrgyzstan.

Russia has suspended the operations of its Consulate in Aleppo, a spokesman for the Russian Embassy in Syria said Jan. 15, RIA Novosti reported.

Saudi newspaper al-Watan, citing intelligence sources, reported that Syrian President Bashar al Assad, along with his family and close confidants, is on a warship in the Mediterranean under Russian security, Ynet reported Jan. 14.

Pakistani truckers carrying NATO supplies to Afghanistan have gone on strike, Reuters reported Jan. 9.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Dec. 28 encouraged the Syrian government to open up dialogue with its opponents, Reuters reported.

One person was killed and two were wounded in an explosion at a medical university in Chernivtsy on Dec. 27, police said, Reuters reported.