Syrian court sentences former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, Al Jazeera reports.

Iraqi PM Ali Al-Zaidi ordered drafting of a bill to place weapons under exclusive state control, following formation of a committee tasked with confining arms to state authority.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has ordered the drafting of a bill to place weapons under exclusive state control, following the formation of a committee tasked with confining weapons to the state.

Lebanon's parliament votes to abolish the death penalty, becoming the first Middle East country to formally end capital punishment — NNA and LBCI TV.

Lebanon's parliament on Tuesday passed a bill abolishing the death penalty, making it the first country in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment, according to the National News Agency (NNA) and local channel LBCI TV. The bill was approved by a majority of the 128-member parliament. The EU delegation to Lebanon welcomed the move, noting it includes retroactive application and builds on a de facto moratorium maintained since 2004.

White House moves to dramatically restrict U.S.-funded research collaboration with China, scientists warn the policy could hurt America's competitiveness, per The Washington Post. The proposed restrictions could reshape academic partnerships between the two countries.

U.S. scientists warn that the White House's move to dramatically restrict federally funded research collaboration with China could hurt America's own scientific competitiveness, according to The Washington Post.

Latvia's PM Kulbergs says country forgot to buy ammunition for its anti-drone systems, calling Latvia's drone ambitions empty. Statement reported by Delfi.

Latvia'sKulbergs said the country forgot to purchase ammunition when procuring anti-drone systems, according to Delfi. He noted that Latvia calls itself a great power in drones but 'there is no real substance behind this.'