Russia and China have proposed that a United Nations panel investigating chemical weapons use in Syria be extended to Iraq.
The two countries raised the prospect of broadening the scope of the Joint Investigative Mechanism during a council discussion about the battle of Mosul, where Iraqi forces are fighting Islamic State group jihadists.
German Backing for Two-state Solution
Chancellor Angela Merkel is reiterating Germany's long-held support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and its rejection of Israeli settlements.
She also warned that if Palestinians want peace, they should not "unilaterally denounce" Israel in international forums.
The Reserve Bank of India has put four public sector lenders, including IDBI Bank and Indian Overseas Bank, under watch and advised them to stay off risky assets so that their financial health is not stressed further.
The name of UCO Bank also figured in the list, but the name of the fourth lender could not be immediately ascertained.
SBI to Sell Stake in Life Arm
SBI board panel has approved an IPO of its subsidiary SBI Life Insurance by offering the public 10% of the company's share.
The bank was looking at diluting its stake by 8% through the IPO.