Briefly

IRAN

Teheran admits it carried out attack

Iran has claimed responsibility for a missile barrage that struck early on Sunday near a sprawling US consulate complex in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, saying it was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard. No injuries were reported in the attack, which marked a significant escalation between the US and Iran. Hostility between the longtime foes has often played out in Iraq, whose government is allied with both countries.

ZAMBIA

7-day mourning for ex-leader declared

Zambia declared seven days of national mourning on Saturday for its fourth president, Rupiah Banda, who died on Friday at the age of 85 after battling colon cancer. Banda was in power from 2008 to 2011. Messages of condolences from leaders of other countries have started pouring in. Chushi Kasanda, the chief government spokesperson, told reporters that details of the former president's funeral will be made public in due course.

Xinhua - Agencies