Retail consumers pounced when prices plunged to a two-year low last month, and have kept on buying.

Chinese and U.S. currency are being used more widely than ever in North Korea, a sign of the extent to which Kim Jung-un has lost control over the economy.

A state of emergency has been declared after widespread unrest.

The accident, which also injured 25 others, occurred because of high speed driving, a security official said.

The militant group said they had previously cooperated with the aid agency and did not support targeting it.

Move comes amid international criticism of earlier Russian weapons deals with Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

Activists say Syrian troops have attacked a convoy trying to evacuate wounded people from a central town near the border with Lebanon, killing at least seven.
- Russia to sell at least 10 MiG fighters to Syria AP

OPEC oil ministers, as expected, will keep a 30 million barrels per day target in place for the rest of this year.

Expressions of regret to victims' families bring emotional note to trial.

The comments were in line with a forceful and confident message the regime has been sending in recent days, even as the international community attempts to launch a peace conference in Geneva.