The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned "in the strongest terms" a suicide attack in Afghanistan's southwestern province of Farah, leaving more than 40 civilians killed and more than 100 others injured.
Wall Street closed higher in choppy trading on Thursday, rebounding from a biggest loss over one month in the prior trading day, as investors took the dip as a buying opportunity.
Heavy smog that has choked Beijing for the last five days weakened slightly on Thursday due to a light rainfall, although the capital's air remains heavily polluted.
France-backed war against rebel forces in Mali continues on Thursday in the northern region of the West African nation as more supporting troops are arriving from the regional bloc.