News in Brief - Thu, Aug, 27, 2015 - 12:30 GMT

1. Human Rights Watch has called on Saudi Arabia to stop using cluster munitions in its war on Yemen. The New York-based group says the bombs significantly increase civilian casualties in the war-torn state. The group also says it has evidence showing Saudi Arabia used US made M-26 cluster bombs during the attacks.

2. Saudi warplanes have carried out fresh attacks on Yemen. At least three civilians were killed and three others injured after airstrikes targeting residential buildings in the northern Sa'ada province. Over 5,000 Yemenis have been killed since Saudi Arabia launched the all-out war in late March.

3. Fresh clashes at a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon have left at least two people dead. The victims include a Fatah official and a civilian who lost their lives during overnight gunfire in Ain al-Hilweh camp. The violence comes after a Tuesday ceasefire between rival groups there.

4. A 48-hour ceasefire deal between the Syrian army and foreign-backed militants has come into effect in the strategic town of Zabadani. The ceasefire will also be observed in Shia-populated Foua and Kfarya villages in Idlib province. Zabadani and the two villages have been the scene of fierce clashes over the past weeks.

5. Saudi Arabia has renewed calls for a regime change in Syria. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Syrian President Bashar alAssad has no future in the country’s political process. Jubeir made the comments in a joint press conference with his British counterpart Phillip Hammond during his first visit to London.

6. The Indian army has sent reinforcements to the western state of Gujarat and imposed a curfew there as the death toll of communal clashes hits nine. The unrest started on Tuesday night. It was led by members of an influential clan who demand government benefits.

7. Ukraine says seven of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by pro-Russian forces in the eastern city of Mariupol late Wednesday. The tensions come a day after representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe called for a ceasefire on September 1.

8. China has detained 12 people suspected of involvement in the recent deadly blasts in the city of Tianjin. Among the arrested are the chairman, vice-chairman and three deputy managers of the logistics company that stored chemicals at the blast site. The multiple explosions in Tianjin killed nearly 140 people.

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