AP, MOSCOW: The head of a Russian state-controlled industrial conglomerate says the contract for the delivery of S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran has been finalized. Sergei Chemezov, the head of Russian Technologies, the holding that includes the Rosoboronexport arms trader, said Monday on…

AFP, JERUSALEM: A Palestinian woman attempted to attack Israeli security guards with a knife at a checkpoint in the north of the occupied West Bank on Monday before being shot dead, officials said. Guards fired warning shots after the woman was seen approaching a checkpoint near the city of Qalqilya…

AFP, COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's police minister resigned on Monday following allegations he tried to shield a private security firm under investigation for gun running and money laundering. Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana said he quit to protect the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe…

AFP, NEW DELHI: India's finance minister vowed Monday to push ahead with much-needed reforms after his party's drubbing at a key weekend state poll hiked fears of a slowdown in the government's promised agenda. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a shock defeat at assembly elections…