The United Nations estimates that more than 300,000 people have been killed since the start of the civil war in 2011, which is 1.5% of Syria's pre-war population. (Reuters)
Sri Lanka suspends sales of fuel for non-essential vehicles. For the next two weeks, only buses, trains and vehicles used for medical services and transporting food will be allowed to refuel. (BBC News)
The United States government provides US$55 million in immediate humanitarian funding following the devastating earthquake in southern Afghanistan that killed at least 1,000 people. (Reuters)