*) US bombs Iranian militia facilities in Syria

The US Air Force has bombed facilities run by Iranian-backed militant groups in Syria.

The Pentagon said the strikes were in retaliation for a rocket attack against US forces in Iraq earlier this month.

This was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration.

*) Armenian PM in stand-off with military

Armenia's prime minister is in a stand-off with his country's military, accusing the Armed Forces of an attempted coup.

On Thursday, the army chief called on Nikol Pashinyan to resign.

The PM responded by firing the commander and calling his own supporters onto the streets of capital Yerevan.

The political turmoil is a result of Armenia's defeat against Azerbaijan in last year's war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

*) Pakistan, India agree to ceasefire along Kashmir border

India and Pakistan have agreed to observe a ceasefire along the disputed border of Kashmir.

In a joint statement, the military chiefs of the countries have agreed to calm tensions in the Himalayan region.

The Line of Control has witnessed increased military exchanges in recent months.

*) Former US Olympics gymnastics coach kills himself after being charged

Former US Olympics women's gymnastics coach John Geddert committed suicide hours after he was charged with human trafficking and abuse of athletes in his care.

Geddert owned an elite training facility in Michigan, where convicted sex offender Larry Nassar served as the gym doctor.

He faced 24 charges that could have carried years in prison had he been convicted.

And finally…

*) Gorilla and two lions test positive for Covid-19 in Prague

A gorilla and two lions have tested positive for Covid-19 at the Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic.

Zoo director Miroslav Bobek says the lions have a cold and cough and the gorilla is tired and has no appetite.

He added that the animals were mostly likely infected by staff, and other animals will now be tested.