The U.S. Secretary of State has been praising President Assad's regime in Syria.

John Kerry says it should be given credit for complying quickly with the UN resolution to destroy its chemical weapons.

Yesterday, it emerged United Nations experts had begun dismantling Syria's stockpile.

********************

At least 50 people have been killed following clashes between Islamists and police in Egypt yesterday.

Loyalists of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, tried to converge in central Cairo when police confronted them.

At least 45 people were killed in Cairo and five south of the capital, while another 268 people were wounded across Egypt.

********************

Junior Doctors have warned that if tomorrow's strike fails to get them what they want, they'll do it again next week.

Non-consultant hospital doctors are to due stage 24 hours of industrial action, in protest over 'dangerously' long work days.

A prominent Senator has claimed that members of the Seanad are to blame for the lack of publicity given to their work.

Welcoming the results of the weekend's referendum Fergal Quinn admitted that the public perception of the Upper House isn't boosted by its Senators.

*********************