BRUSSELS -- The European Union (EU) is preparing countermeasures against the United States after the World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed the EU's retaliation rights in reaction to illegal subsidies granted to the U.S. aircraft maker Boeing, the European Commission said on Monday.

The announcement was made after the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO formally authorised the EU earlier in the day to take such measures. (EU-US-Boeing)

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UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged the stakeholders in the United Republic of Tanzania to ensure peaceful and inclusive participation in the upcoming elections.

"As Tanzanians prepare to take part in the general elections scheduled for Oct. 28, the secretary-general calls on all national stakeholders to ensure that the polls are conducted in an inclusive and peaceful manner," according to a statement issued by the UN chief's office. (UN-Tanzania-Elections-Guterres)

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ABUJA -- Nigerian military on Monday confirmed 38 bandits killed so far this month during various operations carried out by government forces in the northwest region of the country.

A total of 198 others, including their collaborators, were arrested during the Operation Sahel Sanity taking place in that part of the country, said Benard Onyeuko, a spokesman for the military, in a statement. (Nigeria-Bandits-Attack)

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WASHINGTON -- The United States on Monday imposed fresh sanctions against individuals and entities of Iran's oil sector, doubling down its maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.

The Treasury Department said in a statement that the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum, the National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Company were designated for their financial support to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force. (US-Iran-Sanctions)

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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday asked the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to jointly de-escalate the situation in Europe since the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has terminated.

In a statement published by the Kremlin, Putin criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty last year, which led to the collapse of the pact, increasing the risk of an arms race and intensifying Russia-NATO confrontation. (Russia-US-Relations)