Russia on Friday said it had uncovered plans by foreign intelligence services to carry out massive cyberattacks this month targeting the country's financial system.

The FSB security service said in a statement that it had received information on "plans by foreign secret services to carry out large-scale cyberattacks from December 5."

Turkey has detained an executive from a major business conglomerate under a probe into supporters of the Muslim cleric blamed for July's failed coup, state media reported Thursday.

Russia needs to introduce economic and tax reforms to end its stagnation, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, urging the government to plan for 2019 and beyond, after the 2018 presidential polls.

Iran claimed victory after it was spared any of the cuts in oil production accepted by other OPEC members, including its bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia, to tackle a global glut.

Britain would consider paying for continued access to the European single market after it leaves the EU, a senior minister said Thursday, boosting investors' hopes of a "soft Brexit".

British Prime Minister Theresa May's office will hold regular briefings with foreign journalists from early next year to counter "misreporting" about its plans for Brexit, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

Coca-Cola formally has opened its first factory in the Gaza Strip, the company announced Wednesday, in a move that could create hundreds of jobs in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave.

As part of the UK’s ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs, British Ambassador Hugo Shorter returned to the Bekaa to inaugurate four additional UK funded projects under the Lebanon Host Communities Support Program, a close partnership between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the United Nations Development Program, a press release said Thursday.

Oil prices resumed their rise Thursday and held above the $50 barrier following OPEC's decision to carry out its first output cut in eight years.

The OPEC oil cartel defied expectations Wednesday and nailed down its first joint output cut since 2008 after tough talks in Vienna, sending oil prices soaring.

In late London trade Brent North Sea crude for January delivery was up $3.98 at $50.36, the first time it rose above $50 in a month. West Texas Intermediate was up $4.53 at $49.76.