在南部米丹地区，重型机枪声此起彼伏，并向大马士革中心蔓延。活动人士在网上发布的未经证实的视频显示，米丹大街上一辆汽车完全被大火吞噬，称车里载满了安全部队人员或亲当局的民兵。还有视频显示临近Nahaitia地区有大批安全部队成员和装甲车，这是武装部队第一次部署到离市中心如此之近的地方。自从16个月前起义开始以来，这里许多人首次听到战斗的声音。早些时候，俄罗斯称西方国家企图使莫斯科改变对叙利亚政府的努力简直是胁迫。

Health regulators in America have approved the first drug shown to help reduce the risk of HIV infection. The drug, Truvada, can be used by those at high risk of infection, such as anyone who may engage in sexual activity with HIV-infected partners. The US Food and Drug Administration stressed that the drug should be used as a part of comprehensive HIV-prevention plan. Studies showed the drug reduced the risk of contracting HIV by up to 75%.

美国健康监管机构批准第一种有助于降低艾滋感染风险的药物。此药名叫特鲁瓦达，适合有高感染风险的人使用，比如与艾滋感染伴侣发生性关系的人。美国食品与药物管理局强调说，这种药物应用作综合性艾滋预防计划的一部分。研究显示，这种药物可将感染艾滋的风险降低75%。

The UN Navy says it opened fire on a small motorboat which was deliberately and rapidly approaching one of its vessels off the coast of United Arab Emirates. It said crew on the USNS Rappahannock had repeatedly warned those on the motorboat to turn away before opening fire. Paul Adams reports from Washington.