Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 13

At least six people were killed when a bus was hit by rocket fire on Tuesday at a checkpoint run by government forces in Ukraine's restive east, local media reported.

The death toll was placed at six and 10 by different Ukrainian authorities immediately after the incident, which took place south of Donetsk, a big industrial city and a focal point in the ongoing conflict between government troops and independence-seeking fighters. (Ukraine-Bus Attack)

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DAMASCUS -- At least eight members of the Islamic State (IS) militant group were killed on Tuesday in clashes with Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, a monitor group reported.

The IS attacked positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) near the al-Hal marketplace and east of the secure governmental zone in the predominantly Kurdish city of Ayn al-Arab, or Kobane, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Syria-IS-Fighting)

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ROME -- Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Tuesday said he was looking forward to stepping down, which according to local media will happen by Wednesday evening.

"I am certainly happy to go home," Napolitano was quoted by ANSA news agency as telling a child who questioned the president while he was attending a public ceremony. (Italy-President)

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KABUL -- Ten militants were killed as security forces raided Taliban hideouts in parts of Taliban former stronghold in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province on Tuesday, an army spokesman Mohammad Rasoul Zazai said.

"Units of the national army launched cleanup operations in Tarekh area of Nawa district early morning and so far six insurgents have been killed and three others injured," Zazai told reporters. (Afghanistan-Attack) Endi