Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 9

Iraqi security forces on Monday retook control of the town of al-Alam in Salahudin province after clashes with the Islamic State (IS) militants, as the troops continued their push toward the provincial capital city Tikrit, a security source said.

The troops and allied Shiite and Sunni militias, backed by armored vehicles and covered by Iraqi aircraft, entered the town just east of Tikrit from the south and the east after recapturing several outside villages, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Iraq-IS)

- - - -

CAIRO -- A bomb on Monday killed three military personnel, including an officer, in Egypt's restive North Sinai, a security source said.

The bomb hit an army vehicle en route to the city of Sheikh Zuweid, leaving two other soldiers seriously injured, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Egypt-Blast)

- - - -

ANKARA -- Turkey has closed two border crossings with Syria Sunday due to clashes between differing factions of Syrian rebels inside the neighboring country, Dogan News Agency reported Monday.

The Turkish government suspended arrivals at Oncupinar crossing in the southern Kilis province as well as Cilvegozu crossing in the town of Reyhanli of the southern Hatay province, allowing through only Syrian citizens who want to return to their homeland and cargo trucks into Syria, according to the report. (Turkey-Syria)

- - - -

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Monday successfully tested a long-range missile that can carry nuclear war-heads, the military said.

The Shaheen-III Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 2,750 kilometers, an army statement said. (Pakistan-Missile) Endi