Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.3% in the first quarter, compared to 0.5% in last month's preliminary reading.

"It was heavy fighting. We lost 20 soldiers and 14 of our military cars were burnt. We have now retaken the town," Major Mohamed Abdi said.

In a statement, the Japanese car giant clarified that it will install its autonomous freeway drive system in vehicles by 2020.

The location of the discovery site is also significant for researchers, who previously thought the beginnings of mankind were rooted in east Africa.

The European Commission will present three options to EU ministers which will form the basis of a future legislative proposal.

The drills will focus on “participant deterrence capabilities, specifically, the ability to mass forces at any given time anywhere in Europe.”

According to Nalbandian, the partnership enables Armenia to work towards better bilateral ties with the European Union member countries.

Exports rose by 8.7% from a year ago in US dollar terms, beating estimates of 7%, after strong demand from Europe.

Pro-government forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul in October with the support of a U.S.-led multinational coalition.

Two of the men were held on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism while the third was detained over suspected drugs offences.