Russia, spurning U.S. censure, launches second day of Syria strikes from Iran
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia launched a second day of air strikes against Syrian militants from an Iranian air base, rejecting U.S. suggestions its co-operation with Tehran might violate a U.N. resolution as illogical and factually incorrect.
North Korea deputy ambassador in UK defects to South
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s deputy ambassador in London has defected with his family to South Korea, making him the highest-ranking Pyongyang diplomat ever to flee the isolated regime for the democratic South, South Korea said on Wednesday.
Italian city on Swiss border to set up camp for blocked migrants
ROME (Reuters) – Italy will set up a shelter to host as many as 300 migrants stranded near the Swiss border, after Switzerland cracked down on crossings, forcing hundreds to sleep on the ground in a city park, officials said Wednesday.
Bulgaria’s Socialists nominate general to run for president
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s opposition Socialists nominated a former air force chief as presidential election candidate on Wednesday, at a time of rising tensions between the country’s Western allies and neighbors Turkey and Russia.
South African economic hubs set for opposition rule
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s two main opposition parties have put aside huge ideological differences to unseat the ruling ANC in major cities it has controlled for 22 years, they said on Wednesday.
Hollande meets pope, visits Rome church to honor terror victims
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande met Pope Francis on Wednesday to thank him for his solidarity with the French people after attacks by Islamist militants, including the killing of an elderly priest in July.
South Sudan says probes any army abuses, executes two soldiers
NAIROBI/JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s army has executed two soldiers by firing squad for murder in the northwest and detained 19 others for offences ranging from murder to looting in Juba after fighting in July between government and opposition troops, officials said.
Greece plans new migrant facilities to cut overcrowding on islands
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece plans to reduce overcrowding at migrant camps on its islands, a government official said on Wednesday, to ease growing tensions and improve conditions that campaigners have called “disgraceful”.
Russian special forces kill four militants in St Petersburg
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian special forces troops killed four militants in St. Petersburg on Wednesday in a counter-terrorism operation, Russian Investigating Committee said.
Russia says starts Baltic Sea naval aviation exercises near Kaliningrad
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has begun planned tactical naval aviation exercises involving helicopters serving in its Baltic Fleet, which is based in its European exclave of Kaliningrad, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
