Russia begins major military exercises +++ Trump denies deal with Democrats

15. Oktober 2017, 02:00

Russia begins major military exercises

Russia has begun major military exercises close to the border with NATO countries. The manoeuvres codenamed Zapad, or West, include Belarus and the enclave of Kaliningrad. Moscow has said 13,000 troops from Belarus and Russia are involved, a number below the level at which international observers must be permitted. Western military experts say as many as 100,000 troops may take part in the largest military exercises since the Cold War. The former US ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker, has said he doesn’t believe Russia is preparing for conflict: “They’re trying to send a signal to their neighbours, trying to send a signal to the West, trying to send a signal to their own public, that Russia has effectively built a very strong military capability. I don’t think it means anything in terms of Russia’s intentions to use that capability, beyond what we already know.” NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the western alliance remains calm but vigilant.

Trump denies deal with Democrats

US President Donald Trump has denied on Twitter that he made any deal last night with Democratic congressional leaders on illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children. The two top Democrats in Congress Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi had earlier said a deal had been reached with Trump protecting so-called Dreamers from deportation, in exchange for border security measures, but not funding for a wall along the border to Mexico.

Teachers’ trial opens in Turkey

The trial is opening in Turkey of two teachers who have been on hunger strike since March when they were dismissed on allegations of links to terrorism. They deny the charges. The two teachers have become some of the most well-known people among the 150,000 who have lost their jobs or been suspended since last year’s failed military coup.

Malaysia fire traps pupils 

A fire at an Islamic boarding school in Malaysia has killed 22 pupils and two staff members. The school in Kuala Lumpur had only one door and bars on the windows.

EU ‘won’t extend’ special border checks

The EU Commissioner for migration Dimitris Avramopoulos has said extraordinary border controls introduced inside the Schengen area should not be extended, because the refugee crisis is abating. Austria and Germany support an extension of the controls, which expire on November 11th.

Spain summons 700 Catalan mayors

Spain's state prosecutor has summoned more than 700 mayors in Catalonia for questioning over their support for an independence referendum and said police should arrest them if they don’t appear in court. The prosecutor said they could face charges including civil disobedience and misuse of public funds over the vote, scheduled for October 1st.

The weather

Sunny in the east, cloud and rain showers in the west moving across the country later in the day bringing high winds. Top temperatures 20 to 28 degrees.

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