Reuters, Washington
Senior US and Russian defence officials held a video conference on Thursday to discuss military air safety over Syria as the two sides carry out separate air strikes targeting rebel forces in the country, the Pentagon said.
“The two sides discussed measures to enhance operational safety … including the means to avoid accidents and unintended confrontation between coalition and Russian forces whenever the two sides operate in close proximity,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.
Shooting kills 3 at Saudi Shiite mosque
AP, Riyadh
A shooting at a Shiite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia killed three people and wounded others Friday during prayers, security officials and a witness said, in the latest violence to strike the region.
The attack struck the Imam Reza Mosque in the neighborhood of Mehasin, an area popular with Shiite workers of the state-run Saudi Arabian Oil Co., the world’s largest oil producing firm. Images on social media showed wounded laying on the mosque’s floor.
Six found guilty of gang rape in India
AFP, Kolkata
An Indian court convicted six men on Thursday of gang-raping and murdering a student as she walked home after an exam in 2013, in a case that sparked outrage over women’s safety.
Security was tight outside the court in the eastern city of Kolkata for the verdict, with chanting protesters demanding justice and scuffling with police.
Swine flu claims 22 lives in Russia’s city
AFP, Saint Petersburg
An outbreak of swine flu has claimed some 22 lives in Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg and combined with high rates of seasonal flu to force authorities to close schools and send residents flocking to pharmacies.
Saint Petersburg has recorded the highest number of swine flu deaths in an outbreak that has claimed some 80 victims nationwide since the start of the winter, according to AFP calculations based on statements by regional officials.
