World News Briefs -- October 8, 2015

VOA: NATO Slams Russia's 'Troubling Escalation' in Syria

After noting the "troubling escalation" of Russia's military activities in Syria, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance agreed Thursday to double the size of its rapid response force, to 40,000 troops.

Stoltenberg's comments came a day after Moscow launched cruise missiles as part of an intensified air campaign against Syrian rebels. He was heading a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, where Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war was high on the agenda.

MIDDLE EAST

Syria army in 'vast offensive' backed by Russian strikes.

After nuclear deal, Iran takes role to end Syria war.

NATO Secretary General ready to send troops To Turkey.

Turkey urges NATO to keep up its Patriot defenses.

Turkey warns Moscow over trade ties, says Russian military build-up in Syria 'unacceptable'.

Mortar attacks kill 27 in Iraq: police.

At least 30 killed after airstrikes hit wedding in Yemen, officials say.

UN rights chief calls for calm in West Bank. Israelis injured in new spate of stabbings.

Report: Count from Saudi Hajj disaster shows over 1,260 killed.

ASIA

U.S. asks NATO allies for flexibility in Afghan drawdown plans.

More than 1,000 Taliban fighters concentrated on Tajik-Afghan border — security officer.

Taliban leadership issues likely to delay Afghan peace talks: U.S. commander.

Afghan medical NGOs faced growing danger long before MSF hospital tragedy.

MSF: 33 still missing after US airstrike on Kunduz hospital.

U.S. mulls sailing near disputed South China Sea islands: Pentagon official.

North Korea primes its capital for military spectacular.

North Korea could hit US homeland with nuclear weapon, says top admiral.

Beijing police claim that they have every street corner under video surveillance.

Indonesia asks for foreign help to extinguish forest fires.

AFRICA

Failure to pay soldiers threatens Somalia’s war on Islamists.

Suicide bombings blamed on Boko Haram kill 40 in northeast Nigeria, some in 2 mosques.

South Sudan's warring sides violated ceasefire over 50 times: monitors.

UN envoy: Congo political tensions high ahead of 2016 vote.

U.N. council due to vote Friday on EU migrant mission off Libya.

Rwanda's top court clears way for Kagame third term.

Kenya MPs furious after parliament's power supply cut.

EUROPE

Bavaria wants to send refugees back to Austria, Merkel says no.

Refugee crisis: Germany creaks under strain of open door policy.

Migrant crisis: EU Frontex force to help speed up deportations.

Ukraine military refuses to withdraw artillery from Luhansk region.

ICC prosecutor plans probe into 2008 Georgia-Russia war.

Tsipras insists he can lead Greece out of crisis by 2019.

Protesting MPs release tear gas in Kosovo parliament.

AMERICAS

US House Republicans in chaos as favorite McCarthy quits Speaker race.

Colombia’s Prosecutor wants probe of former President for paramilitary massacre.

US official: Ending Cuba embargo will take time.

Number of U.S. sanctuary cities grows to 340; thousands of illegals released to commit new crimes.

Massacres are on the rise in El Salvador — and it's not clear why.

Brazil auditors rejects Rousseff budgetary accounts.

Pepsi has a Venezuela problem: $1.4 billion.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Some 3,500 militants fight on the side of IS in Afghanistan — Russian diplomat.

Islamic State overtakes al Qaeda as leader of extremist movement -U.S. official.

FBI says it 'disrupted' dozens of potential militants.

One-eyed terror chief behind Algerian gas plant attack that killed 37 including six Britons is dead, Al Qaeda claim.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress.

FIFA suspends Blatter.

Deutsche Bank warns of large loss.