The nomination of a Russian politician to a top post in Odessa has caused a flurry of controversy in the tense political atmosphere of the violent Ukraine conflict.
Terrorists from Central Asia, China, Russia and other countries use the territory of Afghanistan, said the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the leaders of emerging powers for a summit Moscow hopes will show it not isolated despite the standoff with the West over Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is to meet world leaders including China's Xi Jingping and India's Narendra Modi ahead of the start of a summit of the BRICS emerging economies.
The warmth of the friendship between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin does little to counter the bitter economic winds blowing through their shared border.
Greece has moved a step closer towards a eurozone exit as early results from a crucial bailout referendum suggested Greeks had overwhelmingly rejected creditors' demands for more austerity.