The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has offered Russia to become its member, but Russia will remain an observer in the group, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin has said. Due to climate, Russia is unable to regulate oil production swiftly, he added. Source: Tass
Israeli media are reporting that Iran is building a factory in northwest Syria to manufacture long-range rockets. The Times said Iran was also helping Hizballah build subterranean factories in Lebanon to make Fateh-110 medium-range missiles. Source: RadioFreeEurope
China urged the US and North Korea to urgently “put the brakes” on provocative actions and words on Tuesday after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared to back away from a threat to fire missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam. Source: CNN
Angela Merkel has refused to link refugee-sharing to the EU budget as she embarked on her campaign to secure a fourth term as Germany’s leader. He told that “to pay ransom, that won’t work in this context.” The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia are blocking the redistribution of refugees. Source: Euobserver
