Reuters World News Summary

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Russia rocket accident likely had two explosions, Norway monitor says

The explosion that killed five Russian scientists during a rocket engine test earlier this month was followed by a second blast two hours later, the likely source of a spike in radiation, Norway's nuclear test-ban monitor said on Friday. The second explosion, detected only by infrasonic air pressure sensors and not by the seismic monitors that pick up movements in the ground, was likely from an airborne rocket powered by radioactive fuel, the Norsar agency said.

Europe brokers deal to end Ocean Viking migrant standoff

Six EU countries have agreed to take in 356 migrants stranded at sea for two weeks aboard the Ocean Viking rescue vessel, ending the latest standoff over migration to Europe across the Mediterranean. The migrants aboard the ship, which is run by French charities, will be taken to Malta before being relocated to France, Germany, Romania, Luxembourg, Portugal and Ireland, the EU migration commissioner and Maltese prime minister said on Twitter.

Israeli teenager killed by bomb near settlement: Israeli officials

An Israeli teenager was killed and her father and brother were injured by a Palestinian bomb near a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Friday, Israeli officials said. The family was visiting a spring in a popular hiking area when an improvised explosive device (IED) blew up, the Israeli military and paramedics said.

Russian court extends detention of ex-U.S. marine Whelan to end-October: Ifax

A Moscow court extended the pre-trial detention of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who Russia accuses of spying, until the end of October, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday. Whelan, who was detained in Moscow in December, has denied the charges and said that the case against him is politically motivated.

France and Britain aim to show unity on Iran as G7 looms

France and Britain aimed to present a united front on the issue of Iran - where they have been at odds with the United States - as major world powers prepared to discuss Iran and other topics at the G7 summit. A British diplomatic source said on Friday that Britain was unlikely to alter its approach on Iran despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson meeting U.S. President Donald Trump.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says government lacks the resources to fight Amazon fires

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday that the government lacks the resources to fight wildfires in the Amazon rainforest after satellite images showed a record number of burning spots this year. In a speech broadcast live on Facebook, the president said the government is investigating the fires. He also said he never claimed non-governmental organizations were starting fires in the forest, saying he was only talking of his suspicions.

Putin orders reciprocal Russian response to U.S. missile test

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday told the Defence Ministry and other government agencies to analyze the threat posed by a new U.S. missile test and to prepare a reciprocal response. The Pentagon said on Monday it had tested a conventionally-configured cruise missile that hit its target after more than 500 km (310 miles) of flight, the first such test since the United States pulled out of a major arms control treaty with Russia on Aug. 2.

Hong Kong protesters join in 'Baltic Chain' link of hands

Thousands of chanting Hong Kong protesters joined peaceful "Baltic Chain" links of hands on Friday, with almost three months of anti-government demonstrations showing no sign of let-up across the Chinese-ruled territory. Demonstrators, some masked, some using hand wipes to stay clean, linked hands across different districts as others held up banners thanking overseas nations for supporting "freedom and democracy" in Hong Kong.

'Blind men': End of South Korea-Japan pact undermines bid to understand North Korea threats

South Korea's decision to scrap an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan could harm efforts to understand threats from North Korea, and potentially weaken the ability to monitor its missile launches, officials and analysts say. South Korea's announcement on Thursday that it would abandon the accord drew a swift protest from Tokyo and ratcheted up the neighbors' feud over history and trade. The agreement had been due for automatic renewal on Saturday.

Le Brexit breakthrough? Europe says 'Nein', 'non', 'no'

After sterling soared and some British newspapers roared at a supposed Brexit victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Europe's power brokers had a more sobering message: the basic divorce deal is not changing. Three years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, the outcome of the tortuous Brexit crisis remains unclear, with options ranging from an acrimonious rupture on Oct. 31 to a smooth, amicable exit or even another referendum.