ASSANGE: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe said today that the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange by the United States was “politically motivated” and had a “chilling” effect on the whole media landscape.

Mr Assange, whose site had published thousands of leaked diplomatic cables, won freedom in June after more than five years behind bars in a British prison when he pleaded guilty to a charge under the US espionage act.

GREECE: Hundreds of firefighters, assisted by water bombing planes and volunteers, have made significant progress in containing a deadly forest blaze burning for four days in southern Greece, authorities said today.