Syria army launches assault on rebel-held Qusayr: NGO
Beirut. Syrian troops backed by fighters from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched an assault on the rebel-held central town of Qusayr on Sunday, after months of fierce fighting in the area, a watchdog said, AFP reported.

Traders of illicit cigarettes in Northeast Bulgaria burn down smuggled fags in their central heating
Ruse. Owners of a commercial outlet trading with illicit cigarettes performed a real theatre show before the customs and police officers on Friday afternoon, which lasted for several hours, the National Customs Agency announced for FOCUS News Agency.

Man with criminal record shot dead in Southwest Bulgaria (ROUNDUP)
Sofia. A 34-year-old man was murdered in the southwest town of Pernik overnight. The victim – 34-year-old Ventsislav “Mechan” Dimitrov, had a criminal record for safe-blowing, car thefts, blackmailing, racketeering.