North Korea Launches Two Missiles in First Test Since June

By Choe Sang-Hun | The New York Times

North Korea launched two cruise missiles early Wednesday in its first weapons test in more than two months as South Korea and the United States geared up for joint military exercises that had been pared down or canceled in recent years.

More from WPR: North Korea’s Muscle-Flexing Is Driving Seismic Shifts in East Asia

After a Bitter Contest, Kenyan Opposition Leader Rejects Election Result

By Declan Walsh, Abdi Latif Dahir & Matthew Mpoke Bigg | The New York Times

Speaking for the first time since he lost Kenya’s hard-fought presidential election, the opposition leader Raila Odinga rejected the result announced Monday and vowed to pursue “all legal options,” apparently signaling that the dispute that has gripped the East African country is likely to be decided at its Supreme Court.

More from WPR: Another High-Stakes Presidential Election Has Kenya on Edge

Turkey, Israel to Reappoint Ambassadors After Four-Year Chill

By James Mackenzie & Ece Toksabay | Reuters

Turkey and Israel said Wednesday they will reappoint respective ambassadors more than four years after they were called back, marking another milestone after months of steady improvement in relations.

More from WPR: A New Thaw in Israel-Turkey Ties Still Faces an Old Obstacle in Ankara

Ten Years After Disappearing in Syria, Freedom Is Elusive for U.S. Journalist

By Raja Abdulrahim | The New York Times

Ten years after the American journalist Austin Tice disappeared in Syria as the country descended into a brutal civil war, and was believed to have been held captive by the government of President Bashar al-Assad since, his release still remains elusive.

Cuba Authorizes Foreign Investment in Wholesale, Retail

By Leticia Pineda | AFP (free)

The Cuban government has announced it will allow foreign investment in domestic wholesale and retail trade for the first time in 60 years, in a move aimed at addressing critical shortages of goods.

More from WPR: Cuba’s Post-Castro Leaders Must Deliver the Goods