British Environment Agency official resigns

LONDON • The head of the British agency that manages flood risks, Mr Philip Dilley, resigned on Monday after coming under fire for not returning from holiday during last month's heavy rains in northern England.

His departure from the Environment Agency caps a torrid few weeks for the government, which has been accused of cutting spending on defences against floods.

Mr Dilley said he resigned as he could not meet the expectations of having to be available at short notice.

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Russia to create 3 new military divisions

MOSCOW • Russia will create three new military divisions on its Western flank this year and bring five new strategic nuclear missile regiments into service, the country's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, was quoted as saying by news agencies yesterday.

He did not explain the motivation for the move, but said it would be one of the most important tasks for his ministry this year.

REUTERS

Volkswagen Sweden faces fraud probe

STOCKHOLM • A Swedish prosecutor said yesterday that he had opened a preliminary fraud investigation into Volkswagen over the German carmaker's emissions test cheating scandal.

Volkswagen has admitted to using software to conceal the level of toxic emissions from some of its diesel vehicles in the United States. A spokesman for Volkswagen in Sweden denied the company's Swedish branch was guilty of the accusations.

REUTERS