Russia denies reports of military presence in Ukraine

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry on Thursday strongly denied reports that Russian military units were operating in Ukraine.

"We have noticed the launch of this informational 'canard' and are obliged to disappoint its overseas authors and their few apologists in Russia," a ministry official, General-Major Igor Konashenkov, told Interfax news agency. "The information contained in this material bears no relation to reality."

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan, editing by Thomas Grove)

Russian President Putin orders pro-Russia rebels to provide humanitarian corridor for encircled Ukraine troops to exit: Kremlin

Police investigating three shooting incidents in Ottawa at Parliament, shopping mall and War Memorial: CBC T.V.

"Our belief is that people who are using violence to undermine democracy want us to be silenced and we refuse to be silenced.

- Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, as quoted by CTV News, Ontario premier on Ottawa shooting: 'We refuse to be silenced'

Canada's parliament attacked near where prime minister was speaking, Harper safe

(Reuters) - At least one gunman entered Canada's parliament buildings on Wednesday and many shots were fired just outside the room where Prime Minister Stephen Harper was addressing a meeting of legislators.

Harper was safely removed from the building but parliament was locked down. Eyewitnesses said at least 30 shots were fired in dramatic scenes in the heart of the Canadian capital.

"PM (Harper) was addressing caucus, then a huge boom, followed by rat-a-tat shots. We all scattered. It was clearly right outside our caucus door," Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement said.

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Canada PM: Parliament, government must function despite attacks

(Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper voiced determination that Wednesday's shooting in the capital not deter the government and Parliament.

"While the prime minister stated that facts are still being gathered, he condemned this despicable attack," a statement from the prime minister's office said after a soldier at the National War Memorial was shot and killed and shots rang out inside the Parliament building.

"The prime minister reiterated the importance of the continued functioning of the government and our Parliament." (Reporting by Randall Palmer; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)

U.S. offers assistance to Canada in wake of Ottawa shootings

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama offered U.S. assistance to Canada on Wednesday during a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, after shootings at the parliament building and elsewhere in Ottawa, the White House said.

Obama called Harper to express U.S. solidarity with its northern neighbor. He "condemned these outrageous attacks, and reaffirmed the close friendship and alliance between our people," the White House said.

"The president offered any assistance Canada needed in responding to these attacks. Prime Minister Harper thanked the president and the two leaders discussed the assault and agreed to continue coordination between our governments moving forward," the White House said.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said U.S. officials were not in a position to say whether the shootings were the result of a terrorist attack. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason; Editing by Eric Walsh; and Peter Galloway)