RUSSIA

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world as they met Thursday in Beijing, where the Russian president is seeking greater Chinese support for his war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy.

It is Putin's first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia after the West hit it with unprecedented sanctions over its military offensive in Ukraine.

Ukraine on Wednesday warned of possible power shutdowns across the country after a "massive" wave of Russian missiles and drones targeted the battered Ukrainian energy system.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced Monday he is heading to Russia on a "working visit," as old allies Havana and Moscow strengthen ties under a recently initiated rapprochement.

Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, a move Kyiv dismissed as a sign of Moscow's "desperation".

Russia's wanted list also encompasses numerous officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries.

Five people were killed Wednesday as Russia struck Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, local officials said.

Kyiv authorities on Tuesday began taking down a Soviet-era monument celebrating friendship with Russia -- more than two years into an invasion by Moscow which has cost tens of thousands of lives.

A cyber specialist who briefly worked at the top secret US National Security Agency (NSA) was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison on Monday for attempting to spy for Russia, the Justice Department said.

Navalny's allies have accused Putin of orchestrating his murder and have pledged to furnish evidence supporting their claim.

At least three electrical substations and a fuel storage base were reported to be struck, resulting in ignited fires at various sites.

The House Rules Committee advanced a set of foreign aid bills, overcoming resistance from some Republicans with crucial support from Democrats.

The pair, identified only as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were arrested in Bayreuth in the southeastern state of Bavaria on Wednesday, federal prosecutors said in a statement.

A cyber group with links to Russian military intelligence is set to become a significant global threat after playing an increasing critical role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a leading cybersecurity firm warned Wednesday.

Lockheed Martin has secured a $17 billion contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to develop next-generation interceptors for protecting against intercontinental ballistic missile threats.

Johnson recounted two previous unsuccessful endeavors to pass standalone aid legislation for Israel.

Germany will swiftly transfer the Patriot system, supplementing the air defense systems already delivered and slated for delivery.

At dawn, Russia launched an aerial attack on five Ukrainian regions, killing at least two people in the southern city of Mykolaiv, officials said.

Pellegrini, 48, will take over from Zuzana Čaputová, who served as the country's first female head of state.

Rising tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe contribute to a significant surge in oil prices, reaching levels not seen in six months.

France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years and, during meetings in Paris in February, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country's "independent" stance.