UKRAINE

Ukraine steelmaker Metinvest said on Sunday it has halted production at its Avdiyivka facility in eastern Ukraine, one of Europe's biggest coke plants, after shelling caused major damage.

Swedish singer Mans Zelmerlow impressed voters worldwide on the Eurovision stage with pop tune and light show.

One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and five wounded in clashes between government forces and Russian-backed separatists over the past 24 hours, despite a ceasefire.

This year's annual international song contest will be held this weekend.

An Amnesty International report found prisoners on both sides, including soldiers and civilians, have been tortured.

The vessel's deployment is part of a larger plan to contribute toward the collective security of America's NATO allies.

Facebook, Twitter and Google have been accused by the Russian government of violating the country's "blogger law" — a law that gives the country censorship capabilities.

Eurovision 2015 organizers are preparing to use "anti-booing" technology if the audience heckles Russian contestants.

Russia was suspended as a member of the G8 bloc last year after it annexed the Crimean peninsula.

Finland remains neutral at present but has expressed concern with Russia's military activity in eastern Ukraine.

Western nations have expressed increasing apprehension at Russia’s increased military activity since the Kremlin ordered the annexation of Crimea in March 2014.

Moscow said the two men were not affiliated with the Russian army, although one of them admitted on tape that he was conducting espionage.

The two nations remain divided on the amount of compensation Russia will receive, as well as when the payment will occur.

Samantha Lewthwate, a British-born Muslim accused of terrorism, has allegedly orchestrated the slaughter of more than 400 people in the region.

Moscow again repeated its denial that any regular Russian troops were involved in the eastern Ukraine conflict, which has cost over 6,100 lives.

While violence has lessened significantly since the ceasefire came into force in February, both sides accuse the other of violations.

In a reversal of previous statements, Serbia's government says it wants to be a part of the Turkish Stream pipeline project.

The Hedgehog-2015 drills involve eight NATO nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Poland.

Republicans and Democrats divide over how the Pentagon should be funded, and the bill is a long way from passage.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had asked Facebook to open a separate office in Ukraine.

The exercise in Tajikistan will include thousands of troops and dozens combat aircraft from six former Soviet states.