The ECHR has upheld Lithuania's barring of entry to Russian pop singer Philipp Kirkorov. Lithuania accuses the entertainer of being a "soft power" tool for Russia's propaganda in former Soviet states.

The country's ruling junta is stepping up cooperation with Moscow, after expelling French troops last year. Also in the programme, at least three people have been killed in a shootout between militiamen and police in the Ethiopian capital. Among the dead are fighters from a rebel militia known as Fano. Plus, the art of remembering: painters in Rwanda are keeping the memory of genocide victims alive by drawing their inspiration from photographs.

Russian peacekeepers will withdraw from Azerbaijan's Nagorgno-Karabakh region, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the move, responding to a question about reports in the Azerbaijani media about the withdrawal. "Yes, it really is the case," Peskov told reporters.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated in Russia and Kazakhstan as the worst flooding in decades continues. In Orenburg, floodwaters rose higher than official expectations.

A study by the Ifo Institute has found that Russia's economy is not doing as badly as expected after two years of war against Ukraine and the resulting economic sanctions. China, in particular, has stepped in and is benefiting from doing so.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a visit to Beijing. They discussed their close ties and plans to boost Eurasian security.

China's wheat imports could decline in 2024, with shipment cancellations and delays raising concerns of weakening demand.

Social media users have been sharing false claims that the Ukrainian army sold two of the heavy-duty CAESAR howitzers – given by France – to Russia for $120,000 per unit.

Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of planning to attack the Zaporizhzhia power station, the largest nuclear plant in Europe. Moscow says Ukrainian forces are planning an attack, while Kyiv accuses Russia of planning a false flag operation.

The dam broke after recent downpours, according to local officials and Russia's emergency services. Russia declared a state of emergency in the Orenburg region last week after days of unrelenting rains. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the area.

Russia has banned the US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty. The move puts the organization’s staff and contributors at increased risk of prosecution. DW’s Juri Rescheto reports from Riga

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, hundreds of Nepalese men – many with no military experience – have been enlisted by Russian recruiters. President Vladimir Putin has publicly promised citizenship and a high salary to those who sign up to fight for Russia.