The lightning U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro can be seen as both a benefit and a burden for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces botched an attempt to capture Ukraine’s capital and topple its leader at the start of Moscow's invasion nearly four years ago.

U.S. President Donald Trump will allow a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting countries doing business with Russia to move forward in Congress and it could be put to a vote as early as next week, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday.

Russia formally asked the United States to halt pursuit of Venezuelan oil tanker Marinera after the vessel escaped U.S. Coast Guard interception in the Caribbean.

The U.S. striking Venezuela and capturing its leader has practical implications for China, Russia, Iran and Cuba, and it also sends messages to each nation.

Russia’s Ministry of Transport reported it had lost contact with the tanker, Marinera, previously named the Bella-1, after American forces boarded the vessel, according to multiple outlets.

In October, China deepened its support for Russia’s war effort through intelligence sharing, expanded drone supplies, and closer military cooperation, while strengthening diplomatic and economic

In Kyiv, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed the head of military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff Friday, following the resignation of Andrii Yermak after a corruption scandal over a month ago.

Polar bear attacks on humans are extremely rare, but experts say that shrinking sea ice is pushing them to approach inhabited areas in search of food.

Donald Trump asserted that Russia and China do not fear NATO, claiming their only respect lies with a revitalized United States under his leadership., US News, Times Now