BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU countries on Thursday formally adopted a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports. The 27 member states had already approved the package on Wednesday evening after Slovakia dropped its block.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said the United States is escalating covert operations in Latin America, adding that the U.S. Navy destroyed six alleged drug-running vessels in the Caribbean and the CIA was authorized for secret missions in Venezuela.

A drug dealer from Leicestershire carried out "a sustained campaign of terrorism and sabotage on UK soil" in support of Russia, the Old Bailey has heard. Dylan Earl, 21, is set to become the first person to be sentenced under the new National Security Act, which carries a maximum term of life in prison.

Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, is weighing how to respond to U.S. sanctions on top oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil and the prospect of lower sales to its biggest buyer, India.

Russia secretly used front companies to buy Western technology and erect a surveillance net in the Arctic where its submarines operate, an investigation shows.

LONDON (AP) — British counterterrorism police arrested three men in London on Thursday on suspicion of spying for Russia.

Russian state news agency Izvestia has reported two explosions at an "enterprise" in the city last night and that 12 people were killed. As yet the cause of the blast is unconfirmed. The footage we've seen indicates the explosions occurred at the munitions plant, which is located near to the city of Chelyabinsk in the Urals region.

The European Union on Thursday formally adopted sweeping sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector, a day after the United States announced punitive measures against the Kremlin's oil industry.