- NATO holds large Arctic exercises in Russia's backyard
- Trouble brews in India's Manipur state
- Son of Norwegian princess arrested on suspicion of rape
- Romanian court says 'irregularities' in influencer Andrew Tate's indictment
- Iran faces fresh censure over lack of cooperation at UN nuclear meeting
- Despondency and defiance as 45 Hong Kong campaigners jailed
- Scholar, lawmakers and journalist among Hong Kongers jailed
- European stocks slide on fears of Russia-Ukraine escalation
- Police break up Georgia vote protest as president mounts court challenge
- Spain royals visit flood epicentre after chaotic trip
- France's Gisele Pelicot says 'macho' society must change attitude on rape
- G20 leaders talk climate, wars -- and brace for Trump's return
- US lawmaker accuses Azerbaijan in near 'assault' at COP29
- Tuchel's England have 'tools' to win World Cup, says Carsley
- Federer hails 'historic' Nadal ahead of imminent retirement
- Ukraine vows no surrender, Kremlin issues nuke threat on 1,000th day of war
- Novo Nordisk's obesity drug Wegovy goes on sale in China
- Spain royals to visit flood epicentre after chaotic trip: media
- French farmers step up protests against EU-Mercosur deal
- Rose says Europe Ryder Cup stars play 'for the badge' not money
- Negotiators seek to break COP29 impasse after G20 'marching orders'
- Burst dike leaves Filipino farmers under water
- Markets rally after US bounce as Nvidia comes into focus
- Crisis-hit Thyssenkrupp books another hefty annual loss
- US envoy in Lebanon for talks on halting Israel-Hezbollah war
- India to send 5,000 extra troops to quell Manipur unrest
- Sex, drugs and gritty reality on Prague's underworld tours
- Farmers descend on London to overturn inheritance tax change
- Clippers upset Warriors, Lillard saves Bucks
- Acquitted 'Hong Kong 47' defendant sees freedom as responsibility
- Floods strike thousands of houses in northern Philippines
- Illegal farm fires fuel Indian capital's smog misery
- SpaceX set for Starship's next flight, Trump expected to attend
- Texans cruise as Cowboys crisis deepens
- Do the Donald! Trump dance takes US sport by storm
- Home hero Cameron Smith desperate for first win of 2024 at Australian PGA
- Team Trump assails Biden decision on missiles for Ukraine
- Hong Kong court jails 45 democracy campaigners on subversion charges
- Several children injured in car crash at central China school
- Urban mosquito sparks malaria surge in East Africa
- Djibouti experiments with GM mosquito against malaria
- Pulisic at the double as USA cruise past Jamaica
- Many children injured after car crashes at central China school: state media
- Asian markets rally after US bounce as Nvidia comes into focus
- Tens of thousands march in New Zealand Maori rights protest
- Five takeaways from the G20 summit in Rio
- China, Russia ministers discuss Korea tensions at G20: state media
- Kohli form, opening woes dog India ahead of Australia Test series
- Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record
- Defiant Lebanese harvest olives in the shadow of war
Lavrov makes first China visit since Ukraine war
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China on Wednesday in his first visit to the key ally since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last month.
In a post on its Weibo social media account, the Russian embassy in Beijing confirmed Lavrov had landed in the eastern city of Huangshan, posting photos of delegates descending from a plane and being met by health officials in hazmat suits.
Lavrov will attend a series of meetings hosted by China to discuss ways to help Afghanistan. Diplomats from the United States and the Taliban-led country's neighbours are also expected to attend.
But Russia's bloody assault on Ukraine is likely to loom large over proceedings.
Unlike many Western nations, China has refused to condemn the invasion and has lagged behind many other countries in providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Beijing has said Foreign Minister Wang Yi will collectively meet with representatives at the meeting, but it is not clear whether he will meet one-on-one with Lavrov.
M.White--AT