EUROPEAN UNION: The EU has slapped more sanctions on North Korea over its continued efforts to develop ballistic and nuclear missiles and support for Russia.

The European Council announced today that nine additional individuals and entities will be hit by asset freezes and travel bans. No names were provided.

The decision brings the number of North Koreans hit by EU sanctions to 77 and the number of entities, which are often companies or organisations, to 20.

RUSSIA: A court in Kazan, Tatarstan, ordered a detained Russian American journalist to be held until at least August 5 today, pending investigation and trial.

Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor for the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Tatar-Bashkir service, was taken into custody on October 18 and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about the Russian military. She was also later charged with spreading “false information” about the military.

SOUTH AFRICA: Early results from the South African election today seem to suggest that the ruling African National Congress will fall short of winning an overall majority — and may be forced to form a coalition government.

Although the final results from Wednesday’s election are unlikely to be declared until tomorrow, early results show that the ANC has received just under 42 per cent of the vote.

GERMANY: Berlin joined the United States today in authorising Ukraine to hit some targets on Russian soil with long-range weapons they are supplying.

Germany and the US specifically authorised the use of weapons to defend Kharkiv region — the capital city of the same name lies only 12 miles from Russia.