Russia’s upper house of parliament on Wednesday endorsed a bill banning adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. The Federation Council also approved bills that outlaw the spread of material that encourages people not to have children. The bills, which have previously been approved by the lower house, will now go to President Vladimir Putin for signing into law.

Iran`s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned three European powers against pursuing a resolution critical of Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency ahead of its board meeting starting on Wednesday. Later, diplomats told AFP that Western nations had moved ahead with tabling the resolution at the agency`s Vienna headquarters just after midnight on Tuesday.

The US embassy in Kyiv warned Wednesday of a "potential significant air attack" and shuttered its doors, following Russia`s vow to respond after Ukraine fired longer-range US missiles at its territory for the first time. "The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20," it said in a message on its website.

The International Criminal Court will Wednesday sentence a jihadist police chief for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during a reign of terror in the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu.Judges could impose up to life imprisonment on Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, 47, after his conviction for crimes including torture.