Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted North Korea dozens of animals, including a lion and two bears, as a sign of friendship between Moscow and Pyongyang, Russian officials said Wednesday. The two countries have deepened political, military and cultural ties amid Russia`s offensive on Ukraine, with Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un repeatedly professing their personal camaraderie.

A suicide attack in northwest Pakistan killed 12 soldiers, the military said Wednesday, following a separate clash that left eight dead in the same region bordering Afghanistan. The suicide blast occurred on Tuesday and resulted in the deaths of "12 brave sons of soil", the army said in a statement.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba`s new minority government won backing on Wednesday from a kingmaker opposition group for an economic stimulus package, the party`s chief said. The Liberal Democratic Party`s worst election result in 15 years last month left Ishiba`s ruling coalition short of a majority and needing opposition support to pass legislation.

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.