Ethiopia and Russia are firming up their military alliance: Ethiopia and Russia signed “various agreements” that will strengthen military ties between the two countries, the Ethiopian News Agency reported yesterday. The agreements, signed during a three-day bilateral military meeting, will “modernize the army’s capacity with knowledge, skills and technology,” Ethiopian Defense Minister Martha Luiji said.

Lebanese leaders to face EU sanctions as economic crisis intensifies: The EU plans to impose sanctions on senior Lebanese politicians in a bid to pressure them to form a government and agree to economic reforms vital for pulling the country out of one of the most serious financial crises in its history, Reuters reports. The French-led move could see a sanctions framework agreed by the end of July, though it remains unclear when it could be introduced.