Russian military officials have arrived in Venezuela to "fulfil (routine) military contracts".
This comes after two Russian planes landed at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas guarded by a contingent of Venezuelan national guardsmen.
Russian state news agency Sputnik stressed that it was part of ongoing military cooperation between the two allies.
Dan Ashby has more.
Iran says no final decision made on deal
President Donald Trump has announced on Thursday that the US and Iran could sign a peace deal as soon as this weekend that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, but Iran countered that it had not reached a final decision on an agreement.
Two killed, 10 injured in Ukraine attack on Russia's border Bryansk region
Two people have been killed and another 10 injured in a Ukraine attack on Russia's border region of Bryansk, Acting Regional Governor Yegor Kovalchuk said in a Telegram post late on Thursday.
Trump cancels US strikes on Iran, citing progress in talks
US President Donald Trump called off plans for renewed military strikes on Iran at the last minute on Thursday, saying negotiations with Tehran had advanced to the highest levels of Iran's leadership and had been approved by a broad coalition of regional powers.
UK defence minister quits, says Starmer not spending enough to keep country safe
British defence minister John Healey has quit on Thursday over a months-long dispute over military spending, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to commit the resources that are needed to keep the country safe from mounting threats.
US confirms third strike on Indian-crewed tankers this week
A US jet fired two missiles into the engine room of the tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday, US Central Command confirmed, as authorities said the 20 crew members were safe after the third strike on Indian-crewed tankers this week.
A Dubai court has sentenced a driver to three months in prison and suspended his driving licence for one year after a dangerous road rage incident.
The UAE has launched a humanitarian initiative called 'Step of Hope' to provide prosthetic limbs for Palestinians who have suffered amputations during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has condemned the recent hostile Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait in a phone call with Kuwaiti foreign minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
