Russia is no longer a superpower as its deteriorating economy is ranked "somewhere behind Spain", White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters and stressed that Moscow's influence is limited compared to the erstwhile Soviet Union.

"Russia is no longer a superpower. Observed in the last couple of weeks that the condition of Russia's economy is weak and further deteriorating,"

"They are now the 15th-largest economy in the world, and they rank somewhere behind Spain," he said. …

At least two people have been killed in the Ukrainian town of Svatove after a series of blasts at a ammunition depot.

Local media has said the Ukrainian security forces were investigating and claimed it could be a terrorist act.

The town lies in a government-controlled part of the Luhansk region. In addition to the two casualties, four civilians and four servicemen were wounded.

According to Ukraine's Defence Ministry statement, the fire was started by "the release of a flare that fell onto …

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says there was a deal in place for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup - before the vote took place.

The 79-year-old Blatter is serving a 90-day ban alongside Uefa chief Michel Platini.

Asked whether it was a mistake to hold voting for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments simultaneously, Blatter replied that before the ballot: "It was agreed inside the group that we go to Russia because it has never been to eastern Europe, and for 2022 we go back to America.

"And so we …