
Occupied parts of Ukraine vote on joining Russia in 'sham' referendums
CNN
Four Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine are expected to begin voting in referendums on joining Russia, in a move that raises the stakes of Moscow's invasion seven months after fighting began.
The referendums, expected to take place over five days from Friday, could pave the way for Russian annexation of the areas, allowing Moscow to frame the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive as an attack on Russia itself.
Such a move could provide Moscow with a pretext to escalate its faltering war, which has seen Kyiv regain thousands of square miles of territory this month in a stunning counteroffensive.

Oklahoma’s governor picks energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill US Senate seat through end of year
Oklahoma’s governor on Tuesday appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to serve in the US Senate through the end of the year and finish the term of Republican Markwayne Mullin, the new homeland security secretary.












