News brief: Big stories of the day

Russia's presidentsaid on Saturday that Moscow would do all it could to improve relations with the United States that have been strained by years of diplomatic conflicts over Ukraine and accusations of Russian meddling in US elections.

BJP member Tom Vadakkan on Saturday claimed therecent mass resignations in the Congressas a "scripted drama", following Rahul Gandhi's refusal to withdraw his resignation as the party president.

Taliban militants killed at least 26 members of a pro-government militia in north Afghanistan on Saturday, government officials said, the same day the militants and US government officials are due to start a new round of peace talks in Qatar.

Turkey said on Saturday there was no setback in its plan to buyRussian S-400 missile defence systems, despite US opposition, and President Donald Trump expressed understanding for the decision but did not rule out sanctions in response.

US Attorney General William Barr on Friday declared a public-safety emergency in rural Alaska and pledged $10.5 million in federal funds to combat some of the nation`s worst rates of sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crimes.