A Russian journalist died on Friday after setting herself on fire in front of the local branch of the interior ministry in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, a day after her apartment was searched by police, her news outlet said.

Prior to her self-immolation, Irina Slavina wrote on her Facebook page: “I ask you to blame the Russian Federation for my death.” She worked as editor-in-chief at Koza Press, a small local news outlet that advertised itself as having “no censorship, no orders ‘from above’”.

A day before her death, she wrote on Facebook that police officers and investigators had searched her apartment, writing that they were looking for “brochures, leaflets and accounts” from the Open Russia opposition group, which is financed by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

She said they seized notebooks, her laptop and other electronics, as well as her daughter’s laptop and her husband’s mobile phone.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said it was opening a preliminary inquiry after a woman self-immolated in Nizhny Novgorod, a city of 1.3 million around 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow. It did not name Slavina in its statement.

The committee’s local branch in the Nizhny Novgorod region later said that Slavina’s self-immolation had nothing to do with the searches carried out at her apartment on the previous day.

It said she was only a witness in the criminal case for which the searches were being carried out.

Members of Russia’s opposition said Slavina had been under pressure from the authorities.

“Over the past years security officials have subjected her to endless persecution because of her opposition (activities),” opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov wrote on Instagram.

“What a nightmare,” Ilya Yashin, another Kremlin critic, wrote on Twitter. “All of these cases of police amusing themselves, these shows of men in masks - these are not games. The government is truly breaking people psychologically.”

A Russian journalist died on Friday after setting herself on fire in front of the local branch of the interior ministry in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, a day after her apartment was searched by police, her news outlet said.

A Russian journalist died on Friday after setting herself on fire in front of the local branch of the interior ministry in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, a day after her apartment was searched by police, her news outlet said. Prior to her self-immolation, Irina Slavina wrote on her Facebook page: “I ask you to blame the Russian Federation for my death.” She worked as editor-in-chief at Koza Press, a small local news outlet that advertised itself as having “no censorship, no orders ‘from above’”. A day before her death, she wrote on Facebook that police officers and investigators had searched her apartment, writing that they were looking for “brochures, leaflets and accounts” from the Open Russia opposition group, which is financed by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky. She said they seized notebooks, her laptop and other electronics, as well as her daughter’s laptop and her husband’s mobile phone. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it was opening a preliminary inquiry after a woman self-immolated in Nizhny Novgorod, a city of 1.3 million around 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow. It did not name Slavina in its statement. The committee’s local branch in the Nizhny Novgorod region later said that Slavina’s self-immolation had nothing to do with the searches carried out at her apartment on the previous day. It said she was only a witness in the criminal case for which the searches were being carried out. Members of Russia’s opposition said Slavina had been under pressure from the authorities. “Over the past years security officials have subjected her to endless persecution because of her opposition (activities),” opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov wrote on Instagram. “What a nightmare,” Ilya Yashin, another Kremlin critic, wrote on Twitter. “All of these cases of police amusing themselves, these shows of men in masks - these are not games. The government is truly breaking people psychologically.”

Russian journalist dies after setting herself on fire

The leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to consider whether the Russian government poisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny with a chemical nerve agent, which would subject Moscow to sanctions.

"We are very concerned by assessments that Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August 2020, by a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok family," the committee's Republican chairman, Senator Jim Risch, and its Democratic ranking member, Senator Bob Menendez, wrote in a letter to Trump.

The request - which followed a similar request from leaders of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on September 8 - added to growing international support for a response to Navalny's poisoning. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier on Wednesday her country would discuss a response with European partners.

The Kremlin critic was discharged from Berlin's Charite hospital last week following 32 days of treatment after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight. Germany says he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent. Moscow has said it has seen no evidence that Navalny was poisoned.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter from Risch and Menendez. The deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, Cherith Norman-Chalet, told the UN Security Council earlier this month that it would work with allies to hold accountable those responsible for poisoning Navalny.

The leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to consider whether the Russian government poisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny with a chemical nerve agent, which would subject Moscow to sanctions.

The leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to consider whether the Russian government poisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny with a chemical nerve agent, which would subject Moscow to sanctions. "We are very concerned by assessments that Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August 2020, by a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok family," the committee's Republican chairman, Senator Jim Risch, and its Democratic ranking member, Senator Bob Menendez, wrote in a letter to Trump. The request - which followed a similar request from leaders of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on September 8 - added to growing international support for a response to Navalny's poisoning. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier on Wednesday her country would discuss a response with European partners. The Kremlin critic was discharged from Berlin's Charite hospital last week following 32 days of treatment after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight. Germany says he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent. Moscow has said it has seen no evidence that Navalny was poisoned. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter from Risch and Menendez. The deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, Cherith Norman-Chalet, told the UN Security Council earlier this month that it would work with allies to hold accountable those responsible for poisoning Navalny.

US lawmakers ask Donald Trump to investigate Kremlin critic's poisoning

German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a personal visit to Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny while he was undergoing treatment in a Berlin hospital for poisoning.

"It was a personal visit to Navalny in hospital," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told a regular news conference, declining to disclose details of what was said or how long the meeting lasted.

The Kremlin critic wrote on Twitter that it was "a private meeting and conversation with the family". He added: "I am very grateful to Chancellor Merkel for visiting me in hospital."

Navalny was flown from Russia to Berlin last month after falling ill on a domestic flight. He received treatment in the Charite hospital for 32 days before being discharged last week.

According to the finding of German, French and Swedish experts, Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent in Russia last month. But Moscow has so far rejected this.

Russia has repeatedly criticised Berlin for what Moscow says is a failure to share information on the case.

Navalny added: "I am very grateful to Chancellor Merkel for visiting me in hospital."

The Navalny case has further worsened relations between Moscow and a number of western countries.&nbsp;

Merkel has faced calls to halt the nearly-completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline bringing Russian gas to Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a personal visit to Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny while he was undergoing treatment in a Berlin hospital for poisoning.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a personal visit to Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny while he was undergoing treatment in a Berlin hospital for poisoning. "It was a personal visit to Navalny in hospital," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told a regular news conference, declining to disclose details of what was said or how long the meeting lasted. The Kremlin critic wrote on Twitter that it was "a private meeting and conversation with the family". He added: "I am very grateful to Chancellor Merkel for visiting me in hospital." Navalny was flown from Russia to Berlin last month after falling ill on a domestic flight. He received treatment in the Charite hospital for 32 days before being discharged last week. According to the finding of German, French and Swedish experts, Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent in Russia last month. But Moscow has so far rejected this. Russia has repeatedly criticised Berlin for what Moscow says is a failure to share information on the case. Navalny added: "I am very grateful to Chancellor Merkel for visiting me in hospital." The Navalny case has further worsened relations between Moscow and a number of western countries. Merkel has faced calls to halt the nearly-completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline bringing Russian gas to Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Kremlin critic Navalny in hospital

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a Russian writer Sergey Komkov.

As many suspected Kremlin was behind this nomination, the&nbsp;Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov cleared the air by saying Kremlin did not nominate the President.

"You all know that completely different people are nominated for this award, this is an initiative of those submitting the nomination. In this case, [the nomination was submitted by] the aforementioned writer," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frozen-poo-narcissists-eyebrows-and-alligator-studies-win-spoof-ig-nobel-awards-328584">Also read:&nbsp;Frozen poo, narcissists' eyebrows and alligator studies win spoof 'Ig Nobel' awards</a>

"If this decision is made (to award Putin the prize - TASS) - great, if not, it’s no problem as well," Peskov said.

The nomination has been submitted by a group of Russian public figures, including the famous writer&nbsp;Sergey Komkov. As per the group, the nomination was sent to Oslo on September 10.

The nomination comes during a critical time when the leader has been accused of poisoning his opponent&nbsp;Alexei Navalny, which was confirmed by laboratories in Germnay, France and Sweden, but denied by Russian experts and government.

His nomination came few weeks after the US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-2021-following-israel-uae-deal-326247">nominated</a> for the&nbsp;Nobel Peace Prize&nbsp;by a&nbsp;Norwegian lawmaker for facilitating peace agreements between countries of Middle East.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a Russian writer Sergey Komkov. As many suspected Kremlin was behind this nomination, the Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov cleared the air by saying Kremlin did not nominate the President.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a Russian writer Sergey Komkov. As many suspected Kremlin was behind this nomination, the Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov cleared the air by saying Kremlin did not nominate the President. "You all know that completely different people are nominated for this award, this is an initiative of those submitting the nomination. In this case, [the nomination was submitted by] the aforementioned writer," he said. Also read: Frozen poo, narcissists' eyebrows and alligator studies win spoof 'Ig Nobel' awards "If this decision is made (to award Putin the prize - TASS) - great, if not, it’s no problem as well," Peskov said. The nomination has been submitted by a group of Russian public figures, including the famous writer Sergey Komkov. As per the group, the nomination was sent to Oslo on September 10. The nomination comes during a critical time when the leader has been accused of poisoning his opponent Alexei Navalny, which was confirmed by laboratories in Germnay, France and Sweden, but denied by Russian experts and government. His nomination came few weeks after the US President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a Norwegian lawmaker for facilitating peace agreements between countries of Middle East.

After Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated for Nobel Prize

Russia's Kremlin critic and opposition politician&nbsp;Alexei Navalny may take weeks to recover and leave Germany, his spokeswoman has reported.

The 44-year-old politician was admitted to a German hospital after he was allegedly poisoned by the Russian government, led by Vladimir Putin.

While the Russian doctors denied any trace of poison, German doctors found traces of Novichok nerve agent in the empty water bottles in the hotel oom Navalny stayed in.

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"Navalny's recovery process will naturally take a long time," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said in an online broadcast late Thursday.

"He is staying in Germany for now, he will undergo rehabilitation there. It's clearly not a question of a few days and probably not a couple of weeks," she said.

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He has claimed that while he has been released from the German hospital, he is still on the road to recovery, although it is still hard for him to&nbsp;throw a ball with his left hand and is struggling to write as his hands are yet to gain back the balance.

The critic has been advised by his neuropsychologist to read more, write on social media and play video games to pass his time and help his brain get rid of the mental and physical block.

Russia's Kremlin critic and opposition politician Alexei Navalny may take weeks to recover and leave Germany, his spokeswoman has reported. The 44-year-old politician was admitted to a German hospital after he was allegedly poisoned by the Russian government, led by Vladimir Putin.

Russia's Kremlin critic and opposition politician Alexei Navalny may take weeks to recover and leave Germany, his spokeswoman has reported. The 44-year-old politician was admitted to a German hospital after he was allegedly poisoned by the Russian government, led by Vladimir Putin. While the Russian doctors denied any trace of poison, German doctors found traces of Novichok nerve agent in the empty water bottles in the hotel oom Navalny stayed in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Алексей Навальный (@navalny) on Sep 23, 2020 at 2:53am PDT × "Navalny's recovery process will naturally take a long time," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said in an online broadcast late Thursday. "He is staying in Germany for now, he will undergo rehabilitation there. It's clearly not a question of a few days and probably not a couple of weeks," she said. × He has claimed that while he has been released from the German hospital, he is still on the road to recovery, although it is still hard for him to throw a ball with his left hand and is struggling to write as his hands are yet to gain back the balance. The critic has been advised by his neuropsychologist to read more, write on social media and play video games to pass his time and help his brain get rid of the mental and physical block.

Alexei Navalny to stay in Germany for few more weeks to recover fully

Russia has denied producing or researching nerve agents known as Novichok. Russia was once believed to possess thousands of tonnes of weaponised Novichok varieties and their precursors. Watch report.

Russia denies producing Novichok: West spreading misinformation

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has now alleged that Western laboratories has found the traces of Novichok found 'in & on' his body. The Putin critic even demanded that Moscow should return his clothes.

Russia: Navalny says Novichok found 'in & on' his body, his clothes are important evidence

In Russia, the chemist who was part Soviet's programme to develop the Novichok agent has apologised to prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny after Novichok traces found in his body.

Russia: Novichok developer apologises to Navalny after Novichok traces found in his body

Russia's main pro-Kremlin party is claiming a clear win in local polls, seen as a big test of its popularity. Watch report.

Regional election in Russia: Sweeping lead for ruling United Russia?

Russia regional election: Politicians backed by Putin coasting to landslide win

Russians vote on September 13 in regional elections that will be scrutinised for signs of discontent with the ruling United Russia party following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Regional election in Russia: Test of Kremlin party's grip on power | World News

Local poll viewed as dry run for 2021 Parliamentary election in Russia

Several thousand people gathered in Russia`s far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday for what has become a regular weekly protest against the Kremlin since the region`s popular governor was detained in July, a Reuters witness said.

Residents of Khabarovsk, which lies about 6,110 km (3,800 miles) east of Moscow, started the rallies after the July 9 arrest of Sergei Furgal on murder charges that he denies.

Furgal`s supporters, who say his detention is politically motivated, accuse President Vladimir Putin of mishandling the local political crisis.

"Putin is a thief - he stole Furgal from us," some of the protesters chanted as they marched down the city`s main thoroughfare on Saturday, a day before the country holds local elections.

Local authorities, according to TASS news agency, gave a lower estimate of the size of the crowd, saying about 700 people had taken part.

The Khabarovsk protesters also demanded Sunday`s elections are fair. Some held placards reading "Every vote matters" or depicting caricatures of Ella Pamfilova, the head of the Central Election Commission, with the question "Fair elections?"

Sunday`s vote, which is seen by the Kremlin as a dry run for parliamentary elections next September, will elect 18 regional governors and a slew of local parliaments and city councillors. Early voting began on Friday.

Several thousand people gathered in Russia`s far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday for what has become a regular weekly protest against the Kremlin since the region`s popular governor was detained in July, a Reuters witness said.

Several thousand people gathered in Russia`s far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday for what has become a regular weekly protest against the Kremlin since the region`s popular governor was detained in July, a Reuters witness said. Residents of Khabarovsk, which lies about 6,110 km (3,800 miles) east of Moscow, started the rallies after the July 9 arrest of Sergei Furgal on murder charges that he denies. Furgal`s supporters, who say his detention is politically motivated, accuse President Vladimir Putin of mishandling the local political crisis. "Putin is a thief - he stole Furgal from us," some of the protesters chanted as they marched down the city`s main thoroughfare on Saturday, a day before the country holds local elections. Local authorities, according to TASS news agency, gave a lower estimate of the size of the crowd, saying about 700 people had taken part. The Khabarovsk protesters also demanded Sunday`s elections are fair. Some held placards reading "Every vote matters" or depicting caricatures of Ella Pamfilova, the head of the Central Election Commission, with the question "Fair elections?" Sunday`s vote, which is seen by the Kremlin as a dry run for parliamentary elections next September, will elect 18 regional governors and a slew of local parliaments and city councillors. Early voting began on Friday.

On election eve, several thousand join anti-Kremlin rally in Russian Far East

The novichok nerve agent used to poison Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was `harder` than previous forms, Der Spiegel magazine reported the head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service as saying.

Bruno Kahl, head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service, informed what Spiegel termed a "secret meeting" about the potency of the poison, the magazine said, but did not give any other details of the meeting.

Spiegel added that a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was said to have visited at the weekend the Berlin hospital where Navalny is being treated.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin`s highest-profile critic, was airlifted to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia.

German doctors say he was poisoned with novichok, a Russian nerve agent. Moscow says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that Navalny had made further progress in his recovery, and was able to speak again.

The novichok nerve agent used to poison Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was `harder` than previous forms, Der Spiegel magazine reported the head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service as saying.

The novichok nerve agent used to poison Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was `harder` than previous forms, Der Spiegel magazine reported the head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service as saying. Bruno Kahl, head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service, informed what Spiegel termed a "secret meeting" about the potency of the poison, the magazine said, but did not give any other details of the meeting. Spiegel added that a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was said to have visited at the weekend the Berlin hospital where Navalny is being treated. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin`s highest-profile critic, was airlifted to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia. German doctors say he was poisoned with novichok, a Russian nerve agent. Moscow says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned. Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that Navalny had made further progress in his recovery, and was able to speak again.

Novichok used on Navalny 'harder' than previous forms: Spiegel

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who is facing the largest protests of his rule, will discuss plans to further integrate their countries on Monday, the Kremlin said.

Lukashenko's visit will be the first to Russia by the Belarusian leader since protests broke out over his disputed election win last month.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-protest-leader-says-she-was-threatened-with-expulsion-alive-or-in-bits-326689" hreflang="en">Belarus protest leader says she was threatened with expulsion 'alive or in bits'</a>

In a statement, the Kremlin said on Friday the two leaders would meet in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss further integration plans as well as key trade and energy projects.

"Key issues of the further development of Russian-Belarusian strategic partnership and alliance are planned to be discussed," the Kremlin said.

Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus, and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of military and economic aid with calls for tighter integration.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-opposition-leader-urges-foreign-countries-to-mediate-while-lukashenko-calls-the-protests-foreign-influence-326377" hreflang="en">Belarus: Opposition leader urges foreign countries to mediate, while Lukashenko calls the protests 'foreign influence'</a>

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no plan for the leaders to hold a news conference or sign any documents.&nbsp;

Lukashenko said last week that during his talks with Putin he planned to "dot all the i's on issues that are very sensitive and delicate for the two states".

Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, has vowed that he will not give up power to the opposition, which claims its candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was the rightful winner of the August 9 polls. She has taken shelter in EU member Lithuania after coming under official pressure.

Lukashenko, 66, has had a volatile relationship with Moscow, playing it off against the European Union and ruling out an outright unification with Russia.

But with Western pressure against Lukashenko mounting, his options are now limited. Since mass demonstrations against him began he has sought support from Putin, with regular phone calls between the leaders.&nbsp;

Lukashenko has cracked down on the protest movement with thousands detained and those held in custody giving accounts of police violence and torture. Several people have died in the crackdown.

Putin swiftly congratulated Lukashenko on his victory and raised the possibility of intervening militarily.

The opposition formed a Coordination Council to organise a handover of power but the Belarusian authorities have detained senior members and pressured them to leave the country.

More than 100,000 people are estimated to have taken to&nbsp;the streets of the Belarusian capital Minsk during rallies over the past four weekends, and a new protest is planned for Sunday.

Historically Russians and Belarusians have enjoyed good relations and members of the opposition say the protests are not aimed against Russia.&nbsp;

In an address to Russians this week, Tikhanovskaya said it was important not to allow politicians and propaganda to "poison" ties.

Belarus, an ex-Soviet state sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has for years relied on Moscow for cheap oil and loans.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who is facing the largest protests of his rule, will discuss plans to further integrate their countries on Monday, the Kremlin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who is facing the largest protests of his rule, will discuss plans to further integrate their countries on Monday, the Kremlin said. Lukashenko's visit will be the first to Russia by the Belarusian leader since protests broke out over his disputed election win last month. Also read: Belarus protest leader says she was threatened with expulsion 'alive or in bits' In a statement, the Kremlin said on Friday the two leaders would meet in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss further integration plans as well as key trade and energy projects. "Key issues of the further development of Russian-Belarusian strategic partnership and alliance are planned to be discussed," the Kremlin said. Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus, and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of military and economic aid with calls for tighter integration. Also read: Belarus: Opposition leader urges foreign countries to mediate, while Lukashenko calls the protests 'foreign influence' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no plan for the leaders to hold a news conference or sign any documents. Lukashenko said last week that during his talks with Putin he planned to "dot all the i's on issues that are very sensitive and delicate for the two states". Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, has vowed that he will not give up power to the opposition, which claims its candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was the rightful winner of the August 9 polls. She has taken shelter in EU member Lithuania after coming under official pressure. Lukashenko, 66, has had a volatile relationship with Moscow, playing it off against the European Union and ruling out an outright unification with Russia. But with Western pressure against Lukashenko mounting, his options are now limited. Since mass demonstrations against him began he has sought support from Putin, with regular phone calls between the leaders. Lukashenko has cracked down on the protest movement with thousands detained and those held in custody giving accounts of police violence and torture. Several people have died in the crackdown. Putin swiftly congratulated Lukashenko on his victory and raised the possibility of intervening militarily. The opposition formed a Coordination Council to organise a handover of power but the Belarusian authorities have detained senior members and pressured them to leave the country. More than 100,000 people are estimated to have taken to the streets of the Belarusian capital Minsk during rallies over the past four weekends, and a new protest is planned for Sunday. Historically Russians and Belarusians have enjoyed good relations and members of the opposition say the protests are not aimed against Russia. In an address to Russians this week, Tikhanovskaya said it was important not to allow politicians and propaganda to "poison" ties. Belarus, an ex-Soviet state sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has for years relied on Moscow for cheap oil and loans.

Putin and Lukashenko to discuss 'integration' amid Belarus protests

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday.

This clarification came close on the heels of Microsoft claiming hackers linked to Russia were among those trying to spy on US political figures.

Hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, Microsoft Corp said on Thursday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has no intention of meddling in other countries' internal affairs and that Russia does not like it when others interfere in its affairs.

Microsoft Corp said on Thursday that hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

The announcement by Microsoft's vice president for customer security, Tom Burt, said the group accused of breaching Hillary Clinton's campaign emails in 2016 - a Russian military intelligence-linked unit widely known as Fancy Bear - had spent the past year trying to break into accounts belonging to political consultants serving both Republicans and Democrats as well as advocacy organizations and think tanks.

Burt also said Chinese hackers had gone after people "closely associated with US presidential campaigns and candidates" - including an unnamed Biden ally who was targeted through a personal email address and "at least one prominent individual formerly associated with the Trump Administration."

Burt said the Chinese effort to compromise the Biden ally and the Iranian spying against the Trump campaign were unsuccessful, but his blog post provided no detail on the hacking campaign attributed to Russia or the effort to compromise the well-known former Trump associate. 
&nbsp;

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday. This clarification came close on the heels of Microsoft claiming hackers linked to Russia were among those trying to spy on US political figures.

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday. This clarification came close on the heels of Microsoft claiming hackers linked to Russia were among those trying to spy on US political figures. Hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, Microsoft Corp said on Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has no intention of meddling in other countries' internal affairs and that Russia does not like it when others interfere in its affairs. Microsoft Corp said on Thursday that hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The announcement by Microsoft's vice president for customer security, Tom Burt, said the group accused of breaching Hillary Clinton's campaign emails in 2016 - a Russian military intelligence-linked unit widely known as Fancy Bear - had spent the past year trying to break into accounts belonging to political consultants serving both Republicans and Democrats as well as advocacy organizations and think tanks. Burt also said Chinese hackers had gone after people "closely associated with US presidential campaigns and candidates" - including an unnamed Biden ally who was targeted through a personal email address and "at least one prominent individual formerly associated with the Trump Administration." Burt said the Chinese effort to compromise the Biden ally and the Iranian spying against the Trump campaign were unsuccessful, but his blog post provided no detail on the hacking campaign attributed to Russia or the effort to compromise the well-known former Trump associate.

Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes

Berlin's Charite hospital said in a statement that the condition of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has improved and he is being weaned off mechanical ventilation.

Kremlin critic being treated in Germany: Navalny's condition is improving

Navalny poisoning has not just sent shockwaves across the world but has also shocked the people in Russia. Navalny poisoning might have started what is being described as 'political awakening' in small towns in Russia. Watch report.

Political awakening after Navalny poisoning case? Incident sees a change in local politics

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that there was "substantial chances" that a senior official in Kremlin ordered opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that there was "substantial chances" that a senior official in Kremlin ordered opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning. Also read: Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination a 'testament to his bold diplomacy and vision': White House "I think people all around the world see this kind of activity for what it is," Pompeo said in a radio interview. Also read: Russia calls Germany's handling of requests on Navalny 'inappropriate' "And when they see the effort to poison a dissident, and they recognize that there is a substantial chance that this actually came from senior Russian officials, I think this is not good for the Russian people," he told conservative host Ben Shapiro. Navalny has been the most visible critic within Russia of President Vladimir Putin and mysteriously got critically ill while taking a flight in Siberia. Later, he was flown for treatment to Germany, where doctors said he was poisoned. Pompeo regurgitated that the United States and its European allies all wanted Russia to "hold those responsible for this accountable" and said Washington would also try to identify the perpetrators. "It's something that we'll take a look at, we'll evaluate, and we'll make sure we do our part to do whatever we can to reduce the risk that things like this happen again." These remarks by the US Secretary of State come despite Trump's comment last week that he had seen no proof that Navalny was poisoned. Trump has sought warmer relations with Putin, although his administration has still pushed sanctions over Ukraine and other concerns. (Inputs from AFP)

Alexei Navalny's poisoning likely by 'senior Russian officials': Mike Pompeo

Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday replaced his security chiefs and said progress was being made on plans to bring Moscow and Minsk closer.

Lukashenko, who is under huge pressure from protesters to step down after last month's disputed election, replaced the heads of the KGB security service, the security council and the state control committee.

The reshuffle was announced during the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who became the most senior Moscow official to make a public visit to Belarus since the political crisis broke out over disputed polls on August 9.

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets for weeks in unprecedented protests against Lukashenko's 26-year rule.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-considers-imposing-sanctions-on-seven-belarusian-officials-324869">Also watch|&nbsp;US considers imposing sanctions on seven Belarusian officials</a>

The moustachioed leader has refused to quit and has instead sought support from the Kremlin.

In recent years the Kremlin has pushed for closer economic and political integration between the two ex-Soviet countries but Lukashenko has so far resisted outright unification.&nbsp;

On Thursday, he indicated he might be open to bringing the nations closer.

"We agreed" on issues on which Russia and Belarus "could not agree earlier," Lukashenko told Mishustin, adding that opposition protests were a "lesson" for the two countries.

"This lesson prompted us to make relevant conclusions," he said.

Lukashenko added he planned to "dot all the i's on issues that are very sensitive and delicate for the two states" when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in the next few weeks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lukashenko-warns-of-bloodbath-in-belarus-if-opposition-assumes-power-324763">Also read|&nbsp;Lukashenko warns of bloodbath in Belarus if opposition assumes power</a>

Mishustin, who arrived with a large delegation in tow, hailed plans to tighten up ties.

"We see progress on many issues," he told Lukashenko, adding their future "union state" will help remove "unnecessary" trade barriers.

Belarus, an ex-Soviet state sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has for years relied on Moscow for cheap oil and loans.&nbsp;

The two have formed a nominal "union" with close trade and military cooperation but the Kremlin has sought deeper integration.

London-based analyst Mark Galeotti suggested that the reshuffle indicated that the replacement of KGB chief Valery Vakulchik with Ivan Tertel, who until now headed the state control committee, had been done under pressure from Moscow.

"Ex-KGB chief Vakulchik had been a fierce guardian against Moscow penetration," he tweeted, adding Tertel had a better relationship with Russia's FSB security service.

Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday replaced his security chiefs and said progress was being made on plans to bring Moscow and Minsk closer. Lukashenko, who is under huge pressure from protesters to step down after last month's disputed election, replaced the heads of the KGB security service, the security council and the state control committee.

Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday replaced his security chiefs and said progress was being made on plans to bring Moscow and Minsk closer. Lukashenko, who is under huge pressure from protesters to step down after last month's disputed election, replaced the heads of the KGB security service, the security council and the state control committee. The reshuffle was announced during the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who became the most senior Moscow official to make a public visit to Belarus since the political crisis broke out over disputed polls on August 9. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets for weeks in unprecedented protests against Lukashenko's 26-year rule. Also watch| US considers imposing sanctions on seven Belarusian officials The moustachioed leader has refused to quit and has instead sought support from the Kremlin. In recent years the Kremlin has pushed for closer economic and political integration between the two ex-Soviet countries but Lukashenko has so far resisted outright unification. On Thursday, he indicated he might be open to bringing the nations closer. "We agreed" on issues on which Russia and Belarus "could not agree earlier," Lukashenko told Mishustin, adding that opposition protests were a "lesson" for the two countries. "This lesson prompted us to make relevant conclusions," he said. Lukashenko added he planned to "dot all the i's on issues that are very sensitive and delicate for the two states" when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in the next few weeks. Also read| Lukashenko warns of bloodbath in Belarus if opposition assumes power Mishustin, who arrived with a large delegation in tow, hailed plans to tighten up ties. "We see progress on many issues," he told Lukashenko, adding their future "union state" will help remove "unnecessary" trade barriers. Belarus, an ex-Soviet state sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has for years relied on Moscow for cheap oil and loans. The two have formed a nominal "union" with close trade and military cooperation but the Kremlin has sought deeper integration. London-based analyst Mark Galeotti suggested that the reshuffle indicated that the replacement of KGB chief Valery Vakulchik with Ivan Tertel, who until now headed the state control committee, had been done under pressure from Moscow. "Ex-KGB chief Vakulchik had been a fierce guardian against Moscow penetration," he tweeted, adding Tertel had a better relationship with Russia's FSB security service.

Belarus leader replaces security chiefs as Russia PM visits

Russian Kremlin's critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny has been in the hospital for the past one week, since he was allegedly poisoned for being an active critic of the Russian leader Valdimir Putin.

Now that the critic is stable, some doctors have claimed that no trace of poison was found during his treatment. However, some German doctors disagree with this claim.

To put an end to the rumours and the controversies, Russia's&nbsp;Interior Ministry is launching an investigation into the hospitalisation of the opposition leader.

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Navalny was taken to the hospital after he was allegedly poisoned during a flight&nbsp;rom the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow.

While Russian doctors had claimed that there was no trace of poison, German doctors who treated&nbsp;Navalny later disagreed with the claim.

The Interior Ministry has, therefore, opened an investigation into the matter. The transportation unit of the Ministry is&nbsp;currently carrying out preliminary searches in the hotel room where&nbsp;Navalny stayed and the routes he took in the city. The video surveillance footage from the area will also be investigated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-regrets-russias-lack-of-transparency-over-navalny-poisoning-case-323406">Also read:&nbsp;France regrets Russia's lack of 'transparency' over Navalny poisoning case</a>

As of now, the investigators have not found any drugs or any other potent substances from the hotel room. The Russian prosecutors have also asked Germany for Navalny's medical files from his treatment at the German clinic.

The investigation is a step towards Russia trying to clear the rumours around the critic's health, which can affect Moscow's relationship with the West.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, however,&nbsp;said on Thursday he was bemused by Russia not taking a transparent approach over the possible poisoning of Navalny.

Russian Kremlin's critic Alexei Navalny has been in the hospital for the past one week, since he was allegedly poisoned for being an active critic of the Russian leader Valdimir Putin.

Russian Kremlin's critic Alexei Navalny has been in the hospital for the past one week, since he was allegedly poisoned for being an active critic of the Russian leader Valdimir Putin. Now that the critic is stable, some doctors have claimed that no trace of poison was found during his treatment. However, some German doctors disagree with this claim. To put an end to the rumours and the controversies, Russia's Interior Ministry is launching an investigation into the hospitalisation of the opposition leader. × Navalny was taken to the hospital after he was allegedly poisoned during a flight rom the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow. While Russian doctors had claimed that there was no trace of poison, German doctors who treated Navalny later disagreed with the claim. The Interior Ministry has, therefore, opened an investigation into the matter. The transportation unit of the Ministry is currently carrying out preliminary searches in the hotel room where Navalny stayed and the routes he took in the city. The video surveillance footage from the area will also be investigated. Also read: France regrets Russia's lack of 'transparency' over Navalny poisoning case As of now, the investigators have not found any drugs or any other potent substances from the hotel room. The Russian prosecutors have also asked Germany for Navalny's medical files from his treatment at the German clinic. The investigation is a step towards Russia trying to clear the rumours around the critic's health, which can affect Moscow's relationship with the West. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, however, said on Thursday he was bemused by Russia not taking a transparent approach over the possible poisoning of Navalny.

Russia starts investigating Alexei Navalny's alleged 'poisoning'

After German doctors declared that Russian Opposition leader Alexei&nbsp;Navalny was poisoned, Kremlin today&nbsp;dismissed accusations of Putin's involvement.

Watch:

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"We cannot take such accusations seriously. These accusations cannot be true at all and are more likely empty noise," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding, "we don't understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry. The substance hasn't yet been established."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mysterious-russian-poison-cases-radioactive-polonium-toxic-nerve-agent-to-chemicals-322391">In Pics:&nbsp;Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals</a>

Russia's foreign ministry said there was "suspicious haste" to determine Navalny was poisoned while stating that it was "deeply offensive" to the Russian doctors who treated the Opposition leader.

Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo called for a "full and transparent investigation... and for those involved to be held accountable." Pompeo said the US was "deeply concerned" about the alleged poisoning.

"The United States is deeply concerned by reported preliminary conclusions from German medical experts that Russian opposition activist Aleksei Navalny was poisoned," Pompeo said.&nbsp;

The European Union(EU) also urged Russia for an "independent and transparent investigation" as the French foreign ministry said it was "profoundly concerned over the criminal act", while calling for a "swift and transparent investigation".

Navalny was sent to hospital in Siberia after he fainted in a plane which was forced to make an emergency landing. The Russian Opposition leader had reportedly had tea before the flight which his supporters said was laced with poison.

After German doctors declared that Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned, Kremlin today dismissed accusations of Putin's involvement. Watch: "We cannot take such accusations seriously.

After German doctors declared that Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned, Kremlin today dismissed accusations of Putin's involvement. Watch: "We cannot take such accusations seriously. These accusations cannot be true at all and are more likely empty noise," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding, "we don't understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry. The substance hasn't yet been established." In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals Russia's foreign ministry said there was "suspicious haste" to determine Navalny was poisoned while stating that it was "deeply offensive" to the Russian doctors who treated the Opposition leader. Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo called for a "full and transparent investigation... and for those involved to be held accountable." Pompeo said the US was "deeply concerned" about the alleged poisoning. "The United States is deeply concerned by reported preliminary conclusions from German medical experts that Russian opposition activist Aleksei Navalny was poisoned," Pompeo said. The European Union(EU) also urged Russia for an "independent and transparent investigation" as the French foreign ministry said it was "profoundly concerned over the criminal act", while calling for a "swift and transparent investigation". Navalny was sent to hospital in Siberia after he fainted in a plane which was forced to make an emergency landing. The Russian Opposition leader had reportedly had tea before the flight which his supporters said was laced with poison.

Kremlin dismisses Navalny poisoning; US calls for 'full and transparent investigation'

Doctors at the Siberian hospital that first treated Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny said on Monday that they had saved his life but that they had not found traces of poison in his system.

Navalny, a long-time opponent of President Vladimir Putin, fell gravely ill on Thursday after what his allies believe was a poisoning and was airlifted to Germany for treatment on Saturday.

"We saved his life with great effort and work," head doctor Alexander Murakhovsky told reporters at a news conference in the Siberian city of Omsk.

"If we had found some kind of poison that was somehow confirmed then it would have been a lot easier for us. It would have been a clear diagnosis, a clear condition and a well-known course of treatment," said Anatoly Kalinichenko, a senior doctor at the hospital.

The Russian doctors denied they had come under pressure from authorities while treating Navalny.

Navalny`s allies had accused doctors of holding up Navalny`s evacuation to Germany. The doctors initially said Navalny was not in a fit state to be transported there for treatment.

Jaka Bizilj, founder of Germany`s Cinema for Peace Foundation, told mass tabloid Bild over the weekend that Navalny, who is being treated in a German hospital, would survive.

He said: "Navalny will survive poison attack, but be incapacitated for months as a politician."

But Kira Yarmysh, Navalny`s spokeswoman, said that there were still no new details about the politician`s condition and that only she or the doctors treating him would be able to provide reliable information.

Doctors at the Siberian hospital that first treated Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny said on Monday that they had saved his life but that they had not found traces of poison in his system.

Doctors at the Siberian hospital that first treated Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny said on Monday that they had saved his life but that they had not found traces of poison in his system. Navalny, a long-time opponent of President Vladimir Putin, fell gravely ill on Thursday after what his allies believe was a poisoning and was airlifted to Germany for treatment on Saturday. "We saved his life with great effort and work," head doctor Alexander Murakhovsky told reporters at a news conference in the Siberian city of Omsk. "If we had found some kind of poison that was somehow confirmed then it would have been a lot easier for us. It would have been a clear diagnosis, a clear condition and a well-known course of treatment," said Anatoly Kalinichenko, a senior doctor at the hospital. The Russian doctors denied they had come under pressure from authorities while treating Navalny. Navalny`s allies had accused doctors of holding up Navalny`s evacuation to Germany. The doctors initially said Navalny was not in a fit state to be transported there for treatment. Jaka Bizilj, founder of Germany`s Cinema for Peace Foundation, told mass tabloid Bild over the weekend that Navalny, who is being treated in a German hospital, would survive. He said: "Navalny will survive poison attack, but be incapacitated for months as a politician." But Kira Yarmysh, Navalny`s spokeswoman, said that there were still no new details about the politician`s condition and that only she or the doctors treating him would be able to provide reliable information.

Saved his life but didn't find traces of poison: Siberian doctors on Navalny

Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals

Around 1,500 people marched through the streets of the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday, marking the seventh consecutive weekend of protests after the region`s governor was detained in early July.

Residents of Khabarovsk, 6,110 km (3,800 miles) east of Moscow, have protested since the detention of Sergei Furgal, the region`s popular governor, on July 9 in connection with murder charges which he denies.

His supporters say the detention is politically motivated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-airlifted-to-germany-condition-stable-after-landing-322296">Also read:&nbsp;Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny airlifted to Germany; condition stable after landing</a>

People marched on Saturday with posters reading "Freedom to Furgal" and "Belarus - Khabarovsk is with you" - a sign of support for opposition rallies in Belarus protesting against the alleged rigging of its presidential election.

On Saturday, posters wishing recovery for Alexei Navalny, a Kremlin critic who collapsed on a plane on Thursday after drinking tea that his allies believe was laced with poison, were also seen among the people marching in Khabarovsk.

Navalny was evacuated from the Siberian city of Omsk and brought to Germany for medical treatment on Saturday.

Regional authorities estimated around 1,500 people took part in Saturday`s march, a smaller turnout than in previous weeks.

Around 1,500 people marched through the streets of the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday, marking the seventh consecutive weekend of protests after the region`s governor was detained in early July.

Around 1,500 people marched through the streets of the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday, marking the seventh consecutive weekend of protests after the region`s governor was detained in early July. Residents of Khabarovsk, 6,110 km (3,800 miles) east of Moscow, have protested since the detention of Sergei Furgal, the region`s popular governor, on July 9 in connection with murder charges which he denies. His supporters say the detention is politically motivated. Also read: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny airlifted to Germany; condition stable after landing People marched on Saturday with posters reading "Freedom to Furgal" and "Belarus - Khabarovsk is with you" - a sign of support for opposition rallies in Belarus protesting against the alleged rigging of its presidential election. On Saturday, posters wishing recovery for Alexei Navalny, a Kremlin critic who collapsed on a plane on Thursday after drinking tea that his allies believe was laced with poison, were also seen among the people marching in Khabarovsk. Navalny was evacuated from the Siberian city of Omsk and brought to Germany for medical treatment on Saturday. Regional authorities estimated around 1,500 people took part in Saturday`s march, a smaller turnout than in previous weeks.

Protesters hold seventh anti-Kremlin march over detained governor

An ambulance aircraft carrying gravely ill Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny landed at Berlin's Tegel airport on Saturday after he was evacuated from the Siberian city of Omsk and brought to Germany for treatment&nbsp;of a suspected poisoning.

German doctors had flown to Omsk on Friday to evacuate Navalny --&nbsp;after a day-long standoff over his medical evacuation --&nbsp;at the request of his wife and allies who said that the hospital treating him was badly equipped.

"The condition of Navalny during the flight and after landing is stable," Slovenian-born activist and filmmaker Jaka Bizilj told German mass tabloid Bild.

Navalny was expected to be rushed to Berlin's Charite hospital, about 10 km (6.2 miles) from Tegel airport.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said the opposition politician's wife Yulia was on board the evacuation flight.

Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, fell ill earlier this week while flying back to Moscow from the Siberian city of Tomsk where he had met allies ahead of regional elections next month. He was taken on a stretcher, motionless, from the plane and rushed to hospital after it made an emergency landing in Omsk.

Doctors treating him in Omsk initially refused to let Navalny leave but reversed course after his family and staff demanded he be allowed to travel to Germany.

Navalny's life was not in immediate danger, he was in an induced coma and his brain was in a stable condition, the medical staff at a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk said.

German doctors flew in to evacuate Navalny at the request of his wife and allies who said they feared authorities might try to cover up clues as to how he fell ill and that the hospital treating him was badly equipped.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doctors-agree-to-evacuate-navalny-from-siberian-hospital-on-relatives-request-322181">Also read |&nbsp;Doctors agree to evacuate Navalny from Siberian hospital on relatives' request</a>

Navalny's wife Yulia earlier sent a letter to the Kremlin directly appealing for it to intervene and grant permission for him to be allowed to be flown out.

Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh posted a picture on Twitter of him being lifted into the plane on a covered stretcher and said his wife Yulia was with him.

Alexander Murakhovsky, the head doctor at the hospital, said earlier that Navalny had been diagnosed with a metabolic disease that may have been caused by low blood sugar. He said traces of industrial chemical substances had been found on Navalny's clothes and fingers and that doctors did not believe he had been poisoned.

Navalny is the latest in a long line of Kremlin critics who have fallen seriously ill or died in apparent poisonings.

Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level graft and mobilising crowds of young protesters.

He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings and rallies and sued over his investigations into corruption. He was barred from running in a presidential election in 2018.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-trace-of-poison-found-in-putin-critic-alexei-navalnys-tests-russian-hospital-doctor-322131">Also read |&nbsp;'No trace' of poison found in Putin critic Alexei Navalny's tests: Russian hospital doctor</a>

The air ambulance was dispatched to take Navalny to Berlin after Chancellor Angela Merkel extended an offer of treatment.

European Union leaders including Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have voiced concern for Navalny, who has faced repeated physical attacks and prosecutions in more than a decade of opposition to Russian authorities.

(with inputs from agencies)

An ambulance aircraft carrying gravely ill Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny landed at Berlin's Tegel airport on Saturday after he was evacuated from the Siberian city of Omsk and brought to Germany for treatment of a suspected poisoning.

An ambulance aircraft carrying gravely ill Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny landed at Berlin's Tegel airport on Saturday after he was evacuated from the Siberian city of Omsk and brought to Germany for treatment of a suspected poisoning. German doctors had flown to Omsk on Friday to evacuate Navalny -- after a day-long standoff over his medical evacuation -- at the request of his wife and allies who said that the hospital treating him was badly equipped. "The condition of Navalny during the flight and after landing is stable," Slovenian-born activist and filmmaker Jaka Bizilj told German mass tabloid Bild. Navalny was expected to be rushed to Berlin's Charite hospital, about 10 km (6.2 miles) from Tegel airport. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said the opposition politician's wife Yulia was on board the evacuation flight. Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, fell ill earlier this week while flying back to Moscow from the Siberian city of Tomsk where he had met allies ahead of regional elections next month. He was taken on a stretcher, motionless, from the plane and rushed to hospital after it made an emergency landing in Omsk. Doctors treating him in Omsk initially refused to let Navalny leave but reversed course after his family and staff demanded he be allowed to travel to Germany. Navalny's life was not in immediate danger, he was in an induced coma and his brain was in a stable condition, the medical staff at a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk said. German doctors flew in to evacuate Navalny at the request of his wife and allies who said they feared authorities might try to cover up clues as to how he fell ill and that the hospital treating him was badly equipped. Also read | Doctors agree to evacuate Navalny from Siberian hospital on relatives' request Navalny's wife Yulia earlier sent a letter to the Kremlin directly appealing for it to intervene and grant permission for him to be allowed to be flown out. Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh posted a picture on Twitter of him being lifted into the plane on a covered stretcher and said his wife Yulia was with him. Alexander Murakhovsky, the head doctor at the hospital, said earlier that Navalny had been diagnosed with a metabolic disease that may have been caused by low blood sugar. He said traces of industrial chemical substances had been found on Navalny's clothes and fingers and that doctors did not believe he had been poisoned. Navalny is the latest in a long line of Kremlin critics who have fallen seriously ill or died in apparent poisonings. Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level graft and mobilising crowds of young protesters. He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings and rallies and sued over his investigations into corruption. He was barred from running in a presidential election in 2018. Also read | 'No trace' of poison found in Putin critic Alexei Navalny's tests: Russian hospital doctor The air ambulance was dispatched to take Navalny to Berlin after Chancellor Angela Merkel extended an offer of treatment. European Union leaders including Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have voiced concern for Navalny, who has faced repeated physical attacks and prosecutions in more than a decade of opposition to Russian authorities. (with inputs from agencies)

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny airlifted to Germany; condition stable after landing

Alexei Navalny is not the first victim of suspected poisoning. Several dissidents and defectors of Kremlin have fallen ill mysteriously in the past and many have died.

The Kremlin has been silent on all these “incidents”.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-curious-case-of-russian-kremlin-critics-who-were-allegedly-poisoned-321943" hreflang="en">The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned</a>

Sergei and Yulia Skripal, Viktor Yushchenko, Alexander Perepilichny, Anna Politkovskaya, Alexander Litvinenko and now Alexei Navalny.

These seven names have two things in common - they are all Russians and they all were poisoned under the presidency of Vladimir Putin.

These seven high profile names believed to be targets of cold and calculated vengeance.&nbsp;Russia has a long and ugly history of poisoning dissidents, defectors and political enemies especially under the Putin administration. The targets have been struck both in Russia and abroad.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in 2018. Sergei is a former Russian military officer turned double agent. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he fed information to the British intelligence services.

Sergei was arrested and imprisoned but in 2010 he settled in the UK. After a spy swap,&nbsp;Sergei’s daughter Yulia was visiting him in 2018. They were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury.&nbsp;They were critically ill and poisoned by nerve agent Novichok that causes respiratory and cardiac arrest. Investigators traced it back to Russian agents.

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The poison was smeared on a doorknob of their home. Some other poisoning attacks have been more sophisticated and horrifying.

In 2004, Viktor Yushchenko barely survived a poisoning attempt. Yushchenko was an anti-Russian Ukrainian presidential candidate. He had soup, that was tainted with TCCD, a potent dioxin that is 170,000 times more poisonous than cyanide.

The attack left Yushchenko’s face disfigured but he survived.&nbsp;Alexander Perepilichny wasn’t so lucky. Perepilichny was a Russian businessman and whistleblower&nbsp;who left Russia and settled in the United Kingdom. He was linked to a $230 million tax fraud.

In 2012, he was poisoned with a soup containing gelsemium which is a rare plant found only in remote parts of China. He collapsed while jogging in Surrey.

The case of journalist Anna Politkovskaya is similar to Alexei Navalny. She was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;In 2004, she fell ill after drinking tea on an Aeroflot flight. While Politkovskaya survived the poisoning, two years later, she was murdered in the elevator in&nbsp;her flat.

Only in a few cases has the world been able to establish the Russia link.

Alexander Litvinenko was a Russian spy. He fled to the United Kingdom after becoming a fierce critic of the Kremlin. He was killed using radioactive Polonium 210 that was administered, once again, through a cup of tea in 2006.

A public inquiry was ordered in the United Kingdom. It revealed that the orders to assassinate Litvinenko most probably came from Russian President Vladimir Putin himself.&nbsp;Assassination through poisoning has been Russia's preferred method to kill since 1921&nbsp;when the Soviet Union established its laboratory Kamera, a lab to make poisons.

The Soviet Union invested heavily on the development of poisons during the Cold War too. Modern day Russia seems to have retained them.

Alexei Navalny is not the first victim of suspected poisoning. Several dissidents and defectors of Kremlin have fallen ill mysteriously in the past and many have died.

Alexei Navalny is not the first victim of suspected poisoning. Several dissidents and defectors of Kremlin have fallen ill mysteriously in the past and many have died. The Kremlin has been silent on all these “incidents”. In pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned Sergei and Yulia Skripal, Viktor Yushchenko, Alexander Perepilichny, Anna Politkovskaya, Alexander Litvinenko and now Alexei Navalny. These seven names have two things in common - they are all Russians and they all were poisoned under the presidency of Vladimir Putin. These seven high profile names believed to be targets of cold and calculated vengeance. Russia has a long and ugly history of poisoning dissidents, defectors and political enemies especially under the Putin administration. The targets have been struck both in Russia and abroad. Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in 2018. Sergei is a former Russian military officer turned double agent. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he fed information to the British intelligence services. Sergei was arrested and imprisoned but in 2010 he settled in the UK. After a spy swap, Sergei’s daughter Yulia was visiting him in 2018. They were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury. They were critically ill and poisoned by nerve agent Novichok that causes respiratory and cardiac arrest. Investigators traced it back to Russian agents. × The poison was smeared on a doorknob of their home. Some other poisoning attacks have been more sophisticated and horrifying. In 2004, Viktor Yushchenko barely survived a poisoning attempt. Yushchenko was an anti-Russian Ukrainian presidential candidate. He had soup, that was tainted with TCCD, a potent dioxin that is 170,000 times more poisonous than cyanide. The attack left Yushchenko’s face disfigured but he survived. Alexander Perepilichny wasn’t so lucky. Perepilichny was a Russian businessman and whistleblower who left Russia and settled in the United Kingdom. He was linked to a $230 million tax fraud. In 2012, he was poisoned with a soup containing gelsemium which is a rare plant found only in remote parts of China. He collapsed while jogging in Surrey. The case of journalist Anna Politkovskaya is similar to Alexei Navalny. She was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin. In 2004, she fell ill after drinking tea on an Aeroflot flight. While Politkovskaya survived the poisoning, two years later, she was murdered in the elevator in her flat. Only in a few cases has the world been able to establish the Russia link. Alexander Litvinenko was a Russian spy. He fled to the United Kingdom after becoming a fierce critic of the Kremlin. He was killed using radioactive Polonium 210 that was administered, once again, through a cup of tea in 2006. A public inquiry was ordered in the United Kingdom. It revealed that the orders to assassinate Litvinenko most probably came from Russian President Vladimir Putin himself. Assassination through poisoning has been Russia's preferred method to kill since 1921 when the Soviet Union established its laboratory Kamera, a lab to make poisons. The Soviet Union invested heavily on the development of poisons during the Cold War too. Modern day Russia seems to have retained them.

How Russia silences dissidents

The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned

Thousands of residents of Khabarovsk have been protesting against the replacement of Governor Sergei Furgal with a Kremlin official since July. What added to these protests was a salmon crisis in Russia's Far East -- to be precise, the region around the endless estuary of the Amur River on Russia’s Pacific coast.

The Amur is one of Asia’s great waterways.

It is a piece of commercial fishing infrastructure where Russians feel cheated, lied to and ignored. The wild salmon fishery that they once took for granted is gone. They blame it on Kremlin as it granted large concessions to enterprises that strung enormous nets across the river’s mouth.

People’s anger over their depleted fish stock is so widespread that it has been a driving force behind the anti-Kremlin protests that have been shaking the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, on the Amur, since early July.

This also makes for one of the reasons the Russians turned away from Putin.

These companies that were given the rights to installed huge, stationary nets in the estuary and at the river’s mouth.

People here, it's said, can’t catch enough to put on the table, while commercial fishermen reap huge profits.

The protests, now in their second month, are driven by regional pride and economic frustration -- Salmon had been part of life here for generations, and now Moscow had taken it away and offered nothing in return.

According to a New York Times report, in the regional parliament, the speaker, Irina Zikunova, said that many Khabarovsk residents “are guided by impulse, are guided by emotions, are guided by feelings” rather than by facts.&nbsp;

The fundamental issue, activists say, is poor federal oversight that failed to detect a natural decline in the wild salmon population after the large catch in 2016.

The apparent failure of governance implies more expensive fish for Khabarovsk residents -- a parable for all of Russia. The protests in Khabarovsk show how easily public anger over those failures can now boil over.

Thousands of residents of Khabarovsk have been protesting against the replacement of Governor Sergei Furgal with a Kremlin official since July. What added to these protests was a salmon crisis in Russia's Far East -- to be precise, the region around the endless estuary of the Amur River on Russia’s Pacific coast.

Thousands of residents of Khabarovsk have been protesting against the replacement of Governor Sergei Furgal with a Kremlin official since July. What added to these protests was a salmon crisis in Russia's Far East -- to be precise, the region around the endless estuary of the Amur River on Russia’s Pacific coast. The Amur is one of Asia’s great waterways. It is a piece of commercial fishing infrastructure where Russians feel cheated, lied to and ignored. The wild salmon fishery that they once took for granted is gone. They blame it on Kremlin as it granted large concessions to enterprises that strung enormous nets across the river’s mouth. People’s anger over their depleted fish stock is so widespread that it has been a driving force behind the anti-Kremlin protests that have been shaking the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, on the Amur, since early July. This also makes for one of the reasons the Russians turned away from Putin. These companies that were given the rights to installed huge, stationary nets in the estuary and at the river’s mouth. People here, it's said, can’t catch enough to put on the table, while commercial fishermen reap huge profits. The protests, now in their second month, are driven by regional pride and economic frustration -- Salmon had been part of life here for generations, and now Moscow had taken it away and offered nothing in return. According to a New York Times report, in the regional parliament, the speaker, Irina Zikunova, said that many Khabarovsk residents “are guided by impulse, are guided by emotions, are guided by feelings” rather than by facts. The fundamental issue, activists say, is poor federal oversight that failed to detect a natural decline in the wild salmon population after the large catch in 2016. The apparent failure of governance implies more expensive fish for Khabarovsk residents -- a parable for all of Russia. The protests in Khabarovsk show how easily public anger over those failures can now boil over.

How a fish crisis stoked anti-Kremlin protests in Russia's Far East

The social media giant, Twitter Inc has decided to label the accounts which are state-affiliated media outlets to help people know which accounts are directly or indirectly related to their government.

In a blog post released on Thursday, twitter said the accounts that are directly or indirectly related to the government, senor staff and key officials will now be labeled.

“We believe that people have the right to know when a media account is affiliated directly or indirectly with a state actor,” Twitter said in its blog.&nbsp;

These accounts will also not be amplified by twitter's recommendation system.

this process will be followed in the countries where the state has established its control over specific media organisations, such as&nbsp;Russia’s Sputnik, RT, and China’s Xinhua News, as reported by a&nbsp;Twitter spokesman. He also added that there are many more media houses in this list. However, it is being reported that there are no US-based media houses in this list.

Additionally, the media houses that are state-owned but exercise editorial independence will be given a free pass and will not be labeled under this process — such as National Public Radio in the US, or the BBC in the UK. The personal accounts of the state heads will also not be labeled as Twitter believes people are already aware about these accounts.

The news was not well received by every government. Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador&nbsp;Dmitry Polyanskiy, whose account now reads the label of "Russia government account" took to Twitter to criticise the move,&nbsp;“They think they can set the rules of the game! This is an illusion. Such clear double standards backfire and undermine credibility of Western media, with ‘state-affiliate’ labels or without. People can’t find truth and facts there anymore.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
They think they can set the rules of the game! This is an illusion. Such clear double standards backfire and undermine credibility of Western media, with “state-affiliated” lables or without. People can’t find truth and facts there anymore <a href="https://t.co/0ZMNX9OuC5">https://t.co/0ZMNX9OuC5</a>
— Dmitry Polyanskiy (@Dpol_un) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dpol_un/status/1291447834366160896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The labels will first be tested by applying only to the countries that are a part of the UN Security Council —&nbsp;China, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States.&nbsp;

For now, all accounts that act as a mouthpiece for different governments have been labeled, such as&nbsp;@WhiteHouse, @StateDept, @Elysee, @10DowningStreet and @KremlinRussia.

The social media giant, Twitter Inc has decided to label the accounts which are state-affiliated media outlets to help people know which accounts are directly or indirectly related to their government.

The social media giant, Twitter Inc has decided to label the accounts which are state-affiliated media outlets to help people know which accounts are directly or indirectly related to their government. In a blog post released on Thursday, twitter said the accounts that are directly or indirectly related to the government, senor staff and key officials will now be labeled. “We believe that people have the right to know when a media account is affiliated directly or indirectly with a state actor,” Twitter said in its blog. These accounts will also not be amplified by twitter's recommendation system. this process will be followed in the countries where the state has established its control over specific media organisations, such as Russia’s Sputnik, RT, and China’s Xinhua News, as reported by a Twitter spokesman. He also added that there are many more media houses in this list. However, it is being reported that there are no US-based media houses in this list. Additionally, the media houses that are state-owned but exercise editorial independence will be given a free pass and will not be labeled under this process — such as National Public Radio in the US, or the BBC in the UK. The personal accounts of the state heads will also not be labeled as Twitter believes people are already aware about these accounts. The news was not well received by every government. Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy, whose account now reads the label of "Russia government account" took to Twitter to criticise the move, “They think they can set the rules of the game! This is an illusion. Such clear double standards backfire and undermine credibility of Western media, with ‘state-affiliate’ labels or without. People can’t find truth and facts there anymore.” They think they can set the rules of the game! This is an illusion. Such clear double standards backfire and undermine credibility of Western media, with “state-affiliated” lables or without. People can’t find truth and facts there anymore https://t.co/0ZMNX9OuC5 — Dmitry Polyanskiy (@Dpol_un) August 6, 2020 × The labels will first be tested by applying only to the countries that are a part of the UN Security Council — China, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States. For now, all accounts that act as a mouthpiece for different governments have been labeled, such as @WhiteHouse, @StateDept, @Elysee, @10DowningStreet and @KremlinRussia.

Twitter to label state-owned media and officials' accounts

Locals say a struggle for democratic freedoms is unfolding in the far eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk, where the arrest of a popular governor has unleashed massive protests.

"Sometimes I feel like crying with joy when I see everyone so united," 21-year-old student Yekaterina Ishchenko told AFP.

For the last three weeks, she and thousands of other residents of the city 6,000 kilometres (3,700 miles) east of Moscow have taken to the streets, with another huge rally due on Saturday.

For Ishchenko, this is her first taste of political activism.

Tens of thousands attended a rally last weekend, according to journalists and activists, while police put the figure at just 6,500.

Such protests are rare in the region seven time zones away from the capital, where most opposition protests take place.

They were sparked by the arrest on July 9 of regional governor Sergei Furgal.

Investigators accused the 50-year-old former businessman of ordering two contract killings and an attempted murder 15 years ago.

He was flown to Moscow where he is being held in custody.

His supporters see the probe as aimed at removing an overly independent politician, elected in 2018 after standing against an incumbent from the ruling party backing President Vladimir Putin.

"It's a slap in the face for us. We voted for him!" said 72-year-old pensioner Marina Beletskaya.

Furgal is a member of the nationalist party LDPR which is generally loyal to the Kremlin.

He became a popular governor, with supporters describing him as energetic and ready to listen. Locally, his level of popularity rivalled Putin's.

- Conflict with Moscow -

"After we elected Furgal, the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District was moved from here to Vladivostok," said 22-year-old Victoria Sakharova, a sales assistant, referring to the port city on the Pacific coast.

"This was clearly because we elected an opposition candidate."

Around the size of Turkey, the Khabarovsk region has a population of just 1.3 million.

One factor fuelling protests is long-standing resentment among residents who feel ignored by Moscow.

Added to this are the economic worries in this region bordering China where metallurgy, coal mining and forestry are the main areas of employment.

State media has largely ignored the protests but more independent outlets have described the events positively.

In a recent editorial Vedomosti daily called the protests a "new symbol" representing opposition of "regions against the centre".

Some protesters shout slogans expressing anger at Putin.

Khabarovsk was one of those least supportive regions in a July 1 vote on changing the constitution to allow Putin to extend his rule. The "yes" vote was 15 percent below the national average.

- Sent from Moscow -

In a bid to appease the protesters, Moscow appointed a new acting governor from Furgal's LDPR party, Mikhail Degtyarev.

But the 39-year-old MP, known for proposing wacky bills, has faced a chilly reception.

He made matters worse by claiming not to "have time" to meet protesters and alleging they received backing from foreign "provocateurs".

"We should have chosen a local person to replace him ourselves. But instead we were sent someone who only knows Khabarovsk from 5,000-ruble banknotes," said Sakharova. The banknote (worth $68) depicts views of the city.

In a sign that the scale of the protests may have spooked the regional authorities the police have shown unusual restraint, allowing the protests to go ahead and only detaining a handful of people.

Even Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov this week praised the police's forbearance while unauthorised protests are usually quickly broken up in Russia.

"We still fear they'll arrest us," said 47-year-old protester Yury Petrov.

"We're living through a moment of democracy but it will doubtless be fleeting."

Locals say a struggle for democratic freedoms is unfolding in the far eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk, where the arrest of a popular governor has unleashed massive protests.

Locals say a struggle for democratic freedoms is unfolding in the far eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk, where the arrest of a popular governor has unleashed massive protests. "Sometimes I feel like crying with joy when I see everyone so united," 21-year-old student Yekaterina Ishchenko told AFP. For the last three weeks, she and thousands of other residents of the city 6,000 kilometres (3,700 miles) east of Moscow have taken to the streets, with another huge rally due on Saturday. For Ishchenko, this is her first taste of political activism. Tens of thousands attended a rally last weekend, according to journalists and activists, while police put the figure at just 6,500. Such protests are rare in the region seven time zones away from the capital, where most opposition protests take place. They were sparked by the arrest on July 9 of regional governor Sergei Furgal. Investigators accused the 50-year-old former businessman of ordering two contract killings and an attempted murder 15 years ago. He was flown to Moscow where he is being held in custody. His supporters see the probe as aimed at removing an overly independent politician, elected in 2018 after standing against an incumbent from the ruling party backing President Vladimir Putin. "It's a slap in the face for us. We voted for him!" said 72-year-old pensioner Marina Beletskaya. Furgal is a member of the nationalist party LDPR which is generally loyal to the Kremlin. He became a popular governor, with supporters describing him as energetic and ready to listen. Locally, his level of popularity rivalled Putin's. - Conflict with Moscow - "After we elected Furgal, the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District was moved from here to Vladivostok," said 22-year-old Victoria Sakharova, a sales assistant, referring to the port city on the Pacific coast. "This was clearly because we elected an opposition candidate." Around the size of Turkey, the Khabarovsk region has a population of just 1.3 million. One factor fuelling protests is long-standing resentment among residents who feel ignored by Moscow. Added to this are the economic worries in this region bordering China where metallurgy, coal mining and forestry are the main areas of employment. State media has largely ignored the protests but more independent outlets have described the events positively. In a recent editorial Vedomosti daily called the protests a "new symbol" representing opposition of "regions against the centre". Some protesters shout slogans expressing anger at Putin. Khabarovsk was one of those least supportive regions in a July 1 vote on changing the constitution to allow Putin to extend his rule. The "yes" vote was 15 percent below the national average. - Sent from Moscow - In a bid to appease the protesters, Moscow appointed a new acting governor from Furgal's LDPR party, Mikhail Degtyarev. But the 39-year-old MP, known for proposing wacky bills, has faced a chilly reception. He made matters worse by claiming not to "have time" to meet protesters and alleging they received backing from foreign "provocateurs". "We should have chosen a local person to replace him ourselves. But instead we were sent someone who only knows Khabarovsk from 5,000-ruble banknotes," said Sakharova. The banknote (worth $68) depicts views of the city. In a sign that the scale of the protests may have spooked the regional authorities the police have shown unusual restraint, allowing the protests to go ahead and only detaining a handful of people. Even Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov this week praised the police's forbearance while unauthorised protests are usually quickly broken up in Russia. "We still fear they'll arrest us," said 47-year-old protester Yury Petrov. "We're living through a moment of democracy but it will doubtless be fleeting."

Massive protests in Russia's far east rattle Kremlin

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