A Twitter spat between Pakistan’s human rights minister and her daughter had its echoes during the Moscow&nbsp;consultations on Afghanistan, when Pakistan's special envoy on Afghanistan and other officials were found discussing about the tiff, which was heard by scores of others as the diplomats forgot to switch off their mikes.

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ROLF moment. Pakistani diplomats forget to turn off mike at Moscow format talks involving Taliban. Found discussing Pak Human rights minister Shireen Mazari &amp; her daughter's twitter spat. <a href="https://t.co/9dpIOx1zS6">pic.twitter.com/9dpIOx1zS6</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1450887208102076423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“Shuru se inka style yehi hai, aggressive (This has been her style all along, aggressive),” Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Sadiq was purportedly heard saying in Urdu.&nbsp;

The row between Pakistan’s human rights minister Shireen Mazar and her daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a lawyer by profession, has taken the Islamic nation by storm. The argument centred around whether the government’s alleged “use of magic” to run the state's affairs should be part of public discourse. 
 
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Imaan was reiterating an allegation that&nbsp;is being pushed forward by the government's critics that Prime Minister Imran Khan relies on witchcraft and divination to make key decisions regarding the affairs of the state.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-russia-calls-for-humanitarian-aid-as-it-hosts-taliban-422322">Afghanistan: Russia calls for humanitarian aid as it hosts Taliban</a>

The jibe was perceived by many, including her mother, to be targeting the prime minister's spouse, who was a spiritual person before her marriage to Imran Khan.

“The country has been made a mockery of with (the use of) witchcraft — how can it be that we do not talk about those who practice it,” Imaan had said in her tweet.

In response, Shireen said, “I am ashamed you would resort to such low, personalised, unsubstantiated attacks — especially since as a lawyer you should know (that) without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation.”

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I am ashamed you would resort to such low personalised unsubstantiated attacks esp since as a lawyer u shd know without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation. When all substantive issue-based criticism fails this level of a base personal attack is plain shameful. <a href="https://t.co/drbLN5bq9w">https://t.co/drbLN5bq9w</a>
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShireenMazari1/status/1450724121801854977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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What followed was a flurry of tweets in reply to the exchange.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Twitter spat between Pakistan’s human rights minister and her daughter had its echoes during the Moscow consultations on Afghanistan, when Pakistan's special envoy on Afghanistan and other officials were found discussing about the tiff, which was heard by scores of others as the diplomats forgot to switch off their mikes.

A Twitter spat between Pakistan’s human rights minister and her daughter had its echoes during the Moscow consultations on Afghanistan, when Pakistan's special envoy on Afghanistan and other officials were found discussing about the tiff, which was heard by scores of others as the diplomats forgot to switch off their mikes. ROLF moment. Pakistani diplomats forget to turn off mike at Moscow format talks involving Taliban. Found discussing Pak Human rights minister Shireen Mazari & her daughter's twitter spat. pic.twitter.com/9dpIOx1zS6 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 20, 2021 × “Shuru se inka style yehi hai, aggressive (This has been her style all along, aggressive),” Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Sadiq was purportedly heard saying in Urdu. The row between Pakistan’s human rights minister Shireen Mazar and her daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a lawyer by profession, has taken the Islamic nation by storm. The argument centred around whether the government’s alleged “use of magic” to run the state's affairs should be part of public discourse. Watch Imaan was reiterating an allegation that is being pushed forward by the government's critics that Prime Minister Imran Khan relies on witchcraft and divination to make key decisions regarding the affairs of the state. Also read | Afghanistan: Russia calls for humanitarian aid as it hosts Taliban The jibe was perceived by many, including her mother, to be targeting the prime minister's spouse, who was a spiritual person before her marriage to Imran Khan. “The country has been made a mockery of with (the use of) witchcraft — how can it be that we do not talk about those who practice it,” Imaan had said in her tweet. In response, Shireen said, “I am ashamed you would resort to such low, personalised, unsubstantiated attacks — especially since as a lawyer you should know (that) without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation.” I am ashamed you would resort to such low personalised unsubstantiated attacks esp since as a lawyer u shd know without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation. When all substantive issue-based criticism fails this level of a base personal attack is plain shameful. https://t.co/drbLN5bq9w — Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 20, 2021 × What followed was a flurry of tweets in reply to the exchange. (With inputs from agencies)

Goof-up: Pak diplomats discussing minister’s Twitter spat forget to turn off mike during Moscow talks

The crucial Moscow format summit on the Afghanistan crisis is underway. Representatives of 10 countries are in attendance so is the Taliban administration, Anas Mallick brings you more.

Afghanistan crisis: Moscow format meeting underway, Taliban gets an invitation

The crucial Moscow format summit on the Afghanistan situation was held in Russia today, representatives of 10 countries were in attendance and so was the Taliban delegation. The agenda entailed the formation of an inclusive government and consolidating international partners towards preventing humanitarian and economic crises.

Moscow Meet: Taliban looks forward to secure international recognition

The crucial Moscow format summit on the Afghanistan crisis was held today in Russia, representatives of 10 countries were in attendance and so was the Taliban administration. As Moscow holds the meet over the Afghan crisis, Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister stated that he recognises the Taliban's efforts.

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov addresses Moscow meet; summit to explore inclusive govt, prevent crises

The crucial Moscow format summit on the Afghanistan crisis is underway, representatives of 10 countries are in attendance and so is the Taliban administration. As Moscow holds the meet over the Afghan crisis, Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister stated that he recognises Taliban's efforts.

Moscow summit on Afghanistan situation held in Russia, threat of ISIS flagged as a major concern

Moscow Summit | Sergey Lavrov: We recognise Taliban's efforts

The Moscow format meeting is all set to begin today (October 20) in Russia. This is the first Moscow format dialogue since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August.

India, Taliban to meet at Moscow format in Russia on October 20

India is participating in the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan on 20th October, 2021. The meeting will be attended by the representatives of 10 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries in Central Asia and a high-level delegation from Taliban.&nbsp;

This is the first meeting of the Moscow Format being held since the Taliban captured power by force on 15th August this year, and also the first collective interaction between the Taliban and regional players since then. The meeting therefore should provide an important opportunity to convey the expectations of the international community from Taliban and listen to the Taliban’s perspective and if possible lay a road map for the stabilisation of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The invitation to India and India’s acceptance are significant in more than one sense. For the first time India would be face-to-face with Taliban delegation within the Moscow format, and it is second &nbsp;officially &nbsp;acknowledged interaction with Taliban since the formation of an interim government in Kabul.

The first interaction took place when Taliban’s representative Stanekzai met India’s Ambassador to Qatar, at the Indian Embassy in Doha on August 31. The meeting was projected as one with limited objective of the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from Afghanistan and to convey India’s concerns over the presence of anti-India terror outfits in Afghanistan.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/two-months-of-taliban-20-challenges-and-threats-420937">Two months of Taliban 2.0: Challenges and threats</a>

It is noteworthy that India has been invited to participate in a dialogue with Taliban, despite the known fact that India has questioned the legitimacy of the interim government in Kabul, and expressed its serious apprehensions over the possible misuse of the Afghan soil for acts of terrorism in the region and beyond.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-is-taliban-interior-minister-haqqanis-face-being-blurred-in-public-photographs-422333">Why is Taliban interior minister Haqqani's face being blurred in public photographs?</a>

The invitation therefore reflects the acknowledgement on the part of other regional players that India can play an important role in the stabilisation of the situation in Afghanistan, and it cannot be excluded from any collective processes which aim at handling the situation arising out of the Taliban’s take-over.

From India’s perspective, the participation in Moscow Format is justified for more than one reason.&nbsp;

Firstly, the agenda of the Moscow Format meeting as revealed by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, is in tune with India’s own priorities and also in line with the demands placed on Taliban through the UNSC Resolution 2593 of 30th August.&nbsp;

For instance, Lavrov was reported to have said,"We encourage them (Taliban) &nbsp;to live up to the promises they made when they came to power, including ensuring that the government is inclusive not only along the ethnic lines, but also along the political lines, so that the full range of political beliefs of the society is reflected in the government's composition”. &nbsp;

He further said that the meeting would focus on the developments related to the political and security situation in Afghanistan, and on the consolidation of the efforts by the international community to prevent humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Significantly, Lavrov is also reported to have said that the recognition of the Taliban-led government in Kabul was not on the agenda.

Further, and perhaps more importantly, India remained by and large excluded from the processes which were meant to shape the future road-map of Afghanistan, even though India made a valuable contribution towards the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan by investing over $3bn in nearly 500 big and small infrastructure projects during the tenure of the elected governments in Afghanistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-us-military-presence-in-the-middle-east-the-less-the-better-420728">Opinion | US military presence in the Middle East: The less the better</a>

Despite being a strategic partner of the USA, India was not kept informed on certain aspects of the deal which the Trump Administration struck with the Taliban on 29th February, 2020. Being a part of the Moscow Format therefore offers an opportunity to stay in the game and remain relevant in a strategic space where India’s adversaries namely Pakistan and China appear to have an edge at this point of time.

It is abundantly clear that India has no intention to sit on the fence and watch in silence, which can only deprive it of the chance to influence the future course of developments in Afghanistan. It must be underlined in this context that India has reportedly invited the National Security Advisors of the countries in the region including China, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan etc. for a meeting on Afghanistan in November this year.

In short India appears to have taken a right decision to participate in the Moscow Format meeting; it would be erroneous to interpret it as softening of India’s attitude towards Taliban or dilution of its principled stand or as a prelude to its recognition of the Taliban-led government in Kabul. It may, however, not be easy for India to push its point of view in the presence of Pakistan and China. The absence of the USA (which has decided to pull out of the meeting for the time being) would also mean the absence of support from a like-minded partner, though it would not be easy for the adversaries also to sideline India, considering that India can persist on its own and also count on the support from Russia and Iran and some Central Asian countries.

It would be interesting to watch the outcome of the Moscow Format meeting even if it is unlikely to resolve all the issues at hand.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

India is participating in the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan on 20th October, 2021. The meeting will be attended by the representatives of 10 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries in Central Asia and a high-level delegation from Taliban.

India is participating in the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan on 20th October, 2021. The meeting will be attended by the representatives of 10 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries in Central Asia and a high-level delegation from Taliban. This is the first meeting of the Moscow Format being held since the Taliban captured power by force on 15th August this year, and also the first collective interaction between the Taliban and regional players since then. The meeting therefore should provide an important opportunity to convey the expectations of the international community from Taliban and listen to the Taliban’s perspective and if possible lay a road map for the stabilisation of Afghanistan. The invitation to India and India’s acceptance are significant in more than one sense. For the first time India would be face-to-face with Taliban delegation within the Moscow format, and it is second officially acknowledged interaction with Taliban since the formation of an interim government in Kabul. The first interaction took place when Taliban’s representative Stanekzai met India’s Ambassador to Qatar, at the Indian Embassy in Doha on August 31. The meeting was projected as one with limited objective of the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from Afghanistan and to convey India’s concerns over the presence of anti-India terror outfits in Afghanistan. Also Read | Two months of Taliban 2.0: Challenges and threats It is noteworthy that India has been invited to participate in a dialogue with Taliban, despite the known fact that India has questioned the legitimacy of the interim government in Kabul, and expressed its serious apprehensions over the possible misuse of the Afghan soil for acts of terrorism in the region and beyond. Also Read | Why is Taliban interior minister Haqqani's face being blurred in public photographs? The invitation therefore reflects the acknowledgement on the part of other regional players that India can play an important role in the stabilisation of the situation in Afghanistan, and it cannot be excluded from any collective processes which aim at handling the situation arising out of the Taliban’s take-over. From India’s perspective, the participation in Moscow Format is justified for more than one reason. Firstly, the agenda of the Moscow Format meeting as revealed by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, is in tune with India’s own priorities and also in line with the demands placed on Taliban through the UNSC Resolution 2593 of 30th August. For instance, Lavrov was reported to have said,"We encourage them (Taliban) to live up to the promises they made when they came to power, including ensuring that the government is inclusive not only along the ethnic lines, but also along the political lines, so that the full range of political beliefs of the society is reflected in the government's composition”. He further said that the meeting would focus on the developments related to the political and security situation in Afghanistan, and on the consolidation of the efforts by the international community to prevent humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Significantly, Lavrov is also reported to have said that the recognition of the Taliban-led government in Kabul was not on the agenda. Further, and perhaps more importantly, India remained by and large excluded from the processes which were meant to shape the future road-map of Afghanistan, even though India made a valuable contribution towards the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan by investing over $3bn in nearly 500 big and small infrastructure projects during the tenure of the elected governments in Afghanistan. Also Read | Opinion | US military presence in the Middle East: The less the better Despite being a strategic partner of the USA, India was not kept informed on certain aspects of the deal which the Trump Administration struck with the Taliban on 29th February, 2020. Being a part of the Moscow Format therefore offers an opportunity to stay in the game and remain relevant in a strategic space where India’s adversaries namely Pakistan and China appear to have an edge at this point of time. It is abundantly clear that India has no intention to sit on the fence and watch in silence, which can only deprive it of the chance to influence the future course of developments in Afghanistan. It must be underlined in this context that India has reportedly invited the National Security Advisors of the countries in the region including China, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan etc. for a meeting on Afghanistan in November this year. In short India appears to have taken a right decision to participate in the Moscow Format meeting; it would be erroneous to interpret it as softening of India’s attitude towards Taliban or dilution of its principled stand or as a prelude to its recognition of the Taliban-led government in Kabul. It may, however, not be easy for India to push its point of view in the presence of Pakistan and China. The absence of the USA (which has decided to pull out of the meeting for the time being) would also mean the absence of support from a like-minded partner, though it would not be easy for the adversaries also to sideline India, considering that India can persist on its own and also count on the support from Russia and Iran and some Central Asian countries. It would be interesting to watch the outcome of the Moscow Format meeting even if it is unlikely to resolve all the issues at hand. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Moscow talks are a chance for India to influence Afghan situation

Troika plus meeting in Moscow on the Afghanistan situation has been concluded. According to a Russian foreign ministry statement, Russia, China and Pakistan have agreed to provide humanitarian aid and economic support to Afghanistan.

Troika plus meeting: Russia, China and Pak agree to give aid for Afghanistan

Russia on Wednesday called&nbsp;for humanitarian support to Afghanistan as it hosted the Taliban for an international conference. Russia regretted that the US was not part of the discussion. Washington has skipped the Moscow meeting citing technical reasons but has said it plans to join similar talks in the future.

“We are convinced that it is time to mobilise the resources of the international community to provide Kabul with effective financial humanitarian support, including to prevent a humanitarian crisis and reduce migration flows," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters before the start of talks with Taliban, Chinese and Pakistani officials.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sirajuddin-haqqani-top-taliban-minister-praises-suicide-bombers-422088">Sirajuddin Haqqani, top Taliban minister, praises suicide bombers</a>

Russia's keenness to hold talks is partly inspired by its attempt to fill the power vacuum created by withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Russia fears that any instability in Afghanistan may spill over to central Asian countries which were part of the Soviet Union.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/under-taliban-kabuls-drug-addicts-forced-into-withdrawal-422264">Under Taliban, Kabul's drug addicts forced into withdrawal</a>

Moscow is also concerned about possible flow of migrant flow.

“We call on the Taliban movement – and we discussed this with their distinguished delegation - to prevent the use of Afghanistan’s territory against third countries, most importantly neighbours," Lavrov said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-two-people-injured-in-explosion-in-kabuls-dehmazang-locality-422311">Afghanistan: Two people injured in explosion in Kabul's Dehmazang locality</a>

Russia fought its own war in Afghanistan in the 1980s and has close military and political ties with former Soviet Central Asian states that border Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Wednesday called for humanitarian support to Afghanistan as it hosted the Taliban for an international conference. Russia regretted that the US was not part of the discussion.

Russia on Wednesday called for humanitarian support to Afghanistan as it hosted the Taliban for an international conference. Russia regretted that the US was not part of the discussion. Washington has skipped the Moscow meeting citing technical reasons but has said it plans to join similar talks in the future. “We are convinced that it is time to mobilise the resources of the international community to provide Kabul with effective financial humanitarian support, including to prevent a humanitarian crisis and reduce migration flows," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters before the start of talks with Taliban, Chinese and Pakistani officials. Also Read | Sirajuddin Haqqani, top Taliban minister, praises suicide bombers Russia's keenness to hold talks is partly inspired by its attempt to fill the power vacuum created by withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Russia fears that any instability in Afghanistan may spill over to central Asian countries which were part of the Soviet Union. Also Read | Under Taliban, Kabul's drug addicts forced into withdrawal Moscow is also concerned about possible flow of migrant flow. “We call on the Taliban movement – and we discussed this with their distinguished delegation - to prevent the use of Afghanistan’s territory against third countries, most importantly neighbours," Lavrov said. Also Read | Afghanistan: Two people injured in explosion in Kabul's Dehmazang locality Russia fought its own war in Afghanistan in the 1980s and has close military and political ties with former Soviet Central Asian states that border Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Russia calls for humanitarian aid as it hosts Taliban

Russia announced fresh talks on the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Moscow, Washington D.C, Beijing, and Islamabad were all set to meet but, the United States has now decided to skip it citing logistical reasons. Watch Anas Mallick giving more details on the topic.

Regional powers engage with new rulers of Afghanistan

The Troika plus meeting in Moscow on the Afghanistan situation will have two noteworthy absentees- the United States and Afghanistan. Washington has cited logistical issues for not being able to attend the meet.

Troika Plus Meet: India to attend meet; US welcomes move, pulls out for 'logistical reasons'

Russia announced fresh talks on the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Moscow, Washington D.C, Beijing, and Islamabad were all set to meet but the United States has now decided to skip it citing logistical reasons.

Taliban, China, Pakistan and Russia set to hold talks

The Troika plus meeting in Moscow on the Afghanistan situation will have two noteworthy absentees- the United States and Afghanistan.

Troika plus meeting in Moscow today, United States can't confirm participation

Russia announced fresh talks on the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Moscow, Washington DC, Beijing ad Islamabad were all set to meet, however, United States decided to skip it citing logistical reasons. For more analysis on the Indian PM's speech, Dilip Sinha, a former envoy to UN joins for an exclusive conversation.

Dilip Sinha, former envoy to UN in conversation with WION on PM Modi's message to the Taliban & more

Russia announced fresh talks on the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Moscow, Washington DC, Beijing ad Islamabad were all set to meet, however, United States decided to skip it citing logistical reasons.

Afghanistan | 'We're not in a position take part,' US cites issues for skipping Moscow talks

The 'Moscow format' meet on Afghanistan is scheduled to take place on October 20th in the Russian capital. This is the first edition of the dialogue - since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. According to sources - Former president Hamid Karzai and head of the national reconciliation high council Abdullah Abdullah have been invited to the summit. The two Afghan leaders have been invited as political influencers. This comes as calls for an inclusive government in Afghanistan grow louder.

'Moscow format' meet on Afghanistan scheduled for October 20th

India is all set to participate in the 'Moscow Format' meeting on Afghanistan. The meet is scheduled to take place on the 20th of October in the Russian capital.

Russia calls for 'Moscow Format' meeting on Afghanistan

A exhibition has opened at KGB's official museum in Moscow that gives people a glimpse of the Soviet Union's past.

Russia: KGB's official museum open its doors

After expelling officials from Moscow for alleged spying NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has said that relations between Russia and NATO are at their "Lowest point since the end of the cold war" and that's because of the russian behaviour."

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg speaks on relations between Russia and NATO

India and Russia have decided to coordinate their strategies on Afghanistan. Moscow is concerned about instability in Central Asia, while New Delhi worries about Pak-sponsored terror in South Asia. Palki Sharma tells you more about this strategic convergence.

Gravitas: India, Russia to contain Afghan terror threat

Russia is preparing for supremacy in Arctic region where melting ice and receding ice cover are creating new waterways. Russia is pinning its ambition on a fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers.

Russia sees development of the Arctic as a historic mission. It already has huge projects to exploit its natural resources.

Its next big plan is for year-round use of the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane through Arctic waters Russia hopes could rival the Suez Canal.

This summer an icebreaker called fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers. Its captain told AFP that Russia had special role to play in the Arctic.

"A third of our territory lies above the Arctic Circle. Our ancestors have long mastered frozen waters. We are continuing this successfully," Dmitry Lobusov said.

President Vladimir Putin has made the development of the Arctic a strategic priority and state companies such as Gazprom Neft, Norilsk Nickel and Rosneft already have major projects in the Arctic to extract oil, gas and minerals.

"The Arctic region has enormous potential," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this month.

"In terms of resources, we're talking about 15 billion tonnes of oil and 100 trillion cubic metres of gas. Enough for tens if not hundreds of years," he said.

The Northern Sea Route links the Pacific to the Atlantic through Russian Arctic waters.

It is not currently navigable year-round without the help of icebreakers, though in summer some specialised classes of ships can pass through.&nbsp;

With the ice cover receding, Moscow is aiming for year-round navigation by 2030. &nbsp;

The route between east Asia and Europe is considerably shorter than through the Suez Canal.&nbsp;

When a huge container ship blocked the busy Suez shipping lane in March, Moscow touted the Northern Sea passage as a "viable alternative".

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia is preparing for supremacy in Arctic region where melting ice and receding ice cover are creating new waterways. Russia is pinning its ambition on a fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers.

Russia is preparing for supremacy in Arctic region where melting ice and receding ice cover are creating new waterways. Russia is pinning its ambition on a fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers. Russia sees development of the Arctic as a historic mission. It already has huge projects to exploit its natural resources. Its next big plan is for year-round use of the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane through Arctic waters Russia hopes could rival the Suez Canal. This summer an icebreaker called fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers. Its captain told AFP that Russia had special role to play in the Arctic. "A third of our territory lies above the Arctic Circle. Our ancestors have long mastered frozen waters. We are continuing this successfully," Dmitry Lobusov said. President Vladimir Putin has made the development of the Arctic a strategic priority and state companies such as Gazprom Neft, Norilsk Nickel and Rosneft already have major projects in the Arctic to extract oil, gas and minerals. "The Arctic region has enormous potential," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this month. "In terms of resources, we're talking about 15 billion tonnes of oil and 100 trillion cubic metres of gas. Enough for tens if not hundreds of years," he said. The Northern Sea Route links the Pacific to the Atlantic through Russian Arctic waters. It is not currently navigable year-round without the help of icebreakers, though in summer some specialised classes of ships can pass through. With the ice cover receding, Moscow is aiming for year-round navigation by 2030. The route between east Asia and Europe is considerably shorter than through the Suez Canal. When a huge container ship blocked the busy Suez shipping lane in March, Moscow touted the Northern Sea passage as a "viable alternative". (With inputs from agencies)

Moscow flexes muscle in Arctic region with nuclear icebreaker fleet

Bright colours, flowers and unusual architectural elements have turned the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve in Moscow into an open-air exhibition. There are twelve landscape compositions presented at the 4th annual festival of historical gardens.

Landscape festival attempts to define the ultimate Russian garden

The&nbsp;brother&nbsp;of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;was sentenced on Friday to a one-year&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;sentence&nbsp;for breaching coronavirus regulations earlier this year.

Along with several other opposition figures, Oleg&nbsp;Navalny, 38, was accused of calling for Russians to attend an unsanctioned rally in January in support of his&nbsp;brother, who had returned to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;after being treated in Germany for a near-fatal poisoning attack.

Moscow's Preobrazhensky district court on Friday also slapped a&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, Nikolai Lyaskin, with a year of restricted movement in the same case.

The 39-year-old activist said that the court had banned him from leaving his home between 10 pm and 6 am as well as from attending mass events and leaving Moscow.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-blocks-websites-linked-to-kremlin-critic-khodorkovsky-403055">Also read |&nbsp;Russia blocks websites linked to Kremlin critic Khodorkovsky</a>

Russia's opposition says authorities have stepped up a campaign of intimidation against dissenters ahead of a parliamentary vote in September, allegations the Kremlin has rejected.&nbsp;

In June,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;declared&nbsp;Navalny's organisations extremist and barred his allies from running in the polls.

Earlier this week a court sentenced another key&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, Lyubov Sobol, to a year and a half of restricted movement in the same case.&nbsp;

In 2014, Alexei and Oleg&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;were convicted in a fraud trial related to their work for French cosmetics company Yves Rocher.

While the opposition politician received a three-and-a-half-year&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;sentence, his&nbsp;brother&nbsp;was jailed for the same amount of time in a move activists compared to hostage taking. Oleg&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;served out his&nbsp;sentence&nbsp;in full and was freed in 2018.

Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, 45, who survived a near fatal poisoning with a Soviet-designed nerve agent last summer, was imprisoned in February for two-and-a-half-years on old embezzlement charges.

The brother of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was sentenced on Friday to a one-year suspended sentence for breaching coronavirus regulations earlier this year.

The brother of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was sentenced on Friday to a one-year suspended sentence for breaching coronavirus regulations earlier this year. Along with several other opposition figures, Oleg Navalny, 38, was accused of calling for Russians to attend an unsanctioned rally in January in support of his brother, who had returned to Russia after being treated in Germany for a near-fatal poisoning attack. Moscow's Preobrazhensky district court on Friday also slapped a Navalny ally, Nikolai Lyaskin, with a year of restricted movement in the same case. The 39-year-old activist said that the court had banned him from leaving his home between 10 pm and 6 am as well as from attending mass events and leaving Moscow. Also read | Russia blocks websites linked to Kremlin critic Khodorkovsky Russia's opposition says authorities have stepped up a campaign of intimidation against dissenters ahead of a parliamentary vote in September, allegations the Kremlin has rejected. In June, Russia declared Navalny's organisations extremist and barred his allies from running in the polls. Earlier this week a court sentenced another key Navalny ally, Lyubov Sobol, to a year and a half of restricted movement in the same case. In 2014, Alexei and Oleg Navalny were convicted in a fraud trial related to their work for French cosmetics company Yves Rocher. While the opposition politician received a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence, his brother was jailed for the same amount of time in a move activists compared to hostage taking. Oleg Navalny served out his sentence in full and was freed in 2018. Alexei Navalny, 45, who survived a near fatal poisoning with a Soviet-designed nerve agent last summer, was imprisoned in February for two-and-a-half-years on old embezzlement charges.

Russia hands Navalny's brother suspended sentence

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