President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> hit out Friday at the Damascus regime's "cruelty", warning Turkey was prepared to use "military force" again in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-strikes-hit-syria-rebel-bastion-as-army-advances-277566">Syria</a>.

"We will not allow the regime's cruelty towards its own people, with attacks and causing bloodshed," Erdogan said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-strikes-hit-syria-rebel-bastion-as-army-advances-277566">Syria </a>was also "continuously threatening our country with migration," he said during a speech in Ankara.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on Europe to support Turkey's moves in Libya</a>

"Turkey with complete sincerity wants <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-strikes-hit-syria-rebel-bastion-as-army-advances-277566">Syria</a>'s stability and security, and to this end, we will not shy away from doing whatever is necessary including using military force."

He also said Turkey "could not stand by as mere spectators as new threats come towards our borders".

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been displaced in Idlib since December after months of bombardment in the last rebel-held region in Syria's northwest.

Many of them have fled towards the Turkey-Syria border, where Erdogan has said Ankara is building homes in a bid to prevent further migration.

Turkey already shelters more than 3.5 million Syrians.

Watch: 80,000 Syrian migrants marching to Turkey, says Recep Erdogan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/80000-syrian-migrants-marching-to-turkey-says-recep-erdogan-269633/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

State news agency Anadolu reported Wednesday that the Turkish army sent reinforcements to Reyhanli, a Turkish border town near Idlib.

Erdogan said the only solution for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-strikes-hit-syria-rebel-bastion-as-army-advances-277566">Syria </a>was a political process involving all citizens.

He hit out at unnamed countries who "give courage to the regime" in a bid to ensure the crisis continues.

Earlier this week, Erdogan offered rare criticism of Russia, accusing Moscow of "not honouring" agreements made with Ankara to prevent a regime offensive on Idlib.

Despite Russia assisting Syrian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/efforts-to-return-syrias-bashar-al-assad-to-arab-fold-amount-to-hollow-victory-for-autocrats-186828">Bashar al-Assad </a>and Turkey supporting opposition fighters, Ankara and Moscow have worked closely to try to resolve the nine-year war.

Ten civilians were reportedly killed Thursday by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-air-strikes-in-syria-kill-12-civilians-monitor-275774">Russian airstrikes </a>despite a ceasefire announcement, though Moscow denied it.

Turkey has previously launched three military operations against the Islamic State extremist group in Syria and a Syrian Kurdish militia in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out Friday at the Damascus regime's "cruelty", warning Turkey was prepared to use "military force" again in Syria. "We will not allow the regime's cruelty towards its own people, with attacks and causing bloodshed," Erdogan said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out Friday at the Damascus regime's "cruelty", warning Turkey was prepared to use "military force" again in Syria. "We will not allow the regime's cruelty towards its own people, with attacks and causing bloodshed," Erdogan said. Syria was also "continuously threatening our country with migration," he said during a speech in Ankara. Also read: Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on Europe to support Turkey's moves in Libya "Turkey with complete sincerity wants Syria's stability and security, and to this end, we will not shy away from doing whatever is necessary including using military force." He also said Turkey "could not stand by as mere spectators as new threats come towards our borders". Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been displaced in Idlib since December after months of bombardment in the last rebel-held region in Syria's northwest. Many of them have fled towards the Turkey-Syria border, where Erdogan has said Ankara is building homes in a bid to prevent further migration. Turkey already shelters more than 3.5 million Syrians. Watch: 80,000 Syrian migrants marching to Turkey, says Recep Erdogan State news agency Anadolu reported Wednesday that the Turkish army sent reinforcements to Reyhanli, a Turkish border town near Idlib. Erdogan said the only solution for Syria was a political process involving all citizens. He hit out at unnamed countries who "give courage to the regime" in a bid to ensure the crisis continues. Earlier this week, Erdogan offered rare criticism of Russia, accusing Moscow of "not honouring" agreements made with Ankara to prevent a regime offensive on Idlib. Despite Russia assisting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Turkey supporting opposition fighters, Ankara and Moscow have worked closely to try to resolve the nine-year war. Ten civilians were reportedly killed Thursday by Russian airstrikes despite a ceasefire announcement, though Moscow denied it. Turkey has previously launched three military operations against the Islamic State extremist group in Syria and a Syrian Kurdish militia in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Turkey President Erdogan threatens 'military force' against Syria

Airstrikes&nbsp;killed 10 civilians near a bakery and a medical clinic in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/car-bombing-kills-7-in-syrias-rebel-held-azaz-monitor-276730">Syria</a>'s rebel-held Idlib region on Thursday, as government forces kept up a ground offensive.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes hit the Idlib province town of Ariha, but the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-fund-in-vitro-fertilization-to-boom-to-battle-population-slump-277550">Russian </a>defence ministry said its "aviation did not carry out any combat tasks in this area of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/car-bombing-kills-7-in-syrias-rebel-held-azaz-monitor-276730">Syria</a>."

The government and its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-fund-in-vitro-fertilization-to-boom-to-battle-population-slump-277550">Russian</a> allies have upped their deadly bombardment of Syria's last major rebel bastion, slowly chipping away at it from the south.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/car-bombing-kills-7-in-syrias-rebel-held-azaz-monitor-276730">Car bombing kills 7 in Syria's rebel-held Azaz</a>

Rebel-held territory has shrunk to just over half of Idlib province, along with slivers of neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia, following a series of government gains.

Early on Thursday, Russian airstrikes hit near a bakery and the Al-Shami clinic in Ariha which is now out of service, the Observatory said.

The monitor says it determines whose planes carried out strikes according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions.

Nearby, three entire buildings had collapsed and several vehicles were reduced to mangled wrecks.&nbsp;

Ground offensive 

The latest deaths bring to 21 the number of civilians killed by Russian airstrikes in Idlib since Wednesday, the Observatory said.

Earlier this month, Russia denied launching any combat operations in the region since a ceasefire it agreed with rebel supporter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/baby-born-as-earthquake-rocks-turkey-276939">Turkey</a> went into effect on January 12.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-pulled-from-rubble-as-turkey-quake-toll-hits-35-276666">Dozens pulled from rubble as Turkey quake toll hits 35</a>

But the truce has since become a dead letter and the number of reported Russian raids has risen sharply in an area dominated by jihadists of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.&nbsp;

Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-states-that-haftar-cannot-be-expected-to-respect-libya-truce-276633">Recep Tayyip Erdogan </a>accused Moscow&nbsp;on Wednesday of "not honouring" several deals intended to avert a broad military offensive in the area.

It was a rare critical remark from Erdogan, who has largely sought to keep good relations with Russian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/vladimir-putin-a-brief-profile-of-the-russian-president-728">Vladimir Putin</a> since a 2016 rapprochement.

Thousands of Russian troops are deployed across Syria in support of the army, while a contingent of Russian private security personnel also operates on the ground.

Moscow's military intervention in 2015, four years into the Syrian conflict, helped keep <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/efforts-to-return-syrias-bashar-al-assad-to-arab-fold-amount-to-hollow-victory-for-autocrats-186828">President Bashar al-Assad</a> in power and started a long, bloody reconquest of territory lost to rebels in the early stages of the war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-air-strikes-in-syria-kill-12-civilians-monitor-275774">Russian air strikes in Syria kill 12 civilians</a>

Government forces pushed north from Maaret al-Numan, on Thursday towards the town of Saraqib, whose residents have mostly fled in the face of heavy bombardment.

The front line is now within five kilometres of the town, the Observatory said.&nbsp;

Both Maarat al-Numan and Saraqib lie on the key M5 highway connecting the capital Damascus to&nbsp;second city Aleppo.

The road has been in the government's sights as it seeks to revive a moribund economy ravaged by almost nine years of war.

Some 50 kilometres of the M5 remain outside regime control, the Britain-based Observatory said.

Airstrikes killed 10 civilians near a bakery and a medical clinic in Syria's rebel-held Idlib region on Thursday, as government forces kept up a ground offensive.

Airstrikes killed 10 civilians near a bakery and a medical clinic in Syria's rebel-held Idlib region on Thursday, as government forces kept up a ground offensive. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes hit the Idlib province town of Ariha, but the Russian defence ministry said its "aviation did not carry out any combat tasks in this area of Syria." The government and its Russian allies have upped their deadly bombardment of Syria's last major rebel bastion, slowly chipping away at it from the south. Also read: Car bombing kills 7 in Syria's rebel-held Azaz Rebel-held territory has shrunk to just over half of Idlib province, along with slivers of neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia, following a series of government gains. Early on Thursday, Russian airstrikes hit near a bakery and the Al-Shami clinic in Ariha which is now out of service, the Observatory said. The monitor says it determines whose planes carried out strikes according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions. Nearby, three entire buildings had collapsed and several vehicles were reduced to mangled wrecks. Ground offensive The latest deaths bring to 21 the number of civilians killed by Russian airstrikes in Idlib since Wednesday, the Observatory said. Earlier this month, Russia denied launching any combat operations in the region since a ceasefire it agreed with rebel supporter Turkey went into effect on January 12. Also read: Dozens pulled from rubble as Turkey quake toll hits 35 But the truce has since become a dead letter and the number of reported Russian raids has risen sharply in an area dominated by jihadists of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Moscow on Wednesday of "not honouring" several deals intended to avert a broad military offensive in the area. It was a rare critical remark from Erdogan, who has largely sought to keep good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin since a 2016 rapprochement. Thousands of Russian troops are deployed across Syria in support of the army, while a contingent of Russian private security personnel also operates on the ground. Moscow's military intervention in 2015, four years into the Syrian conflict, helped keep President Bashar al-Assad in power and started a long, bloody reconquest of territory lost to rebels in the early stages of the war. Also read: Russian air strikes in Syria kill 12 civilians Government forces pushed north from Maaret al-Numan, on Thursday towards the town of Saraqib, whose residents have mostly fled in the face of heavy bombardment. The front line is now within five kilometres of the town, the Observatory said. Both Maarat al-Numan and Saraqib lie on the key M5 highway connecting the capital Damascus to second city Aleppo. The road has been in the government's sights as it seeks to revive a moribund economy ravaged by almost nine years of war. Some 50 kilometres of the M5 remain outside regime control, the Britain-based Observatory said.

Air strikes kill at least 10 in Syria's Idlib as government forces continue offensive

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-replaces-powerful-top-prosecutor-275496">Vladimir Putin</a> has announced the promotion&nbsp;of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to boost <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-submits-constitutional-amendment-package-to-parliament-275548">Russia</a>'s declining population.

He announced enhanced child benefits and payouts to families for every new baby to help the country "escape from the demographic trap."

"Russia's fate and its historic prospects depend on how many of us there are," the Russian President said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-replaces-powerful-top-prosecutor-275496">Vladimir Putin replaces powerful top prosecutor</a>

The country's&nbsp;population fell to 142.9 million in 2010 after the breakup of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mailbox-200-soviet-town-used-for-dumping-radioactive-waste-could-poison-millions-260158">Soviet Union</a> in 1991, when it was 148.3 million.

It is now back up to 146 million but is projected to fall again.

In a private clinic, the price of a cycle of in-vitro fertilisation starts at around 100,000 rubles, not including the costs of donor sperm and eggs.&nbsp;

This is more than three times the median monthly wage.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/vladimir-putin-a-brief-profile-of-the-russian-president-728">Vladimir Putin: A brief profile of the Russian president</a>

But since 2013, the IVF procedure, which is the most effective fertility treatment with a success rate of around 30 percent, has largely been state-funded under a compulsory health insurance scheme.

Russia's current population of 146 million is predicted to fall by 4 to 12 million by 2035. Those in their 20s now were born during a massive slump in the birthrate amid economic uncertainties, so there are fewer people to become new parents.

In the first 10 months of last year, the population fell by almost 260,000 people, the steepest drop over the past 11 years.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/almost-half-of-young-russians-want-to-emigrate-report-208003">Almost half of young Russians want to emigrate: Report</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/vladimir-putin-a-brief-profile-of-the-russian-president-728">Putin</a> has rolled out a number of policies aimed at encouraging people to have babies since coming to power in 2000.

This month, he called for the birthrate to go up to 1.7 children per woman by 2024, from the current figure of 1.5.

Fertility treatment is part of this strategy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-why-population-crisis-is-looming-over-global-economies-274909">Why population crisis is looming over global economies</a>

Nationwide, the number of state-financed IVF procedures per year rose from 46,000 to 78,000 between 2016 and 2018, according to the health ministry.

The goal is to reach 90,000 per year in 2024, which would make Russia a leader in the field, according to the figures of the Russian Association for Human Reproduction.

Russia has very liberal laws on reproductive rights. There are no age limits on assisted reproduction and it is open to single women and unmarried couples.

Annual numbers of abortions fell from 1.5 million to 567,000 between 2010 and 2018, according to the health ministry.&nbsp;

Despite the massive drop, abortion numbers still loom large in comparison to the annual birth rate of some 1.6 million babies.

Vladimir Putin has announced the promotion of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to boost Russia's declining population. He announced enhanced child benefits and payouts to families for every new baby to help the country "escape from the demographic trap.

Vladimir Putin has announced the promotion of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to boost Russia's declining population. He announced enhanced child benefits and payouts to families for every new baby to help the country "escape from the demographic trap." "Russia's fate and its historic prospects depend on how many of us there are," the Russian President said. Also read: Vladimir Putin replaces powerful top prosecutor The country's population fell to 142.9 million in 2010 after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, when it was 148.3 million. It is now back up to 146 million but is projected to fall again. In a private clinic, the price of a cycle of in-vitro fertilisation starts at around 100,000 rubles, not including the costs of donor sperm and eggs. This is more than three times the median monthly wage. Also see: Vladimir Putin: A brief profile of the Russian president But since 2013, the IVF procedure, which is the most effective fertility treatment with a success rate of around 30 percent, has largely been state-funded under a compulsory health insurance scheme. Russia's current population of 146 million is predicted to fall by 4 to 12 million by 2035. Those in their 20s now were born during a massive slump in the birthrate amid economic uncertainties, so there are fewer people to become new parents. In the first 10 months of last year, the population fell by almost 260,000 people, the steepest drop over the past 11 years. Also read: Almost half of young Russians want to emigrate: Report Putin has rolled out a number of policies aimed at encouraging people to have babies since coming to power in 2000. This month, he called for the birthrate to go up to 1.7 children per woman by 2024, from the current figure of 1.5. Fertility treatment is part of this strategy. Also read: Why population crisis is looming over global economies Nationwide, the number of state-financed IVF procedures per year rose from 46,000 to 78,000 between 2016 and 2018, according to the health ministry. The goal is to reach 90,000 per year in 2024, which would make Russia a leader in the field, according to the figures of the Russian Association for Human Reproduction. Russia has very liberal laws on reproductive rights. There are no age limits on assisted reproduction and it is open to single women and unmarried couples. Annual numbers of abortions fell from 1.5 million to 567,000 between 2010 and 2018, according to the health ministry. Despite the massive drop, abortion numbers still loom large in comparison to the annual birth rate of some 1.6 million babies.

Russia promotes In Vitro Fertilization to boom population slump

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-speeds-up-russian-political-shake-up-details-new-power-centre-275623">Kremlin</a> reacted with fury on Tuesday after Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-president-zelensky-rejects-pms-resignation-275011">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> said Soviet collusion with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-hitlers-relationship-with-india-277103">Nazi </a>Germany led to the outbreak of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-japanese-journalist-in-military-espionage-row-sources-277045">World War II</a>.

"We categorically disagree with this statement," President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-speeds-up-russian-political-shake-up-details-new-power-centre-275623">Vladimir Putin</a>'s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, accusing Zelensky of backing the "highly erroneous" position of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-against-polands-plan-to-discipline-judges-274146">Poland</a> on the historical events.

The Soviet collaboration with the Nazis remains highly sensitive in the ex-Soviet bloc and frequently crops up in political rhetoric.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-spies-hacked-ukrainian-energy-firm-at-center-of-trumps-impeachment-274153">&nbsp;Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment</a>

Nazi <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-woman-linked-to-islamic-state-returned-to-germany-264251">Germany</a> and the Soviet Union invaded and carved up Poland in September 1939 under a secret clause of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

The Nazi invasion prompted<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/barnier-warns-european-union-and-britain-must-rebuild-after-brexit-276906"> Britain</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-3-cases-in-france-1-in-australia-us-expecting-more-cases-276474">France</a> to declare war on Germany.

While visiting Poland on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/auschwitz-survivors-to-sound-alarm-75-years-after-liberation-276907">Auschwitz</a> death camp, Zelensky said the Poles "were the first to feel the consequences of the criminal collusion of the totalitarian regimes".

"This led to the start of World War II and allowed the Nazis to launch the lethal Holocaust machine," he told a joint briefing with Poland's President Andrzej Duda.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/auschwitz-survivors-to-sound-alarm-75-years-after-liberation-276907">75 years after liberation, Auschwitz survivors return to Nazi death camp</a>

Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, where the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-hitlers-relationship-with-india-277103">Nazis</a> killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews.

Peskov said Zelensky's comment had offended "tens of millions" of citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states that battled against Nazi troops.

"We do not accept this statement. We consider it erroneous and offensive from the point of view of our grandfathers' memory," he said.

Zelensky met Putin for the first time in December at a summit in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-christchurch-call-macron-ardern-host-paris-summit-219050">Paris</a> on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament's upper house, accused Zelensky of betraying the Ukrainians who helped liberate Europe and delivering a blow to Russian-Ukrainian ties.

Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, told reporters that Zelensky was getting increasingly drawn towards ideas of Ukrainian nationalism.

Last month, Putin accused Poland of colluding with Hitler and contributing to the outbreak of World War II, sparking new tensions between Moscow and Warsaw.

The Kremlin reacted with fury on Tuesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Soviet collusion with Nazi Germany led to the outbreak of World War II.

The Kremlin reacted with fury on Tuesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Soviet collusion with Nazi Germany led to the outbreak of World War II. "We categorically disagree with this statement," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, accusing Zelensky of backing the "highly erroneous" position of Poland on the historical events. The Soviet collaboration with the Nazis remains highly sensitive in the ex-Soviet bloc and frequently crops up in political rhetoric. Also read: Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded and carved up Poland in September 1939 under a secret clause of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The Nazi invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany. While visiting Poland on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz death camp, Zelensky said the Poles "were the first to feel the consequences of the criminal collusion of the totalitarian regimes". "This led to the start of World War II and allowed the Nazis to launch the lethal Holocaust machine," he told a joint briefing with Poland's President Andrzej Duda. Also read: 75 years after liberation, Auschwitz survivors return to Nazi death camp Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews. Peskov said Zelensky's comment had offended "tens of millions" of citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states that battled against Nazi troops. "We do not accept this statement. We consider it erroneous and offensive from the point of view of our grandfathers' memory," he said. Zelensky met Putin for the first time in December at a summit in Paris on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament's upper house, accused Zelensky of betraying the Ukrainians who helped liberate Europe and delivering a blow to Russian-Ukrainian ties. Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, told reporters that Zelensky was getting increasingly drawn towards ideas of Ukrainian nationalism. Last month, Putin accused Poland of colluding with Hitler and contributing to the outbreak of World War II, sparking new tensions between Moscow and Warsaw.

Ukraine leader's Nazi collusion comment enrages Moscow

A popular stand-up comedian has temporarily left Russia for security reasons after police opened an investigation into one of his performances in which he cracked crude jokes about Jesus and the Orthodox Church, his lawyer said on Thursday.

Comedian Alexander Dolgopolov this week posted a picture of an Interior Ministry notice sent to St. Petersburg's HopHead Tap Room, where he performed last February, that asked the establishment to provide information about him.

In that performance, which has garnered nearly 2.8 million views on YouTube in nine months, Dolgopolov made off-colour jokes about the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and ridiculed his own faith as a child.

Leonid Solovyov, Dolgopolov's lawyer, told Reuters the police investigation into his client was linked to a complaint that his jokes had offended religious beliefs.

"He has decided to leave Russia for security reasons," Solovyov said, adding that the situation was temporary.

He would not disclose Dolgopolov's location.

Russia has adopted laws that make it illegal to insult the feelings of religious believers and affront the authorities online. Critics say they have been used to smother dissent and curb freedom of speech in the country, where atheism was the norm during the Soviet era.

"They are clearly not looking for me because they are big fans of my work," Dolgopolov, who left Russia on Thursday morning, said in a video posted on his YouTube channel. "I'm very frightened... I'm sure that problems are beginning for me."

The Russian Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dolgopolov's manager, Armen Gandilyan, told Russian media that all his performances would be cancelled until his legal situation was clarified.

Several YouTube viewers noted that the police inquiry had ironically prompted them to search for Dolgopolov's performance online. "The Interior Ministry is the most efficient advertisement agency," one viewer wrote.

--

A popular stand-up comedian has temporarily left Russia for security reasons after police opened an investigation into one of his performances in which he cracked crude jokes about Jesus and the Orthodox Church, his lawyer said on Thursday.

A popular stand-up comedian has temporarily left Russia for security reasons after police opened an investigation into one of his performances in which he cracked crude jokes about Jesus and the Orthodox Church, his lawyer said on Thursday. Comedian Alexander Dolgopolov this week posted a picture of an Interior Ministry notice sent to St. Petersburg's HopHead Tap Room, where he performed last February, that asked the establishment to provide information about him. In that performance, which has garnered nearly 2.8 million views on YouTube in nine months, Dolgopolov made off-colour jokes about the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and ridiculed his own faith as a child. Leonid Solovyov, Dolgopolov's lawyer, told Reuters the police investigation into his client was linked to a complaint that his jokes had offended religious beliefs. "He has decided to leave Russia for security reasons," Solovyov said, adding that the situation was temporary. He would not disclose Dolgopolov's location. Russia has adopted laws that make it illegal to insult the feelings of religious believers and affront the authorities online. Critics say they have been used to smother dissent and curb freedom of speech in the country, where atheism was the norm during the Soviet era. "They are clearly not looking for me because they are big fans of my work," Dolgopolov, who left Russia on Thursday morning, said in a video posted on his YouTube channel. "I'm very frightened... I'm sure that problems are beginning for me." The Russian Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dolgopolov's manager, Armen Gandilyan, told Russian media that all his performances would be cancelled until his legal situation was clarified. Several YouTube viewers noted that the police inquiry had ironically prompted them to search for Dolgopolov's performance online. "The Interior Ministry is the most efficient advertisement agency," one viewer wrote. --

Stand-up comedian leaves Russia over crude jokes on Church as police open investigation

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-strike-kill-five-civilians-in-northwest-syria-monitor-275154">Russian airstrikes</a> killed 12 civilians Tuesday in northwestern Syria, as renewed violence tightened the noose around the country's last major opposition bastion and deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Two of the victims were killed in a southern area of Idlib province while the other 10 died in a western region of neighbouring Aleppo province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The raids on Aleppo province killed eight members of the same <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-civilians-killed-as-syrian-government-presses-idlib-offensive-274750">family who were sheltering</a> in a house, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-missiles-kill-eight-in-school-turned-shelter-271451">Six children</a> were among those killed in the raid on the village of Kfar Taal, where three girls had already died a day earlier in strikes, according to the Britain-based monitor.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/syrian-and-russian-jets-pound-idlib-province-274552">Syrian and Russian jets pound Idlib province</a>

Most of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo province are still controlled by factions opposed to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, including a group that includes onetime members of Al-Qaeda's former Syria franchise.

"Over the past three days, the bombardment on Idlib and its surroundings, including in western Aleppo, has been exclusively Russian," Abdel Rahman said.

The surge in violence comes despite a ceasefire announced by Russia earlier this month that never really took hold.

"They want to push rebels and jihadists away from the city of Aleppo and from the motorway linking Aleppo to Damascus," Abdel Rahman said.

He predicted that the airstrikes could be a prelude to a land offensive in western Aleppo, as the regime and its allies continue their drive to shrink the country's last opposition-held pocket.

"The regime has massed reinforcements on the outskirts of the city of Aleppo," Abdel Rahman said.

Russia has thousands of forces deployed across Syria in support of the army, while an unknown contingent of Russian private security personnel also operates on the ground.

Moscow's military intervention in 2015, four years into the Syrian conflict, helped keep Assad in power and marked a long, bloody reconquest of the territory lost to rebels in the early stages of the war.

The violence in northern Syria is escalating an already dire humanitarian situation, with aid groups warning of displacement on an unprecedented scale.

Idlib province alone is home to at least three million people, many of whom are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

According to the UN humanitarian coordination agency OCHA, almost 350,000 people have fled their homes since December 1, mainly heading northwards from southern Idlib, which has borne the brunt of the airstrikes.

The International Rescue Committee has warned that an additional 650,000 people, the majority of them children and women, could be forced from their homes if the violence continues.

Russian airstrikes killed 12 civilians Tuesday in northwestern Syria, as renewed violence tightened the noose around the country's last major opposition bastion and deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Russian airstrikes killed 12 civilians Tuesday in northwestern Syria, as renewed violence tightened the noose around the country's last major opposition bastion and deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis. Two of the victims were killed in a southern area of Idlib province while the other 10 died in a western region of neighbouring Aleppo province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The raids on Aleppo province killed eight members of the same family who were sheltering in a house, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. Six children were among those killed in the raid on the village of Kfar Taal, where three girls had already died a day earlier in strikes, according to the Britain-based monitor. Also Read: Syrian and Russian jets pound Idlib province Most of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo province are still controlled by factions opposed to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, including a group that includes onetime members of Al-Qaeda's former Syria franchise. "Over the past three days, the bombardment on Idlib and its surroundings, including in western Aleppo, has been exclusively Russian," Abdel Rahman said. The surge in violence comes despite a ceasefire announced by Russia earlier this month that never really took hold. "They want to push rebels and jihadists away from the city of Aleppo and from the motorway linking Aleppo to Damascus," Abdel Rahman said. He predicted that the airstrikes could be a prelude to a land offensive in western Aleppo, as the regime and its allies continue their drive to shrink the country's last opposition-held pocket. "The regime has massed reinforcements on the outskirts of the city of Aleppo," Abdel Rahman said. Russia has thousands of forces deployed across Syria in support of the army, while an unknown contingent of Russian private security personnel also operates on the ground. Moscow's military intervention in 2015, four years into the Syrian conflict, helped keep Assad in power and marked a long, bloody reconquest of the territory lost to rebels in the early stages of the war. The violence in northern Syria is escalating an already dire humanitarian situation, with aid groups warning of displacement on an unprecedented scale. Idlib province alone is home to at least three million people, many of whom are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. According to the UN humanitarian coordination agency OCHA, almost 350,000 people have fled their homes since December 1, mainly heading northwards from southern Idlib, which has borne the brunt of the airstrikes. The International Rescue Committee has warned that an additional 650,000 people, the majority of them children and women, could be forced from their homes if the violence continues.

Russian air strikes in Syria kill 12 civilians: Monitor

First <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-to-destroy-rocket-in-mock-failure-before-manned-missions-with-nasa-275010">SpaceX</a> launch of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/stripteasing-musk-launches-tesla-suv-programme-at-new-china-factory-272725">Elon Musk</a>'s company with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eyeing-moon-nasa-hosts-first-public-astronaut-graduation-ceremony-273598">NASA </a>is&nbsp;most likely take place in the second quarter of the year, that is, between April and June this year.

The&nbsp;mission known as Demo-2 will comprise of NASA astronauts visiting the International Space Station(ISS).

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/after-a-successful-rocket-abort-system-test-spacex-to-carry-humans-into-orbit-this-year-275408#crew-dragon-astronaut-capsule-275394">&nbsp;After a successful rocket abort system test, SpaceX to carry humans into orbit this year</a>

Musk's rocket company cleared a significant safety test of its Dragon capsule on Sunday which was its last hurdle prior to the&nbsp;historic flight.

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''The hardware required will probably be available in February or March,'' said Musk in a press conference with the representatives of SpaceX and NASA.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-third-batch-of-mini-satellites-into-orbit-272623">SpaceX</a> can abort a mission safely if things go haywire after the takeoff.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said that ''the agency along with SpaceX is contemplating on making the mission longer than previously expected''.

''However, the training required for this purpose will have to provided to the astronauts,''&nbsp;he added.

First SpaceX launch of Elon Musk's company with NASA is most likely take place in the second quarter of the year, that is, between April and June this year. The mission known as Demo-2 will comprise of NASA astronauts visiting the International Space Station(ISS).

First SpaceX launch of Elon Musk's company with NASA is most likely take place in the second quarter of the year, that is, between April and June this year. The mission known as Demo-2 will comprise of NASA astronauts visiting the International Space Station(ISS). Also see: After a successful rocket abort system test, SpaceX to carry humans into orbit this year Musk's rocket company cleared a significant safety test of its Dragon capsule on Sunday which was its last hurdle prior to the historic flight. Watch live as SpaceX tests Crew Dragon’s in-flight launch escape capabilities https://t.co/lcfz0LS8O9 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 19, 2020 × ''The hardware required will probably be available in February or March,'' said Musk in a press conference with the representatives of SpaceX and NASA. SpaceX can abort a mission safely if things go haywire after the takeoff. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said that ''the agency along with SpaceX is contemplating on making the mission longer than previously expected''. ''However, the training required for this purpose will have to provided to the astronauts,'' he added.

SpaceX launch with NASA may take place between April-June: Elon Musk

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-scrutinise-brexit-deal-as-january-31-deadline-nears-272604">Britons</a>'&nbsp;mistrust&nbsp;of government, business, the media and charities rose to the highest in at least 20 years last year, with only <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-rejects-idea-of-soviet-style-lifelong-leaders-for-russia-while-addressing-war-veterans-275230">Russians</a> admitted to less confidence in their country's&nbsp;institutions, according to a long-running survey.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tree-cover-can-lower-daytime-temperatures-in-summer-study-275238">US&nbsp;</a>public relations firm<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-world-economic-forum-india-ranked-third-among-most-trusted-nations-30373"> Edelman</a> ran the study from October&nbsp;19 to November&nbsp;18, a time of turmoil in Britain when parliament delayed the country's planned departure from the European Union and Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-rejects-calls-for-no-deal-brexit-in-election-pitch-259559">Boris Johnson</a> called a snap election.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-considering-five-year-ban-on-facial-recognition-technology-at-public-places-275004">European Union considering five-year ban on facial recognition technology at public places</a>

Britain had ranked fifth from bottom in the&nbsp;trust&nbsp;rankings in the previous year's survey, and fell past <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irish-pm-leo-varadkar-to-hold-a-parliamentary-election-in-february-274252">Ireland</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/horses-purified-by-leaping-over-flames-at-spains-luminarias-festival-275377">Spain </a>and Japan to the second-lowest spot in the research released on Monday, behind only Russia among the 28 countries surveyed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moment-of-brexit-to-be-marked-with-an-explosive-sendoff-275014">Moment of Brexit to be marked with an explosive sendoff</a>

Chinese citizens expressed the highest confidence in their country's&nbsp;institutions, the same as the year before, according to Edelman, which conducted 34,000 online interviews globally.

The results contrast with other surveys of the quality of public&nbsp;institutions, such as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-accuses-impeachment-witness-of-lying-defends-use-of-giuliani-264142">Transparency International's corruption perceptions index</a>, where Britain and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-olympics-heavy-policy-speech-japan-pm-says-games-mark-new-era-for-nation-275383">Japan </a>rank among the less corrupt countries, and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/three-more-people-dead-in-china-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-india-issues-travel-advisory-275345">China </a>is mid-table.

Britain's ranking was its&nbsp;lowest in the survey's 20-year history, and Britain also showed a big divide between the views of what the researchers called the 'informed public' - who were more&nbsp;trusting - and the 'mass population'.

Respondents who were aged between 25 and 64, had a university degree, were in the top quarter of earners for their age and reported a strong interest in current affairs were deemed 'informed', while anyone else was classified otherwise.

Three-fifths of Britons said they were losing faith in democracy, and a small majority said capitalism was doing more harm than good.

However, extra polling conducted after Johnson's December&nbsp;12 election victory showed a 10 percent&nbsp;rise in&nbsp;trust&nbsp;in government, and fewer people saying the country was on the wrong track.

Britons' mistrust of government, business, the media and charities rose to the highest in at least 20 years last year, with only Russians admitted to less confidence in their country's institutions, according to a long-running survey.

Britons' mistrust of government, business, the media and charities rose to the highest in at least 20 years last year, with only Russians admitted to less confidence in their country's institutions, according to a long-running survey. US public relations firm Edelman ran the study from October 19 to November 18, a time of turmoil in Britain when parliament delayed the country's planned departure from the European Union and Prime Minister Boris Johnson called a snap election. Also read: European Union considering five-year ban on facial recognition technology at public places Britain had ranked fifth from bottom in the trust rankings in the previous year's survey, and fell past Ireland, Spain and Japan to the second-lowest spot in the research released on Monday, behind only Russia among the 28 countries surveyed. Also read: Moment of Brexit to be marked with an explosive sendoff Chinese citizens expressed the highest confidence in their country's institutions, the same as the year before, according to Edelman, which conducted 34,000 online interviews globally. The results contrast with other surveys of the quality of public institutions, such as Transparency International's corruption perceptions index, where Britain and Japan rank among the less corrupt countries, and China is mid-table. Britain's ranking was its lowest in the survey's 20-year history, and Britain also showed a big divide between the views of what the researchers called the 'informed public' - who were more trusting - and the 'mass population'. Respondents who were aged between 25 and 64, had a university degree, were in the top quarter of earners for their age and reported a strong interest in current affairs were deemed 'informed', while anyone else was classified otherwise. Three-fifths of Britons said they were losing faith in democracy, and a small majority said capitalism was doing more harm than good. However, extra polling conducted after Johnson's December 12 election victory showed a 10 percent rise in trust in government, and fewer people saying the country was on the wrong track.

Britons' trust in institutions falls to record low: Edelman

This week’s inauguration of a new Red Sea Egyptian military base was pregnant with the symbolism of the rivalries shaping the future of the Middle East as well as north and east Africa.

The inauguration took on added significance as rebel Libyan Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar, backed by United Arab Emirates crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Egyptian General-turned-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, snubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin by refusing to agree to a ceasefire in the Libyan war.

Haftar’s refusal thwarted, at least temporarily, an effort by Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to structure the ceasefire so that it would align opposing Russian and Turkish interests, allow the two parties to cooperate in the exploitation of Libya’s energy resources, and protect a Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement creating an Exclusive Economic Zone that strengthens Russian-backed Turkish manoeuvres in the eastern Mediterranean.

The manoeuvres are designed to thwart a Greek-Cypriot-Israeli agreement to build a pipeline that would supply gas to Europe, reducing European dependence on Russian gas in the process.

Critics charge that the maritime agreement that would limit Greek-Cypriot Israeli access to hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, violates the Law of the Sea.

Warning that it would block European Union backing for any Libyan peace deal as long as the Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement was in place, Greece was one of the countries Haftar visited in the days between his rejection of a ceasefire and a conference on Libya hosted by Germany that is scheduled to be held in Berlin on January 19.

Haftar’s rejection came as Turkish troops arrived in Libya to bolster forces of the internationally recognised government of prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj defending the capital Tripoli against an eight-month-old assault by the field marshal’s rebel Libyan National Army (LNA) that is backed by Russian mercenaries with close ties to the Kremlin, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Prince Mohammed’s presence at the inauguration of the Egyptian naval base underlined the UAE’s influence in Egypt since it backed Al-Sisi’s 2013 military coup that toppled the country’s first and only democratically elected President and the Emirates’ determination to counter Islamist forces as well as Turkish influence in Libya and the Horn of Africa.

UAE and Egyptian backing of Haftar is not just about countering jihadist and non-jihadist Islamists as well as Turkey, but also Qatar, Turkey’s ally, which also supports the Libyan rebels.

The UAE-Turkish-Qatari proxy war in Libya is increasingly also coloured by Prince Mohammed and Al-Sisi’s opposition to efforts to resolve divisions among the Gulf states that spilled into the open with the declaration of a Saudi-UAE-led diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar in 2017.

Saudi Arabia has hinted in recent months that it may be amenable to an easing of the boycott, a move that is believed to be opposed by the UAE as long as Qatar does not make significant concessions on issues like freewheeling broadcaster Al Jazeera and support for political Islam.

The new naval base’s location symbolizes Egypt’s conundrum that also poses a problem for the UAE at a time that Egypt is at odds with Ethiopia over the operation of a giant dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile.

Stepping up involvement in Libya risks Egypt becoming embroiled in two conflicts at the same time.

Egypt claims the dam puts a million Egyptian jobs, $1.8 billion in economic output annually and electricity valued at $300 million at risk.

The base is aimed at "securing the country's southern coasts, protecting economic investments and natural resources and facing security threats in the Red Sea," according to a spokesman for Al-Sisi.

The president has warned that Egypt would take all the necessary measures to protect its rights to the Nile waters.

So far, Egypt is banking on mediation helping it avoiding being trapped between a rock and a hard place by achieving a ceasefire in Libya that would keep Egypt’s hands-free to deal with Ethiopia were a conflict to erupt.

The question is whether Haftar, who without signing the ceasefire agreement reportedly told German officials that he would adhere to its terms and the UAE are willing to play ball.

The proof will be in the pudding. German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised the stakes by insisting in advance of the Berlin talks that they ensure “That the weapons embargo is adhered to again.”

The United Nations has accused the UAE together with several other countries, including Turkey, of violating the UN embargo.

As a result, it may be the UAE rather than Haftar who has a decisive voice in Berlin.

Said North Africa expert Ben Fishman: “Until Abu Dhabi pulls back its drones, operators, and other crucial military support, the prospects for Libya’s stability will remain dim. 
 
Besides the fact that they provide the greatest advantage to Haftar’s forces, focusing on the Emiratis also makes sense because the other foreign players currently have reasons to de-escalate on their own.” 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

This week’s inauguration of a new Red Sea Egyptian military base was pregnant with the symbolism of the rivalries shaping the future of the Middle East as well as north and east Africa.

This week’s inauguration of a new Red Sea Egyptian military base was pregnant with the symbolism of the rivalries shaping the future of the Middle East as well as north and east Africa. The inauguration took on added significance as rebel Libyan Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar, backed by United Arab Emirates crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Egyptian General-turned-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, snubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin by refusing to agree to a ceasefire in the Libyan war. Haftar’s refusal thwarted, at least temporarily, an effort by Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to structure the ceasefire so that it would align opposing Russian and Turkish interests, allow the two parties to cooperate in the exploitation of Libya’s energy resources, and protect a Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement creating an Exclusive Economic Zone that strengthens Russian-backed Turkish manoeuvres in the eastern Mediterranean. The manoeuvres are designed to thwart a Greek-Cypriot-Israeli agreement to build a pipeline that would supply gas to Europe, reducing European dependence on Russian gas in the process. Critics charge that the maritime agreement that would limit Greek-Cypriot Israeli access to hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, violates the Law of the Sea. Warning that it would block European Union backing for any Libyan peace deal as long as the Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement was in place, Greece was one of the countries Haftar visited in the days between his rejection of a ceasefire and a conference on Libya hosted by Germany that is scheduled to be held in Berlin on January 19. Haftar’s rejection came as Turkish troops arrived in Libya to bolster forces of the internationally recognised government of prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj defending the capital Tripoli against an eight-month-old assault by the field marshal’s rebel Libyan National Army (LNA) that is backed by Russian mercenaries with close ties to the Kremlin, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Prince Mohammed’s presence at the inauguration of the Egyptian naval base underlined the UAE’s influence in Egypt since it backed Al-Sisi’s 2013 military coup that toppled the country’s first and only democratically elected President and the Emirates’ determination to counter Islamist forces as well as Turkish influence in Libya and the Horn of Africa. UAE and Egyptian backing of Haftar is not just about countering jihadist and non-jihadist Islamists as well as Turkey, but also Qatar, Turkey’s ally, which also supports the Libyan rebels. The UAE-Turkish-Qatari proxy war in Libya is increasingly also coloured by Prince Mohammed and Al-Sisi’s opposition to efforts to resolve divisions among the Gulf states that spilled into the open with the declaration of a Saudi-UAE-led diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar in 2017. Saudi Arabia has hinted in recent months that it may be amenable to an easing of the boycott, a move that is believed to be opposed by the UAE as long as Qatar does not make significant concessions on issues like freewheeling broadcaster Al Jazeera and support for political Islam. The new naval base’s location symbolizes Egypt’s conundrum that also poses a problem for the UAE at a time that Egypt is at odds with Ethiopia over the operation of a giant dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile. Stepping up involvement in Libya risks Egypt becoming embroiled in two conflicts at the same time. Egypt claims the dam puts a million Egyptian jobs, $1.8 billion in economic output annually and electricity valued at $300 million at risk. The base is aimed at "securing the country's southern coasts, protecting economic investments and natural resources and facing security threats in the Red Sea," according to a spokesman for Al-Sisi. The president has warned that Egypt would take all the necessary measures to protect its rights to the Nile waters. So far, Egypt is banking on mediation helping it avoiding being trapped between a rock and a hard place by achieving a ceasefire in Libya that would keep Egypt’s hands-free to deal with Ethiopia were a conflict to erupt. The question is whether Haftar, who without signing the ceasefire agreement reportedly told German officials that he would adhere to its terms and the UAE are willing to play ball. The proof will be in the pudding. German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised the stakes by insisting in advance of the Berlin talks that they ensure “That the weapons embargo is adhered to again.” The United Nations has accused the UAE together with several other countries, including Turkey, of violating the UN embargo. As a result, it may be the UAE rather than Haftar who has a decisive voice in Berlin. Said North Africa expert Ben Fishman: “Until Abu Dhabi pulls back its drones, operators, and other crucial military support, the prospects for Libya’s stability will remain dim. Besides the fact that they provide the greatest advantage to Haftar’s forces, focusing on the Emiratis also makes sense because the other foreign players currently have reasons to de-escalate on their own.” (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The battle for Libya: UAE calls the shots

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Tripoli</a> and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output.

Germany and the United Nations hope to persuade Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to push their opposing camps to agree on a lasting truce in Tripoli, home to the internationally recognized government.

As with previous failed attempts, center stage of the one-day meeting will be occupied by eastern commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/general-haftar-ready-to-abide-by-ongoing-ceasefire-in-libya-germany-274749">Khalifa Haftar</a>, who in April started a campaign to take Tripoli. Western powers hope this time to put pressure on him to continue a ceasefire that has largely held for one week.

Haftar on Monday walked out on a Russo-Turkish summit, in contrast with his rival Fayez al-Serraj, the internationally recognized prime minister, who signed a lasting truce proposal put forward to both leaders.

Haftar, a former general from the regime of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Muammar Gaddafi</a> toppled in 2011, appeared confident this week when German foreign minister Heiko Maas visited him at his base outside Benghazi to ask him to come to Berlin.

He leaned back in his chair while Maas was leaning towards him to make his peace pitch, a picture from the meeting showed.

Haftar escalated the conflict on Friday when allied tribesmen shut down eastern oil ports, cutting oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. That will hit hard Tripoli, which benefits most from oil revenues.

Watch:&nbsp;US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit

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The one-day summit, which will also bring together US&nbsp;Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and European and Arab leaders, will not attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Haftar and Serraj.

Instead, the focus is on a lasting ceasefire to restart talks.

Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries, which helped him gain a bit on the Tripoli front. France has also given some support.

That has prompted Turkey to rush to Serraj's rescue by sending troops to Tripoli. Up to 2,000 fighters from Syria's civil war have also joined the battle to defend the capital, a UN&nbsp;official said on Saturday.

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In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Berlin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Berlin</a> to engage world leaders and <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> officials to work toward ending hostilities in Libya. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a> for serving as host and leading this important initiative. <a href="https://t.co/W8tjlO9R45">pic.twitter.com/W8tjlO9R45</a>
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1218663923823628288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"I mean this is a region-wide conflict broadening, and looking increasingly like Syria which is why the whole international community is getting together in Germany," a senior US&nbsp;state department official told reporters travelling with Pompeo.

Still, expectations were "moderate," the official added.

Tarek Megerisi, a policy fellow with the North Africa and Middle East program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no sign Haftar's backers were pushing him to stop the war.

"That means that obtaining a commitment to maintain this forum where all interfering actors meet in the form of follow-up committees would likely be the most valuable output Germany could achieve," he said.

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output.

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output. Germany and the United Nations hope to persuade Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to push their opposing camps to agree on a lasting truce in Tripoli, home to the internationally recognized government. As with previous failed attempts, center stage of the one-day meeting will be occupied by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who in April started a campaign to take Tripoli. Western powers hope this time to put pressure on him to continue a ceasefire that has largely held for one week. Haftar on Monday walked out on a Russo-Turkish summit, in contrast with his rival Fayez al-Serraj, the internationally recognized prime minister, who signed a lasting truce proposal put forward to both leaders. Haftar, a former general from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi toppled in 2011, appeared confident this week when German foreign minister Heiko Maas visited him at his base outside Benghazi to ask him to come to Berlin. He leaned back in his chair while Maas was leaning towards him to make his peace pitch, a picture from the meeting showed. Haftar escalated the conflict on Friday when allied tribesmen shut down eastern oil ports, cutting oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. That will hit hard Tripoli, which benefits most from oil revenues. Watch: US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit × The one-day summit, which will also bring together US Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and European and Arab leaders, will not attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Haftar and Serraj. Instead, the focus is on a lasting ceasefire to restart talks. Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries, which helped him gain a bit on the Tripoli front. France has also given some support. That has prompted Turkey to rush to Serraj's rescue by sending troops to Tripoli. Up to 2,000 fighters from Syria's civil war have also joined the battle to defend the capital, a UN official said on Saturday. In #Berlin to engage world leaders and @UN officials to work toward ending hostilities in Libya. Thanks to #Germany for serving as host and leading this important initiative. pic.twitter.com/W8tjlO9R45 — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 18, 2020 × "I mean this is a region-wide conflict broadening, and looking increasingly like Syria which is why the whole international community is getting together in Germany," a senior US state department official told reporters travelling with Pompeo. Still, expectations were "moderate," the official added. Tarek Megerisi, a policy fellow with the North Africa and Middle East program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no sign Haftar's backers were pushing him to stop the war. "That means that obtaining a commitment to maintain this forum where all interfering actors meet in the form of follow-up committees would likely be the most valuable output Germany could achieve," he said.

Libyan rival camps to discuss ways to end crisis with an international summit in Berlin later today

An airstrike Saturday by Syrian regime ally <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../russia-iran-shot-down-ukranian-passenger-plane -after-us-jets-were-seen-at-its-borders-275045">Russia</a> killed five civilians, including four members of the same family, in an opposition bastion in the country's northwest, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three children were among those killed after midnight Friday in the village of Bala in the jihadist-run Idlib region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-civilians-killed-as-syrian-government-presses-idlib-offensive-274750">Several civilians killed as Syrian government presses Idlib offensive</a>

"A man, his wife, and their two little girls were among those killed," said the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, Rami Abdel Rahman.

An AFP correspondent at a hospital in the area saw the bodies of two of the children wrapped up in thick winter blankets.

The strike created a massive crater of rubble near a two-storey home flanked by an empty outdoor swimming pool, the correspondent said.

A rescue worker found a stuffed toy cockerel inside the building.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/syrian-and-russian-jets-pound-idlib-province-274552/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Another first responder retrieved two slain rabbits.&nbsp;

The Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines who carried out airstrikes according to flight patterns as well as aircraft and ammunition involved.

The Idlib region has witnessed an uptick in violence this week, as the Syrian government presses a deadly offensive despite a ceasefire arranged by its Russian ally and rebel-backer Turkey.

Home to three million people, the jihadist-run bastion is made up of a large part of the Idlib province, as well as slivers of the neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia provinces.

Idlib is run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate.

Fighting there since Wednesday has killed 28 civilians including eight children, according to the Observatory.

It also took the lives of 58 pro-regime fighters and 67 fighters most of them jihadists, it added.

Violence in recent weeks has prompted hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes, exposing them to a harsh winter.

On Thursday, Russia denied launching any combat operations in the region since the start of a ceasefire it said went into effect on January 9. According to Turkey, the truce started on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Russian army deplored attacks led by HTS, describing them as "deliberate acts" designed to "undermine the ceasefire", according to Russian news agencies.

Turkey's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support- turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> has said he would discuss the latest attacks in northwestern Syria on Sunday with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced more than half the country's population since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

An airstrike Saturday by Syrian regime ally Russia killed five civilians, including four members of the same family, in an opposition bastion in the country's northwest, a monitor said.

An airstrike Saturday by Syrian regime ally Russia killed five civilians, including four members of the same family, in an opposition bastion in the country's northwest, a monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three children were among those killed after midnight Friday in the village of Bala in the jihadist-run Idlib region. Also read: Several civilians killed as Syrian government presses Idlib offensive "A man, his wife, and their two little girls were among those killed," said the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, Rami Abdel Rahman. An AFP correspondent at a hospital in the area saw the bodies of two of the children wrapped up in thick winter blankets. The strike created a massive crater of rubble near a two-storey home flanked by an empty outdoor swimming pool, the correspondent said. A rescue worker found a stuffed toy cockerel inside the building. Another first responder retrieved two slain rabbits. The Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines who carried out airstrikes according to flight patterns as well as aircraft and ammunition involved. The Idlib region has witnessed an uptick in violence this week, as the Syrian government presses a deadly offensive despite a ceasefire arranged by its Russian ally and rebel-backer Turkey. Home to three million people, the jihadist-run bastion is made up of a large part of the Idlib province, as well as slivers of the neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia provinces. Idlib is run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Fighting there since Wednesday has killed 28 civilians including eight children, according to the Observatory. It also took the lives of 58 pro-regime fighters and 67 fighters most of them jihadists, it added. Violence in recent weeks has prompted hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes, exposing them to a harsh winter. On Thursday, Russia denied launching any combat operations in the region since the start of a ceasefire it said went into effect on January 9. According to Turkey, the truce started on Sunday. On Saturday, the Russian army deplored attacks led by HTS, describing them as "deliberate acts" designed to "undermine the ceasefire", according to Russian news agencies. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he would discuss the latest attacks in northwestern Syria on Sunday with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced more than half the country's population since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Russia strike kill five civilians in northwest Syria

More than a thousand opposition activists of various stripes marched in central Moscow on Sunday after President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-rejects-idea-of-soviet-style-lifelong-leaders-for-russia-while-addressing-war-veterans-275230">Vladimir Putin</a> proposed re-drafting the constitution, unleashing political upheaval.

Protesters mostly young anti-fascist activists chanted "Revolution" and "No to dictatorship" and some carried copies of the constitution.

The annual sanctioned march was called to commemorate the memory of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova who were gunned down in Moscow by ultra-nationalists in 2009.

A number of independent local deputies including Yulia Galyamin and opposition-minded Russians joined the march, carrying copies of the constitution and chanting "Putin leave!".&nbsp;

Several people including a protester who carried a placard urging Putin to quit power were detained by police.

More than 1,400 people took part in the march, said the White Counter group which monitors political protests.

The march took place after Putin stunned the nation on Wednesday proposing sweeping amendments to the constitution, the first major changes to the country's basic law since it was adopted under Boris Yeltsin in 1993.&nbsp;

The move triggered the resignation of his government.

Many observers have said Putin's proposals are designed to ensure his grip on power after he leaves the Kremlin and his critics have accused him of orchestrating a "constitutional coup".

Sunday's turnout paled in comparison to the protests of last summer when tens of thousands took to the streets of Moscow to protest against the exclusion of opposition candidates from local elections, leading to wide-scale arrests and long jail terms for a number of demonstrators.

Local deputy Galyamina said it was important to protest against Putin's attempts to cling to power and change the constitution, calling them a "state coup."

Writing on Facebook, she said it was just the "beginning of a civil campaign" of resistance.

But Russia's top opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-authorities-raid-navalnys-office-270458">Alexei Navalny</a>&nbsp;said on Friday he did not support rallies in "defence of the cnstitution".

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Что касается разнообразных предлагаемых акций "в защиту Конституции". 
Конституция РФ - омерзительна. В ней заложен механизм узурпации власти. По этой конституции у нас всё отняли - от выборов до пенсий - и дальше хотят отнимать. 
Не надо её защищать.
— Alexey Navalny (@navalny) <a href="https://twitter.com/navalny/status/1218144227894259718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The Russian constitution is abominable," he said on Twitter, adding it allowed authorities to usurp power.&nbsp;"No need to protect it."

Observers have said Putin's proposals have caught Kremlin critics off guard and managed to drive a new wedge between members of the Russian opposition.

More than a thousand opposition activists of various stripes marched in central Moscow on Sunday after President Vladimir Putin proposed re-drafting the constitution, unleashing political upheaval.

More than a thousand opposition activists of various stripes marched in central Moscow on Sunday after President Vladimir Putin proposed re-drafting the constitution, unleashing political upheaval. Protesters mostly young anti-fascist activists chanted "Revolution" and "No to dictatorship" and some carried copies of the constitution. The annual sanctioned march was called to commemorate the memory of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova who were gunned down in Moscow by ultra-nationalists in 2009. A number of independent local deputies including Yulia Galyamin and opposition-minded Russians joined the march, carrying copies of the constitution and chanting "Putin leave!". Several people including a protester who carried a placard urging Putin to quit power were detained by police. More than 1,400 people took part in the march, said the White Counter group which monitors political protests. The march took place after Putin stunned the nation on Wednesday proposing sweeping amendments to the constitution, the first major changes to the country's basic law since it was adopted under Boris Yeltsin in 1993. The move triggered the resignation of his government. Many observers have said Putin's proposals are designed to ensure his grip on power after he leaves the Kremlin and his critics have accused him of orchestrating a "constitutional coup". Sunday's turnout paled in comparison to the protests of last summer when tens of thousands took to the streets of Moscow to protest against the exclusion of opposition candidates from local elections, leading to wide-scale arrests and long jail terms for a number of demonstrators. Local deputy Galyamina said it was important to protest against Putin's attempts to cling to power and change the constitution, calling them a "state coup." Writing on Facebook, she said it was just the "beginning of a civil campaign" of resistance. But Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny said on Friday he did not support rallies in "defence of the cnstitution". Что касается разнообразных предлагаемых акций "в защиту Конституции". Конституция РФ - омерзительна. В ней заложен механизм узурпации власти. По этой конституции у нас всё отняли - от выборов до пенсий - и дальше хотят отнимать. Не надо её защищать. — Alexey Navalny (@navalny) January 17, 2020 × "The Russian constitution is abominable," he said on Twitter, adding it allowed authorities to usurp power. "No need to protect it." Observers have said Putin's proposals have caught Kremlin critics off guard and managed to drive a new wedge between members of the Russian opposition.

Russia: Activists take aim at Vladimir Putin in march against repression

Russia's acting foreign minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-ties-with-new-delhi-second-to-none-russian-envoy-to-india-273759">Sergei Lavrov</a>&nbsp;has made shocking revelations on the downing of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-to-lead-prayers-amid-outrage-over-ukrainian-plane-crash-274821">Ukranian passenger plane</a> by Iran which has brought a twist to the whole narrative.

Lavrov has said that at least six F-35 US aircraft were in the air right after the US attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eleven-us-troops-injured-in-january-8-iran-missile-attack-in-iraq-274776">Qasem Soleimani</a>. He claimed that the F-35 jets were spotted on the Iranian border after its response attack on America's military bases.

However, the information is yet to be verified.

"We have information that after the attack (on Qasem Soleimani), Iranians were anticipating another US Strike. They did not know of what kind. But there were at least six F-35 jets in air near the Iran border. This information still has to be double-checked. But I'd like to underline the edginess that always accompanies such situations."

This sensational disclosure has raised many questions such as are Iran's claims of misidentifying the plane as a cruise missile true?

Was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-china-ink-deals-to-accelerate-belt-and-road-as-xi-courts-an-isolated-suu-kyi-275025">United States</a> planning a counter-strike on Iran shortly after an attack on its bases?

While Iran’s military has blamed human error for the downing of the Ukrainian plane that killed 176 passengers.

However, &nbsp;videos that have surfaced show the plane’s flight path and suggest otherwise.&nbsp;

Russia's acting foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has made shocking revelations on the downing of the Ukranian passenger plane by Iran which has brought a twist to the whole narrative.

Russia's acting foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has made shocking revelations on the downing of the Ukranian passenger plane by Iran which has brought a twist to the whole narrative. Lavrov has said that at least six F-35 US aircraft were in the air right after the US attack on Qasem Soleimani. He claimed that the F-35 jets were spotted on the Iranian border after its response attack on America's military bases. However, the information is yet to be verified. "We have information that after the attack (on Qasem Soleimani), Iranians were anticipating another US Strike. They did not know of what kind. But there were at least six F-35 jets in air near the Iran border. This information still has to be double-checked. But I'd like to underline the edginess that always accompanies such situations." This sensational disclosure has raised many questions such as are Iran's claims of misidentifying the plane as a cruise missile true? Was the United States planning a counter-strike on Iran shortly after an attack on its bases? While Iran’s military has blamed human error for the downing of the Ukrainian plane that killed 176 passengers. However, videos that have surfaced show the plane’s flight path and suggest otherwise.

Russia: Iran shot down Ukranian passenger plane after US jets were seen at its borders

What happens after we die? Is there life after death? Can a dead body be brought back to life? 
 
Religion has a set of standard answers to these questions. 
But scientifically what is the truth? 
 
A company in Russia is offering services to deep freeze the bodies of dead people, in the hope that one day, science would be able to revive them to live. 
 
When Alexei Voronenko's 70-year-old mother passed away, he decided not to cremate or bury her. 
 
Instead, he called up a Russian firm Kriorus, which offers a rather a curious service. 
 
Alexei wants to keep his 70-year-old dead mother's brain frozen! 
 
So that on some far off day in the future, when science has made enough advancement, she could be brought back to life! 
 
This means that the brain of Alexei's mother has been kept in deep freeze with a temperature of minus 196-degree celsius. 
 
The brain is floating in liquid nitrogen so that it suffers minimal deterioration. 
 
"I reached out to 'Kriorus' to carry out the necessary procedures to cryo-preserve my mother, even though she did not express such a desire in any way. I did it at my own risk. I did this because we were very close and I think it is the only chance to meet in the future," said Alexei Voronenkov. 
 
But is this even remotely possible? Can a dead person's brain be revived? Will a brain kept in deep freeze retain its memories? 
 
Science has little to say about the existence of souls. 
 
It is largely understood that individuals are a sum of their experienced memories. 
 
So can cryo-preserving bodies aid in bringing people back to life in the distant future? 
 
Valeriya Udalova is Kriorus's director, she talked about how technology is advancing with time, she said "It is what the whole of medicine is heading towards. Today we can resuscitate a drowned person. We were not able to do it before, we did not even try. We can reanimate people. I think that cryonics is some sort of reanimation of the future,". 
 
Kriorus offers its services at a very steep price. 
 
They ask for $36,000 to keep the entire body under liquid nitrogen and $15,000 just to have the brain preserved. Kriorus claims hundreds have signed up for its service so far 71 cadavers have been kept in deep freeze. 
 
But experts have rubbished this as pseudo-science. 
 
So far, there is no demonstrable evidence that when an individual dies, and her brain stops working, there is a way to revive it. 
 
So why should people do it? 
 
"What can we do for our dying relatives or the ones that we love? A nice funeral ceremony, a photo album. They (cryonics enthusiasts) cross this line, they go further, proving their love even more. They try to give (people) hope," added Valeriya Udalova. 
 
The desire to live forever is as old as time. 
 
The Egyptian pharaohs built the magnificent pyramids and had their mummified bodies preserved inside in the hope that their souls would one day return to find their bodies. 
 
Similar such embalmed bodies have been found across continents. 
 
So is cryo-preservation of our bodies just another of human endeavours to live after death? 
 
Or is it just a pseudo-science employed to make a quick buck?

&nbsp;

What happens after we die? Is there life after death? Can a dead body be brought back to life? Religion has a set of standard answers to these questions. But scientifically what is the truth?

What happens after we die? Is there life after death? Can a dead body be brought back to life? Religion has a set of standard answers to these questions. But scientifically what is the truth? A company in Russia is offering services to deep freeze the bodies of dead people, in the hope that one day, science would be able to revive them to live. When Alexei Voronenko's 70-year-old mother passed away, he decided not to cremate or bury her. Instead, he called up a Russian firm Kriorus, which offers a rather a curious service. Alexei wants to keep his 70-year-old dead mother's brain frozen! So that on some far off day in the future, when science has made enough advancement, she could be brought back to life! This means that the brain of Alexei's mother has been kept in deep freeze with a temperature of minus 196-degree celsius. The brain is floating in liquid nitrogen so that it suffers minimal deterioration. "I reached out to 'Kriorus' to carry out the necessary procedures to cryo-preserve my mother, even though she did not express such a desire in any way. I did it at my own risk. I did this because we were very close and I think it is the only chance to meet in the future," said Alexei Voronenkov. But is this even remotely possible? Can a dead person's brain be revived? Will a brain kept in deep freeze retain its memories? Science has little to say about the existence of souls. It is largely understood that individuals are a sum of their experienced memories. So can cryo-preserving bodies aid in bringing people back to life in the distant future? Valeriya Udalova is Kriorus's director, she talked about how technology is advancing with time, she said "It is what the whole of medicine is heading towards. Today we can resuscitate a drowned person. We were not able to do it before, we did not even try. We can reanimate people. I think that cryonics is some sort of reanimation of the future,". Kriorus offers its services at a very steep price. They ask for $36,000 to keep the entire body under liquid nitrogen and $15,000 just to have the brain preserved. Kriorus claims hundreds have signed up for its service so far 71 cadavers have been kept in deep freeze. But experts have rubbished this as pseudo-science. So far, there is no demonstrable evidence that when an individual dies, and her brain stops working, there is a way to revive it. So why should people do it? "What can we do for our dying relatives or the ones that we love? A nice funeral ceremony, a photo album. They (cryonics enthusiasts) cross this line, they go further, proving their love even more. They try to give (people) hope," added Valeriya Udalova. The desire to live forever is as old as time. The Egyptian pharaohs built the magnificent pyramids and had their mummified bodies preserved inside in the hope that their souls would one day return to find their bodies. Similar such embalmed bodies have been found across continents. So is cryo-preservation of our bodies just another of human endeavours to live after death? Or is it just a pseudo-science employed to make a quick buck?

Cryo-preservation: Russian firm offers 'never-ending' life for modest fee

In major support for New Delhi, Moscow has said that it never favours Kashmir being brought to the United Nations for any discussions.&nbsp;

Responding to questions at a press conference in Delhi, Russian Envoy to India, Nikolay&nbsp;Kudashev said, "As far as the discussions at the United Nations Security Council are concerned... we have never been in favour of bringing this issue to the United Nation's agenda because this is strictly a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to discuss on the basis of Shimla and Lahore. Not much to discuss under the aegis of United Nations Security Council".

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-is-china-the-only-thorn-in-india-russia-ties-274835">Is China the only thorn in India-Russia ties?</a>

The comments come days after China, at the behest of Pakistan, raised Kashmir at a closed-door informal meet at the United Nations Security Council. The meet saw no takers and ended without any outcome.&nbsp;

On the visit of foreign envoys to Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month, Kudashev said he doesn't "feel the reason to travel" as "Kashmir is India's internal matter" and belongs to India's "constitutional space".

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-ties-with-new-delhi-second-to-none-russian-envoy-to-india-273759">Our ties with New Delhi second to none - Russian envoy to India</a>

"Those who believe that it is an issue and doubt Indian polices in Kashmir can travel", Kudashev said.&nbsp;

The Russian mission has confirmed to WION that it won't be requesting Indian government to be part of any future foreign envoys visit. According to government sources, the visit that happened in early January was at the request of various missions.&nbsp;

"If you invite me... I will go as a friend," the envoy responded when asked if the Indian government invites him for a visit.&nbsp;

In major support for New Delhi, Moscow has said that it never favours Kashmir being brought to the United Nations for any discussions. Responding to questions at a press conference in Delhi, Russian Envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev said, "As far as the discussions at the United Nations Security Council are concerned.

In major support for New Delhi, Moscow has said that it never favours Kashmir being brought to the United Nations for any discussions. Responding to questions at a press conference in Delhi, Russian Envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev said, "As far as the discussions at the United Nations Security Council are concerned... we have never been in favour of bringing this issue to the United Nation's agenda because this is strictly a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to discuss on the basis of Shimla and Lahore. Not much to discuss under the aegis of United Nations Security Council". Also read: Is China the only thorn in India-Russia ties? The comments come days after China, at the behest of Pakistan, raised Kashmir at a closed-door informal meet at the United Nations Security Council. The meet saw no takers and ended without any outcome. On the visit of foreign envoys to Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month, Kudashev said he doesn't "feel the reason to travel" as "Kashmir is India's internal matter" and belongs to India's "constitutional space". Also read: Our ties with New Delhi second to none - Russian envoy to India "Those who believe that it is an issue and doubt Indian polices in Kashmir can travel", Kudashev said. The Russian mission has confirmed to WION that it won't be requesting Indian government to be part of any future foreign envoys visit. According to government sources, the visit that happened in early January was at the request of various missions. "If you invite me... I will go as a friend," the envoy responded when asked if the Indian government invites him for a visit.

Russia supports India, says Moscow isn't in favour of Kashmir being discussed at United Nations 

Key dates in President Vladimir Putin's life: 1952 - 2020

Libya's eastern strongman General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khalifa-haftars-forces-shoot-down-tripoli-government-warplane-south-of-capital-216782">Khalifa Haftar</a> has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement to end nine months of fighting in the country, the Russian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP Tuesday.

Haftar on Monday evening asked for until Tuesday morning to look over the agreement already signed by the head of UN-recognised government <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-parliament-approves-libya-military-deal-269504">Fayez al-Sarraj</a>, but left the Russian capital without signing, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

The two delegations from Libya on Monday spent seven hours in an attempt to sign a deal outlining the terms of a permanent truce in Libya, following a ceasefire that took effect over the weekend.

Mediated by Russian and Turkish foreign and defense ministers, the talks did not include the warring sides meeting face to face, but Moscow said there was "progress" and that Haftar viewed the ceasefire document "positively".

Watch video:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/libya-general-haftars-forces-announces-conditional-ceasefire-273785/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Russian state media citing Libyan sources later said however that his plane departed Russia after a failure to reach a permanent agreement, leaving the fragile truce in uncertainty.

Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves&nbsp;following years of turbulence since a 2011 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-macrons-criticism-of-nato-very-very-nasty-before-summit-266035">NATO</a>-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Libya's eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement to end nine months of fighting in the country, the Russian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP Tuesday.

Libya's eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement to end nine months of fighting in the country, the Russian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP Tuesday. Haftar on Monday evening asked for until Tuesday morning to look over the agreement already signed by the head of UN-recognised government Fayez al-Sarraj, but left the Russian capital without signing, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. The two delegations from Libya on Monday spent seven hours in an attempt to sign a deal outlining the terms of a permanent truce in Libya, following a ceasefire that took effect over the weekend. Mediated by Russian and Turkish foreign and defense ministers, the talks did not include the warring sides meeting face to face, but Moscow said there was "progress" and that Haftar viewed the ceasefire document "positively". Watch video: Russian state media citing Libyan sources later said however that his plane departed Russia after a failure to reach a permanent agreement, leaving the fragile truce in uncertainty. Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves following years of turbulence since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Russia: Libya's Haftar left Moscow without signing ceasefire deal

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bernie-sanders-said-no-woman-could-beat-donald-trump-in-2020-elizabeth-warren-274125">Donald Trump</a>, a cybersecurity firm said Monday.

Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-linked-hackers-stole-sensitive-information-microsoft-271217">phishing</a>" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report.

"The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the spectre that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections," Area 1 co-founders Oren J. Falkowitz and Blake Darche said in the eight-page document.

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Here's a link to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Area1Security?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Area1Security</a> report on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/phishing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#phishing</a> of Burisma Holdings by the GRU <a href="https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs">https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs</a> <a href="https://t.co/XEmXumrww8">pic.twitter.com/XEmXumrww8</a>
— Oren J. Falkowitz (@orenfalkowitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/orenfalkowitz/status/1216874240848228352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump was impeached in December over allegations that he improperly pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Burisma and its links to former board member Hunter Biden, the son of the president's election rival Joe Biden.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-government-linked-hackers-targeting-anti-doping-authorities-sports-organizations-microsoft-258571">GRU</a> figured heavily in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which concluded that Russia hacked the Democratic Party and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shameful-for-uk-not-to-publish-russia-meddling-probe-clinton-261520">Hillary Clinton's</a> campaign to help Trump.

The president triggered wide alarm in Washington in July 2018 after he met President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-and-russias-putin-discuss-regional-global-issues-in-telephonic-conversation-274090">Vladimir Putin</a> in Helsinki and appeared to take at face value Putin's denials of Russian meddling.

In a July 2019 phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Volodymyr Zelensky</a>, Trump pushed for Kiev to investigate a debunked Kremlin conspiracy theory that Biden, one of the Democrats most likely to challenge Trump for the White House in November, had tried to quash a graft probe of Burisma to protect his son.&nbsp;

The GRU, a military intelligence unit, got into the servers of Burisma Holdings, Area 1 said, although it is not clear what they found or what they were looking for.

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The Russians appear to be at it again. According to a new report, they’re hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. 
 
And again, it appears aimed to help Trump. 
 
We must reject foreign meddling. 
 
Americans should decide American elections. <a href="https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz">https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz</a>
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1216921237009633281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The Russians appear to be at it again," tweeted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-prepared-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-trial-john-bolton-272608">Adam Schiff</a>, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who led Trump's impeachment investigation for the Democrats.

"According to a new report, they're hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump."

The report was released with Trump expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "phishing" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report.

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "phishing" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report. "The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the spectre that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections," Area 1 co-founders Oren J. Falkowitz and Blake Darche said in the eight-page document. Here's a link to the @Area1Security report on #phishing of Burisma Holdings by the GRU https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs pic.twitter.com/XEmXumrww8 — Oren J. Falkowitz (@orenfalkowitz) January 14, 2020 × Trump was impeached in December over allegations that he improperly pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Burisma and its links to former board member Hunter Biden, the son of the president's election rival Joe Biden. The GRU figured heavily in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which concluded that Russia hacked the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign to help Trump. The president triggered wide alarm in Washington in July 2018 after he met President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki and appeared to take at face value Putin's denials of Russian meddling. In a July 2019 phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump pushed for Kiev to investigate a debunked Kremlin conspiracy theory that Biden, one of the Democrats most likely to challenge Trump for the White House in November, had tried to quash a graft probe of Burisma to protect his son. The GRU, a military intelligence unit, got into the servers of Burisma Holdings, Area 1 said, although it is not clear what they found or what they were looking for. The Russians appear to be at it again. According to a new report, they’re hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump. We must reject foreign meddling. Americans should decide American elections. https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 14, 2020 × "The Russians appear to be at it again," tweeted Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who led Trump's impeachment investigation for the Democrats. "According to a new report, they're hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump." The report was released with Trump expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment

Both of Libya's warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday.

The Turkish and Russian presidents had called for the ceasefire to start on Sunday, more than nine months into an offensive on Tripoli by the eastern-based <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-forces-loyal-to-haftar-announce-ceasefire-gna-agrees-to-truce-273671">Libyan National Army</a> (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

Both the LNA and the Tripoli-based, internationally recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-30-people-killed-in-libya-military-academy-attack-in-tripoli-272302">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA) had said they conditionally agreed to the truce.

But the GNA said in a statement that it had recorded gunfire in the Salaheddin and Wadi Rabea areas "minutes" after the ceasefire was meant to start at 0001 a.m. on Sunday (Saturday 2201 GMT).

From early on Sunday morning exchanges of fire could be heard in Salaheddin and Ain Zara districts.

Any attempt to impose a lasting ceasefire will be hard to enforce because of the splintered nature of Libya's military coalitions, with disparate factions and foreign fighters deployed on both sides. Both sides refer to each other as militias.

"The (GNA) militias violated the truce on more than one battlefront, with all types of weapons," said LNA commander Al-Mabrouk Al-Gazawi, adding that forces were waiting for further instruction from LNA general command.

The GNA said in a statement it had recorded violations by "the aggressor's militias" but that it "renews its commitment to the ceasefire, and emphasizes the need for commitment from the patrons of this ceasefire and the United Nations mission in Libya in applying it optimally".

Turkey's defence ministry said it had observed that all sides were trying to abide by the ceasefire and that the situation was calm except for "one or two separate incidents".

The ceasefire call came after a recent escalation of fighting around Tripoli, and the LNA's advance into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Sirte</a>, a strategically important city midway along Libya's coastline.

It also came as the United Nations and European powers pushed for a summit in Berlin aimed at winding down foreign involvement and resuming a peace process upended by Haftar's advance.

The LNA has received backing from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt and Russia, while Turkey backs the GNA and voted this month to allow a troop deployment to the North African country.

Both of Libya's warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday.

Both of Libya's warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday. The Turkish and Russian presidents had called for the ceasefire to start on Sunday, more than nine months into an offensive on Tripoli by the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar. Both the LNA and the Tripoli-based, internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) had said they conditionally agreed to the truce. But the GNA said in a statement that it had recorded gunfire in the Salaheddin and Wadi Rabea areas "minutes" after the ceasefire was meant to start at 0001 a.m. on Sunday (Saturday 2201 GMT). From early on Sunday morning exchanges of fire could be heard in Salaheddin and Ain Zara districts. Any attempt to impose a lasting ceasefire will be hard to enforce because of the splintered nature of Libya's military coalitions, with disparate factions and foreign fighters deployed on both sides. Both sides refer to each other as militias. "The (GNA) militias violated the truce on more than one battlefront, with all types of weapons," said LNA commander Al-Mabrouk Al-Gazawi, adding that forces were waiting for further instruction from LNA general command. The GNA said in a statement it had recorded violations by "the aggressor's militias" but that it "renews its commitment to the ceasefire, and emphasizes the need for commitment from the patrons of this ceasefire and the United Nations mission in Libya in applying it optimally". Turkey's defence ministry said it had observed that all sides were trying to abide by the ceasefire and that the situation was calm except for "one or two separate incidents". The ceasefire call came after a recent escalation of fighting around Tripoli, and the LNA's advance into Sirte, a strategically important city midway along Libya's coastline. It also came as the United Nations and European powers pushed for a summit in Berlin aimed at winding down foreign involvement and resuming a peace process upended by Haftar's advance. The LNA has received backing from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt and Russia, while Turkey backs the GNA and voted this month to allow a troop deployment to the North African country.

Libya: Libyan National Army and Government of National Accord blame each other for 'violating ceasefire'

Reaffirming close India-Russia strategic ties, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-is-new-model-of-international-contact-russian-envoy-to-india-261083">Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev</a> has said Moscow's ties with New Delhi is "second to none".

Speaking to WION, Kudashev said, "Our relationship with India is second to none. This is a relationship which is a privileged strategic partnership."

"We supply topmost technology and weapons, committed to Indian industries like nuclear," he added. &nbsp;

The comments come days before Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov's India visit next week. PM Modi will travel to Russia in May and a return visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin can be expected towards the end of the year.&nbsp;

On Kashmir, he reiterated his government's stand saying, "Kashmir is an internal matter of India, it belongs to the constitutional space of India. We always consider the internal affairs of your country."

When asked about the envoy's recent visit to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Kudashev said, while he hasn't received an "official invitation" but "as far as India inviting other envoys are concerned, it is a sovereign matter of India. I do not feel obliged to comment on the matter."

"No doubt as far as geopolitics in Kashmir is concerned, if somebody has some doubts or issues, let them travel, it is my personal comment," he said.&nbsp;

Russia is also going to train Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan programme the first Indian manned mission to space. On the programme, the envoy said, "space is established entity of our cooperation and we have been willing to contribute... based on our common conviction of peacefull and open outerspace".

Reaffirming close India-Russia strategic ties, Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev has said Moscow's ties with New Delhi is "second to none". Speaking to WION, Kudashev said, "Our relationship with India is second to none.

Reaffirming close India-Russia strategic ties, Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev has said Moscow's ties with New Delhi is "second to none". Speaking to WION, Kudashev said, "Our relationship with India is second to none. This is a relationship which is a privileged strategic partnership." "We supply topmost technology and weapons, committed to Indian industries like nuclear," he added. The comments come days before Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov's India visit next week. PM Modi will travel to Russia in May and a return visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin can be expected towards the end of the year. On Kashmir, he reiterated his government's stand saying, "Kashmir is an internal matter of India, it belongs to the constitutional space of India. We always consider the internal affairs of your country." When asked about the envoy's recent visit to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Kudashev said, while he hasn't received an "official invitation" but "as far as India inviting other envoys are concerned, it is a sovereign matter of India. I do not feel obliged to comment on the matter." "No doubt as far as geopolitics in Kashmir is concerned, if somebody has some doubts or issues, let them travel, it is my personal comment," he said. Russia is also going to train Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan programme the first Indian manned mission to space. On the programme, the envoy said, "space is established entity of our cooperation and we have been willing to contribute... based on our common conviction of peacefull and open outerspace".

Our ties with New Delhi second to none: Russian envoy to India

Turkey on Saturday asked Russia to convince eastern Libyan strongman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Khalifa Haftar </a>to respect a ceasefire initiative by Ankara and Moscow that he has rejected.

Khalifa Haftar to respect a ceasefire initiative by Ankara and Moscow that he has rejected.&nbsp;

"We are waiting for our Russian friends to succeed in convincing Haftar," Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-will-retaliate-against-any-sanctions-ahead-of-us-vote-267704">Mevlut Cavusoglu</a> told a news conference.

In a statement read by his spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari, Haftar claimed that a revival of the political process and the country's stability could only be assured by the "eradication of terrorist groups" and the dissolution of militia controlling Tripoli.

An adviser to Haftar later told AFP that Haftar's position did not amount to a rejection of the ceasefire initiative, but rather "conditions that must be fulfilled" ahead of any truce.

Haftar's forces in April launched an offensive against the capital, seat of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/80000-syrian-migrants-marching-to-turkey-says-recep-erdogan-269633">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> and his Russian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-russia-makes-worlds-best-cheese-thanks-to-putins-sanctions-war-264952">Vladimir Putin</a> called for a ceasefire on Wednesday in Istanbul.

Cavusoglu accused "regional nations" -- a reference to Arab countries backing Haftar and also to France -- of opposing a ceasefire.

"France is looking for any means to sabotage any initiative of which is not party to," he said.

Turkey last week started deploying troops in Libya to back the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj.

Cavusoglu also said Saturday that a new ceasefire brokered by Ankara and Moscow was due to come into force at 0001 GMT Sunday in Idlib, the last rebel bastion in Syria's northwest.

"We hope that it will be lasting this time and that Russia will be able to control the regime forces," he said.

Russia is a key backer of the Syrian regime of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/efforts-to-return-syrias-bashar-al-assad-to-arab-fold-amount-to-hollow-victory-for-autocrats-186828">Bashar al-Assad</a>.

The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 and has claimed more than 380,000 lives and displaced millions.

Turkey on Saturday asked Russia to convince eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar to respect a ceasefire initiative by Ankara and Moscow that he has rejected. Khalifa Haftar to respect a ceasefire initiative by Ankara and Moscow that he has rejected.

Turkey on Saturday asked Russia to convince eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar to respect a ceasefire initiative by Ankara and Moscow that he has rejected. Khalifa Haftar to respect a ceasefire initiative by Ankara and Moscow that he has rejected. "We are waiting for our Russian friends to succeed in convincing Haftar," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a news conference. In a statement read by his spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari, Haftar claimed that a revival of the political process and the country's stability could only be assured by the "eradication of terrorist groups" and the dissolution of militia controlling Tripoli. An adviser to Haftar later told AFP that Haftar's position did not amount to a rejection of the ceasefire initiative, but rather "conditions that must be fulfilled" ahead of any truce. Haftar's forces in April launched an offensive against the capital, seat of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin called for a ceasefire on Wednesday in Istanbul. Cavusoglu accused "regional nations" -- a reference to Arab countries backing Haftar and also to France -- of opposing a ceasefire. "France is looking for any means to sabotage any initiative of which is not party to," he said. Turkey last week started deploying troops in Libya to back the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj. Cavusoglu also said Saturday that a new ceasefire brokered by Ankara and Moscow was due to come into force at 0001 GMT Sunday in Idlib, the last rebel bastion in Syria's northwest. "We hope that it will be lasting this time and that Russia will be able to control the regime forces," he said. Russia is a key backer of the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 and has claimed more than 380,000 lives and displaced millions.

Turkey asks Russia to convince Libyan general to accept truce

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">killing</a> of a&nbsp;top&nbsp;general and turmoil in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.

Russia's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fully-respect-iraqs-sovereignty-says-irans-un-ambassador-after-ballistic-missile-strike-273064">Vladimir Putin</a> will hold talks with German Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkel-visits-auschwitz-for-first-time-266657">Angela Merkel</a> in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crimea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crimea</a>: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets <a href="https://t.co/ZusR628AYx">https://t.co/ZusR628AYx</a> <a href="https://t.co/DJn09l0VWe">pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe</a>
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E/status/1215291712173694976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker.

German Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-plotting-imminent-action-threatening-hundreds-of-american-lives-pompeo-271975">Heiko Maas</a>, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;was the escalating crisis in&nbsp;Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria".

"We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin."

Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters.

Putin and Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sports-has-emerged-as-battlefield-for-freedom-of-expression-270322">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> called for a ceasefire in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict.

While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Tripoli</a> government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government.

Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire.

The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed&nbsp;top&nbsp;Iranian commander General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a drone strike close to Baghdad.

Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region".

Watch:&nbsp;Iran gives black box to Ukraine

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Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops.

While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East".

Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal.

The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies.

The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;

The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people.

Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders.

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Thanked <a href="https://twitter.com/HeikoMaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeikoMaas</a> for German support and sympathy after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ps752?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ps752</a> tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January.
— Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPrystaiko/status/1215373166224330752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">Vadym Prystaiko</a> tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks.

Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany. Russia's Vladimir Putin will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea. #Crimea: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets https://t.co/ZusR628AYx pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe — President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 9, 2020 × Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the meeting was the escalating crisis in Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria". "We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin." Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on Libya later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters. Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a ceasefire in Libya on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict. While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed Tripoli government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government. Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire. The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike close to Baghdad. Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region". Watch: Iran gives black box to Ukraine × Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops. While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East". Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal. The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in Iran on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested Iran downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies. The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine. The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people. Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders. Thanked @HeikoMaas for German support and sympathy after #ps752 tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January. — Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) January 9, 2020 × Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks. Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by Iran tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.

Libya and Iran top agenda in Merkel-Putin meeting

A senior <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/facebook-to-welcome-its-first-ever-facebook-tv-18323">Facebook</a> executive on Tuesday said the world's biggest social network unintentionally helped put <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-attitude-towards-india-unpredictable-unreliable-238560">Donald Trump</a> in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/white-house-invokes-executive-privilege-to-stop-release-of-mueller-report-217070">White House</a> but warned against dramatic rule changes.

The Trump campaign did effectively use Facebook to rally support for his presidential run, and the social network should be mindful of that without making moves that stifle free political discourse, Andrew Bosworth said in a lengthy post on his personal Facebook page triggered by The New York Times publishing an internal memo he wrote.

"So was Facebook responsible for Donald Trump getting elected?" Bosworth asked.

"I think the answer is yes, but not for the reasons anyone thinks."

Bosworth contended Trump was not elected because of Russia or misinformation or Cambridge Analytica, but rather because he ran "the single best digital ad campaign I've ever seen from any advertiser."

He went on to say that, since Facebook has the same ad policies in place now, the outcome of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-the-impeachment-inquiry-might-affect-donald-trumps-2020-re-election-chances-253716">2020 election</a> could be the same as it was four years ago.

"As tempting as it is to use the tools available to us to change the outcome, I am confident we must never do that or we will become that which we fear," Bosworth wrote.

That doesn't mean Facebook should not draw a line when it comes to how it is used, he reasoned. Clearly inciting violence, thwarting voting, and other blatant transgressions should be banned, but voters should be trusted to decide what kind of leaders they want to elect, according to Bosworth.

"If we don’t want hate-mongering politicians then we must not elect them," Bosworth wrote.

"If we change the outcomes without winning the minds of the people who will be ruled then we have a democracy in name only. If we limit what information people have access to and what they can say then we have no democracy at all."

A senior Facebook executive on Tuesday said the world's biggest social network unintentionally helped put Donald Trump in the White House but warned against dramatic rule changes.

A senior Facebook executive on Tuesday said the world's biggest social network unintentionally helped put Donald Trump in the White House but warned against dramatic rule changes. The Trump campaign did effectively use Facebook to rally support for his presidential run, and the social network should be mindful of that without making moves that stifle free political discourse, Andrew Bosworth said in a lengthy post on his personal Facebook page triggered by The New York Times publishing an internal memo he wrote. "So was Facebook responsible for Donald Trump getting elected?" Bosworth asked. "I think the answer is yes, but not for the reasons anyone thinks." Bosworth contended Trump was not elected because of Russia or misinformation or Cambridge Analytica, but rather because he ran "the single best digital ad campaign I've ever seen from any advertiser." He went on to say that, since Facebook has the same ad policies in place now, the outcome of the 2020 election could be the same as it was four years ago. "As tempting as it is to use the tools available to us to change the outcome, I am confident we must never do that or we will become that which we fear," Bosworth wrote. That doesn't mean Facebook should not draw a line when it comes to how it is used, he reasoned. Clearly inciting violence, thwarting voting, and other blatant transgressions should be banned, but voters should be trusted to decide what kind of leaders they want to elect, according to Bosworth. "If we don’t want hate-mongering politicians then we must not elect them," Bosworth wrote. "If we change the outcomes without winning the minds of the people who will be ruled then we have a democracy in name only. If we limit what information people have access to and what they can say then we have no democracy at all."

Facebook executive says it helped put Trump in White House

Russia's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-against-trump-absolutely-on-made-up-grounds-putin-269164">Vladimir Putin </a>thanked US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday for intelligence that helped in thwarting attacks planned in St' Petersburg, the Kremlin said. &nbsp;

The Russian president thanked Trump "for the transfer, through special services, of information allowing the prevention of terrorist acts in Russia," said a statement released by the president's office. Kremlin said that Putin expressed his gratitude through a phone call to the US president.&nbsp;

Kremlin's statement also added that Putin and Trump would continue the bilateral cooperation to tackle terrorism.

With the help of information shared by the US, the Federal Security Service (FSB) detained two Russians on December 27 on suspicion of plotting attacks during new New Year festivities in St. Petersburg, Russian news agencies said.&nbsp;

The reports said that the two detained were preparing a "terrorist act".

Moscow and Washington are at odds on most of the issues including Syria, allegations of Russia meddling 2016 US election, but Trump and Putin managed to maintain their personal ties.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

&nbsp;

Russia's President Vladimir Putin thanked US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday for intelligence that helped in thwarting attacks planned in St' Petersburg, the Kremlin said.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin thanked US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday for intelligence that helped in thwarting attacks planned in St' Petersburg, the Kremlin said. The Russian president thanked Trump "for the transfer, through special services, of information allowing the prevention of terrorist acts in Russia," said a statement released by the president's office. Kremlin said that Putin expressed his gratitude through a phone call to the US president. Kremlin's statement also added that Putin and Trump would continue the bilateral cooperation to tackle terrorism. With the help of information shared by the US, the Federal Security Service (FSB) detained two Russians on December 27 on suspicion of plotting attacks during new New Year festivities in St. Petersburg, Russian news agencies said. The reports said that the two detained were preparing a "terrorist act". Moscow and Washington are at odds on most of the issues including Syria, allegations of Russia meddling 2016 US election, but Trump and Putin managed to maintain their personal ties. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Vladimir Putin thanks Donald Trump for intelligence that foiled attack

Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in the country's war-torn east <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-begins-all-for-all-prisoner-swap-with-separatists-270857">exchanged 200 prisoners on Sunday</a>, swapping detained fighters for civilians and servicemen held captive in some cases for years in two breakaway regions.

Kiev handed over to separatists five riot policemen suspected of killing protesters during a pro-Western uprising in 2014 as part of the swap, sparking public outrage.

"The mutual release of the detainees has ended," the Ukrainian presidential office said in a statement on Facebook, adding that it would provide more details later.

The presidency said Kiev received 76 captives, while separatist officials said the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics took in a total of 124.

The head of the Lugansk stronghold, Leonid Pasechnik, congratulated his people on a new "victory" ahead of the New Year's festivities.

The exchange came after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky held their first face-to-face talks in Paris on December 9 and agreed measures to de-escalate Europe's only active war.&nbsp;

Prisoners filed off coaches at the Mayorske checkpoint in the eastern Donetsk region, many carrying plastic bags stuffed with their belongings, as gun-toting uniformed soldiers and ambulances were on standby.

Among the group of detainees handed over by the separatists were those who said they had been held for several years after getting caught up in the conflict while visiting relatives.

Volodymyr Danylchenko, who said he had spent three years in captivity, said he was at a loss for words.&nbsp;

"I myself don't understand what's happened," said the 36-year-old, adding that he was leaving his mother behind in the separatist region of Lugansk.&nbsp;

Bittersweet homecoming

Another detainee released by the separatists, who gave just her first name Victoria, said she had been held for three years.&nbsp;

"I am so happy," the 24-year-old told AFP, adding that she had been convicted of "state treason" and sentenced to 12 years in prison after arriving in the Lugansk region to see her parents.&nbsp;

Another woman being handed to Kiev sported a handwritten sign on her clothing: "My country is Ukraine!"&nbsp;

The swap, which was overseen by monitors from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, came three months after Ukraine carried out a long-awaited exchange with Russia of 35 prisoners each.&nbsp;

The previous prisoner swap between Kiev and separatists took place in 2017.

Ties between Ukraine and Russia were shredded after the bloody 2014 uprising ousted a Kremlin-backed regime.&nbsp;

Moscow went on to annex Crimea and support insurgents in eastern Ukraine who launched a bid for independence in 2014. Since then more than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

'No future'&nbsp;

The release of the riot police has raised concerns in Ukraine, with many fearing the country is being pushed to pay too high a price for the swap. &nbsp;

Ahead of the exchange three riot policemen were released from custody while another two were freed from house arrest.

The riot policemen are suspected to have been involved in the bloody crackdown on protesters in 2014. Some 100 demonstrators were shot dead during the uprising.

"What Ukrainians have been fighting for is going down the drain," filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who was released in the September prisoner exchange, said on Facebook.

In an open letter to Zelensky, the victims' families warned that the release of the suspects could lead to a "wave of protests".

Volodymyr Golodnyuk, whose 19-year son was killed in the uprising, accused authorities of "abusing the justice system".

"This country has no future," he said.&nbsp;

In an apparent move to allay concerns, Ukraine's prosecutor-general's office said the trial of the five former policemen would continue.

'Frozen' conflict

Since coming to power in May, comedian-turned-president Zelensky, 41, has sought to kickstart a peace process to end the conflict.

At the Paris summit, the leaders sought to revive accords signed in Minsk in 2015 that call for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, and the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, among other conditions.

But many doubt whether Putin genuinely wants to settle the conflict.

He has said that if Kiev gets back control of the border in the east, residents of separatist-held territories could be targeted. &nbsp;

Zelensky's peace plan has also been strongly criticised by war veterans and nationalists.

Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Centre, praised the prisoner exchange but said it would not bring a settlement any closer.&nbsp;

"The conflict is much more likely to become frozen than resolved," he said on Twitter.

Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in the country's war-torn east exchanged 200 prisoners on Sunday, swapping detained fighters for civilians and servicemen held captive in some cases for years in two breakaway regions.

Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in the country's war-torn east exchanged 200 prisoners on Sunday, swapping detained fighters for civilians and servicemen held captive in some cases for years in two breakaway regions. Kiev handed over to separatists five riot policemen suspected of killing protesters during a pro-Western uprising in 2014 as part of the swap, sparking public outrage. "The mutual release of the detainees has ended," the Ukrainian presidential office said in a statement on Facebook, adding that it would provide more details later. The presidency said Kiev received 76 captives, while separatist officials said the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics took in a total of 124. The head of the Lugansk stronghold, Leonid Pasechnik, congratulated his people on a new "victory" ahead of the New Year's festivities. The exchange came after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky held their first face-to-face talks in Paris on December 9 and agreed measures to de-escalate Europe's only active war. Prisoners filed off coaches at the Mayorske checkpoint in the eastern Donetsk region, many carrying plastic bags stuffed with their belongings, as gun-toting uniformed soldiers and ambulances were on standby. Among the group of detainees handed over by the separatists were those who said they had been held for several years after getting caught up in the conflict while visiting relatives. Volodymyr Danylchenko, who said he had spent three years in captivity, said he was at a loss for words. "I myself don't understand what's happened," said the 36-year-old, adding that he was leaving his mother behind in the separatist region of Lugansk. Bittersweet homecoming Another detainee released by the separatists, who gave just her first name Victoria, said she had been held for three years. "I am so happy," the 24-year-old told AFP, adding that she had been convicted of "state treason" and sentenced to 12 years in prison after arriving in the Lugansk region to see her parents. Another woman being handed to Kiev sported a handwritten sign on her clothing: "My country is Ukraine!" The swap, which was overseen by monitors from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, came three months after Ukraine carried out a long-awaited exchange with Russia of 35 prisoners each. The previous prisoner swap between Kiev and separatists took place in 2017. Ties between Ukraine and Russia were shredded after the bloody 2014 uprising ousted a Kremlin-backed regime. Moscow went on to annex Crimea and support insurgents in eastern Ukraine who launched a bid for independence in 2014. Since then more than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict. 'No future' The release of the riot police has raised concerns in Ukraine, with many fearing the country is being pushed to pay too high a price for the swap. Ahead of the exchange three riot policemen were released from custody while another two were freed from house arrest. The riot policemen are suspected to have been involved in the bloody crackdown on protesters in 2014. Some 100 demonstrators were shot dead during the uprising. "What Ukrainians have been fighting for is going down the drain," filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who was released in the September prisoner exchange, said on Facebook. In an open letter to Zelensky, the victims' families warned that the release of the suspects could lead to a "wave of protests". Volodymyr Golodnyuk, whose 19-year son was killed in the uprising, accused authorities of "abusing the justice system". "This country has no future," he said. In an apparent move to allay concerns, Ukraine's prosecutor-general's office said the trial of the five former policemen would continue. 'Frozen' conflict Since coming to power in May, comedian-turned-president Zelensky, 41, has sought to kickstart a peace process to end the conflict. At the Paris summit, the leaders sought to revive accords signed in Minsk in 2015 that call for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, and the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, among other conditions. But many doubt whether Putin genuinely wants to settle the conflict. He has said that if Kiev gets back control of the border in the east, residents of separatist-held territories could be targeted. Zelensky's peace plan has also been strongly criticised by war veterans and nationalists. Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Centre, praised the prisoner exchange but said it would not bring a settlement any closer. "The conflict is much more likely to become frozen than resolved," he said on Twitter.

Ukraine rivals exchange 200 prisoners in controversial swap

Turkey will not withdraw from its observation posts in the Syrian rebel bastion province of Idlib which has seen an increase in violence carried out by regime forces supported by Russian airstrikes, the defence minister said.&nbsp;

The posts were established under a September 2018 deal between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-235000-flee-northwest-syria-flare-up-united-nation-270586">Syrian regime</a> ally Moscow and Ankara, which backs the rebels, to avert an all-out Syrian government onslaught in Idlib.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces surrounded one of 12 Turkish observation posts in Idlib province on Monday after overrunning nearby areas in a push to take the last opposition holdout, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp;

"We respect the agreement reached with Russia and we expect Russia to abide by this agreement," Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in comments published on Sunday on the defence ministry's Twitter account.

"We will by no means empty those 12 observation posts, we will not leave there," Akar said.

His comments came during a visit, together with top army commanders, to the southern province of Hatay on the Syrian border to inspect Turkish troops on Saturday.

Turkey, worried over a new wave of refugees from the Idlib region, is pressing for a fresh ceasefire deal, as it sent a delegation to Moscow on Monday.

"We are doing what's needed to put an end to this massacre," Akar was quoted as saying by the official news agency Anadolu.&nbsp;

He said Ankara expected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-backed-syrian-forces-gain-ground-in-idlib-269853">Damascus ally Russia</a> to "use its influence on the regime in order to stop ground and air assault" in Idlib.

The latest violence has displaced more than 235,000 people and killed scores of civilians, despite an August ceasefire deal and international calls for a de-escalation.

The Idlib region hosts some three million people including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"As long as this pressure remains in place, it will trigger a new migrant wave and put further burden on Turkey which is already hosting nearly four million Syrian brothers," said Akar.

Around <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-and-syrian-protesters-hold-anti-russia-rally-in-istanbul-270797">300 protesters</a> -&nbsp;mostly Syrians living in Turkey -&nbsp; held an anti-Moscow demonstration near the Russian consulate in Istanbul on Saturday against the intensified attacks in Idlib, shouting "murderer Putin, get out of Syria!", referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Libya timetable&nbsp;

Akar's visit to soldiers on the border region comes as Turkey is also readying to send troops to support the UN-recognised government in Tripoli against strongman Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army.&nbsp;

"The Turkish Armed Forces are ready for whatever task is given in order to protect our country and people's interests," Akar said.&nbsp;

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said Ankara would respond to an invitation from the Libyan national unity government and that the Turkish parliament would vote on a motion to send troops as soon as it returns from recess as early as next month.

Ankara signed in November a security and military cooperation deal with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) but in order to send troops, parliament needs to vote through motion as it does for Iraq and Syria.

Anadolu news agency, citing sources in Erdogan's ruling party, reported that the timetable could be brought forward and the motion could be presented to the parliamentary speaker's office on Monday.

The General Assembly could vote the measure in an extraordinary session on Thursday, it said. Parliament is due to return from recess on January 7.

Turkey will not withdraw from its observation posts in the Syrian rebel bastion province of Idlib which has seen an increase in violence carried out by regime forces supported by Russian airstrikes, the defence minister said.

Turkey will not withdraw from its observation posts in the Syrian rebel bastion province of Idlib which has seen an increase in violence carried out by regime forces supported by Russian airstrikes, the defence minister said. The posts were established under a September 2018 deal between Syrian regime ally Moscow and Ankara, which backs the rebels, to avert an all-out Syrian government onslaught in Idlib. President Bashar al-Assad's forces surrounded one of 12 Turkish observation posts in Idlib province on Monday after overrunning nearby areas in a push to take the last opposition holdout, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "We respect the agreement reached with Russia and we expect Russia to abide by this agreement," Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in comments published on Sunday on the defence ministry's Twitter account. "We will by no means empty those 12 observation posts, we will not leave there," Akar said. His comments came during a visit, together with top army commanders, to the southern province of Hatay on the Syrian border to inspect Turkish troops on Saturday. Turkey, worried over a new wave of refugees from the Idlib region, is pressing for a fresh ceasefire deal, as it sent a delegation to Moscow on Monday. "We are doing what's needed to put an end to this massacre," Akar was quoted as saying by the official news agency Anadolu. He said Ankara expected Damascus ally Russia to "use its influence on the regime in order to stop ground and air assault" in Idlib. The latest violence has displaced more than 235,000 people and killed scores of civilians, despite an August ceasefire deal and international calls for a de-escalation. The Idlib region hosts some three million people including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria. "As long as this pressure remains in place, it will trigger a new migrant wave and put further burden on Turkey which is already hosting nearly four million Syrian brothers," said Akar. Around 300 protesters - mostly Syrians living in Turkey - held an anti-Moscow demonstration near the Russian consulate in Istanbul on Saturday against the intensified attacks in Idlib, shouting "murderer Putin, get out of Syria!", referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Libya timetable Akar's visit to soldiers on the border region comes as Turkey is also readying to send troops to support the UN-recognised government in Tripoli against strongman Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army. "The Turkish Armed Forces are ready for whatever task is given in order to protect our country and people's interests," Akar said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said Ankara would respond to an invitation from the Libyan national unity government and that the Turkish parliament would vote on a motion to send troops as soon as it returns from recess as early as next month. Ankara signed in November a security and military cooperation deal with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) but in order to send troops, parliament needs to vote through motion as it does for Iraq and Syria. Anadolu news agency, citing sources in Erdogan's ruling party, reported that the timetable could be brought forward and the motion could be presented to the parliamentary speaker's office on Monday. The General Assembly could vote the measure in an extraordinary session on Thursday, it said. Parliament is due to return from recess on January 7.

Will not withdraw from army posts in Syria's Idlib: Turkey

Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have started an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-russia-separatists-ukraine-to-swap-prisoners-270746">all-for-all prisoner swap</a>, after which all remaining prisoners of the five-year conflict should return home, the office of Ukraine's president said on Sunday.

The agreement was concluded by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris in December.

The swap is taking place at a check point near the industrial town of Horlivka in the Donetsk region.

Russia's RIA news agency, citing a local official from the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, said Kiev would hand over 87 separatists, while Donetsk would return 55 pro-central government fighters.

Kiev's forces have been battling separatists in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine since 2014 in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Sporadic fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement.

There have been several prisoner exchanges between Kiev and the rebels. In the last swap, conducted in December 2017, Ukraine handed over about 300 captives to pro-Russian separatists and took back around 70.

Relations between Ukraine and Russia collapsed following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, and its subsequent support for separatists in the eastern Donbass region.

President Zelenskiy won a landslide election victory in April promising to end the conflict.

Widely criticized domestically for his plan to grant special status to Donbass to help end the five-year conflict, Zelenskiy's latest actions have given rise to cautious optimism.

In September, after a carefully negotiated rapprochement, Russia and Ukraine swapped dozens of prisoners. The move brought Western praise and hopes that relations between Moscow and Kiev could thaw.

The released Ukrainians included sailors detained by Russia during a clash in waters off Crimea last year, and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, jailed in Russia.

The meeting of Ukrainian, Russian, German and French leaders earlier this month in Paris renewed optimism for a resolution to the conflict, and confirmed the relevance of an early peace agreement signed in Belarusian capital Minsk in 2015.

Relations between the two countries are also unlikely to be aggravated by a dispute in the gas sector, where Kiev and Moscow are arguing about a new transit contract to replace the current agreement which expires at the end of the year.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of using natural gas supplies to put pressure on the neighbouring state, but last week the parties managed to agree on the main points of a new deal.

Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have started an all-for-all prisoner swap, after which all remaining prisoners of the five-year conflict should return home, the office of Ukraine's president said on Sunday.

Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have started an all-for-all prisoner swap, after which all remaining prisoners of the five-year conflict should return home, the office of Ukraine's president said on Sunday. The agreement was concluded by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris in December. The swap is taking place at a check point near the industrial town of Horlivka in the Donetsk region. Russia's RIA news agency, citing a local official from the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, said Kiev would hand over 87 separatists, while Donetsk would return 55 pro-central government fighters. Kiev's forces have been battling separatists in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine since 2014 in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Sporadic fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement. There have been several prisoner exchanges between Kiev and the rebels. In the last swap, conducted in December 2017, Ukraine handed over about 300 captives to pro-Russian separatists and took back around 70. Relations between Ukraine and Russia collapsed following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, and its subsequent support for separatists in the eastern Donbass region. President Zelenskiy won a landslide election victory in April promising to end the conflict. Widely criticized domestically for his plan to grant special status to Donbass to help end the five-year conflict, Zelenskiy's latest actions have given rise to cautious optimism. In September, after a carefully negotiated rapprochement, Russia and Ukraine swapped dozens of prisoners. The move brought Western praise and hopes that relations between Moscow and Kiev could thaw. The released Ukrainians included sailors detained by Russia during a clash in waters off Crimea last year, and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, jailed in Russia. The meeting of Ukrainian, Russian, German and French leaders earlier this month in Paris renewed optimism for a resolution to the conflict, and confirmed the relevance of an early peace agreement signed in Belarusian capital Minsk in 2015. Relations between the two countries are also unlikely to be aggravated by a dispute in the gas sector, where Kiev and Moscow are arguing about a new transit contract to replace the current agreement which expires at the end of the year. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of using natural gas supplies to put pressure on the neighbouring state, but last week the parties managed to agree on the main points of a new deal.

Ukraine begins all-for-all prisoner swap with separatists

Several hundred Turkish and Syrian protesters held an anti-Russia demonstration in Istanbul on Saturday against intensified Russian and regime bombardment in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-230000-people-flee-idlib-in-two-week-russian-backed-offensive-united-nations-270765">Syria's rebel bastion of Idlib</a>.&nbsp;

The protesters -- mostly Syrians living in Turkey -- gathered close to the Russian consulate in Istanbul, shouting "Murderer Putin, get out of Syria!", referring to the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since mid-December, regime forces and their Russian allies have heightened bombardment on the southern edge of the final major opposition-held pocket of Syria, eight years into the country's devastating war.

The latest violence has displaced more than 235,000 people and killed scores of civilians, despite an August ceasefire deal and international calls for a de-escalation.

Protesters in Istanbul, including women with their children, held pictures of victims of the attacks, while some brandished a banner that read: "Russia is killing our people and children and the world is not doing anything."

"What does Russia want from us? Kids, wives are dying. People are dying," Syrian demonstrator Ahmed Marwan, 24, told AFP. &nbsp;

"We aren't terrorists, we are humans. We came to this country to live. Leaving your homeland isn't easy but we live in this pain. Enough already."

Turkey is home to around five million refugees, among which 3.7 million are Syrians.

"We are here to protest this massacre going on in Syria," Turkish protester Gulden Sonmez said.

"Here I also want to make this call to Russia, and especially Bashar al-Assad... anyone who is responsible for this massacre, all of them have to be judged and pay for these war crimes in the name of humanity," she added.&nbsp;

Turkish police blocked the group from walking to the consulate in the busy Istiklal Street, but instead allowed a small group to unfurl a banner that read: "More than 30,000 children killed by Russia and Assad regime."

The Damascus regime, which now controls 70 percent of Syria, has repeatedly vowed to take back the Idlib region, which hosts some three million people, including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria.&nbsp;

Alarmed by a new wave of refugees near its border, Turkey this week sent a delegation to Moscow in a bid to press for a fresh ceasefire deal.

Erdogan has already warned Europe that Turkey could not handle a new wave of Syrian refugees fleeing the increased bombardment in Idlib.&nbsp;

Several hundred Turkish and Syrian protesters held an anti-Russia demonstration in Istanbul on Saturday against intensified Russian and regime bombardment in Syria's rebel bastion of Idlib.

Several hundred Turkish and Syrian protesters held an anti-Russia demonstration in Istanbul on Saturday against intensified Russian and regime bombardment in Syria's rebel bastion of Idlib. The protesters -- mostly Syrians living in Turkey -- gathered close to the Russian consulate in Istanbul, shouting "Murderer Putin, get out of Syria!", referring to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since mid-December, regime forces and their Russian allies have heightened bombardment on the southern edge of the final major opposition-held pocket of Syria, eight years into the country's devastating war. The latest violence has displaced more than 235,000 people and killed scores of civilians, despite an August ceasefire deal and international calls for a de-escalation. Protesters in Istanbul, including women with their children, held pictures of victims of the attacks, while some brandished a banner that read: "Russia is killing our people and children and the world is not doing anything." "What does Russia want from us? Kids, wives are dying. People are dying," Syrian demonstrator Ahmed Marwan, 24, told AFP. "We aren't terrorists, we are humans. We came to this country to live. Leaving your homeland isn't easy but we live in this pain. Enough already." Turkey is home to around five million refugees, among which 3.7 million are Syrians. "We are here to protest this massacre going on in Syria," Turkish protester Gulden Sonmez said. "Here I also want to make this call to Russia, and especially Bashar al-Assad... anyone who is responsible for this massacre, all of them have to be judged and pay for these war crimes in the name of humanity," she added. Turkish police blocked the group from walking to the consulate in the busy Istiklal Street, but instead allowed a small group to unfurl a banner that read: "More than 30,000 children killed by Russia and Assad regime." The Damascus regime, which now controls 70 percent of Syria, has repeatedly vowed to take back the Idlib region, which hosts some three million people, including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria. Alarmed by a new wave of refugees near its border, Turkey this week sent a delegation to Moscow in a bid to press for a fresh ceasefire deal. Erdogan has already warned Europe that Turkey could not handle a new wave of Syrian refugees fleeing the increased bombardment in Idlib.

Scores in Turkey protest Russia over Idlib assault

The United Nations said 235,000 civilians had fled their homes in rebel-held northwestern Syria during a Russian-backed campaign of air strikes and shelling this month.

The UN&nbsp;Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the exodus had taken place between December&nbsp;12 and 25.

Most people had fled the city of Maarat al-Numan, towns and villages in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-do-it-trump-warns-russia-syria-iran-against-killing-civilians-in-idlib-270437">southern Idlib province, Idlib city</a>, and camps along the Syrian-Turkish border, OCHA said.

"With the latest escalation of violence in northwest Syria, civilians in Idlib governorate are again suffering from the devastating consequences of hostilities," it said.

OCHA said Maarat al-Numan and the surrounding countryside "are reportedly almost empty".

Syrian forces are advancing on Maarat al-Numan.

Thousands of families were also reported to be too frightened to move, fearing air strikes and shelling.

Abu al-Majd Nasser, who fled to the border with his family from the town of Telmanas, said Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants to kill every Syrian who opposes the regime".

Moscow and Damascus deny claims of indiscriminate bombing of civilians, saying say they are fighting jihadist militants.

Rescue services and witnesses say hostilities have left many towns in ruins and knocked out dozens of medical centres.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has spoken out against the "carnage" involving thousands of civilians in Syria.

"Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands of innocent civilians in Idlib province. Don't do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage," Trump said on Twitter on Thursday.

The Syrian army said this week it had seized more than 300 km of territory in the assault to end "terrorist" control of Idlib, killing hundreds of "terrorists".

Taking Maarat al-Numan would take the Syrian army into densely populated rebel-held parts of Idlib province, where millions of people who fled fighting elsewhere in Syria have taken refuge.

The Russian and Syrian advance towards Idlib is also piling pressure on Turkey, which has a presence in the area and is seen by many civilians as a protector against Russian strikes.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country cannot handle a fresh wave of migrants from Syria, warning that Europe will feel the impact of such an influx if the bombing is not stopped.

The United Nations said 235,000 civilians had fled their homes in rebel-held northwestern Syria during a Russian-backed campaign of air strikes and shelling this month.

The United Nations said 235,000 civilians had fled their homes in rebel-held northwestern Syria during a Russian-backed campaign of air strikes and shelling this month. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the exodus had taken place between December 12 and 25. Most people had fled the city of Maarat al-Numan, towns and villages in southern Idlib province, Idlib city, and camps along the Syrian-Turkish border, OCHA said. "With the latest escalation of violence in northwest Syria, civilians in Idlib governorate are again suffering from the devastating consequences of hostilities," it said. OCHA said Maarat al-Numan and the surrounding countryside "are reportedly almost empty". Syrian forces are advancing on Maarat al-Numan. Thousands of families were also reported to be too frightened to move, fearing air strikes and shelling. Abu al-Majd Nasser, who fled to the border with his family from the town of Telmanas, said Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants to kill every Syrian who opposes the regime". Moscow and Damascus deny claims of indiscriminate bombing of civilians, saying say they are fighting jihadist militants. Rescue services and witnesses say hostilities have left many towns in ruins and knocked out dozens of medical centres. US President Donald Trump has spoken out against the "carnage" involving thousands of civilians in Syria. "Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands of innocent civilians in Idlib province. Don't do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage," Trump said on Twitter on Thursday. The Syrian army said this week it had seized more than 300 km of territory in the assault to end "terrorist" control of Idlib, killing hundreds of "terrorists". Taking Maarat al-Numan would take the Syrian army into densely populated rebel-held parts of Idlib province, where millions of people who fled fighting elsewhere in Syria have taken refuge. The Russian and Syrian advance towards Idlib is also piling pressure on Turkey, which has a presence in the area and is seen by many civilians as a protector against Russian strikes. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country cannot handle a fresh wave of migrants from Syria, warning that Europe will feel the impact of such an influx if the bombing is not stopped.

Over 230,000 people flee Idlib in two-week Russian-backed offensive: United Nations

Kazakhstan observed a national day of mourning on Saturday a day after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-airplane-crash-death-toll-climbs-to-15-several-injured-270628">12 people died</a> when an airliner crashed shortly after takeoff and slammed into a house.

The jet carrying nearly 100 passengers operated by budget carrier Bek Air was torn apart and its nose crushed on impact with a building in the country's biggest city Almaty, but many on board managed to walk away without serious injury.

In the capital Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan's largest flag was at half-mast while officials made urgent appeals for blood donations to help injured survivors.

Neighbouring Russia and China were among the countries to join the Vatican and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/croatia-votes-for-president-set-to-lead-european-union-269511">European Union</a> in expressing condolences to the former Soviet Central Asian republic.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Kazakhstan plane crash-&nbsp;Survivor describes moment of horror

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Officials say the Fokker 100 plane's tail hit the tarmac twice on Friday during take-off before it came down and crashed into the concrete building, splitting into two.

According to Kazakh emergency authorities, the 12 dead included the pilot. Another 47 passengers out of the 98 people on board&nbsp;were still in hospital on Saturday. Nine of them were children, officials said.

An investigation has been opened into "violation of security regulations and air transport operating rules". But the interior ministry is still examining possible causes for the accident.

According to the authorities, an inquiry should announce its first conclusions next month. But a dozen other Bek Air aircraft will be grounded in the meantime.&nbsp;

According to the industry ministry, the low-cost airline operates nine Fokker-100 type aircraft, a medium-haul model built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.&nbsp;

In March 2016, a Bek Air Fokker 100 with 116 passengers on board had to make an emergency landing at Nur-Sultan International Airport due to a landing gear problem, without causing injuries.

Kazakhstan observed a national day of mourning on Saturday a day after 12 people died when an airliner crashed shortly after takeoff and slammed into a house. The jet carrying nearly 100 passengers operated by budget carrier Bek Air was torn apart and its nose crushed on impact with a building in the country's biggest city Almaty, but many on board managed to walk away without serious injury.

Kazakhstan observed a national day of mourning on Saturday a day after 12 people died when an airliner crashed shortly after takeoff and slammed into a house. The jet carrying nearly 100 passengers operated by budget carrier Bek Air was torn apart and its nose crushed on impact with a building in the country's biggest city Almaty, but many on board managed to walk away without serious injury. In the capital Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan's largest flag was at half-mast while officials made urgent appeals for blood donations to help injured survivors. Neighbouring Russia and China were among the countries to join the Vatican and the European Union in expressing condolences to the former Soviet Central Asian republic. Also Watch: Kazakhstan plane crash- Survivor describes moment of horror × Officials say the Fokker 100 plane's tail hit the tarmac twice on Friday during take-off before it came down and crashed into the concrete building, splitting into two. According to Kazakh emergency authorities, the 12 dead included the pilot. Another 47 passengers out of the 98 people on board were still in hospital on Saturday. Nine of them were children, officials said. An investigation has been opened into "violation of security regulations and air transport operating rules". But the interior ministry is still examining possible causes for the accident. According to the authorities, an inquiry should announce its first conclusions next month. But a dozen other Bek Air aircraft will be grounded in the meantime. According to the industry ministry, the low-cost airline operates nine Fokker-100 type aircraft, a medium-haul model built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker. In March 2016, a Bek Air Fokker 100 with 116 passengers on board had to make an emergency landing at Nur-Sultan International Airport due to a landing gear problem, without causing injuries.

Kazakhstan observes day of mourning after fatal jet crash

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-inaugurates-rail-route-to-annexed-crimea-269804">President Vladimir Putin</a> on Friday that the country's first Avangard hypersonic missiles have been put into service, an official statement said.

Russian officials say the missile is highly manoeuvrable and reached the speed of Mach 27, or roughly 33,000 kilometres per hour, during tests.&nbsp;

Mach 1 is a unit of measurement equivalent to the speed of sound.&nbsp;

"The first missile regiment equipped with latest strategic missiles with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle entered service at 10 am Moscow time on December 27", the defence ministry said, according to Russian news agencies.

Also Watch:&nbsp;'Russia; only country in world' with hypersonic weapons claims Prez Putin

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No other details were immediately provided but defence officials have said that the first Avangard regiment is based in the Orenburg Region in the Urals.

A defence ministry spokesman declined immediate comment.

Moscow has said it showed US arms inspectors the Avangard missiles in November.

Putin unveiled images of the new weapon during his state of the nation address in 2018, saying it would defeat all existing missile defence systems.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-china-russia-start-joint-naval-drills-270575">Russia</a> has boasted of developing a number of "invincible" weapons that surpass existing systems and include Sarmat intercontinental missiles and Burevestnik cruise missiles.

This week Putin said that Russia was no longer playing a game of catch-up with the West on weapons development.&nbsp;

"This is a unique situation in our modern history: they are playing catch-up with us," he said.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country's first Avangard hypersonic missiles have been put into service, an official statement said.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country's first Avangard hypersonic missiles have been put into service, an official statement said. Russian officials say the missile is highly manoeuvrable and reached the speed of Mach 27, or roughly 33,000 kilometres per hour, during tests. Mach 1 is a unit of measurement equivalent to the speed of sound. "The first missile regiment equipped with latest strategic missiles with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle entered service at 10 am Moscow time on December 27", the defence ministry said, according to Russian news agencies. Also Watch: 'Russia; only country in world' with hypersonic weapons claims Prez Putin × No other details were immediately provided but defence officials have said that the first Avangard regiment is based in the Orenburg Region in the Urals. A defence ministry spokesman declined immediate comment. Moscow has said it showed US arms inspectors the Avangard missiles in November. Putin unveiled images of the new weapon during his state of the nation address in 2018, saying it would defeat all existing missile defence systems. Russia has boasted of developing a number of "invincible" weapons that surpass existing systems and include Sarmat intercontinental missiles and Burevestnik cruise missiles. This week Putin said that Russia was no longer playing a game of catch-up with the West on weapons development. "This is a unique situation in our modern history: they are playing catch-up with us," he said.

Russia says first Avangard hypersonic missiles enter service

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