<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-troops-in-venezuela-not-linked-to-any-military-operations-foreign-ministry-206267">Russian troops in Venezuela not linked to any military operations: Foreign ministry</a>

A day after&nbsp;President Trump asked&nbsp;Russian troops to "get out" of Venezuela, the Russian foreign ministry said that its troops in Venezuela were "not linked" to any military operations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fire-breaks-out-in-22-storey-building-in-bangladesh-several-feared-trapped-206273">Five killed in Bangladesh building fire; several still feared trapped</a>

At least five people were killed while Several others still feared trapped in a huge fire that broke out in a 22-storey building in Dhaka's Banani area on Thursday, in the latest blaze to hit the Bangladeshi capital.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-35a-surreptitiously-inserted-by-nehru-govt-in-constitution-arun-jaitley-206257">Article 35A surreptitiously inserted by Nehru govt in Constitution: Arun Jaitley</a>

Union Finance Minister Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday wrote a blog post, where he launched a scathing attack against the Congress and blamed Pt Nehru’s govt and Nehruvian vision for Jammu and Kashmir’s present situation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/common-citizen-robert-vadra-now-involved-in-huge-deals-says-ed-seeking-his-custody-206269">Common citizen Robert Vadra now involved in huge deals, says ED seeking his custody</a>

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Robert Vadra in a money laundering case. Appearing before the Patiala House Court in Delhi, ED advocate DP Singh said, "We need his custodial interrogation, we have sufficient material."

<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/india-news/syria-backs-india-as-a-full-fledged-member-of-the-organisation-of-islamic-cooperation-206265">Syria backs India as a full-fledged member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</a>

India has a big number of Islamic people and we want India to be a full member of OIC, said Syrian Ambassador to India, Riad Abbas.&nbsp;In an interview with WION, Riad Abbas talked about his views on India-Syria relationship, Islamic State and India's membership at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Russian troops in Venezuela not linked to any military operations: Foreign ministry A day after President Trump asked Russian troops to "get out" of Venezuela, the Russian foreign ministry said that its troops in Venezuela were "not linked" to any military operations.

Russian troops in Venezuela not linked to any military operations: Foreign ministry A day after President Trump asked Russian troops to "get out" of Venezuela, the Russian foreign ministry said that its troops in Venezuela were "not linked" to any military operations. Five killed in Bangladesh building fire; several still feared trapped At least five people were killed while Several others still feared trapped in a huge fire that broke out in a 22-storey building in Dhaka's Banani area on Thursday, in the latest blaze to hit the Bangladeshi capital. Article 35A surreptitiously inserted by Nehru govt in Constitution: Arun Jaitley Union Finance Minister Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday wrote a blog post, where he launched a scathing attack against the Congress and blamed Pt Nehru’s govt and Nehruvian vision for Jammu and Kashmir’s present situation. Common citizen Robert Vadra now involved in huge deals, says ED seeking his custody The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Robert Vadra in a money laundering case. Appearing before the Patiala House Court in Delhi, ED advocate DP Singh said, "We need his custodial interrogation, we have sufficient material." Syria backs India as a full-fledged member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation India has a big number of Islamic people and we want India to be a full member of OIC, said Syrian Ambassador to India, Riad Abbas. In an interview with WION, Riad Abbas talked about his views on India-Syria relationship, Islamic State and India's membership at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

News brief: Big stories of the day

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-plotting-coup-in-venezuela-205616">Russia </a>to pull its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-air-force-planes-carrying-troops-landed-in-venezuela-205499">troops from Venezuela</a> and warned that "all options" were open to make that happen.

"Russia has to get out," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, where he met with Fabiana Rosales, the wife of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-blackout-continues-maduro-govt-extends-workschool-holiday-206031">Venezuelan</a> opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Two Russian Air Force planes landed outside Caracas on Saturday carrying nearly 100 Russian troops. The US government believes the troops include special forces and cybersecurity personnel.

Asked how he would make Russian forces leave, Trump said: "We'll see. All options are open."

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence met with Rosales to express support for her husband, who invoked the constitution to assume the interim presidency in January, saying President Nicolas Maduro's re-election was not legitimate.

"The United States views Russia's arrival of military planes this weekend as an unwelcome provocation," Pence told reporters.

"We call on Russia today to cease all support of the Maduro regime and stand with Juan Guaido and stand with nations across this hemisphere and across the world until freedom is restored," Pence said. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Russia to pull its troops from Venezuela and warned that "all options" were open to make that happen. "Russia has to get out," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, where he met with Fabiana Rosales, the wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Russia to pull its troops from Venezuela and warned that "all options" were open to make that happen. "Russia has to get out," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, where he met with Fabiana Rosales, the wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. Two Russian Air Force planes landed outside Caracas on Saturday carrying nearly 100 Russian troops. The US government believes the troops include special forces and cybersecurity personnel. Asked how he would make Russian forces leave, Trump said: "We'll see. All options are open." Trump and Vice President Mike Pence met with Rosales to express support for her husband, who invoked the constitution to assume the interim presidency in January, saying President Nicolas Maduro's re-election was not legitimate. "The United States views Russia's arrival of military planes this weekend as an unwelcome provocation," Pence told reporters. "We call on Russia today to cease all support of the Maduro regime and stand with Juan Guaido and stand with nations across this hemisphere and across the world until freedom is restored," Pence said.

Russian troops must get out of Venezuela: Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is the fourth country to have used an anti-satellite weapon after the United States, Russia and China.

Speaking to the nation in a televised address, Modi said India had shot down a live satellite in space on Wednesday with an anti-satellite missile, hailing the test as a major breakthrough in its space programme.

Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, was aimed at strengthening India's overall security, Modi&nbsp;said

The prime minister earlier tweeted about his address to the nation, calling it an important message.&nbsp;

"Do watch the address on television, radio or social media," he said, setting off speculation across the country on what the topic was likely to be.

Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Security had met at the prime minister's residence.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is the fourth country to have used an anti-satellite weapon after the United States, Russia and China. Speaking to the nation in a televised address, Modi said India had shot down a live satellite in space on Wednesday with an anti-satellite missile, hailing the test as a major breakthrough in its space programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is the fourth country to have used an anti-satellite weapon after the United States, Russia and China. Speaking to the nation in a televised address, Modi said India had shot down a live satellite in space on Wednesday with an anti-satellite missile, hailing the test as a major breakthrough in its space programme. Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, was aimed at strengthening India's overall security, Modi said The prime minister earlier tweeted about his address to the nation, calling it an important message. "Do watch the address on television, radio or social media," he said, setting off speculation across the country on what the topic was likely to be. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Security had met at the prime minister's residence. (With inputs from agencies)

Mission Shakti: India fourth country to have used anti-satellite weapon after US, Russia, China, says Modi

Russia: 10,000 people rally against land swap deal in North Caucasus

US-Russia collusion probe is end, BARR founds no proof

As part of his efforts to garner international support for ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will hold talks with counterparts from Russia, China and the European Union on Thursday and Friday.

"Discussion topics include: international support for the Afghan peace process, the role each party can play in bringing an end to the war, and progress to date in peace talks," the US State Department said in a statement.&nbsp;

Khalilzad will host his counterparts Presidential Special Representative Ambassador Zamir Kabulov of Russia, Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun of China and Special Envoy Ambassador Roland Kobia of the European Union at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on Thursday and Friday.

As part of his efforts to garner international support for ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will hold talks with counterparts from Russia, China and the European Union on Thursday and Friday.

As part of his efforts to garner international support for ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will hold talks with counterparts from Russia, China and the European Union on Thursday and Friday. "Discussion topics include: international support for the Afghan peace process, the role each party can play in bringing an end to the war, and progress to date in peace talks," the US State Department said in a statement. Khalilzad will host his counterparts Presidential Special Representative Ambassador Zamir Kabulov of Russia, Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun of China and Special Envoy Ambassador Roland Kobia of the European Union at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on Thursday and Friday.

US envoy Khalilzad to hold talks with Russia, China and EU on Afghanistan

Russia stated that it is open to discussing solutions aimed at preventing an arms race with the United States, batting for the extension of the new START treaty, due to expire in 2021.

This comes in the wake of both USA and Russia formally suspending their obligations under the Cold War-era <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-accuses-moscow-of-violating-inf-treaty-195498">Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty</a>, which has led to mounting fears of an arms race between the two nations.

"This fully applies to any potential agreements in the nuclear missile sphere," Xinhua quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying.

The new START or Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed between Moscow and Washington in 2010 and came into force in 2011.

It is a nuclear arms reduction treaty, which replaced the Treaty of Moscow.

It established a new inspection and verification regime, replacing the previous mechanism, along with reducing the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers by half in both the United States and Russia.

Moscow outlined that the extension of the treaty would be in the interest of the entire world community and that the nation is interested in avoiding a new missile crisis in Europe and other regions.&nbsp;

Russia stated that it is open to discussing solutions aimed at preventing an arms race with the United States, batting for the extension of the new START treaty, due to expire in 2021.

Russia stated that it is open to discussing solutions aimed at preventing an arms race with the United States, batting for the extension of the new START treaty, due to expire in 2021. This comes in the wake of both USA and Russia formally suspending their obligations under the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which has led to mounting fears of an arms race between the two nations. "This fully applies to any potential agreements in the nuclear missile sphere," Xinhua quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying. The new START or Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed between Moscow and Washington in 2010 and came into force in 2011. It is a nuclear arms reduction treaty, which replaced the Treaty of Moscow. It established a new inspection and verification regime, replacing the previous mechanism, along with reducing the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers by half in both the United States and Russia. Moscow outlined that the extension of the treaty would be in the interest of the entire world community and that the nation is interested in avoiding a new missile crisis in Europe and other regions.

Russia bats for extension of arms reduction treaty with US

Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, has said that Moscow is supportive of India in the recent India-Pak tensions in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel.

Speaking exclusively to WION, Kudashev said Moscow is "most supportive of the Indian position upon the issue. On the issue of the recent flare-up. The recent attack of international terror."

"There is a large understanding of the global issue (between Russia and India). First and foremost on countering terror and terrorism, countering drugs and crime, there is a lot of understandings on other issues like regional development, a regional architecture for security and co-operation," Nikolay Kudashev added.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi have spoken two times this year. In his conversation with PM Modi on February 27, Putin expressed his deep condolences on the Pulwama terrorist attack and conveyed solidarity of the people of Russia with the people of India in the fight against terrorism.

Calling India "a great friend and a privileged strategic partner," the Russian envoy said ties between both the countries are "extremely close" and "very special".

He also told WION that the next India-Russia informal summit will take place this year "possibly in India." Last year, PM Modi and Putin meet in Sochi, Russia for an informal summit.

Later the Ambassador, speaking at an event in Delhi, also observed a minute of silence in the memory of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/life-and-times-of-manohar-parrikar-203926#parrikars-early-life-203917">former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar</a> and called him "a great statesman, a daring visionary, and a true friend of Russia", one who contributed "enormously to enhancing Russia India relationship".

Prime Minister Modi has been invited to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok later this year. Over 60 per cent of Indian defence equipment is of Russian origin. Last year, New Delhi approved the S-400 missile deal with the country despite Washington's hopes that India will not go ahead with the deal.&nbsp;

Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, has said that Moscow is supportive of India in the recent India-Pak tensions in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel.

Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, has said that Moscow is supportive of India in the recent India-Pak tensions in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel. Speaking exclusively to WION, Kudashev said Moscow is "most supportive of the Indian position upon the issue. On the issue of the recent flare-up. The recent attack of international terror." "There is a large understanding of the global issue (between Russia and India). First and foremost on countering terror and terrorism, countering drugs and crime, there is a lot of understandings on other issues like regional development, a regional architecture for security and co-operation," Nikolay Kudashev added. Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi have spoken two times this year. In his conversation with PM Modi on February 27, Putin expressed his deep condolences on the Pulwama terrorist attack and conveyed solidarity of the people of Russia with the people of India in the fight against terrorism. Calling India "a great friend and a privileged strategic partner," the Russian envoy said ties between both the countries are "extremely close" and "very special". He also told WION that the next India-Russia informal summit will take place this year "possibly in India." Last year, PM Modi and Putin meet in Sochi, Russia for an informal summit. Later the Ambassador, speaking at an event in Delhi, also observed a minute of silence in the memory of former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar and called him "a great statesman, a daring visionary, and a true friend of Russia", one who contributed "enormously to enhancing Russia India relationship". Prime Minister Modi has been invited to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok later this year. Over 60 per cent of Indian defence equipment is of Russian origin. Last year, New Delhi approved the S-400 missile deal with the country despite Washington's hopes that India will not go ahead with the deal.

Russian envoy reiterates support to India over tensions with Pak, calls Parrikar daring visionary

A number of members of the US Congress raised the issue of India signing a deal with Russia for a nuclear submarine last week during&nbsp;Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-secretary-vijay-gokhale-begins-three-day-visit-to-us-likely-to-meet-pompeo-202507">Vijay Gokhale</a>&nbsp;recent visit to Washington&nbsp;official sources said on Saturday. 
 
Gokhale clarified that India finalided the deal for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia and it was not an acquisition or a purchase, they said. 
 
However, the issue was not raised by the US administration during Gokhale's three-day visit to Washington earlier this week. 
 
Some members of the Congress raised the issue as they have some mis-perception about it, the sources said, adding Gokhale also explained to them that the submarine will only have conventional weapons. 
 
In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under which Washington can punish countries and entities engaged in a transaction with defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. 
 
The sanctions were imposed for Moscow's alleged meddling in the US presidential election in 2016.&nbsp; 
 
On March 7, India sealed a $3 billion deal with Russia for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years. 
 
In October last year, India inked an agreement with Russia to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. India went ahead with the deal notwithstanding the US's warnings against it.&nbsp; 
 
Under the deal for submarine, Russia will have to deliver an Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. 
 
It will be the third Russian submarine to be leased to the Indian Navy. 
 
The first Russian nuclear-powered submarine -- christened INS Chakra -- was taken in 1988 under a three-year lease. A second INS Chakra was taken on lease in 2012 for a period of 10 years.

A number of members of the US Congress raised the issue of India signing a deal with Russia for a nuclear submarine last week during Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale recent visit to Washington official sources said on Saturday.

A number of members of the US Congress raised the issue of India signing a deal with Russia for a nuclear submarine last week during Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale recent visit to Washington official sources said on Saturday. Gokhale clarified that India finalided the deal for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia and it was not an acquisition or a purchase, they said. However, the issue was not raised by the US administration during Gokhale's three-day visit to Washington earlier this week. Some members of the Congress raised the issue as they have some mis-perception about it, the sources said, adding Gokhale also explained to them that the submarine will only have conventional weapons. In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under which Washington can punish countries and entities engaged in a transaction with defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. The sanctions were imposed for Moscow's alleged meddling in the US presidential election in 2016. On March 7, India sealed a $3 billion deal with Russia for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years. In October last year, India inked an agreement with Russia to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. India went ahead with the deal notwithstanding the US's warnings against it. Under the deal for submarine, Russia will have to deliver an Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. It will be the third Russian submarine to be leased to the Indian Navy. The first Russian nuclear-powered submarine -- christened INS Chakra -- was taken in 1988 under a three-year lease. A second INS Chakra was taken on lease in 2012 for a period of 10 years.

Some members of US Congress raise India's submarine deal with Russia: Sources

Venezuela's opposition-run congress on Monday declared a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/juan-guaido-to-ask-legislature-to-declare-state-of-alarm-in-venezuela-202438">state of alarm</a>" over a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-blackout-enters-4th-day-paralyses-communications-and-transport-202521">five-day power blackout</a> that has crippled the OPEC member <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-urges-india-to-stop-buying-oil-from-venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-government-top-envoy-202463">country's oil exports</a> and left millions of citizens scrambling to find food and water.&nbsp;

Much of Venezuela remained without power on Monday, although electricity had largely returned to the capital of Caracas following an outage that began on Thursday and which President Nicolas Maduro has called an act of US-backed sabotage.

The outage has added to discontent in a country already suffering from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-government-prepares-to-sell-small-gold-bars-in-public--161775">hyperinflation</a> and a political crisis after opposition leader Juan Guaido assumed the interim presidency in January after declaring Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud.

"Nothing is normal in Venezuela, and we will not allow this tragedy to be considered normal, which is why we need this decree of a state of alarm," said Guaido, who heads the legislature, during the session on Monday.

The constitution allows the president to declare states of alarm amid catastrophes that "seriously compromise the security of the nation," but does not explicitly say what practical impact such a declaration would have.

Guaido has been recognised as Venezuela's legitimate leader by the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-blames-us-weapons-for-massive-blackout-202264">United States</a> and most Western countries, but Maduro retains control of the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-military-members-in-contact-with-opposition-bolton-202380"> armed forces </a>and state institutions, and the backing of Russia and China, among others.

Oil industry sources said that exports from the primary port of Jose had been halted for lack of power, cutting off Venezuela's primary source of revenue.

During the legislative session, Guaido called for a halt in shipments of oil to Maduro's political ally Cuba, which has received discounted crude from Venezuela for nearly two decades. The deals have drawn scrutiny from the opposition and its allies abroad as Venezuela`s economic crisis worsened.

"We ask for the international community`s cooperation to make this measure effective so that the oil the Venezuelan people urgently need to attend to this national emergency is not given away," Guaido said.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton backed the measure, writing on Twitter that, "insurance companies and flag carriers that facilitate these give-away shipments to Cuba are now on notice." He did not specify any measures the US government may take.

Earlier on Monday, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a Russian bank over its dealings with Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticised Russia's Rosneft for buying PDVSA oil.

RESTORATION 'COMPLEX'

The blackout has left food rotting in refrigerators, hospitals have struggled to keep equipment operating, and people have clustered on the streets of Caracas to pick up patchy telephone signals to reach relatives abroad.&nbsp;

On Monday, Venezuelans seeking water formed lines to fill containers from a sewage pipe.

"This is driving me crazy," said Naile Gonzalez in Chacaito, a commercial neighbourhood of Caracas. "The government doesn't want to accept that this is their fault because they haven`t carried out any maintenance in years."&nbsp;

Venezuela's electrical grid has suffered from years of underinvestment. Restrictions on imports have affected the provision of spare parts, while many skilled technical personnel have fled the country amid an exodus of more than 3 million Venezuelans in recent years.

Winston Cabas, the president of an electrical engineers'&nbsp;professional association, told reporters that several of the country's thermoelectric plants were operating at just 20 per cent of capacity, in part due to lack of fuel. He said the government was rationing electricity.&nbsp;

The process of restoring service was "complex" and could take between five and six days, he said.

"We once had the best electricity system in the world - the most vigorous, the most robust, the most powerful - and those who now administer the system have destroyed it," he said.&nbsp;

A source at PDVSA also said the government had decided to ration electricity, in part to supply power to the Jose oil export terminal.

The Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Experts consulted by Reuters believe the nationwide blackout originated in transmission lines that transport energy from the Guri hydroelectric plant to the Venezuelan south.

The lack of electricity has aggravated a crisis in Venezuelan hospitals, already lacking investment and maintenance in addition to a shortage of medicines.

School and work activities are set to be suspended on Tuesday, the third working day in a row.

Venezuela's opposition-run congress on Monday declared a "state of alarm" over a five-day power blackout that has crippled the OPEC member country's oil exports and left millions of citizens scrambling to find food and water.

Venezuela's opposition-run congress on Monday declared a "state of alarm" over a five-day power blackout that has crippled the OPEC member country's oil exports and left millions of citizens scrambling to find food and water. Much of Venezuela remained without power on Monday, although electricity had largely returned to the capital of Caracas following an outage that began on Thursday and which President Nicolas Maduro has called an act of US-backed sabotage. The outage has added to discontent in a country already suffering from hyperinflation and a political crisis after opposition leader Juan Guaido assumed the interim presidency in January after declaring Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud. "Nothing is normal in Venezuela, and we will not allow this tragedy to be considered normal, which is why we need this decree of a state of alarm," said Guaido, who heads the legislature, during the session on Monday. The constitution allows the president to declare states of alarm amid catastrophes that "seriously compromise the security of the nation," but does not explicitly say what practical impact such a declaration would have. Guaido has been recognised as Venezuela's legitimate leader by the United States and most Western countries, but Maduro retains control of the armed forces and state institutions, and the backing of Russia and China, among others. Oil industry sources said that exports from the primary port of Jose had been halted for lack of power, cutting off Venezuela's primary source of revenue. During the legislative session, Guaido called for a halt in shipments of oil to Maduro's political ally Cuba, which has received discounted crude from Venezuela for nearly two decades. The deals have drawn scrutiny from the opposition and its allies abroad as Venezuela`s economic crisis worsened. "We ask for the international community`s cooperation to make this measure effective so that the oil the Venezuelan people urgently need to attend to this national emergency is not given away," Guaido said. US National Security Advisor John Bolton backed the measure, writing on Twitter that, "insurance companies and flag carriers that facilitate these give-away shipments to Cuba are now on notice." He did not specify any measures the US government may take. Earlier on Monday, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a Russian bank over its dealings with Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticised Russia's Rosneft for buying PDVSA oil. RESTORATION 'COMPLEX' The blackout has left food rotting in refrigerators, hospitals have struggled to keep equipment operating, and people have clustered on the streets of Caracas to pick up patchy telephone signals to reach relatives abroad. On Monday, Venezuelans seeking water formed lines to fill containers from a sewage pipe. "This is driving me crazy," said Naile Gonzalez in Chacaito, a commercial neighbourhood of Caracas. "The government doesn't want to accept that this is their fault because they haven`t carried out any maintenance in years." Venezuela's electrical grid has suffered from years of underinvestment. Restrictions on imports have affected the provision of spare parts, while many skilled technical personnel have fled the country amid an exodus of more than 3 million Venezuelans in recent years. Winston Cabas, the president of an electrical engineers' professional association, told reporters that several of the country's thermoelectric plants were operating at just 20 per cent of capacity, in part due to lack of fuel. He said the government was rationing electricity. The process of restoring service was "complex" and could take between five and six days, he said. "We once had the best electricity system in the world - the most vigorous, the most robust, the most powerful - and those who now administer the system have destroyed it," he said. A source at PDVSA also said the government had decided to ration electricity, in part to supply power to the Jose oil export terminal. The Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Experts consulted by Reuters believe the nationwide blackout originated in transmission lines that transport energy from the Guri hydroelectric plant to the Venezuelan south. The lack of electricity has aggravated a crisis in Venezuelan hospitals, already lacking investment and maintenance in addition to a shortage of medicines. School and work activities are set to be suspended on Tuesday, the third working day in a row.

Venezuela congress declares 'state of alarm' over blackout

Thousands of people rallied against Russia's increasingly restrictive internet policies Sunday which some say will eventually lead to "total censorship" and isolate the country from the world.

The mass rally in Moscow and smaller events in other cities across the country was called after the Russian lower house of parliament backed a bill to stop Russian internet traffic from being routed on foreign servers, in a bid to boost cybersecurity.

The move was labelled by critics as the latest attempt to control online content under President Vladimir Putin, with some fearing the country is on track to completely isolate its network like in North Korea.

Activists counting people said more than 15,000 people have turned up to listen to internet and media rights activists as well as music performers who have complained of government pressure in recent months.

"The government is battling freedom, including freedom on the internet, I can tell you this as somebody who spent a month in jail for a tweet," one of the rally speakers Sergei Boiko, an internet freedom activist from Siberia, said.

Police detained several people without explanation. An AFP correspondent saw a man being dragged away by arms and legs near the entrance to the rally.

The popular Telegram messaging app, which Russian authorities have been unsuccessfully trying to block for many months, called on its users to attend the rally last week.&nbsp;

A message in Russian on its official account said that the bill on internet centralisation aims to "cut off Russia from the rest of the world, after which they can block foreign social networks and messengers."

The goal of the bill is "total censorship," it said.

The bill has not yet been voted on in key second reading.

A petition against the bill launched by the Roskomsvoboda internet freedoms group calls on Russians to appeal to lawmakers to strike the bill down, "otherwise soon we will be living in anti-utopias of Orwell," it says.

Thousands of people rallied against Russia's increasingly restrictive internet policies Sunday which some say will eventually lead to "total censorship" and isolate the country from the world.

Thousands of people rallied against Russia's increasingly restrictive internet policies Sunday which some say will eventually lead to "total censorship" and isolate the country from the world. The mass rally in Moscow and smaller events in other cities across the country was called after the Russian lower house of parliament backed a bill to stop Russian internet traffic from being routed on foreign servers, in a bid to boost cybersecurity. The move was labelled by critics as the latest attempt to control online content under President Vladimir Putin, with some fearing the country is on track to completely isolate its network like in North Korea. Activists counting people said more than 15,000 people have turned up to listen to internet and media rights activists as well as music performers who have complained of government pressure in recent months. "The government is battling freedom, including freedom on the internet, I can tell you this as somebody who spent a month in jail for a tweet," one of the rally speakers Sergei Boiko, an internet freedom activist from Siberia, said. Police detained several people without explanation. An AFP correspondent saw a man being dragged away by arms and legs near the entrance to the rally. The popular Telegram messaging app, which Russian authorities have been unsuccessfully trying to block for many months, called on its users to attend the rally last week. A message in Russian on its official account said that the bill on internet centralisation aims to "cut off Russia from the rest of the world, after which they can block foreign social networks and messengers." The goal of the bill is "total censorship," it said. The bill has not yet been voted on in key second reading. A petition against the bill launched by the Roskomsvoboda internet freedoms group calls on Russians to appeal to lawmakers to strike the bill down, "otherwise soon we will be living in anti-utopias of Orwell," it says.

Thousands protest Russia's 'internet isolation'

On Women's Day, activists unite across globe, brave crackdown by police

Security staff at Moscow's main airport confiscated a "mortar shell" from a US embassy staffer on Saturday, in what the foreign ministry described as a "provocation," local media reported.

Security staff at Sheremetyevo airport, the biggest in Russia, found an object resembling a mortar shell while checking the man's luggage, the Ria Rovosti agency reported, citing a foreign ministry source.

"Bomb disposal experts confirmed that it was a shell with a detonator but no explosives," the source said, adding that it amounted to a "provocation".

The United States appeared to be testing Russia's security not just abroad but inside the country's borders, the foreign ministry source told Ria Novosti.

The US embassy staffer told staff the object was for his personal collection and he was allowed to take a later plane to New York, having missed his original flight. The individual concerned had links with the US army, the ministry source said.

Moscow said it had contacted the US embassy and was waiting for an explanation.

Security staff at Moscow's main airport confiscated a "mortar shell" from a US embassy staffer on Saturday, in what the foreign ministry described as a "provocation," local media reported.

Security staff at Moscow's main airport confiscated a "mortar shell" from a US embassy staffer on Saturday, in what the foreign ministry described as a "provocation," local media reported. Security staff at Sheremetyevo airport, the biggest in Russia, found an object resembling a mortar shell while checking the man's luggage, the Ria Rovosti agency reported, citing a foreign ministry source. "Bomb disposal experts confirmed that it was a shell with a detonator but no explosives," the source said, adding that it amounted to a "provocation". The United States appeared to be testing Russia's security not just abroad but inside the country's borders, the foreign ministry source told Ria Novosti. The US embassy staffer told staff the object was for his personal collection and he was allowed to take a later plane to New York, having missed his original flight. The individual concerned had links with the US army, the ministry source said. Moscow said it had contacted the US embassy and was waiting for an explanation.

Moscow airport staff find 'mortar shell' on US embassy staffer

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said the Russian special services had ended the work of hundreds of spies and informers in the country last year.&nbsp;

In a speech to the officers of the FSB security service, which he led before becoming president, Putin said foreign intelligence agencies were stepping up activity in Russia.

"Thanks to successfully executed special operations, the activity of 129 spies and 465 informers was stopped" in 2018, he said.&nbsp;

"Foreign intelligence agencies are striving to increase their activity in the Russian space, looking for access by any means to political, economic, scientific, technological information," he added.&nbsp;

The FSB's work "must be efficient, especially regarding the production of Russian weapons systems," Putin said.

Russia's security and intelligence agencies have rarely been out of global headlines in recent years.&nbsp;

Moscow is accused of interfering in foreign elections, and ordering the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in the English town of Salisbury.

After Washington pulled out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces deal this year, Putin said Russia would seek to develop new medium-range missiles.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said the Russian special services had ended the work of hundreds of spies and informers in the country last year. In a speech to the officers of the FSB security service, which he led before becoming president, Putin said foreign intelligence agencies were stepping up activity in Russia.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said the Russian special services had ended the work of hundreds of spies and informers in the country last year. In a speech to the officers of the FSB security service, which he led before becoming president, Putin said foreign intelligence agencies were stepping up activity in Russia. "Thanks to successfully executed special operations, the activity of 129 spies and 465 informers was stopped" in 2018, he said. "Foreign intelligence agencies are striving to increase their activity in the Russian space, looking for access by any means to political, economic, scientific, technological information," he added. The FSB's work "must be efficient, especially regarding the production of Russian weapons systems," Putin said. Russia's security and intelligence agencies have rarely been out of global headlines in recent years. Moscow is accused of interfering in foreign elections, and ordering the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in the English town of Salisbury. After Washington pulled out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces deal this year, Putin said Russia would seek to develop new medium-range missiles.

Putin says Russia cracking down on foreign spies

Serbian town turns into 'Mordor' after black snow covers industrial hub

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the launch of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/though-we-lost-elections-here-we-won-your-hearts-pm-modi-in-amethi-200908">India-Russia joint venture for Kalashnikov assault rifle</a> production in India on Sunday, outlining that the plant itself will become "another symbol of friendship and constructive cooperation between our two countries."

"The new joint venture will manufacture world-famous Kalashnikov assault rifles of the newest 200 series and eventually will reach full localisation of production. Thus, the Indian defence-industrial sector will have the opportunity to fulfill the needs of national security agencies in this category of small arms, resting upon advanced Russian technologies," Putin stated.

He highlighted that the agreement regarding the project was reached during the premier's visit to India in October last year.

"The respective intergovernmental agreement was prepared and signed in the shortest possible time. In this regard, I would like to express gratitude to Russian and Indian specialists, to all those who so promptly made this project happen," he noted.&nbsp;

"I am convinced that commissioning of the new enterprise will contribute to stronger defence potential of India, to further advance of the scientific and industrial basis of the national economy, will be instrumental in terms of creating new jobs for a qualified workforce, and will provide an impetus to professional education and personnel training," he said, adding, "The plant itself will become another symbol of friendship and constructive cooperation between our two countries."

Lastly, Putin highlighted that military cooperation has traditionally been a key area of "special" strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow. 
"Military and technical cooperation has traditionally been one of the key areas of special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India," the Russian President stated.

He added that around 170 military and industrial facilities have been set up in India "with assistance from our country".

"For more than seven decades, we have been supplying reliable and high-quality armaments and equipment to Indian friends. Around 170 military and industrial facilities have been set up in India with assistance from our country," Putin mentioned.

“Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;made all efforts for this deal. He talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it. We are going to make the world-famous AK-47 assault rifle here,” Defence Minister&nbsp;Nirmala Sitharaman said while addressing a rally in Amethi on Sunday.

Prime Minister Modi, Union Minister&nbsp;Smriti Irani, UP Chief Minister&nbsp;Yogi Adityanath, and Sitharaman were amongst those present in the inauguration ceremony of the plant, which would manufacture the latest in line of AK assault rifles.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the launch of the India-Russia joint venture for Kalashnikov assault rifle production in India on Sunday, outlining that the plant itself will become "another symbol of friendship and constructive cooperation between our two countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the launch of the India-Russia joint venture for Kalashnikov assault rifle production in India on Sunday, outlining that the plant itself will become "another symbol of friendship and constructive cooperation between our two countries." "The new joint venture will manufacture world-famous Kalashnikov assault rifles of the newest 200 series and eventually will reach full localisation of production. Thus, the Indian defence-industrial sector will have the opportunity to fulfill the needs of national security agencies in this category of small arms, resting upon advanced Russian technologies," Putin stated. He highlighted that the agreement regarding the project was reached during the premier's visit to India in October last year. "The respective intergovernmental agreement was prepared and signed in the shortest possible time. In this regard, I would like to express gratitude to Russian and Indian specialists, to all those who so promptly made this project happen," he noted. "I am convinced that commissioning of the new enterprise will contribute to stronger defence potential of India, to further advance of the scientific and industrial basis of the national economy, will be instrumental in terms of creating new jobs for a qualified workforce, and will provide an impetus to professional education and personnel training," he said, adding, "The plant itself will become another symbol of friendship and constructive cooperation between our two countries." Lastly, Putin highlighted that military cooperation has traditionally been a key area of "special" strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow. "Military and technical cooperation has traditionally been one of the key areas of special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India," the Russian President stated. He added that around 170 military and industrial facilities have been set up in India "with assistance from our country". "For more than seven decades, we have been supplying reliable and high-quality armaments and equipment to Indian friends. Around 170 military and industrial facilities have been set up in India with assistance from our country," Putin mentioned. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi made all efforts for this deal. He talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it. We are going to make the world-famous AK-47 assault rifle here,” Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while addressing a rally in Amethi on Sunday. Prime Minister Modi, Union Minister Smriti Irani, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Sitharaman were amongst those present in the inauguration ceremony of the plant, which would manufacture the latest in line of AK assault rifles.

AK rifle plant will become another symbol of friendship between India, Rusia: Vladimir Putin

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu called his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman to express condolences for the Pulwama terror attack and further strengthened the military cooperation between the two countries.

“Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu called Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to express condolences for the Pulwama attack and emphasized on the determination to strengthen Indo-Russian military cooperation,” the Defence Ministry of India tweeted.

Over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy of the security forces in Pulwama in South Kashmir.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror outfit based in Pakistan, claimed the responsibility of orchestrating the attack.

On February 26, India carried out air strike on a JeM training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, following which Jammu and Kashmir saw heightened military activity from February 27 onwards.

Pakistani jets violated the Indian air space and dropped some bombs in Rajouri sector after which one of their fighters was shot down.

Early on February 28, India also claimed it foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force to carry out strikes in Jammu and Kashmir by shooting down an F-16 fighter plane.

On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin also telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences on the ghastly terror attack.

He further conveyed solidarity of the people of Russia with the people of India in the fight against terrorism.Both leaders also agreed that the concerned (Pakistan) should stop all support to terrorism.&nbsp;

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu called his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman to express condolences for the Pulwama terror attack and further strengthened the military cooperation between the two countries.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu called his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman to express condolences for the Pulwama terror attack and further strengthened the military cooperation between the two countries. “Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu called Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to express condolences for the Pulwama attack and emphasized on the determination to strengthen Indo-Russian military cooperation,” the Defence Ministry of India tweeted. Over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy of the security forces in Pulwama in South Kashmir. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror outfit based in Pakistan, claimed the responsibility of orchestrating the attack. On February 26, India carried out air strike on a JeM training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, following which Jammu and Kashmir saw heightened military activity from February 27 onwards. Pakistani jets violated the Indian air space and dropped some bombs in Rajouri sector after which one of their fighters was shot down. Early on February 28, India also claimed it foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force to carry out strikes in Jammu and Kashmir by shooting down an F-16 fighter plane. On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin also telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences on the ghastly terror attack. He further conveyed solidarity of the people of Russia with the people of India in the fight against terrorism.Both leaders also agreed that the concerned (Pakistan) should stop all support to terrorism.

Russian defence minister calls up Nirmala Sitharaman, expresses condolence over Pulwama attack

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the military alliance needs to be ready for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nato-condemns-unacceptable-putin-missile-threats-198630">world with more Russian missiles</a>, after a UN warning that the global arms control system is collapsing.

"NATO does not want a new Cold war, we don't want a new arms race. And therefore we call on Russia to come back into compliance with the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty," Stoltenberg told reporters during a visit to the Bulgarian capital Sofia.

"At the same time we need to be prepared for a world without the INF treaty and with more Russian missiles," he added.

The US began the process of exiting the key missile treaty last month in response to Moscow's deployment of a new missile -- the 9M729 -- that NATO says breaches the pact.

In response, Russia announced its own withdrawal from the cornerstone treaty signed in 1987, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres.

The crisis has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe.

Earlier this week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that "key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing".

"These new Russian missiles are nuclear capable, they can reach European cities, they are hard to detect and they have little warning time so they reduce the threshold for any potential use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict," Stoltenberg said on Friday.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who will host his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, added that he had agreed "to use to the maximum the strength of diplomacy, our bilateral ties (...) to prevent an arms race with these monstrous missiles."

Bulgaria -- an EU and NATO member -- has also preserved close economic and energy cooperation with Russia, reflecting deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries.

But Borisov reiterated on Friday his country's loyalty to NATO.

"Bulgaria is not Russia's Trojan horse in NATO - on the contrary, Bulgaria is among NATO's most disciplined and most loyal members," Borisov said.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the military alliance needs to be ready for a world with more Russian missiles, after a UN warning that the global arms control system is collapsing.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the military alliance needs to be ready for a world with more Russian missiles, after a UN warning that the global arms control system is collapsing. "NATO does not want a new Cold war, we don't want a new arms race. And therefore we call on Russia to come back into compliance with the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty," Stoltenberg told reporters during a visit to the Bulgarian capital Sofia. "At the same time we need to be prepared for a world without the INF treaty and with more Russian missiles," he added. The US began the process of exiting the key missile treaty last month in response to Moscow's deployment of a new missile -- the 9M729 -- that NATO says breaches the pact. In response, Russia announced its own withdrawal from the cornerstone treaty signed in 1987, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres. The crisis has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe. Earlier this week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that "key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing". "These new Russian missiles are nuclear capable, they can reach European cities, they are hard to detect and they have little warning time so they reduce the threshold for any potential use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict," Stoltenberg said on Friday. Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who will host his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, added that he had agreed "to use to the maximum the strength of diplomacy, our bilateral ties (...) to prevent an arms race with these monstrous missiles." Bulgaria -- an EU and NATO member -- has also preserved close economic and energy cooperation with Russia, reflecting deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries. But Borisov reiterated on Friday his country's loyalty to NATO. "Bulgaria is not Russia's Trojan horse in NATO - on the contrary, Bulgaria is among NATO's most disciplined and most loyal members," Borisov said.

Should be ready for a world with more Russian missiles: NATO chief

In pre-war Syria, Safaa Al-Kurdi sold wedding dresses. Fed up with the conflict, the mother-of-three fled Damascus four years ago and sought asylum in Moscow. Now, Russia is saying she must go home.&nbsp;

Safaa is one of thousands of Syrian refugees that Russia, an ally of President Bashar al-Assad, is urging to return. Large parts of Syria are safe, Russian officials say, and there is no reason for asylum seekers like Safaa, 55, to remain.&nbsp;

The Russian stance is creating problems for Syrians here who are seeing their asylum requests rejected. Banned from working, they face the threat of arrest and deportation.&nbsp;

"Since my children are there and Syria is my country, I would naturally like to return," Safaa, whose two eldest sons were drafted into the Syrian army, said through tears.&nbsp;

"But it`s not possible for anyone to return in this situation. People know that there is poverty, that people are dying of cold or from hunger, or from bombing."

According to the UN refugee agency, nearly 5.5 million Syrians have fled a war that has raged over seven years.

In 2015, when Moscow launched a military operation in Syria, Russia granted temporary asylum to 1,924 Syrians.

That number has fallen every year since, according to statistics agency Rosstat, hitting a low of 823 asylum applications in 2018.

The Civil Assistance Committee, an NGO working with refugees, says Russia wants the Syrians out.&nbsp;

"DON`T COME BACK"&nbsp;

"Most of them get rejected, and the ones that don`t are told, We warn you, this is the last time we will extend your documents, next year don`t come back," said Yevgeny Yastrebov, a co-ordinator with the committee.

Some Syrians have already left, he said, adding that others are forced to bribe the police to stay.&nbsp;

"It`s a constant game of hide-and-seek you have to play with the government, which is not a fun thing to do if you have kids and you need to feed them," he said.

When Safaa left Damascus in 2015, she had a little money from selling her garments workshop. Her youngest son, Al-Amir, 23, followed her to Russia afterwards.

Their asylum applications have been repeatedly rejected and so far their appeals have also been refused.&nbsp;

With her savings gone, Safaa makes ends meet by selling jewellery at a Moscow market. Her son declines to talk about his employment situation for fear of official reprisals.&nbsp;

Their joint income is just enough to rent a small apartment in a village some 50 km (31 miles) east of Moscow.

"I want to stay for a while before returning, I want to try to save a little bit of money to be able to open a little venture, to be able to live off of it in Syria," said Safaa.

When her asylum appeal process is exhausted, she says she will return home, but wants her son to stay away from Syria.&nbsp;

"Life is not possible there. It`s like the war is over but it`s not over at the same time."

In pre-war Syria, Safaa Al-Kurdi sold wedding dresses. Fed up with the conflict, the mother-of-three fled Damascus four years ago and sought asylum in Moscow. Now, Russia is saying she must go home.

In pre-war Syria, Safaa Al-Kurdi sold wedding dresses. Fed up with the conflict, the mother-of-three fled Damascus four years ago and sought asylum in Moscow. Now, Russia is saying she must go home. Safaa is one of thousands of Syrian refugees that Russia, an ally of President Bashar al-Assad, is urging to return. Large parts of Syria are safe, Russian officials say, and there is no reason for asylum seekers like Safaa, 55, to remain. The Russian stance is creating problems for Syrians here who are seeing their asylum requests rejected. Banned from working, they face the threat of arrest and deportation. "Since my children are there and Syria is my country, I would naturally like to return," Safaa, whose two eldest sons were drafted into the Syrian army, said through tears. "But it`s not possible for anyone to return in this situation. People know that there is poverty, that people are dying of cold or from hunger, or from bombing." According to the UN refugee agency, nearly 5.5 million Syrians have fled a war that has raged over seven years. In 2015, when Moscow launched a military operation in Syria, Russia granted temporary asylum to 1,924 Syrians. That number has fallen every year since, according to statistics agency Rosstat, hitting a low of 823 asylum applications in 2018. The Civil Assistance Committee, an NGO working with refugees, says Russia wants the Syrians out. "DON`T COME BACK" "Most of them get rejected, and the ones that don`t are told, We warn you, this is the last time we will extend your documents, next year don`t come back," said Yevgeny Yastrebov, a co-ordinator with the committee. Some Syrians have already left, he said, adding that others are forced to bribe the police to stay. "It`s a constant game of hide-and-seek you have to play with the government, which is not a fun thing to do if you have kids and you need to feed them," he said. When Safaa left Damascus in 2015, she had a little money from selling her garments workshop. Her youngest son, Al-Amir, 23, followed her to Russia afterwards. Their asylum applications have been repeatedly rejected and so far their appeals have also been refused. With her savings gone, Safaa makes ends meet by selling jewellery at a Moscow market. Her son declines to talk about his employment situation for fear of official reprisals. Their joint income is just enough to rent a small apartment in a village some 50 km (31 miles) east of Moscow. "I want to stay for a while before returning, I want to try to save a little bit of money to be able to open a little venture, to be able to live off of it in Syria," said Safaa. When her asylum appeal process is exhausted, she says she will return home, but wants her son to stay away from Syria. "Life is not possible there. It`s like the war is over but it`s not over at the same time."

Russia tells Syrian asylum seekers: You need to go home

India on Wednesday said that it doesn't wish to see further escalation of current <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-raises-pulwama-terror-attack-with-her-chinese-counterpart-report-199940">tension&nbsp;with Islamabad</a> and added that airstrike on Pakistani territory was carried out as it refused to act on terrorist camps on its soil.&nbsp;

Speaking at the RIC or Russia, India, China foreign ministers meet in Wuzhen, China, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Limited objective of pre-emptive strike was to act decisively against the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/blow-by-blow-account-how-mirage-2000-jets-destroyed-targets-inside-pakistan-199915">terrorist infrastructure </a>of JeM in order to pre-emptive another terror attack in India. India does not wish to see further escalation of the situation. india will continue to act with responsibility and restraint."

JeM or Jaish-e-Mohammad is a Pakistan based terror group which owned up responsibility for Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 of India's paramilitary security personnel.&nbsp;

Explaining the rationale behind India's stand, EAM said, "In the light of the continued refusal of Pakistan to acknowledge and act against terror groups on its territory and based on credible information that JeM is planning other attacks in various parts of India, Government of India decided to take pre-emptive action."

"The&nbsp;target was selected in order to avoid civilian casualties. This was not a military operation, no military installations were targeted," she added

The meet is chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EAM Sushma Swaraj in attendance.&nbsp;

She said," Following the Pulwama terrorist attack instead of acting against JeM and other terror groups based in Pakistan, it&nbsp;denied any knowledge of it and outrightly dismissed claims by JeM."

The visit by EAM to China comes a day after Indian strikes and New Delhi will be keen that Beijing pressure Islamabad to act on terror. China so far has been shielding listing of Masood Azhar, JeM's chief as an international terrorist under the UNSC 1267 committee.&nbsp;

India has been trying to list Azhar as an international terrorist but China has thwarted Indian attempts citing lack of consensus.&nbsp;

France will again propose listing of Azhar and is being backed by the United Kingdom.&nbsp;

This is the first meeting between the Chinese and Indian ministers this year. Last year Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met 4 times.

Speaking on Sino-India ties at the RIC meet, EAM said, "channel of strategic communication between two of us and between the senior official of two sides should always remain open"

This year Chinese President will visit India for the 2nd informal summit between both the countries. The first happened last year in April in Wuhan.

The last RIC Foreign Ministerial Meeting took place in New Delhi on 11 December 2017 in the backdrop of Doklam crisis when Chinese forces tried to build a road on Bhutanese territory and the attempt was thwarted by Indian forces but led to a 2-month long standoff, the worst in many decades.

Informal RIC meet at the leaders level — Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on 30 November last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The meet took place after a gap of 12 years.

India on Wednesday said that it doesn't wish to see further escalation of current tension with Islamabad and added that airstrike on Pakistani territory was carried out as it refused to act on terrorist camps on its soil.

India on Wednesday said that it doesn't wish to see further escalation of current tension with Islamabad and added that airstrike on Pakistani territory was carried out as it refused to act on terrorist camps on its soil. Speaking at the RIC or Russia, India, China foreign ministers meet in Wuzhen, China, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Limited objective of pre-emptive strike was to act decisively against the terrorist infrastructure of JeM in order to pre-emptive another terror attack in India. India does not wish to see further escalation of the situation. india will continue to act with responsibility and restraint." JeM or Jaish-e-Mohammad is a Pakistan based terror group which owned up responsibility for Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 of India's paramilitary security personnel. Explaining the rationale behind India's stand, EAM said, "In the light of the continued refusal of Pakistan to acknowledge and act against terror groups on its territory and based on credible information that JeM is planning other attacks in various parts of India, Government of India decided to take pre-emptive action." "The target was selected in order to avoid civilian casualties. This was not a military operation, no military installations were targeted," she added The meet is chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EAM Sushma Swaraj in attendance. She said," Following the Pulwama terrorist attack instead of acting against JeM and other terror groups based in Pakistan, it denied any knowledge of it and outrightly dismissed claims by JeM." The visit by EAM to China comes a day after Indian strikes and New Delhi will be keen that Beijing pressure Islamabad to act on terror. China so far has been shielding listing of Masood Azhar, JeM's chief as an international terrorist under the UNSC 1267 committee. India has been trying to list Azhar as an international terrorist but China has thwarted Indian attempts citing lack of consensus. France will again propose listing of Azhar and is being backed by the United Kingdom. This is the first meeting between the Chinese and Indian ministers this year. Last year Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met 4 times. Speaking on Sino-India ties at the RIC meet, EAM said, "channel of strategic communication between two of us and between the senior official of two sides should always remain open" This year Chinese President will visit India for the 2nd informal summit between both the countries. The first happened last year in April in Wuhan. The last RIC Foreign Ministerial Meeting took place in New Delhi on 11 December 2017 in the backdrop of Doklam crisis when Chinese forces tried to build a road on Bhutanese territory and the attempt was thwarted by Indian forces but led to a 2-month long standoff, the worst in many decades. Informal RIC meet at the leaders level — Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on 30 November last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The meet took place after a gap of 12 years.

Don't want to see further escalation, says India at RIC meet in China

The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jem-chief-masood-azhar-shifted-to-facility-near-bahawalpur-from-rawalpindi-military-hospital-intel-sources-199732">Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar</a> as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Besides attending the annual trilateral meeting, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would also hold bilateral talks with her Chinese and Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting in which the listing of Azhar by the UN's 1267 committee is expected to figure.

Swaraj's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assumes significance as it is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

China, a veto-wielding member, has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jem-has-been-included-in-security-council-counter-terrorism-list-we-have-dealt-with-masood-azhar-issue-professionally-china-197566">consistently blocked India</a>, the US, the UK and France's efforts to list Azhar as a global terrorist since 2016 but endorsed a scathing statement issued by UN Security Council on February 21 on the Pulwama attack.

The UNSC statement on the Pulwama attack stated that "the members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on February 14, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility.

But after endorsing the statement in which JeM has been named, China the next day in an apparent attempt to placate Pakistan sought to play it down, saying that the mention of JeM in the statement was only in general terms and does not represent a judgement.&nbsp;

The issue of listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to come up before the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council again as France, also a veto-wielding member of the high-power UN body, said it would move the resolution again.&nbsp;

The issue is also expected to figure prominently in Swaraj's talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

This is the 16th meeting of the RIC Foreign Ministers.&nbsp;

During the meeting, the three Foreign Ministers will focus on the implementation of our leaders' consensus and exchange views on major international regional issues of common concern and deepening trilateral cooperation. I am sure this meeting will achieve positive outcomes, Chinese Foreign Minister Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing on February 20.

The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday.

The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday. Besides attending the annual trilateral meeting, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would also hold bilateral talks with her Chinese and Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting in which the listing of Azhar by the UN's 1267 committee is expected to figure. Swaraj's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assumes significance as it is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. China, a veto-wielding member, has consistently blocked India, the US, the UK and France's efforts to list Azhar as a global terrorist since 2016 but endorsed a scathing statement issued by UN Security Council on February 21 on the Pulwama attack. The UNSC statement on the Pulwama attack stated that "the members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on February 14, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility. But after endorsing the statement in which JeM has been named, China the next day in an apparent attempt to placate Pakistan sought to play it down, saying that the mention of JeM in the statement was only in general terms and does not represent a judgement. The issue of listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to come up before the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council again as France, also a veto-wielding member of the high-power UN body, said it would move the resolution again. The issue is also expected to figure prominently in Swaraj's talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov. This is the 16th meeting of the RIC Foreign Ministers. During the meeting, the three Foreign Ministers will focus on the implementation of our leaders' consensus and exchange views on major international regional issues of common concern and deepening trilateral cooperation. I am sure this meeting will achieve positive outcomes, Chinese Foreign Minister Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing on February 20.

India to push for listing JeM chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist at RIC meet in China

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday accused the United States and its NATO allies of discussing how to arm the opposition in Venezuela and alleged Washington was deploying special forces and equipment near the South American nation.

Moscow said it had information to back its assertion but did not reveal it or say what it was.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said a US&nbsp;humanitarian aid convoy for Venezuela could provoke clashes and create a pretext for removing President Nicolas Maduro, a staunch Russian ally, by force.

A senior US&nbsp;administration official called the assertion a "senseless accusation" distributed by Russia as "propaganda."

"There’s no truth to that," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday accused the United States and its NATO allies of discussing how to arm the opposition in Venezuela and alleged Washington was deploying special forces and equipment near the South American nation.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday accused the United States and its NATO allies of discussing how to arm the opposition in Venezuela and alleged Washington was deploying special forces and equipment near the South American nation. Moscow said it had information to back its assertion but did not reveal it or say what it was. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said a US humanitarian aid convoy for Venezuela could provoke clashes and create a pretext for removing President Nicolas Maduro, a staunch Russian ally, by force. A senior US administration official called the assertion a "senseless accusation" distributed by Russia as "propaganda." "There’s no truth to that," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Russia accuses US of planning to arm opposition in Venezuela

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Feb. 27, Netanyahu's office said on Thursday, with the focus likely to be on Middle East issues led by Syria.

The two leaders had been scheduled to meet this week, but that was postponed, with no reason given. At the time, the Kremlin said Netanyahu and Putin were to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including Syria.

Thursday's statement offered no further details.

Israel's air force has repeatedly attacked what it describes as Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The air strikes have long caused friction between Israel and Russia, which apart from Iran is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s other major foreign backer.

Israeli officials have spoken in the past of an agreement with Moscow under which they have made clear their strikes on Syria would not threaten Assad, while Russia has promised to help limit Iranian influence near the Israeli frontier.

A hotline set up since 2015 is aimed at ensuring Russian forces in Syria are not surprised by Israeli attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Feb. 27, Netanyahu's office said on Thursday, with the focus likely to be on Middle East issues led by Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Feb. 27, Netanyahu's office said on Thursday, with the focus likely to be on Middle East issues led by Syria. The two leaders had been scheduled to meet this week, but that was postponed, with no reason given. At the time, the Kremlin said Netanyahu and Putin were to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including Syria. Thursday's statement offered no further details. Israel's air force has repeatedly attacked what it describes as Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The air strikes have long caused friction between Israel and Russia, which apart from Iran is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s other major foreign backer. Israeli officials have spoken in the past of an agreement with Moscow under which they have made clear their strikes on Syria would not threaten Assad, while Russia has promised to help limit Iranian influence near the Israeli frontier. A hotline set up since 2015 is aimed at ensuring Russian forces in Syria are not surprised by Israeli attacks.

Israel's Netanyahu to meet Putin in Moscow next week

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the newly confirmed US attorney general should be the person who decides whether to publicly release the much-anticipated Russia report, which could be completed as early as next week.

The remarks came as CNN reported that Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who has headed the probe since May 2017, could deliver his final report next week, possibly when Trump travels to Asia for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Asked at the White House whether Mueller should release the text while the president is out of the country, a subdued Trump said "that will be totally up to the new attorney general," Bill Barr.

On whether the report should be made public, the president again deferred: "From what I understand, that will be totally up to the attorney general."

"He's a tremendous man, a tremendous person, who really respects this country and respects the Justice Department," Trump added.

Mueller has been investigating allegations that Russia interfered in the last US presidential election, and whether the Trump campaign colluded in that effort.&nbsp;

Trump has repeatedly denounced the probe as a "witch hunt," while some Democrats have accused him of obstructing justice.

Barr has been in the job just one week, and lawmakers are keen to learn how much of Mueller's findings Barr and the Justice Department will disclose to Congress.

Barr was strongly critical of the Mueller investigation in 2017 while he was in the private sector. During the recent confirmation process he notably declined to commit to making Mueller's report public, something which has bothered many Democrats.&nbsp;

Congressional Democrats, reacting to the report that Mueller might soon deliver the results of his investigation, demanded it be released publicly.

"I believe AG Barr must make the #MuellerReport public so all can learn how #Russia meddled in the 2016 election &amp; whether that crime was aided &amp; abetted by @realDonaldTrump or his campaign," congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said on Twitter.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the newly confirmed US attorney general should be the person who decides whether to publicly release the much-anticipated Russia report, which could be completed as early as next week.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the newly confirmed US attorney general should be the person who decides whether to publicly release the much-anticipated Russia report, which could be completed as early as next week. The remarks came as CNN reported that Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who has headed the probe since May 2017, could deliver his final report next week, possibly when Trump travels to Asia for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Asked at the White House whether Mueller should release the text while the president is out of the country, a subdued Trump said "that will be totally up to the new attorney general," Bill Barr. On whether the report should be made public, the president again deferred: "From what I understand, that will be totally up to the attorney general." "He's a tremendous man, a tremendous person, who really respects this country and respects the Justice Department," Trump added. Mueller has been investigating allegations that Russia interfered in the last US presidential election, and whether the Trump campaign colluded in that effort. Trump has repeatedly denounced the probe as a "witch hunt," while some Democrats have accused him of obstructing justice. Barr has been in the job just one week, and lawmakers are keen to learn how much of Mueller's findings Barr and the Justice Department will disclose to Congress. Barr was strongly critical of the Mueller investigation in 2017 while he was in the private sector. During the recent confirmation process he notably declined to commit to making Mueller's report public, something which has bothered many Democrats. Congressional Democrats, reacting to the report that Mueller might soon deliver the results of his investigation, demanded it be released publicly. "I believe AG Barr must make the #MuellerReport public so all can learn how #Russia meddled in the 2016 election & whether that crime was aided & abetted by @realDonaldTrump or his campaign," congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said on Twitter.

Donald Trump: Release of Russia probe report up to new US attorney general

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that 300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia will arrive in the country later this week, an announcement made at a time when the opposition is pressing for the entry of donations from other countries amid a shortage of medicines.

"On Wednesday, 300 tons of aid and humanitarian assistance will, legally, arrive from Russia at the Maiquetia (International) Airport (which serves Caracas)," he said in a presidential council which was broadcast on radio and television on a mandatory basis.&nbsp;

He indicated that this aid was paid for by the executive and indicated that his government is receiving "technical assistance" from the United Nations (UN).

The president said that was possible that in the next few days there will be an announcement made by several countries to offer their support, through the UN, to Venezuela.

He also insisted that the donations made by the United States and Colombia at the request of the Venezuelan Parliament, which has an opposition majority, and that is blocked at the border, are expired and contaminated food.

"The humanitarian aid is a 'show', a booby trap. They stole from us $30 billion and offer us $20 million of rotten, contaminated food, in order to try to intervene in Venezuela," he said while asking the Colombian president, Ivan Duque, and the American, Donald Trump, to drop the "madness."

Maduro's announcement came on a day when his communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said that he will take food and medical treatment to the Colombian city of Cucuta due to the poverty that its residents suffer.

Cucuta is one of the collection centres for humanitarian aid requested by the Venezuelan Parliament, but Maduro refuses to accept it on the grounds that it may lead to a foreign invasion, especially after the ignoring of his new term in office following his election in polls branded as fraudulent.

For this reason, and after the head of the Parliament, Juan Guaido, was proclaimed interim president because Maduro was considered illegitimate, almost 50 countries have also recognized Guaido as the country's leader.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that 300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia will arrive in the country later this week, an announcement made at a time when the opposition is pressing for the entry of donations from other countries amid a shortage of medicines.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that 300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia will arrive in the country later this week, an announcement made at a time when the opposition is pressing for the entry of donations from other countries amid a shortage of medicines. "On Wednesday, 300 tons of aid and humanitarian assistance will, legally, arrive from Russia at the Maiquetia (International) Airport (which serves Caracas)," he said in a presidential council which was broadcast on radio and television on a mandatory basis. He indicated that this aid was paid for by the executive and indicated that his government is receiving "technical assistance" from the United Nations (UN). The president said that was possible that in the next few days there will be an announcement made by several countries to offer their support, through the UN, to Venezuela. He also insisted that the donations made by the United States and Colombia at the request of the Venezuelan Parliament, which has an opposition majority, and that is blocked at the border, are expired and contaminated food. "The humanitarian aid is a 'show', a booby trap. They stole from us $30 billion and offer us $20 million of rotten, contaminated food, in order to try to intervene in Venezuela," he said while asking the Colombian president, Ivan Duque, and the American, Donald Trump, to drop the "madness." Maduro's announcement came on a day when his communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said that he will take food and medical treatment to the Colombian city of Cucuta due to the poverty that its residents suffer. Cucuta is one of the collection centres for humanitarian aid requested by the Venezuelan Parliament, but Maduro refuses to accept it on the grounds that it may lead to a foreign invasion, especially after the ignoring of his new term in office following his election in polls branded as fraudulent. For this reason, and after the head of the Parliament, Juan Guaido, was proclaimed interim president because Maduro was considered illegitimate, almost 50 countries have also recognized Guaido as the country's leader.

300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia to arrive in Venezuela

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin posed a threat to democracies worldwide <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-pledges-slovakia-support-on-latest-stop-to-curb-russia-china-196961">as he arrived in Slovakia</a>, the latest stop on a Central European charm offensive aimed at curbing the growing influence of both Moscow and Beijing.

"Vladimir Putin is intent on undermining democracies throughout the world, make no mistake about it. We should be very candid about that," Pompeo told journalism students in the capital Bratislava.

He later warned Slovaks about the "need to guard against China's economic and other efforts to create dependence and manipulate your political system."

Pompeo is seeking to highlight the US role in the fall of communism three decades ago at a time when Putin finds a widening audience in the former Eastern bloc.

The first US secretary of state to visit Slovakia in 14 years, Pompeo told President Andrej Kiska: "It's been too long since America has been deeply engaged here."

He met with five former political prisoners at a memorial to the so-called Gate of Freedom on the border with Austria, where 400 people were killed from 1945 to 1989 as they tried to break through the Iron Curtain to the West.

"Where barbed wire and armed guards stood, today people, goods and information cross freely," Pompeo said.

"The United States has stood with the people of Slovakia as a friend, as a partner... for the past 30 years, and we will continue to stand with you in the decades to come.

"On behalf of the United States I'm proud to stand in union with the people of Slovakia and Europe in recommitting to a future that is more prosperous, more secure and, most of all, great," he said.

Kiska, a staunch liberal, called the US an "important partner and ally".

Alternative to Russia

President Donald Trump has voiced admiration for Putin but the wider US government remains suspicious of the Russian leader and is seeking to find alternatives for European nations to Russia's energy exports.

A senior US official travelling with Pompeo said the Trump administration was pursuing a strategy similar to that in Asia, where for years the United States has been seeking to curb China's power.

"It emphasises in vulnerable regions where our rivals, the Chinese and the Russians, are gaining ground that we want to increase our diplomatic, military and cultural engagement," the official told reporters.

He said Washington was also looking across Central Europe to boost an independent media, amid concerns about an erosion of press freedom.

In Hungary, the most pro-Russia member of the European Union, Pompeo raised concerns to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government both over ties with Moscow and Budapest's contract with Chinese telecom giant Huawei to develop the country's fifth-generation mobile network.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto welcomed Pompeo's calls for closer ties and promised more defence cooperation but also brushed off the criticism on relations with Russia and China.

Western concerns on Hungary's ties with Moscow amounted to "enormous hypocrisy," he said, adding that Western Europe was doing energy deals with Russia.

Pompeo heads later Tuesday to Poland, where he is co-hosting a conference on the Middle East that will promote Trump's hard line on Iran and strong support for Israel. 
&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin posed a threat to democracies worldwide as he arrived in Slovakia, the latest stop on a Central European charm offensive aimed at curbing the growing influence of both Moscow and Beijing.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin posed a threat to democracies worldwide as he arrived in Slovakia, the latest stop on a Central European charm offensive aimed at curbing the growing influence of both Moscow and Beijing. "Vladimir Putin is intent on undermining democracies throughout the world, make no mistake about it. We should be very candid about that," Pompeo told journalism students in the capital Bratislava. He later warned Slovaks about the "need to guard against China's economic and other efforts to create dependence and manipulate your political system." Pompeo is seeking to highlight the US role in the fall of communism three decades ago at a time when Putin finds a widening audience in the former Eastern bloc. The first US secretary of state to visit Slovakia in 14 years, Pompeo told President Andrej Kiska: "It's been too long since America has been deeply engaged here." He met with five former political prisoners at a memorial to the so-called Gate of Freedom on the border with Austria, where 400 people were killed from 1945 to 1989 as they tried to break through the Iron Curtain to the West. "Where barbed wire and armed guards stood, today people, goods and information cross freely," Pompeo said. "The United States has stood with the people of Slovakia as a friend, as a partner... for the past 30 years, and we will continue to stand with you in the decades to come. "On behalf of the United States I'm proud to stand in union with the people of Slovakia and Europe in recommitting to a future that is more prosperous, more secure and, most of all, great," he said. Kiska, a staunch liberal, called the US an "important partner and ally". Alternative to Russia President Donald Trump has voiced admiration for Putin but the wider US government remains suspicious of the Russian leader and is seeking to find alternatives for European nations to Russia's energy exports. A senior US official travelling with Pompeo said the Trump administration was pursuing a strategy similar to that in Asia, where for years the United States has been seeking to curb China's power. "It emphasises in vulnerable regions where our rivals, the Chinese and the Russians, are gaining ground that we want to increase our diplomatic, military and cultural engagement," the official told reporters. He said Washington was also looking across Central Europe to boost an independent media, amid concerns about an erosion of press freedom. In Hungary, the most pro-Russia member of the European Union, Pompeo raised concerns to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government both over ties with Moscow and Budapest's contract with Chinese telecom giant Huawei to develop the country's fifth-generation mobile network. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto welcomed Pompeo's calls for closer ties and promised more defence cooperation but also brushed off the criticism on relations with Russia and China. Western concerns on Hungary's ties with Moscow amounted to "enormous hypocrisy," he said, adding that Western Europe was doing energy deals with Russia. Pompeo heads later Tuesday to Poland, where he is co-hosting a conference on the Middle East that will promote Trump's hard line on Iran and strong support for Israel.

Vladimir Putin is intent on undermining democracies throughout the world: Mike Pompeo

Russian lawmakers backed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-cracking-down-on-internet-to-muzzle-critics-say-experts-129128">tighter internet controls</a> on Tuesday to defend against foreign meddling in draft legislation that critics warn could disrupt Russia's internet and be used to stifle dissent.

The legislation, which some Russian media have likened to an online "iron curtain," passed its first of three readings in the 450-seat lower chamber of parliament.

The bill seeks to route Russian web traffic and data through points controlled by state authorities and proposes building a national Domain Name System to allow the internet to continue functioning even if the country is cut off from foreign infrastructure.

The legislation was drafted in response to what its authors describe as an aggressive new US&nbsp;national cyber-security strategy passed last year.

The Agora human rights group said earlier this month that the legislation was one of several new bills drafted in December that "seriously threaten internet freedom".

The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs has said the bill poses more of a risk to the functioning of the Russian internet segment than the alleged threats from foreign countries that the bill seeks to counter.

The bill also proposes installing network equipment that would be able to identify the source of web traffic and also block banned content.

The legislation, which can still be amended, but which is expected to pass, is part of a drive by officials to increase Russian "sovereignty" over its internet segment.

Russia has introduced tougher internet laws in the last five years, requiring search engines to delete some search results, messaging services to share encryption keys with security services and social networks to store Russian users' personal data on servers within the country.

The bill faces two more votes in the lower chamber before it is voted on in the upper house of parliament and then signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.

Russian lawmakers backed tighter internet controls on Tuesday to defend against foreign meddling in draft legislation that critics warn could disrupt Russia's internet and be used to stifle dissent.

Russian lawmakers backed tighter internet controls on Tuesday to defend against foreign meddling in draft legislation that critics warn could disrupt Russia's internet and be used to stifle dissent. The legislation, which some Russian media have likened to an online "iron curtain," passed its first of three readings in the 450-seat lower chamber of parliament. The bill seeks to route Russian web traffic and data through points controlled by state authorities and proposes building a national Domain Name System to allow the internet to continue functioning even if the country is cut off from foreign infrastructure. The legislation was drafted in response to what its authors describe as an aggressive new US national cyber-security strategy passed last year. The Agora human rights group said earlier this month that the legislation was one of several new bills drafted in December that "seriously threaten internet freedom". The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs has said the bill poses more of a risk to the functioning of the Russian internet segment than the alleged threats from foreign countries that the bill seeks to counter. The bill also proposes installing network equipment that would be able to identify the source of web traffic and also block banned content. The legislation, which can still be amended, but which is expected to pass, is part of a drive by officials to increase Russian "sovereignty" over its internet segment. Russia has introduced tougher internet laws in the last five years, requiring search engines to delete some search results, messaging services to share encryption keys with security services and social networks to store Russian users' personal data on servers within the country. The bill faces two more votes in the lower chamber before it is voted on in the upper house of parliament and then signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.

Russian lawmakers back bill on 'sovereign' Internet

Russian lawmakers on Tuesday backed a bill that would ban soldiers from using smartphones while on duty to post online or give information to media.

The move comes after journalists have used photos and videos posted on social media by troops to gain information on Russia's military involvement in Syria and in Ukraine -- where Kiev and its Western allies say Moscow gives military backing to pro-Russian separatists.&nbsp;

The Russian military has long sought to limit troops' use of social media to avoid information leaks.

The Meduza independent news site wrote that with the bill "we will know less about hazing and the military in Ukraine."

The defence committee of the State Duma lower house of parliament, which wrote the legislation, said it aimed to ensure "national security" in the "sphere of information" and to cover information that is not classed as a military secret.

The bill bans troops from carrying "electronic devices" that can post video and photos online or reveal their geo-locations.

It bans troops, conscripts and reservists from informing media or putting information online that reveals they or others are in the military, describes their duties or gives their location.&nbsp;

It also bans giving out information about the actions of military commanders or the locations of military headquarters.

MPs in the State Duma voted on the key second reading of the bill, which will be followed by a final reading, a Senate vote and then a signing by President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

The bill warns that foreign secret services and "terrorist" organisations are interested in the activities of Russian troops, particularly those serving in Syria, where Russia has been carrying out a military intervention since 2015 to back President Bashar al-Assad.

It says that information posted online or given to media could be used to form a "prejudiced view of Russia's government policies."

Soldiers who broke the law could be given early discharge.

Basic mobile phones without cameras will not be banned, and troops will still be able to use smartphones while off-duty, the first deputy chief of the defence committee, Andrei Krasov told TASS state news agency.

Russian lawmakers on Tuesday backed a bill that would ban soldiers from using smartphones while on duty to post online or give information to media. The move comes after journalists have used photos and videos posted on social media by troops to gain information on Russia's military involvement in Syria and in Ukraine -- where Kiev and its Western allies say Moscow gives military backing to pro-Russian separatists.

Russian lawmakers on Tuesday backed a bill that would ban soldiers from using smartphones while on duty to post online or give information to media. The move comes after journalists have used photos and videos posted on social media by troops to gain information on Russia's military involvement in Syria and in Ukraine -- where Kiev and its Western allies say Moscow gives military backing to pro-Russian separatists. The Russian military has long sought to limit troops' use of social media to avoid information leaks. The Meduza independent news site wrote that with the bill "we will know less about hazing and the military in Ukraine." The defence committee of the State Duma lower house of parliament, which wrote the legislation, said it aimed to ensure "national security" in the "sphere of information" and to cover information that is not classed as a military secret. The bill bans troops from carrying "electronic devices" that can post video and photos online or reveal their geo-locations. It bans troops, conscripts and reservists from informing media or putting information online that reveals they or others are in the military, describes their duties or gives their location. It also bans giving out information about the actions of military commanders or the locations of military headquarters. MPs in the State Duma voted on the key second reading of the bill, which will be followed by a final reading, a Senate vote and then a signing by President Vladimir Putin. The bill warns that foreign secret services and "terrorist" organisations are interested in the activities of Russian troops, particularly those serving in Syria, where Russia has been carrying out a military intervention since 2015 to back President Bashar al-Assad. It says that information posted online or given to media could be used to form a "prejudiced view of Russia's government policies." Soldiers who broke the law could be given early discharge. Basic mobile phones without cameras will not be banned, and troops will still be able to use smartphones while off-duty, the first deputy chief of the defence committee, Andrei Krasov told TASS state news agency.

Russia moves to ban troops from using smartphones

Russia to log off from world wide web soon

Russia's economic growth climbed to a six-year high in 2018, but the growth was fuelled by one-off factors that mean the goals set by President Vladimir Putin won't be achieved without an increase in household incomes, economists said.

Putin, after winning his fourth term last year, ordered the government to bring the Russian economy into the world's top five by 2024, saying economic growth should surpass the global average of about 3 per cent.

New data published this month by Russia's Federal Statistics Service, or Rosstat, seemed to show that Russia, the world's 12th largest economy, had moved closer to the Kremlin's goal.

Gross domestic product grew 2.3 per cent last year, Rosstat said, exceeding the 1.5 to 2.0 per cent foreseen by the central bank and the 1.8 per cent predicted by the economy ministry.

Growth exceeded expectations partly because Rosstat revised construction growth in the first 11 months of 2018 to 5.7 per cent from 0.5 per cent. The economy ministry said construction in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets region accounted for the revision.

A week after the data were published, the ministry said GDP growth had been boosted by one-time factors and predicted it would slow to 1.3 per cent in 2019.

"We can speak of sustainable growth when there are sustainable growth drivers such as higher investment, low capacity utilisation, rising households' incomes, which with some delay filters into consumer demand, which drives the economy," said Andrey Movchan, an economist at the Carnegie Moscow Centre.

"We have none of that," Movchan said. "We are moving slowly towards a demographic pitfall, we have almost zero non-state investment ... All developments favour GDP contraction rather than growth."

Analysts polled by Reuters in late December had expected last year's GDP growth would remain at 1.7 per cent, then slow to 1.4 per cent in 2019.

GDP Grows, incomes fall

Economists have been sceptical about the GDP figure, saying it did not represent broader economic trends and was not indicative of sustainable growth in a country facing the risk of more US&nbsp;sanctions and restrictions on its oil output because of a deal with OPEC.

An unexpected pick-up in construction, higher borrowing activity, growing inventories and stronger exports all boosted 2018 growth, the data showed. But a continuing decline in real disposable incomes among households raised doubts the reported growth could be last.

The average salary in Russia in 2018 rose 10 per cent to 43,400 roubles ($660.24), but real disposable incomes, or money adjusted for inflation that households have after paying taxes, declined 0.2 per cent in 2018 after falling 1.2 per cent in 2017, according to Rosstat.

Inventories in the economy rose in late 2018 ahead of a planned increase in value-added tax to 20 per cent from 18 per cent, the data showed.

That may have been driven by companies stocking up before prices rose, said Valery Mironov of the Higher School of Economics.

"GDP would be growing faster than demand but that's just because of growing inventories," he said. "This is only a temporary gain."

Households also contributed to growth in 2018 by taking out more loans. Retail lending rose 22.4 per cent last year after a 12.7 per cent increase in 2017, central bank data showed.

Factors that contributed to economic growth are "temporary moments that do not indicate any kind of steady trend of an increase in demand in the economy," said Vladimir Tikhomirov, chief economist at BCS brokerage.

"The current trends that are in the economy remain," he said.

&nbsp;

Russia's economic growth climbed to a six-year high in 2018, but the growth was fuelled by one-off factors that mean the goals set by President Vladimir Putin won't be achieved without an increase in household incomes, economists said.

Russia's economic growth climbed to a six-year high in 2018, but the growth was fuelled by one-off factors that mean the goals set by President Vladimir Putin won't be achieved without an increase in household incomes, economists said. Putin, after winning his fourth term last year, ordered the government to bring the Russian economy into the world's top five by 2024, saying economic growth should surpass the global average of about 3 per cent. New data published this month by Russia's Federal Statistics Service, or Rosstat, seemed to show that Russia, the world's 12th largest economy, had moved closer to the Kremlin's goal. Gross domestic product grew 2.3 per cent last year, Rosstat said, exceeding the 1.5 to 2.0 per cent foreseen by the central bank and the 1.8 per cent predicted by the economy ministry. Growth exceeded expectations partly because Rosstat revised construction growth in the first 11 months of 2018 to 5.7 per cent from 0.5 per cent. The economy ministry said construction in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets region accounted for the revision. A week after the data were published, the ministry said GDP growth had been boosted by one-time factors and predicted it would slow to 1.3 per cent in 2019. "We can speak of sustainable growth when there are sustainable growth drivers such as higher investment, low capacity utilisation, rising households' incomes, which with some delay filters into consumer demand, which drives the economy," said Andrey Movchan, an economist at the Carnegie Moscow Centre. "We have none of that," Movchan said. "We are moving slowly towards a demographic pitfall, we have almost zero non-state investment ... All developments favour GDP contraction rather than growth." Analysts polled by Reuters in late December had expected last year's GDP growth would remain at 1.7 per cent, then slow to 1.4 per cent in 2019. GDP Grows, incomes fall Economists have been sceptical about the GDP figure, saying it did not represent broader economic trends and was not indicative of sustainable growth in a country facing the risk of more US sanctions and restrictions on its oil output because of a deal with OPEC. An unexpected pick-up in construction, higher borrowing activity, growing inventories and stronger exports all boosted 2018 growth, the data showed. But a continuing decline in real disposable incomes among households raised doubts the reported growth could be last. The average salary in Russia in 2018 rose 10 per cent to 43,400 roubles ($660.24), but real disposable incomes, or money adjusted for inflation that households have after paying taxes, declined 0.2 per cent in 2018 after falling 1.2 per cent in 2017, according to Rosstat. Inventories in the economy rose in late 2018 ahead of a planned increase in value-added tax to 20 per cent from 18 per cent, the data showed. That may have been driven by companies stocking up before prices rose, said Valery Mironov of the Higher School of Economics. "GDP would be growing faster than demand but that's just because of growing inventories," he said. "This is only a temporary gain." Households also contributed to growth in 2018 by taking out more loans. Retail lending rose 22.4 per cent last year after a 12.7 per cent increase in 2017, central bank data showed. Factors that contributed to economic growth are "temporary moments that do not indicate any kind of steady trend of an increase in demand in the economy," said Vladimir Tikhomirov, chief economist at BCS brokerage. "The current trends that are in the economy remain," he said.

Russia's GDP growth, at six-year high, raises question of durability

A Russian court on Monday jailed two members of the Islamic State group for 15 years for planning attacks on a mall and public transport in Moscow, news agencies reported.

Bakhtiyor Makhmudov and Zafarkhon Rakhmatov from &nbsp;Muslim-majority Tajikistan will serve their sentences in a "strict regime camp", a court statement said.&nbsp;

Russia's FSB security service arrested the duo in December 2017, accusing them of planning suicide bombings over the New Year and during a forthcoming presidential election campaign.

The pair pleaded guilty, the RIA Novosti news agency said.

Almost 2,900 Russian jihadists, mainly from Muslim-majority republics in the south of the federation, have fought in Iraq and Syria, according to the FSB.&nbsp;

Several thousand others from ex-Soviet Central Asian countries are also believed to have fought in conflicts there.

In 2017, Russia was hit by several terrorist attacks, the most serious of which left 15 dead and many injured in the metro of second city Saint Petersburg.

A Russian court on Monday jailed two members of the Islamic State group for 15 years for planning attacks on a mall and public transport in Moscow, news agencies reported.

A Russian court on Monday jailed two members of the Islamic State group for 15 years for planning attacks on a mall and public transport in Moscow, news agencies reported. Bakhtiyor Makhmudov and Zafarkhon Rakhmatov from Muslim-majority Tajikistan will serve their sentences in a "strict regime camp", a court statement said. Russia's FSB security service arrested the duo in December 2017, accusing them of planning suicide bombings over the New Year and during a forthcoming presidential election campaign. The pair pleaded guilty, the RIA Novosti news agency said. Almost 2,900 Russian jihadists, mainly from Muslim-majority republics in the south of the federation, have fought in Iraq and Syria, according to the FSB. Several thousand others from ex-Soviet Central Asian countries are also believed to have fought in conflicts there. In 2017, Russia was hit by several terrorist attacks, the most serious of which left 15 dead and many injured in the metro of second city Saint Petersburg.

Russia jails IS pair for 15 years over planned attacks

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