US President Joe Biden on Sunday said that 'autocrat' Vladimir Putin was right to suggest that relations between USA and Russia were at their lowest. Biden suggested that Russia might be weaker than it seemed.

Biden says 'autocrat' Putin's Russia might be weaker than it seems

According to officials, the White House and the Kremlin are working to arrange a summit in Switzerland next month between the United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Preparations underway for US President Biden and Russian President's meeting in Switzerland

Russian investigators opened a criminal case on Friday after 10 workers died of suspected poisoning while cleaning a sewage plant.

Russia's Investigative Committee, a body that probes major crimes, said it was investigating whether the plant in the village of Dmitriadovka, near the city of Taganrog in&nbsp;Russia's southern Rostov region, had violated industrial safety rules.

The RIA news agency cited local officials as saying methane had leaked during emergency restoration work at the sewage treatment plant.

Authorities in Taganrog said 10 people had died and another eight had been hospitalised.

A person who answered the phone at the plant declined to comment and referred all inquiries to the Taganrog administration.

Russian investigators opened a criminal case on Friday after 10 workers died of suspected poisoning while cleaning a sewage plant. Russia's Investigative Committee, a body that probes major crimes, said it was investigating whether the plant in the village of Dmitriadovka, near the city of Taganrog in Russia's southern Rostov region, had violated industrial safety rules.

Russian investigators opened a criminal case on Friday after 10 workers died of suspected poisoning while cleaning a sewage plant. Russia's Investigative Committee, a body that probes major crimes, said it was investigating whether the plant in the village of Dmitriadovka, near the city of Taganrog in Russia's southern Rostov region, had violated industrial safety rules. The RIA news agency cited local officials as saying methane had leaked during emergency restoration work at the sewage treatment plant. Authorities in Taganrog said 10 people had died and another eight had been hospitalised. A person who answered the phone at the plant declined to comment and referred all inquiries to the Taganrog administration.

Russia opens criminal case after 10 workers die from sewage plant fumes

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Kremlin critic can 'die any minute' as a result of his rapidly deteriorating health, doctors warned on Saturday. They have urged immediate access to Navalny. He is on a hunger strike since March 31 to demand proper medical treatment for back pain and numbness in his legs and hands. He was jailed in February.

Navalny's personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva and three more doctors including cardiologist Yaroslav Ashikhmin have asked prison officials to grant them immediate access.

"Our patient can die any minute," Ashikhmin said on Facebook on Saturday, pointing to the opposition politician's high potassium levels and saying Navalny should be moved to intensive care.&nbsp;

"Fatal arrhythmia can develop any minute."&nbsp;

In August last year, Navalny survived poisoning with Novichok nerve agent. He has blamed the poisoning attempt on Kremlin.

'Alexei is dying'

Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, who accompanied him when he collapsed on a plane after the poisoning in August, said the situation was critical again.

"Alexei is dying," she said on Facebook. "With his condition it's a matter of days."

She said she felt like she was "on that plane again, only this time it's landing in slow motion", pointing out that access to Navalny was restricted and few Russians were aware of what was actually going on with him in prison.

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Kremlin critic can 'die any minute' as a result of his rapidly deteriorating health, doctors warned on Saturday. They have urged immediate access to Navalny.

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Kremlin critic can 'die any minute' as a result of his rapidly deteriorating health, doctors warned on Saturday. They have urged immediate access to Navalny. He is on a hunger strike since March 31 to demand proper medical treatment for back pain and numbness in his legs and hands. He was jailed in February. Navalny's personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva and three more doctors including cardiologist Yaroslav Ashikhmin have asked prison officials to grant them immediate access. "Our patient can die any minute," Ashikhmin said on Facebook on Saturday, pointing to the opposition politician's high potassium levels and saying Navalny should be moved to intensive care. "Fatal arrhythmia can develop any minute." In August last year, Navalny survived poisoning with Novichok nerve agent. He has blamed the poisoning attempt on Kremlin. 'Alexei is dying' Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, who accompanied him when he collapsed on a plane after the poisoning in August, said the situation was critical again. "Alexei is dying," she said on Facebook. "With his condition it's a matter of days." She said she felt like she was "on that plane again, only this time it's landing in slow motion", pointing out that access to Navalny was restricted and few Russians were aware of what was actually going on with him in prison.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny can 'die any minute', say doctors

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's release is being continued to be demanded. Thousands of protestors continue to support Navalny and protest on the streets with the flashlights with a motto to release him. The protests continue to take place even after restrictions being put. Some people even demonstrated support in terms of lit candles in their courtyards. Apart from the physical protests, the hashtags in support of them were also trending on social media.

Pro-Navalny demonstrations in Moscow

Russia's President Vladimir Putin says that kremlin critic Alexy Navalny is being used by contending forces to escalate the public outrage against his government. Referring to him as 'that figure', Putin said Navalny is being used to capitalize on the frustration and dissatisfaction of the public against him.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks on Pro-Navalny protests

Russia is all prepared to break all its ties with the European Union says Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. 'We don't want to isolate ourselves from global life, but we have to be ready for that', he added further.

'Russia ready to end ties with EU if sanctions imposed', says Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

A Russian court convened on Tuesday to consider jailing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for up to three and a half years in a case that has sparked nationwide protests and talk of new Western sanctions.

Moscow court to begin hearing on Alexei Navalny's case

Russian police detain people near court as it considers jailing Navalny

Allies of jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny are preparing for nationwide protests even when authorities are trying to crack down on the dissenters. Alexei Navalny, one of the most prominent opposition figures in Russia is currently in jail and awaiting trial. Navalny's aides have called for fresh nationwide rallies to demand Navalny's release.

This week several Navalny associates, including lawyer Lyubov Sobol and his brother Oleg, have been placed under house arrest until late March pending charges for violating coronavirus restrictions by calling people to join protests.

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Russian authorities have issued warnings against participation in these rallies and have threatened of criminal charges.

In an unprecedented move police in the capital Moscow announced the closure of seven metro stations and said movement of pedestrians would be limited in the city centre.

The authorities have also said that some centrally-located restaurants and shops will close.

Police detained 44-year-old Navalny at a Moscow airport on January 17 as he arrived from Germany, where he had been recovering from exposure to a Soviet-designed nerve toxin.

A makeshift court at a police station ordered the anti-graft campaigner placed in custody until his trial on charges of violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence.

Sunday's Moscow rally is due to take place outside the headquarters of the Federal Security Service, Russia's main security agency, which Navalny says carried out the near-fatal poisoning attack on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.

(With AFP inputs)

Allies of jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny are preparing for nationwide protests even when authorities are trying to crack down on the dissenters. Alexei Navalny, one of the most prominent opposition figures in Russia is currently in jail and awaiting trial.

Allies of jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny are preparing for nationwide protests even when authorities are trying to crack down on the dissenters. Alexei Navalny, one of the most prominent opposition figures in Russia is currently in jail and awaiting trial. Navalny's aides have called for fresh nationwide rallies to demand Navalny's release. This week several Navalny associates, including lawyer Lyubov Sobol and his brother Oleg, have been placed under house arrest until late March pending charges for violating coronavirus restrictions by calling people to join protests. × Russian authorities have issued warnings against participation in these rallies and have threatened of criminal charges. In an unprecedented move police in the capital Moscow announced the closure of seven metro stations and said movement of pedestrians would be limited in the city centre. The authorities have also said that some centrally-located restaurants and shops will close. Police detained 44-year-old Navalny at a Moscow airport on January 17 as he arrived from Germany, where he had been recovering from exposure to a Soviet-designed nerve toxin. A makeshift court at a police station ordered the anti-graft campaigner placed in custody until his trial on charges of violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence. Sunday's Moscow rally is due to take place outside the headquarters of the Federal Security Service, Russia's main security agency, which Navalny says carried out the near-fatal poisoning attack on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. (With AFP inputs)

Navalny supporters plan fresh nationwide protests despite crackdown

Russian police raided the Moscow offices of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's group on Wednesday (January 27) and searched several other properties, including a flat where his wife was, one of his allies said.

Russian Police raid Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's properties

Russian Police raid studio which produces Navalny's videos

The Russian civil rights portal OVD-Info said Sunday that among its count of 3,400 arrested during rallies in 100 cities

Why there are Pro-Navalny protests in Russia?

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on January 11 will discuss outstanding issues and implementation of the agreement.

Russia to host trilateral meeting with Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders

Dozens of Russian families enjoyed winter weather in Kazan on Sunday while competing at a snowman festival.

Russians enjoy winter weather at snowman festival

Russian health officials have registered more than three million infections since the start of the pandemic, putting the country's caseload at fourth-highest in the world.

Russia admits its COVID death toll three times higher than official figure

President-elect Joe Biden’s team will consider several options to punish Russia for its suspected role in the unprecedented hacking of U.S. government agencies.

Joe Biden's options for Russian hacking punishment: sanctions, cyber retaliation

The Russian President also called for all the citizens to get vaccinated against coronavirus. He also added that Russia needed time to increase capacity for vaccine production.

'Will get COVID vaccine when possible for my age group': Vladimir Putin

President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Tuesday allowing Russia's national legislation precedence over international treaties and rulings from international bodies in cases when they conflict with the Russian constitution.

Vladimir Putin signs law allowing Russian legislation to trump international treaties

Some things just read bizarre. The irony is so much that you can't decide whether to laugh or feel sorry. Russia may no longer be a superpower as it was in Soviet times but the country still packs a major punch and has massive influence in world affairs.

A country like this apparently must be able to protect its most valuable assets with peak alertness and impunity right?

Apparently not.

Russia's Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdome aircraft, also known to be 'doomsday jet' or 'Kremlin in the sky' due to its ability to withstand a nuclear attack has seen a theft.

In a major security breach, radio equipment was stolen from the aircraft as it was undergoing upgrade and maintenance in Russian city of Taganrog.

As the maintenance work was going on, 'unknown persons opened the hatch' and stole radio equipment, said Russia's state-run news outlet RIA Novosti.

As per news reports, 39 pieces of equipment were stolen.

The equipment contains precious materials such as gold and platinum so this may well be a motive. But it appears unlikely that a gang of robbers would risk targetting a mightly, nuclear-attack-proof defence aircraft just to earn quick money.

Investigators have obtained fingerprints and shoe prints from inside the aircraft and are hoping to nab the culprits.

Some things just read bizarre. The irony is so much that you can't decide whether to laugh or feel sorry. Russia may no longer be a superpower as it was in Soviet times but the country still packs a major punch and has massive influence in world affairs.

Some things just read bizarre. The irony is so much that you can't decide whether to laugh or feel sorry. Russia may no longer be a superpower as it was in Soviet times but the country still packs a major punch and has massive influence in world affairs. A country like this apparently must be able to protect its most valuable assets with peak alertness and impunity right? Apparently not. Russia's Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdome aircraft, also known to be 'doomsday jet' or 'Kremlin in the sky' due to its ability to withstand a nuclear attack has seen a theft. In a major security breach, radio equipment was stolen from the aircraft as it was undergoing upgrade and maintenance in Russian city of Taganrog. As the maintenance work was going on, 'unknown persons opened the hatch' and stole radio equipment, said Russia's state-run news outlet RIA Novosti. As per news reports, 39 pieces of equipment were stolen. The equipment contains precious materials such as gold and platinum so this may well be a motive. But it appears unlikely that a gang of robbers would risk targetting a mightly, nuclear-attack-proof defence aircraft just to earn quick money. Investigators have obtained fingerprints and shoe prints from inside the aircraft and are hoping to nab the culprits.

Someone stole radio from 'doomsday jet', Russia's nuclear attack-proof aircraft

Russian mayor Sergei Sobyanin asserted that teachers, doctors and social workers will be the first to be administered the Sputnik V vaccine.

Russia to begin vaccination drive against COVID-19 from December 5

The country will have produced two million doses of the vaccine within the next few days, Putin said, noting that teachers and medics will be the first to receive shots.

Teachers, medics, social workers to get vaccine shots as Russia prepones inoculation drive

Russia becomes first country to vaccinate citizens outside trials

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered mass COVID-19 vaccination to start next week in Russia.

Vladimir Putin orders mass vaccinations against COVID-19 from next week in Russia

Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office.

Russia's lower house of parliament approves bill to give Putin lifetime immunity

Russia has&nbsp;submitted a bill to the parliament that can grant ex-presidents'immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not merely while in office.

The bill is one of several being introduced following constitutional reforms that, among other things, allow President Vladimir Putin to run again when his term ends in 2024.

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The draft legislation is being carefully parsed for clues as to what Putin, who has dominated Russian politics for more than two decades, plans to do in 2024.

Former presidents already enjoy lifetime immunity for crimes committed in the office under legislation adopted after Russia's first post-Soviet president, Boris Yeltsin, handed the reins of power to Putin at the turn of the century.

The new bill would also make it harder to revoke ex-presidents' expanded immunity.

It would require the upper house of parliament to vote overwhelmingly to revoke it on the strength of accusations by the lower house that the president had committed treason or another serious crime.

The bill will become law if the lower house votes to approve it in three readings, the upper house backs it, and Putin then signs it.

Russia has submitted a bill to the parliament that can grant ex-presidents'immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not merely while in office.

Russia has submitted a bill to the parliament that can grant ex-presidents'immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not merely while in office. The bill is one of several being introduced following constitutional reforms that, among other things, allow President Vladimir Putin to run again when his term ends in 2024. The draft legislation is being carefully parsed for clues as to what Putin, who has dominated Russian politics for more than two decades, plans to do in 2024. Former presidents already enjoy lifetime immunity for crimes committed in the office under legislation adopted after Russia's first post-Soviet president, Boris Yeltsin, handed the reins of power to Putin at the turn of the century. The new bill would also make it harder to revoke ex-presidents' expanded immunity. It would require the upper house of parliament to vote overwhelmingly to revoke it on the strength of accusations by the lower house that the president had committed treason or another serious crime. The bill will become law if the lower house votes to approve it in three readings, the upper house backs it, and Putin then signs it.

Russia submits bill to grant ex-presidents immunity from prosecution

Voters in ex-Soviet Moldova went to the polls on Sunday to elect a president under the watchful eye of Moscow which wants the polarised country to remain in its orbit amid political and security crises on Russia's borders.

Pro-Moscow president Igor Dodon is seeking a new four-year mandate, with his biggest challenge coming from longtime pro-Western rival&nbsp;Maia Sandu who wants Moldova to join the European Union.

Experts predict a second-round runoff on November 15, as neither Dodon nor Sandu are expected to secure an outright majority on Sunday. 
The impoverished country of 3.5 million has long been divided between those favouring closer ties with the EU and those who cling to Soviet-era relations with Moscow.

Although part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, the tiny country between Ukraine and Romania has close historic ties with Romania and its main language is Romanian.

Many voters, wearing masks against the coronavirus, expressed disappointment with politicians as they cast their ballots in the rainy capital Chisinau.

"We have been waiting for a change for 30 years," Vasile Mardare, a 64-year-old physical education teacher, told AFP.&nbsp;

"I voted for the candidate who will bring Moldova closer to Western living standards."

In recent years, Moldova has been rocked by multiple political crises and a $1 billion bank fraud scheme equivalent to nearly 15 percent of the country's GDP.

Belarus scenario?

Some voters raised fears of post-election unrest like in fellow ex-Soviet republic Belarus, where protesters have mounted weeks of demonstrations after strongman Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in an August election.

"We don't want things to happen like in Belarus, but if it continues like this I don't think there will be any another solution," said Maria Turcanu, a 55-year-old doctor in Chisinau, who said she was ready to protest.

Casting his ballot with his wife Galina, Dodon said the country was tired of upheaval.&nbsp;

"More than ever, Moldova must keep away from chaos," he said.&nbsp;"I have voted for a strong Moldova, for economic development and political stability."

Dodon, 45, came to power after beating Sandu in a 2016 election and is hoping to defeat her again.

Sandu is a 48-year-old centre-right politician who worked for the World Bank and briefly served as prime minister between June and November 2019.

"I voted for a state which works for its citizens, which creates employment opportunities and improves living conditions," she said while casting her vote.

"But for that we must drive out the corruption and incompetence of the presidency."

Six other candidates are contesting the vote.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope that Moldovan voters would back Dodon, noting their country's economy -- battered by the coronavirus outbreak -- is firmly linked to Russia.

With Lukashenko facing unprecedented protests in Belarus, Moscow is keen to avoid any further chaos among allies on its western borders, experts said.

Russia's 'strategic partner'

Valeriu Pasa, an analyst with the think tank WatchDog Moldova, compared the polls to a "referendum on Dodon's mandate" and said Moscow was seeking to maintain the status quo in Moldova.

"The current regime is fully subordinate to the Kremlin," Pasa told AFP.

Dodon, who served as economy minister under a Communist government between 2006 and 2009, has promised continued close ties with "strategic partner" Moscow and has said the Russian language should become compulsory in schools.

The economy relies in large part on remittances sent home by people working abroad.

Russia last week accused the United States of preparing a "revolution" in Moldova.

The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin alleged that Washington was inciting the Moldovan opposition to take to the streets after the vote to denounce its validity and demand a re-run.

Russia has troops in Moldova's Moscow-backed breakaway region of Transnistria, which broke away after a brief civil war following the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and is not internationally recognised.

Four hours before polls were due to close at 9:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), turnout was at 36 percent. First results expected overnight.

Voters in ex-Soviet Moldova went to the polls on Sunday to elect a president under the watchful eye of Moscow which wants the polarised country to remain in its orbit amid political and security crises on Russia's borders.

Voters in ex-Soviet Moldova went to the polls on Sunday to elect a president under the watchful eye of Moscow which wants the polarised country to remain in its orbit amid political and security crises on Russia's borders. Pro-Moscow president Igor Dodon is seeking a new four-year mandate, with his biggest challenge coming from longtime pro-Western rival Maia Sandu who wants Moldova to join the European Union. Experts predict a second-round runoff on November 15, as neither Dodon nor Sandu are expected to secure an outright majority on Sunday. The impoverished country of 3.5 million has long been divided between those favouring closer ties with the EU and those who cling to Soviet-era relations with Moscow. Although part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, the tiny country between Ukraine and Romania has close historic ties with Romania and its main language is Romanian. Many voters, wearing masks against the coronavirus, expressed disappointment with politicians as they cast their ballots in the rainy capital Chisinau. "We have been waiting for a change for 30 years," Vasile Mardare, a 64-year-old physical education teacher, told AFP. "I voted for the candidate who will bring Moldova closer to Western living standards." In recent years, Moldova has been rocked by multiple political crises and a $1 billion bank fraud scheme equivalent to nearly 15 percent of the country's GDP. Belarus scenario? Some voters raised fears of post-election unrest like in fellow ex-Soviet republic Belarus, where protesters have mounted weeks of demonstrations after strongman Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in an August election. "We don't want things to happen like in Belarus, but if it continues like this I don't think there will be any another solution," said Maria Turcanu, a 55-year-old doctor in Chisinau, who said she was ready to protest. Casting his ballot with his wife Galina, Dodon said the country was tired of upheaval. "More than ever, Moldova must keep away from chaos," he said. "I have voted for a strong Moldova, for economic development and political stability." Dodon, 45, came to power after beating Sandu in a 2016 election and is hoping to defeat her again. Sandu is a 48-year-old centre-right politician who worked for the World Bank and briefly served as prime minister between June and November 2019. "I voted for a state which works for its citizens, which creates employment opportunities and improves living conditions," she said while casting her vote. "But for that we must drive out the corruption and incompetence of the presidency." Six other candidates are contesting the vote. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope that Moldovan voters would back Dodon, noting their country's economy -- battered by the coronavirus outbreak -- is firmly linked to Russia. With Lukashenko facing unprecedented protests in Belarus, Moscow is keen to avoid any further chaos among allies on its western borders, experts said. Russia's 'strategic partner' Valeriu Pasa, an analyst with the think tank WatchDog Moldova, compared the polls to a "referendum on Dodon's mandate" and said Moscow was seeking to maintain the status quo in Moldova. "The current regime is fully subordinate to the Kremlin," Pasa told AFP. Dodon, who served as economy minister under a Communist government between 2006 and 2009, has promised continued close ties with "strategic partner" Moscow and has said the Russian language should become compulsory in schools. The economy relies in large part on remittances sent home by people working abroad. Russia last week accused the United States of preparing a "revolution" in Moldova. The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin alleged that Washington was inciting the Moldovan opposition to take to the streets after the vote to denounce its validity and demand a re-run. Russia has troops in Moldova's Moscow-backed breakaway region of Transnistria, which broke away after a brief civil war following the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and is not internationally recognised. Four hours before polls were due to close at 9:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), turnout was at 36 percent. First results expected overnight.

Moldova elects president amid Russia-West tug of war

While the world is battling the coronavirus pandemic the regional conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is escalating daily. Watch report.

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: Azerbaijan strikes inside Armenia

Azerbaijan forces said it hit a missile launch site in Armenia as the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region continued despite a ceasefire agreement between the two countries in Moscow last week.

Armenia Azerbaijan conflict: Azerbaijan destroys Armenia's two missile launch sites

This announcement is the result of international efforts trying to stop the war which has killed at least 400 people since it broke out on September 27.

Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to ceasefire: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Police in Russia’s Far East broke up a long-running anti-Kremlin protest with force on Saturday, detaining 25 people according to local authorities, in response to what they called an illegal attempt to erect protest tents in a central square.

Police crack down on marathon anti-Kremlin protest in Russia's Far East

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