Russia

Russia 'considering military bases in Cuba and Vietnam'

Nikolai Pankov announced a review of the decision to close the two bases more than a decade ago.

The two served as pivots of Soviet military power during the Cold War.

It comes amid growing tensions between the US and Russia, and as Russia's parliament approved a longer term military presence at a Syrian airbase.

Mr Pankov told the Russian parliament on Friday they were "dealing with the issue" of the two bases, Russian news agencies reported.

He declined to go into detail.

Syria conflict: US calls for Russia and Syria war crimes probe

"Russia, and the regime, owe the world more than an explanation about why they keep hitting hospitals and medical facilities and children," he said.

"These are acts that beg for an appropriate investigation of war crimes."

Moscow has repeatedly denied attacking civilians, and said it targets terrorist groups in Syria.

Mr Kerry, however, said Russian and Syrian government attacks on hospitals were "beyond the accidental" and part of a deliberate strategy in war-torn Syria.

US accuses Russia of cyber attacks

Recent hacked emails are "consistent with the methods and motivation of Russia-directed efforts", the Department of Homeland Security said.

Data revealing discussions within the Democratic Party was hacked earlier this year.

Some states reported "probing" attempts made on "election-related" systems.

However, officials said those attempts could not be directly linked to the Russian government.

Russian officials told Interfax news agency the claims it was involved in the cyber attacks were "nonsense".

Syria conflict: Russia sends missile system to Tartus base

Defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the purpose of the system was to guarantee the security of the base from the air.

The move comes amid growing tension with the West. On Monday, the US halted talks with Russia on trying to co-ordinate air strikes against jihadists.

A ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow collapsed last month.

"Let me remind you that the S-300 is a purely defensive system and poses no threat to anyone," Maj-Gen Konashenkov said.

"It is unclear why the deployment of the S-300 caused such alarm among our Western partners."

Russia plans to ban 'baby boxes' for unwanted infants

But there has been sharp criticism of the ban proposed by senator Elena Mizulina and backed by the government.

Some warn that a ban will mean more dead babies left in woods or at rubbish dumps. Russia has about 20 of the boxes, where a mother can anonymously leave a baby at a maternity unit.

A UN committee has condemned the boxes.

Russia kicks out Microsoft Software for local MyOffice

The various American companies which dominated the tech world are losing their acceptance is Asian countries. Google is blocked in China. Xiaomi is ruling the smartphone market of developing nations. Now, Russia, the biggest country in the world, is planning to ditch Microsoft software for locally crafted alternatives.

MH17: Russia blames Ukraine

At a news conference Monday, the head of Russian air and Space forces, Andrei Koban, said that analysis of the data refuted the widely-accepted conclusion that the aircraft was shot down by a BUK missile from within territory held by Russian-backed rebels.

"The fact that Ukrainian authorities have still not published the information they have, we can concluded that if it was a BUK that was launched at the (Malaysian Airlines flight), this must have been launched from a location with the Ukrainian forces," Koban said.

MH17 missile 'came from Russia', Dutch-led investigators say

They also narrowed down the area it was fired from to a field in territory controlled by Russian-backed rebels.

All 298 people on board the Boeing 777 died when it broke apart in mid-air flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Russia says it cannot accept the findings as the final truth, saying no Russian weapons were taken to Ukraine.

Syria: US tells Russia it will end talks if bombing continues

In a phone call with Sergei Lavrov, Mr Kerry said the US held Russia responsible for the use of incendiary and bunker bombs against the city.

The US state department said it was making preparations to suspend talks.

Aleppo has come under heavy aerial bombardment since the end of a ceasefire a week ago.

In response to Mr Kerry's phone call, the Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Evgeny Zagaynov, said the "trend" of Russia being blamed for the attacks in Syria must stop.

Syria ceasefire: Kerry blasts Lavrov; UN ready to resume aid convoys; fighting intensifies

"I emphasise this to Russia: The United States continues to believe there is a way forward that, although rocky and difficult and uncertain, can provide the most viable path out of the carnage," Mr Kerry said in an unusually heated showdown at the UN Security Council in New York.