News brief: Big stories of the day

Russia and Syria are not planning assault on Idlib for now: Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday he did not rule out Syrian forces, backed by Russian air power, launching a full-scale assault on militants in Syria's Idlib province, but that such an operation was unpractical for now.

Xi Jinping says more nations joining Belt and Road, $64 billion in deals signed at summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday $64 billion in deals were signed at a summit on his Belt and Road Initiative and more nations would join the global infrastructure programme as he sought to ease concerns over the colossal project.

Would like to see resolution of political difficulties between India and Pakistan: Turkish president's senior advisor to WION

Senior advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in New Delhi on Friday. In a conversation with WION, Ibrahim Kalin noted that terrorism is a global phenomenon, therefore merits a global response. 

Moscow 'thinking' of simplifying nationality process for all Ukraine: Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday Moscow was "thinking" of making it easier for all Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship after the Kremlin moved to grant passports in the country's separatist east, causing uproar in Kiev.  

Is Congress capable of removing terrorism, Naxalism from country? PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country.