Russia says no breakthrough in talks with U.S. over embassy row
The Hindu
There is a risk that relations could worsen further between Russia and the U.S.
Russia and the United States failed to make any major progress on Tuesday in resolving a row over the size and functioning of their embassies and there is a risk that relations could worsen further, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
With ties already at post-Cold War lows, the two countries are in a dispute over the number of diplomats they can post to each other's capitals, though Moscow said it was willing to lift restrictions imposed in recent years.
"I cannot say that we have achieved great progress," Interfax news agency quoted Mr. Ryabkov as saying after talks in Moscow with U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. "There is a risk of a further sharpening of tensions."
More than 2.6 lakh village and ward volunteers in Andhra Pradesh, once celebrated as the government’s grassroots champions for their crucial role in implementing welfare schemes, are now in a dilemma after learning that their tenure has not been renewed after August 2023 even though they have been paid honoraria till June 2024. Disowned by both YSRCP, which was in power when they were appointed, and the current ruling TDP, which made a poll promise to double their pay, these former volunteers are ruing the day they signed up for the role which they don’t know if even still exists