Russia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency reports the deal was sealed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Nauru’s President Baron Waqa.

Nauru, an island of 21 square kilometres with a population of about 11,000, gained independence in 1968 and joined the United Nations in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.

Photo: Twitter Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Nauru’s President Baron Waqa sign visa-free travel agreement in New York.

"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.

The plan will begin with a "cessation of hostilities" from sunset on Monday. Syrian forces will end combat missions in specified opposition-held areas.

Russia and the US will then establish a joint centre to combat jihadist groups, including so-called Islamic State (IS).

A Syrian opposition coalition has cautiously welcomed the agreement.

"We hope this will be the beginning of the end of the civilians' ordeal," said Bassma Kodmani, a spokeswoman for the High Negotiations Committee.

"We welcome the deal if it is going to be enforced."

After a day of marathon talks in Geneva, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the truce, which is set to come into force on Monday (local time), the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid.

Mr Kerry said he believed the plan would lead to talks to "stop the conflict" which has raged for more than five years, killing more than 290,000 people and displacing millions.

He called on "every Syrian stakeholder" to support the plan to "bring this catastrophic conflict to the quickest possible end through a political process".

The South Americans last won the crown in 2002, while they were humiliated on home soil two years ago in an embarrassing 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany.

But finally winning Olympic football gold has given Brazil a boost, as have decent performances that see them sit second in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Costa feels that under coach Tite, appointed in June, his team can be successful in Russia.

"I'm world champion with Brazil [in 2018]," he told Abendzeitung.

US officials described the intercept by the SU-27 jet on Wednesday as "dangerous and unprofessional".

Russia's defence ministry said the US plane had been approaching Russian territory and the SU-27 pilots had adhered to international rules.

Russia is currently carrying out military exercises in the Black Sea.

Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said the US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft had been conducting routine operations in international airspace when the Russian fighter made the unsafe manoeuvre.