House Republican Reps. Don Bacon and Brian Fitzpatrick plan a possible discharge petition to force a vote on Russia sanctions for the Ukraine war, citing an urgent need for action.

MOSCOW, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday that it was seeing an unprecedented escalation of tension around Iran as the United States moved military assets into the Middle East, and the Kremlin urged both Tehran and "other parties" to exercise prudence and restraint.

President Trump pushed Volodymyr Zelensky to "get moving" on a deal ahead of a new round of U.S.-brokered negotiations this week.

The humble cucumber, a favourite in Russian salads and meals, is the latest staple to suddenly skyrocket in price, angering consumers and stirring up politicians and regulators keen to tamp down any popular discontent at a time of war.

The U.S. is brokering a 3rd round of Russia-Ukraine talks, but there's little hope of a breakthrough to end the deadliest war on European soil in 80 years.

Russia and Belarus will have a combined 10 para athletes at next month's Milano Cortina Paralympics , the International Paralympic Committee said in a statement on Tuesday.

Four South Africans, among about 20 young men whose families said they were duped into fighting for Russia, have been repatriated, the state-owned South African Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Investigators call the recruitment a well-organised trafficking ring involving immigration staff and security agencies.