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escapades of US whistleblower and fugitive Edward Snowden continue. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Tuesday that former CIA worker was in transit area of airport in Moscow. Mr Putin had earlier said Mr Snowden had not crossed any Russian borders, which proved to be true with Snowden being in transit. Snowden seems to have given international media slip while in Moscow. After discovering his name on flight list to Havana, Cuba, around 30 journalists purchased last-minute tickets for 16-hour flight to Cuba, only to be dismayed to find out after takeoff that he had not boarded aircraft. Reports are that Snowden is heading for Ecuador, which has granted him asylum.

Snowden affair is stoking up diplomatic tensions between USA, and China and Russia. Washington is furious that China allowed Snowden to leave Hong Kong for Russia earlier this week. US Secretary of State John Kerry is now pressing hard for Russia to extradite Snowden back to US. Mr Putin told reporters: "Mr Snowden has not crossed state's border, and therefore does not need visa. Furthermore, any accusations against Russia of aiding him are ravings and rubbish." He explained that US and Russia had not signed any extradition treaty and that he would not hand Snowden over to US. Mr Kerry acknowledged this but said, "there are standards of behaviour between sovereign nations".