The Latest: Putin says opposition must have positive program
(WorldNews Business)

MOSCOW (AP) -- The Latest on the Russian president's annual news conference (all times local): 3:35 p.m. President Vladimir Putin says that he would welcome political competition but insists that the opposition must offer a positive program. Answering a question from Ksenia Sobchak, who wants to challenge him in the March 18 presidential election, Putin said Thursday that he doesn't fear the opposition. Sobchak's asked about opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has declared his intention to run but is barred from entering the campaign by an embezzlement conviction he claims is politically motivated. Without mentioning his name, Putin likened Navalny to former Georgian...