Topic: Russia

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Global News Blog Kremlin 'outraged' by electoral fraud... in Eurovision song contest

Allegations of voter fraud in Russia are nothing new. But this time it's the Kremlin making them.
USA Update FBI kills Chechen man during Boston bombing probe: What's known of him? (+video)

An FBI interrogation, part of the Boston bombing probe, ends in shooting death of a Chechen immigrant in Florida. The man reportedly knew suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev. FBI claims self-defense.
Gerbil, mouse astronauts perish on Russian spaceflight

After a month in orbit, Russia's Bion M space biology craft touched down in Russia, with most of its crew dead as a result of technical malfunctions.
Energy Voices Does the US need federal fracking regulations?

Federal regulations on fracking barely apply because the states involved already have a say in the way drilling proceeds, Graeber writes. Perhaps, he adds, it's the energy industry that has a right to question why the government 'is moving forward with these requirements in the first place.'
Kremlin orders Russian pollster to register itself as 'spy'

Russian prosecutors say that the Levada Center must register as a 'foreign agent' – a term synonymous with 'spy' in Russian – because 3 percent of its budget comes from abroad.
Moscow terrorist attack foiled

Moscow attack foiled: Russian special forces killed two men and detained a third believed to have been planning a terrorist attack in Moscow.
In first trip abroad, Chinese premier visits India

In an effort to expand economic cooperation and resolve a border dispute, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in India Sunday, his first trip abroad since taking office in March.
With Hezbollah's help, Syrian troops push to regain Lebanese border areas

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30 people, including 16 rebel fighters and one woman, were killed in Qusair in morning fighting, but that the death toll was expected to rise.
Pavlof Volcano ash cloud shows Alaska's threat to air travel (+video)

Ash billowing from Pavlof Volcano is not high enough to affect international air travel, but Pavlof is just one of a string of active Alaska volcanoes that sits beneath the flight corridor between the US and Asia.
North Korea fires three short-range missiles. Why? (+video)

The firing of three short-range missiles Saturday by North Korea could be to improve their accuracy. Or it could be atmospherics as a period of tentative diplomacy begins.
Christianophobia

British journalist Rupert Shortt documents and examines the persecution of Christians around the world – a problem of which many Westerners are unaware.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator: we're being asked to make all the sacrifices

Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a contender in the June presidential election, sat down with the Monitor to share his views about an 'unbalanced' nuclear offer made by world powers.
Drunk driving: Why is MADD among critics of lower alcohol limit?

The National Transportation Safety Board is proposing that the legal limit for a driver's blood-alcohol content be reduced from 0.08 to 0.05. Critics say it's the wrong focus for anti-drunk driving efforts.
Iran nuclear talks in Istanbul show progress remains elusive

Talks in Istanbul today over Iran's nuclear program and sanctions that have crippled its economy yielded little in the way of progress.
Energy Voices Arctic Council: China looks north for oil, gas, and fish

Arctic Council grants China observer status. The eight-member Arctic Council will be key to regulating the anticipated resource rush as warming temperatures further open the Arctic to oil and gas drilling and fishing.
Decoder Wire Russia spy case: Was US diplomat set up? (+video)

From the ill-fitting wigs to wads of cash and a 'recruitment letter,' the whole affair seemed more like a spy scene from a Judd Apatow comedy than a brooding John le Carré novel.
Terrorism & Security I spy, you spy: Russian officials downplay Fogle incident

Russian officials are avoiding inflammatory language as they talk about the case of Ryan Fogle, a US diplomat suspected of being a CIA agent.
Russia arrests US diplomat accused of spying

A young US diplomat at the embassy in Moscow was arrested by Russian authorities on allegations he was spying and seeking to induce a senior Russian official into betraying his country for cash.
Israel, US try full-court press to stop Russian weapons sale to Syria

The US and Israel argue the introduction of Russia's S-300 antiaircraft missile system could be a 'game changer' for the regime.
Terrorism & Security Syrian rebel's video surfaces amid intensified pressure for action on Syria

The gruesome video shocked the international community. With concerns about arming the rebels, attention is turning to greater humanitarian aid as a way to help in the increasingly violent war.
Chris Hadfield, space music video star, back on Earth

Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, landed on Earth. But Chris Hadfield made a bigger splash with his music video.
US and Britain cling to diplomacy as way forward on Syria (+video)

At the White House, the US and British leaders called talks with Russia 'very constructive,' but Obama cautioned that given 'what we’re seeing in Syria, it’s very hard to put things back together.'
A Man Without Breath

German detective Bernie Gunther is back, to investigate an unspeakable atrocity.
US unveils Arctic strategy, but is it keeping pace with other countries?

The National Strategy for the Arctic Region focuses on security, environment, and international cooperation. But with retreating sea ice creating opportunity as well as potential conflict, the US is seen as lagging.
Kenyan official seeks ally in UN to drop criminal charges against new president

Kenya's UN ambassador says the crimes against humanity indictments of the country's president and his deputy are flawed. Can his move influence the International Criminal Court?