Russia

The Kremlin, the press and the protesters: a case study of rule by paranoia

World | Serge Schmemann, The New York Times | Friday December 13, 2013

The closing of the RIA Novosti news agency in the middle of the Ukrainian crisis reflects Vladimir Putin's increasingly pronounced view of a zero-sum world.

Ukraine protesters defy police, leaders reject talks with president

World | Reuters | Thursday December 12, 2013

Ukrainian protesters stood their ground on Wednesday after an overnight sweep by riot police and their leaders dismissed an offer of talks from a president they say must quit.

Martina Navratilova hits out at International Olympic Committee over gay rights

Agence France-Presse | Wednesday December 11, 2013

The openly gay former tennis star slammed the International Olympic Committee's inaction ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics in February in Russia, a country which has courted criticism for legislation that gay activists and critics say discriminat...

Despite warnings, Pentagon kept ties to controversial helicopter firms

World | Reuters | Wednesday December 11, 2013

After almost four years of allegations that two related helicopter companies in Lithuania and Russia were doing substandard work and should be banned from new contracts, the Pentagon continued to give them business.

Santa is real, postal code is H0H 0H0: Canada defends the myth

Offbeat | Agence France-Presse | Wednesday December 11, 2013

Canada vowed on Tuesday to defend the North Pole and Santa Claus, insisting the mythical figure is a citizen, after Russia ordered its military to step up its Arctic presence.

Putin orders military to boost Arctic presence

World | Agence France-Presse | Wednesday December 11, 2013

President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's military on Tuesday to step up its presence in the Arctic after Canada signalled its intention to claim the North Pole and surrounding waters.

Chinese hackers spied on Europeans before G20 meeting: researcher

World | Reuters | Tuesday December 10, 2013

Chinese hackers eavesdropped on the computers of five European foreign ministries before last September's G20 Summit, which was dominated by the Syrian crisis, according to research by computer security firm FireEye Inc.

Vladimir Putin dissolves Russian state news agency, tightens grip on media

World | Reuters | Tuesday December 10, 2013

President Vladimir Putin tightened his hold on Russia's media on Monday by dissolving the main state news agency.

OECD sees outlook improving in major economies

Monday December 9, 2013

The outlook for most major economies has improved, with the euro zone gathering momentum as its debt crisis subsides, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said on Monday.

Ukraine protesters fell Lenin statue in challenge to Yanukovich

World | Reuters | Monday December 9, 2013

Anti-government protesters toppled a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin in Ukraine's capital and attacked it with hammers on Sunday in a symbolic challenge to President Viktor Yanukovich and his plans for closer ties with Russia.

Ukraine opposition plans biggest protest since 2004

World | Agence France-Presse | Sunday December 8, 2013

Ukraine's supporters of Western integration hope to draw a million people to a protest today against the authorities' decision to spurn a historic EU agreement and seek closer ties with old master Russia.

Nelson Mandela 'one of the greatest modern politicians': Vladimir Putin

World | Agence France-Presse | Friday December 6, 2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Nelson Mandela as "one of the greatest politicians in modern times"

Russia criticises 'aggressive' Ukraine protests, NATO response

World | Reuters | Thursday December 5, 2013

Russia criticised "aggressive actions" by Ukrainian demonstrators and the Western response to the protests on Wednesday, saying outsiders should not interfere in Ukraine's affairs.

Russia's YotaPhone double-sided Android E-Ink smartphone starts shipping

Reuters | Wednesday December 4, 2013

The YotaPhone runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and features a 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen on the front, and a 4.3-inch EPD display on the back.

A love for dogs that cost Rs 22 lakh!

Offbeat | Indo-Asian News Service | Tuesday December 3, 2013

Alexander the Velikiy or Alex is no ordinary dog. The Russian Borzoi is arguably the only one of its kind in India at present. And he hasn't come cheap - he cost his owner a whopping Rs.22 lakh to import him and has to be kept in an air-conditioned e...

Australia spy agency offered to share data on citizens: report

World | Agence France-Presse | Monday December 2, 2013

Australia's spy agency offered to share information about its own citizens with its foreign intelligence partners, according to leaked documents published Monday.

Iran sees implementation of nuclear deal starting by early January

World | Reuters | Saturday November 30, 2013

The implementation of a landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers is expected to begin in late December or early January, Iran's envoy to the U.N. nuclear agency said on Friday.

ONGC Videsh, Japanese firms may split 10% in Yamal LNG plant: report

Thursday November 28, 2013

Vedomosti business daily said companies involved were Japan's Mitsui and Mitsubishi Corp, and an Indian group involving ONGC Videsh, Indian Oil Corp and Petronet LNG - names that had been previously reported in Russia as being interested in the remai...

Moscow says Louis Vuitton doesn't go with Red Square

World | Andrew Roth, The New York Times | Thursday November 28, 2013

If Lenin were alive today, instead of spinning in his mausoleum nearby, he no doubt would be aghast at the two-story replica of a Louis Vuitton traveling trunk on Red Square. He might also update the title of his famous essay on the need for a revolu...

The historic phone call that led to US-Iran thaw

World | Indo-Asian News Service | Thursday November 28, 2013

After seeing off Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after their summit meeting in September, President Barack Obama hurried back to his Oval office in the White House to make a historic phone call.