Russia

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Putin to Depardieu: You Are Now Russian!

No word on whether actor, upset over French tax plan, accepts the offer

(Newser) - Gerard Depardieu, who has waged a battle against a proposed super-tax on millionaires in his native country of France, has been granted Russian citizenship. A brief announcement on the Kremlin website revealed that President Vladimir Putin, who had previously expressed solidarity with Depardieu , signed the citizenship grant today. A representative...

Beer Now Officially 'Alcohol' in Russia

It's no longer a foodstuff, and you can't buy it after 11pm

(Newser) - Things just got a lot tougher for any Russian who selected "drink less alcohol" as his New Year's resolution: As of today, beer is officially classified as alcohol there. The Telegraph reports that the beverage, equated with soft drinks by many Russians and previously categorized as a foodstuff,...

UN Envoy: Syria Faces 'Hell' Without Deal

Lakhdar Brahimi warns of dire consequences if solution isn't reached soon

(Newser) - UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is warning that a political solution must be reached in the Syrian crisis, lest the nation ravaged by a 21-month-old civil war tumble "into more and more chaos and perhaps a failed state." Speaking in Moscow where he's negotiating, Brahimi said the world...

Syria Using Advanced Iranian Missiles: US

Meanwhile, two Syrian air force generals defect, Russia may meet opposition

(Newser) - The Syrian military has fired two missiles in the past week that US officials believe are a newer, more-accurate model from Iran. These Fateh A-110 missiles have less range than the Scud variants the regime has been relying on, with a maximum distance of 125 miles versus 185. But they...

Americans Now Banned From Adopting Russian Kids

With 60K US adoptions over 20 years, critics say children will be real losers

(Newser) - As expected , Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a controversial new bill banning US citizens from adopting Russian children, reports Reuters . In addition to the adoption ban, the Russian law, set to take effect Jan. 1, could close some Russian NGOs that receive US funding and bans Americans accused...

Putin: Ban on US Adoptions to Become Law

Opponents say law only a response to human rights criticisms

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin says he will sign a controversial bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children. Putin said in a televised meeting today that he "doesn't see any reasons" to object to the bill and "intends to sign it" into law. The president said US authorities deny access...

Russian Duma Approves Ban on US Adoptions

Along with other retaliations for US human rights bill

(Newser) - The lower house of Russia's parliament today gave its final approval to a bill that would prevent Americans from adopting Russian children, amidst a number of other sanctions on the US. Though the adoption ban idea has been floating around for almost a year, the bill is widely seen...

Putin: I Am Not Authoritarian
 Putin: I Am Not Authoritarian 
Dec 20, 2012 12:30 PM CST

Putin: I Am Not Authoritarian

But he thinks the US is arrogant

(Newser) - For a man with a bad back, Russian President Vladimir Putin sat up straight for more than four hours today in his annual marathon news conference, brushing off claims that he's an authoritarian leader and lashing out at the US:
  • He complained that a recent US law that allows
...

Lawmaker Keeps Voting— From the Grave

Russian voted 'aye' 31 times yesterday, after his death

(Newser) - A Russian lawmaker was so devoted to his job, even death couldn't stop him from doing it. Vyacheslav Osipov voted "aye" on 31 measures in parliament yesterday, the same day fellow legislators held a late-afternoon moment of silence for the newly deceased 75-year-old. The votes were made by...

Russian Soccer Fans Demand All-White Team

Zenit St. Petersburg coach slams 'stupidity'

(Newser) - To the disgust of soccer authorities, fans of one of Russia's biggest teams are demanding the club exclude non-white and gay players. Zenit St. Petersburg's largest supporters' group issued an open letter to the team saying black players were "forced down Zenit's throat" and gay players...

Russia Admits Syria Regime Is 'Losing Control'

Opposition may win, deputy foreign minister says

(Newser) - For the first time, Russia—a staunch Syria ally—has admitted President Bashar al-Assad's government may fall. His forces are "losing more and more control and territory," Russia's deputy foreign minister said today. "Unfortunately, we cannot rule out the victory of the Syrian opposition."...

North Korea Eyes Nuke Test as Satellite Orbits Normally

Pyongyang unveils photos of launch as world slams the move

(Newser) - Despite initial reports that North Korea's successfully launched rocket was "tumbling out of control," South Korea now says that it's orbiting normally, though what the space vehicle's purpose is or if it's functioning remains unclear, reports Fox News . Meanwhile, the world is lining up...

Rebels Warn: Damascus Airport a 'Legit Target'

Russia poised to 'brainstorm' with US, envoy

(Newser) - Syrian rebels have issued a warning to civilians and airlines: Damascus International Airport is now a "military zone" to be approached at locals' "own risk." "The airport is now full of armored vehicles and soldiers," says a spokesman for rebels, who call the spot a...

Retired Sailor Charged With Spying: FBI

Robert Hoffman caught by undercover 'Russians'

(Newser) - The FBI has caught a retired sailor trying to pass information to Russia, the agency says. Cryptologic technician Robert Hoffman has been charged with attempted espionage after he was tripped up by an undercover operation, the Navy Times reports. As a member of the Navy, Hoffman got top-level security clearance;...

Chemical Weapons Reports Part of US Conspiracy: Syria

Country fears West trying to create 'pretext for intervention'

(Newser) - Syria believes a US/European "conspiracy" is afoot. The country's foreign minister alleged today that the West is fanning fears that Syria is preparing to use chemical weapons to justify an invasion, reports Reuters . "Syria stresses again, for the tenth, the hundredth time, that if we had such...

Russian Drivers Stuck in 2-Day Traffic Jam

At its worst, backup stretched 125 miles

(Newser) - And you thought your commute was bad: Snow in Russia caused an insane traffic jam this weekend, with thousands of cars and trucks stuck on a major highway yesterday. Some had been stuck for more than two days, as they struggled to keep their engines running and their vehicles heated,...

US May Soon Recognize Syrian Opposition

Phones, Internet still cut off

(Newser) - Syria's new opposition coalition is working toward a transitional government—and if it achieves the goal soon, formal US recognition may not be far behind. Britain, France, Turkey, and the Gulf Cooperation Council recognize the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, as it's formally called, but...

Moscow Court Yanks Pussy Riot Video From Web

Says cathedral performance was extremist

(Newser) - Pussy Riot's band members are sealed away in a labor camp , and a Moscow court is looking to similarly vanquish video of their controversial "punk prayer" performance into the ether. The court today ruled that the clip should be removed from the web, reports the AP , with the...

Putin Hurt in Judo Fight: Belarus President

Russian prez twisted spine after 'throwing guy'

(Newser) - Maybe it wasn't the bird flight after all. The latest intel on Vladimir Putin's health is that he was injured in a judo match. Of course, it's not that he lost; rather, "he lifted a guy, threw him, and twisted his spine," says Belarus president...

Pussy Rioter in Solitary Cell Amid 'Tensions'

Cellmates threatened Maria Alekhina: tabloid

(Newser) - Pussy Riot member Maria Alekhina wasn't getting along with her fellow prisoners—so she's been moved to a cell of her own. Alekhina requested the transfer after "some tensions arose in relationships"; she moved "to prevent this situation from escalating," says a prison rep. Russian...

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