Russia

Russia condemns United States for human rights record

MOSCOW - Russia accused the United States on Monday of double standards on human rights, criticizing its failure to close Guantanamo Bay prison and its use of the death penalty while the U.S. Congress considers a law which could punish Moscow for alleged abuses.

Russia's jailed punk rock band members sent to prison camps

MOSCOW - Two female members of Russian punk group Pussy Riot convicted of protesting against President Vladimir Putin in a cathedral have been sent to prisons far from Moscow despite requesting to serve out their terms in the capital, a lawyer said on Monday.

Russia's anti-Putin opposition picks leaders online

MOSCOW - Opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin elected 45 new leaders on Monday who task will be to turn mass street protests into a more structured challenge to the rule of the former KGB spy.

World, Music 1:56pm EDT

Rosneft beefs up with TNK-BP purchase

MOSCOW/LONDON - Rosneft tightened its grip on Russia's oil industry on Monday with a $55 billion deal to buy TNK-BP that also makes Britain's BP a one-fifth shareholder in the state-controlled company. | Video

Russia to keep Georgia territorially divided: Saakashvili

DUBAI - Russia will stop Georgia trying to reunite with two breakaway states even after a parliamentary election won by a coalition led by a politician seen as having warmer ties with Moscow, outgoing Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Monday.

World, 12:24pm EDT

Russian activist arrested in investigation into opposition

MOSCOW - Russian investigators said on Monday that a man accused of plotting to foment unrest with other opponents of President Vladimir Putin had turned himself in and confessed, but a video on the Internet showed the activist saying he had been tortured.

World, 11:11am EDT

Islam comes to the classroom in Russia's Chechnya

GROZNY, Russia - At school No. 20 in Russia's troubled region of Chechnya, boys sit on one side of the classroom and girls in headscarves on the other. All are silent as the new teacher rises to speak.

World, Lifestyle 7:24am EDT

DP World sells stake in Russian firm for $230 million

DUBAI/MOSCOW - Dubai port operator DP World sold its quarter stake in a Russian container terminal to Global Ports Investment for $230 million, as part of efforts to dispose of non-core assets.

Headscarf debate highlights Russian Muslims' grievances

MOSCOW - A ban on girls wearing the Islamic headscarf to a school in southern Russia has angered Muslims and forced President Vladimir Putin, who has robustly defended the Orthodox Church, to affirm that Russia is a secular state.

World, 21 Oct 2012

Russian forces kill 49 militants in operation: state agency

MOSCOW - Russian security forces have killed 49 militants in an operation across the North Caucasus region, where rebels are fighting to carve out an Islamic state, Russia's top anti-terrorism body said on Sunday.

World, 21 Oct 2012
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Syria rebels pessimistic on mediator's ceasefire plan

BEIRUT - Syrian rebels cast doubt on Monday on prospects for a temporary truce aimed at stemming bloodshed in the 19-month-old conflict, saying it was not clear how an informal ceasefire this week could be implemented. | Video

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A Mafia in FATA: Haqqanis and Drones

A new report about the Haqqani network's business interests raises questions about the anti-drones narrative in Pakistan