Russia
Putin promotes ex-bodyguard to new cabinet
SOCHI, Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin handed ministerial jobs to a former bodyguard and the son of an ex-intelligence chief on Friday, promoting trusted lieutenants with security ties at the start of what, under the constitution, will be his last term in office. | Video
Sanctioned Russian oligarch Vekselberg cuts Swiss stakes
ZURICH Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg has cut his holdings in Swiss companies OC Oerlikon and Schmolz + Bickenbach after a deal with minority shareholders and managers at his holding group, one of his companies said on Friday.
Exclusive: En+ set to ask U.S. for more time for Deripaska stake sale: source
LONDON Russia's En+ Group, which manages Oleg Deripaska's aluminum and hydropower businesses, is likely to ask the U.S. Treasury for more time to reduce Deripaska's stake, a source close to the company said.
Russia signals counter-sanctions bill may be diluted
SOCHI, Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday any retaliation against U.S. sanctions must not hurt the Russian economy or partners that do business in Russia, signaling that a package of counter-sanctions measures being prepared may be watered down.
Putin seeks common cause with Merkel over Trump
SOCHI, Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday that he would stand up to any attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to block a Russian-German gas pipeline project.
Farmers worldwide struggle with rising fuel costs
NEW YORK/CHICAGO Farmers worldwide are feeling the pinch as fuel costs rise to near four-year highs just as they plant and harvest their fields, eroding agricultural income already hamstrung by depressed crop prices.
Sanctions-hit Deripaska quits Russia's EN+ board
MOSCOW Russian sanctions-hit businessman Oleg Deripaska has resigned from the board of directors of Russia's En+, the company said on Friday, in a move that could help alleviate sanctions pressure on the firm.
Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal discharged from UK hospital
LONDON Sergei Skripal, the Russian former spy who was left in critical condition by a nerve agent attack in Britain more than two months ago, has been discharged from hospital, national health authorities said on Friday. | Video
Proponent of 'grain OPEC' returns to Russian government
MOSCOW A veteran of the Russian farm sector who once lobbied for the creation of a "grain OPEC" was appointed deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture on Friday.
Factbox: Composition of Russia's new government
MOSCOW Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday unveiled who will be in his new cabinet.
Defying global pressure, Maduro seeks re-election in Venezuela
CARACAS Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term on Sunday in a vote condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions. | Video