Russia takes aim at dissent, media criticism … and high heels?
Russia’s parliament has been in overdrive in recent weeks, working on legislation targeting free speech, women’s heels, and the use of foreign words like “hamburger.”
Russia’s parliament has been in overdrive in recent weeks, working on legislation targeting free speech, women’s heels, and the use of foreign words like “hamburger.”
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev argued that President Obama’s lack of tact is ‘slowly but surely moving’ the US and Russia ‘toward a second cold war.’
VKontakte founder and CEO Pavel Durov says he was fired over his resistance to Moscow’s efforts to monitor and control access to the popular social media platform.
A newspaper editor in Vologda posted a tongue-in-cheek letter to Putin, asking him to help topple the Russian city’s ‘corrupt oppressors.’ Vologda’s governor was not amused.
The backlash plays into government efforts to monopolize the media’s message.
A state of emergency would authorize army intervention. While the protesters have vacated the justice ministry, they warned they could return.
Violence has been taboo in recent Ukrainian political upheavals, including the Orange Revolution. But last night’s deaths amid clashes in Kiev may have changed that.
‘Black widows’ – female suicide bombers – have Sochi on high alert. Russian security sources are feeding the furor with atypically copious media leaks.
Though the Winter Olympics site is heavily fortified, terrorist threats – and deadly attacks – plague the nearby northern Caucasus region.
President Obama is one of several world leaders planning to skip the Sochi Olympic ceremonies in a low key but pointed criticism of Russia’s increasing hostility to LGBT citizens.
With economic default looming in Ukraine, the Russian president agreed to a $15 billion loan and cut the price for natural gas.
Vladimir Putin suggests that politically divided Ukraine could pursue both Eastern and Western integration approaches during an annual address.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a rollout of Arctic military bases, one day after Canadian officials said they would claim jurisdiction over the North Pole.
With thousands of protesters still jamming Kiev’s streets, President Yanukovych calls for political talks to resolve country’s worst crisis in a decade.
Days after Ukraine announced it was freezing its association agreement with the EU under pressure from Russia, tens of thousands took to the streets.
The mayor says that the move is meant to discourage illegal immigration, but critics say it is corruption that is fueling migration, not mosques.
Russia warned today that Ukraine’s failure to pay its bills for Russian gas is becoming critical – just weeks before Ukraine plans to sign a deal with the EU that Russia opposes.
Retiring President Mikhail Saakashvili, whose electoral successor was announced today, has long had a tense relationship with Russia and Vladimir Putin.
Russia’s population is shrinking, making immigrants critical to the country’s well-being. But xenophobia – highlighted by a Moscow race riot two weeks ago – is on the rise.
The assault of a Dutch diplomat in an apparently homophobic home invasion is just the latest in a series of incidents putting Russia and the Netherlands at odds.
By Fred Weir
Oct. 17, 2013