Russia
Georgian prison scandal draws pre-election criticism from Russia
MOSCOW - Russia criticized Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's government a week before a parliamentary election in the former Soviet state, saying that a prison abuse scandal raised questions about its ability to protect its citizens' rights.
SocGen's Oudea eyes higher profits in Russia, Romania: FT
PARIS - Societe Generale has set itself a target to increase profits at its retail banking arms in Russia and Romania, the chief executive of France's No. 2 listed bank has told the Financial Times.
Former Russia defense chief Grachev dies
MOSCOW - Former Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev, who said Chechen rebels could be crushed in a few hours with a single airborne regiment - ahead of a devastating 20-month war - died on Sunday aged 64.
Photo evoking Russian punk band pulled from IKEA Russia website
MOSCOW - Furniture firm IKEA has removed a photograph from its Russian website of people in colorful ski masks like those worn by punk band Pussy Riot, three of whose members were jailed after staging a protest against Vladimir Putin in a church.
Macho image fades as Russia's Putin nears 60
MOSCOW - As Vladimir Putin's 60th birthday approaches, a wave of biting satire is starting to hurt his macho image.
Opposition boycott and apathy threaten Belarus election
MINSK - A Belarussian parliamentary election on Sunday is likely to reinforce hardline President Alexander Lukashenko's grip on the small former Soviet country despite a boycott call from the dispirited opposition. | Video
Russia deputy agriculture minister "surprised" by grain export ban talk
SOCHI, Russia - Russia's Deputy Agriculture Minister, Ilya Shestakov, said he was surprised by a sudden statement by Economy Minister Andrei Belousov that Russia could limit grain exports, and said neither a ban nor protective tariffs were under discussion.
Yoko Ono joins calls for Pussy Riot's prison release
NEW YORK - Peace activist Yoko Ono on Friday joined the prominent call to free the three imprisoned Pussy Riot punk band members, saluting their stand for freedom of speech after being handed a two-year sentence for staging a "punk prayer" in Moscow's main cathedral. | Video
Russia's Medvedev offers rare criticism for Putin
MOSCOW - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev offered rare criticism of President Vladimir Putin's methods of dealing with business leaders on Friday, heightening speculation of a growing rift between Russia's top two rulers.
Khodorkovsky's Russian business partner must stay in prison longer
MOSCOW - A Russian regional court on Friday struck down a ruling that cut the prison term for former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky's business partner, denying him a rare legal victory in a case criticized as politically motivated.
In New York, defiant Ahmadinejad says Israel will be "eliminated"
NEW YORK - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday Israel has no roots in the Middle East and would be "eliminated," ignoring a U.N. warning to avoid incendiary rhetoric ahead of the annual General Assembly session. | Video
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