State Duma

Homosexuality was only decriminalized in Russia in 1993, and anti-gay sentiment remains strong in society.

© REUTERS/ Maxim Shemetov

US Rights Group Urges IOC Action on Gay ‘Discrimination’ Ahead of Sochi

19:16 21/06/2013

A prominent US-based human rights group has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pressure the Russian government to reject a proposed ban on “the promotion of nontraditional sexual relationships” that has been widely criticized by gay rights activists around the world ahead of next year’s Sochi Winter Games.

Russian Lawmakers Pass Ban on Adoptions by Same-Sex Couples
18:52 21/06/2013
Russia’s lower house of parliament has given its final approval for a bill to ban adoptions of Russian children by same-sex couples abroad.
Putin Urges Parliament to Pardon White-Collar Criminals
17:58 21/06/2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the lower house of parliament to pass a bill pardoning first-time violators of financial laws before the legislature goes on summer vacation.
Russia Passes ‘Flawed’ Anti-Piracy Law
17:35 21/06/2013
Russian lawmakers fast-tracked a bill on Friday which will allow courts to order the blocking of websites hosting suspect pirated movies, despite an outcry from the internet industry.
Russian Lawmakers Back Ban on Adoption by Same-Sex Couples
17:26 18/06/2013
Russian lawmakers have unanimously approved amendments banning the adoption of Russian children by foreign couples in same-sex relationships, in a second reading vote on a broader bill.
Russian Press at a Glance, Monday, June 17, 2013
10:20 17/06/2013
A brief look at what is in the Russian papers today
Court Upholds Fines Imposed on Russian Election Watchdog
20:11 14/06/2013
A Moscow court on Friday upheld fines imposed on Russia's Golos Association, an independent election monitoring NGO that said it would appeal the ruling in an international court.
Online Piracy Bill Clears First Reading in Russian Parliament
19:50 14/06/2013
A controversial anti-piracy bill was tentatively approved in its first reading by Russia’s lower house of parliament on Friday, despite outcry from Russian Internet companies and advocates of online freedom.
Russian Press at a Glance, Friday, June 14, 2013
09:55 14/06/2013
A brief look at what is in the Russian papers today
Russian Press at a Glance, Thursday, June 13, 2013
10:13 13/06/2013
A brief look at what is in the Russian papers today
Russia to Push 'Anti-Gay' Law Despite German Concerns - MP
21:30 12/06/2013
Russia will not abandon plans to enact a law banning homosexual "propaganda," despite concerns raised by the German chancellor, a senior Russian lawmaker said Wednesday.4
Russia to Fast-Track New Online Censorship Bill
11:12 12/06/2013
A Russian parliamentary committee approved for review a new controversial anti-piracy law dubbed “the Russian SOPA” by critics after a similar US bill.
Russian 'Anti-Gay' Bill Passes With Overwhelming Majority
20:17 11/06/2013
Russia’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday gave its final approval for a controversial “anti-gay” bill, with only one of the 436 lawmakers present abstaining and no votes against, after a day of clashes outside the building and dozens of arrests by police.
Russian Lawmakers Back Jail Terms for Insulting Religion
19:26 11/06/2013
Russia’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved a bill that would make insulting religious believers’ feelings a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years behind bars.3
Putin’s ‘Front’ to Focus on Activism, Playing on Opposition’s Turf
21:08 10/06/2013
An amorphous pro-government group publicly backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to distance itself from politics Monday, saying it would focus on civic activism – often the domain of opposition figures – and does not want to replace the country’s current ruling party.
Russia Offers to Send Peacekeepers to Golan Heights
01:35 08/06/2013
President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia was ready to deploy its troops to the Golan Heights, in eastern Israel, to replace Austrian peacekeepers as part of a UN monitoring mission on the border between Israeli troops and the Syrian army.
British Coroner Seeks Inquiry Into Litvinenko Death
21:50 05/06/2013
A London coroner has asked the British government to hold a public inquiry into the 2006 death of former Russian Federal Security Service agent Alexander Litvinenko, the coroner’s office said Wednesday.
Duma May Approve Same-Sex Adoption Ban by July 6
03:04 05/06/2013
The lower chamber of the Russian Parliament, the State Duma, may approve an amendment banning adoption of Russian children by foreign same-sex couples before summer recess begins on June 6, a committee chief said on Tuesday.
Trendwatcher: Domestic Violence Finally on Russia’s Agenda
19:32 03/06/2013
The latest statistics are depressing, to say the least. According to Rosstat, Russia’s Federal Statistics Service, one in five Russian women is violently abused by her partner.2
Russia’s New Anti-Smoking Law Comes Into Force
07:17 01/06/2013
An anti-smoking law that bans smoking in public, including in government buildings, healthcare and educational facilities, cultural sites, sports stadiums and on public transport, comes into force in Russia on Saturday.1

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Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov

US Must Choose: Back Syria Conference or Rebels – Russia

The United States needs to choose between its support for an international conference designed to end the civil war in Syria and unilateral steps to support the armed opposition, Russia’s foreign minister said Friday.

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Putin Offers to Replace Super Bowl Ring

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he had no recollection of the owner of an American football team who claimed that the Russian leader pocketed his Super Bowl ring.

Rosatom head Sergei Kiriyenko

Russian Nuclear Chief Eyes UK Opportunities

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an economic forum in St. Petersburg this week, the head of Russia’s nuclear behemoth Rosatom indicated his confidence that cooperation with the United Kingdom could lead to Russia, one day, being involved in building new nuclear power plants in that country, something that has been on Rosatom’s to-do list for a number of years.

Barack Obama

US Boosts Military Presence in Jordan after Exercises

Along US with missiles and fighter jets, about 700 US troops will remain in Jordan after training exercises which ended this week, US President Barack Obama said in his letter to the Congress.

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