Tag: Russia
Dark humor makes a comeback in Russia
The Soviets were well-known for the dark humor they used to get through the days. Now, as Russians protest Vladimir Putin's re-election campaign, many are turning back to that same dark humor....
Reports: North Korea agrees to suspend some nuclear activities in exchange for food aid
Relationships between North Korea and the United States may have thawed dramatically on Wednesday with the U.S. State Department and North Korea's state-run media announcing a suspension of nuclear enrichment in exchange for U.S. food aid....
Despite growing disillusionment, Putin still expected to win re-election
Russians head to the polls soon to choose a new president — who will likely be an old president. Vladimir Putin is expected to win re-election relatively easy, but there's growing discontent with him and political corruption in Russia, which has sent thousands into the street in protest....
In Tunisia, foreign officials struggle with how to help Syria as battle rages on
At the Friends of Syria conference, foreign officials struggled with concrete steps they could take to help end the violence in Syria — without an elaborate military intervention that has so far proven impossible. Meanwhile, there were some signs of relief in Syria — small ones though they are....
War, religious-themed restaurants in Ukraine spark controversy
Yurko Nazaruk opened a restaurant in Lviv, Ukraine that is designed to look like the sort of underground bunkers used by insurgents during World War II. It was so successful he opened one that's themed after the country's Jewish community, all but wiped out during the war, Lviv-born writer Leopold van Sacher Masoch, who lent his name to masochism. But not everyone is pleased....
Syrian protester describes blood bath, begs for outside intervention
As the United Nations, the Arab League and western nations fail to reach a plan for action to protect Syrian people being attacked by the army of President Bashar Al-Assad, Russian leaders say Syria is ready to negotiate with protesters. But protesters say they won't negotiate until Assad is gone — and they say they're paying the price in bodies....
Russian scientists reported to have reached untouched lake beneath Antarctica
Lake Vostok is located 2.2 miles beneath Antarctica's icy surface. It's been unseen and untouched for about 20 million years. But now reports are surfacing that Russian engineers may have reached the lake after a decades-long effort to drill into it....
VIDEO: U.S shutters embassy in Syria as diplomatic efforts crumble
Violence in Syria escalated over the weekend with reports of another dozen or more people killed as President Bashar Al-Assad seeks to clamp down on the democratic uprising underway in the country. On Monday, the United States announced it had closed its embassy and withdrawn all its personnel from the country....
Russian songwriter feeds pro-, anti-Putin crowds
Alexander Yellin became famous a decade ago for the song he wrote that became the anthem of Vladimir Putin, praising him as the perfect Russian man. But now, as Putin runs for re-election and his popularity wanes, Yellin has written the anthem of the anti-Putin crowds....
Russians plan protests against Putin in advance of presidential elections
Vladimir Putin, the former Russian president who is once again running for the office, is facing a wave of popular opposition to him claiming a third and potentially fourth term as Russia's president. Still, he's expected to win the election....
