Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Wife Call It Quits

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:00:00 +0000

After a 30-year marriage, Vladimir Putin announced on state television that he was divorcing his wife, Lyudmila.

Russia Today reports Putin and Lyudmila attended the Esmeralda ballet at the Grand Kremlin Palace, where they broke the news.

According to Russia Today, the country's official English-language news outlet, Putin said it was a "joint decision." RT adds:

"Asked to confirm if that was a divorce, Lyudmila Putina, who was standing by the President's side, told the media 'Yes, you can say that, this i

U.S., Russia At Odds Over Moscow's Plan To Arm Syria

Scott Neuman — Fri, 31 May 2013 21:34:00 +0000

Russian media has hinted that Moscow could speed up delivery of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Syria if the U.S. and its allies decide to impose a no-fly zone to aid rebels there. Meanwhile, a Russian airplane maker says Syria is discussing the purchase of additional MiG-29 fighters.

A Russian arms industry source quoted by Interfax news agency says Moscow could hasten delivery of the S-300 to Syria, even though the missiles would still take months to arrive.

"Regarding the deliveries of the S-300, they can begin no earlier than the autumn," the source told Interfax.

Report Of Liquid Woolly Mammoth Blood Prompts Clone Talk

Bill Chappell — Fri, 31 May 2013 19:56:00 +0000

Scientists in Siberia say they've extracted blood samples from the carcass of a 10,000-year-old woolly mammoth, reviving speculation that a clone of the extinct animal might someday walk the earth, if scientists are able to find living cells.

Father Of Chechen Killed In Florida Says His Son Was Executed

Scott Neuman — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:59:00 +0000

The father of the Chechen immigrant who was killed in Florida during an FBI interrogation over his ties to one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects says his son was killed execution-style.

At a news conference in Moscow, Abdul-Baki Todashev showed reporters 16 photos he said were of his son, Ibragim, in a Florida morgue.

"I want justice. I want an investigation," Todashev said.

Russian Missiles 'Months Away' From Delivery To Syria

Mark Memmott — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:47:00 +0000

Update at 7 a.m.