Russia

Russia Aims to Lower Car Accidents by Banning Transgender People from Driving

Russia passed a law preventing people considered to be "sexual deviants" from obtaining driver's license in an attempt to curb the country's atrocious number of car accidents. However, human rights groups and activists have decried the Kremlin's actions.

2018 FIFA World Cup: FIFA to Release Controversial Bidding Details for 2018 and 2011 Games in Limited Scope

A report on the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup games may soon be available for public scrutiny–in a limited scope–after FIFA revisits the issue.

Russia and Ukraine News, Conflict & Sanctions: Ruble Recovers Slightly As Russians Shop in 'Record Numbers'

The ruble showed signs of recovery Wednesday after the dramatic devaluation the Russian currency had experienced in the previous two days. Vladimir Putin's government pressured exporters not to hoard foreign-currency earnings, and the country's central bank announced measures to support financial stability.

Google in Russia: Company to Pull Engineering Operations From Country Amid Government Oversight Laws

Google is set to close its engineering in Russia amid new regulations that require data on local citizens to be kept on servers within the country. An anonymous source with knowledge of the development told the agency about the planned move, though it was not immediately clear whether the Internet search giant was reacting to the legislation.

Kremlin Ordered Sexy Russian Spy Anna Chapman to Seduce Whistleblower Edward Snowden, Says Defector

It sounds like something out of a James Bond movie. SexyHoney trap: The temptress tried to enthrall the man who exposed American cyber snooping and keep him in Moscow. Russian spy Anna Chapman reportedly tried to seduce Edward Snowden on orders from the Kremlin.

Israel and Syria Relations News: Russia, Syrian Officials Demand Answers After Israeli Aircraft Reportedly Bombs Spots Near Damascus

Over the weekend, Israeli aircraft attacked Syrian positions near Damascus, according to the Syrian military. Israel denies the claims that its planes bombed sites near Damascus' airport and a small town, areas deemed secure under the Assad government's control. Syria and Russia have demanded answers from Israel.

19 Die as Russian Forces, Separatists Battle in Chechen Capital

At least 19 people have been killed in the Chechen capital of Grozny as Russian security forces battled with separatist militants. The fighting, during which troops stormed two buildings, including a school, "punctured the patina of stability" Moscow aims to portray in the North Caucasus republic, the news service noted.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Reports Accident at Nuclear Plant

Ukraine reports it had an incident with one of its nuclear power plants. Though the issue posed no threats to the populace, the shutting down of one its reactors has worsened Ukraine's energy crisis.

Ukraine and Russia Conflict: Ukraine Parliament Appoints New Government

Ukraine's parliament has just approved the formation of a new government that includes foreign technocrats in key financial roles.

Ukraine and Russia Conflict News 2014: Russia Threatens to Sue France After Country Suspends Sale of Assault Ships

After continued pressure from its European and American allies, France has decided to suspend the sale of two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia. The move comes as tensions between Russia and the Ukraine continue to increase. France, however, does not seem willing to outright cancel the contract.

Russia & Ukraine Crisis News: Vice President Joe Biden Calls Russia's Behavior in Ukraine a 'Flagrant Violation'

U.S. recognition of Russia's takeover of Crimea is not a question of time, Vice President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian leaders on Friday. "The United States will never recognize (the) annexation, and (Biden) warned Moscow that it faces greater isolation if it continues its 'provocative action,'" the Los Angeles Times said.

Russia & Ukraine Crisis 2014: Nearly 1,000 Killed in Ukraine Since Ceasefire, UN says

Nearly 1,000 people have been killed in Ukraine since a September ceasefire agreement between the government in Kiev and separatists in the east of the country, the U.N. Human Rights Office revealed in a report.

Missing Malaysia Flight MH17: Russia's Channel One TV Claims It Has Photo Proving Ukraine Shot Down Malaysia Flight 17

The U.S. government dismisses the new Russian report that a Ukraine fighter jet shot down the Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17.

UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Results: England's Wayne Rooney Victorious in 100th Appearance

Wayne Rooney celebrated his 100th cap with the national team scoring in England's 3-1 victory over Slovenia. Also, Spain rolls on in the Euro 2016 qualifiers while Russia is upset by Austria and Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to action, coming back from a heel injury.

Russia and Ukraine Conflict: Russian Military Flexes Its Muscles in Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

Russia sends a naval squadron towards Australian waters ahead of G20 summit and also announces its bomber will begin patrols over the Gulf of Mexico.

Ukraine and Russia Conflict News: Ukraine Prepares for Military Action, Claims Moscow Made a 'Clear Decision' to Interfere

Ukraine announced Wednesday its redeploying of troops to the east because of growing fear that separatists in that area of the country will launch another offensive. Russia has repeatedly denied that it has sent in reinforcement troops for the rebels.

Ukraine & Russia Conflict News: Russia Accused of Sending Tanks into Separatist Region

Russia has been accused of sending 32 tanks as well as various soldiers, trucks and weapons into the separatist region of Luhansk, in spite of the fragile Minsk ceasefire.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Calls Ukraine Separatists' Election 'Illegal,' Criticizes Russia's Response

Merkel calls the elections ‘illegal' German Chancellor Angela Merkel again spoke out against elections in Ukraine's eastern region, which is controlled by separatists, calling them "illegal".

Ukraine and Russia Conflict News: President Petro Poroshenko Reconsidering Truce Following Separatist Region Elections

An election in the separatist regions of Ukraine may shatter a fragile ceasefire between the rebel forces and Kiev. Backed by Russia, the separatist rebels held elections in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, but no country other than Russia recognized the election results.

Russia Ukraine Protests and Fighting: Pro-Russian Rebel Areas in Ukraine Hold Elections, Create Local Governing Body

Pro-Russian rebel areas in Ukraine hold elections to create local governing body A controversial election began in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian rebels, and Western powers are urging Russian President Vladimir Putin not to recognize the process.

Malaysian Flight MH17 Missing Plane Update: New Remains Found

More human remains from Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 were found amidst a break in the fight between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists. A team of Dutch investigators recovered the remains, The Netherlands said Friday.