Elephants play in snowy Russian streets after bid to say goodbye to the circus
Residents of Russia’s third-largest city were left flabbergasted after seeing two elephants wandering the snowy streets of Yekaterinburg after they escaped from a circus.
Russia
Putin’s constitutional proposals given backing in first Duma reading
Russia’s parliament has approved a package of constitutional amendments in a move widely seen as an attempt by President Vladimir Putin to stay in power past the end of his term in 2024.
Vladimir Putin sends constitutional proposals to Russia’s parliament
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has submitted to Parliament a package of constitutional amendments widely seen as an attempt to secure his grip on power well after his current term ends in 2024.
Johnson tells Putin no change in UK stance since Salisbury chemical attack
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Berlin.
Russia’s parliament approves Vladimir Putin’s choice for prime minister
Politicians in Russia have quickly sealed the appointment of a new prime minister a day after President Vladimir Putin kicked off an unexpected reshuffle of his inner circle.
Putin engineers shake-up that could keep him in power longer
President Vladimir Putin engineered a surprise shake-up of Russia’s leadership Wednesday, proposing changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024.
Vladimir Putin floats constitutional reform as prime minister steps down
President Vladimir Putin accepted the resignation of his prime minister after proposing constitutional amendments that could herald his intention to carve out a position that would let him stay at Russia’s helm after his presidency ends.
Vladimir Putin hints at changes to Russia’s constitution
President Vladimir Putin has proposed to tweak the Russian constitution to increase the powers of parliament and the Cabinet, a move that could herald his intention to shift into a new position to stay at the helm after his current term expires.
US warship ‘aggressively approached’ by Russian ship
An American warship was “aggressively approached” by a Russian navy ship in the North Arabian Sea, the US navy has said.
Highland MS sufferer overwhelmed as the public rallies to help reach £42,000 target
A woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) is just £10,000 away from raising enough money to receive life-changing treatment in Russia.
TV mix-up has Russian ice hockey fans celebrating despite losing
Some Russian ice hockey fans celebrated victory despite losing at the world junior hockey championships because of a confusingly timed TV repeat.
Iran nuclear deal in danger of falling apart, warns Russia
Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers is in danger of falling apart, Russia’s foreign minister has warned.
New Russian weapon can travel 27 times the speed of sound
A new intercontinental weapon that can fly 27 times the speed of sound has become operational, Russia’s defence minister reported to President Vladimir Putin.
Putin: Russia is world leader in hypersonic weapons
President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is the only country in the world that has hypersonic weapons.
Russia’s most advanced fighter jet crashes on training mission
A top-of-the-line fighter jet has crashed on a training mission in Russia but its pilot bailed out safely, Russian officials said.
Gunman who shot officers in Moscow ‘was rifle club member’
A gunman who killed one security officer and wounded five other people outside Moscow’s headquarters of Russia’s main security agency was a member of a rifle club, according to Russian media reports.
Russian security officer dies in Moscow shooting incident
An unidentified gunman opened fire outside the Moscow headquarters of Russia’s top security agency, killing one officer and wounding five others, officials have said.
Investigators head to Harrods for information on Russian billionaire fugitive
Investigators hunting for the assets of a Russian billionaire fugitive wanted over the collapse of one of Moscow’s largest banks have offered a bounty for information.
BOA calls for Russia to face fullest possible sanctions under WADA ban
The British Olympic Association has called for Russia to face the “fullest possible sanctions” at the Tokyo 2020 Games after the World Anti-Doping Agency imposed a four-year ban.
‘Basic and fundamental errors’ in FBI probe into Trump-Russia ties
The US Justice Department’s internal watchdog has told Congress he is concerned that “so many basic and fundamental errors” were made by the FBI as it investigated ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Trump lashes out at FBI chief after Russia probe report
Donald Trump has lashed out at FBI director Christopher Wray over a watchdog report on the Russia investigation.
Ukraine and Russia hail peace talks despite lack of breakthrough
Ukraine and Russia have both hailed the outcome of peace talks in Paris even though they failed to solve the core issues blocking the resolution of the five-year separatist conflict in Ukraine’s east.
Russia have ‘reason to appeal’ WADA ban – president Putin
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said his country have ‘reason to appeal’ against the four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Russia and Ukraine agree to revive peace process and exchange prisoners
The presidents of Ukraine and Russia have agreed to revive the peace process on the bloody separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine and exchange all prisoners, but failed to resolve crucial issues such as a timeline on local elections and control of the borders in the rebel-held region.
FBI probe into Russia ties was justified, says watchdog report
The FBI was justified in opening an investigation into ties between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia and did not act with political bias, despite “serious performance failures” up the bureau’s chain of command, a highly anticipated report has said.
Russia handed four-year WADA ban – but critics say sanction not tough enough
Russia has been banned from the 2020 Olympics and 2022 football World Cup – but there has been fierce criticism the punishment does not go far enough.
Putin meets new Ukraine leader for first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy have met for the first time in a bid to end five years of war between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists.
Paris summit seeks resolution to Ukraine war
The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France are meeting in Paris to find a way to end the war in eastern Ukraine.
Russia banned from next Olympics and football World Cup
Russia has been banned from the 2020 Olympics and the 2022 football World Cup.
World Anti-Doping Agency imposes four-year ban on Russia
The Russian flag and national anthem have been banned from next year’s Tokyo Olympics and other major sports events for four years.
Reedie ‘extremely disappointed’ over allegations Russia manipulated data after WADA reinstatement
World Anti-Doping Agency president Sir Craig Reedie says he is “extremely disappointed” by allegations that Russia manipulated drug-test data after they had been reinstated by WADA in September last year.
Corbyn dismisses controversy surrounding leaked NHS documents as ‘nonsense’
Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed as “nonsense” the controversy surrounding the source of leaked documents used by Labour as proof the Tories are planning to sell the NHS.