No clemency for Snowden says Obama aide, US lawmakersA senior White House aide and top US lawmakers on Sunday rejected intelligence leaker Edward Snowden's request for clemency following his disclosures of widespread government surveillance.
04 November 2013
From North Pole to the stars: Russia's thrill-seeking tycoonOther tycoons may plough their millions into yachts or private jets, but Vasily Klyukin prefers a good "adventure". On his diary for next year? A space trip with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Snowden wants to help German probe, testify in USIntelligence leaker Edward Snowden is ready to assist a German probe into US spying on Chancellor Angela Merkel but also wants to talk directly to the US Congress, a German lawmaker who met the fugitive said Friday.
02 November 2013
Vast Antarctic sanctuary plans failPlans to create two vast ocean sanctuaries in Antarctica to protect the pristine wilderness failed Friday for a third time with Russia and China blocking the bids.
01 November 2013
Russia protests after rock star placed on US black listRussia dismissed as unacceptable a US decision to blacklist a rock star who counts President Vladimir Putin among his fans, for allegedly working for a transnational criminal group.
Putin topples Obama in Forbes power rankingHaving outfoxed him on Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin has now pipped Barack Obama to the title of the world's most powerful leader as ranked by Forbes on Wednesday.
Uzbek first daughter confirms media empire shutdownThe eldest daughter of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov Wednesday confirmed the closure of television channels she is believed to control, as rumours build of a rift in the ruling family.
31 October 2013
Kazakhstan energy experts call GHG emission quotas populismUrazalinov believes that these plans are a threat to Kazakhstan coal-fueled energy and that their implementation is likely to undermine achievement of the goals that the Kazakhstan economy is supposed to reach before 2030.
Peace envoy heads for Syria, Russia slams rebel threatsUN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi headed for Damascus to seek support for a Syria peace conference, as Russia slammed rebels for threatening those planning to attend the so-called Geneva II talks.
Georgia PM ally revels in big win at presidential pollAn ally of billionaire Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili on Monday basked in an overwhelming win at presidential polls in the ex-Soviet state to replace larger-than-life moderniser Mikheil Saakashvili.