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Eastern Europe

Russians mark 10 years since deadly theater siege
A decade after the tragic end of a Russian theater siege left 130 hostages dead, security officers who took part in the rescue operation said Friday ...
Soccer star, pop diva run in Ukraine's election
An extravagantly dressed pop diva, a retired football star, the son of a famous actor, an opposition leader suspiciously cozy with the government.
Looters strip Bulgaria of ancient treasures
On the banks of the Danube, in the northwest corner of Bulgaria, lie the remnants of an ancient Roman settlement called Ratiaria, host to a priceless ...
Syria commits to 4-day truce, but prospects dim
The embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad promised Thursday to observe a U.N.-proposed truce during a four-day Muslim holiday, while ...
Ukraine under fire in Russian activist's abduction
Ukraine let Russian agents kidnap an anti-Kremlin activist seeking asylum in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and forcibly bring him back to Moscow, the ...
Russian investigators probe alleged military fraud
Russia's top investigative agency on Thursday launched a criminal probe into alleged fraud in the selloff of Defense Ministry assets, a high-profile ...
S&P indicates it may upgrade Rosneft after BP deal
Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has indicated it may upgrade its rating on Rosneft following the Russian oil company's agreement to buy a joint ...
UN Security Council endorses Syria holiday truce
The U.N. Security Council gave unanimous backing Wednesday to a four-day truce proposed by the international mediator for Syria to mark a major Muslim ...
Auschwitz prisoner and photographer dies at 95
The images are haunting: naked and emaciated children at Auschwitz standing shoulder-to-shoulder, adult prisoners in striped garb posing for ...
Russian opposition issues warning to Kremlin
Russian opposition leaders urged President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to stop clamping down on dissent and warned they would ask Western governments ...
Branson: Virgin space project keeps being delayed
British billionaire Richard Branson says his space tourism project keeps being pushed back and isn't sure of an exact date for the first launch.
Azerbaijan to level output at key oil field
Azerbaijan's state oil company says it has agreed with British oil giant BP on a plan to stabilize output at a key oil field in the Caspian Sea.
Bosnians elect their first hijab-wearing mayor
When Amra Babic walks down the streets of the central Bosnian town of Visoko wearing her Muslim headscarf, men sitting in outdoor cafes instantly rise ...
Secrecy surrounds Ukrainian president's home
When Ukraine's president opened up his home to TV cameras, he presented a cozy place with a small office just big enough for his grandchildren to play ...
Moody's places Rosneft, TNK-BP on downgrade watch
Ratings agency Moody's on Wednesday placed Rosneft and TNK-BP on review for downgrade following Rosneft's agreement to buy the joint venture between ...
Romanian cleric served as Communist informant
Romania's highest court has upheld the conviction of a top Orthodox cleric that he secretly served as an informant for the country's communist-era ...
Russian lawmakers widen definition of treason
Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday quickly rubber stamped a new bill widely expanding the definition of high treason. Critics alleged the ...
Russian brochure depicts migrants as tools
It was intended as a friendly guide to Russia for labor migrants from Central Asia, but instead it turned into an insult. The brochure with practical ...
US-Russian crew blasts off for space station
A Russian spacecraft surged into clear skies over the Central Asian steppe Tuesday, carrying a three-man crew on their way to the International Space ...
Gazprom launches production at new huge gas field
Russia's energy giant Gazprom launched production at a major natural gas field in northern Russia while President Vladimir Putin asked the company to ...
Russian activist charged with plotting riots
Russian investigators say they have charged an opposition activist with plotting riots based on evidence from a Kremlin-friendly TV documentary.
Czech government faces collapse over austerity
The Czech Republic's government edged closer toward collapse after the conservative party of Prime Minister Petr Necas failed to reach a deal with ...
Rosneft sees $5B synergy savings from TNK-BP deal
Russian oil company Rosneft said it could make up to $5 billion in savings when it combines its operations with those of its takeover target TNK-BP, ...
Russian opposition elects its leaders online
President Vladimir Putin has had nothing but mockery for the protesters who have taken to the streets against him in unprecedented numbers.