http://www.mail.com/people/16462-vladimir-putin.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/16462-vladimir-putin.html http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2097300-russian-oligarchs-foot-2014-sochi-olympics.html SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The mountains of Sochi are now home to Potanin's slope, Gazprom's gondola lift and Sberbank's ski jump. The nicknames used by locals and an army of construction workers leave no doubt about who is paying for the 2014 Winter Games: Russia's business powerhouses. Other countries that have hosted the Olympics have overwhelmingly used pub... Mon, 20 May 2013 15:48:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2097300-russian-oligarchs-foot-2014-sochi-olympics.html 2013-05-20T15:48:33Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2097630-russia-targets-pollster-political-activity.html MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's only independent polling agency said Monday it may have to close after prosecutors targeted it for "political activity" under a law spearheading President Vladimir Putin's crackdown on civil society. Levada Center published a letter, dated last week, from prosecutors who said its polls and publications are "aimed at shaping public o... Mon, 20 May 2013 12:40:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2097630-russia-targets-pollster-political-activity.html 2013-05-20T12:40:27Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2084026-us-diplomat-ordered-to-leave-russia-spy-case.html MOSCOW (AP) — A U.S. diplomat was ordered Tuesday to leave the country after the Kremlin's security services said he tried to recruit a Russian agent, and they displayed tradecraft tools that seemed straight from a cheap spy thriller: wigs, packets of cash, a knife, map and compass, and a letter promising millions for "long-term cooperation." The FSB, the... Wed, 15 May 2013 02:18:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2084026-us-diplomat-ordered-to-leave-russia-spy-case.html 2013-05-15T02:18:21Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2083930-putin-netanyahu-meet-to-discuss-syria.html MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday for talks that focused on the situation in Syria, amid concerns that Moscow could soon provide Damascus with advanced missiles. Israeli officials have asked Russia to stop what they say is an imminent delivery of Russian S-300 air defense systems to Syr... Tue, 14 May 2013 13:33:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2083930-putin-netanyahu-meet-to-discuss-syria.html 2013-05-14T13:33:04Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2082032-obama-tries-to-swat-2-swirling-controversies.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama tried to swat down a pair of brewing controversies Monday, denouncing as "outrageous" the targeting of conservative political groups by the federal IRS but angrily denying any administration cover-up after last year's deadly attacks in Benghazi, Libya. Simultaneous investigations — and demands by Republicans for mo... Mon, 13 May 2013 21:15:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2082032-obama-tries-to-swat-2-swirling-controversies.html 2013-05-13T21:15:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2081188-obama-uk-seek-eu-changes-break-ties.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama waded into British politics Monday, suggesting that the United Kingdom seek to reform its relationship with the European Union before it decides to simply break away from it. The stance put Obama squarely on the side of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was visiting the United States as he faces growing pre... Mon, 13 May 2013 21:01:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2081188-obama-uk-seek-eu-changes-break-ties.html 2013-05-13T21:01:20Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081724-putin-netanyahu-to-discuss-syrian-conflict.html MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin's talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Russia on Tuesday will focus on the situation in Syria, the Kremlin said, amid growing concerns that Moscow may soon provide Damascus with an advanced anti-aircraft weapon. Israeli officials say Russia is on the verge of selling S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to... Mon, 13 May 2013 18:25:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081724-putin-netanyahu-to-discuss-syrian-conflict.html 2013-05-13T18:25:29Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/2082252-russia-scraps-visas-foreign-athletes.html MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin has waived visa requirements for athletes, coaches and other staff attending international sporting events in Russia. Russia is hosting the Winter Olympics next year and the soccer World Cup in 2018. In August, the Athletics World Championships will be held in Moscow. The decree Putin signed Tuesday said the visa wai... Mon, 13 May 2013 17:22:52 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/2082252-russia-scraps-visas-foreign-athletes.html 2013-05-13T17:22:52Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081136-syria-opposition-consult-allies-peace-push.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's main opposition bloc wants to consult its allies before deciding on joining a U.S.-Russia initiative to negotiate a peaceful transition in Syria, its leader said Monday. The U.S. and Russia called last week for an international conference to start talks that would be accompanied by a cease-fire. The two nations are on opposite sides ... Mon, 13 May 2013 14:50:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081136-syria-opposition-consult-allies-peace-push.html 2013-05-13T14:50:30Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081324-military-plane-crashes-yemens-capital.html SANAA, Yemen (AP) — A Yemeni military plane on a training exercise exploded in midair over the country's capital on Monday, killing the pilot and slamming into a residential neighborhood, according to an army official. Fragments of the plane hit buildings on the ground in Sanaa and set small fires in four houses. Three people were slightly injured, accord... Mon, 13 May 2013 13:23:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081324-military-plane-crashes-yemens-capital.html 2013-05-13T13:23:59Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081392-israel-minister-criticizes-russia-syria-arms.html JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli Cabinet minister is accusing Russia of destabilizing the Middle East by selling weapons to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. Monday's remarks by Tourism Minister Uzi Landau are likely to raise tensions with Russia on the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow. Netanyahu is expected to press President V... Mon, 13 May 2013 10:40:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081392-israel-minister-criticizes-russia-syria-arms.html 2013-05-13T10:40:32Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2078664-syrian-rebels-government-fight-key-highways.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels on Saturday cut a newly built bypass road linking the capital Damascus with the northern city of Aleppo, an activist group said, while state media reported that government troops have secured a strategic highway between the capital and the southern city of Daraa. The reported fighting came as an activist group said U.S. ambassa... Sat, 11 May 2013 19:32:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2078664-syrian-rebels-government-fight-key-highways.html 2013-05-11T19:32:31Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2074140-kerry-hopes-russia-wont-sell-missiles-to-syria.html ROME (AP) — ROME (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday the transfer of advanced missile defense systems from Russia to Syria would be a "destabilizing" factor for Israel's security. Kerry said the U.S. has expressed concerns about what such defensive systems in Syria would mean for Israel's security. He wouldn't address what the missiles migh... Thu, 09 May 2013 17:13:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2074140-kerry-hopes-russia-wont-sell-missiles-to-syria.html 2013-05-09T17:13:06Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073460-putin-victory-day-russia-security-guarantor.html MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will be a guarantor of world security, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday at the annual military parade on Red Square. Putin made his short speech at the culmination of Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany 68 years ago. It is Russia's most important secular holiday, honoring the huge military and civilian losses of Worl... Thu, 09 May 2013 09:11:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073460-putin-victory-day-russia-security-guarantor.html 2013-05-09T09:11:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2070794-kerry-meets-with-russian-ngos-crackdown-mounts.html MOSCOW (AP) — Leading Russian activists said Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has assured them that Washington is talking with the Russian government on the Kremlin's crackdown on nongovernmental organizations that have received U.S. funding. Human Rights Watch senior researcher Tania Lokshina, one of nine activists who met with Kerry at ... Wed, 08 May 2013 15:44:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2070794-kerry-meets-with-russian-ngos-crackdown-mounts.html 2013-05-08T15:44:34Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2071458-apnewsbreak-us-to-provide-100m-syria-aid.html ROME (AP) — The Obama administration is providing $100 million in new Syria aid, U.S. officials said Wednesday, but the money is for humanitarian purposes only and not linked to any decision on arming Syrian rebels. The announcement will be made by Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday in Rome, where his diplomacy includes a meeting with Jordan's fore... Wed, 08 May 2013 15:43:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2071458-apnewsbreak-us-to-provide-100m-syria-aid.html 2013-05-08T15:43:59Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2070938-architect-putins-political-system-resigns.html MOSCOW (AP) — Vladislav Surkov, a longtime Kremlin strategist considered the architect of the tightly controlled political system created under President Vladimir Putin, resigned his post of deputy prime minister on Wednesday. His ouster followed an unusually public feud with investigators over a criminal investigation into Skolkovo, a government project ... Wed, 08 May 2013 15:11:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2070938-architect-putins-political-system-resigns.html 2013-05-08T15:11:09Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2071370-ap-photos-europe-remembers-world-war-ii.html With flowers, flames and teary eyes, veterans, soldiers and European leaders celebrated peace in ceremonies around the continent marking the 68th anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazis. The events offered a moment of reflection and illustrated the importance of European unity as the continent is struggling with economic troubles and lingering te... Wed, 08 May 2013 14:02:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2071370-ap-photos-europe-remembers-world-war-ii.html 2013-05-08T14:02:33Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2068080-president-assad-syria-to-face-israel.html BEIRUT (AP) — In his first response to Israel's weekend airstrikes, President Bashar Assad said Tuesday that Syria is capable of facing Israel, but stopped short of threatening retaliation for the strikes near the Syrian capital of Damascus. Assad spoke after a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who paid an unexpected visit to Damascu... Wed, 08 May 2013 02:14:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2068080-president-assad-syria-to-face-israel.html 2013-05-08T02:14:10Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2069302-us-russia-seek-to-revive-peace-plan-syria.html MOSCOW (AP) — The U.S. and Russia agreed Tuesday to try to convene an international conference this month to come to a political solution to end the two-year Syrian civil war but gave no indication how they would convince President Bashar Assad into talks with the rebels seeking to overthrow him. Secretary of State John Kerry said that if such a gambit we... Tue, 07 May 2013 21:56:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2069302-us-russia-seek-to-revive-peace-plan-syria.html 2013-05-07T21:56:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2066482-israel-airstrikes-loom-us-diplomacy-syria.html MOSCOW (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday argued the U.S. case to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to take a tougher stance on Syria at a time when Israel's weekend air strikes against the beleaguered Mideast nation have added an unpredictable factor to the talks. Putin and Kerry met in the Kremlin more than three hours behind sche... Tue, 07 May 2013 17:02:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2066482-israel-airstrikes-loom-us-diplomacy-syria.html 2013-05-07T17:02:47Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2065730-jailed-protesters-cast-shadow-anti-putin-rally.html MOSCOW (AP) — About 20,000 protesters thronged Bolotnaya Square across from the Kremlin on Monday, a year after a protest at the same spot turned violent on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration. Monday's turnout — far less than the 100,000 or more who marched through Moscow with giddy optimism ahead of Putin's election to a third term — refl... Tue, 07 May 2013 07:21:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2065730-jailed-protesters-cast-shadow-anti-putin-rally.html 2013-05-07T07:21:33Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2064140-ap-photos-story-jews-red-army.html JERUSALEM (AP) — Once a year, Israel's Jewish war veterans don suit jackets and uniforms dripping in Red Army medals, the shiny bronzes and silvers pinned to their chests in tight rows like armor. About 500,000 Jews served in the Soviet Red Army during World War II. Most of those still alive today — about 7,000 — are said to live in Israel. Every year on ... Sun, 05 May 2013 18:54:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2064140-ap-photos-story-jews-red-army.html 2013-05-05T18:54:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2062934-readying-syria-push-us-feels-russia.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is trying to leverage new evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's government used chemical weapons, and make a fresh diplomatic and possible military push with allies to end the country's civil war. This renewed effort starts with Secretary of State John Kerry's trip to Moscow this coming week for talks wit... Sat, 04 May 2013 15:45:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2062934-readying-syria-push-us-feels-russia.html 2013-05-04T15:45:36Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2053848-kerry-to-talk-syria-terrorism-russia-week.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry is headed to Russia next week for talks on Syria, Iran and terrorism concerns that have spiked since the Boston Marathon bombings. Kerry will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their conversations will also touch on a host of bilateral tensions between Washington a... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:55:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2053848-kerry-to-talk-syria-terrorism-russia-week.html 2013-04-30T15:55:40Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2052222-boston-suspects-defense-team-major-boost.html BOSTON (AP) — The defense team representing the Boston Marathon bombing suspect got a major boost Monday with the addition of Judy Clarke, a San Diego lawyer who has won life sentences instead of the death penalty for several high-profile clients, including the Unabomber and the gunman in the rampage that injured former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Cl... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:01:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2052222-boston-suspects-defense-team-major-boost.html 2013-04-30T04:01:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2051746-obama-putin-discuss-security-phone-call.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin (POO'-tihn) have been discussing terrorism coordination in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. The White House says the two leaders spoke by phone Monday. A statement says Obama expressed his "appreciation" for Russia's close cooperation after the attack. The suspected bom... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:35:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2051746-obama-putin-discuss-security-phone-call.html 2013-04-29T19:35:20Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2051318-putin-japanese-leader-step-up-peace-treaty-effort.html MOSCOW (AP) — The leaders of Russia and Japan have instructed their diplomats to intensify efforts to work out a peace treaty between the two nations. Russia and Japan have yet to sign a formal peace treaty ending hostilities from World War II due to a dispute over four islands that were captured by Soviet forces at the end of the war. Nevertheless, they ... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:37:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2051318-putin-japanese-leader-step-up-peace-treaty-effort.html 2013-04-29T16:37:27Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2046118-court-rejects-pussy-riot-members-early-release.html ZUBOVA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — A Russian court on Friday rejected a plea for early release from prison by a member of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, whose provocative songs and prosecution have made them a symbol of the country's opposition movement. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, who has been in custody since her arrest last March, is serving a two-year sent... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:00:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2046118-court-rejects-pussy-riot-members-early-release.html 2013-04-26T20:00:25Z