Provides the latest RSS feeds for St Petersburg (Russia) News. For more headlines on Breaking, National, Business, Finance, Sports and World News, visit our home page St Petersburg News.net http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/cat/70b0e247ff7c0078/ en-us Mon, 20 May 2013 02:01:15 -0400 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:01:15 -0400 30 The European Union (EU) has appealed to Russia not to introduce a law banning so-called "gay propaganda" . Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, intends to pass a law by the end of the current session (mid-July) banning dissemination of information among minors promoting homosexuality. Amendments will be made May 26-27, after which a working group will compile the draft law along ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622673/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622673/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Ryan Fogle, the man Russia's security services claimed to have captured last week as he tried to recruit a Russian to spy for the US, left Moscow Sunday, a media report said. Fogle checked in on a flight at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, NTV said. The Russian foreign ministry had earlier declared Fogle, a third secretary at the US Embassy in Moscow, persona non grata for "activity incompatible ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618074/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 15:30:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618074/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia's Public Television, which will be governed by the public rather than by the state or the channel owners and which will not run any commercials, Sunday started its broadcast. It offers viewers news, films, entertainment and cognitive programmes. The new TV channel is to become accessible free of charge in the networks of all operators of cable, satellite and IP-television. The TV channel ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614137/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:02 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614137/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sunday announced that two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia will be an official ambassador of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China. The Russian pole vaulter will reprise her role as a YOG Ambassador, following her support and attendance of the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics, which saw over 3,600 elite young athletes from ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613294/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:50:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613294/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva won her first competition of the season by jumping 4.70 metres at the Diamond League meeting here. The 30-year-old skipped the winter season after a tough Olympic year in which she won bronze, and is using the event in China to prepare for the Moscow World Athletics Championships in August. The Russian posted the winning height - well below her world ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613292/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:50:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613292/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A Russian tourist died in Vietnam after a fight with a compatriot and fellow-traveller in the coastal city of Nha Trang. The two Russians, who were travelling in Vietnam together and shared a room at a hotel in Nha Trang, entered a heated argument that resulted in a fight, the Tuoi Tre news website said. In the course of the fight, one of them inflicted a wound in the neck of the other with a ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613148/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:40:02 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613148/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Four inmates jailed for murder and burglary have escaped from a prison in Russia by digging a 20-metre-long tunnel, investigators said. The incident took place in Irkutsk region in East Siberia. The prisoners escaped from an industrial area in Markovo village, where they worked as carpenters, by digging a tunnel, a statement said. Prison authorities noticed that the inmates were missing during ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613146/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:40:02 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613146/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 The returnable capsule of a biological research satellite landed in Russia Sunday, bringing mice, Mongolian gerbils, geckos and various micro-organisms and plants back to Earth after their month-long flight, the Mission Control said. The capsule landed in Orenburg region near the border with Kazakhstan. The descent vehicle separated from the equipment module of the Bion-M spacecraft at 6.32 ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612785/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 05:50:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612785/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A group of Russian military observers will carry out two inspection missions over the US under the Open Skies Treaty between May 19 and June 3, the Russian defence ministry said. The Russian inspectors, accompanied by US officials, will fly on board a Tupolev Tu-154 LK-1 plane from the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and the Travis Air Force Base in California. These will be the 14th ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612777/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 05:40:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612777/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 According to the deputy director of Hainan tourism association Zhang Tiejun, as the only tropical tourism island in China, Hainan will invite 100 Russian travel agencies to explore the tourism market this year. In recent years, Hainan Island has been one of the most popular tourism destinations amongst Russian tourists for its warm winter, spectacular tropical seascapes all year round, ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214623342/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Mon, 20 May 2013 00:33:44 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214623342/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday discussed the protracted conflict in Syria and agreed to have a summit in Russia in September. In a phone conversation, the two leaders discussed the situation in Syria, where the conflict has entered its third year and killed more than 70,000 people, the White House said in a statement. Obama underscored his ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214623413/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:55:27 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214623413/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Japan managed to move their positions closer on certain issues, pledging to speed up talks on reaching a peace treaty for the first time since the end of WWII, as leaders of the two countries met here on Monday. Following his talks with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that they have instructed ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214623395/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:55:27 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214623395/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Moscow: The US Embassy employee accused of spying in Moscow flew out of Russia on Sunday, five days after he was ordered to leave the country, NTV television reported.The Kremlin-loyal TV station broadcast video Sunday evening showing Ryan Fogle going through passport control and security at Sheremetyevo International Airport. He also was pictured in the company of embassy staff as he wheeled a ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622842/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:19:47 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622842/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia is refocusing on Asean after years of inertia due to its domestic priorities and challenges. After Russia was invited to join the East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2010, former President Dmitry Medvedev did not attend the inaugural meeting in Bali and last year President Vladimir Putin, fresh from his third-term presidential victory, also failed to show up at the premier strategic forum. However, ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622376/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 22:34:37 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622376/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 (52 mins ago) A US diplomat who wore a disguise and is accused by the Russians of being a CIA spy after they caught him allegedly trying to recruit agents last week left yesterday, Russian television reported. Ryan Fogle flew out of Moscow, Russia's NTV state television channel said, broadcasting pictures showing him at Sheremetyevo International Airport. Russia announced last week that ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622378/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 22:26:48 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622378/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia expelled a United States diplomat yesterday after saying he had been caught red-handed with disguises, special equipment and wads of cash as he tried to recruit a Russian agent to work for the Central Intelligence Agency. The announcement came at an awkward time for Washington and Moscow as they try to improve ties and bring the warring sides in Syria together for a peace conference. ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622379/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 22:08:47 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622379/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 April 14, 2013 Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International today released "Laws of Attrition - Crackdown on Russia's Civil Society after Putin's Return to the ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622458/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 22:08:37 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214622458/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Defending Russian Premier League champions FC Zenit St. Petersburg have kept their 2013 title hopes alive with a 3-1 home win over Volga Nizhny Novgorod this afternoon.After falling behind in the 18th minute, Zenit went to the break at 1-1 following a 35th-minute Luis Neto equalizer. Zenit fans were then forced to wait nervously until the final 10 minutes when goals from Viktor Fayzulin and Roman ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621956/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 21:45:32 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621956/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia at 2:44 am Monday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicenter, with a depth of 20 km, was at 52.3 degrees north latitude and 160.1 degrees east longitude, the center said in a ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621856/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 21:45:18 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621856/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Ever deferential in foreign policy, the Obama administration verges on reckless, self-defeating idiocy by even discussing declassifying and sharing with Russia critical missile-defense ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621862/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 21:29:30 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621862/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A US diplomat accused by the Russians of being a CIA spy after they caught him allegedly trying to recruit agents last week has left the country, Russian television reports. Ryan Fogle flew out of Moscow on Sunday, Russia's NTV state television channel said, broadcasting pictures showing him at Sheremetyevo International Airport. Russia announced last week that it had caught Fogle as he ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621534/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 21:00:49 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621534/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia developing lethal autonomous robots to help engage in the fight on terrorism, the government said on Friday. You might have thought the world of lethal autonomous robots would be sole be here in the United States, or Japan. Both countries are working on their own version of robotic soldiers. And now Russia has joined their ranks. Only their robo-cop has terrorists in its cross-hairs. ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621166/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 20:54:15 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621166/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621715/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 20:38:57 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214621715/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Most of the mice, gerbils and other animals Russia sent to space a month ago died in the flight meant to test the effects of extended periods of time in ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214620664/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 20:02:54 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214620664/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, confirmed on Wednesday (8th) that in conversations with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, they came to an agreement to organize a new international conference on the conflict in Syria. Moscow and Washington agree that the meeting will take place in May in Geneva with the participation of both parties Moscow and Washington agree that the meeting will ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214620644/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 19:35:24 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214620644/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 19 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Investigations Committee is preparing a query to Greece over the investigation of a stabbing attack on the Russian child Nikita Onishchenko at a five-star hotel on the island of Crete where he was spending a vacation with his mother and a younger ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619658/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 18:26:02 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619658/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Ryan Fogle, the man Russia's security services claimed to have captured last week as he tried to recruit a Russian to spy for the United States, left Russia on Sunday, NTV television ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619792/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 18:18:05 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619792/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, Russia - A Russian tourist died after a fight with his compatriot and fellow-traveler in a coastal city of Nha Trang in southern Vietnam, The Tuoi Tre News website reported. According to the website, the two Russians, who were traveling in Vietnam together and shared a room at the Sheraton hotel in Nha Trang, entered a heated argument with each other that resulted in a fight. In the ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619596/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 18:09:31 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619596/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 This weekend, St. Petersburg will see two international events take place that happen only once a year: Restaurant Day, when anyone can don a toque and become a chef, will take place on May 18, right before the Night of Museums, which begins at 6 p.m. that evening and lasts till 6 a.m. the following ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619307/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 17:16:09 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214619307/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 By Jeff Black, Staff Writer, NBC News The U.S. diplomat who Russia claims tried to recruit one of its intelligence officials to spy for the CIA has left Moscow, Kremlin-loyal TV reported on Sunday.A Russian NTV broadcast appeared to show the U.S. embassy employee, Ryan Christian Fogle, moving through security at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow on Sunday, according to reports from ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618749/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 16:49:03 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618749/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A man looks in Moscow on May 14, 2013, at a computer screen displaying a photo published by Russian state English language television RT website, which shows a man, identified as Ryan C. Fogle, the third secretary of the political section of Washington's embassy in Moscow (L), being escorted by a Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB, ex-KGB) agent (R) during his arrest. (AFP/Getty ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618558/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 16:31:54 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618558/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Vladimir Sychov, deputy director of the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems and the lead researcher for the Bion-M project, talks to reporters Sunday while others examine the "space ark" capsule in the ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618185/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 15:59:12 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618185/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 JERUSALEM, Israel -- Two days after American and Russian leaders met in Moscow to talk about restoring peace in war-torn Syria, Russia announced plans to sell advanced anti-missile defense systems to the Syrian government, ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618186/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 15:53:24 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214618186/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 o The U.S. Embassy employee with St. Louis ties accused of spying in Moscow flew out of Russia on Sunday, five days after he was ordered to leave the country, NTV television reported.The Kremlin-loyal TV station broadcast video Sunday evening showing Ryan Fogle going through passport control and security at Sheremetyevo International Airport. He also was pictured in the company of embassy staff ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617738/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 15:10:29 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617738/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Coming into the match, CSKA needed only a point against UEFA Europa League chasers Kuban and that never looked in doubt as they controlled the match throughout, but rarely did they risk much in search of the ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617739/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 14:44:10 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617739/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW - The US Embassy employee accused of spying in Moscow flew out of Russia on Sunday, five days after he was ordered to leave the country, NTV television reported.The Kremlin-loyal TV station broadcast video Sunday evening showing Ryan Fogle going through passport control and security at Sheremetyevo International Airport. He also was pictured in the company of embassy staff as he wheeled a ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617151/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 14:14:41 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617151/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 US, Russia seek new Syria peace talks The European Union criticised Russia's human rights record, saying it was increasingly concerned at a wave of restrictive legislation and prosecutions against activists. The 27-nation bloc cited the cases of protesters arrested at a demonstration on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration last year who are still awaiting trial, and a new ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617153/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 14:06:24 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617153/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A key witness in the investigation into Alexander Litvinenko's killing, who helped the murdered dissident compile a report on a senior businessman with strong ties to the Kremlin, is willing to give evidence at a public ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617239/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 14:01:29 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617239/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 RUSSIA'S Supreme Court says it will hear an appeal against the second conviction of jailed oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617118/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:57:55 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617118/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Vladimir Putin to help drive the economy forward, have come up with 14 so-called road maps that describe specific and measurable tactics and goals to improve the business climate. But Putin expressed frustration at the rate of execution, during a meeting with the Cabinet earlier this month. "We approved the road maps, including those aimed to develop competition, in order to implement them, ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617240/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:56:08 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617240/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia's first public television channel began broadcasting on Sunday, with live broadcasts available on the channel's official website and also freely available to viewers of cable, satellite, or IP-TV. The channel, Russian Public Television, is a hallmark of Dmitry Medvedev's presidency and was created amid opposition protests in late 2011, with some saying it was a direct ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617241/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:56:05 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617241/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Alexei Balabanov, a filmmaker whose rebel-like film character became a role model for thousands of Russians a decade ago, died Saturday in his home in a suburb of St. Petersburg, Russian television reported, citing family members. He was 54. Balabanov died after collapsing, his close friends said, RIA Novosti reported Saturday. The Rosbalt news agency reported Saturday that the cause of death ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617375/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:56:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214617375/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 An online video that appeared to show teenage girls savagely beating younger pupils at a remote Siberian boarding school for orphans has sparked a criminal investigation and calls for public oversight over the government's opaque and widely criticized orphanage system. Children's rights advocates said the incident should prompt lawmakers to pass a long-stalled bill that would allow ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616715/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:05:27 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616715/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says government could reduce stake in Rosneft to 51%, giving foreign oil firms and investors a greater share of one of the world's most important oil and gas companies. (Image credit: AFP/Getty Images via @daylife) One of the world's largest oil and gas companies may be open for new investors sooner rather than later. Russian oil giant Rosneft ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616062/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:29:22 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616062/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 The ruling United Russia party kicked off a massive two-day forum with members from regional branches in Moscow on Friday, where it lauded its social and infrastructure projects, some three months before September regional and municipal elections. Raising the forum's profile, Prime ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616190/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:15:22 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616190/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A Russian shipment of Yakhont anti-ship missiles to Syria was condemned by the United States, and Israel is also alarmed by the prospect of Moscow supplying S-300 advanced air defense missile systems to Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks in Russia on Tuesday with ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616191/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:15:21 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616191/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW - A Russian capsule carrying mice, lizards and other small animals returned to Earth on Sunday after spending a month in space for what scientists said was the longest experiment of its kind. Fewer than half of the 53 mice and other rodents who blasted off on April 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome survived the flight, Russian news agencies reported, quoting Vladimir Sychov, deputy director ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616192/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:14:04 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214616192/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Legal experts who prepared a Kremlin-commissioned report criticizing the second trial of former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky have found themselves targeted by law ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615343/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:43:42 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615343/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Moscow authorities have rejected a third request from gay rights activists to hold a rally later this month, just as an opinion poll was released showing that society has become more intolerant toward gays. Officials on Friday said the demonstration was not possible because May 25, the day when it was planned to be held in Gorky Park, coincided with graduation day ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615645/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:24:05 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615645/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 WASHINGTON - The embarrassing arrest of a suspected CIA officer in Moscow is the latest reminder that, even after the Cold War, the U.S. and Russia are engaged in an espionage battle with secret tactics, spying devices and training that sometimes isn’t enough to avoid being caught. The most recent skirmish involves Russian security services ambushing a 29-year-old diplomat who they say was ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615624/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:23:37 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615624/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Alexei Balabanov, a prominent Russian film director in the 1990s and 2000s, has died in a village near St. Petersburg, a colleague said. He was 54. No information about the cause of his death was released, The Hollywood Reporter said. Balabanov made his first film, "Happy Days," in 1991. His breakthrough film, the 1997 crime drama "Brother," won the main prize at ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615647/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:16:46 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615647/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 SOCHI, May 19 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday he believes that a stage-by-stage demonopolizing of natural gas exports is possible but it should be preceded by liberalization of the exports of liquefied natural gas ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614957/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:50:00 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614957/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 BRUSSELS, May 19 (RIA Novosti) – The European Union appealed to Russia on Sunday not to introduce a law banning so-called "gay propaganda," the EU said. Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, intends to pass a law by the end of the current session (mid-July) banning dissemination of information among minors promoting homosexuality. Amendments will be made on ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615035/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:41:49 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615035/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russian Government Sets Admissions Target for Producers Getting Funding Speaking at an event in the Russian pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival hosted ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614970/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:34:04 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614970/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia's economy expanded faster than first estimated in the January-March quarter, but still at its slowest quarterly pace since late 2009, fueling the debate over the need for stimulus measures to aid growth. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an annual 1.6 percent in the first quarter, the Federal Statistics Service said Friday. The Economy Ministry's earlier flash estimate had ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615113/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:34:03 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615113/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Greater cooperation between tax authorities from 45 countries, including more extensive information sharing to help catch evaders, was the result of an international conference in Moscow that was hosted by the Federal Taxation Service and ended on Friday. "The message to tax evaders and those who facilitate tax evasion is simple: however hard you try to hide, we will find you," said a ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615114/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:34:01 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615114/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia has recently unveiled its Project 1239 rocket ship to the world. Representing Russia's Black Sea Fleet, the unique missile hovercraft "Bora" took part in the international exhibition of defense industry AIDEF 2013, which was held in Istanbul on May 7-10. The newest Russian rocket ships of this type will soon turn 20 years ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615115/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:20:08 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615115/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Dateline Dalarna, Sweden: Sometimes truly extraordinary events occur, events which impact an entire nation's people, though, the word 'surreal' perhaps fits better than 'extraordinary' in describing events here during the last third of April. Of course, too much has too long been overblown, the strongest of adjectives too frequently employed to mask the weakest of ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615038/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:20:06 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214615038/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 BRUSSELS - The giant South Stream pipeline to transport natural gas from Russia to the European Union is a reality and is on schedule to be built by the end of 2015, the chief executive of the offshore section of the line said, rebutting widespread doubts that it will ever be built. Viewed as Russia's response to EU attempts to find alternative suppliers, the $39 billion link will stretch ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614697/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 09:43:49 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614697/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russian Federation A Russian capsule containing mice, newts and other small animals has returned from a month's mission in orbit.Russian mission control said the Bion-M craft landed softly with the help of a special parachute system in the Orenburg Region about 1,200 kilometres south-east of Moscow.The capsule was also carrying snails and gerbils as well as some plants and ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614264/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 09:03:00 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614264/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 The inter-fleet group of Russian Navy ships is to set off on a distant ocean trip in the Atlantic Ocean this summer, Vice Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, Deputy Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy, said Monday. The admiral said that the naval command was currently preparing a plan of the summer training period. The plan, in particular, includes scheduled duty and combat services in the Black ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614342/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 08:38:47 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214614342/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Former Polish President Lech Walesa has caused a storm of negative remarks in the European media, having said that homosexuals "have to sit on the last bench in the parliament, or even farther than that - behind the wall." Poland opposes the legalization of same-sex cohabitation, which has been promoted in Europe lately. This may become the reason to shake up Russian-Polish ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613982/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 07:47:52 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613982/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A column of Russia's T-90 tanks rumbles over the cobblestones in Moscow's Red Square on May 9 during the country's Victory Day parade celebrating the anniversary of its costly victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. World War II remains a monumental event in the collective Russian mind. It's known as the "Great Patriotic War," and Russians believe no ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613327/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:39:16 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613327/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 19 (R-Sport) - Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has hailed the arrival of the first all-athlete military units since Soviet times. Thirty-six athletes who could represent Russia at the Sochi Olympics took their military oath Sunday at Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Moscow. "Sports units are the right decision from the point of view of the economy and the strategy for ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613329/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:28:33 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214613329/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 A Syrian supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, holds a placard with his picture and the national flag as he participates in a protest outside the US Embassy in central London, Saturday, May 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Lefteris ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612855/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 05:49:52 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612855/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 18 (Itar-Tass) - The ruling United Russia party has good chances to win the upcoming regional elections in September 2013, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612888/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 05:45:27 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612888/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Public Television started broadcasting on Sunday, offering TV viewers newscasts, films, entertainment and cognitive programs. The new TV channel, which will not run any commercials, is to become accessible free of charge on Sunday in the networks of all operators of cable, satellite and IP-television. The TV channel can also be watched by accessing its ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612815/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 05:36:57 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612815/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 FIJI'S military ruler says he will meet Beijing's leaders in China this month, a week after unveiling an official trip to Russia, as he looks beyond strained regional ties in the South Pacific. Frank Bainimarama has been banned from Australia and New Zealand since seizing control in a 2006 coup. His announcement that he would hold talks with Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612137/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 03:17:19 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214612137/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 SUVA (AFP) - Fiji's military ruler said on Sunday he would meet Beijing's leaders in China this month, a week after unveiling an official trip to Russia, as he looks beyond strained regional ties in the South Pacific. Mr Voreqe Bainimarama has been banned from Australia and New Zealand since seizing control in a 2006 coup. His announcement that he would hold talks with Premier Li ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214611719/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sun, 19 May 2013 03:02:15 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214611719/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 The four suspects, who were arrested for the murder of three Chinese women in Russia's southern Siberian Republic of Khakassia, have confessed their crimes. A local investigation committee says a pretrial has been held. According to local police, the suspects confessed they committed crimes of robbery, kidnapping and murder. Police say they're gathering further evidence and will later ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214609752/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 23:48:30 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214609752/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 VLADIVOSTOK, May 19 (RIA Novosti) - A car journey across Russia by former adult video star Sasha Grey ended after a Russian-made Lada Kalina she was driving broke down three days after the start. Grey, escorted by several other cars, began her several weeks’ journey from Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East to Moscow on Thursday and so far managed to reach another far eastern city of ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214609753/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 23:42:11 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214609753/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has welcomed the new consensus between Moscow and Washington regarding finding a political approach to solve Syria's 26-month- old political crisis, but also expressed skepticism about the West 's real intentions."We have welcomed the Russian-American rapprochement and we hope that there would be an international meeting to help the Syrians to ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214608816/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 22:03:31 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214608816/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia has sent sophisticated anti-ship missiles to Syria, US media report. The New York Times quotes unnamed US officials as saying the missiles could be used to counter any potential future foreign military intervention in ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607768/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 20:19:31 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607768/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 19 (Itar-Tass) - Russian inspectors will start observation flights over the U.S. territory on Sunday under the Open Skies Treaty, the Russian Defense Ministry ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607916/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 20:16:13 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607916/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Russia Tehran is ready to explain every "suspicious" point of the country's nuclear program as well as allow experts to Parchin nuclear facility if the IAEA agrees to sign a protocol detailing all its questions, the Iranian ambassador to Russia says. The protocol should contain all IAEA's concerns about Parchin and all other objects which the agency suspects of being ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607770/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 20:08:50 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607770/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MAL?O, Sweden, May 19 (Itar-Tass) - Emilie de Forest of Denmark has won the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Swedish Malmo on Sunday morning. Her song "Only Teardrops" was considered to be the best both by TV viewers and the contest’s professional ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607021/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 19:21:23 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607021/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 19 (Itar-Tass) - A public television channel is starting broadcasts in Russia on May 19. This new Russian federal channel based on principles of public television will appear free and automatically in the networks of all cable, satellite and IP-television operators at 12:00 Moscow ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607088/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 19:21:22 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607088/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 MOSCOW, May 19 (RIA Novosti) - A group of Russian military observers will carry out two inspection missions over the United States under the Open Skies Treaty between May 19 and June 3, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Russian inspectors, accompanied by U.S. officials, will be flying on board a Tupolev Tu-154 LK-1 plane from the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and the Travis Air ... http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607193/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078 Sat, 18 May 2013 19:12:50 -0400 http://www.stpetersburgnews.net/index.php/sid/214607193/scat/70b0e247ff7c0078