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World

City's Legal Battle Turns Harsh Light On Russian Law

A group of citizens in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan say they've fallen victim to their country's corrupt judicial system. They blame a series of deadly fires on government officials, saying the city was desperate to destroy their homes to reclaim coveted land. They brought their complaints to court. Now, the only people who may land in prison are them.

City's Legal Battle Turns Harsh Light On Russian Law

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In Russia, Defendants Find Justice Isn't Blind

Andrei Grigoryev, 43, is a federal game warden, or forest ranger. After he chased after a hunting party last winter, he ended up being charged with abuse of power. He now faces four to 10 years in a Russian jail. Grigoryev fears he is falling victim to a Russian federal court system that convicts almost everyone. Boris Ryzhak/NPR hide caption

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Boris Ryzhak/NPR

Europe

In Russia, Defendants Find Justice Isn't Blind

The Russian Supreme Court says that of nearly 800,000 criminal defendants brought into federal courts during the first nine months of last year, 99.3 percent were convicted. That's why many Russians go to trial expecting to be found guilty. They're just hoping for a lenient sentence.

In Russia, Defendants Find Justice Isn't Blind

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Security Lapses Blamed For Russian Airport Blast

People place flowers at the site of the blast at Domodedovo Airport on Tuesday as others wait for a security check to enter. Security was tightened after an explosion ripped through Moscow's busiest airport Monday. Sergey Ponomarev/AP hide caption

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Sergey Ponomarev/AP

Europe

Security Lapses Blamed For Russian Airport Blast

Russia is picking up the pieces after an attack at its busiest airport Monday. At least 35 people are dead, after what authorities believe was a suicide bombing in the arrivals area at Domodedovo Airport outside Moscow.

Security Lapses Blamed For Russian Airport Blast

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Yuri Shevchuk: Russia's Musical Advocate For Democracy

Russian rock singer Yuri Shevchuk performs at a protest rally in central Moscow on Aug. 22, 2010. Natalia Kolesnikova /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Natalia Kolesnikova /AFP/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Yuri Shevchuk: Russia's Musical Advocate For Democracy

Within Russia's borders, DDT's Yuri Shevchuk is bigger than Bono. Shevchuk has often engaged in Russian politics by attending rallies or peace demonstrations. But many in Russia see his frustration now reaching the boiling point: He's fed up that so few people are speaking out.

Yuri Shevchuk: Russia's Musical Advocate For Democracy

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World

President Of Belarus Defends Crackdown

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says he won 80 percent of the vote on Sunday. But international election observers say the vote was flawed, and an opposition protest was broken up by police. Hundreds were arrested, and candidates standing against Lukashenko were beaten and detained.

President Of Belarus Defends Crackdown

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Europe

Lukashenko Re-Elected With 80 Percent Of Vote

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko won a fourth term after Sunday's landslide election. The voting was marred by a violent police crackdown on demonstrators and the arrest of opposition challengers.

Lukashenko Re-Elected With 80 Percent Of Vote

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World

Political Theater Is No Laughing Matter In Belarus

As the eastern European nation of Belarus heads towards a presidential election Sunday, one of the few signs of opposition is on stage. The Belarus Free Theatre has been using its plays to highlight the current president's human rights record and demand democratic freedoms. The acting troupe is unregistered and illegal, and their performances have come at a personal cost.

Political Theater Is No Laughing Matter In Belarus

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In Belarus, An Election Day With Soviet Style

The monument at the Brest Fortress, where Soviet soldiers fought the German advance in 1941. Rose Previte hide caption

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Rose Previte

Europe

In Belarus, An Election Day With Soviet Style

Belarus always seems to be Europe's fault line. In 1941, Nazis charged eastward, but a small battalion of Soviet soldiers in Belarus famously held strong, slowing Hitler's charge for weeks. Today, Belarus is holding firm again, refusing to succumb to democratic will -- despite the presidential election being held Sunday.

In Belarus, An Election Day With Soviet Style

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Europe

Protesters Call For Free Elections In Belarus

In Belarus, opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko have taken to the streets demanding a fair vote in Sunday's presidential election. Most people expect Lukashenko to win by a carefully pre-ordained margin of victory.

Protesters Call For Free Elections In Belarus

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World

Russian Rocket Carrying Satellites Plunges Into Ocean

Russian news reported over the weekend that a rocket carrying three satellites meant to enhance a system in Russia similar to GPS crashed into the ocean off the coast of Hawaii. It wasn't the only setback for Russian technology: On Saturday, a Dagestan Air jetliner carrying some 150 passengers lost two of three engines leaving Moscow.

Russian Rocket Carrying Satellites Plunges Into Ocean

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Sports

Russia, Qatar To Host 2018, 2022 World Cups

Two surprise decisions were issued in the world of international soccer on Thursday. The sport's governing body, FIFA, decided the 2022 World Cup will be held in the tiny Persian Gulf country of Qatar. It beat the likes of Australia, Japan and South Korea as well as the U.S. to hold the first international sporting event of this size to take place in the Middle East. And the 2018 decision was another surprise -- Russia will hold that competition, beating such soccer luminaries as England, Spain and the Netherlands.

Russia, Qatar To Host 2018, 2022 World Cups

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National Security

How Iran Failed To Acquire A Russian Missile

The released WikiLeaks diplomatic documents include behind-the-scenes details about a failed weapons deal between Russia and Iran. Iran had planned to buy a Russian missile that would have been a powerful defense against a military strike on its nuclear facilities. But Russia abruptly halted the deal in September.

How Iran Failed To Acquire A Russian Missile

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Call To Help NATO Rattles Russians

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (right) meets his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on Aug. 18 during a summit near Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi. Medvedev hosted the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan for talks on joint efforts to stabilize the region. Dmitry Astakhov/AP hide caption

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Dmitry Astakhov/AP

World

Call To Help NATO Rattles Russians

An evolving partnership after decades of distrust would involve a greater role for Russia in the U.S.-NATO war in Afghanistan. But many Russians, remembering the bloody conflict of the 1980s, fear that history might repeat itself.

Call To Help NATO In Afghanistan Rattles Russians

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Animals

Summit Aims To Protect Tigers From Extinction

Leaders from Russia, China, and other countries have been meeting in St. Petersburg to try to save the world's tigers. It's the highest-level summit to focus on trying to save a single threatened species. There are believed to be only about 3,200 tigers roaming the wild, and the summit hopes to take measures to double that population over the next 12 years.

Summit Aims To Protect Tigers From Extinction

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Europe

Ukraine's President Blamed For Derailing Democracy

In the months since Ukraine voted in President Viktor Yanukovich, critics say the country has steadily moved away from western standards of democracy. Before him, the Orange Revolution brought in leaders who spoke of freedom and hope.

Ukraine's President Blamed For Derailing Democracy

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