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'I Liked It,' Putin Says Of Protest By Topless Women

Russian President Vladimir Putin (far left) looks on Monday in Hanover, Germany, as one of three women who stripped off their tops protests his appearance at a trade fair. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in the green jacket. Jochen Luebke /EPA /LANDOV hide caption

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Jochen Luebke /EPA /LANDOV

The Two-Way

'I Liked It,' Putin Says Of Protest By Topless Women

In Hanover, Germany, the Russian leader was greeted by three women protesters who stripped off their tops before shouting expletives at him. While he professed to enjoy their demonstration, Putin's aides want the women punished.

From the NPR Newscast: Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson on the protest in Hanover

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Putin Offers French Actor Depardieu Russian Citizenship

French actor Gerard Depardieu (left) and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg in December 2010. Ria Novosti /Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Ria Novosti /Reuters /Landov

The Two-Way

Putin Offers French Actor Depardieu Russian Citizenship

Gerard Depardieu has complained about high taxes in his native land. Meanwhile, he has befriended some of Russia's allies and is an acting icon in that nation. Also, the Russian leader may see a chance to tweak the West by claiming one of its wealthier citizens.

U.S. Families Stunned By Russia's Ban On Adoptions

Children at an orphanage in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don earlier this month. Vladimir Konstantinov/Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Vladimir Konstantinov/Reuters /Landov

The Two-Way

U.S. Families Stunned By Russia's Ban On Adoptions

An estimated 1,500 American families are in the process of adopting from Russia. About 50 have already been matched with a child. Now, their plans are in limbo. Russian President Vladimir Putin today signed a law barring U.S. adoptions of Russian children.

Putin Signals He Will Sign Law Banning U.S. Adoptions Of Russian Children

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Alexi Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Alexi Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Putin Signals He Will Sign Law Banning U.S. Adoptions Of Russian Children

Angered by an American law barring some Russian officials from entering the U.S., parliament members in Moscow have retaliated. Putin has now said he sees no reason not to sign the adoption ban. More than 60,000 Russian children have been adopted by Americans since 1992, the State Department says.

From the NPR Newscast: Michele Kelemen reports.

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Russia's Putin Sacks Defense Minister Amid Corruption Scandal

A Russian Army officer walks past Defence Ministry offices in Moscow, on Tuesday. Putin fired defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov over a corruption scandal, the most dramatic change to the government since he returned to the Kremlin for a third term. Andrey Smirnov /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrey Smirnov /AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Russia's Putin Sacks Defense Minister Amid Corruption Scandal

It's an out of character move for the Kremlin, because Anatoly E. Serdyukov was a Vladimir Putin loyalist.

Putin Flies With Migrating Cranes, Opines About Group Sex; Seriously

Russian President Vladimir Putin, dressed to ... lead wild cranes as they migrate. Alexey Druzhinin/pool/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Alexey Druzhinin/pool/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Putin Flies With Migrating Cranes, Opines About Group Sex; Seriously

In just the past 24 hours he has mused about why group sex might be better than "one-on-one" and has been video taped flying a motorized hang glider in an attempt to lead some cranes on their migration south.

Two-Year Prison Terms For Russia's Pussy Riot Rockers

Members of the all-girl punk band Pussy Riot: Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (right), Maria Alyokhina (center) and Yekaterina Samutsevich (left) in a glass-walled cage during a court hearing in Moscow earlier today. Andrey Smirnov /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrey Smirnov /AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Two-Year Prison Terms For Russia's Pussy Riot Rockers

The three women were accused of religious hatred for an anti-Putin protest they staged in a cathedral. The case has attracted attention around the world as people come to the young women's defense.

Feminist Punk Band Gets Next Gig: Russian Courtroom

Members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, Nadezha Tolokonnikova (left), Yekaterina Samutsevich (center) and Maria Alyokhina, at a hearing in Moscow court on Monday. Andrey Smirnov/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrey Smirnov/Getty Images

The Record

Feminist Punk Band Gets Next Gig: Russian Courtroom

Three members of the band, which staged a protest of Vladimir Putin in a Russian Orthodox cathedral in February, face up to seven years in prison. They pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Feminist Punk Band, Imprisoned For Five Months, Gets Next Gig: Russian Courtroom

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Russian Protest Draws Tens Of Thousands, Opposition Leaders Questioned

Protesters gather for a demonstration in central Moscow against President Vladimir Putin. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP hide caption

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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

The Two-Way

Russian Protest Draws Tens Of Thousands, Opposition Leaders Questioned

Tens of thousands of demonstrators turned out in Moscow to protest newly elected President Vladmir Putin, saying he controls the country through a corrupt political system. Opposition leaders were questioned ahead of the demonstration.

At Moscow Rally, Putin Opposition Recounts Vote Fraud

A protester wearing a costume bearing the words Robocop walks among Russian riot police officers after a rally in Moscow on Saturday. Ivan Sekretarev/AP hide caption

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Ivan Sekretarev/AP

The Two-Way

At Moscow Rally, Putin Opposition Recounts Vote Fraud

Opponents of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin staged another rally in Moscow on Saturday, but with Putin now elected to the presidency for a six-year term, their mass protest movement seemed to be losing steam. Still, some of the speakers on the stage gave a glimpse of where the anti-Putin movement is heading.

Putin's Victory Comes With Claims Of 'Widespread Violations'

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a rally in Moscow on Sunday. He won election to the post he previously held: president. Alexei Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Alexei Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Putin's Victory Comes With Claims Of 'Widespread Violations'

It's no surprise that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin won Sunday's election to return to the more powerful post he previously held — president. Also not surprising: Reports of many voting violations, perhaps to ensure his victory.