World - Russia

PERM, Russia (Reuters) - At least 109 people were killed and 134 injured when a blaze ignited by fireworks ripped through a packed Russian nightclub, starting a stampede as revelers rushed to escape clouds of toxic black smoke. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States voiced regret Saturday over a devastating nightclub fire in Perm, Russia in which at least 109 people were killed. Full Story »

MOSCOW - An explosion and fire blamed on fireworks tore through a nightclub in the Russian city of Perm early Saturday, killing 102 people, Russian officials said. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - Ninety people were killed when a blast ripped through a cafe in the Russian Ural city of Perm, Russian news agencies reported Saturday quoting local officials. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - The blast that ripped through a cafe in the Russian city of Perm, killing dozens of people, was caused by a fireworks accident and was not a terrorist act, Russian news agencies quoted officials as saying Saturday. Full Story »

MOSCOW - A gigantic sculpture that is one of the most admired examples of Soviet socialist realism is back on view in Moscow after six years of restoration. Full Story »

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and the United States failed to reach agreement on a new pact to cut vast arsenals of nuclear weapons on Friday as a Cold War-era treaty ran out, but both sides pledged to seek a deal as soon as possible. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - The United States and Russia uphold the "spirit" of the START nuclear arms treaty despite its end, and aim to agree a new treaty as soon as possible, the two countries' presidents said on Friday. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Israel in 2010, he said on Friday, following a recent chill in ties between Moscow and Israel's arch-enemy Iran. Full Story »

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The presidents of Russia and the United States on Friday pledged to keep working for a deal to reduce arsenals of Cold War nuclear weapons, as an existing treaty expired, but did not announce any new agreement. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - US inspectors on Friday ended nearly 20 years of monitoring at Russia's main missile plant, a spokesman for the US embassy in Moscow said, hours before a key nuclear arms treaty was set to expire. Full Story »

ROME (AFP) - Russia and the Vatican have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, ending long-standing tensions, the Kremlin announced Thursday after President Dmitry Medvedev met Pope Benedict XVI. Full Story »

MOSCOW - Wagging his pen and gazing directly into the camera, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent his strongest signal yet Thursday that he plans to return to Russia's presidency, telling millions of TV viewers that he will consider running in 2012. Full Story »

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI and visiting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed Thursday to upgrade Vatican-Kremlin relations to full diplomatic ties, the Vatican said. Full Story »

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO and Russia have resolved a dispute which Moscow's envoy to the military alliance had said could affect prospects for increased cooperation on Afghanistan, Russian and NATO diplomats said on Thursday. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia's strongman Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday he would consider running for president again in 2012, putting him on a potential collision course with incumbent Dmitry Medvedev. Full Story »

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, in power for over 10 years, ruled out a departure from politics on Thursday, telling a questioner: "Don't hold your breath." Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday he would "think about" running for president in 2012, refusing to rule out the possibility that he could return to the Kremlin. Full Story »