Mar 6th, 2010 · Canadians are still basking in the glow of the Winter Olympics. But in Russia, which will host the next winter games, the mood is grim. Russian athletes performed like the Chicago Cubs in Vancouver, and the accusations are flying like shots into Ryan Miller's knee pads. Host Scott Simon talks to Tom Goldman about the week's sports news.
Mar 4th, 2010 · The Russian government shut down all casinos in the country last year but stipulated that some could be reopened — but only in four outlying areas. Can far-flung Kaliningrad become Russia's Las Vegas? Or maybe Atlantic City?
Mar 1st, 2010 · Proof that Russia has traveled far from its Soviet-era past was readily available Monday with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev's open invitation for members of Russia's Olympic committee to resign after the disappointing showing by Russian athletes in the just completed Vancouver games. In the days of Stalin, for instance, the committee members wouldn't have been invited to resign. They would have just found themselves in labor camps. Or worse
Mar 1st, 2010 · Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says during a state visit to France that his country is ready to consider new sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. He also noted that it would be "desirable" to avoid sanctions — and insisted they should not harm the Iranian population.
Feb 26th, 2010 · The Soviet Union once dominated the Winter Games, and expectations were high for Russian athletes in Vancouver. But an underwhelming showing has left Russians at home full of disappointment and shock — and looking to 2014, when Russia will host the Winter Olympics.
Feb 25th, 2010 · In The Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them, Elif Batuman explores the lives of the great Russian authors, from Pushkin to Platonov, and of the people they continue to influence up through today. Her story makes the list at No. 14.
Feb 25th, 2010 · France is considering the sale of a Mistral-class warship to Russia. If the deal goes through, it would be the first time a NATO member has sold advanced military equipment to Russia. The proposed sale has France's NATO allies and Russia's neighbors worried.
Feb 24th, 2010 · A dominating Canada ended 50 years of Olympic hockey frustration against Russia. The Canadians got a goal and two assists from Dan Boyle during a take-charge first period to beat the world champions 7-3 Wednesday and surge into the Olympic semifinals.