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Nokia Wins Big on Luxe Phones
Nokia Wins Big on Luxe Phones

Nokia Wins Big on Luxe Phones

Decked-out cell phones seen as status symbol for mega-rich

(Newser) - Nokia is enjoying increasing success with its Vertu subsidiary, a maker of luxury cellphones, as a super expensive phone becomes a status symbol for the mega-rich. Der Spiegel reports that Vertu phones, which come diamond- or gold-encrusted, make the iPhone look absolutely pedestrian with a price range from $6,500...

Iran Plans 19 Nuke Plants
Iran Plans 19 Nuke Plants

Iran Plans 19 Nuke Plants

Rejects calls to drop uranium enrichment

(Newser) - Iran has dismissed calls to drop uranium enrichment and plans 19 new nuclear power plants, Reuters reports. "US officials have talked of negotiations" on the condition that Iran stop the enrichment, "but we do not accept any preconditions for talks," Iran's Foreign Minister said today. The UN...

Is Putin Europe's Richest Man?
Is Putin Europe's Richest Man?

Is Putin Europe's Richest Man?

Kremlin power struggle reveals fortune of 'at least' $40B

(Newser) - The Guardian looks at an unprecedented power struggle within the Kremlin as Vladimir Putin's last term as president winds down. The battle, between ex-KGB officers and liberal allies of Putin's successor, Dmitry Medvedev, revolves around control of the enormous assets of Russia's state-owned industries. As the face-off heats up, information...

Putin Time's Person of the Year
Putin Time's Person of the Year

Putin Time's Person of the Year

A Boy Scout he's not, but steely-faced 'Pooty-Poot' has guided Russia back to prominence

(Newser) - Don't be fooled by the 5' 6" frame of the man George W. Bush termed "Pooty-Poot": Russian President Vladmir Putin is Time's Person of the Year for having "brought Russia back to the table of world power." The quiet man behind the steely stare snuck up to...

Russia Gives Iran Nuclear Fuel
Russia Gives Iran Nuclear Fuel

Russia Gives Iran Nuclear Fuel

Says Tehran has promised not to develop weaponry

(Newser) - Russia delivered nuclear material to Iran yesterday, the BBC reports, ignoring Washington’s protests. Russia says it has assurances that the plutonium will only be used for the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, which is being built by a Russian company, but the US says that spent uranium could be...

Kasparov Won't Run for Russian Prez
Kasparov
Won't Run for Russian Prez

Kasparov Won't Run for Russian Prez

Gov't foiled opposition's nominating meetings

(Newser) - Former chess champ and Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov won't be running for president this March, but not for lack of trying: Other Russia, his political party, was unable to book a Moscow conference hall due to government pressure on landlords, said his spokeswoman. Today is the last day Russian...

Putin Names Favored Successor
Putin Names Favored Successor

Putin Names Favored Successor

Business-friendly Medvedev would 'carry on the course'

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin ended months of speculation today by naming Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as his chosen successor, the AP reports. A Putin loyalist, Medvedev is a business-friendly lawyer with ties to prominent natural gas company Gazprom, AP reports. Putin’s choice is expected to be the prohibitive frontrunner in...

Russian Claims He Was Asked to Kill Litvinenko

Warned victim of plot before tea poisoning

(Newser) - Onetime KGB agent Mikhail Trepashkin has said that a former colleague attempted to recruit him for a state-sponsored plot to kill Kremlin foe Alexander Litvinenko, who died of poisoning in London last year. Trepashkin will detail his allegations before the European human rights court, supporting the case that the Russian...

10 Firms Destined to Be Global Giants

Mexico, Brazil, India home to booming companies

(Newser) - American companies should sleep with one eye open: These firms may not be familiar right now, but they're poised to "reshape global industries," the Boston Consulting Group says. CNN lists 10 standouts, based on BCG's 2008 Global Challengers report.
  1. Johnson Electric (China): Produces small motors designed for cars
...

Observers Cry Foul Over Putin Victory

Monitors say gov't tampered with polls Kasparov calls 'dirtiest'

(Newser) - Even as Vladimir Putin hailed his party's decisive victory in Russian elections yesterday as a mandate, international elections observers said the polling was neither free nor fair, and complained of government interference. State employees were reportedly ordered to vote for Putin, CNN reports, and Garry Kasparov’s Other Russia party...

Foreign Adoptions Down 15%
Foreign Adoptions
Down 15%

Foreign Adoptions Down 15%

US families adopt fewer kids abroad due to strict new policies

(Newser) - US adoptions from abroad have sunk for the third straight year, mostly because China and Russia have tougher policies, AP reports. A drop in adoptions from Haiti and South Korea have also added to the 15% decline since 2004. But a spike in adoptions from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Vietnam have...

Gorbachev Goes Easy on Putin, for Now

Ex-leader defends prez, even as Kremlin rolls back democracy

(Newser) - Gorbachev remains pals with Putin, even as the Russian prez pares back reforms that Gorbachev holds dear, the Wall Street Journal reports. The former leader reserves his blame for the Kremlin, and spares Putin, calling him "a very normal person"—even after Moscow shut down Gorbachev's political party...

Rich Ruskies Buy Back Their Heritage

Billionaires snapping up art that left the country under Soviets

(Newser) - The super-rich of the new capitalist Russia are busy buying back a treasure trove of Russian art, much of it bought up on the cheap by foreign collectors after the 1917 revolution. This week, a throng of Russian billionaires walked away with most of the good stuff from a series...

Blake Mentally Tough in Davis Cup Win
Blake Mentally Tough in
Davis Cup Win

Blake Mentally Tough in Davis Cup Win

United States one victory away from first title in 12 years

(Newser) - James Blake got past his reputation for failing in big situations, in part by avoiding the fifth set today. The No. 2 American player defeated Russia's Mikhail Youzhny to give his nation a commanding 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup Final, reports the Oregonian. Fellow American Andy Roddick won in...

Freed Kasparov Sounds Alarm on Coming Russian Chaos

Putin leading us to danger: chess champ

(Newser) - Chess legend Garry Kasparov walked out of prison after serving five days for leading a protest march and warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin was leading the nation down a dangerous path to chaos, the New York Times reports. He vowed to continue his fight against Putin's repressive policies. Fear...

VW Opens Russian Factory
VW Opens Russian Factory

VW Opens Russian Factory

Auto maker may find stiff competition already there

(Newser) - Volkswagen is attempting to break in to the Russian auto market by opening a major factory in the town of Kaluga, 100 miles southwest of Moscow. They are not alone: Der Speigel reports that Volvo and Renault already produce cars there, and GM, Ford and BMW have all grabbed substantial...

Russia Rips US Missile Defense Offer
Russia Rips
US Missile
Defense Offer

Russia Rips US Missile Defense Offer

White House proposal is still 'unilateral,' says defense minister

(Newser) - American and Russian plans to collaborate on a missile defense program suffered another blow today as Russia's foreign minister blasted American offers as "a significant rollback" from earlier promises. US proposals amounted to a "unilateral" American effort that would seek help and information from Russia, and no more,...

Russian Crackdown Draws Fire
Russian Crackdown Draws Fire

Russian Crackdown Draws Fire

US, Council of Europe condemn police violence and arrests of opposition leaders

(Newser) - Authorities detained Russian opposition leaders yesterday and broke up a St. Petersburg rally and march in the second day of aggressive crackdowns on dissent, the Washington Post reports. Several candidates in Sunday's parliamentary elections were among the 200 held. "They have forbidden us from discussing Putin," one candidate...

Iran Warns Against UN Sanctions
Iran Warns Against UN Sanctions

Iran Warns Against UN Sanctions

US, Europe allies call for penalties after inspectors' report

(Newser) - Iran warned today that UN sanctions might bring a halt to its cooperation with nuclear inspectors, Reuters reports. The warning comes a day after Britain, France, and Germany joined the US in calling for such sanctions because a report by international inspectors gave Tehran mixed marks on its openness. "...

Putin Rips West's 'Dirty Tricks'
Putin Rips West's 'Dirty Tricks'

Putin Rips West's 'Dirty Tricks'

Accuses foreign governments of funding rival parties

(Newser) - Russian President Vladimir Putin told a crowd of cheering supporters that opponents of his United Russia party are in the pay of foreign governments bent on weakening the nation, reports the Times of London. He ripped opponents as "jackals" who "slink through foreign embassies" and learn from "...

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