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NATO hopes Russia, US will reach agreement on missile defense

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Woolwich terror attack

Woolwich terror attack

US devastating tornado

US devastating tornado

Terror attack foiled in Moscow

Terror attack foiled in Moscow

American spy games in Moscow

American spy games in Moscow

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8 April 2012, 10:46 0

A Bride for the Tsar

A Bride for the Tsar

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When you think about today's dating and courtship rituals nothing could be more foreign the concept of a bride-show. This is where potential mates for a groom would be presented one by one to a groom for inspection and then a choice would be made without a word spoken.

When you think about today's dating and courtship rituals nothing could be more foreign the concept of a bride-show. This is where potential mates for a groom would be presented one by one to a groom for inspection and then a choice would be made without a word spoken. But that is precisely how many Russia tsars chose their mates between the 15th to 18th centuries.

The ritual has been researched by Russell Martin, he's a professor of history at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania for his new book “A Bride for the Tsar: Bride-Shows and Marriage Politics in Early Modern Russia.” He joins us now.

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Rob Sachs, Anastasia Fedorova

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Woolwich attack: Terror suspects 'known to security services'

The two terror suspects being held under armed guard at hospitals in London were both known to security services, Government sources say.

Today, 15:39
He’d never attack anyone unprovoked - father of Tsarnaev’s friend

An FBI agent shot Tamerlan Tsarnaev-linked triple murder suspect Ibragim Todashev in Florida, allegedly after the suspect attacked him with a knife. But it is still unclear why before questioning agents haven’t strip-searched him. The Voice of Russia has talked to Abdulabaki Todashev, the father of the late Ibragim Todashev, who was killed by FBI agents investigating his links with Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

Today, 14:23
Woolwich terrorists more closely related to African extremists than thought

According to the UK officials, Woolwich terrorists were ‘lone wolves’ in a sense that it is unlikely that they had any links to terror groups based in Nigeria, such as the jihadist militant organisation Boko Haram. Nonetheless, it seems that the two men who are currently treated in London hospitals can be much more closely related to Boko Haram than the British government assumes.

Today, 16:02

Politics

NATO hopes Russia, US will reach agreement on missile defense

The fact that NATO has no legal obligations in the sphere of missile defense does not mean that agreements reached in this sphere will not be fulfilled, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Dirk Brengelmann said.

Today, 18:32
Woolwich terrorists more closely related to African extremists than thought

According to the UK officials, Woolwich terrorists were ‘lone wolves’ in a sense that it is unlikely that they had any links to terror groups based in Nigeria, such as the jihadist militant organisation Boko Haram. Nonetheless, it seems that the two men who are currently treated in London hospitals can be much more closely related to Boko Haram than the British government assumes.

Today, 16:02
UK media must be weary of describing Woolwich attacks Islamist – expert

In the wake of Woolwich massacre Voice of Russia’s Tim Ecott spoke to terrorism expert Raffaello Pantucci, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, UK, who has shared his thoughts on the incident and on those who stand behind it.

Today, 15:56

World

Oklahoma tornado: if only they had more shelters

“We could have had less victims if we had had more shelters”, residents of the tornado-devastated town of Moore in Oklahoma told the authorities after the disaster left at least 24 people dead on May 20.

Today, 18:48
Woolwich terrorists are Tsarnaev brothers' “copycats”

While it seems that Boston Marathon bombings and Woolwich massacre are two completely unrelated and incomparable acts of terror, closer analysis reveals that there are many more similarities between the four terrorists than it is usually thought. Not only both attacks were perpetrated by Muslim ‘lonely wolves’ in their mid-20s, but they were also carried out with the same intent: as retributions to the West.

Today, 18:01
France to buy American next generation drones

France has decided to buy American drones of the Predator family. Today, Americans have started a new age by creating a next-generation unmanned aerial system (UAS) to be used in offensive operations. These aircraft are capable of staying in the air for an unlimited amount of time by getting refueled at stratospheric altitudes. The unmanned nature of the drone also allows it to perform such aerobatics at supercritical angles of attack, which are simply not accessible to a human being.

Today, 17:49

Russia

Moscow’s eyes on Russian citizen detained in Lithuania

Moscow and its diplomats in Lithuania are keeping track of the situation with a Russian citizen recently detained in Vilnius. The local security services have arrested Dmitry Ustinov at the request of the US Justice Department, which suspects him of smuggling export-restricted military equipment and money laundering. Ustinov can face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

Today, 18:42
Slav culture festival embraces new format

A festival of Slav culture in Russia to be held on May 24th will feature a total of 200 events which will take place in 70 regions all over the country. The Festival of Slav Culture honors brothers Cyril and Methodius, the founders of the Slavonic alphabet and Christian missionaries, who are venerated as saints with the title “equal-to-apostles”. As before, Moscow will be the focus of the celebrations. The Voice of Russia’s Yelena Andrusenko reports.

Today, 17:16
CFE Treaty mechanism is dead - Russian Defense Ministry

Russia will not go back to the CFE Treaty, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.

Today, 17:10

Economy

Ford to close Australia auto plants

Ford Motor Co (F.N) announced it is closing its two Australian auto plants and will cease production in the country in October 2016.

Today, 9:29
Ukraine OKs bid for Customs Union Observer Status

The Ukrainian government on Wednesday approved a memorandum applying for observer status in the Customs Union, a Moscow-based trade bloc comprising Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said.

Today, 3:10
EU close to agreement to relax bank secrecy – Van Rompuy

This year is likely to bring a draft agreement, first proposed in 2008, for the EU countries to share information about interest accrued on deposits held in banks.

Today, 0:55

Reality Check

US Government cracks down on Bitcoin

Bitcoin, the digital cryptocurrency, is starting to attract the attention of the US government. It seems that the American authorities would like to destroy the digital currency before it could become a widespread alternative to the US dollar.

21 May, 19:56
England Debates Same-Sex Marriage Bill

David Cameron's woes are continuing this week with plans to legalize same-sex marriage to be debated in Parliament today and tomorrow. The issue is hugely divisive, not least within the Tory Party which seems to have been in open rebellion in the last couple of weeks over everything from the E.U. to the next election. And on Sunday 34 current and former local party chairmen delivered a letter to Downing Street opposing the policy as "flawed, un-Conservative and costing us dearly in votes and membership". Gay marriage is causing a heated row across the political and public spheres.

21 May, 13:18
Deer rode on public bus in Pennsylvania

A white-tailed deer crashed through the windshield of a public bus in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It was filmed by a surveillance camera. (VIDEO)

16 May, 17:43

Society

1.1 million people unwittingly 'liked' far-right EDL on Facebook

Far-right English Defense League (EDL) has manifested its presence online through various, often covert, means to harness anger among the British people. This time, ELD leadership used Woolwich massacre to attract Facebook users to their internet page.

Today, 18:47
19 killed in attack on Niger base, hostages seized - minister

Eighteen soldiers and a civilian were killed in a car bomb attack on a military base in Niger on Thursday, the interior minister said, adding that one of the assailants had taken several trainee officers hostage.

Today, 16:46
Turkey denies ‘honorary consul’ status of killed Chechen businessman

The Turkish foreign ministry has denied reports that the murdered Chechen businessman Medet Ünlü was Chechnya’s honorary consul in Turkey.

Today, 15:37

Video

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Woolwich killing sparks mass rightist protests

Today, 16:40
200 Years of Richard Wagner

Yesterday, 20:02
Over 20,000 people celebrated World Goth Day in Leipzig

Yesterday, 18:51

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