VLADIMIR PUTIN

Forbes Magazine says aggressive foreign policy, a loving public and nearly 15 years in power solidify Putin as the most-powerful person on Earth.

A mining electrician-turned-rebel leader, Alexander Zakharchenko, won over 81 percent of the vote, according to the rebels' exit polls.

You will be feeling extra-refreshed Sunday due to the return of standard time.

Cheaper crude could undermine Russia's and Iran's foreign policy and push oil-dependent economies into recession.

Russian airborne forays into Europe may be seen as aggression -- or they may be a form of diplomatic brinksmanship.

Some critics of Russia question whether its motivation is financial or whether prolonging the wrangling suits Moscow's diplomatic agenda.

NATO aircraft tracked Russian aircraft over the Baltic in what the Western alliance called an unusual burst of activity at a tense time in East-West relations.

Norwegian scientists spotted a Russian submarine that had breached the ice in the Arctic Circle.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said a boycott "will never give any positive effect" in an interview with Russian sports press.

The vote is seen as likely to install a pro-Western parliament and strengthen the president's hand in dealing with separatist rebels.

Russia is sending more troops up north into a thawing Arctic Circle, and one NATO member is already worried.

Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer has asked for more than 2 trillion rubles from the country's National Wealth Fund.

Poland's parliamentary speaker, Radoslaw Sikorski, has been quoted as saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to Poland's then leader in 2008 that they divide Ukraine between themselves.

Miss Ostland 2014, a beauty contest hosted by a pro-Hitler group on VKontakte, was suspended Sunday.

Russia cut off gas supply to Ukraine in mid-June following more than two years of dispute on the price.

European leaders, at a EU-Asia summit, urged Russia to do more to end constant, deadly violations of a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Asia-Europe summit on Thursday in Milan.

The demonstration was another of the activist group's trademark topless protests.

Merkel asked European Union leaders to consider the nervousness in financial markets about signs of a global slowdown.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he will have the "toughest conversation of all" with Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit.

According to reports, Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian troops to withdraw to their permanent bases after exercises near the border with Ukraine.