Kerry confirms report that Jews in Ukrainian city told to register

Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed Thursday a report that Jews in one restive Ukrainian city were sent notices telling them to register, a development he called "grotesque." 

Kerry's comments follow a report in Israel's Ynet News that a leaflet was circulating in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, demanding that Jews register -- as well as provide a list of property they own -- or else face deportation and revocation of citizenship. Pro-Russian activists have asserted partial control over some government buildings in that city.

Khodorkovsky freed after pardon

Former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been released from jail following a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, his lawyers say.
Mr Putin signed a decree earlier pardoning Khodorkovsky on the basis of “the principles of humanity”.
The president said on Thursday that the former oil magnate had asked him for clemency because his mother was ill.
Khodorkovsky – in custody for a decade – was jailed for tax evasion and theft after funding opposition parties.

Space failures costs Russia prestige, cash Medvedev

RUSSIAN Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev yesterday said the country was losing prestige and money due to botched space projects after it junked two satellites in the latest launch failure to dog the once-pioneering industry.
The failure of a workhorse Proton rocket after launch on Monday caused the multimillion-dollar loss of Indonesia’s Telkom-3 and Russia’s Express-MD2 satellites, according to Russia’s space agency.