Activists to hold rally as opposition candidates are excluded from city legislature vote

While United Russia party has fallen from popularity, barriers keep rivals from election

Head of the Duma’s international affairs committee says Poland could pay a terrible price if its territory is used to attack Russia

Intense speculation abounds of a successor and how to manage an orderly transition

Russia’s leader offers concessions but warns the plans are needed to protect the economy

Washington has announced punitive measures in response to Sergei Skripal poisoning

Warmer ties between communist allies develop as US trade war heats up

Two people hospitalised following exposure to ‘unknown substance’ in Salisbury

Satire an effort ‘to breed bad blood into social harmony reached in Russian society’ – official

Ex-taoiseach Bertie Ahern participated in delegation but not in meetings about Crimea

Senator Suleiman Kerimov questioned on alleged laundering of funds from tax fraud

More than 90% of city's local council seats are held by a pro-Kremlin party

Russia’s opposition leader gathers admirers at home but he may be no friend of the west

‘Pilgrimage’ and 'Punisher' star Jon Bernthal on how he got his life back on track, and shooting in Ireland, 'the most beautiful place in Earth'

US president uses speech in Poland to appeal for Western unity in the face of ‘dire threats’

Frankie goes to Hollywood while Oireachtas’ golfers made to feel special in Killarney

Legislation reduces battery of relative to civil offence if victim suffered to serious harm

Criminal liability for battery on family members which does not cause bodily harm eliminated

Decriminalisation of some offences a licence for violent behaviour, opponents claim

St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg had been a secular museum since fall of USSR

Ultra-conservative MP says it is ridiculous to brand people as criminals for ‘a slap’

Firm with Dublin address claimed to have central role in attempt to seize Russian assets

Politicians around the world react to the election of new US president

Builders, sportsmen, bankers, solicitors, accountants listed in leaked files

Exiled in London as a consultant, Putin’s foe died after drinking a cup of spiked tea

Son and husband of Riham Dawabsha (26) also died after July arson attack in Duma

Clashes follow death of Palestinian baby in arson attack

Denied he was at ‘forefront’ of efforts to ensure Mr Bailey was charged with murder

Central bank on Wednesday unveiled a package of measures to support financial institutions

Tsar Nicholas II refused to believe his forceful German cousin would back the Austrians after the death of Franz Ferdinand and his wife

EU imposes asset freezes and travel bans on 15 more Russians and Ukrainians

For 20 years, Kremlin’s firebrand has got away with rabid, verbal attacks - this time he appears to have gone too far

Just one deputy in State Duma opposes annexation with ratification of move likely tomorrow

Proposal by party colleague of Putin cites discredited study by US sociologist

Few in attacked suburbs surprised by apparent use of chemical weapons

Kremlin still has no intention of turning Snowden over to US or impeding his travel