Corey Flintoff http://wyso.org en Gerard Depardieu To Star In Two Chechnya-Based Films http://wyso.org/post/gerard-depardieu-star-two-chechnya-based-films Actor Gerard Depardieu is reportedly set to begin filming a new thriller with British actress-model Elizabeth Hurley, to be set in Moscow and Grozny, the capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya.<p>Depardieu accepted Russian citizenship in a <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/01/03/168534829/putin-grants-french-actor-depardieu-russian-citizenship">special dispensation</a> from President Vladimir Putin last January, after the actor denounced a proposed <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/12/27/168143152/gerard-depardieus-tax-flight-stirs-fierce-debate-in-france">new tax on the ri Thu, 16 May 2013 22:32:00 +0000 Corey Flintoff 33310 at http://wyso.org Gerard Depardieu To Star In Two Chechnya-Based Films Investigating The Boston Bombing ... In Southern Russia http://wyso.org/post/investigating-boston-bombing-southern-russia The search for the motivations of the alleged Boston Marathon bombers stretches from New England to Central Asia, but a lot of attention has been focused on Dagestan.<p>The mostly Muslim republic is located in the southernmost part of Russia, and it's been the battleground in a low-level insurgency that takes lives nearly every day.<p>One of the suspects, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, traveled to Dagestan twice in recent years, and investigators want to know whether that experience led him toward a radical and violent form of Islam.<p>Tamerlan Tsarnaev's parents and other relatives lived in the republic' Wed, 01 May 2013 07:18:00 +0000 Corey Flintoff 32478 at http://wyso.org Investigating The Boston Bombing ... In Southern Russia Suspects' Chechen Roots Draws Eyes In Russia http://wyso.org/post/suspects-chechen-roots-draws-eyes-russia The Boston Marathon bombing suspects are <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/19/177942712/about-the-brothers-suspected-in-boston-marathon-bombing">ethnic Chechens</a> with links to the volatile North Caucasus region of Russia. Moscow's reaction to that fact appears to be as complex as the region's turbulent history.<p>So far, official reaction to the story has been muted. State-run news media show clips of President Vladimir Putin condemning the bombings and offering condolences to the people of Boston. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:37:00 +0000 Corey Flintoff 31947 at http://wyso.org Suspects' Chechen Roots Draws Eyes In Russia Retaliating Against U.S., Russia Bars 18 Americans http://wyso.org/post/retaliating-against-us-russia-bars-18-americans Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>Tensions have been increasing between the United States and Russia, and things unraveled even more over the weekend. Russia named 18 Americans who will be barred from entering Russia because of an alleged involvement in human rights violations. Here's NPR's Corey Flintoff.<p>COREY FLINTOFF, BYLINE: The Russian list includes prominent officials from the Bush administration who are accused of advocating torture during the interrogation of terrorism suspects. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000 Corey Flintoff 31696 at http://wyso.org Emigre Artist Sculpted Exquisite Gems Of Russian Folk Life http://wyso.org/post/emigre-artist-sculpted-exquisite-gems-russian-folk-life A team of American researchers is on a treasure hunt for jewels — of both artistic and historic value.<p>This month, researchers from Denver were in Russia to document the work of Vasily Konovalenko, a former ballet set designer turned sculptor, who created scenes from Russian folk life in semiprecious stones.<p>In the 1980s, Konovalenko emigrated from what was then the Soviet Union in search of artistic freedom. Now, his legacy is divided between the U.S. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:02:00 +0000 Corey Flintoff 31265 at http://wyso.org Emigre Artist Sculpted Exquisite Gems Of Russian Folk Life