Russian Cult Threatens Mass Suicide in Cave
THE TELEGRAPH: Around 30 members of a Russian cult have shut themselves inside a remote cave to await the end of the world and are threatening to commit suicide if police intervene, officials and media said today.

"They have covered the entrance and refuse to come out and are threatening to blow themselves up," an official in the local prosecutor's office said by telephone.

"They threaten to detonate a gas tank and blow themselves up." Russian cult threatens mass suicide in cave (more)

Mark Alexander

A Good Tough Stance Taken on Russia and Its Antics by Gordon Brown and His Government. Now a Similar Tough Stance Needs to Be Taken on the Antics of the Muslim World
THE GUARDIAN: Moscow vows retaliation after four agents thrown out over Litvinenko case

The British government was last night bracing itself for an inevitable diplomatic backlash after expelling four Russian intelligence officers in protest at the Kremlin's refusal to hand over the prime suspect in the polonium-210 poisoning affair.

In an attempt to underline the government's anger and alarm over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, the Foreign Office announced it was ceasing cooperation with Moscow on a range of issues, starting with the imposition of restrictions on visas issued to Russian officials seeking to visit the UK.

All four individuals being expelled are officers with one of the successor organisations to the KGB, a clear signal that British authorities strongly suspect that Russian intelligence agencies had a hand in the murder. David Miliband, the foreign secretary, told the Commons yesterday: "This response is proportional and it is clear at whom it is aimed."

Last night Gordon Brown, arriving for talks in Germany, said Britain wanted a constructive relationship with Russia, but added: "When a murder is committed on British soil, action has to be taken." Cold war diplomacy is back as UK expels spies (more) By Luke Harding in Moscow, Ian Cobain and Julian Borger

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UK warned over expulsions

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
German Economy Attracts Moscow Money By Anselm Waldermann

Mark Alexander

Putin Threatens the UK with "Serious Consequences" for Expelling Four Russian Diplomats in the Litvinenko Affair
BBC: The UK is to expel four Russian diplomats in response to Moscow's refusal to extradite the prime suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband also said co-operation with Russia on a range of issues was under review.

Prosecutors want Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer, to face trial in the UK. He denies involvement.

Moscow condemned the UK's position as "immoral" and said the expulsions would have "serious consequences". UK expels four Russian diplomats (more)

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UK expels Russian diplomats

Mark Alexander