Russia paroles US student 'spy'
A US student jailed for drugs offences in Russia is expected to be released today after a Voronezh regional court granted parole. John Tobin was serving a one-year sentence for possessing cannabis, but the Russian security service had earlier alleged he was a trainee US spy. Tobin, 24, from Connecticut, was arrested early in 2001 when US-Russian relations were strained.
Demand grows to study in Grozny
The Chechen capital, Grozny, is witnessing a new conflict – between applicants for places at the Chechen State University. “Unprecedented competition” for places is reported, with forecasts that only one out of three applicants will gain a place. The university is, however, a small one by Russian standards. The total number of places available this year is about 1,000.