Corey Flintoff

NPR has reaction from Russia, China and Brazil on the climate deal reached over the weekend in Paris.

Alexander III's remains have been exhumed for DNA tests to confirm the identities of two grandchildren. Historians say the Russian Orthodox Church wants to reaffirm its ties to the imperial family.

French President Francois Hollande meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The visit is part of Hollande's efforts to create a more effective global coalition to fight ISIS.

President Vladimir Putin has responded angrily to the downing of a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian-Turkish border Tuesday. Turkey said its aircraft shot down the Russian fighter after it violated Turkish airspace — a claim Moscow denies.

Russia has been provisionally suspended by international track and field's governing body. The decision could keep Russian athletes out of next year's Olympic Games in Brazil.

Russia promises a "credible" investigation into Saturday's plane crash over the Sinai peninsula that killed all 224 people on board. Investigators are looking into what could cause the Airbus A321 to disintegrate in flight.

Russia says its commitment there is limited, but some analysts are skeptical and warn Russia may find it increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain its Syrian operation.

Ever since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, Russia has offered a number of explanations — all of which attempt to shift blame away from Russia and its Ukrainian separatist allies.

The conviction of a Ukrainian filmmaker is one of several cases in Russia that have drawn protests from human-rights groups and Western governments, including the U.S.

Kazakhstan lost its bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics to Beijing, but a number of Kazakhs see this as an opportunity, not a loss.