LOCAL NEWS

TIMING COULDN’T BE WORSE FOR PUTIN

MOSCOW — The poisoning death of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko threatens to damage further the Kremlin’s reputation in the West regardless of who masterminded it and why it was carried out.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for President Vladimir Putin.

Litvinenko, who on his London deathbed accused the president of poisoning him, died just hours before Putin met Friday with European leaders in Helsinki for an annual European Union-Russia summit. Putin also faced uncomfortable questions during his last meeting with European leaders at an informal EU summit on Oct. 9, just two days after journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a fierce critic of Putin, was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building.

RADIOACTIVE TRAIL FOLLOWS LITVINENKO

Traces of radiation have been found at several sites in London during investigations into the dramatic radioactive poisoning death of a former FSB agent last week, British interior minister John Reid said on Monday.

Reid told the British Parliament that indications of radiation had been found at “several other premises” in addition to Alexander Litvinenko’s home and at a hotel and restaurant he visited on Nov.

Weight-lifter or Ballet Dancer? Take a Genetic Test

Some human talents, like an ear for music, reveal themselves early while others, such as athletic prowess, can remain hidden forever. It has always been hard to know if a bouncing baby is destined to become a weight-lifter or a figure skater — until now.

Researchers in St. Petersburg say they can take three to five human hairs, scrutinize twelve chosen genes, and in just two days hand over an envelope with the results of what physical talents potential athletes possess.

NATIONAL NEWS

DEADLY POLONIUM MAY HAVE BEEN RUSSIAN

The polonium-210 that doctors believe killed former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko could have come from Russia, but it will be difficult for investigators to pinpoint blame for the death even if the origin of the radioactive substance is determined, nuclear experts said.

WESTERN PRESS ATTACK PUTIN AFTER LITVINENKO DIES

The following is a sample of the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of leading Western newspapers in response to the death of Alexander Litvinenko in London on Thursday.

LOCAL BUSINESS

British Council Chief Imparts Value of Internationalism

With his strong interest in foreign languages and cultures, Stephen Kinnock has always wanted to be involved in international activities. He has already worked in many different countries and, besides English, speaks fluent French, Spanish, Danish and Russian — in May 2005 he was appointed the director of the British Council in Northwest Russia, based in St.

OPINION

Regional Journalists Fight for Press Freedom

By Maria Eismont and Rebecca Hewitt

In recent weeks, the editorial staff of two Siberian newspapers — Berdsky Kuryer from Berdsk in the Novosibirsk region and Gorod KhM in Khanty-Mansiisk — walked out after their owners tried to remove articles about corruption and abuse of power.

The journalists’ decisions to stand by their articles is further evidence that, while the authorities and their opponents squabble over who bears more responsibility for the disappearance of the free press in this country, independent regional newspapers are proving that it is too early to give up hope.

WORLD

HUMPBACK WHALES HAVE ‘HUMAN’ BRAINS

WASHINGTON — Humpback whales have a type of brain cell seen only in humans, the great apes, and other cetaceans such as dolphins, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

This might mean such whales are more intelligent than they have been given credit for, and suggests the basis for complex brains either evolved more than once, or has gone unused by most species of animals, the researchers said.

CHUNDER DOWN UNDER FOR SICK ELTON

SYDNEY — Elton John’s latest Australian tour got off to an inauspicious start when the pop superstar had to leave the stage briefly to be sick, local media reported on Monday.

Zombie Networks Behind Global Surge in Email Spam

LONDON — Criminal gangs using hijacked computers are behind a surge in unwanted emails peddling sex, drugs and stock tips in Britain.

The number of spam messages has tripled since June and now accounts for as many as nine out of 10 emails sent worldwide, according to U.S. email security company Postini.

SPORT

Pressure Grows on Flop Rugby Coach

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON —If the British media is to be believed, Andy Robinson has coached England for the last time and if he does not resign, he will be paid off and asked to leave.

Saturday’s 25-14 defeat by South Africa was England’s eighth loss in nine games and the 13th of Robinson’s 22-game, two-year reign in charge of the world champions.