Gay Protesters Blocked

Moscow police on Wednesday blocked gay rights activists from holding a demonstration and detained two of them, despite the protest being authorized by city authorities.

The two dozen activists aimed to hold the protest at the EU's representative office to demand a visa ban on Mayor Yury Luzhkov, who has banned gay rights parades. Although the demonstration had been sanctioned, police said they blocked it because it would interfere with construction taking place nearby. (AP)

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Kasyanov Plans Party

Former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov plans to create a new political party this fall, Interfax said Wednesday.

Kasyanov, who has declared his intention to run for president next year, said he would form the party with allies from his political movement, the Russian People's Democratic Union. The party will be called People for Democracy and Justice. (MT)

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For the Record

Rescuers recovered the bodies of two missing miners Wednesday after a blast at the Komsomolskaya coal mine, bringing the death toll to 10. (Reuters)

The Russian military completed its withdrawal Wednesday from Akhalkalaki, one of two remaining military bases in Georgia. (AP)