Venezuela recognizes Georgian separatist regions as independent, a boost to MoscowBARVIKHA, Russia — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave Moscow a boost Thursday by recognizing the independence of two Russian-supported Georgian separatist regions, and President Dmitry Medvedev promised to sell Chavez whatever weapons he wants. Russia’s Medvedev announces plans for religion classes, with ethics available as alternativeBARVIKHA, Russia — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced a pilot project Tuesday that will require schoolchildren to take classes in religion or secular ethics. |