Communists Make Big Gains in Russian Parliament Elections

World News: Reuters reports that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s ruling party lost 77 seats in parliament in an election held on Sunday, according to projections made by the Central Election Commission based on preliminary results. Putin’s United Russia is expected to end up with 238 seats, a slim majority in the 450-member lower house. The party previously held a two-thirds majority allowing it to change the constitution without opposition support. Read more here.