Russian opposition refused permission for rally

MOSCOW (AP) — The Moscow city government on Thursday said it will not allow a rally marking the anti-Putin protest movement’s first anniversary, but opposition leaders said they intend to defy the ban and take to the streets this weekend.

The decisions indicate a sharp change in tactics on both sides after a year of largely peaceful demonstrations that in some cases drew more than 100,000 people to protest Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency. Saturday’s protest is likely to draw far fewer people and to be dispersed by riot police.