A Rare Backtrack for Putin as His Mandate Crumbles

In a rare move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed away from his support for unpopular new anti-terrorism laws dubbed the "Spring Package." Putin said during a meeting Tuesday night with his party, United Russia, that the laws may need to be "adjusted to not put people in a difficult position." Putin's concession comes as his control over his traditionally consolidated government is increasingly uncertain and the country is in the midst of a two-year election cycle....