Russia: Snowden Can Stay 3 More Years

Russia, which is currently less than thrilled with the United States, today extended Edward Snowden's stay on its soil by another three years. Snowden's one-year asylum ran out late last week, and as the AP notes, Snowden's lawyer clarifies that he's been granted residency, not political asylum. Asylum would be decided in a separate proceeding, and it's not clear whether Snowden is seeking it. The three-year residency gives him the freedom to travel abroad, adds the BBC. (Meanwhile, is there a new Snowden in our midst?)