Aleksei Navalny

RFE/RL - Thousands of anti-Kremlin demonstrators have taken to the streets in Russia to protest the government's plan to raise the retirement age in rallies coinciding with regional and local elections nationwide, triggering tense confrontations with police and resulting in hundreds of detentions, according to a rights-monitoring group.

Russian authorities blocked on Thursday three websites and a blog that had connections with the opposition.

The country's General Prosecutor ordered the sites because they had encouraged "illegal activities and participation in public events held in violation of the established order," The New York Times has quoted Russian officials as saying.

CPJ condemns blocking of news websites in Russia

NEW YORK -- The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the blocking today of independent and pro-opposition news websites in Russia.

Those include Ezhednevny Zhurnal, Grani, Kasparov, and the website of the liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy, said a statement.