A brief look at the stories making headlines in the Russian-language press

Russia retained the gold medal in the synchronized duet event at the European Swimming Championships on Sunday while Spain and France again took the silver and bronze.

Republican and Democratic senators criticized the Pentagon on Sunday for what one Republican termed a ""systemic failure"" in overseeing the detention of prisoners in Iraq but expressed divided opinions on whether Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should resign in the wake of the scandal over the humiliation of Iraqis and other prison abuses.

A shy German teenager labeled a ""computer freak"" wrought havoc around the world with the Sasser Internet virus he developed at home in a sleepy rural town after being egged on by friends, police said.

Two foreigners, one carrying a Swiss passport, were found dead in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, city police said, apparently after being bludgeoned to death with rocks.

Vladimir Putin has been inaugurated for his second four-year term as president, with the support of the great majority of Russians. In his speech, Putin noted the doubts that his political dominance raises among liberals, with a somewhat disingenuous appeal for an effective opposition.