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Vladimir Putin's rule since his inauguration, as investigators summoned several key opposition figures for questioning in an apparent bid to defuse the rally just hours its start.
• The interrogation session would make it hard, if not impossible, for activist leaders to appear at the rally, and it follows searches of their apartments Monday widely described as a crude attempt by the government to derail the protest.
• Leftist politician Sergei Udaltsov snubbed the summons, saying on Twitter that he considers it his duty to lead the protest as one of its organizers. He may now be arrested.
• Also called for interrogation were anti-corruption blogger Alexai Navaly, liberal activist Ilya Yashin and TV host Ksenia Sobchak.
• Braving a brief thunderstorm, protesters showed up on the iconic Pushkin Square ahead of the planned march and their number grew as they began marching down a tree-lined boulevard to an avenue where the rally is to be held.
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• CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez sang, danced and gave a marathon speech at the launch of his re-election bid, offering a preview of a campaign in which he is likely to push his limits trying to show Venezuelans he is emerging from cancer's shadow.
• Chavez appeared tired, bloated and pale when he walked into the National Electoral Council to register his candidacy Monday. But later he exuded energy while singing along with a band playing a folk tune, and he seemed in his element as he delivered a fiery speech that lasted nearly three hours.
• "We're just warming up our engines," Chavez said.
• Then he took a jab at his rival, saying opposition candidate Henrique Capriles would "run out of gasoline."
• The 57-year-old president has limited his recent public appearances after undergoing cancer treatment in Cuba, and he arrived at the elections office riding atop a truck.
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• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Commerce Secretary John Bryson said Monday he will

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