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Tottenham Hotspur Reportedly Considering Arshavin
As Zenit St. Petersburg was saying it hadn't received a satisfactory offer for midfielder Andrei Arshavin and that he would probably remain with the club, English club Tottenham Hotspur was reported to be weighing up bids for both Arshavin and fellow Russia international Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Olympic Soccer Divides
BEIJING - Despite being the world's most popular sport, soccer usually takes a back seat at the Olympics, dwarfed by track and field, swimming and gymnastics.
Federer Out of Rogers After 2nd Round
TORONTO - Top-ranked Roger Federer was knocked out of the Rogers Cup with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 loss to France's Gilles Simon in a second-round match Wednesday night.
In the spotlight
It starts innocently enough. You're at a party and someone gets out a guitar. Two hours later, you've heard the entire repertoire of Zolotoye Koltso and Alexander Rozenbaum, the soundtrack of "Irony of Fate," and numerous songs about how the train conductor isn't in a hurry, there are only nine men to every 10 girls and the coach driver can hold his horses.
Hip Hop Dance
In terms of quantity, hip hop dance is without question a growing phenomenon here in St. Petersburg, with countless dance schools having multiplied throughout the city over the past five years or so.
Big in Japan
Miso // 15 Suvorovsky Prospekt // Tel: 271 5967 // Open daily from 11am to 11pm // Menu in Russian // Lunch for two without alcohol 1,750 rubles ($75) Queries about high quality sushi restaurants in St.
Spiritual images
For anyone interested in the Putin-era resurrection of the Russian Orthodox Church, an exhibition at the Rumyantsev Mansion branch of the Museum of the History of St.
Emo breakdown
In a basement studio in northern Moscow, singer Valentin Ayedonitsky screeches about his broken heart, his asymmetrical bangs flapping with every beat.
China crisis
"We now know" the truth about the Cold War, declared historian John Lewis Gaddis of Yale University in his 1997 book of that title.
Word’s worth
English-speaking readers of Kommersant might have been disconcerted to learn that the new U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation is a bird.
So bad it’s good?
The multi-million dollar revamp of the Mikhailovsky Theater during the past year has included a cascade of new productions, eye-catching appointments to key artistic posts in both its opera and ballet companies, as well a spectacular facelift of its building on Ploshchad Iskusstv (Arts Square) in central St.
Chernov’s choice
First they forbid you to dress as you like, then they forbid you to say what you think and, finally, they forbid you to think altogether.
Pole position
The decadent charm, surreal plot and expressionist score of Karol Szymanowski's philosophical 1926 opera "Krol Roger" (King Roger) captivated the audience at the Mariinsky Theater on July 16 as the work enjoyed its Russian premiere.
Defiant Sudan Leader Visits Darfur
EL GENEINA, Sudan - A smiling Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir pressed ahead with a heavily guarded tour of Darfur on Thursday, with a rally called to defy accusations that he masterminded genocide in the region.
Pakistan Warns U.S.-Indian Deal May Add to Arms Race
VIENNA - Pakistan has warned a deal leading to increased Indian access to nuclear fuel could accelerate the atomic arms race between the rivals, according to a letter obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Disguised War Crimes Fugitive Arrested in Belgrade
BELGRADE - For more than a decade, the world's most-wanted war crimes fugitive displayed a talent for eluding international justice.
Igor Sechin: The Great Arctic Conqueror
The vast oil deposits located in what the Kremlin believes to be an extension of Russia's continental shelf in the Arctic will be distributed solely at the government's discretion, without holding the usual auctions or tenders.
Relaunching the Missile Debate
The debate between the United States and Russia over U.S. plans to deploy a ballistic missile-defense system in Europe is heating up again.
In Brief
Karusel Deal Examined MOSCOW (Bloomberg) - Russia's Anti-Monopoly Service may question X5 Retail Group NV's purchase of superstore chain Karusel, RBC Daily reported, citing Timofei Nizhegorodtsev, head of the service's trade department.
Turkey Warms To Russia
ISTANBUL - Turkey wants to boost cooperation with Russia, its top gas supplier, ending a frosty period marked by differences over the Nabucco pipeline to Europe, an official and analysts said.
AAR Tells Dudley He Is Personally Liable
MOSCOW - BP's billionaire partners in TNK-BP, Russia's third-largest oil producer, have told Chief Executive Officer Robert Dudley to cut spending by about $900 million or "personally" face demands for compensation.
Booming Auto Sales Help Infrastructure
Experts and consultancy agencies are unanimous - Russia is becoming the most important automobile market in the world. The country overtook Germany as Europe's biggest auto market in the first half of this year as sales rose 41 percent to 1.
Khristenko Pulls Out of Talks With Finns On Timber Laws
MOSCOW - Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko has canceled a planned meeting with Finnish officials this weekend intended to ease tensions over Russian timber duties and cross-border transportation problems, the Finnish government said Wednesday.
Rumored Lenta Bidders Play Cards Close to Chest
The owners of the St. Petersburg-based hypermarket chain Lenta will sell an 89-percent stake that includes all of the shareholders' shares except for those held by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
3 Sentenced for Fire in Strip Club
MOSCOW - Three men were found guilty Wednesday in the deaths of 10 people in a fire at the 911 VIP strip club in Moscow in March 2007.
The St. Petersburg Times
Issue #1393 (57), Friday, July 25, 2008
NBA stars give master class to Muscovites
Between warm-up basketball tournaments for the men's and women's Olympic teams, there was something for ordinary people in Moscow as well. The Adidas 5 on 5 tournament took place at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Orthodox leader says ‘no’ to Ukrainian split
The most senior figure in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, has refused to give his blessing for the creation of a National Church in Ukraine. He said unity was “more important than any political aims”. The statement was made in Kiev at celebrations for the 1020th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Sporting kids win chance to see Olympics live
A presentation of the Olympic Friendship Children's Forum has taken place in Moscow. Backed by UNESCO and the Russian Olympic Committee, it lets kids from all over the world communicate and see the Olympics with their own eyes.
Pirates seize sailors in Nigeria
Five sailors from Russia and Ukraine are being held hostage by militants in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta region, according to reports. The crewmen are thought to have been abducted by gunmen who boarded the Swedish tugboat on Thursday.
Karadzic’s arrest sparks protests
Thousands have protested in Serb towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina against the arrest of Radovan Karadzic. Many were carrying Serbian flags and wearing T-shirts praising him as a hero. In Pale, demonstrators lit candles and said prayers. The wartime leader is expected to be extradited next week to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Visa-less TNK-BP chief called for questioning
Russian prosecutors have summoned TNK-BP boss, Robert Dudley, to answer allegations of labour law violations at the Russo-British oil company. However, the American CEO has already left the country because his visa has expired. A representative will appear on his behalf.
‘Impeach Bush for lying about Iraq’
A new move to impeach George W. Bush over the war in Iraq is gaining momentum in the United States. Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich claims the President lied to the American people when making the case for war in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Deadline passes for Karadzic appeal
The deadline has expired for wartime Bosnian-Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to appeal against his extradition to The Hague. His lawyer said he posted the appeal at the last minute as a delaying tactic. He predicted Karadzic would not be transferred to the Netherlands until Wednesday.
The best of Russia Close-up: walk on the wild side in Tver region
The Tver region, located between Moscow and St. Petersburg, brings you to unchartered wilderness. What can tourists expect from a visit there? If you’re passing through this area, you really can walk on the wild side.
Russian ambassador: UN chief exceeding his authority
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is exceeding his authority and making decisions beyond the UN mandate, said Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin. Ban Ki-moon said the organisation is no longer able to control Kosovo effectively and wants a 2,000 strong EU force to step in.
Karadzic’s judges appointed
The Chairman of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Fausto Pocar, has named the three judges who'll oversee the trial of Radovan Karadzic on war crimes charges. They are Alphons Orie (presiding judge), Christine Van Den Wyngaert and Bakone Moloto.
Terror at 29,000 feet
A Qantas Airways jumbo jet en route to Australia from London via Hong Kong has been forced to make an emergency landing in Manila after a hole the size of a small car was torn in the underside of the aircraft.
Sochi Olympic construction sparks housing problems
The Russian government is planning to spend $US 12 billion on developing Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. But amid the huge construction the city is undergoing, there are massive protests from locals unhappy at being relocated because of the Games.
Orthodox Christians get back to their roots
Russia's Orthodox believers are celebrating the country’s conversion to Christianity 1,020 years ago. On Saturday Russia's Patriarch Aleksy II is to join the festivities in Kiev, which was the former capital of the Slavic state.
Russian MP denied entry to Crimea
Ukraine has reportedly launched a criminal case against a Russian State Duma deputy, accusing him of attempting to disrupt Orthodox Christian celebrations in Kiev. Konstantin Zatulin was denied entry to Ukraine at Simferopol airport in Crimea on Thursday. The Deputy Chairman of the Duma’s CIS Committee and has now been banned from entering Ukraine for a year.
Canadian fashion twins move to dress Moscow
The creators of the Dsquared label, brothers Dean and Dan Caten, have unveiled their latest collection of clothes in Moscow. Although the show lasted only twenty minutes, it was long enough for the Caten brothers to win the hearts of Moscow fashion fans.
Top quality art lures Russian buyers to London despite fears of global slowdown
With the world economy facing troubles, many of Russia's wealthy are investing in high-end art - and rushing to London to pick up masterpieces.
Mechel slumps on Putin criticisms
One of Russia’s leading metallurgical firms, Mechel, lost almost one third of its market value on Thursday after Prime minister Vladimir Putin criticised the miner’s pricing policy.
Putin accused Mechel of selling its raw materials domestically at double the price of its exports, and threatened punitive action against the firm, owned by Russian billionaire Igor Zyuzin.
Big Mac reveals true worth of crashing dollar
The American dollar is overvalued in Russia by as much as 30 per cent, according to the so-called ‘Big Mac index’. The index was developed by The Economist magazine as a way of valuing currencies based on the price of the popular hamburgers around the world. A Big Mac costs $US 2.54 in Russia compared with $US 3.57 in the United States.
Iran snubbed by key trading bloc
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has told Iran it can’t join. The statement was made by the Russian Foreign Minister at the group’s meeting in the Tadjik capital Dushanbe.
Kamaz in talks to sell 42% stake to Daimler
The management of Kamaz, major shareholder, Troika Dialog, and German automaker Daimler, are in talks which could see Daimler take a 42% stake in the Russian truckmaker.
Sberbank Q1 IFRS Profit jumps 16%
Russia’s largest Bank, Sberbank has unveiled a 16% jump in Q1 net profit to $1.33 Billion, up from $1.14 in the same period 2007.
Pilgrims flock to Russia's holy shrines
This is the tenth in a series of RT online reports on Christianity in Russia, from its arrival more than 1,000 years ago to the present day…
Prime minister Putin calls for pipemaking industry to move to new technological level
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has proposed solutions for holding down prices on the domestic black metals market.During his visit to one of Russia’s oldest metallurgical plants, Putin called for cuts in import duties, and investment in new technology.
RT presents: Moscow Out
Our roving reporter Ekaterina Gracheva hands you Ariadne’s thread to guide you through the labyrinth of pleasures in the city that never sleeps.
Calls for wider intervention in agricultural markets
First deputy prime minister Viktor Zubkov wants the government to introduce price intervention for a wide range of agricultural products. So far the state intervenes to stabilise prices only on the grain market. New measures may cost the government 1 billion dollars this year, and result in a cut in exports.
Russia and the U.S. close to nuclear deal
A U.S. congressional panel has given the green light to civilian nuclear co-operation between the United States and Russia. However a number of lawmakers were against the so-called 123 nuclear agreement, citing concerns that Russia might leak sensitive technology to Iran.
Prime Minister Putin criticises Mechel pricing policy
Prime minister Vladimir Putin has criticised the coal and steel group Mechel's pricing policy. Russia's antimonopoly regulator - the Federal Anti Monopoly Service - has already launched an investigation into the company.
Evraz wins right to develop Mezhegeiskoye coal deposit
Evraz, one of the world's biggest steel and mining companies, has won the right to develop a coal deposit in Siberia.
TNK-BP Chief Robert Dudley leaves Moscow
Russian-British oil company TNK-BP says its head, Robert Dudley, has left Moscow temporarily - but that won't affect its operations.
Building frenzy puts Old Moscow at risk
Important old buildings in central Moscow are being swallowed up in the capital's construction boom. And some monuments located almost at the Kremlin's doorstep are on the verge of becoming history themselves.
The best of Russia Close-Up: Meet the republic that wears a smile
The Republic of Karachaevo-Cherkessia in the Caucasus is one of the most multi-ethnic regions of Russia. It is home to almost eighty different ethnic groups, and each is carefully preserving its traditions. People here are open and friendly, and despite low incomes, they believe hospitality is a matter of honour.
Serbia appeases EU as Karadzic fights extradition
Serbia's new government is to reinstate the ambassadors it withdrew from EU countries that recognised Kosovo’s independence. Belgrade believes the move will speed up its bid to join the European club. The decision follows the arrest of the Bosnian wartime leader Radovan Karadzic. Brussels had warned Serbia that it couldn’t join the EU unless it handed over the war crimes suspect.
Asteroid heading our way
Astronomers are battling to work out the trajectory of an asteroid that will cause havoc if it hits the Earth in 2036. Called Apophis, the giant meteor is hurtling through space at 10km per second. Scientists are warning that an impact would be far more devastating than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the end of WW2.
U.S. missile crew fall asleep on duty
The U.S. Air Force has revealed three ballistic missile launch crew members in North Dakota fell asleep while holding classified launch code devices this month.
Mission Baikal: subs explore world’s deepest lake
An international scientific expedition to explore the mysteries of Lake Baikal is underway in southern Siberia as two mini-submarines, Mir-1 and Mir-2, started test submerging.
Obama calls for world without walls in Berlin speech
U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has called on Europeans and Americans “to tear down the walls” between countries and races, defeat terror, and reduce the nuclear arsenals “from another era”, in his speech before more than 200,000 people in Berlin on Thursday.
Cuba stays silent on ‘new Russian bases’
The former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, has urged his country to take a tough stance with Washington over the possible restoration of Russian military bases on the island. Castro says Cuba must refrain from making apologies or giving explanations and excuses. Russian strategic bombers have not landed in Cuba since Soviet times.
Alien contacts were hushed up
Aliens from outer space have contacted humans on many occasions, but each time it was covered up. That’s according to Edgar Mitchell, who was on board the Apollo 14 mission to the Moon.
Skinhead gang on trial for racial murders
A gang of youths accused of 20 racially motivated murders and 12 other attempted murders have gone on trial at Moscow’s City Court. Aged between 17 and 22, the suspects are accused of looking for targets in the evenings, assaulting those they deemed non-Slavic and recording the attacks on camera.
Tajiks see the light
People living in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, claim to have seen sacred writing in the sky above the city. Witnesses say that following a flash of lightning, the clouds dispersed to reveal the word ‘Allah’.
Hundreds protest against NATO-Ukrainian cooperation
Protesters have disrupted the NATO-Ukrainian Sea Breeze war games in Ukraine. Around 300 people attempted to stop troops taking part in an amphibious landing on the shore of a lake. Protesters threw stones at the servicemen, who fired their weapons into the air.
Ukrainian developer building mall on Holocaust grave
Ukrainian Jews are locked in a dispute with a developer they claim is building on the site of a Holocaust mass grave. Odessa's Chief Rabbi has called on Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to intervene.
Russia starved of top professionals
Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has called for the re-vamping of the country's human resources industry, which he says has needed restructuring since the fall of the Soviet Union. He said it’s necessary to create “an integrated system for the reproduction and renovation of the professional elite in our country."
Prove I’m a crook, taunts U.S. lawmaker
U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel is to file a complaint to the House ethics committee against himself. It follows media accusations that he misused his office.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate closed for Obama
U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has arrived in Berlin, the first stop on the European leg of his international tour. Obama had wanted to speak in front of the Brandenburg Gate, the site of famous speeches by John F. Kennedy in 1962, and Ronald Reagan in 1987. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly protested claiming the site was reserved for elected presidents.
Welsh Manics preach to Moscow’s converted
Accomplished Welsh rock band, the Manic Street Preachers, set Moscow’s B1 club alight on Wednesday with a spread of tracks from across their 20-year career. It was the group’s first Moscow gig and part of their follow-up tour after releasing last year's album “Send Away The Tigers”.
Germany adds new twist to Litvinenko case?
German police have passed documents relating to the murder of former Russian security officer Aleksandr Litvinenko to Russian authorities. The documents are now being translated and will be examined and used in the investigation.
Court orders Latvia to compensate war veteran
A Russian WW2 veteran convicted and imprisoned for genocide by a court in Riga has won a rights case against Latvia in the European Court of Human Rights. The court has ordered Latvia to pay Vasily Kononov 30,000 euros in compensation. The 85-year-old sued Latvia for five million euros for jailing him illegally.
Football: Zenit struggle for form in Russian League
Russian Champions and UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg missed their chance to close the gap on the Premiers League’s leading pack on Wednesday.
TNK-BP on track for best year in its history
Oil major TNK-BP's performance in 2008 could be the best in the history of the company. But the on-going dispute among its shareholders - Britain's BP and a group of Russian billionaires - may have a negative impact on 2009 results - according to Tim Summers, the company’s chief operating officer.
World’s fastest submarine goes under
The legendary Russian K-222 nuclear submarine – known as Papa in the West – is being scrapped. Dubbed ‘Golden Fish’ by Russian sailors because of the colour of its titanium alloy hull, it has been the world’s fastest underwater vessel for almost 40 years.
France hit by another radiation leak
An accident at a nuclear power station in southern France has exposed 100 staff to a low dose of radiation. The accident happened during routine maintenance work at the plant in Tricastin. It’s France’s fourth atomic accident in recent weeks.
Kiev bans posters of Russian Patriarch
The mayor’s office in Kiev has banned posters of Patriarch Aleksy II, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, from appearing on the streets of the Ukrainian capital. The ruling was made just days before he travels to Kiev to celebrate the anniversary of the city’s Christianisation.
Ukraine expecting final price agreement on gas within a month
Ukraine expects to reach an agreement with Russia on its price for imported gas within a month, according to president Viktor Yushchenko.
Prokhorov's Intergeo sets itself to become global metals player
Mikhail Prokhorov's Onexim Group is setting up a new company - MMC Intergeo - with a core of geological exploration assets, acquired from Interros as part of an asset split with KM Invest.
State Banks boom though credit crunch
Russia’s VTB bank has increased its share of the retail credit market by 2 percent despite global financial instability. Banks are finding it harder to raise money on the international debt markets - and that's giving an advantage to banks with state connections.
Luxury apartment market continues boom as wealthy invest in bricks and mortar
Right now, Russia’s most expensive flat costs 22mln dollars. But that will soon be eclipsed by Moscow's latest luxury development. Exerts say, demand for luxury apartments far exceeds supply. And there are enough buyers ready to pay more than a hundred thousand dollars per square meter.
Cheating dad gives tennis girl an earful
An eight-year-old tennis player from Ukraine was disqualified from the Canterbury Junior Winter Tournament in New Zealand after referees noticed she was wearing an earpiece concealed under her hair. Local Kiwi newspaper The Press reports that Anastasia Korzh’s father was helping her through a transmitter from the sideline.
Stroytransgaz signs up for UAE pipeline construction project
Russia's Stroytransgaz has signed a $400 million dollar contract for construction of a gas pipeline in the United Arab Emirates.
Friends again: how the Orthodox Church healed a split
This is the ninth in a series of RT online reports on Christianity in Russia, from its arrival more than 1,000 years ago to the present day…
Russian shareholders in TNK-BP threaten action against CEO
The billionaire Russian shareholders in oil major TNK-BP are threatening to seek damages of hundreds of millions of dollars against the firm's CEO, Robert Dudley, according to a report in Britain's Daily Telegraph.
Obama is ‘slave’ to his own popularity
With temperatures rising in the Big Apple, so too is the popularity of presidential hopeful Barack Obama. From posters to clothing, Obama the politician is becoming Obama the brand. And it's not just his supporters who are trading on his name.
Abramovich keeps foothold in Russian politics
The former governor of Chukotka and billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, is to stay in Russian politics. The tycoon has agreed to run for the Chukotka duma – a move which could see him lead the region’s parliament.
Chavez dismisses multi billion dollar arms deal
Hugo Chavez has played down reports that Venezuela is spending $US 30 billion on Russian military equipment. The Venezuelan President told journalists in Moscow he had no idea where the figure came from.
Foreigners fleeced as Moscow tops cost-of-living table
Russia's capital has once again been rated the world's most expensive city for expats. In the race to empty foreigners' pockets, Moscow is way ahead of both Tokyo and London.
President Medvedev calls for National Talent database
Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, has called for a national talent list to combat a shortage of managers.
Russia to increase export duties on scrap steel exports
The Russian government plans to raise export tariffs for steel scrap to 130 euros per ton. It's a measure to prevent a potential deficit, as domestic steel makers build more plants to run on scrap.
Venezuela interested in Gazprom jointly developing its gas fields
Venezuela has expressed interest in Gazprom's participation in the development of several giant offshore gas fields, and the construction of an LNG plant in the South American country. That's according to a Gazprom press release.
Russian buyout of Adam Aircraft adds wings to the light business jet sector
Russia is expanding its presence in the very light business jet market. Industrial Investors and Kaskol Holding have bought an American business jet builder. It means Russia's air taxi leader could be flying its own jets.
The best of Russia Close-Up: Unravelling the mystery of Baikal’s largest island
Baikal, the world's largest and oldest lake, was recently voted one of Russia’s seven wonders. It lies in Southern Siberia, between the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. Known as the ‘Blue eye of Siberia’, Baikal contains more water than all the North American Great Lakes put together. The Island of Olkhon is the largest on Lake Baikal.
Karadzic plans to defend himself in The Hague
The wartime leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karadzic, will defend himself at The Hague Tribunal, according to Karadzic's lawyers. Meanwhile, Russia says it hopes the trial will be objective and free of politics.
Chavez: Russia and Venezuela unite as oil & gas giants
Russia and Venezuela have made a giant leap in co-operation in the oil and gas industries, said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in summing up the results of his two-day visit to Moscow. He also commented on Venezuela’s relations with the U.S. and Europe and the militarisation of Latin America.
Chavez talks oil and guns in Belarus
The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has visited Minsk where he held talks with his Belarusian counterpart, Aleksandr Lukashenko. The two leaders discussed the establishment of closer energy and business ties, including building oil and gas pipelines in Venezuela and joint military projects.
Soaring food prices on menu at ASEAN summit
The rising cost of basic food products has been the focus of this year’s ASEAN summit in Singapore. The Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has been representing Russia at the meeting. High oil prices and North Korea’s nuclear disarmament were also discussed.
African desert to save Europe from energy crisis
Converting the Sahara desert into a giant solar panel farm could be the key to making Europe greener and less dependent on oil and gas. The mega power plant a little smaller then Wales can cover the continent’s need for electricity, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.
‘Flight plans’ could spark new Cuban missile crisis
An unidentified source in the Russian military says Moscow could be ready to resume strategic bomber flights over the Caribbean. It’s claimed the long-range aircraft could refuel at a Cuban aerodrome. The U.S. military has hinted that such a step would cross its ‘red line’ of defence.
Russian FM: North Korea ready to give up nukes
Russia’s Foreign Minister has described the results of the ASEAN summit as positive. Sergey Lavrov said the road map for co-operation between Russia and the ASEAN bloc until 2015 had been worked out. He also said serious steps towards North Korea’s nuclear disarmament have been made.
New Yorkers get naked to beat the heat
The Big Apple can get very hot and sweaty, particularly in the middle of July. But the residents of New York have never been shy about letting it all hang out. And that’s just what they’re doing this summer. Many are stripping to their birthday suits to cool down and to get closer to nature.
Yukos director could be jailed for life
Prosecutors in the trial of former Yukos oil company executive, Leonid Nevzlin, are demanding he be sentenced to life behind bars.
Russia cleans up after NATO’s ’99 bomb fest
Russia has sent 60 bomb disposal experts to Serbia to help remove explosives dropped by NATO in 1999. The sappers will work in the mine-infested area around the airport at Nish. It was heavily bombed during NATO’s campaign against Serbia in the wake of the Bosnian war.
Russian internet advertising market hots up with Google's Begun buy
Global Internet search engine Google is buying one of Russia's leading Internet advertising service - Begun - from portal Rambler for $140 million dollars. The deal comes at a time when there are doubts about the resilience of the advertising sector as the world economy slows.
How Gorby’s glasnost made a saint of a tsar
This is the eighth in a series of RT online reports on Christianity in Russia, from its arrival more than 1,000 years ago to the present day..
Sharapova is richest woman in sport
Russian tennis ace Maria Sharapova is the world’s highest-earning female celebrity under 25. That’s according to Forbes magazine. With an estimated fortune of $US 26 million, the 21-year-old is also the world’s richest sportswoman.
Russia in top four for GDP growth
Russia will be in the top four of the world’s fastest growing economies this year, according to US broker Merrill Lynch.
Ukraine and Gazprom reach agreement on gas
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko says she has reached an agreement with Gazprom on gas prices.
Gypsy punk knows no boundaries
Gogol Bordello are hard to pigeonhole musically and culturally and appear to have no strings attached. But that’s exactly what audiences around the world love about them, including pop diva Madonna. Fond of their weird and audacious gypsy punk, she’s been a fan for a long time.
RT's Paula Slier reporting from Belgrade
The arrest of war leader Radovan Karadћi? on genocide charges has been causing mixed reaction...
Russian energy majors look to Venezuela
Three Russian energy companies will start exploring oil deposits in Venezuela. The country's president Hugo Chavez is welcoming Gazprom, TNK-BP and Lukoil after foreign players pulled out of the Venezuelan energy sector following its nationalisation.
Global agriculture talks to ‘walk the walk’ as Russia looks on
Russia is attending a crucial meeting of the World Trade Organisation as it struggles to reach agreement on the Doha round of trade talks. Trade ministers from the key member countries are holding talks in Geneva - where Russian representatives have observer status.
Hungry bears threaten to eat scientists
Geologists exploring the north of Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula are refusing to work after dozens of hungry bears surrounded their camp. To make matters worse, an operation to rescue them was called off because of bad weather, leading the scientists to fear for their lives.
Ancient Russian brew is better than cola
The traditional Russian drink, kvas, is making a comeback. Sales of this thirst-quenching, beer-like beverage are soaring this summer after years of decline. Multinationals and small monasteries alike are rushing to cash in on the craze for this classic Russian brew.
Beirut bombshells back with a vengeance
The rush for a perfect body and an eternally young face makes many try to cheat Mother Nature with the help of a squirt and a scalpel. And in Lebanon, despite years of political and economic decline, many women have taken off the veil and flooded cosmetic clinics that are hardly managing to meet the high demand.
Fallen Soviet statue to rise again
It was a Soviet icon from the 1930s, the celebrated ‘Worker and Farm Girl’ statue, which became the unmistakable logo of Russia’s major film studio Mosfilm. Moscow authorities promise the huge sculpture, dismantled in 2003, will be restored to its full glory.
Energy and arms dominate Russia-Venezuela talks
Russian energy majors have signed co-operation agreements with Venezuela's state-owned oil and gas company, PDVSA, during President Hugo Chavez's two-day visit to Moscow. Russia and Venezuela are working towards the formation of a strategic alliance in the energy sector, said Chavez after talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Moreover, Dmitry Medvedev and Hugo Chavez have promised to take personal control over the implementation of key joint oil and gas projects.
Radovan Karadћi? supporters clash with police
Supporters of Bosnian-Serb war crimes suspect, Radovan Karadћi?, have been involved in clashes with police on the streets of the Serbian capital. He was captured near Belgrade after a manhunt which lasted thirteen years and now faces genocide charges at the UN Tribunal in The Hague. Karadћi? has been called the 'Butcher of Bosnia' by the West, but is considered a hero by nationalist Serbs.
Yushchenko testifies in poisoning case
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has spent all of Tuesday at the General Prosecutor’s Office testifying in the case of his own alleged poisoning in 2004. During the presidential campaign of 2004 Viktor Yushchenko suffered a serious decline in his heath.
Karadћi? and the search for justice
After evading capture for over a decade, the Bosnian-Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadћi? is finally in custody. It is expected that he will be sent to the Netherlands to stand trial in front of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Will Karadћi? get a fair trial? Will anyone – those who died and those who survived the break-up of the Yugoslav state - get the justice they deserve? I doubt it.
Yoga mania stretches Moscow
As more and more Russians go east and get interested in Asian cultures, the popularity of yoga grows. Now a festival of yoga called Vedalife has been organised in Moscow. It showcases various aspects of Indian culture, including the lifestyle of yoga gurus.
NASA develops ‘lunar GPS’
The U.S. space agency is funding research into a system to help astronauts navigate the Moon’s surface. The device will allow lunar explorers find their way in a terrain lacking distinctive landmarks.
Moscow swings to an African beat
The concert was named AFRO-Diziac – and it lived up to its title. Superstars from Nigeria, South Africa and Germany got the capital tapping its feet as they ran through their hits for an adoring audience.
Cancer boy ‘weds’ sweetheart before dying
An eight-year-old boy suffering from leukaemia ‘married’ his school sweetheart hours before succumbing to the disease, reports the UK’s Daily Mail. Little Reece Fleming fulfilled a dream by saying ‘I do’ to the love of his life in a mock ceremony before he died.
BP withdrawing technical experts assigned to TNK-BP
BP is withdrawing its remaining 60 technical experts assigned to TNK-BP in Russia. The move comes after complications with work visas since March - which has now seen all 148 experts removed from the country.
Arshavin to stay at St Pete
Premier league champions Zenit Saint Petersburg claim their star man Andrey Arshavin will stay at the club until the end of his contract.
UK art boss learns Russian to attract roubles
The Director of Tate Modern gallery, Sir Nicholas Serota, said he is ‘learning Russian fast’ in the hope that philanthropists from the former Soviet Union will help with the cost of building an extension to the famous museum.
Schoolgirls beat pal in race attack
Two schoolgirls from a town near St. Petersburg are to be put on trial for attacking and injuring a classmate because she was of a different race.
Aggressive atheism in the Soviet era
This is the seventh in a series of RT reports on Christianity in Russia, from its arrival more than 1,000 years ago to the present day. During Soviet times the Orthodox Church endured tough times. But despite the persecution, it managed to survive and preserve its inner spiritual health.
Gazprom's Miller heads to Kiev for gas talks
Gazprom's CEO Aleksey Miller is heading to Kiev to discuss the terms of gas supplies to Ukraine for next year.
UN fails to settle Georgian airspace row
The UN Security Council has failed to come to any conclusions about the incursion into Georgian airspace by Russian military jets earlier this month. The meeting, called by Georgia, was brief, with Russia accusing the Security Council of partiality.
Russia’s richest woman spends up on Moroccan real estate
Elena Baturina, Russia’s richest woman and the wife of Moscow's mayor, is investing half a billion euros into North African real estate.
Sony goes direct to Russian customers
One of the largest Japanese electronics producers, Sony, is changing its distribution model in Russia to direct sales. The company says the Russian market is now big enough to display the company's whole product range.
Sakhalin looking to cash in on fish exports
Fish caught in Russian waters will stay in the country starting from 2009. The idea is to increase the amount of local fish on the market - reducing the need for imports. The move is part of a resolution, signed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which would also crack down on poaching.
However, an exception's been made for Russia's Far East region, where fish stocks are massive.
Capital outflows highlight risk to Russian economy
In the third quarter of 2008, Russia may face an outflow of capital - for the second time this year.The Central bank has forecast an annual inflow of around 40 billion dollars. But experts say Russia will only hit that target if the situation in the global markets stabilizes.
New law protects journalists
Reporters investigating corruption in Russia are to be protected by a new law. Under new legistlation, they'll be able to apply for special protection like court witnesses. The law will come into effect by the beginning of next year.
Russia and Georgia clash at UN
Members of the United Nations Security Council have been unable to reach a decision on the incursion into Georgian airspace by Russian planes in the beginning of July.
Tabloids hound tragic Ronnie and Russian mistress
Ageing Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is still hitting the headlines in the UK over his alleged affair with a Russian teenager.
Bin Laden driver on trial at Guantanamo
The first war crimes trial at Guantanamo Bay has started. Salim Hamdan - who was Osama bin Laden's driver - has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and supporting terrorism. The judge has barred some of the evidence, as it was gained during interrogation of the defendant when he was held at U.S. bases in Afghanistan.
War crimes suspect Karadzic arrested in Serbia
The former leader of the Bosnian Serbs and one of the world’s most wanted men, Radovan Karadzic, has been arrested in Serbia. The Serbian President’s office has confirmed he was arrested by the country’s security service.
Four guilty of selling fake government ID
Four people have been jailed after being found guilty by Moscow's regional military court of selling fake government identification.
The three men and one woman were accused of belonging to a criminal gang and selling counterfeit documents which could be used to impersonate government officials or police officers.
Moscow hits back in row with UK over Zimbabwe sanctions
Moscow is accusing Britain of distorting the facts on Russia's stance over Zimbabwe. It follows criticism by the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, which described Russia’s decision to block sanctions as “incomprehensible”. He also said Russia’s veto had violated prior agreements.
Russia, China settle long-running territorial dispute
Russia will pass over 300 square kilometers of land to China. An additional protocol, describing the line of the eastern part of the Russian-Chinese border, was signed in Beijing on Monday.
Iron Lady’s spin doctor – an adviser to ‘Europe’s last dictator’?
It is a country with an image problem in the West, but mystery surrounds an attempt by Belarus to hire a PR guru who can deliver the headlines it wants. President Aleksandr Lukashenko has met with Margaret Thatcher’s former spin doctor about the issue, but months after initial contact was established, no announcement has been made about any deal.
Sort it out! Putin’s demand over delay to Czech oil deliveries
Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, has ordered the government to look into delays in delivering oil to the Czech Republic, following recent disruptions. The Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Sechin, says the current problems are being caused by offshore intermediary firms.
Skinhead gang stands trial in Moscow
13 skinheads, 12 of them underage, will go on trial in Moscow next Monday. They are charged with two murders and 10 attempted murders. The investigators say they filmed their attacks on non-Russians and later posted videos on the web.
Moscow mayor accuses Ukraine of censorship
Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov has labeled as ‘undemocratic’ the recent detention of a Russian journalist at a Ukrainian airport. A journalist for the Russian channel TVTs was held overnight at Kiev’s Borispol airport and had five tapes confiscated by customs officials.
Hidden war in breakaway republic
While the United Nations Security Council hears arguments from Georgia and Russia about the violation of Georgian airspace, on the territory of the breakaway republic of South Ossetia people die on the streets as a result of shelling, allegedly from over the Georgian border.
Putin to lead Russian fans at Beijing Olympics
Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, will lead the team of Russian fans at the opening of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The news was confirmed by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, during his stay in China.
Speedy glamour: Moscow hosts high-heeled sprint
Moscow’s glamour Queens have donned their high heels, and bounded through the streets in the city’s annual high heels sprint. Girls competed in a "80 meters on heels" race in no less than nine centimetre high shoes.
21st century Noah arks on display
The festival of landscape objects, Archstoyanie, has taken place in the Kaluga region, south-west of Moscow. The event's theme was ‘Noah's Ark’ and designer rafts were in the spotlight.
Rising materials costs push ESPO price tag up
Construction costs for the multi-billion dollar East Siberia - Pacific Ocean pipeline are to rise again with completion of the ambitious project due in December 2009. Speaking to RT, Transneft President Nikolay Tokarev, said the project will add diversity and significant volumes to Russia’s oil exports.
Lebedev spends up on Oger tours
Russian billionaire Aleksandr Lebedev has bought a 76% stake in German tour operator, Oger tours.
Ukrainian opposition blocks NATO warships
Ukraine’s opposition ‘Brotherhood’ party has prevented foreign warships from leaving the Black Sea port of Odessa and participating in a NATO naval exercise.
U.S. found Czechoslovakia and East Germany on the map
The Cold War is part of the heritage of Captive Nations Week which is marked in the U.S. each year since 1959, in the third full week of July. The continued celebration of the week is something of a totem for old cold warriors who believe that the victories of 1989-91 are still sadly unconsummated, says The Economist.
Moscow to host Eurovision 2009
Moscow has been chosen as the host city for the 2009 Eurovision song contest. Several Russian cities fought for the privilege, but the government has decided it will be cheaper to hold it in the capital.
Bolsheviks raze Orthodox Church to the ground
This is the sixth in a series of RT reports on Christianity’s arrival and 1,020-year-long development in Russia. The year 1917 became a major turning point in the history of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church.
1 BLN dollars sometimes not enough to buy a scone
Zimbabwe’s Central Bank has issued a new piece of currency worth 1 BLN local dollars. The note will circulate from Monday.
Abramovich buys Rome restaurant for girlfriend
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has reportedly shelled out 3.5 million euros on a restaurant in Rome’s historic centre for his girlfriend Darya Zhukova. Italian media first reported the purchase, with the reference to the Metropolitan Post.
Heart fails honoured writer
A writer from Chukotka died after winning the top award in a regional literature competition. Nikolay Kalachev’s heart failed to cope with the excitement.
Google buys Begun to increase presence in Russian Market
Global Internet search engine Google is buying Russia's leading contextual advertising service - Begun.
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