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Music Not Music: The Wonder of the Zikr Duo

Keep your eye out for this one-of-a-kind musical group.

Rock Legend Vladimir Kuzmin Plays Crocus City Hall

You can see this Russia legend perform on Thurs. Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at Crocus City Hall in a concert dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the group “Dinamik”...

Tchaikovsky and Russian Toys in Klin

Just a short drive from Moscow, this small, cozy city is filled with the sounds of music and the tapping of little hammers at the Christmas tree ornament...

The Tall Brothers Circus Takes Moscow By Stilts

Catch the Tall Brothers (Vysokiye Bratya) circus group — a circus, theater and street art troupe all combined into one.

Iggy Pop Takes Moscow

The legendary punk musician Iggy Pop is performing in Moscow this week as part of the world tour for his Post Pop Depression album.

A Tribute to Lyudmila Alexeyeva, Human Rights Veteran Turned 90

The veteran human rights defender turns 90.

Remembering Soviet Rock Martyr Viktor Tsoi 24 Years After His Death

On the 24th anniversary of the death of Soviet rock legend Viktor Tsoi, we take a look back at arguably one of the most mysterious figures in the...

Viktoria Belova Teaches American Singing for Slavs

A former actress turned singer, Viktoria Belova is known to many in Russia as a voice coach who teaches Russian beginners to sing better. Her secret...

Government to Establish Airfield to Boost Arctic Presence

The Defense Ministry will establish a permanent airfield in the Arctic as part of Russia's plan to boost its presence in the oil- and gas-rich Arctic...

'Alterum' Dance Troupe to Conquer Middle East

In the mid 1990s, Alexei Chernov was a street dancer whose break dance group "Da Boogie Crew" was so popular that it was shown on MTV Russia and performed...

California Clinic Has Russian Flavor

Before his emigration from the Soviet Union in 1985, Oleg Vidov was a successful actor, most famous for starring in the lead role of a brave romantic...

A Just Russia Pushes Anti-Nepotism Legislation

The left-leaning Just Russia party wants to prohibit state officials from hiring close relatives to directly subordinate positions in state or municipal...

Russian Alexei Guskov to Play Pope John Paul II

The relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church might be strained, but the choice of a Russian actor to portray the late...

Putin Orders to Proceed With Academy of Science Reforms

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ruled out postponing reforms to the Russian Academy of Sciences that are fiercely opposed by many researchers...

Business Amnesty Bill Approved

The State Duma on Tuesday passed in the third and final reading the long-awaited economic crimes amnesty bill, which will free several thousand businessmen...

Shipbuilder Opposes Foreign Purchases

A senior United Ship Building Corporation official said Russia should not buy ships abroad, while the company recently completed assembly of a Mistral...

Legendary Soviet Record Label Goes Online

The state-owned Melodiya label, once the Soviet Union's record monopoly, has started to sell its music collection online, Vedomosti reported Thursday...

Amnesty Plan for Businessmen Submitted to Parliament

The long-awaited amnesty plan for economic crimes was submitted to the State Duma on Tuesday after its revised version was approved by President Vladimir...

Poet and Free-Market Liberal Ulyukayev Takes Over as Economy Minister

The newly appointed Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Monday that his main task was to prevent a recession, while Prime Minister Dmitry...

Opposition Lawmakers Slam WTO Effect

Opposition lawmakers and businessmen said at a panel Thursday that Russia had lost billions of dollars due to cuts in import tariffs after its accession...

Developers Set Up Lobby to Promote Their Interests

Russian property developers have created a lobbying group to promote their interests on the government level, the first attempt to unite their efforts...

Dvorkovich Sees Possibility of Guriev Return

Some see the meeting of the deputy prime minister and the economist, who chatted like "old friends" as a sign of government support.

Mistral and Gorshkov Projects Back on Track

The United Ship Building Corporation has accelerated work on two of its international military-related projects, company sources told Interfax Wednesday...

Bill Restricting Employee Leasing to Hit Businesses Hard

Amendments to the Labor Code restricting employee leasing might hit hard Russian companies and Western firms working in the country and deprive the budget...

Bloggers Claim Photos Show Yakunin Mansion

Bloggers have published pictures of a luxury mansion, believed to be owned by Vladimir Yakunin, the head of Russian Railways and a powerful member of President...

Even in Zimbabwe, It's All About Having the Right Partner

For some, Robert Mugabe is the authoritarian anathema who leads Zimbabwe, the mineral rich state in Africa, but for Russian businessman Alexander...

New Academy of Science President Pledges Reforms

The newly elected head of the Russian Academy of Sciences said his organization could contribute to the country's innovation policy, and he supported the...

Head of Major College Reportedly Emigrates Under Pressure

A minister said Wednesday that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's Open Government would continue to work with prominent liberal economist Sergei Guriyev...

Fresh US-Russian Translation Examines TV Attitudes

Russian television has often been labeled a Kremlin propaganda tool by its critics, with the intelligence of many who take it at face value being...

Government Offers Tax Incentives for Grants

With some experts complaining about the decreasing quality of higher education, the government is planning to provide tax incentives for grants given to...

Top Judge Proposes Jury Trials for Arbitration Courts

Supreme Arbitration Court head Anton Ivanov on Monday proposed introducing jury trials in arbitration court hearings, a move that could make the court...

Q&A: Anti-Drug Crusader Roizman Wears Many Hats

Dressed in a beat-up denim jacket and with three days worth of stubble on his cheeks, Yevgeny Roizman, 50, looked like an 80s rocker being interviewed...

Putin Says Amnesty Plan for Businessmen Needs Refining

President Vladimir Putin, who was expected during a meeting with more than a hundred entrepreneurs on Thursday to give a nod to the State Duma to draft...

Rogozin Says Defense Ministry Won't Be Stripped of Pricing Function

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday that the Defense Ministry would bear responsibility for the pricing of military equipment, despite...

Dvorkovich Upbeat on His, and Russia's, Future

In an attempt to squash media reports and assure investors, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said Tuesday that he had no plans to leave government...

New Publisher Named to The Moscow Times

Ekaterina Movsumova has been selected as the new publisher of The Moscow Times, replacing Ekaterina Son, the paper's parent company Sanoma Independent...

Soviet Rock's Shadowy Undertones Endure

During the mid 1980s, Konstantin Kinchev, a charismatic rocker, pitched his voice against the Soviet system, only to be labeled as a "fascist" by the...

Rosbank Bribery Scandal Highlights Need for Ethics Enforcement

A bribery scandal at French lender Societe Generale's Russian entity Rosbank shows that stricter measures should be implemented by both Western and Russian...

Private Operator Seeks to Improve Commuter Rail Services

Mikhail Khromov has an issue with hares. They make him very angry.

Deputy Prime Minister Surkov Steps Down

The Kremlin portrayed the ouster as a Cabinet casualty in its drive to ensure that ministers fulfill Putin's orders. But a friend said Surkov quit because...

Play Joins Politics in Animated Meeting

When political protests and calls for changes become a trend in a country, even a cartoon starts to critique social injustice.

Unauthorized Sidewalk Advertising Outlawed

President Vladimir Putin signed legislation outlawing unauthorized sidewalk ads, closing the door on the dirt-cheap advertising opportunity, according...

5 Facts About Vladislav Surkov

While Surkov has taken some credit for his behind-the-scenes wizardry, he remains very much a man in the shadows.

Moscow Skies Will Be All Abuzz

Federal aviation officials have opened the skies above the city of Moscow for transit of aircraft, but experts said the altitude threshold is too...

State Firm to Target Central Asia

A government commission agreed to establish a state corporation to turn locals away from drug smuggling by developing economic projects in Central Asia...

Putin Promises Local Planes, Foreign Pilots

Despite opposition from trade unions, Putin said foreigners would be allowed to become civilian pilots, citing a lack of specialists.

Stunning New Film Maps Soviet Sport Star's Rise

While many recent attempts by Russian filmmakers to create a patriotic blockbuster have largely failed, a new biopic dedicated to Soviet hockey master...

Sobyanin Says Investment in City Economy Hits Pre-Crisis Level

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Tuesday that investment into the city's economy reached the pre-crisis level, citing commercial real estate as an example...

Report on Defense Sector Corruption Labeled "Too Harsh"

A Public Chamber report targeting corruption in Russia's defense industry was labeled "too harsh" by defense executives, but they admitted that the sector...

Morsi Seeks Union With Kremlin, Fails to Get Loan

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that he wanted to create a strong political union with him, he but failed...

Water Supply Systems' Foreign Control Questioned

Foreign companies should not be allowed to control local water supply systems, a State Duma official said at a meeting Thursday of industry experts...

Noda Finds Warm Welcome in Philippines

When Andrei Zaitsev arrived to the Philippines early last year, he was met with a tropical cyclone and falling palm trees.

Police Detain Ex-CEO of Kalashnikov Maker

The former head of Izhmash, which makes the Kalashnikov assault rifle among other weapons, was detained in Izhevsk and whisked to Moscow to face charges...

Song and Dance Patch Up Georgian-Russian Relations

As Russia's relationship with Georgia warms up after the new Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili assumed power in Tbilisi, Moscow will host its...

Train Trips to Domodedovo Canceled

A driver lost control of his MAN truck at 12:15 a.m. on Kashirskoye Shosse, slamming into pillars of a railway bridge.

Corruption Market Estimated at a Whopping $300Bln

The corruption market in Russia is estimated at $300 billion a year, with most of this money circulating in the public finance, state property and natural...

Putin Visits Germany as Criticism Mounts

President Vladimir Putin visited Germany on Sunday as local activists planned protests against Russian probes into nongovernmental organizations.

Sberbank Expands Its Defense Industry Loan Portfolio to $14.6Bln

The nation's biggest lender, Sberbank, said Thursday that it had increased its loan portfolio to the defense industry to almost 500 billion rubles,...

Minister Says Tender Bill to Eliminate Kickbacks

New legislation on procurement will allow the government to eliminate kickbacks, Economic Development Minister Andrei Belousov said.

Moscow Leads in Procurement Transparency

Moscow Deputy Mayor Andrei Sharonov said Monday that the city's experience in conducting procurement tenders should be taken as an example for the...

Sequel on Vampires Puts Spotlight on Kremlin Opposition

A mysterious, politically savvy fiction writer has released a new book that critics already herald as a national blockbuster.

BIE Delegation Assesses Yekaterinburg's EXPO 2020 Bid

A delegation of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) visited Yekaterinburg late last week to evaluate the country's chances to host EXPO...

Sukhoi to Open $100M Service Center in Malaysia

The Sukhoi corporation signed a $100 million contract with Kuala Lumpur to service to the country's fleet of its jets, in an effort to leverage...

Zhukovsky Election to Affect Local Aircraft Industry

Sunday's mayoral election in Zhukovsky, known as the birthplace of Russian aviation, will not only become a test for the ruling United Russia party...

Fallout From Crisis Felt on Cypriot Property Market

As Cyprus is struggling through its financial crisis, the turmoil might affect the island's real estate market, known as a major investment destination...

Berezovsky, Putin and an Absence of Respect

Boris Berezovsky would probably heap all of his ill fortunes at the feet of Vladimir Putin, the man whom he helped make Russia's president but then...

After Kremlin Talks, China's Leader Takes Dig at U.S.

In a veiled criticism of the U.S., new Chinese President Xi Jinping has denounced foreign governments that meddle in the domestic affairs of other...

Shoigu Wants Military to Focus on Core Competencies

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military should finally rid itself of "non-relevant functions," during a high-level meeting on Wednesday.

Rogozin Asks Seagal to Lobby for Arms Sales

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin asked American action film star Steven Seagal to lobby for easing restrictions on the sale of Russian sporting...

Controversial Legacy for 'Uncle Styopa' Author

For some he was an author of the Soviet national anthem, which he rewrote several times to please the ruling authorities; for others a beloved children's...

US Scraps Missile Defense Opposed by Kremlin

Newly appointed U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the U.S. would scrap part of its European missile defense shield, which has faced the biggest...

Senator Confirms Plans for Mediterranean Naval Force

Russia plans to keep a regular force of naval ships in the Mediterranean Sea to defend its interests in the region, the head of the Federation...

Up to 200 Foreign Pilots Could Fly Domestic Skies

Transportation Minister Maxim Sokolov has called on Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to speed up legislation that would allow foreign pilots to work in Russian...

Titov Seeks Changes to Pretrial Detention Rules

The case of an entrepreneur who spent five years behind bars before even being sentenced will be used by the business ombudsman to reduce the maximum...

Kremlin to Protect Venezuelan Interests Even If Opposition Wins

Russian ties with Venezuela will not remain as close as under late President Hugo Chavez, but the Kremlin will be able to protect its interests even...

Female Leaders Manage Mentalities

Yelena Andreyeva wears two hats. Most of the time, she is the head of Bastion, one of the country's leading private security agencies, which she founded...

Putin Reaches Out After Death of 'Close Friend' Chavez

Signaling an eagerness to maintain cozy ties with Venezuela, President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for even stronger relations and praised...

Kremlin Writes Off Most of Cuba's $30Bln Debt

The deal foresees Cuba getting several Russian-made passenger jets worth $650 million for its Cubana airline.

Blind Lawmaker Praises New Law Requiring Firms to Hire the Disabled

Oleg Smolin, a State Duma deputy with the Communist Party, praised a law that entered into force Monday and requires companies to hire disabled people...

Putin Awards a Crooner who Represents His Electoral Base

When a picture of a bespectacled man with a goatee, standing alongside the country’s President Vladimir Putin with a placard “Honored Artist of Russia”...

Q&A: Igor Butman's Tune Mixes Loyalty and Service

The homegrown jazz legend has played with some of the greatest stars, and knows his fame allows him to speak his mind.

Medvedev to See Glonass, Not Carnival, in Brazil

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev missed Brazil's world-famous Carnival, but he'll tout Russia's answer to the U.S. GPS navigation system and discuss weapons...

Medvedev Cuts Red Tape to Boost Investment in Regions

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the government to find ways to reduce bureaucratic obstacles to regional investment amid a drive to boost...

G20 Leaders Pledge to Avoid Currency Wars

Leaders of the Group of 20 said Saturday that global economic growth remains weak despite government measures, but they agreed to avoid currency wars...

Industrial Park Unveiled in Tatarstan

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov unveiled a new industrial park in Russia's most booming special economic zone, which has generated $1 billion...

Russian Arms Sales Double as Sales to Syria Continue

Russia sold twice as many weapons abroad in 2012 as in the previous year. It now has a portfolio of $37 billion in foreign orders and continues to sell...

St. Petersburg Tops Public-Private Partnership Ranking

St. Petersburg has left Moscow far behind in terms of public-private partnership development, according to the first rankings that analyze the multibillion-dollar...

Gazprom Co-Founder Rem Vyakhirev Dead at 78

Rem Vyakhirev, the charismatic co-founder of Gazprom who successfully fought attempts to reform the gas monopoly, died in Moscow, the state controlled...

Presidents Agree to End Baikonur Dispute

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, said Friday that they had agreed to end their dispute over the Baikonur...

Lovers Abroad Boost Local Flower Sales

The country's florists are readying to cash in on the approaching Valentine's Day celebration, while foreign romantics are frantically searching for ways...

Rogozin Proposes Defense Partnership With Brazil

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday that Russia would be interested in starting a long-term military partnership with Brazil, following...

Watchdog Revokes Red Wings' License

The country's aviation watchdog revoked the license of Red Wings Airlines, controlled by billionaire Alexander Lebedev, weeks after one of its Russian-made...

Workers Appeal to Ombudsman Over Back Wages

Amid a rising number of strikes nationwide, workers at metro-railcar producer Vagonmash appealed to the St. Petersburg human rights ombudsman to demand...

Titov Laments Status of Small Businesses

More then 40 percent of Russian businessmen have moved into the shadows since the government increased social taxes in 2011, business ombudsman Boris...

Sechin to Visit Venezuela Amid Speculation About Chavez's Health

Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin is expected to visit Venezuela on Wednesday in a mission that might be used to secure the company's oil contracts in the...

Regional Development Ministry Poised to Expand Control

Regional Development Minister Igor Slyunyayev unveiled plans Tuesday to reform his ministry, which might become a locomotive for long-promised government...

Vysotsky's Iconic Status Endures for 75th Birthday

Russian and foreign fans celebrate what would have been the late singer’s 75th, with concerts, exhibitions and monuments.

Defense Industry Plans 'Crisis' Shopping Abroad

A senior official on the government's defense industry commission, which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, has called on industry...

City Has New Plans to Battle Jams

The Moscow government will spend an additional 67 billion ($2.2 billion) in 2013 to ease traffic congestion, city transportation chief Maxim Liksutov...

Deputies Ask That Chess Master Karpov Be Investigated as Foreign Agent

Chess champion Anatoly Karpov proposed the exclusion of an article from the anti-smoking bill being considered by the Duma.