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Articles by Jennifer Rankin

Estonian Catches a Whiff of Profit in Russia

Eva-Maria Kunapuu began making scented candles in her kitchen seven years ago when she couldn't find any decent ones in the shops in her hometown of Tallinn...

Education Reform Inching Forward

As thousands of high school graduates enter universities on Saturday, a hotly debated bill to reform the nation's education system is inching forward...

Kremlin Said to Back Foreign Property Ban for Officials

The Kremlin is ready to ban state officials from owning foreign property or keeping money abroad, a move seen by one civil society group as the latest...

As U.S. Acts on Magnitsky, Europe Debates

From the former head of a Moscow tax office accused of a $230 million fraud to the chief prison doctor who refused to see a dangerously ill man for more...

Q&A: Actress and Restaurateur Vysotskaya Has a Lot on Her Plate

People eat out in Moscow because they like the crowd, the atmosphere, the reputation of the restaurateur — almost anything but for the food. Coming from...

Another U.S. Child Abuse Case Surfaces

Investigators have opened an inquiry into the beating of a Tula-born child by his adoptive American parents, and the Foreign Ministry warned that the case...

Kalmyk Victims of Stalin's Deportations Seek Compensation

More than 1,800 Kalmyks are seeking compensation from the government as victims of a forced deportation ordered by Josef Stalin 60 years ago.

Screws to Tighten as NGO and Libel Bills Pass Duma

The State Duma put its stamp on two heavily criticized laws on the final day of its spring session Friday, capping a hectic period of lawmaking that opponents...

At Akado, CNN Fades and Returns

On Thursday morning, one of Russia's biggest Internet and cable TV providers said that it had dropped the BBC and CNN indefinitely, setting off a flurry...

Duma Votes to Ease Visa Rules With U.S.

The bureaucratic burden on Russian and American travelers is set to lighten next year after the State Duma voted Friday for a less onerous visa regime...

Lavrov Says Russia Will Not Oust Assad

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday rejected claims that Russia would push for Syrian President Bashar Assad to cede power amid escalating violence...

NGOs Must Register as 'Foreign Agents'

Foreign-funded NGOs involved in “political” activities must register as “foreign agents” or risk hefty fines and imprisonment under a new bill...

Spoiler Parties Sow Confusion

When Russians marched through the streets of Moscow on June 12, they walked under old and new party banners — from Communist red to the white and blue...

Landfill Problem in Russia Is Mountainous

Yelena Stepanova’s family never had a dacha, but as a child she gathered nuts, berries and mushrooms in the woods of her hometown in the Moscow suburb...

100 Duma Deputies Understate Income

Almost a quarter of the State Duma — 100 deputies — understated their incomes last year, according to an investigation by Transparency International...

Tighter Process in European Court Raises Concerns

A recent rules change at the European Court of Human Rights has advocates worried that efforts to speed up the court's work will prevent some cases...

Putin Prepared to Play Iran Peacemaker

Russia will attempt to play mediator between Iran and the West when President Vladimir Putin sits down with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad...

Protest Fine Amendment Inches Forward

The United Russia-controlled State Duma on Tuesday approved an amendment to dramatically hike fines for disorder at public rallies, as part of a contentious...

Human Rights Council Resignations Are 'Normal Rotation'

The head of the president's human rights council has played down talk of a reaction against Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency after a fresh...

Russia Struggles to Reform Soviet-Era Orphanages

Vikenty was 13 when he started school. Although he was being taught in the Moscow children's home that provided his earliest memories, he knew something...