The Moscow Times

Hints Emerge That 'Reset' Is Buoying U.S. Firms

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

In a possible sign of increased business activity amid the "reset" in U.S.-Russian ties, a U.S. government agency that assists U.S. companies enter and expand in Russia has seen an increase in demand over the past year.

Failed Travel Agency 'Stole' From Tourists

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Investigators have opened a large-scale criminal fraud case against the management of one of Russia's largest tour operators, which left more than 3,500 clients stranded in Russia and abroad when it went bankrupt over the weekend.

First Electric Cars Take to the Road

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

The little boy was walking home from school when he spotted the bubble-shaped silver vehicle in the courtyard.

Volgograd Balks at Medvedev's Pick

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

President Dmitry Medvedev has met rare resistance in the appointment of a new governor, with supporters of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin balking at accepting a candidate tainted with vote-rigging allegations.

Bookmakers Say Odds Are on a Putin Victory

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

In the world of gambling, Russia's presidential election is turning into a sucker's bet.

Putin Presses for 'Full-Cycle' Farming

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the government should introduce incentives for an increase in dairy production as imports grow.

Danish Bank Sees Reform as Inevitable

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Russia's economic fate hangs in the balance and will depend on the outcome of the March 4 presidential election.

Elections Commission Says Putin Articles Were Informational, Not Campaigning

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Articles published this month by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in three major newspapers were not part of his presidential campaign, and were beneficial to voters in that they informed them about Putin's activities, the Central Elections Commission said Tuesday.

Criminal Case Brought Over Nemtsov Cell Phone Leaks

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Police have opened a criminal case in connection with the leak last month of telephone conversations of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

17 Oil Tanks Fly Off Train in Amur Region

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

The side frames of freight cars on a train carrying oil through the Amur region in the Russian Far East broke Tuesday morning, causing 17 oil tanks to fly off the cars.

Vnukovo Airport Facade Beams Collapse Onto Bus

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Decorative metal beams fell off the facade of Moscow's Vnukovo Airport onto a bus filled with passengers Tuesday morning, injuring one of them.

Cosmic Rays Likely Fried Fobos

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

The head of Russia's space agency said Tuesday that cosmic radiation was the most likely cause of the failure of a Mars moon probe that crashed to Earth this month, and suggested that a low quality, imported component may have been vulnerable to the radiation.

Ministry Branch 'Advised' Journalists on Putin Rally

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

An article on the Odintsovo.info news portal claims that the Moscow region branch of the press ministry sent a memorandum to state-owned news outlets with instructions on how to properly cover a pro-Putin rally, but the ministry denied the claim.

British Oil Executive Fractures Skull on Fall From Airplane Stairs

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

TNK-BP vice president and UK native Alexander Dodds was hospitalized with a skull fracture after falling from stairs when exiting a plane at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport.

Fire-Bombing Damages Perm Newspaper Office

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

The editorial offices of Perm region weekly newspaper Vecherny Krasnokamsk were badly damaged over the weekend in an arson attack.

Protest Organizers Meet to Settle on Demands

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Organizers of Saturday's opposition rally gathered Tuesday to set an agenda for the mass march - the third major protest since the disputed State Duma elections in December.

U.S. Law Enforcement in Izhmash Deal

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Weapons maker Izhmash has signed a contract to supply its latest shotgun to U.S. law enforcement agencies.

Economy Expanded 4.3% in 2011

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Russia's economy grew faster than forecast last year after falling unemployment and record-low inflation helped bolster consumer demand in the fourth quarter.

Nervous Russian Buyers Power London Luxury Homes Market

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Russian investors increased their share of luxury-home purchases in London's most expensive neighborhoods more than any other group in the fourth quarter, Hamptons International said, as Vladimir Putin bids to regain the presidency in March amid growing opposition.

Pork Import Rise Possible With WTO

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Pork imports into Russia may triple as the country's membership in the World Trade Organization discourages investment in the industry.

Russia Calls UN Draft on Syria 'Path to Civil War'

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

A senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday that the push to adopt a Western-Arab draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria would lead the country down a "path to civil war."

Protesting Kyrgyz Prisoners Turn to Self-Mutilation

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

More than 1,000 prisoners in Kyrgyzstan have sewn their lips together, a grotesque act inmates describe as a protest over their dismal conditions, but which authorities blame on organized criminal gangs who resent attempts to break the power they wield in prisons.

Saakashvili, Obama in Trade Talks

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday that the United States and Georgia were exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement to expand commerce and strengthen trade relations.

Prokhorov Winning in Coffee Chain Latte Election

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Voting has already begun in the presidential election in Moscow, in one coffee chain at least, which allows drinkers to publicly declare their presidential preference before the March 4 election. Instead of a white slip, the ballot paper is in the form of cinnamon powder sieved onto your drink.

Killer Cops

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

The media first leaked the story of the death of 15-year-old Nikita Leontyev from St. Petersburg a day after it happened on Jan. 21.

Russians Want Daylight More Than Democracy

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Some members of the Moscow intelligentsia have been working overtime to come up with rather outlandish material for the media.

Russia Should Take the Road To Indonesia

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Russia and Indonesia have a combined population of 377 million people, share 5.5 percent of the world's gross domestic product, possess huge potential in natural resources and both are on the path toward democracy and free market capitalism.

Nationalism Debate Has Become More Civilized

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

On Jan. 23, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin published an article in Nezavisimaya Gazeta on Russia's nationalities and migration policy

VEB Eyes RusHydro Stake

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

New Lada Line to Premiere

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

Lada Sales Down in Finland

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300

For the Record

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0300