Medvedev Soothes Old MGU Wounds

President Dmitry Medvedev took a major step toward repairing damage inflicted to his reputation over a carefully staged meeting at Moscow State University last fall when he held a repeat of the event Wednesday.

Europe's Rights Chief Offers Advice on Russia

Europe's outgoing human rights chief has some advice for the Latvian national who will succeed him: travel to Russia often to win the respect of local officials and press them hard to fulfill their promises.

Obama May Push for Jackson-Vanik Repeal

U.S. President Barack Obama called on lawmakers to approve "permanent normal trade relations" with Russia on Tuesday, in the latest hint that his administration would move to repeal the Cold War-era trade restrictions.

Emerald Isle Seeking More Tourist Rubles

Ireland, one of the countries worst hit by the financial crisis, is looking to boost its economy by attracting Russian tourists to its shore, and Wednesday the Irish Embassy presented a sales pitch for its country to local tourist firms.

Prosecutor Gets Upper Hand

The Prosecutor General's Office has gotten a boost from President Dmitry Medvedev with a bill proposing to increase its power amid an ongoing turf war with the Investigative Committee.

Prokhorov Put On Presidential Ballot

The Central Elections Commission on Wednesday officially registered billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov as a candidate for the March 4 presidential election.

NTV Producer Leaves, Marking 2nd Departure

A well-known senior producer for state-owned broadcaster NTV has left the station, marking the second high-profile departure from the network in recent months.

Anti-Extremism Cops Call Blogger In for Questioning

A federal anti-extremism police division asked popular blogger and photographer Ilya Varlamov for information regarding photographers suspected of infiltrating military facilities.

Opposition Nixes Feb. 4 March Plan

Organizers of a Feb. 4 opposition march have rejected alternative routes proposed by City Hall and expressed worries that the mayor will take a tougher stance on demonstrations following the dismissal of the official responsible for approving rallies.

29 Fetuses Found at Uranium Site

Workers uncovered three large jugs filled with the bodies of 29 fetuses as well as other assorted body parts and organs while excavating a radioactive waste site in Kazakhstan.

Industrial Output Growth Waivers Unexpectedly

Russian industrial production slowed faster than expected in December 2011 and recorded the lowest figure since 2009, according to State Statistics Service data.

Lavrov Balks at UN Sanctions on Syria

Russia will stonewall any UN sanctions on Syria and will push for a quick start to talks between the Syrian government and the country's opposition.

Iranian-Belarussian Bank Miffed

Trade Capital Bank, the Belarussian bank controlled by Iran's third-largest lender, said it would not stop operating after the United States designated it as providing financial services to the Export Development Bank of Iran amid sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation.

Russian Drilling Begins on Venezuelan Block

Petroleos de Venezuela, the state oil company, and a group of Russian companies started drilling the first oil well on the Junin 6 block in the Orinoco crude belt.

Norilsk Pension Fund Sees Mismanagement

Norilsk Nickel’s Private Pension Fund is preparing a statement for law enforcement agencies regarding damages caused to the fund by the company’s top management, headed by former chief executive and head of Onexim Group Mikhail Prokhorov.

Global Rights Groups Slam Kazakh Crackdown

Kazakhstan shouldn't use an official investigation into recent violence to crack down on opposition politicians and government critics.

Privatization Schedule Updated

Russia's delayed privatization plan includes the sale of a small stake in pipeline monopoly Transneft alongside a host of other companies over the coming six years, according to a schedule distributed by the Economic Development Ministry.

WikiLeaks Founder Gets Show on RT

Controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has a new talk show that will be broadcast on the Kremlin-funded English-language channel RT.

Putin Talks Taxes With Tomsk Students

Tax breaks cannot be provided universally without damaging the federal budget.

McFaul: No Interest in Revolution

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has rejected as "nonsense" accusations by a senior member of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party that he's trying to encourage revolution.