Every Russian or Soviet leader changes the structure of government to serve his own tactical interests. It's highly unlikely that Nikita Khrushchev, NKVD chief Lavrenty Beria or Georgy Malenkov, chairman of the Soviet Council of Ministers, thought too much about observing the spirit and letter of the Soviet Constitution of 1936 when they divided power right after the death of Josef Stalin.

I received the news that President Vladimir Putin would be heading United Russia's federal ticket while on a visit to Harvard University.

The Tula region's sights include the memorial house where writer Leo Tolstoy spent 50 years of his life.

Valery Maximov, general director of the hotel Sovietsky -- Summit Hotels and the restaurant Yar.

One year ago to the day, Prostiye Veshchi held its opening. Since then, this cute little cafe, or gastropub as it calls itself, has been producing some innovative cuisine alongside some classic deli favorites for the lunchtime crowd.

At Mate Club you sit on the earth, God rests in the sky, and wild tobacco smoke from the sacred Native American pipe is the prayer that connects you to God.