I have not voted since 1993. What is the point in voting for State Duma deputies whose only concern is how to avoid getting dispersed or shot at for disobedience? It is even more pointless to participate in the presidential election when the president has already been appointed.

Kronstadt has charming streets that take you back to an era long past, and the mystery of a once-closed town.

Given its location in the middle of Ulitsa Ostozhenka -- also known as the heart of the Golden Mile -- Assaggiatore is something of a surprise.

As Soviet children of the 1980s recall, up until the early '90s bananas existed in only two forms: green and dried.

Oil Profits Invested in 20076 Chemical Plants PlannedPipeline Deal Seen in 2007Fastest Petrol Hike in a YearCoal Mine Auction Date SetTMK Plans Capacity BoostMordashov to Up TUI StakeLUKoil, Trafigura Place BidsNovatek Profits RiseGazprombank Places BondsIran to Buy 5 TU-214sBunge to Up Oil OutputEBRD to Arrange LoanPoland's Empik to Expand

A doomsday cult leader refused Wednesday to urge followers awaiting the end of the world in an underground hideout to release several children, a government official said.

Lawyers and colleagues of Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak mounted a fierce defense of the imprisoned official Wednesday, calling for his immediate release as he faces charges of attempted embezzlement.

Gazprom and Italy's Eni will sign a deal on Thursday confirming their plan to build a new pipeline to supply Russian gas to Europe, industry sources said.

The government may impose limits on oil products shipments by river in 2008 following a large fuel oil spill from a river barge in the Kerch Strait earlier this month, industry and government sources said Wednesday.

Norilsk Nickel's largest shareholders moved a step closer to sealing a key deal Wednesday that could see Vladimir Potanin gain control of the mining giant and end months of speculation over the fate of business partner Mikhail Prokhorov's stake.

The report commissioned by Microsoft says 80 percent of companies still use unlicensed software.

MICEX stock exchange is holding talks to buy a 5 percent stake in Kazakhstan's bourse KASE, its head Alexander Potemkin said Wednesday.