Evgeni Malkin scored two goals and added an assist to lead Russia to a 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic as the host became the first semifinalists at the ice hockey World Championship on Wednesday.

Russia was ready to reject a new transfer agreement with the NHL on Tuesday, in a move that would prolong a two-year boycott and could throw the game into chaos.

Vilnius is an easygoing, appealing and less expensive alternative to such touristy cities as Paris or Prague.

Joerg Beginen,general managerof Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya hotel

Jam Session is like a low-cal version of Hard Rock Cafe. It's not as large, not as central and not as expensive.

The 1960s -- the starry-eyed dawn of space exploration and color television -- was also the beginning of a nationwide craze for processed cheese. Druzhba, or ""Friendship,"" the most beloved brand, was invented in 1964 at a milk factory in Uglich, Yaroslavl region, and won over the hearts and stomachs of the Soviet people.