Ukraine to Block Russian Social Media in Sweeping Sanctions
Ukraine will block several major Russian websites, including VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. The social networks are popular across the former Soviet Union.
Moscow authorities pledge to be mindful of people’s concerns over housing renovation bill
Some 8,000 people gathered on Sunday on Moscow’s central Prospect Sakharova Avenue to protest against the bill Moscow’s city authorities have pledged to be mindful of people’s concerns voiced at Sunday’s rally against a controversial bill on resettling residents of Soviet-era five-storey apartment blocks in the Russian capital. “We will be attentive to all meaningful…
Putin plays two songs about Moscow and St. Petersburg during China visit
The Russian president played the melody of the song “Moscow Windows” and “The City Over the Free Neva” Russian President Vladimir Putin has played the melodies of two popular songs about Moscow and St. Petersburg on the piano during his visit to China on Sunday. The Russian president played the melody of the song “Moscow…
Russia’s ‘Mad Men’: The Soviet New Wave Meets Hollywood
New TV show ‘The Optimists’ gives an insight into the workings of the USSR Foreign Ministry.
Five Can’t-Miss Summer Light Festivals
From Sydney to Providence, the world will be set aglow with millions of lights this season
Oil Prices Rise as Russia and Saudi Pledge Continued Production Limits
Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to continue limiting oil production until the end of March 2018.
Salvador Sobral of Portugal wins 2017 Eurovision song contest in Kiev
27-year-old Sobral performed with the song Amar Pelos Dios (Love for Two), composed and written by his sister Luisa Singer Salvador Sobral of Portugal won the 2017 Eurovision song contest that ended in Ukraine’s capital Kiev early on Sunday. 27-year-old Sobral, who was seen as the frontrunner of the contest by European bookmakers, performed with…
Muscovites Rally Against Demolition of Post-War Apartments
At least 8,000 marched in the streets of Moscow on Sunday to protest against the demolition of the capital’s four and five-story residential buildings.
Final of Eurovision song contest begins in Ukraine’s Kiev
The event will gather contestants from 26 states The Grand Final of the international Eurovision song contest began in Ukraine’s capital Kiev on Saturday evening. The event will gather contestants from 26 states, including 20 qualifiers from the two semifinals, held in Kiev on May 9 and 11. The host nation Ukraine, as well as…
Russian presence at 57th Venice Biennale ‘largest ever,’ says curator
“I have never seen as many Russian projects, parties, events and presentations as this time,” the commissioner of the Russian pavilion in Venice, Semyon Mikhailovsky stated The 57th International Art Exhibition – Venice Biennale, titled Viva Arte Viva, opened for public on Saturday. It also features 86 national participations, including Russia, whose presence this time…
School offering Russian as second language to open in Manhattan
Two Russian-language classes will open in September A school where school subjects will be taught both in Russian and in English will open in Manhattan the next school year, the president of the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center, Olga Zatsepina, told TASS on Friday. She said a new program will be launched at school 145,…
Russia’s health ministry says virus attacks repelled
Numerous ransomware attacks were reported worldwide on May 12, 2017 Russia’s Health Ministry has repelled virus attacks on its computers, an aide to Minister Nikita Odintsov wrote on his Twitter account. “I hereby inform you that @MINZDRAV_RF (Health Ministry of the Russian Federation – TASS) has effectively repelled the attacks and closed vulnerabilities,” he said.…
No data leaks caused by virus attack on Russian Interior Ministry’s computers
According to Volk, the Ministry’s server resources were not infected as it uses different operation systems and locally-made servers on Russia’s Elbrus microprocessor The virus attack on the Russian Interior Ministry’s computers caused no information leaks, the Ministry’s Spokeswoman Irina Volk informed TASS. “As of now the virus has been localized. There have been no…
Sberbank reports attempted virus attacks on its infrastructure
“The system has not been infected by viruses,” the bank’s press service told TASS One of Russia’s biggest banks, Sberbank, said on Friday it has registered attempted hacker attacks on its infrastructure. “Information security systems timely registered attempts at penetrating into the bank’s infrastructure. The bank’s network has a system if protection against such attacks.…
Russian Journalists’ Union asks US counterparts to stick to professional standards
The photos of the US president’s meeting with the Russian foreign minister presented by TASS photographer Aleksandr Shcherbak triggered an unexpectedly harsh response from some US mass media The Russian Journalists’ Union has called upon the US counterparts to stick to the principles of professionalism in defiance of twists and turns in current politics. The…
Moscow Patriarch’s visit to US on horizon, says Church official
A visit to the U.S. by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill I is on the horizon, metropolitan Ilarion, the chief of Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external Church relations told TASS on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians, currently held in Washington at the initiative of…
News Feed Putin expects reconstruction of Bethlehem’s Old City to increase tourist flow
The reconstruction of Bethlehem’s Old City will increase tourist inflow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said following talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The Russian president pointed out that “the development of humanitarian ties has always played an important role in cooperation between Russia and Palestine.” Putin pointed to the cultural projects implemented recently, particularly mentioning…
Poll shows more than 82% approve of Putin’s work
A total of 52.8% of Russians praise Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s activities A total of 82.1% of Russians approve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s performance, and 52.8% praise Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s activities, a survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center shows. Sociologists note that in late April the Russian president enjoyed a…
Archaeologists still searching for answers to treasure mystery hidden in chess figure
Archaeologists in downtown Moscow have dug up a trove dating back to the days of Ivan the Terrible Coins dating back to the times of Ivan the Terrible could have been hidden in an ivory chess bishop from thieves or robbers, head of Moscow’s Cultural Heritage Department, Alexey Yemelyanov, stated on Thursday commenting on a…
Russian blogger gets 3.5-year suspended sentence for ‘catching Pokemon’ in church
The court found Ruslan Sokolovsky guilty of inciting hatred, insulting religious feelings and illegal possession of special technical means – a pen with a video camera A court in Russia’s Urals city of Yekaterinburg handed down a 3.5-year suspended sentence to blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky who played the popular Pokemon Go game in a local church,…
Blogger who played Pokemon Go in Russian church found guilty on all counts
The court found Ruslan Sokolovsky guilty of inciting hatred, violating religious feelings and illegal possession of special technical means – a pen with a video camera A court in Russia’s Urals city Yekaterinburg ruled on Thursday that blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky, who played the popular Pokemon Go game in a local church, is guilty on all…
Around eight million people take part in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow
As many as 6,000 people, particularly war veterans, were present at Red Square during the military parade Around 8,000,000 people took part in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, marking the 72nd anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, the press service of the city security and…
Kremlin puzzled by reports of ‘mandatory participation’ in Immortal Regiment march
Earlier in the day, Russian Interior Ministry informed TASS that more than 24.5 million people took part in Victory Day celebrations across the country Reports about alleged obligatory participation in the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march might raise eyebrows as the march is so popular that no additional measures are needed to attract people, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry…
Double Dutch
Love brought businessman Erik Jansma to Moscow. He isn’t against staying.
Muscovites Offered Cash Compensation in Housing Demolition Scheme
Muscovites forced from their homes under a controversial demolition scheme will be able to choose between cash or a replacement apartment
On Restaurant Day in Helsinki, Unofficial Pop-up Eateries Take Over Everything from Home Kitchens to Tattoo Shops
It’s a warm day in May, and a group of locals are gathered on an upper floor of a Helsinki flat that’s undergoing construction—its walls covered with sheets, with tools strewn throughout. In one room, a group of strangers is seated upon floor cushions, each of them holding a piece of cardboard with a number…
It’s Nearly Summer, and Maybe It’s Snowing in Moscow
Theater Companie Philippe Genty: Inner Landscapes Chekhov Theater Festival Wed. Jun. 07Fri. Jun. 09 Mossovet Theater 06:00 p.m. French choreographer, marionettes master, theater director, and author Philippe Genty stages a poetry odyssey based on his memories, dreams, and travels. Details and tickets at https://www.chekhovfest.ru/en Read more Read more
Kremlin Search Engine Sputnik Could Close Amid Massive Losses — Reports
Russia’s Kremlin-backed search engine could soon close after capturing less than one percent of the country’s online market.
Mastering a Polite ‘No’ in Russian
You know what to call your back-pedaling, postponing, shirking, and reneging. Then we come to the really tricky bit: what do you say? The art of what Russians call вежливый отказ (politely saying no) is worth mastering.
Archaeologists stumble upon 16th century coins stashed in ivory chess figure
The ivory chess piece was found during construction work in downtown Moscow Archaeologists have discovered a treasure trove in central Moscow dating back to Ivan the Terrible’s times – ten silver coins tucked inside an ivory chess bishop, City Hall said on its website on Wednesday.. The ivory chess piece was found during construction work…
Over 8 mln people take to streets in Russia for ‘Immortal Regiment’ marches – police
In 2016, the ‘Immortal Regiment’ marches saw 6.2 million people The ‘Immortal Regiment’ events commemorating those who fought during the Second World War have united eight million people across Russia, twice more than last year’s marches, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk told TASS on Tuesday. “More than 2,000 events have taken place in Russian cities…
‘Immortal Regiment’ march in Moscow sets record of 750,000 participants
In 2016, a total of 700,000 people hit the streets in Moscow for the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march, according to the police data The ‘Immortal Regiment’ march has set a record in Moscow bringing together 750,000 people, Russia’s Interior Ministry’s press center told TASS on Tuesday. “The ‘Immortal Regiment’ march has already brought together 750,000 participants.…
Israel’s president sends congratulatory message to Putin, Russian people on V-Day
“Israel has great admiration for the heroism and military prowess of the Red Army during that war that played such a decisive role in the defeat of the Nazis,” the message says Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin sent a congratulatory message to the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people on Victory Day celebrated on…
Putin takes part in ‘Immortal Regiment’ march
For the Russian president, like for an absolute majority of Russians, the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 is a part of his family’s history Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march in Moscow to commemorate those who fought or died in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany in…
Putin lays wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Moscow
The remains of the Unknown Soldier were transferred from a common grave near Moscow and buried in a ceremony in the Alexander Garden in 1966 Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid a wreath at the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall as part of the Victory Day celebrations devoted to the 72nd…
Why North Korea Can Unite Russia and Japan (Op-ed)
The economy and concerns over North Korea will bring Russia and Japan closer — not any desire to resolve future of the Kuril Islands.
What Does Thoreau’s Walden Pond Look Like Today?
Photographer S.B. Walker captures the pond’s eternal glow
Russians Bring Chinese Beer Company to Court Over Counterfeit Claims
A Russian beer company has accused a Chinese rival of trademark infringement. St. Petersburg’s Baltika has gone to a Beijing court alleging that Chinese Kuyadom has been selling a line of products remarkably similar to its own.
Experts Warn of Wine Market Exodus Over New Russian Tax Laws
New tax laws could force 80 percent of the country’s wine importers to flee the Russian market, experts have warned.
Bespoke Produce? A New Farming Venture Tweaks Veggies To Suit Consumers’ Needs
Bowery, a new indoor farming company, offers “customized” greens and herbs
For Black Photographers, the Camera Records Stories of Joy and Struggle
The African American History Museum showcases for the first time signature photographs from its new collections
These Haunting Photographs Call Attention to Plastic Trash Swirling in the Ocean
Award-winning photographer Mandy Barker explores the beauty and tragedy of marine plankton and plastic waste
Rosneft Executives Enjoy 9900% Rise in Bonus Payout
Top managers at Russian oil company Rosneft will see their bonuses skyrocket by 9,900 percent for the first quarter of 2017.
Russian Cell Operator MTS to Store User Data in Pilot Anti-Terror Scheme
Russian cell phone operator MTS will be the first company to start storing users’ data under controversial new anti-terror laws.
Immortal Regiment bands together former USSR, China residents – action coordinator
People from CIS states will participate in the event along with citizens of Russia and China The Immortal Regiment event makes possible to closer knit together residents of the former Soviet Union and China, action coordinator in Beijing Elena Timofeeva told TASS on Monday. “We are holding the action for the second year in succession…
Chechen leader vows dolphinarium will be built in Chechnya’s capital
The dolphinarium has an area of 10,000 square meters, there will be the 500-seat stands around the swimming pool The Chechen leadership has found an investor for the construction of a dolphinarium in Chechnya’s capital city of Grozny, which will be part of one of the Russian republic’s largest sports, recreation and entertainment complexes, the…
Where Does Putin Sleep and Why Is It a Secret? (Op-ed)
Are the president’s whereabouts a state secret? Yes and no.
Cats Had Clout Long Before the Internet
For artists, cats prove to be more than elegant studio companions, but inspirations as well, says a new exhibition
Russia Gambles in Afghanistan — Again (Op-ed)
Moscow may think co-operation with the Taliban is an insurance policy for the future. In reality, it risks increased antagonism between the world’s military superpowers and growing instability in the region.
More than 1,000 people join Immortal Regiment march, rally in New York
The grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Soviet veterans of World War II walked together in one column with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of U.S. veterans The Immortal Regiment march took place in downtown New York City on Saturday. A column of more than 1,000 people moves along the western bank of the Hudson in Manhattan. The…
Ukraine to ban from Eurovision’2017 Russian reporters who worked in Crimea
On Saturday, the Ukrainian authorities refused to let a photo reporter of the Rossiya Segodnya agency, Ramil Sitdikov, to this country Ukrainian authorities will ban entry of the country’s territory for covering the Eurovision 2017 song contest by Russian reporters who have worked in Crimea and the regulation will stay in effect even if a…
Square named after Russian Federation to appear in Buenos Aires
The square will be located in the Belgrano district where most of the residents have revenues above the average Legislative assembly of Buenos Aires has endorsed a bill on creating Russian Federation Square in the northern part of the city, Silvana Yarmolyuk, the chairperson of the Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots told TASS on Saturday.…
‘Immortal Regiment’ march in New York
Walking along the Hudson River, the participants sing Soviet songs, hand out St. George Ribbons, symbols of military valor in Russia, telling passers-by about them More than a thousand people have hit the streets in New York to take part in the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march, commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.…
“Immortal Regiment” march held in Macedonia
Amid the Macedonian political crisis, the organizers refrained from a traditional march that symbolizes the ‘Immortal Regiment’ public motion Hundreds of people took part in the ‘Immortal Regiment’ event in Macedonia’s capital of Skopje. The rally organized by Russia’s embassy was held in the main square on Saturday to mark the 72nd anniversary of victory…
Hollywood ‘black-belt’ martial artist Steven Seagal laughs off Ukraine’s ‘blacklisting’
“In addition to my black belt, I’m now on a black list,” spokesperson for the actor quoted him as saying without providing further details Well-known American actor and martial artist Steven Seagal has reacted ironically to the news that he had been denied entry to Ukraine, a spokesperson for the actor told TASS. “In addition…
Russian Church metropolitan to address Washington summit in defense of Christians
The summit will take place in Washington from May 10 through May 13, sources at the department of Moscow Patriarchate’s parishes in the U.S. told TASS on Friday Metropolitan Ilarion, the chief of Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations is expected to address the Word Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians, organized by the…
Thousands take part in Immortal Regiment veterans’ march in Haifa
The march and the rally waved the Red Army, Israeli and Russian flags, as the participants thronged down the central Herzl Street Several thousand people joined the march of World War II veterans and the Immortal Regiment public rally in Haifa, Israel’s business and manufacturing center, a TASS correspondent said in an eyewitness account of…
Russian researchers study how Arctic indigenous children adapt to urban life
For nearly 100 years, boarding schools for indigenous children have existed in Russia’s far north Researchers from the Tyumen Science Center of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have been studying the adaptation of Arctic indigenous children to urban life, the center’s press service said in a statement. The first part of…
Estonian activists file lawsuit against school for refusing to teach Russian language
The lawsuit has been filed in the European Court of Human Rights Estonian human rights activists have filed a lawsuit in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over a refusal of the Haabersti Russian Gymnasium in Tallinn to teach the Russian language. “The lawsuit is based on the violation of Article 2 of the…
Moscow to beef up security on city’s subway on May 7-9
Security measures will be tightened in the Moscow metro during the Victory Day celebrations, Deputy Mayor Maksim Liksutov told TASS. “Security measures are going to be tightened in the Moscow metro on May 7-9, during the celebrations of the 72nd anniversary of the 1945 Victory,” he said. “We request Muscovites and those visiting the city…