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…
Soviet Retro-Cool: A French Aristocrat’s Crusade to Save Russian Fashion
French aristocrat Jacques von Polier wants to make Russia cool again.
Poll shows over 80% of Russians approve of Putin’s work
Vladimir Putin is most frequently mentioned by respondents when they answer the question about politicians to whom they would entrust the solution of the most important matters of state A total of 81.6% of Russians approve of President Vladimir Putin’s performance and 52.1% say they are content with the work of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev,…
Arctic city opens virtual ‘museum of people’ to preserve family history of residents
The project is being implemented thanks to a grant from Norilsk Nickel’s World of New Opportunities A virtual “Museum of People”, where all those interested will be able to share photos, amateur films and stories related to the past of Norilsk, a city in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Region, above the Arctic Circle, has been opened. “This…
WWII veteran says Russian priests blessed approaches to Moscow in autumn 1941
As the Nazi troops were getting closer to Moscow, Joseph Stalin issued an order to find the Russian Orthodox priests who would bless defense lines around the capital with prayer Russian Orthodox icons guarded the approaches to Moscow in the tragic autumn of 1941 when showpiece divisions of the Third Reich were rolling towards the…
Montenegro’s Serbs propose putting up monument to Russian Czar Nicholas II
Putting up a monument to Czar Nicholas II would mark Montenegro’s permanent gratitude to Russia as the centuries-old benefactor Serb National Council (SNC) that unites members of the community of ethnic Serbs living in Montenegro has filed a petition with the authorities of the country’s old royal capital Cetinje to erect a monument to the…
Airports in major Russian cities to suspend air traffic during V-Day Parade rehearsals
Moscow’s airports will impose temporary restrictions on May 4, 7 and 9 Airports in three Russian cities, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, will suspend air traffic at the times when the Victory Day Parade is rehearsed and held, Russia’s state-run air traffic control corporation said on Wednesday. Moscow’s airports will impose temporary restrictions on May 4,…
Court ruling to weaken Jehovah’s Witnesses influence in Russia, cleric says
Metropolitan Ilarion stressed his conviction that Jehovah’s Witnesses were a totalitarian sect heavily misinterpreting the Gospels and, on top of that, destroying families Russian Orthodox Church welcomes the ruling of the Supreme Court to prohibit the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, as it destroys the traditional family, Metropolitan Ilarion, the head of Moscow Patriarchate’s…
Ottawa to hold Immortal Regiment march on Victory Day for first time
Apart from the rally, the Russian-speaking community in Ottawa will hold several events in the run-up to the Victory Day Ottawa residents will gather on Victory Day for the Immortal Regiment march to honor World War II veterans, which will be held in the Canadian capital on Victory Day for the first time this year,…
1.5 mln people hit the streets in Moscow to mark May Day
There have been neither emergencies nor offences About 1.5 million people hit the streets in Moscow to celebrate the International Workers’ Day of May Day but public order has not been violated, Moscow City police told TASS on Monday. “On May Day, about 1.5 million people participated in public events and gatherings. Police officers alongside…
Russian embassy in Poland welcomes international participation in Russian-led VE Day rally
The international motorcycle rally “Roads of Victory-to Berlin” kicked off in Moscow on April 2 The Russian Embassy in Poland welcomes international participation in the motorcycle rally “Roads of Victory-to Berlin,” organized by Russia’s Night Wolves bikers, said Vladislav Vybornov, a councellor of the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Poland. “We welcome and…
Russian traveler reaches South Africa by motorbike
46-year-old Oleg Kharitonov set off from Moscow on 20 August 2014 A Russian biker has covered 110,000 kilometers solo on his motorbike reaching Africa’s south cape halfway around the world. On Sunday, Oleg Kharitonov arrived at the Russian Orthodox Church near Johannesburg, South Africa. The 46-year-old set off from Moscow on 20 August 2014. He…
A Culinary Renaissance in the Israeli Countryside
Beyond Tel Aviv, towns are adopting enticing new approaches to cuisine that celebrate the history of the region and and the diversity of its people
Just Between Us, the Russian Way
In my file drawer of doctoral dissertations I will never write is one entitled: “Choice and Frequency of Parasitical Word Use Among Non-Native Speakers of Russian.” My personal parasite phrase is честно говоря (to be honest).
Giant Harriet Tubman “Yarn Bomb” Portrait Debuts in Upstate New York
Artist Olek’s creation is one in a series of 50 planned installations across America celebrating important women throughout U.S. history
Is Champagne Still Champagne Without Bubbles?
In a storied part of France, a group of artisan producers is making this beloved wine the old fashioned way—sans fizz
Moscow Housing Demolitions: From Rubble to Riot (Op-Ed)
In the “state capitalism” prevailing in modern Russia, the concept of property rights is blurred. But the “apartment—car—dacha” mantra remains as compelling as ever.
Russia’s Night Wolves bikers arrive in Poland
The bikers will visit Warsaw, Wroclaw and Oswiecim, and later Germany’s Berlin, where the rally will be over on May 9 Russia’s Night Wolves bikers, who are on their motorcycle rally “Roads of Victory-to Berlin,” have arrived in Poland to honor memory of soldiers who died when liberating the country from fascists. The participants of…
Russia’s Night Wolves start motorcycle rally in Slovakia
On May 4, the Night Wolves will travel to the Czech Republic Russia’s Night Wolves bikers began their motorcycle rally “Roads of Victory-2017” in Slovakia on Sunday with laying wreaths at the scenes of major battles of the Red Army against fascists, a spokesman for Russia’s embassy in the country told TASS. “The Night Wolves…
New film about Putin to open up new viewpoint for Americans, Oliver Stone says
The film will cover Vladimir Putin’s view of events since he first became Russia’s president in 2000 US Hollywood film director Oliver Stone, who is making a new film about Russian President Vladimir Putin that will be out soon, believes that it will open the eyes of Americans to a different viewpoint. “It opens up…
Pope Francis I is seeking way to unify Easter for all Christians
A unified Easter for Western and Eastern Christians is one of the provisions of the Cairo Declaration that Francis I and Tawadros II signed upon the completion of their talks Pope Francis I and the heads of Eastern Orthodox Churches are trying to find a way to unify the dates of Easter for all Christians.…
Pope Francis welcomes Russia’s efforts to defend Christians
He made his position known on Saturday as he answered a question by TASS on the way to Rome from Cairo after a two-day visit to Egypt Pope Francis I welcomes Russia’s efforts to defend Christian minorities worldwide and especially in the Middle East. He made his position known on Saturday as he answered a…
Russian Oil Giant Rosneft Sues Oligarch’s Rival Conglomerate
Russian state oil giant Rosneft has filed suit against oligarch Vladimir Yevtushenkov’s Sistema conglomerate, sending Sistema’s stock prices into free fall.
Why Russia Won’t Cave to Western Demands (Op-ed)
Russia won’t agree to the West’s conditions for reconciliation — at least not in an election year.
The Kremlin’s Coercion Calculus (Op-ed)
Russia’s rulers have to decide how to respond to an uptick in protest sentiment. So far, they are leaning towards further repression.
Five Reasons Russia Is Not Looking Forward to Meeting Trump (Op-ed)
Russia is not a priority for Donald Trump. And there is nothing the Kremlin hates more than indifference.
Russia ready to provide Hitler’s skull to scrutinize its authenticity
A slew of conspiracy theories circulating suggest that Hitler did not commit suicide in 1945, but rather fled to South America or elsewhere and that the skull is not authentic Share The Russian State Archive is ready to furnish the skull of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler for any examination to prove its authenticity, its director…
St Petersburg’s landmark cathedral to get patriarchal status
Several other churches in Russia, including Moscow’s Cathedral of the Savior, have this status The status of the Patriarchal Cathedral that St Petersburg’s landmark Cathedral of St Isaac may get after its transfer to the administrative control of the Russian Orthodox Church will impart special spiritual significance to it, Alexander Volkov, the press secretary of…
Does Creativity Breed Inequality in Cities?
Richard Florida thinks so. In his new book, the urban theorist says sometimes the most innovative cities also have the worst social and economic disparity
Russian Diplomacy Is Equal Parts Blame and Aggression (Op-ed)
Russia is becoming increasingly isolated — not only politically and economically, but culturally and morally too.
The World’s Punniest Humans Are Heading to Texas
The 40th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships comes to Austin in May
Cheat Sheet for Говорить
The other day I tried to trot out an expression using the words говорить (to speak), так (so) and не (not), and got completely balled up. Now to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes, here’s my говорить cheat sheet.
Russia’s Imaginary Stalin
In Russia, political struggle is waged using historical names as flags. For lack of real political representation we sometimes feel “represented” by people who have long been dead.
Russian Social Network Vkontakte Announces Revenue Rise of 46%
Russian social network Vkontakte netted more than half $500,000 every day during the first quarter of 2017, new data has revealed.
Polls shows number of happy Russians at record-breaking historic high
32% of the respondents feel happy due to family and another 19% due to children in their life The number of Russians who consider themselves happy has set a historical record high, the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion said in a statement on Wednesday. “The level of Russians’ happiness, according to subjective…
Coffin with presumed remains of 19th century Russian general dug up in Turkey
A skeleton of a man with a thick beard and moustache dressed in a late 19th century military uniform with epaulettes was found in the coffin Construction workers in Turkey’s northeast province of Ardahan discovered a coffin with remains which could belong to a Russian general who lived there 140 years ago, the Dogan News…
Russia’s upper house passes law banning bizarre baby names
The law will ban figures, abbreviations, numerals, obscene words and titles or positions as baby names Russia’s Federation Council upper house of parliament passed on Wednesday the bill, which bans parents from officially giving their babies names that are foul words, numbers, titles or abbreviations. The law will ban figures, abbreviations, numerals, symbols and characters,…
Six Artists Record the Vestiges of War in the Faces of Combatants
A look at a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, “The Face of Battle: Americans at War, 9/11 to Now”
A New Poem is Commissioned to Honor the Soldiers Who Fight America’s Wars
Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa writes “After the Burn Pits” for the National Portrait Gallery